That was pretty easy. Whites position is good as it is so the key was to put black in zugzwang, and only way was to do a waiting move with king. And only b2 works otherwise black can give a check.
Easy. All black moves are covered with a mate. So, you must find a white move that doesn't disturb the prepared mates. The only move that do that is 1.Kb2.
I'm so annoyed at myself. I saw all possible variables excluding the king and couldn't find the solution but forgot I could move the king to force him.
Found it immediately, but with lazy thinking. I didn’t really look at the top right; I just saw the king all alone in the bottom left. What’s he doing there? He can’t move to a2 or b1 because of the bishop checks. So he only has one move. OK! Could be a zugzwang. Then I started looking in the top right …
Thanks for the puzzle! I always do the 2 move puzzles because I solve 90% of them. Can I make a request? Could you post some 2 move puzzles that are a bit more difficult sometime, or perhaps a 3 move puzzle? I find that the longer puzzles with lots of moves are too difficult for me. But most of the 2 move puzzles leave me wanting more of a challenge.
Another way to analyze: What if black has to move first. Black has only two moves and then there a check mates the next move for white. So in the end white just have to wait and move the king on black squares not getting checked by the black bishop.
Please find here a more systematic approach. Basically there are three types of key moves in such chess problems: 1. Mate by threat: White has to threat a mate, and any defence will lead to mate, too. 2. Mate by zugzwang: A move w/o a concrete threat. But the zugzwang will help White, whatever Black move. 3. Set mate: There is already a mate in the position, if (!) it would be Black's turn, a so-called 'set mate'. White must find a move transferring the duty to move to Black without worsening the position. This problem ist a set mate (number 3). And there is only one move, which allows mate in the next move.
I don't understand the difference between the 2 (mate by zugzwang) and the 3 (set mate). Here ,I think it is a zugzwang because white first move does not threat anything.
@@prestonotes Okay, you are right, it is a kind of zugzwang. "There are three types of chess positions: either none, one, or both of the players would be at a disadvantage if it were their turn to move." [Wikipedia] (2) one-side zugzwang. (3) both-side: Here we have the third case, as Black is already 'mate'. Commonly called 'reciprocal zugzwang' in English (with a 'set mate'). But White is in zugzwang, too, and must find a move. In this problem it is quite simple with the key move. In other problems, White must find a completely different mate pattern. Remark: I am a German, and did not notice the wider use of 'zugzwang' in current English.
@@ralkadde OK. It is clearer. Thanks ! Now I see what is the third kind of problems : reciprocal zugzwang. Type 2 is one side zugzwang : Black is in zugzwang and white have a move that keeps the prepared mates. Type 3 is both sides zugzwang : Black is in zugzwang and white does NOT have a move that keeps the prepared mate. So, the key move will destroy the prepared mates and will change it. As in this problem : white: Kh4, Qe3, Nd1, Nf1 black: Ke1, Be2, pawn h5. White to play and mate in 2 moves. There is prepared mates for all black moves : if Kxd1, Qd2# and if Kxf1, Qf2#. But white is in zugzwang and doesn't have a move that keeps the mates. So the key 1.Qe4 ! will completely changes the mates. After 1...,Kxd1 there is now 2.Qb1# and after 1...,Kxf1 there is now 2.Qh1#. I think this is a perfect example of 'reciprocal zugzwang'. By the way, I'm a belgian (french language) composer and I'm not familiar with the terms of composition in English.
@@prestonotes Thank you for this example, where the mate ist changed. I appreciate your thoughts very much. In your problem, there is a ('set') mate, but as White has to move, he has to drop the idea and create a completely new plan (with 1. Qe4!). In the current problem of this clip, the key move (Kb1) ist trivial, as it will not change the zugzwang variations from the initial position.
@@ralkadde Yes. Absolutely ! This illustrate the difference between the 2 problems. Here, we have a type 2 zugzwang, because white has a key move that doesn't disturb the prepared mates. In my problem, this is a type 3 zugwang because white has to change the initial plan and to find a key move that gives other mates. In French, we call this type of problem, a "mutate" (probably it is the same word in English).
