Written by Robert Jamieson on 1st Feb, 2010
Welcome to 2010. We should all be back at school or work now after the Xmas holidays so to ease into the new year I offer a cute little puzzle that’s not too difficult.
Have a look at the position below (with White to move). Clearly Black is well up on material and in normal circumstances would win comfortably. White doesn’t seem to have a checkmate in the offing and he’s not threatening to win material back so it doesn’t look good.
There is however a neat way that White can save the game …. and even win!
Can you find it?
8/qp6/p7/pk6/2R5/P2K4/8/8 w - 0 1 White to play.
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Written by David Cordover on 30th Jan, 2010
With the Australian Junior just finished it might be interesting to see the progress that has been made in the past 10 years.
Check out the Tournament Bulletins from 2000 (PDF file, 168 pages, 12.1 mb).
While you’re at it you can see the Australian Championships bulletins from 2002; see how much progress has happened in just 8 years.
Check out the Tournament Bulletins from 2002 (PDF file, 178 pages, 16.9 mb).
Written by David Cordover on 29th Jan, 2010
Our superstars, James Morris and Bobby Cheng had an amazing year. International Master title, Australian titles and finally a World Championship title.
For some this might be enough, time sit back and relax, congratulate each other on a job well done. That’s not Chess Kids’ style. Did Steve Jobs relax when the MacBook came out? What about after iPod or even iPhone? Thank Jobs he didn’t and shortly we’ll have the iPad too.
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Written by David Cordover on 27th Jan, 2010
Bobby Cheng, winning everything!
Chess Kids Superstars Bobby Cheng and James Morris took out Australian Junior Championship titles in Hobart last week!
Bobby Cheng is having a great run, after winning the World U12 championships he won the Best Junior of the Year award and then just a few days later became the youngest ever Australian Junior Chess Champion!
IM James Morris has also had a good streak and took out the U16 Title in a playoff with Yi Yuan.
Full results on the Tasmanian Chess Association website.
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Written by David Cordover on 11th Jan, 2010
You can achieve what anyone else in the world has achieved. It is even easier and quicker for you because you use them as a role model and benefit from their mistakes and experience.
This is just what Junior Chess Masters Matthew and Karl have been doing these hot summer days. Their role models are somewhat dubious – but at least they have learned the art of role modeling!
"Look mum, I'm Hungarian"
To see their role models …. Read more…
Written by David Cordover on 21st Dec, 2009
I was told off by Carl for playing 1-minute chess on the internet and given lots of alternatives! I thought I could share these with you so that you’ve got plenty of chess to do this summer while your regular coaching, club and tournaments are on holidays!
First, you can read our December Issue of Knight Times
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Written by David Cordover on 17th Dec, 2009
I don’t recommend it for improving your chess, in fact it probably makes your game worse! When it is too hot to sleep here’s what I get up to…
David’s 1 minute game of chess
Game played at www.chesscube.com – a free chess site where you can play other players live online.
Written by Robert Jamieson on 14th Dec, 2009
I’ve been playing through some of Petrosian’s games lately on my iphone and have come across some nifty positions. Tigran Petrosian was World Champion from 1963 – 1969 and was renown for being a very defensive player who rarely lost. It was surprising therefore when I came across the following position with Petrosian playing Black a pawn down in a double rook ending. Surely with White’s extra pawn being doubled Petrosian could find a way to draw?
He has just played 1…R-c3. Today’s puzzle is how did the game finish? Did Petrosian gets his draw or did he suffer a rare defeat?
I’ll give you a couple of hints. Firstly, the game does not last very long. Secondly, sometimes it pays to look for an idea rather than just analysing moves.
8/8/2p2R2/7p/5P1k/2rR3P/5PK1/2r5 w KQkq - 0 1 White to play.
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Written by David Cordover on 13th Dec, 2009
Written by Robert Jamieson on 11th Dec, 2009
It’s not fair! Computers have so many advantages playing against we poor humans.
They never tire. The analyse more moves than us. They analyse deeper than us. They don’t make tactical boo-boos. They don’t get distracted by their opponents eating green apples and banging the clock. It’s a wonder we can ever beat them at all.
The best chance is in the endgame. Sometimes a human can understand what is happening at a glance whereas the silly computer is still analysing every move and perhaps the solution is beyond their move horizon.
Have a look at the following positions for example.
4R3/p1r4p/1p1k1p2/3P2p1/4K1P1/1P6/P6P/8 w KQkq – 0 1 White to play
Black has just played Rc7 and is prepared to ditch his “f” pawn in an effort to get counter-play with his R. My computer says White wins after 1.Re6+ Kd7 2.Rxf6 Rc2 3.Rh6 Rxa2 4.Kf5 Rb2 5.Rxh7+ Kd6 6.Rxa7 Kxd5 7.Rh7 Rxb3 8.Kxg5 etc.
Today’s puzzle, dear human, is is the computer correct, or can you improve on his play?
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