Any move that White plays, except the winning move, will allow Black to beat him later in the game.
Discover how skipping the exact mate-in-two can turn triumph into defeat 👉
Sometimes, players who come from the world of practical chess (to the artistic puzzles) complain a little about the strict demand for “mate in two”.
They say: “Why should it matter how many moves? A win is a win”.
Well, in this not-so-difficult puzzle we find a fine example showing how neglecting to look for the precise mate in two could actually cost you the game — even in a real, practical battle.
📖Read more about this Art-Puzzle
💡Recommendation: Try solving it yourself first
Solved it yet?
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Yes, you recognized it correctly — a zugzwang.
On the first move, White places the ♗ directly behind the ♔.
Then, once Black — who is forced to move — opens a square, the king can step off the diagonal, and it will be checkmate.
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Of course, this little puzzle is not our true reply to such complaints.
Yes, it is amusing to find an example where failing to spot the exact winning move could actually lead to a loss — even in a “real” game 🙂 But that is not why we gather here at ChessAPit.
We do not solve these problems in order to win 🏆 We solve them for their artistic beauty, and for the chance to train our eyes and minds to uncover the rich content the composer has hidden within the position — often with great ingenuity
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There are indeed many chess problems and exercises created with the specific aim of improving practical play. But the artistic problems displayed on our stage at ChessAPit pursue a different goal 🎯 They invite us into a world of elegance, surprise, and hidden patterns. And while engaging with these works of art may well sharpen your practical skills, that is not their primary purpose.
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To dismiss an artistic chess problem by asking “but does this help me win games?” is a little like visiting a museum and critiquing a beautifully crafted ceremonial sword because it “isn’t sharp enough to use in battle” 🙂
💙We especially liked:
Six different moves that are checkmate, all by moving the king . 🏅♔#
There is a really simple win here in two moves – first to A4 and then to B5. It’s pretty clear. But the system here doesn’t accept it as a correct solution for me. Please fix it.
Hi Noah,
You’re not alone in seeing that line — many solvers are drawn to it, and for good reason. It does look like a clean and convincing win at first glance. ♟️
What makes it fall just short is not a direct refutation of the plan itself, but a subtle interruption: Black can create an urgent problem that White must deal with first, which delays the second move and breaks the intended timing. That’s why the system doesn’t accept it as a full solution.
We really appreciate you taking the puzzle seriously and looking for clarity — these timing nuances are a big part of what the composition is about.
– The ChessAPit Team