Not a difficult puzzle, few pieces, elegant solution.
The challenge is to find the checkmate in 2 moves.
That is, try to find the move that White can play now that will allow him to win by checkmate in the next move. This is the winning move. Did you find it? With what checkmate move do you plan to win in the second move?
(Is there such a move this time?)
Did you solve it quickly and easily? Try to understand why for every move by Black, there is exactly one checkmate move by White.
We are sure you will be able to solve it quickly ๐
Good luck and enjoy!
๐Read more about this Art-Puzzle
Recommendation: Try solving it yourself first
Solved it yet?
Read more
Zugzwang is a situation where there is no immediate threat, but the fact that Black must make a move is what allows White to deliver mate on the following turn.
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After White plays โe5, Black would prefer to keep the position as it is โ but he must move, and every legal move harms his own position. The only two free black pieces are the โ and the โ, positioned between the โ and the โ. If either one moves, the other becomes pinned, and mate becomes possible.
It is also worth noting that there is only one checkmate move in response to each possible black move. If the โ moves, only a check with โ โ taking advantage of the pin on the โ โ leads to mate; a check with โ fails, because Black can reply with an en passant capture. If the โ moves, only a check with โ โ exploiting the pin on the โf5 โ is mate; a check with โ fails (even if the black โ moves to a square from which it no longer covers f6), because the โ must remain in place to block g5 once the โ has left it.
๐The clever twist we enjoyed most:
๐In the second move, the win doesnโt come from exploiting the fact that the piece on f5 or g5 has moved away โ but rather from taking advantage of the pin on the piece that stayed put โ โ ๐ .
Easy. But very beautiful. I enjoyed it.
Hi King Alexander,
Weโre glad you enjoyed it! Even the โeasyโ ones can hold a touch of beauty โจ
Thanks for sharing your thoughts โ we appreciate it!
โ The ChessAPit Team
Why is it just ‘chess snacks’? It should also be
‘unique gems’ ..
Congratulations! on the beautiful creation
Hi Yona,
Thank you! Weโre really happy you feel this one deserves a spot among the Unique Gems ๐
Itโs always nice to see a Chess Snack shine a little brighter than expected โจ
โ The ChessAPit Team
Why aren’t my comments appearing on the site?
Hi Mady,
Thank you for taking the time to comment โ we really appreciate your engagement with the site ๐
In some cases, comments donโt appear immediately because they go through a moderation process, mainly to filter out spam. This can take a little time. Occasionally, comments that include external links may also be delayed or automatically flagged.
If your comment hasnโt appeared yet, thereโs a good chance itโs simply awaiting review. Thanks again for your patience and for being part of the discussion.
โ The ChessAPit Team