Games and Puzzles

Can you solve these real-life puzzles?

The first position below, with White to move, is taken from a USCF-rated correspondence game played via e-mail between club members Humberto Cruz and A. J. Kain. Humberto's next move, which capped a razor-sharp tactical struggle, led A. J. to resign. Can you find Humberto's fastest winning move?

For the answer, check out the entire game between Humberto and A. J. in our site's Correspondence Chess page, which you can access by first clicking on Tournaments on the panel on the left, and then clicking on Correspondence Chess.

The next position, also taken from an actual game and also involving A.J., is shown from Black's point of view (in other words, Black's pieces are at the bottom of the diagram). Can you find Black's winning move?

A. J., the winner in this case,

found it during a G/15 game he won online at www.chesslive.org.

Before we show you the answer, see if you can figure it out on your own.

Here is a hint if you are having trouble: Think in terms of "clearance,'' or clearing the way for one of the Black pieces to deliver mate.

Another hint: The White pieces will get in the way of their own King so he cannot escape checkmate.

If you still can't figure out the answer, look for the solution somewhere on the "What's new" page of our Web site.

(Just click on the link to Home on the panel to the left, then on What's new. That's our way of enticing you to read everything that's new!).

Black to play and win.

We will be continually adding members' games and positions on this page. All club members are invited to submit material for publication. Please see Humberto Cruz or Jack Norris.

Indian River County Chess Club

Dedicated to promoting fun, friendship and learning through chess