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Subject: Can you solve this very simple chess problem?

"What are we holding on to, Sam?"
"That there's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for."

This is a really simple problem for someone who plays competitive chess; I'm just curious how other people view it. White mates in 2 (Meaning White makes a move, Black makes a move, and then White checkmates). Scroll down to see the answer. Don't cheat; just post your answer and then scroll down.



























The answer is: Rh6!! (Translation: Move the rook in front of the Black pawn.) Did you solve it? (If Black captures the rook, the you push your pawn with mate. If he moves his bishop, the you take his pawn with your rook.)

[Edited on 12.02.2012 1:20 PM PST]

  • 12.02.2012 1:16 PM PDT

A competitive players main goal is to win.
A casuals main goal is to have fun regardless of whether that results in a win or loss.
It has nothing to do with individual skill or knowledge, it has to do with the reason you play.

I saw the answer before I checked the picture. :(

  • 12.02.2012 1:17 PM PDT

Wait what? How does that mean checkmate?

  • 12.02.2012 1:18 PM PDT

"What are we holding on to, Sam?"
"That there's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for."


Posted by: Metalignus
I saw the answer before I checked the picture. :(


Ah, no worries. Just curious how other people view it. I'll move the answer down more.

  • 12.02.2012 1:19 PM PDT

"What are we holding on to, Sam?"
"That there's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for."


Posted by: St Major Dan
Wait what? How does that mean checkmate?


I edited the main post with the explanation, if you're interested still.

  • 12.02.2012 1:20 PM PDT

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Yes I can.

  • 12.02.2012 1:23 PM PDT

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Posted by: St Major Dan
Wait what? How does that mean checkmate?


There're only two legal move for black to do after the rook is moved, and they expose the king.

[Edited on 12.02.2012 1:24 PM PST]

  • 12.02.2012 1:23 PM PDT

"What are we holding on to, Sam?"
"That there's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for."


Posted by: theHurtfulTurkey

Posted by: St Major Dan
Wait what? How does that mean checkmate?


There's only one legal move for black to do after the rook is moved, and that exposes the king.


There are two, actually. One is gxh6, and the other is any legal bishop move. Both of them lose, though.

  • 12.02.2012 1:24 PM PDT

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” – Psalms 46:1-3

Or you can move rook 4 up to diagonal next to king Take pawn, take bishop, Checkmate.

Safer.

  • 12.02.2012 1:24 PM PDT

"What are we holding on to, Sam?"
"That there's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for."


Posted by: angry0lbgrampa
Or you can move rook 4 up to diagonal next to king Take pawn, take bishop, Checkmate.

Safer.


This is incorrect. If you play any other rook move, black will move his pawn 1 square forward, saving himself.

  • 12.02.2012 1:25 PM PDT
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I saw Rh2 at first. So ashamed. Didn't even check it. Close, but Rh6 wins.

  • 12.02.2012 1:25 PM PDT

"What are we holding on to, Sam?"
"That there's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for."


Posted by: SorrowSlaying
I saw Rh2 at first. So ashamed. Didn't even check it. Close, but Rh6 wins.


Yeah, a lot of people immediately play that, since it looks close.

[Edited on 12.02.2012 1:27 PM PST]

  • 12.02.2012 1:27 PM PDT

"History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it."
-Sir Winston Churchill

The Secret Society 95% of activity is me, I could use some help.

rook up to the square before the black pawn. black pawn takes the rook, white pawn moves up where the black pawn used to be.

EDIT: got it :)

mixed up the bishop and pawn in my explanation... oops.

EDIT 4 I think: I've confused myself... [fixed]

[Edited on 12.02.2012 1:36 PM PST]

  • 12.02.2012 1:28 PM PDT
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Posted by: swvjdirector

Posted by: SorrowSlaying
I saw Rh2 at first. So ashamed. Didn't even check it. Close, but Rh6 wins.


Yeah, a lot of people immediately play that, since it looks close.


I saw the main idea, but I wish I had spent a little more time. Ah well.

  • 12.02.2012 1:29 PM PDT

"What are we holding on to, Sam?"
"That there's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for."


Posted by: Jiggleslinky
rook move up to black pawn black takes rook pawn takes other pawn, check mate. amiright?

EDIT: got it :)


That one is right. The other option is him moving his bishop, but I assume you already understood that.

  • 12.02.2012 1:30 PM PDT
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"The hero is the one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by.
The saint is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself a light."
-Felix Adler

Wait, are we solving it from White or Black's point of view?

  • 12.02.2012 1:30 PM PDT

"What are we holding on to, Sam?"
"That there's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for."


Posted by: Emperor Gillard
Wait, are we solving it from White or Black's point of view?


White's. It's White to move and mate in 2.

  • 12.02.2012 1:31 PM PDT
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LeaveItYeah

*Flip table*.

There.

  • 12.02.2012 1:31 PM PDT
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Kinda disappointed there's only 1 problem. Anywhere for more problems?

  • 12.02.2012 1:32 PM PDT

"What are we holding on to, Sam?"
"That there's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for."


Posted by: SorrowSlaying
Kinda disappointed there's only 1 problem. Anywhere for more problems?


Google "Chess emrald" for a tactics server.

  • 12.02.2012 1:37 PM PDT
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Posted by: swvjdirector

Posted by: SorrowSlaying
Kinda disappointed there's only 1 problem. Anywhere for more problems?


Google "Chess emrald" for a tactics server.


Checking it now, it's pretty cool.

  • 12.02.2012 1:39 PM PDT

Makes sense, can't believe i missed that, although I originally thought you meant checkmate for black to win.

  • 12.02.2012 1:42 PM PDT
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Oh Yes!

Move castle up to two, move the bishop to the white square which is diagonal of the castle. Move the castle to the white square in front of the king. Game.

  • 12.02.2012 1:44 PM PDT
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Posted by: Metalignus
I saw the answer before I checked the picture. :(

  • 12.02.2012 1:48 PM PDT

"History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it."
-Sir Winston Churchill

The Secret Society 95% of activity is me, I could use some help.


Posted by: Isai16
Move castle up to two, move the bishop to the white square which is diagonal of the castle. Move the castle to the white square in front of the king. Game.


The problem with that is that black could then easily move the pawn up one, eliminating the chance for winning. OP mentions it up there.

[Edited on 12.02.2012 1:52 PM PST]

  • 12.02.2012 1:50 PM PDT

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