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]
157 questions
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votes
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What move requires the greatest number of moves before it could be played in a game?
The move e2e4 could be played on move 1. (One half-move)
The move e7xd6 could be played no earlier than by black on move 3 (6 half-moves).
What move(s) has the latest "earliest possible move it could be played"?
A move is distinguished by:
what…
Steve Bennett
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28
votes
6 answers
Why is this a checkmate?
I'm new to chess and I'm confused about a puzzle I was practicing.
As you can see my black queen has put the white king in check, but I'm confused how this is possible if a rook is right next to my queen and could capture me next turn. Am I missing…
Sandrine Lorin
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24
votes
5 answers
Another Unusual Mate in One
Here is another mate-in-one of my own i.e. a not quite usual one...
[title "Mate in one"]
[FEN "3b4/R3P3/2kPR1n1/P1p1n3/4K1p1/2Nr4/5p2/1b6 w KQkq - 0 1"]
Imagine, you walk into a chess club, an abandoned chessboard hangs out on a table.…
Xavier Labouze
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Why do chess puzzles need a unique solution?
Why do chess puzzles need a unique solution?
This is different from real games, where such situations do occur, but more frequently, there are multiple avenues to success. Contrary to what one might think, that makes chess puzzles easier, not…
Hauptideal
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19
votes
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How many such positions are there? (chess/math checkmate puzzle)
I'm interested in this kind of position:
There are only 4 pieces on the board. If Whites goes first, they can checkmate in one move. If Blacks goes first, they can checkmate in one move. For example:
The question is: How many such positions are…
Mike
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17
votes
6 answers
How does Black win this position?
I recently ran across notes I made from a book on endgames (I don't remember the book). According to my notes, Black wins this position regardless of whose move it is. I don't see it, and Stockfish doesn't see it. What am I missing?
[FEN…
Garnet
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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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16
votes
5 answers
Effectiveness of a spaced repetition system (SRS) for memorizing tactical patterns for long-term skill gain?
After reading Micheal de Maza's article 400 Points in 400 Days and the paper Training in Chess: A Scientific Approach by Gobet and Jansen,
I have come to the conclusion that effective gains in chess skill for players below the A-class rating…
Dider
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16
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How many moves of head start does white need for a guaranteed win?
As we all know, it is not known whether white can always win in chess with optimal play. If, however, white got to make two moves before black made their first move would they be able to win with perfect play? What would those first two moves be?…
Milo Moses
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15
votes
2 answers
Sherlock Holmes vs Professor James Moriarty, A Game of Shadow-Chess Game Position Reconstruction
The chess scene between Sherlock Holmes and Professor James Moriarty in the movie Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is one of my favorite movie scenes of all time. What intrigued me even more was discovering the fact that the moves for this chess…
NM Wesley Falcao
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15
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Where to start with a child learning chess?
From here:
What is the best age to learn chess?
it seems that consensus is that that kids can start learning chess at almost any age. From around 5 years old they are big enough to learn the names of the pieces and the rules for how each piece…
Thomas
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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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13
votes
3 answers
Why move bishop first instead of queen in this puzzle?
In this puzzle (white to move), the solution first moves the bishop (to pin the knight) and only then the queen. Why is it better to move the bishop first?
[FEN "r2qk2r/pbp1bpp1/1pnp3p/8/3NP3/2P3P1/PP1N1PP1/R2QKB1R w KQkq - 1 12"]
Carla is my name
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12
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Difference between chess puzzle and chess problem in this episode of The Queen's Gambit?
While a chess puzzle is any puzzle involving aspects of chess, a chess problem is an orthodox puzzle in which one must play and win or draw a game, starting with a certain composition of pieces on the chessboard, and playing within the standard…
BCLC
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12
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Chess positions that are easy for humans but near impossible or confusing for computers
I noticed that one student is performing exceptionally well and beyond his level during an online class. I was wondering if there are particular chess positions that I can use during class to find out about such cheating. I would like to know of…
Arun J
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