Today’s chess puzzles

by kevinspraggettonchess · April 14, 2011

SPRAGGETT ON CHESS

Good morning Thursday! Today’s puzzle is a real whopper! You will need atleast 45 minutes to solve it. Black has two passed pawns on the 7th rank and his Rook is right behind to push them forward. Infact, all of Black’s pieces are excellently posted. White’s position is desperate and the awkward position of the White Queen and King (being on the same rank) make it even worse!

However, before resigning take a good look at your position. At least it is your move! (Always a good start) Make your move count: dig up some hidden counterplay and clever ideas! White to move and draw. Good luck!

Troitzky (1866-1942)

Troitzky’s chess compositions rank as some of the most difficult to be found in the entire realm of studies and compositions. And yet they are also count as some of the most popular and practical. For decades I have included Troitzky compositions in my personal training and lecturing. If one gets used to patiently searching for ideas and motif(s) in a position, no matter how horrible or desperate looking, if one develops the necessary skill of persistently looking under each move for a hidden something in order to keep on fighting….then you will most assuredly become a very strong master! Troitzky compositions are an important step in the right direction towards self improvement and achieving mastery.

TODAY’S CHESS COMBOS

(FROM ROBERT BYRNE’S GAMES)

Byrne vs Robin Ault, New York, 1959