Key Chess Puzzles: Sacrificial Chess

Preface

This book is a sequel to the first book titled, "Blitz Chess Puzzles The Art of Sacrifice. It is a step further in difficulty. All Puzzles on these pages are original.

They have all been created or composed the same way. The idea came first then the pieces were arranged in such a way as to comply with the thought. For example, the intent may have been to create a puzzle where the first move or moves by White, would have to clear the rank and or file at the same time for the Check mating piece to Checkmate.

This collection of puzzles is unique in several respects. The intent is not to frustrate the reader, but to encourage him or her in finding the solution or answer in a reasonable amount of time and to be able to move from one puzzle to another with ease.

The technique of having the Black King (K) pinned at the start of the puzzle is used often. Pinning of a piece or pieces means, that the Black pieces initially do not have a first move; at least for a two move puzzle. For a checkmate in three moves White may be forced to provide two moves for Black.

The first puzzles in each set comply with a limiting number of moves to a particular move or series of moves. One and only one move can lead to Checkmate. Towards the end of a set there may be more than one solution to a particular puzzle in the same number of moves.

A singular variation idea occurs often in these puzzles where White has only one first move which is followed by only one particular move by Black in a two move puzzle.

The puzzles in each set are arranged in an order of difficulty.

The Table of Contents, which follows, indicates that included are "Checkmate in 2 moves; Checkmate in 3 moves; Checkmate in 4 moves and finally Swap Down Puzzles".

A Swap Down Puzzle is one where the White Pieces are sacrificed in such a manner as to gain material or to gain the advantage.

Assume a Player is in a complex Tournament Game and has a way to reduce the complexity by making exchanges in a coordinated manner. Such exchanges can lead to a more easily solved Checkmate.

However the underlying purpose of this Book of Puzzles was written and published for the enjoyment of the Reader. It should provide a Reader with some relaxed, rewarding and instructive moments of pleasure.

It has been said that when Archimedes, who was a great Philosopher from Greece, arrived at the correct solution to a certain extremely and difficult problem while in the Public Bath. It is also stated that he became so excited that he ran down the street without any clothes on at all. At the same time he was shouting over and over, Eureka! Eureka! I have found it. Eureka in Greek meant I have found it (The vexing answer).

Hopefully none of the Readers of this book will get that carried away so much as to engage is such a display of excitement on solving an especially difficult puzzle.

Table of Contents

Preface

Chess Customs and Rules

Introduction

Clues

Using the Internet

Two Move Puzzles

Analysis

Solutions

Three Move Chess Puzzles

Analysis

Solutions

Four Move Chess Puzzles

Analysis

Solutions

Swap Down Chess Puzzles

Analysis

Solutions

Chess Customs and Rules

Board Setup

The Chess Board is setup with a dark square in the lower left hand corner of the Board at square a1. By Convention every Chess Board is displayed with White’s side of the Board at the bottom of the page.

Piece Setup

The White Rooks( R) (Castles) are placed on squares a1 and h1; Knights (N) are placed at b1 and g1; Bishops (B) are placed at squares c1 and f1; the White Q is placed on a like colored square at d1 and the White K is placed at the square e1.

The Black Rooks (R) are placed at a8 and h8; Knights (N)are placed at b8 and g8: Bishops (B) are placed at c8 and f8; The Black Q is placed at d8 while the Black King (K) is placed at e8.

Game Startup

One of the two Players takes two pawns (2) In hand. These two P’s are of opposite color. With his hands out of sight the pawns are rolled around. Then taking one P in each closed fist, the Player holds both hands in sight with both fists clinched with palms down.

The opposite Player then points at one of the fists with a forefinger or lightly touches the hand. The Player with the Pieces then turns that fist over and opens the hand. The color of the P in the selected hand is the color of the Chess Pieces that the Player doing the pointing is the one that Player starts with.

Changing Sides of the Board

After each Game the Players change colors they are playing. This can be done by turning the Board around; or each Player can walk around the Table to effect the change in sides. Each Player must move after the Opponent finishing his move.

The Player that Makes the first Move

By Custom the Player playing the White Pieces always moves first. The first move that most Players prefer to make is P(e2) – e4, it is called King Side.

Touching Pieces

Either Player can pick up any piece of the opponent and place it outside the Boundary of the Board when it is captured. This is true except for the Opponent’s K. The Player making the Checkmate merely says, "Checkmate".

Courtesy Custom

If either Player attacks the opponents Q threatening to capture the Opponents Q it is courteous to say, "Guard the Queen".

Introduction

Since an efficient Analysis can contribute to greater enjoyment in solving chess puzzles; it would