Steve Giddins’ Weekly Chess Problem…

Steve Giddins has a weekly column over at TheProblemist.org which is well worth a look.  Each week sees a new problem posted for readers to try and solve, with the solution following a few days later.

The position below is this week’s problem, a helpmate with 2 solutions.  (Usually in a helpmate, Black moves first but in this one it is White.)  Both solutions are 6.5 moves long, with White moving first and mating Black on his 7th move.

For the solution and for further details please check out the full column here.

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No fantasy, however rich, no technique, however masterly, no penetration into the psychology of the opponent, however deep, can make a chess game a work of art, if these qualities do not lead to the main goal – the search for truth.  –  Vasily Smyslov

Neil Miners Vs Isacc Oluwole

Recently, upon launching the new site, we thought it would be a good idea for the match captain to nominate a game after each match for annotation/publication to appear on the website.

After the recent Harvey Cup match against Medway, Neil’s instructive win over Isaac Oluwole was selected. The game can be replayed here.

Great Games In Chess History 1

In our first game I take a look at Rossolimo Vs Romanenko. An 18 move miniature in the “Rossolimo Sicilian” from 1948.

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The opening is currently a very fashionable way to play for White, with a number of games in the Anand Vs Gelfand World Championship and the recent Candidates tournament springing to mind.

The game, with my annotations can be replayed here.

Study Time 1

Below is one of the most famous of all endgame studies by R.S Saavedra. It’s White to play and win. You will gain the most benefit by setting the position up on the board and spending 20 minutes or so trying to work out all the varitions without moving the pieces.

Once you’ve tried and think you’ve solved all the problems, you can check the solution here.

ST1

When my opponent’s clock is going I discuss general considerations in an internal dialogue with myself. When my own clock is going I analyse concrete variations.  –  Mikhail Botvinnik