The answer is for white to play R-g7.  If black plays R-f5, then R-g8 leads to mate. If black plays R-b8 instead, then R-a7 is checkmate.

I hope you found the answer. Look for another of these challenging chess puzzles in my next post! If you would like to begin having these puzzles sent to you, just add your email address in the “Subscription Options” box and click “Subscribe.”

Here is a chess endgame puzzle where we’re looking for the winning move. It’s white to play. The answer will appear in my next post. Good luck!

The answer is for white to play B-g5. Black can only sacrifice the queen to prolong checkmate. (R-d8)

I hope you found the answer. Look for another new challenging chess strategy puzzle in my next post! If you would like to have these puzzles sent to you, just add your email address in the “Subscription Options” box and click “Subscribe.”

Here is a chess endgame puzzle where we’re looking for the winning move. It’s white to play. The answer will appear in my next post. Good luck!

For individuals following the world of chess, you already undoubtedly know the story of Bobby Fischer. For those who are not regular followers of the chess world, you may be wondering what ever happened to him.

From a child genius and chess prodigy to a world phenomenon, Fischer had more exposure in his formative years than some members of the royal family have in six decades of life.

Fischer’s departure from chess was questionable, as he was undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest players. But his withdrawal from society, trouble with the law as well as his reclusive, bitter nature was simply bizarre.

Debuting in June, HBO will air the documentary, Bobby Fischer Against the World, telling Fischer’s story and what it was like to be so young, so talented, yet so seemingly needed by the world at large. Against the World, was directed by Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus. So many are eager to watch the documentary because Liz’s films are real and unapologetic.

Chess is not just any “game,” mind you, and we do run across young individuals who were catapulted to fame at an early age by simply mastering their respective craft. Chris Moneymaker, for example. Here is someone who became quite adept at poker by playing via online poker rooms and went on to win the biggest tournament in the world and subsequently millions of dollars. He became famous overnight.

What makes Bobby different from Chris? It’s in the mind. Fischer was a genius and history teaches us that the brilliant mind is often the most tormented among us.

That certainly never gained Fischer any sympathy. Most would love a good portion of Bobby’s intellect and chess-playing ability. But the truth of the matter is that the human mind is all-powerful and its destructive forces seem exponentially stronger in those we list as gifted.

Chess is also a brutal game on the mind and spirit. This is not touch-and-go slots here; this isn’t throwing a ball at a hoop or swinging a stick either. The mental capacity it takes to essentially involve one’s self in a mental war, especially at a young age and so frequently, has been known to drive individuals away from social settings and into a “funk,” for lack of a better word.

In the chess community, Fischer will always be revered. Making his true story public this June is a good move for HBO that may enlighten chess players and Fischer fans around the globe.

The answer is for black to play R-g5. If white then plays RxR, black recaptures with the pawn and wins. If white plays R-d5 check, black captures the rook and wins. And of course, if after black plays R-g5, white plays Kxh6, black just takes the rook and wins.

I hope you found the answer. Look for another new challenging chess strategy puzzle in my next post! If you would like to have these puzzles sent to you, just add your email address in the “Subscription Options” box and click “Subscribe.”

Here is a chess endgame puzzle where we’re looking for the winning move. It’s black to play.  The answer will appear in my next post.

The answer is for black to play K-f4. White is forced to play g5. Black then plays K-f5 and white has only one move which is g6 and black checkmates with hxg6.

I hope you found the answer. Look for another new challenging chess strategy puzzle in my next post! If you would like to have these puzzles sent to you, just add your email address in the “Subscription Options” box and click “Subscribe.”

Here is a chess endgame puzzle where we’re looking for the winning move. It’s black to play.  The answer will appear in my next post.

The answer is for black to play R/b-e8.  After that, white must lose a rook.

I hope you found the answer. Look for another new challenging chess strategy puzzle in my next post! If you would like to have these puzzles sent to you, just add your email address in the “Subscription Options” box and click “Subscribe.”