About ChessAPit
ChessAPit is an online stage dedicated to the presentation and celebration of artistic chess puzzles — particularly the elegant and challenging mate-in-two compositions.
Our mission is to offer a space where such works can be appreciated not just as chess problems, but as miniature works of art.
The first collection showcased here is by the artist ‘Shlomi Yerushalmi ‘. In the future, ChessAPit may host works by other composers as well, each bringing their own creative vision to the art of chess composition.
On each puzzle page, you’ll find a custom-designed interactive solving area. This unique feature allows you to play moves directly on the chessboard and, through your own discoveries, gradually “write” the solution into a branching move tree.
The interface is carefully designed to avoid giving away unnecessary hints, while still ensuring you uncover every relevant variation in the composition.
About ‘Shlomi Yerushalmi‘
Shlomi Yerushalmi is the eldest of twelve siblings. Many of his early puzzles were created as a shared enriching hobby for his younger brothers. As they grew more familiar with his style and ideas, Shlomi continually refined and evolved his techniques to conceal the solution more cleverly each time.
One particularly creative puzzle, composed when Shlomi was just 13 years old, received recognition and was published in a paper widely distributed throughout the State of Israel.
The collection featured on ChessAPit brings together puzzles composed by Shlomi over a span of roughly twenty years, each refined with patience, precision, and a deep love for the art of chess composition.
About the Works
What is a mate-in-two puzzle?
In chess composition, a “mate in two” is a position where White, to move, can force checkmate in exactly two moves — no matter what the defender plays. The artistry lies in creating a position that meets this condition while also being beautiful, surprising, and challenging to solve.
Why we see these puzzles as works of art:
- Every piece on the board serves an intentional purpose — often more than one.
- There is exactly one correct solution, alongside “almost solutions” that create drama and depth.
- The intended moves often involve surprising, original ideas that challenge even experienced players.
- Two moves may seem simple, but the compositions hide depth and elegance “in plain sight.”
You can read our full article here: Why We at ChessAPit See These Puzzles as Works of Art →