Any black move allows white to mate in one, so white needs to make a move thta doesn’t ruin that. Both the knight moves do, so it must be the king. a2 and b1 allow bishop checks, so b2 it is
I spent 10 minutes starring at the horses and pawn. Then im like why do i need to make a move. They are already in a position to check mate. Then it hit me to move the king anywhere! Force black to move their pawn or bishop! Im confident thats the answer
Love your channel but please don’t say “this is an easy one”. It just makes people feel dumb if they can’t figure it out. Btw I couldn’t figure it out 😅.
Agreed. None of these puzzles are easy until you get used to a certain way of thinking about the options. I found it pretty quickly today but a couple of months ago zugzwang situations eluded me completely.
@@4231jerome It's an idiom that means "back on track" or "operating correctly". In this case, I had solved one correctly 2 days ago but failed woefully with yesterday's puzzle. Since I solved today's, I am "back on the beam." All is now well.
That was pretty easy. Whites position is good as it is so the key was to put black in zugzwang, and only way was to do a waiting move with king. And only b2 works otherwise black can give a check.
Easy. All black moves are covered with a mate. So, you must find a white move that doesn't disturb the prepared mates. The only move that do that is 1.Kb2.
I'm so annoyed at myself. I saw all possible variables excluding the king and couldn't find the solution but forgot I could move the king to force him.
I found it in the end but only after an embarrassingly long time . . . ! 🤦🏻♂
I solved it but it took me at least 5 mins to find it.
Thank you for an easy one. I was getting frustrated lately, lol!
the coffee isn't working yet. I needed your puzzle to get my brain working. Thank you.
Quick one, but I liked it!😊
Found it immediately, but with lazy thinking. I didn’t really look at the top right; I just saw the king all alone in the bottom left. What’s he doing there? He can’t move to a2 or b1 because of the bishop checks. So he only has one move. OK! Could be a zugzwang. Then I started looking in the top right …
That one was so easy. My quickest time at solving yet.
Thanks for the puzzle! I always do the 2 move puzzles because I solve 90% of them.
Can I make a request?
Could you post some 2 move puzzles that are a bit more difficult sometime, or perhaps a 3 move puzzle?
I find that the longer puzzles with lots of moves are too difficult for me. But most of the 2 move puzzles leave me wanting more of a challenge.
Another way to analyze: What if black has to move first. Black has only two moves and then there a check mates the next move for white. So in the end white just have to wait and move the king on black squares not getting checked by the black bishop.
Good idea. Analyse the position from opposite side !!!! 👏👏👏🌷🌷🌷
*3 moves
This was possibly the easiest puzzle you’ve ever presented.
I was spinning the knights around in my head for five minutes until I saw it. 😂
That was an easy one. Even I spotted the solution quickly. ;-)
Please find here a more systematic approach. Basically there are three types of key moves in such chess problems:
1. Mate by threat: White has to threat a mate, and any defence will lead to mate, too.
2. Mate by zugzwang: A move w/o a concrete threat. But the zugzwang will help White, whatever Black move.
3. Set mate: There is already a mate in the position, if (!) it would be Black's turn, a so-called 'set mate'. White must find a move transferring the duty to move to Black without worsening the position.
This problem ist a set mate (number 3). And there is only one move, which allows mate in the next move.
I don't understand the difference between the 2 (mate by zugzwang) and the 3 (set mate). Here ,I think it is a zugzwang because white first move does not threat anything.
@@prestonotes Okay, you are right, it is a kind of zugzwang. "There are three types of chess positions: either none, one, or both of the players would be at a disadvantage if it were their turn to move." [Wikipedia]
(2) one-side zugzwang. (3) both-side: Here we have the third case, as Black is already 'mate'. Commonly called 'reciprocal zugzwang' in English (with a 'set mate'). But White is in zugzwang, too, and must find a move. In this problem it is quite simple with the key move. In other problems, White must find a completely different mate pattern. Remark: I am a German, and did not notice the wider use of 'zugzwang' in current English.
@@ralkadde OK. It is clearer. Thanks ! Now I see what is the third kind of problems : reciprocal zugzwang.
Type 2 is one side zugzwang : Black is in zugzwang and white have a move that keeps the prepared mates.
