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Chess Problem #7

07.09.2014

Tags: chess problems, tactics

Leonid Kubbel was a prince among composers. I first saw an endgame study by him way back in 1970s. I still remember my awe and wonder seeing how the Black monarch was chased and mated with a lone knight. Ever since I became a fan of Kubbel. But then his admirers are legion. Great players like Smyslov, Timman and Nunn have been connoisseurs of his art. In his brief life he is said to have composed more than 1500 endgame studies and problems. The 1984 edition of his work (Leonid Kubbel by Vladimirov and Fokin) lists 466 endgame studies and more than 400 problems.

Although I had this Russian book for nearly two decades I never paid attention to the problems section. Recently when I had a look I was in for a surprise. Some of these problems are indeed beautiful. Here is an example. See if you can figure it out.

chess problem 7

White to move and mate in two moves

Time: 5 minutes

Updated 12.26.2023

Comments:

chesslook:

Did you ever post a solution?

Goldfinch:

Great Sir,Thanks for your advice !!!what is spectacular in this puzzle is the sacrifice of a worthy piece !!!Again I thank you for the choice and proud that you are doing well for chess from your website.See you soon and all my best regards to you and your team.Goldfinch

chessbibliophile:

Dear Goldfinch,Glad that you enjoyed it.You were close to the solution when you thought of bringing the queen to a-file with the idea of Qa2+.Here I shall offer a simple hint to you and all solvers.The first move in these problems is seldom a check, certainly not a discovered check.In the present case it is a sacrifice.In many others it is a quiet move with devastating effect.Do look for it next time.All the best.

Goldfinch:

Thank you sir,I really enjoyed solving this puzzle !!!Brain 2014 far from 1907See you !regardsGoldfinch

chessbibliophile:

Dear Goldfinch,1.Bxh8+ e5 2.Qd8+ Rd7 3.Qxd7# and it takes one move longer.1.Qa6 is met with 1.. Bxe5 or 1…Qxe5.Otherwise you are closer to the solution.

chessbibliophile:

Dear M,You have to get your notation right.If 1.Nd7+ Ke4 2.Bg2+ f3.That last move is a spoiler for White.

м:

1. if k from c5 goes to d7-then chess and if the king moves to e6 then bf1 goes to c4. if the king goes to e4,then bf1 goes to g2. am i right?

Goldfinch:

Dear Sir Many moves lead to white victory.for this beautifull problem I will choose the following solution :1/Qa6 followed by 2/Qa2thank you again

Goldfinch:

Dear Sir I correct my move.1/.Bxh8+ if 1/....e5 2/Qd8+# if 1/....Be5 2/ç4 +#thanks to provide solution if it is not correct.

Goldfinch:

Dear Sir,the best move I see is ;1/.Bxh8+ whath ever is the move 2/.Qe8 +#

chessbibliophile:

Dear Thomas,The solution would appear soon.Happy hunting till then!

Thomas:

How do you solve this ? I cannot do it! :oops:

chessbibliophile:

Dear Aakash,After 1.Bxc3+ e5, it still takes more than two moves to mate.Hint:Try a move that is far from obvious.

Aakash:

Bxc3+(kd6 c7#)Qe5 Qd8#

chessbibliophile:

Dear goldfinch,Greetings!Nice to see your attempt.1.Qc7 may be met by 1…Qe8, 1…Qf6 or 1…Rh6.It takes longer to mate.We need only two moves.Try again.There is a happy surprise here.

Goldfinch:

Good evening SIr,my response to this problem is:1.Qç7 if 1....e6 then 2.Qd6 +# if 1.... Bxe5 then 2.Qd7 +#

victor santana:

Qa5 y mate a la proxima

chessbibliophile:

Dear Atish,No, this did not occur in a game.It is an artistic composition.I would not go so far as to suggest, solving such problems would help you to win games in real time.From that point of view studies (win or draw) are more useful.But solving these mating problems would help you to develop your imagination and vision.You also learn some rare tactical themes typical of these positions.

chessbibliophile:

Dear jjsmith,Studies aim for win or draw.Problems aim for mate.That’s the distinction.In terms of composition this has a grandmaster standard.You can solve it.Everyone can.

chessbibliophile:

Dear silverose licker,You have to get your notation right.If 1.Bxh8+ Be5 2.Qd8+ Rd7 (or 2.Rxe5 Kd6) and it is taking longer than the stipulated mate in two moves.

jjsmith:

Is it a grandmaster level study?

Atish:

Did this position occur in real game or not? Would it help me to learn chess and beat other players? Please answer. Thank you.

silverose licker:

1st Bf5xQh8 followed by Qb6 move to D8... end.... for mate in two[list][*]qnb2b[/list]

chessbibliophile:

Dear readers,1.Nb7+ Ke6 2.Bc4 is met by 2...Ke7 and 1. Nb7 Ke4 2.Bg2+ by 2… f3.The second try, 1 Bf4 Kd4 2 Nb3+ is met by 2…Ke4.Do remember that it has to be mate in two moves.Try again.

Ibrahim Aladino:

1-Nb7+ -Ke6 2-Bc4# 0r 1-...Ke4 2-Bg2#

anis:

1 Bf4 Kd42 Nb3++