Chess Harmonies

Walter Pulitzer, the nephew of the famous Joseph Pulitzer, was born in 1878. In 1892, at age 14, he took an interest in chess composition and, in fact had a handful of his compostions published George H. Walcott's "American Chess Magazine" in 1992. In 1894, at age 16, he published a book of his compositions (of course, his family were publishers).

The BCM, March 1895 wrote:

Looking at  Chess Harmonies, his compositions strike me as fairly do-able for most solvers, yet charming enough to be interesting . Here is the first problem given in his book:


                                                                  Mate in Two

More great journalism on the Pulitzer family by the good doctor Hunter S. Thompson!

Nice problem. A highlight is the double pin-mate after 1...Kf4. Surprising that the 3 legal moves of the g4-bishop generate 3 different mating responses.

I feel very stupid. Can't see mate in one after 1. ... d5. Someone to help

After 1...d5, a Q promotion should do it, covering the f4-flight.

I gave up.  It was much harder when you believe the 8th rank is the first.

True.  I often get turned around too (in regard to pawn moves) when the King is placed on the opponent's first rank. 

chess is board game

Thanks for the insight.

After 3 failed attempts, any more would be cheating. Great puzzle.

...in all fairness, I had a little case of insomnia last night 😐.

I love how the composer pits the chess player against him/herself, with simplicity as his trap. I can't help but muse over the irony, considering the nature of the game.

I feel I should point out that it's no simple con. That's not what I meant. I simply mean that midway the maze lies the shiny treasure, but the chess player no in dismay must find the trying measure. Kaboom, kaBOOM! Two words two steps spelled the chess player's doom.

Wow