💎 Even if you’re already an experienced solver, it’s worth spending time on the simpler puzzles🧩.
Why? Because in those small and quiet compositions — the ones with only a few pieces — the logic is pure, the patterns are visible, and the essential principles of problem solving stand out more clearly than anywhere else.
When you move to a complex composition — with many pieces, intertwined defenses, and layers of deception — the same principles still apply, but they’re much harder to spot among all the noise.
So the best way to prepare for the advanced works of art is often to go back to the basics — and really understand why they work.
♟* For beginners
If you’re just starting your journey, this is the perfect way to grow.
Work through the easier puzzles slowly, methodically, and patiently.
Practice thinking in a structured way — testing ideas, checking defenses, and asking “what if?”.
This process doesn’t just train you for harder chess problems — it develops your general thinking: the ability to observe carefully, to reason systematically, and to stay curious when facing a challenge.
*♙can become ♕!
🔀 Different ways to think
There’s no single “right” method for solving.
Every solver eventually finds their own way — but there are a few reliable tools and habits that many great solvers share.
Here are just a few examples — not a full guide, but a taste of the thinking that makes solving enjoyable:
- Start with the king’s mobility 🔍.
If the ♚ is trapped or nearly trapped, that’s a strong clue — a limited king often means a forced mate is nearby. - Know what doesn’t matter 🎯.
Don’t get distracted by captures or threats that don’t help the goal. Remember — this isn’t a real fight; it’s art. - Imagine similar mates .
Picture how the board would look if only one thing were different — often that “almost” position shows what needs to change. - Look for multiple first moves — then question them.
A good puzzle has only one correct key move. If you find three that look equally good, none of them are right. - Test Black’s strongest defense first 🛡️.
Assume your “opponent” is clever. If your plan fails against the best reply, you’re not there yet. - Learn to spot “default defenses” from Black — If that’s enough to break your plan, you may be close to the correct key 🗝️.
- See examples of these solving tools in action, like here.
Each of these ideas was drawn from simple puzzles — where clarity makes them easy to notice.
Later, when you meet a truly difficult composition, these tools will already be part of your natural thinking.
💡 A dialogue between composers and solvers
Puzzle composers — including the creator of this collection, “Shlomi Yerushalmi” — are well aware that solvers learn patterns and develop methods.
That’s why the compositions keep evolving, becoming more subtle and surprising.
Yerushalmi originally composed his puzzles for his younger brothers, who knew his way of thinking almost as well as he did.
And yet — the puzzles kept surprising them.
Every time they learned his tricks, he invented new ones.
Through this friendly competition of minds, both the composer and the solvers kept improving — in creativity, logic, patience, and joy.
We hope you’ll experience a similar journey — learning, improving, and being surprised again and again.
Start with the simple ones.
Learn to see the patterns, understand the logic, and enjoy the beauty hidden in every move 🔍.
Because in the world of chess problems — as in life — sometimes the smallest problems teach the biggest lessons 🏆.
Problems that taught us ways of thinking
- Meet Zugzwang
- Welcome! Let’s start thinking (not very easy).
- Be careful not to draw
- SB Miniature Two Solutions
- Notice the Almost-solutions (not really that easy).
- In White’s hands. Can he keep it? (quite difficult).
- 4×4