Every week we share one or more of the new puzzles which our members have contributed to the Chess Fun page. Two very tricky puzzles this week! Try your best to spot possible tactics and calculate out the lines before looking at the solutions.
Puzzle 1, shared by Albert
White to play and win. From a study by Afek, 2001.
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/P7/qk1K2Q1/8/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
1. a8=R!! (1. a8=Q? Qd3+! 2. Qxd3 {is stalemate!}) 1... Qxa8 2. Qb1+ Ka6 3. Qa2+ Kb7 4. Qb3+ Ka6 (4... Kc8 5. Qc4+ Kd8 (5... Kb7 6. Qb5+ Ka7 {... and we end up in the same position as in the main line.}) 6. Qc7+ Ke8 7. Qe7#) 5. Qa4+ Kb7 6. Qb5+ Ka7 (6... Kc8 7. Qd7+ Kb8 8. Qc7#) 7. Kc7 Qe4 (7... Qb7+ 8. Qxb7#) (7... Qd8+ 8. Kxd8) 8. Qa5#Puzzle 2, shared by Maurizio
White to mate in 2
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "Q4rkr/1p3p1p/7P/R2Bp3/8/8/4KP1p/8 w - - 0 1"]
1. Bh1! (1. Ra4? e4 {prevents mate from Rg4.}) (1. Ra3? h1=N! {prevents mate from Rg3.}) 1... f6 (1... e4 2. Rg5#) (1... b6 2. Qg2#) 2. Bd5#💡
Club members: many of these puzzles come from a WhatsApp group for members, where new puzzles are regularly shared. Ask Richard or Albert if you'd like an invite.