ArcaMax

I reached this position in a five-minute game. I had about two minutes left, so now so do you. Well, OK, you can have 5 minutes!

In case you celebrated too hard on New Year’s Eve, you can be assured you’re not seeing double. There are two sets of two knights, and it’s a mate in 5!

If it were Black’s move, he would have a decisive position after Qxf2+, but it isn’t. What should White do?

Note: the previous puzzle was supposed to have read--Bishops and pawn endings are often drawn because the weaker side bishop can sacrifice itself for the draw, but here White can win—Sorry for the confusion. Here we have a brilliant finish by Rossolimo in 1944.

Bishops of opposite color endings are generally considered drawn, but here White can win.

A famous Fischer position against Bill Hook at the Siegen Olympiad in 1970.

This is one of the most famous positions in chess. William Steinitz defeated von Bardeleben at Hastings in 1895. His opponent resigned after the fifth move of this attack by just leaving the tournament hall, when Steintiz then showed the next eight moves. As a challenge try and figure it all out as Steinitz did—right to the mate.

I love the third move that forced Black’s resignation.

At first glance, White’s position might not seem to promising with a rook and queen under attack, the White king in an odd place and a pawn less to boot. However, that bishop on b3 changes things.

I like to, from time to time, use Fridays as “drop back” days. I take a forced mating position and then go back to earlier in the game to make it a bit more challenging. When you know there’s a forced mate, it’s easier to find, but getting to that position from the earlier position requires more thought. In this position, we have dropped...

Quite often in chess, we talk about “holes” in an opponent’s camp that you can occupy to create an attack. In this position, Black gifted White with two holes on d6 and f6. Of course, mate follows.

Mating attack or win of the queen.

If there ever were a model “breakthrough” example, this is it!

There were other ways to win this, but the final mating position in the way the game actually ended is the prettiest you’ll see.

At times, an old theme, even one over 600 years old, may appear at the darndest time.

If you have time over the holiday and would like to give some young person a chess lesson on using rooks, this is a very instructive position. Can the two rooks defeat two potential queens ready to be promoted?

Before you solve this mate in two, can you figure out why the pawn is on h6?

This reminds me of an old 19th century puzzle. White is threatened with mate in one, but saves the day.

Another thematic finish, but with a heck of a start.

I can’t recall having so much fun looking at all the variations and the cooperation of the white pieces. It’s a great lesson on the power of the rook lift (going up to b4)as well.