But will finding victory really be that simple?
After the…
After the previous puzzle we’ve raised the level, and we’re excited to share with you a composition that we feel belongs to the “tough nut” category.
What do you think — do you agree?
Good luck and don’t forget to enjoy 🙂
📖Read more about this Art-Puzzle
Recommendation: Try solving it yourself first
Solved it yet?
Read more
Despite White’s large advantage, the ♔ cannot rest. With only a handful of pieces, Black manages to block almost every attempt by the White army to subdue the ♚.
White’s threatening maneuver here is so indirect (after much thought, we almost searched for a zugzwang instead) — the ♔ steps aside from the 5th rank to allow a preparatory pin on d5 by the ♖, with the idea of making the ♕’s arrival on e4 indestructible.
But where can the ♔ go? On the 4th rank he would check himself (and no, this time there is no “checkmate despite check”), while on the 6th rank he would obstruct a vital ♖ that seals g6. And yet! The king blocks not only that ♖, but also the ♗, leaving the ♚ with two flight squares (g6 & f4). Each of these not only frees the black ♟ on d5, but also opens an escape route for the king (h6 & g3).
From here, Black’s only two defenses taking us to a nice kings dance, while White’s pieces perform their duties — though in a completely static way.
*
🕵️♂️A hint that we only discovered after solving:
We thought the ♟on h5 was there to guard g4 (just like the ♟on g7 guards f6) – but no! There is no need to guard g4, because an attempt by the ♕ to move closer will allow a check with the ♜.
Now that we understand the jobs of the h5 & g7 ♟&♟ , maybe with the right thinking-method this puzzle is not so complicated? 🤔
🪄A stylish finish:
At first glance, we didn’t pay any attention to the h6 & g3 squares – after deepening: how beautiful their opening and re-closing are! 💎