The Beauty of Miniature Chess Puzzles!
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Miniatures are very nice, but sometimes I feel the Meredith size (8-12 pieces) gives a bit more freedom with some themes. But, here are two easy selfmates, miniature size:
Oh, and for a change, a miniature helpmate in 2 (black to move first and helps white to deliver mate on whites second move).
Uncia_Uncia wrote:
Oh, and for a change, a miniature helpmate in 2 (black to move first and helps white to deliver mate on whites second move).
1.Bf4 Ke1 2.Ke3 Nf5
Uncia_Uncia wrote:
Miniatures are very nice, but sometimes I feel the Meredith size (8-12 pieces) gives a bit more freedom with some themes. But, here are two easy selfmates, miniature size:
1.Rf5+ Ke4 2.Qd5+ Ke3 3.Nc2+ Qxc2 4.Re2+ Qxe2
1.Nd7 Kb7 2.Qb6+ Ka8 3.Qc6+ Bb7 4.Bg1 Bxc6
aurelcablayan wrote:
White to move and Black is forced to deliver mate in three(3)!
Smooth sequence, but the two bishops on the same colour feels slightly forced. Not that I can compose any better. :)
Uncia_Uncia wrote:
Miniatures are very nice, but sometimes I feel the Meredith size (8-12 pieces) gives a bit more freedom with some themes. But, here are two easy selfmates, miniature size:
Honestly, I did not find the solutions for those problems until BigDoggProblem posted them and I am convinced they're correct. These types of puzzles are the most difficult to deal with (in my point of view). Thanks for the ones posting the complete solutions, in that way I can somehow see the point or correct my erroneous solutions.
Remellion wrote:
aurelcablayan wrote:
White to move and Black is forced to deliver mate in three(3)!
Smooth sequence, but the two bishops on the same colour feels slightly forced. Not that I can compose any better. :)
You got it Remellion!
1.Bh2 f4 2.Qc4+ Kd6 3.Qc8 Kd5 4.B:f4 f5 5.Qc3 f:e4#
aurelcablayan wrote:
Uncia_Uncia wrote:
Miniatures are very nice, but sometimes I feel the Meredith size (8-12 pieces) gives a bit more freedom with some themes. But, here are two easy selfmates, miniature size:
Honestly, I did not find the solutions for those problems until BigDoggProblem posted them and I am convinced they're correct. These types of puzzles are the most difficult to deal with (in my point of view). Thanks for the ones posting the complete solutions, in that way I can somehow see the point or correct my erroneous solutions.
Well, I am very poor at estimating the difficulty of problems I've composed. They don't hold much surprises for me, so they always feel easy.
Remellion wrote:
aurelcablayan wrote:
White to move and Black is forced to deliver mate in three(3)!
Smooth sequence, but the two bishops on the same colour feels slightly forced. Not that I can compose any better. :)
It works with Pc3 instead of Ba5 (C+).
Uncia_Uncia wrote:
aurelcablayan wrote:
Uncia_Uncia wrote:
Miniatures are very nice, but sometimes I feel the Meredith size (8-12 pieces) gives a bit more freedom with some themes. But, here are two easy selfmates, miniature size:
Honestly, I did not find the solutions for those problems until BigDoggProblem posted them and I am convinced they're correct. These types of puzzles are the most difficult to deal with (in my point of view). Thanks for the ones posting the complete solutions, in that way I can somehow see the point or correct my erroneous solutions.
Well, I am very poor at estimating the difficulty of problems I've composed. They don't hold much surprises for me, so they always feel easy.
They'd be a bit more difficult if they started with a quiet move instead of a check. The ones that are all forcing checks from move 1 are pretty easy (unless perhaps they are longer, like s#20).
Longer ones with a single line of play and single idea? Once you see the idea it's much easier...
Dr. Beresi Gyull, The Fairy Chess Review 1955
Selfmate in 21.
Remellion wrote:
Longer ones with a single line of play and single idea? Once you see the idea it's much easier...
Dr. Beresi Gyull, The Fairy Chess Review 1955
Selfmate in 21.
I was thinking the more generic positions with minimal material. Comps can 'compose' them by going back from the finale, ensuring soundness to boot.
Hmmn, this is really a tough one. I can't just imagine the lengthy calculations that I have to make and of course the variations if any. Interesting though...
BigDoggProblem wrote: They'd be a bit more difficult if they started with a quiet move instead of a check. The ones that are all forcing checks from move 1 are pretty easy (unless perhaps they are longer, like s#20).
That is true about forcing checks. And in addition they make a problem ugly, in my opinion. I am an amateur, and rarely create a problem I'm happy with. Here is one such exception: Selfmate in 6, Meredith size. If anyone finds it is cooked, tell me.
@ Remellion - I really can't figure the solution out, I give up. Please do share the solution for the benefit of all who are interested in selfmates. Really a tough puzzle. Thank you!
@Uncia_Uncia - please hold your solution yet since its my time to draw attention on your puzzle and I'll try my best to find the correct solution. Maybe yours is a little easier than Remellions' (I hope so LOL)!
When you see horribly long selfmates, usually black's replies are all forced. If you picture the final mate and the necessary position to force it, it all comes together. In puzzle form.
Uncia_Uncia's on the other hand I can't get. Obviously the pawn must be shepherded to g2, but I can't decide which pieces to sac and block, and how to get black's king to eat one tempo.