Many Problems on many Problems: Problems are a joke 50% of the time

Hi,

Many problems have multiple solutions and you get the problem wrong when you go one path instead of the other...

I don't understand how with IA and everything how your database of problems is so weak:

- Very often you don't go up to the check mate which is a couple of steps away: why is that?

- On many occasion there are shorter and/or more elegant solutions that are possible but you get a penalty for not playing what's recorded in the database: why can't we submit our better solution and get a reward for it when improving database?

(I can provide a list of dozens of examples)

- On some occasions the solution doesn't make any sense

For example: https://www.chess.com/puzzles/problem/103624

This is the solution provided for this particular problem!

I think problems are a great way to train and progress but it is very frustrating to do it on chess.com especially when you pay a premium subscription and get penalty for outsmarting the database record.

I have a Diamond account since April and I will not renew it next year if this is not improved properly I'm currently stagnating in the 1900 zone because of these boggy problems.

Am I the only one frustrated with that?

One more thing I did not find where to contact support on the site: is it still possible? How?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Nick

You're right, that "solution" is absolute nonsense. I have also had a few that were bad, but none that were as ridiculous as your example.

The puzzle is fine since the solution (1...Ne7) 2.Qxe7! is the only winning move. By capturing the knight, White threatens 3.Ng6 mate, hence the queen cannot be taken. Black can stop the mate but then White can move the queen away and is up in material with a strong attack.

If you don't understand the solution of a puzzle, click the Analysis button (magnifying glass), which allows you to test alternative moves and see why they don't work.

Hi Peter, what's strange is when you click on the link (https://www.chess.com/puzzles/problem/103624) it says White to move, but if you click on the Analysis it's showing Black to move

@drdos7. It's a White-to-play puzzle, but you have to click the "play puzzle" button first to see the opponent's introductory move (in this case 1...Ne7). That starts the timer and the position actually becomes White to play. A bit confusing but all Chess.com puzzles work like that.

and if it doesnt work like that.... i introduce you to a small thing called en passant

Many chess.com puzzles come from real games. Black's Knight move was a blunder. White played the correct response and Black resigned when he realized that taking back would result in checkmate. So, many chess.com puzzles start with a blunder and asks you to find the best one move response or best combination response. The theme of the puzzle in your example is "Queen Sacrifice".