Stuttgarter Zeitung

Christmas Contest, 2005

As every year the StZ-readers are invited to the contest. Among the senders with the correct solutions of problem A and B the following prices are drawn by lot: a Philips-television, a DVD-player and a digital camera.

Please pay attention to receive a LEGAL position after the retraction of a move or after the insertion of a piece. Additionally check, which side has the move (respectively can have the move). Also please check whether more than one solution exists.

Additional question: In which puzzles does black castle?

Send your solutions until the 15th of January to the following address:

  Stuttgarter Zeitung (Schach)
  Postfach 106032
  D-70049 Stuttgart
  Germany 

The German original of this article can be found at

• http://www.kaniaverlag.de/htm/Weihnachts2005.html

Translation by Jens Guballa.

A - Günther Weeth
Stuttgarter Zeitung, 12/2005 (Original)
"Last battle on b8"

Who checkmates in one move?

[qN1kB3/b2pp3/KPRP4/1PR5/8/8/8/8]

Solution

B - Werner Keym and Günther Weeth
Stuttgarter Zeitung, 12/2005 (Original)
"Eternal rest on a8?"

Add a black king and a black rook, then mate in one move

[5B2/1p1N4/N2PK3/8/8/8/8/8 ]

Solution

For the experts three more puzzles follow. If necessary a retro analysis has to be given. All sender of correct solutions will be mentioned in the review, and they will receive a book price.

C - Werner Keym
Stuttgarter Zeitung, 12/2005 (Original)

From a position with four pieces it can be shown that on exactly three light squares no white bishop ever occurred. How many of those positions exists where EXACTLY THREE PIECES - including both kings - are positioned on squares of the same color? E.g.:

[8/8/8/8/8/8/2P1P3/1K3k2]

Here the white bishop never occurred on the squares c2, d1, e2. But this is not a solution as ALL FOUR pieces are positioned on squares of the same color!

Solution

D - Günther Weeth
Stuttgarter Zeitung, 12/2005 (Original)

White retracts three, black retracts two moves. Then white checkmates in
two moves. Defensive Retractor, i.e. black does not cooperate during the
retraction, so he has a choice.

[4k2r/1Rp2p2/PP1P1P2/r1BP1p2/PK3p2/p7/6P1/8]

Solution

E - Jens Guballa and Werner Keym
Stuttgarter Zeitung, 12/2005 (Original)

Add a black pawn, then mate in two moves

[2K1k2r/p1pp1rp1/2p3B1/2Q4p/1P6/1P4P1/2PPPP2/1b4B1]

Solution