Behold my gnat like appetites...

I worked on this puzzle yesterday, it took me quite some time but the answer is so simple once you see it. I felt I learned a broader strategic concept from it also, so like to share it with you.

click for larger view

White to move and mate in two.

(I apologize if this is too simple for you btw, I am just a humble gnat tho)

P.S.

I am limbering up for my revenge in a few hours!

That's not such an easy puzzle, due to the fact that a forced mate is not hard to find- but the eye wants the fingers to move a rook to the e7 square to deliver check. That leads to a forced mate from either Rook in all variations, and it's absolutely what I would play in an actual game.

This mates, of course, but White must still play Ne6 after the Black King moves.

It's faster to mate by not delivering check on the first move.

The "in between move" Ne6 played first mates one move faster than if you deliver check on the first move. The fact that you need the Knight to be on the <e6> square in any case means that the all too tempting Rook check on <e7> is actually a wasted move.

This means you have to also recognize that White has time for an in between move- a <ziefadhgushungt swiffer mop> is the correct term-- because Black has no defence. White has time here.

I'm guessing that's the "trick" to the puzzle eh?

You know this website is full of puzzle solvers who will line up to tell you how easy this puzzle is.

But you know what, puzzles are not games and they are not as important as games. I bet you almost every one of those people would actually deliver the Rook check first in an actual game.

I can also tell you that there are many, many puzzle solvers here who don't even play games.

Solving a puzzle is fun- and puzzle solving is still regarded as the best method of tactical training- apart from actually playing.

But your ass is not on the line in a puzzle.

It takes guts to play a game- it doesn't take guts to solve a puzzle.

That's because you can't "lose" a puzzle. You can only lose a game. And more- people are much more afraid to lose a long time control game.

This is because you invest a lot more of your heart and mind and time into it.

There is no "premade excuse" (ah, it's just a puzzle, ah it's just Blitz of course I didn't see it, etc. etc.)

This is why I regard chess against another human at a long time control to be the ONLY form of "serious chess."

Interferes with the Rook's ability to defend (for one more move for cripe sake).

BTW I usually insist that you gentlemen use the proper German terms for these concepts.

That's actually the proper solution in fact, which I didn't even find.

DOH

Brilliant---

<Re7+?> wins by force in four moves

<Ne6> wins by force in three moves

But <Nf3!!> wins by force in two moves.

But the main purpose of the puzzle as a training device is not to help you "learn the fastest mating pattern"- it is to teach you about interference and how to recognize that resource when it's available.

HA!

You found the move I dwelt on for a long time ( 1. Ne6 ) as well.

Full agreement from me that playing live, this, or the immediate rook check would be my choice.

As <the cat in the hat> rightly points out, interference was the theme I had in mind.

If I find anymore nice ones like that I will send them over.

regards

Hervorragender illustrierung des <Einmischung>-prinzips.

BTW - I think "Einmischung" *is* the correct chess term here in German; Ziemlich sicher. Pretty sure.

Headin' off to Skookum,

To do a little growlin,'

If I see a Lady Bigfoot,

You can bet I'll be a howlin'.

OK, so there's no chess element here, which shall surely not past muster with those Chessgames authorities who vigilantly scrutinize this page like cannibals hungrily eyeing a busload of fat American tourists. (Plus, I guess that's close to a sexually suggestive limerick, and you know what that meant for you and <Dom>. [You should hear the alternative version--even came with a scratch 'n sniff card.])

SO, for the Chessgames authorities looking in:

1. e4

There!!! There's your stinking chess!!!

Sir Nige pulled another little opening surprise and managed to win.

The Effing Mingo played a Najdorf and Nige played 6. a4. Notice that most of the unusual opening moves he plays are perfectly logical. a4 mucks up black's queenside expansion.

After hitting the outside corner with that curve ball, Effing Mungo played the Najdorf like 7...e5 instead of transposing to the more common Schwester Cough e6.

Now mammy's little baby likes Shortnin' brought the wicked slider 8. Nxc6. The OE shows only 8 games before this one with this position. It also shows a ginormous winning percentage for white. Opening Explorer

I sit corrected. Thanks for the bird's eye lowdown on that caper...wudever that means.

You know on a rare serious note yes - your rapid win was in fact a highlight- partly because the game actually ended with a won position instead of right in the middle because 30 minutes is a RIDICULOUS CLOWN TIME CONTROL.

You know this Rapid business and then even worse the Blitz stuff in this Match-

It's embarrassing.

I'm sorry but there it is. It's almost like they are performing clowns instead of the two greatest players (by far) of the last thirty years.

They are very serious players.

Rapid is not serious chess.

Blitz is even less serious.

Thanks! I heard that one before but I'm not sure if I linked it. I will check and put it in if not.

And yes it's wonderful to hear Bobby when he's in a good mood.

And in such a strange context.

You know the more I think about it the more difficult it is to think of an active player I like more than <GM Nigel Mammy's Little Baby Loves Shortnin' Shortnin'>.

There is no such thing as "too much coffee."

Right now my eyes are as big as dinner plates and my whole body is shaking.