Often, a puzzle type of problem in which a tactical or positional solution is required, like White/Black to move and win”, in what is often a middlegame or endgame-esqe position. But a puzzle can also be a chess riddle, chess math, or any other non-normal chess problem. Questions about solving puzzles, puzzle apps and websites, how to understand the idea behind a puzzle, etc. are also on-topic.
Questions tagged [puzzles]
173 questions
17
votes
3 answers
Why did I fail this puzzle?
I just failed a puzzle at chess.com, despite being 2 moves away from check mate. I am quite sure that there is no move I could have made to get check mate in 1 move, so I am wondering how I failed.
I just looked at the suggested solution, which…
Lot
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13
votes
1 answer
How long could a player last with all their possible moves written out in advance?
In this scenario:
Black plays normally (and optimally).
White has prepared a long list of possible moves for each turn before the game starts, then movement is automatic. Each turn, each move for that turn is checked in order, and if it is legal, it…
Steve Bennett
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10
votes
5 answers
Brainteaser: What is the one thing a queen cannot do that all other pieces can do?
A simple brainteaser - A queen cannot do something all other pieces can do. What is that?
April 18 2014 9:15 PM GMT. EDIT: In this context, by "doing" I mean making a move that leads to the desired result.
NM Wesley Falcao
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9
votes
4 answers
How can I place certain pieces on a 5x5 chess board without any of them attacking each other?
How can I place one queen, two bishops, two knights, and two rooks, on a 5×5 chessboard without any of them attacking other pieces?
After placing just queen and rooks, I can't make room for the other four pieces.
Josip Maričević
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9
votes
1 answer
Why is Nb5 a strong move here? Why is there a guaranteed material gain?
Taken from:
Chess Academy: A subtle blunder
[Title "White to move"]
[FEN "r1bqr1k1/pp1nbpp1/4pn1p/2pp4/2PP1B2/P1NBPN2/1P3PPP/R2Q1RK1 w - - 0 1"]
White can play Nb5 followed by Nc7 but wouldn't Black play Rf8 beforehand?
AturSams
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8
votes
0 answers
Chessboard Domination from Opening
From the opening position for black (with no white pieces on the board), what is the fewest number of moves in which we can dominate the entire board, that is, reach a position so that each square is either attacked by, or occupied by, a black…
hexomino
- 189
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6
votes
2 answers
Help understanding lichess puzzle 274165037
Link to puzzle:
https://lichess.org/training/274165037
I got the correct solution first try, but I don't understand what it accomplishes. Seems the king can escape via f2 and rook h1 should deal with the pawn push
[Title "Lichess puzzle"]
[fen…
Jorgen
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5
votes
1 answer
In this puzzle, why does white play dxe5?
I came across the following puzzle on lichess (black to play):
[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round ""]
[White ""]
[Black ""]
[Result "*"]
[FEN "1k5r/1pp2q2/p2p2n1/4pp2/2PPP1p1/1P2B1P1/P2Q1P2/2KR4 b - - 0 1"]
1...f4 2.dxe5
( 2.Bxf4…
Lt. Commander. Data
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5
votes
2 answers
Position-jugdment problems simulating actual play
I'm interested in collections of chess problems
where we are not told beforehand what is happening in the positions presented,
but we have to decide by ourselves, whether something clear exists (a winning or drawing combination, a good move or…
exp8j
- 173
- 3
5
votes
2 answers
Help me with this puzzle
Look at this puzzle:
[FEN "r3q3/1pb1rbk1/2pn1p1p/p1Qp1Bp1/3P4/4P1NP/PP3PPB/3RR1K1 b - - 0 1"]
The aim of the puzzle is: Black to play and attain a good position. But I can't find a good position here. Then I looked at the solution, which was 1...…
Muhsin Ibn Al Azeez
- 153
- 4
4
votes
3 answers
Do "white to lose in X" puzzles exist?
The most common form of chess puzzle is white/black to win in X.
I'm curious whether a form of "white to lose in X" exists. For instance, a position that seems winning for white, but if they play a particular move, there is now mate in X against…
Steve Bennett
- 3,304
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4
votes
1 answer
White to play and win
A really tough one to start the New Year from national master Nelson Lopez
[title "White to move and win"]
[fen "1rkb4/pNp5/8/2N4p/8/5B2/4K3/8 w - - 0 1"]
Brian Towers
- 96,800
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3
votes
1 answer
Examples of interactive exercises to play chess with nullmoves
I am looking for interactive exercises that involve playing chess against computer which makes nullmoves allowing the learner to attack without thinking of defense. I know of one platform which allows this kind of exercises. For example:
The…
MichalRyszardWojcik
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3
votes
1 answer
White to play and win
I don't normally post puzzles but this one is particularly beautiful
[title "White to move and win"]
[fen "1rR2b1r/3n1k1p/p4npP/1p1q1p2/1R6/BPp2N2/4QPP1/7K w - - 0 1"]
Brian Towers
- 96,800
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3
votes
1 answer
At what level would a player be able to correctly analyze how ...a5 is superior to ...Bc5 if LiChess puzzle 94536 arose in a tournament?
LiChess puzzle 94536 (from this game) begins with this position with black to play:
[fen "r1b2rk1/ppq1n1pp/3p4/3Ppp2/1bP5/3B1N2/1B1P1PPP/R2QR1K1 b - - 1 13"]
The fork 1...e4 is obvious, then white responds 2. Qb3 hitting black's b4 bishop. We need…
Rebecca J. Stones
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