English Chess Forum

Chess Calculation Training for Kids and Club Players : Level 1 : Checkmating

by GM Romain Edouard

https://britishchessnews.com/2020/10/08 ... eckmating/

Chess teachers and coaches should also consider this book (in addition to those from the stated target market)

An example from Chapter 3 (A Few Checks & Mate), #21

Waitzkin, J - Frumkin, E

]r1b1qr1k/5ppp/2p1p3/p1PpP3/P2N1PQB/2P1R3/6PP/3n2K1 w - - 0 1

26.?+-

Qg7

Nick Grey wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 08, 2020 8:40 pm

Qg7

Followed by?

Since the first move has to be check even my cat worked out the first move.

Kg7 Bf6 football comes first...but this is level 1.

....Kh6

After Kh6 Rh3 Kg6 Rg3 Kh6 Bg7 Kh5 Rg5 Kh4 Nf3 is checkmate, but I am not really sure what this demonstrates. I am going to lose to so I just keep checking and hope for the the best. I guess it is calculation, but I not sure what 'understanding' is required.
After Kh4 I could checkmate with G3 Kh3 Rh5 Kg4 Rh4. Does this make me a better player because I can calculate further?

John Upham wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 08, 2020 9:59 pm

Nick Grey wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 08, 2020 8:40 pm

Qg7

Followed by?

Since the first move has to be check even my cat worked out the first move.

Why does the first move have to be check? Black doesn't have any major threats, so I am not sure it is easy to defend against Rg3 Rg8 Rh3

John Upham wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 08, 2020 9:59 pm

Since the first move has to be check even my cat worked out the first move.

You post doesn't say that though, so 1.Bf6 is also worth considering. It wins as well, but there's no quick mate.

[FEN "r1b1qr1k/5ppp/2p1p3/p1PpP3/P2N1PQB/2P1R3/6PP/3n2K1 w - - 0 1"] {[#]} 1. Bf6 gxf6 (1... Rg8 2. Rh3 gxf6 3. Qh4 Rg7 4. exf6) 2. Rh3 Rg8 3. Qh4 Rg7 4. exf6 Rxg2+ (4... Qg8 5. fxg7+ Qxg7 6. Rg3 Qf8 7. Qf6) 5. Kxg2 Qg8+ 6. Rg3 Qf8 7. Rg7 *

The title of chapter 3 is "A Few Checks & Mate".

Matthew Turner wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 08, 2020 11:42 pm

Why does the first move have to be check? Black doesn't have any major threats, so I am not sure it is easy to defend against Rg3 Rg8 Rh3

Problems where you are given the clue that there's a "White to play and win" move can be relatively easy. The difficulty in practical play is how to set up positions where such moves are available as well as spotting them if they arise almost by accident. If you use the "make it work" method of analysis, ideas like 1. Qxg7+ Kxg7 2. Bf6+ Kg8 3. Rg3++ are easy to spot. You then have to work out the win if Black is uncooperative with .. Kg6 or .. Kh6. The King hunt ending with Nf3 mate is elegant though.

Brendan O'Gorman wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 09, 2020 12:15 am

The title of chapter 3 is "A Few Checks & Mate".

The chapter title isn't in the post either.

Ian Thompson wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 09, 2020 12:01 am

John Upham wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 08, 2020 9:59 pm

Since the first move has to be check even my cat worked out the first move.

You post doesn't say that though,

However, the review does and if you chose not to read it there will be consequent loss of context.