chess merit badge chess problems by joseph l. bell © 2011

Chess Merit Badge

Chess Problems

by Joseph L. Bell

© 2011

Types of Chess Problems1. Direct mate - Checkmate in one or

more moves2. Stalemate or force a draw -

Eliminate all legal moves, or force a repetition of moves

3. Studies - A realistic position where White is to move with the goal to win or draw

7/20/2011Chess Merit Badge

Types of Chess Problems (cont’d)

4. Helpmate - Black moves first and cooperates with White to checkmate his King

5. Self-mate - White moves first and forces Black to checkmate the White King

6. Series-move - White makes several moves without reply to achieve a given goal)


Types of Chess Problems (cont’d)

7. Retrograde Analysis - Find the legal moves that led to the problem position

8. Puzzle problems - Non-game puzzles that use chess pieces

– Knight’s Tour, or 8 Queen’s Puzzle


Tips for Direct Mate Problems

1. Look at the “King’s field”, which includes the square the King is on, and the squares around the King.

– There are usually squares the Black King cannot legally move to because one of his pieces is there, or there is a threat from the White pieces.

– Find ways to attack the King, and the remaining squares around the King



2. The set of squares that the Black King can move to often gives a strong clue to the kind moves that will give checkmate.

– Bishop, Queen or Knight can cover diagonal squares.

– Rook or Queen cover squares in a row or column.

– A discovered check can cover a triangle next to the King in a single move.


Tips for Direct Mate Problems3. Look for the flight squares that

the Black King can move to. – The Black King may be able to move

away, or forcing the King move to another square could create an opportunity to give checkmate.


Tips for Direct Mate Problems4. Look at which pieces are pinned

and where it may be possible to break the pin on a piece.

– Pins to the King prevent a piece from moving, and breaking the pin makes it possible to move that piece.


Tips for Direct Mate Problems5. Look at possible checks to the

White King from the Black pieces (or vice versa).

– Harassing checks can slow down or stop a checkmate attack.


Tips for Direct Mate Problems6. Composed chess problems are

often designed to hide the solution, so it may be necessary to look at some rather odd first moves (called the “key”).

– Odd key moves that give Black more freedom to move and open up many options, or moves that reduce the options for White moves, are valued by chess problem composers.


Tips for Direct Mate Problems7. Analyze options in a methodical

way, so that you do not miss the solution.

– Some first moves may have several responses, and each one needs to be analyzed.


Tips for Direct Mate Problems8. Mate in two move problems can

be solved by looking at all possible moves.

– For mate in three or more moves though, you will need to know some shortcuts you learn from practice in solving simpler direct mate problems.



9. When no other move seems to work, the composer may have implied a move, like castling or an en passant pawn capture.

– If the King and Rook are on the initial squares, assume that castling is possible.

– If pawns are positioned on adjacent files in row 4 or 5, assume that the first move could be to capture a pawn en passant.


Problem Theme: Knight’s Wheel


Mate in 2 Moves after 1. R1c7 1. … Nc6 prevents White playing 2. Nc3#, but allows 2. R(c7)d7#1. … Ne6 prevents White playing 2. Nc3#, but allows 2. R(e7)d7#1.… Nf5 prevents White playing 2. Qd3#, but allows 2. Re5#1. … Nf3 prevents White playing 2. Qxh5#, but allows 2. Qe4#



Mate in 2 Moves after 1. R1c7 (continued)

1. … Ne2 prevents White playing 2. Qd3#, but allows 2. Qxh5#1. … Nc2 prevents White playing 2. Qxh5#, but allows 2. b4#1. … Nxb3 prevents White playing 2. Nc3#, but allows 2. Qd3#1. … Nb5 prevents White playing 2. Nc3#, but allows 2. Rc5#



Mate in 2 Moves after 1. R1c7 (continued)

Other checkmates, that are not in the “Knight’s Wheel”:

1. … Rc5 prevents White playing 2. Nc3#, but allows 2. Rxc5#1. … Re5 (or Qe4) prevents White playing 2. Qxh5#, but allows 2. Nc3#

Endgame Problems


White to move

What is White’s best move?

Mate in 1


Problem #1

Mate in 1


Problem #2

Mate in 1


Problem #3

Mate in 1


Problem #4

Mate in 1


Problem #5

Mate in 1


Problem #6

Mate in 1


Problem #7

Mate in 1


Problem #8

Mate in 1


Problem #9

Mate in 1


Problem #10

Mate in 1


Problem #11

Mate in 2


Problem #12

Mate in 2


Problem #13

Mate in 2


Problem #14

Mate in 2


Problem #15

Mate in 2


Problem #16

Mate in 2


Problem #17

Mate in 2


Problem #18

Mate in 2


Problem #19

Mate in 2


Problem #20

Mate in 2


Problem #21

Mate in 2


Problem #22

Mate in 2


Problem #23

Mate in 2


Problem #24

Mate in 2


Problem #25

Mate in 2


Problem #26

Questions ?


Solutions

Problem # Solution

Endgame 1. Rb5 c1=Q 2. Rc5+ Qxc5 ½-½ forced Stalemate!

1 1. Bf6#

2 1. cxb4#

3 1. Qxg8#

4 1. d8Q# (or d8R#)

5 1. Bc7#

6 1. Nf6#


Solutions (cont’d)

Problem # Solution

7 1. c5#

8 1. Rh8#

9 1. Ra5#

10 1. Qc6#

11 1. 0-0#

12 1. Rxb7+ Ka8 2. Nb6#

13 1. Qe4+ Kh5 (or Kh3) 2. Rh1#



Problem # Solution

14 1. Rh7+ Nxh7 2. g7# (or 1. Rh7+ Rxh7 2. g7#)

15 1. Nc7+ Rxc7 2. Nd6#

16 1. Bb2 Bxb2 2. f8Q#

17 1. e8Q Nxe8 2. Bf5#

18 1. g4 Rxg4 2. Rh8# (or 1. g4 Kh6 2. Rh8#)

19 1. Qc8+ Kxc8 2. Nd6# (or 1. Nd6+ Ka6 2. Qa5#)

20 1. Nd6+ Rxd6 2. Rb8#



Problem # Solution

21 1. Rc8 Qxc8 2. Nf7#

22 1. Rg7+ Qxg7 2. Ne3# (or 1. Rg7+ Kf5 2. Rg5#)

23 1. Rxb5 Rxb5 2. Nc4# (or 1. Rxb5 Nxb5 2. Nc4#)

24 1. Re8+ Kxe8 2. Rg8#

25 1. Rg3 fxg3 2. fxg3# (or 1. Rg3 R(any) 2. Rxh3#)

26 1. g7 Nxg7 2. Ng6#


chess merit badge chess problems by joseph l. bell © 2011

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