Type 3 is both sides zugzwang : Black is in zugzwang and white does NOT have a move that keeps the prepared mate. So, the key move will destroy the prepared mates and will change it. As in this problem : white: Kh4, Qe3, Nd1, Nf1 black: Ke1, Be2, pawn h5. White to play and mate in 2 moves. There is prepared mates for all black moves : if Kxd1, Qd2# and if Kxf1, Qf2#. But white is in zugzwang and doesn't have a move that keeps the mates. So the key 1.Qe4 ! will completely changes the mates. After 1...,Kxd1 there is now 2.Qb1# and after 1...,Kxf1 there is now 2.Qh1#. I think this is a perfect example of 'reciprocal zugzwang'.
By the way, I'm a belgian (french language) composer and I'm not familiar with the terms of composition in English.
@@prestonotes Thank you for this example, where the mate ist changed. I appreciate your thoughts very much. In your problem, there is a ('set') mate, but as White has to move, he has to drop the idea and create a completely new plan (with 1. Qe4!). In the current problem of this clip, the key move (Kb1) ist trivial, as it will not change the zugzwang variations from the initial position.
@@ralkadde Yes. Absolutely ! This illustrate the difference between the 2 problems. Here, we have a type 2 zugzwang, because white has a key move that doesn't disturb the prepared mates. In my problem, this is a type 3 zugwang because white has to change the initial plan and to find a key move that gives other mates. In French, we call this type of problem, a "mutate" (probably it is the same word in English).
Yay, I got one! My negative ELO and I have been tackling your puzzles since the beginning of last year, this is the first one I've solved.
I searched literally every single possible move besides a king move.
a-HA! Almost missed the king sitting way over in the corner....
First time that I saw solution immediately. Very easy.
Very very easy this time. Lucky to Solve in 10 seconds. 1. K b2 …
Amazing puzzle, just brilliant. As I always say, you love to play around with the knights and its so dangerous. Thank you very much.
I found it.
White plays Kb2. If Black plays f6 or f5, then White plays Ng6#. If Black plays Bh7, White plays Nxf7#.
The King had to be in the corner so there was only one square for it to move to solve the puzzle. Enjoyed it, thanks
Finally! Got one!
Me - "Well it can't be anything to do with the King surely...."
(Several moments later)
Me - DOH!
Any black move allows white to mate in one, so white needs to make a move thta doesn’t ruin that.
Both the knight moves do, so it must be the king.
a2 and b1 allow bishop checks, so b2 it is
In the current position, if it was Black's move, it would already be in a zugzwang; so the key for White would be to make a move to keep it that way.
A tempo puzzle. Clever.
Sweet!
Tricky! 🙂
But not too hard.
Move the king to b2
👍😁
I am so proud of you! 😊
I finally got one!
I saw the right move😊
This one was easy. :)
I really should've been able to get that one. Aaaargh!!
Kb2 3 seconds
I spent 10 minutes starring at the horses and pawn. Then im like why do i need to make a move. They are already in a position to check mate. Then it hit me to move the king anywhere! Force black to move their pawn or bishop! Im confident thats the answer
Lol i got it wrong still. Forgot king can still be checked xD
I think this is a ehold or nothing puzzle. If you can't find the mate in 2 then it is a draw.
Good🎉❤
Very easy
Love your channel but please don’t say “this is an easy one”. It just makes people feel dumb if they can’t figure it out. Btw I couldn’t figure it out 😅.
Agreed. None of these puzzles are easy until you get used to a certain way of thinking about the options. I found it pretty quickly today but a couple of months ago zugzwang situations eluded me completely.
To much easily
I hear, Charles votes for greens! Nice puzzle, not difficult, cheers. ;)
He grows them on his estate. Very relevant.
I am so mystified by this exchange. I don’t understand what the OP means, or the reply 😅
I'm back on the beam. The two-movers have become too easy. This required some thought, but only a little.
What does back on the beam mean?
@@4231jerome It's an idiom that means "back on track" or "operating correctly". In this case, I had solved one correctly 2 days ago but failed woefully with yesterday's puzzle. Since I solved today's, I am "back on the beam."
All is now well.
First move is any move King
Not correct.
Not correct
This is a very beautiful video, today. I like this very much! 🙂
and everone would avoid a white square. I believe
You have to move the king to b2, the only available dark square, to avoid being checked by the black bishop