Puzzles

I have recently become obsessed with solving very difficult checkmate in two puzzles. The reason I like to solve these difficult puzzles with only 2 moves is that on the one hand the solution is very much achievable, you only need to find 2 moves to win the game. On the other hand, it is the job of the composer to hide the solution so well, that it requires extreme creativity to find the answer. What at first seems like a very trivial checkmate puzzle that the average chess player can solve, ends up becoming a 20-minute slog of brute force calculation until the solution is eventually revealed. There is great satisfaction of finding the solutions especially when the composer hides it so well.

In this blog I going to show you eight very difficult "Checkmate in Two" puzzles that will stump even the most seasoned of chess player. In all solutions it is white to play. Do not feel that you are an inadequate player by any means if you are unable to solve these puzzles. These have been purposely designed to be as difficult as possible and require extreme creativity and understanding of tactical themes to solve. I have also supplemented all of these puzzles with video solutions, so if you are unable to solve them, you can see the video solution as to why certain moves/solutions don't work.

Scoring for this test

Give yourself ample time on each puzzle (up to 15 minutes) as these are all very hard. If you get a solution right, give yourself 1 point. If you don't get it right, you don't get any points for that puzzle. Let me know at the end of the blog how you got on!

• 0-1pt - Looks like these puzzles were too much for you. Don't fear! These chess puzzles are meant to be very difficult. See my video solutions and look into the tactical themes to see why you were unable to solve them
• 2-3pts - You have done very well to solve even a couple of puzzles. Good job and hopefully you will be able to solve more tough checkmate in 2 puzzles in the future!
• 4-5pts - You have done as good as the author of this blog. Good job!
• 6-7pts - Are an expert on these tricky puzzles?? Maybe you are a chess master in disguise?
• 8pts - Nice try Magnus Carlsen but you are not fooling anyone!

Two important tactical themes to be aware of

Before we dive into the difficult puzzles, it is important to note that composers of "Mate in 2" puzzles tend to frequently use the following chess themes: The "Quiet Move" and the "Zugzwang:"

• The "Quiet move" is an extremely effective resource in hiding a solution. It is all too easy with most "Checkmate in Two puzzles" to find forcing moves like checks or captures as it limits the amount of available responses that can be played by the opposition. The quiet move does the complete opposite, it is a move that does not attack or capture an enemy piece. Paradoxically you would think this move would allow the opposition to have more choices to play but the beauty of some quiet moves is that they further restrict play from the opposition allowing checkmate in two.
• "Zugzwang" (Trans. from German "compulsion to move") is a fancy chess term that is frequently paired with the quiet move. Composers of difficult checkmate in 2 puzzles often use this theme to force the responder into a position where, whatever move he makes, checkmate is inevitable. Zugzwangs tend to make infrequent appearances in the endgame so composers often use this uncommon theme to hide their solutions.

Puzzle 1# Paul Morphy's Amazing Checkmate in Two

This is a highly celebrated Checkmate in Two puzzle  and the only composition that Paul Morphy made. Like his amazing chess games, this puzzle has stood the test of time. Here both the "Quiet move" and the "Zugzwang" are needed to solve this deceptively easy looking problem. It is believed (although not verified) that Paul Morphy created this particular puzzle when he was only 10-years old! 

The video solution!

Puzzle 2# Remember all of the rules

This particular puzzle came from this year's British chess puzzle solving competition. Another toughie that requires you to know all of the rules!

Puzzle 3# Avoid Stalemate

Another theme that composers like to throw into the mix is Stalemate. Here the Black king has very little squares to go to. It is very easy to accidently stale-mate your opponent!

Puzzle 4# Pin to win!

I won't give you a hint on this particular one. The solution to it is very beautiful

Puzzle 6# Blocking Entry

Here white's pieces are nearly blocking all of black's pieces from moving. Almost like bouncers in a night-club!

Puzzle 7# One I couldn't solve

This one is just mean...

Puzzle 8# Bodenful puzzle

The last one is a cute little puzzle which involves the two brilliant bishops