The half-pin, a concept dating back to the 19th century, remains a persistent problem in chess. The basic concept can be seen in real games as well.
Month: December 2023
Variants
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Ghostrider Chess: The power of invisible knights
Ghostrider Chess, an intriguing variant devised by Ralph Betza in 1978, has piqued my interest due to its suitability for a game server implementation. This captivating game is played on a traditional 8×8 chessboard, utilizing standard pieces, with the exception of the knights.
Tactical Tips
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King Walk: The wandering monarch
A king walk, which is also referred to as a king march, steel king, or wandering king, involves an intriguing maneuver wherein the king embarks on a significant journey to a distant part of the board during the middlegame or opening phases of the game.
Full Game Analysis
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Harry Nelson Pillsbury vs Emanuel Lasker: Get my rook. Twice.
In the 1896 tournament held in Saint Petersburg, there was a game played that showcased Emanuel Lasker’s brilliance. He earned the brilliancy prize by executing a remarkable move: sacrificing both of his rooks on the same square to expose Pillsbury’s king.
Curiosities
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Seriesmover: The victorious sequence
A seriesmover refers to a chess problem where one side executes a consecutive sequence of valid moves without any response from the opposing side. The sequence culminates with the other side performing a single move that results in either a checkmate or a stalemate, depending on the specific conditions given in the problem.
Opening Theory
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Learn to play Breyer Gambit: King’s gambit with the queen
Gyula “Julius” Breyer was a Hungarian chess master, one of the best chess players of his time. In addition to winning the Hungarian Championship in 1912 and several other significant tournaments, he made his mark in chess history by setting a new record (in 1921) for blindfolded play, managing to compete against 25 opponents simultaneously.
Variants
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Incognito Chess: A triumvirate of royal pieces
Incognito Chess, a delightful chess variant conceived by Ralph Betza in 1978, presents a straightforward yet enjoyable gameplay experience.
Tactical Tips
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The Octopus Knight: Eight tentacles in enemy territory
Octopus is the nickname of an assertive knight that ventures boldly into enemy territory, strategically poised far from the edges of the battlefield, extending its influence in all eight directions akin to the tentacles of an octopus.
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Andrew Smith vs. François-André Danican Philidor: The pawn storm
In 1790, François-André Danican Philidor showcased the significance of a strong pawn formation during a game against Andrew Smith. He famously stated, “Pawns are the soul of chess”, emphasizing their crucial role in the game.
Curiosities
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Coloring Problems: Color the board
Coloring problems are scenarios in which the colors of depicted units, whether Black or White, are unknown. The objective is to determine the colors of these units, ensuring that the resulting arrangement is permissible.