Queenfest VI: Peaceful Coexistence By Jeff Coakley Queenfest returns once again. As usual, the puzzles involve multiple queens. The task is to arrange the queens on the board to achieve certain goals. The first puzzle is an example of independent domination. “Independent” because the queens do not protect each other. “Domination” because all vacant squares are under their control. Queenfest #19 (six queens) [FEN "8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8"] Place six queens on the board so that no queen is defended and every empty square is attacked. Earlier Queenfest columns are in the archives. Harem Scarum. The next puzzle uses an equal number of white and black queens. Parts A and B were first … [Read more...]
Cyclotronic Overdrive: Spinning On
Cyclotronic Overdrive: Spinning OnBy Jeff CoakleyThis column continues from where we left off last month, with seven more puzzles for your cycling pleasure.A cyclotron is a three-way switcheroo. Instead of switching two pieces, we switch three. In case you’re new to this type of puzzle, here are the rules.CYCLOTRONSSwitch the position of three pieces so that Black is in checkmate. No actual chess moves are made. The pieces simply swap squares.The pieces trade places in a “cycle”. Piece A goes to square B, piece B goes to square C, and piece C goes to square A.Any three pieces can trade places. Colours do not matter. The cycled pieces can be all white, all black, or a mix of … [Read more...]
Smorgasbord VIII: Mother’s Day
Smorgasbord VIII: Mother's Day By Jeff Coakley Welcome to the Chess Cafe. Please sit wherever you like. A waiter will be right with you. This week's menu features triple loyd 44, inverted loyd 18, proof game 45, and goof 30. Free refills on all puzzles! The types of problems presented here have appeared before on The Puzzling Side of Chess. If you are unfamiliar with them, examples with more detailed explanations are available in the archives. 1. Triple Loyd 44 [FEN "8/8/R7/4B3/8/4N3/8/K6R"] Place the black king on the board so that: A. Black is in checkmate. B. Black is in stalemate. C. White has mate in one. In an inverted loyd, the black king is already on the board, and … [Read more...]
Queenfest V: Harem Scarum
Queenfest V: Harem Scarum By Jeff Coakley Queenfest rolls on with more puzzles involving multiple queens. The task is to arrange the queens on the board to achieve certain goals. The first part of the first puzzle is very easy, but figuring out the number of possible solutions is perhaps an interesting challenge. Queenfest #16 (four queens) [FEN “8/8/8/8/8/8/8/8”] Place four queens on the board so that each queen is defended by every other queen. How many solutions are there? Earlier Queenfests can be found in the archives: A Royal Heyday, Second to None, We Will Rock You, Breaking Free. The next puzzle explores the lower limits of queen mobility. Except for 17a, all … [Read more...]
Cyclotronic Overdrive: Gearing Up
Cyclotronic Overdrive: Gearing Up By Jeff Coakley This column features seven cyclotrons. Please fasten your seatbelt. These puzzles sometimes spin out of control. A cyclotron is a three-way switcheroo. Instead of switching two pieces, we switch three. In case you’re new to this type of puzzle, here are the rules. CYCLOTRONS Switch the position of three pieces so that Black is in checkmate. No actual chess moves are made. The pieces simply swap squares. The pieces trade places in a “cycle”. Piece A goes to square B, piece B goes to square C, and piece C goes to square A. Any three pieces can trade places. Colours do not matter. The cycled pieces can be all white, all … [Read more...]
Proof Games: Back to Start
Proof Games: Back to Start By Jeff Coakley The task in a proof game is to show how a given position can be reached in a legal game. The puzzles in this column have a move stipulation. The position must be reached in a precise number of moves, no more and no less. With one exception, they are proof games in 4.0 which means four moves by each side. These games are devoid of any opening strategy. But the moves are legal. Proof Game 42 This position, with White to play, was reached in a game after each player made exactly four moves. Can you figure out how? Proof Game 43 This position was reached after Black’s fourth turn. What were the moves? The next … [Read more...]
Queenfest IV: Breaking Free
Queenfest IV: Breaking Free By Jeff Coakley Continuing from past columns, we present several new puzzles involving multiple queens. The task is to arrange the queens on the board to achieve certain goals. For the first puzzle, an ‘edge square’ is defined as any square along the side of the board (a- or h-file, 1st or 8th rank). Queenfest #11(four queens) Place four queens on the board so that … 11a. all edge squares are attacked except the four corners. 11b. the most edge squares are attacked, without placing any queen on the edge. 11c. all squares on both long diagonals are attacked, without placing any queen on a long diagonal. Earlier Queenfests can be found in … [Read more...]
Rook and Knight Pairs
Rook and Knight Pairs By Jeff Coakley This column presents seven puzzles of various types, all involving rooks and knights. The grand finale is a very challenging “eight pair loop”. 1. Triple Loyd 43 Place the black king on the board so that: A. Black is in checkmate. B. Black is in stalemate. C. White has mate in one. 2. Inverted Loyd 16 Add two white rooks and two white knights so that White has mate in one. 3. Inverted Loyd 17 Add two white rooks and two white knights so that White has mate in one. 4. Construction Task 08 Construct a position with a white king, two rooks, and two knights against a lone black king so that White has the most … [Read more...]
Smorgasbord VII: The Ides of March
Smorgasbord VII: The Ides of March By Jeff Coakley Our mid-March smorgasbord features the usual assortment of chess puzzles. The special side dish this week is a collection of quotes that begin with the word I’d. The types of problems presented here have appeared previously on The Puzzling Side of Chess. If you are unfamiliar with them, examples with more detailed explanations are available in the archives. 1. Triple Loyd 42 Place the black king on the board so that: A. Black is in checkmate. B. Black is in stalemate. C. White has mate in one. The contraction I’d is short for either ‘I would’ or ‘I had’. Its most quotable usage is the former, normally followed by the … [Read more...]
Retro World IV: The Pre-existence of Being
Retro World IV: The Pre-existence of Being By Jeff Coakley Retrograde analysis is a form of logical reasoning in which past events are deduced from details in the present situation. This column features six last move problems. The task is to determine the move or moves which led to the given position. Before beginning our investigations, here are a few notes from The Chess Detective's Handbook, the classic work by resident Cafe sleuth Harmonius Hound. When answering the question "What was the last move?", be as precise as possible. A complete description of a move includes the square a piece moved from, whether a capture was made, and if so, what type of piece was … [Read more...]