Chessville - Chess Instruction - Problem of the Week

Chessville
...by Chessplayers, for Chessplayers!

Today is

Site Map

Already
Play the
Colle System?

Learn to Play it Better!

The Moment of Zuke:
Critical Positions and
Pivotal Decisions for
Colle System Players

by David Rudel
author of Zuke 'Em

7 modules written just for Colle System Players. Over 150 practice problems accompany lessons written in Rudel's crystal-clear, inimitable style

Thematic Lessons
on game-changing
decisions Colle Players
frequently face

Two Free
Excerpts
Available

Advertise
with
Chessville!!

Advertise to
thousands
of chess
fans for
as little
as $25.

Single insert:
$35
x4 insert:
@ $25 each.

From the
Chessville
Chess Store

Problem of the Week
2007.01.07

White to move and win

[need a hint?] [Solution] [archive]

White to move & win

1.h3+ Kg3

Now, if White could only play Be1 Black would be mated, but unfortunately for White, Black's rook on e8 is keeping an eye on the mating square (e1). On the other hand, White also threatens mate by Rf3, were it not for the black bishop on b7. Two mates, on two different squares! Black can not defend them both.

2.Be4

Now Black has two choices: defend the f3 square, or defend the e1 square; unfortunately, neither choice works!

With 2.Be4 White blocks the rook's line of sight to the mating square on e1. If Black tries to maintain that line of site by 2...Rxe4 then White mates with 3.Rf3:

This time it is the black rook on e4 interfering with the b7-bishop, which otherwise could capture the f3-rook!

Instead, Black decides to keep the bishop trained on f3, preventing the mate seen in the note to the left: 2...Bxe4, which in turn allows 3.Be1 mate: