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First Impressions: A Favorite Puzzle

First Impressions: A Favorite Puzzle

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NM SamCopeland
Staff
| 22

Everyone has some games or tactics that are personally meaningful to them. Sometimes you come across the right game or move at the right time, and it makes an impression. I wanted to share a small tactic that made such an impression on me. I first saw this tactic when I was about 14, and I was playing blitz games in a Barnes & Noble. There was a strong player named Charles there (around 2300) who grabbed everyone's attention, pulled out a little yellow tactics book, and set up the following position to solve.

I was very happy to be the first to solve the puzzle (so happy that I whispered the solution too loudly for Charles' tastes and received a scolding). While the calculation is not deep, the geometry is striking. Hopefully, it appeals to some of you as much as it appeals to me.
SamCopeland
NM Sam Copeland

I'm the Head of Community for Chess.com. I earned the National Master title in 2012, and in 2014, I returned to my home state of South Carolina to start Strategery: Chess and Games. In late 2015, I began working for Chess.com and haven't looked back since.

You can find my personal content on Twitch , Twitter , and YouTube where I further indulge my love of chess.