Artikelnummer
LXHOCAWCP
Autor
Award-Winning Chess Problems
96 Seiten, kartoniert, Sterling, 1. Auflage 2005
Final vergriffen
Introduction:
"Each of these problems has been awarded a top prize in one of the innumerable problem competitions (tourneys) that have been held all over the world in the last Century and a half. Problem composers submit their works to committees whose members comprise other composers, problem judges, and problem magazine editors. These experts determine the prizewinners in several categories.
Advanced solvers will no doubt recognize the various "themes" that constructors like to use such as the Nowotny Interference, the Wurzburg-Plachutta, the Dual Avoidance, the Rukhlis, the Stocchi, and other exotic birds. Since this book is not intended primarily for the advanced solver (although many of the problems here are challenging enough for them), I have decided to ignore all talk of themes and have chosen problems that inexperienced solvers, without knowing anything about themes, should be able to solve through diligent and I hope pleasurable effort.
All orthodox chess problems, like those in this book, stipulate that White makes the first move (the key) and checkmates Black in a specified number of moves no matter what Black plays. The stipulation is inviolable: mate must be accomplished in exactly the number of moves specified, no more, no fewer. There is only one correct key for each problem.
All the problems in this book are orthodox two-move direct mates, which simply means that they are not helpmates, self-mates, maximummers, retroselfstalemates, or other unorthodox forms. The stipulation for a two-mover is that White is to move first and mate on his second move no matter how Black tries to defend. Black will be unsuccessful, of course. As solver, your task is to find the key that unlocks the puzzle and then to work out the ensuing mate after every possible Black response.
In a two-mover, White's first move sets up the mate in one of two ways. White either directly threatens a specific mate on the next move (a "threat-problem") or plays a waiting move that threatens nothing but waits for Black to make a move that allows mate. Knowing what type of position a problem is should be a helpful first step in solving it: if the position is mostly blocked, with almost no pawn moves and few piece moves for Black, then White's first move is most likely a waiting move; this is a "block-problem" or a "zugzwang" position. Zugzwang is a very important stratagem not only in problems but also in ordinary chess play. It's a German word that means "compulsion to move." A player in zugzwang is required to move, thereby weakening his position or losing the game outright.
Another helpful clue is that none of the problems in this book has a checking key.
If you have trouble finding a solution despite your best efforts (don't give up without a fight!), you may avail yourself of a hint. But be warned: though most hints are instantly helpful, some are cryptic and require a little extra thinking.
For their invaluable help in preparing this book, I'm grateful to my amazing wife, Carol, and my extraordinary editor, Peter Gordon."
________________________________
Each of these 125 problems has won top prize in one of the many chess competitions held throughout the world-and they will help hone players' skills so that even beginners can learn to become winners too.
As with all orthodox chess conundrums, the ones collected here stipulate that White makes the first move, and must checkmate Black in a specified number of moves no matter what Black does. This specification is inviolable: players can neither make more moves nor fewer, and each problem has only one correct key. A section offers hints for the really, truly stumped. But beware: while most hints provide instant help, some cryptic ones require a little extra thinking.
About MENSA:-
Mensa is the internationally renowned high IQ society which has a worldwide membership of almost 100,000 members in more than 100 countries. There are 28,000 members in the UK, including 2,200 Junior Mensans under the age of 16. To join Mensa, the only requirement for membership is that an individual's IQ falls within the top 2% of the population.
"Each of these problems has been awarded a top prize in one of the innumerable problem competitions (tourneys) that have been held all over the world in the last Century and a half. Problem composers submit their works to committees whose members comprise other composers, problem judges, and problem magazine editors. These experts determine the prizewinners in several categories.
Advanced solvers will no doubt recognize the various "themes" that constructors like to use such as the Nowotny Interference, the Wurzburg-Plachutta, the Dual Avoidance, the Rukhlis, the Stocchi, and other exotic birds. Since this book is not intended primarily for the advanced solver (although many of the problems here are challenging enough for them), I have decided to ignore all talk of themes and have chosen problems that inexperienced solvers, without knowing anything about themes, should be able to solve through diligent and I hope pleasurable effort.
All orthodox chess problems, like those in this book, stipulate that White makes the first move (the key) and checkmates Black in a specified number of moves no matter what Black plays. The stipulation is inviolable: mate must be accomplished in exactly the number of moves specified, no more, no fewer. There is only one correct key for each problem.
All the problems in this book are orthodox two-move direct mates, which simply means that they are not helpmates, self-mates, maximummers, retroselfstalemates, or other unorthodox forms. The stipulation for a two-mover is that White is to move first and mate on his second move no matter how Black tries to defend. Black will be unsuccessful, of course. As solver, your task is to find the key that unlocks the puzzle and then to work out the ensuing mate after every possible Black response.
In a two-mover, White's first move sets up the mate in one of two ways. White either directly threatens a specific mate on the next move (a "threat-problem") or plays a waiting move that threatens nothing but waits for Black to make a move that allows mate. Knowing what type of position a problem is should be a helpful first step in solving it: if the position is mostly blocked, with almost no pawn moves and few piece moves for Black, then White's first move is most likely a waiting move; this is a "block-problem" or a "zugzwang" position. Zugzwang is a very important stratagem not only in problems but also in ordinary chess play. It's a German word that means "compulsion to move." A player in zugzwang is required to move, thereby weakening his position or losing the game outright.
Another helpful clue is that none of the problems in this book has a checking key.
If you have trouble finding a solution despite your best efforts (don't give up without a fight!), you may avail yourself of a hint. But be warned: though most hints are instantly helpful, some are cryptic and require a little extra thinking.
For their invaluable help in preparing this book, I'm grateful to my amazing wife, Carol, and my extraordinary editor, Peter Gordon."
________________________________
Each of these 125 problems has won top prize in one of the many chess competitions held throughout the world-and they will help hone players' skills so that even beginners can learn to become winners too.
As with all orthodox chess conundrums, the ones collected here stipulate that White makes the first move, and must checkmate Black in a specified number of moves no matter what Black does. This specification is inviolable: players can neither make more moves nor fewer, and each problem has only one correct key. A section offers hints for the really, truly stumped. But beware: while most hints provide instant help, some cryptic ones require a little extra thinking.
About MENSA:-
Mensa is the internationally renowned high IQ society which has a worldwide membership of almost 100,000 members in more than 100 countries. There are 28,000 members in the UK, including 2,200 Junior Mensans under the age of 16. To join Mensa, the only requirement for membership is that an individual's IQ falls within the top 2% of the population.
| EAN | 140271145X |
|---|---|
| Gewicht | 120 g |
| Hersteller | Sterling |
| Breite | 13,6 cm |
| Höhe | 21 cm |
| Medium | Buch |
| Erscheinungsjahr | 2005 |
| Autor | Burt Hochberg |
| Sprache | Englisch |
| Auflage | 1 |
| ISBN-10 | 140271145X |
| Seiten | 96 |
| Einband | kartoniert |
05 Introduction
07 The Problems
70 The Hints
74 The Solutions
07 The Problems
70 The Hints
74 The Solutions