ArcaMax

Here’s our second special two-mover for the week, and this one is a work of genius.

I thought we’d take a break from queen sacrifices and do some easy mate in two problems this week, although each has their own unique quality, as you will see.

Here’s a version of the “Steinitz Trap” played in 1895 by someone else. There is a road not taken given below that is entertaining to play through. Black to play his 10th move. It’s a great lesson on one of the dangers of pinning the king knight before Black has castled.

A fine Pollock finish from 1893 in Buffalo. Black certainly got stampeded. The position is after Black’s 14th move. Enjoy the whole game.

Another rollicking King’s Gambit from the old days. Both sides get their hacks in. White has one move to successfully continue the attack and one move that loses. Choose wisely.

Black thought he was being clever, but White was more clever. Lots of fun.

An old example of why your pawn structure had better pay attention to the a1-g8 diagonal. White starts the lesson on move 8.

A razzle dazzle 19th century game that ends in a mating attack.

White has a mating attack.

This is a historic position, but I can’t find the game score. I will give a book prize to any reader that can find it.

This position came up in a 5-minute game I recently played. I had an obvious advantage here. Since the clock was ticking away, I didn’t have much time to think and played 1.Qe1 and went on to win. However, there was a longer line that won more quickly, but you have to take the time to see how it plays out. You have time here. See if you can ...

From one of those wild King’s Gambits from the 19th century. This time, Black bites back. A great mating attack by Falkbeer in 1853.

Queen sacrifices are always entertaining to chess players. This game, Potter v. Anonymous, London, 1870, is unique because Mr. Potter sacrificed his queen before the game started! Queen odds! His opponent may very well have been a beginner, and, at move7, our odds giver announced mate! Can you do the same? The game began: Potter - Anonymous ...

From a 100+ year old game between two anonymous players in England. Still, a lovely finish.

This is from a 5-minute game I recently played. I had about 20 seconds to make my move here, and there are some bad choices here.

A very important lesson on why you should not have weak dark squares.

Some of you more experience solvers will realize that the white queen has just taken a rook on h8 leaving a bishop that can’t move because of the loss of yet another rook; however, if you don’t know this theme, then you will learn an important to attacking concept.

Mating Attack

A Benko brilliancy from 1951.

This game finish is a feast of minor piece play.