Author: Dennis Mays
PUZZLE NIGHT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!
Contributed by organizer Kevin Gaustad.
We had an excellent turnout for our first Puzzle Night. 14 players participated.
The top six solvers were: Justin Ricker, Michael Kern, Cole Lappi, Jayan
Jayachanran, Lewei Chen, and Isaac Gommels. The competition consisted of 25
positions with White/Black to play to play and win, and one (very challenging)
White to checkmate in two moves problem. Players were given 100 minutes to
solve.
Solving tactical puzzles is a lot of fun and an excellent exercise for preparing for
competition. Being aware of some of the motifs in problems can help you win
games and possibly save games where things may not have been going so well.
And philosophically a chess game is one big problem to solve.
Looking forward to our next Puzzle Night.
Puzzles. The board is oriented from the side to play. For example, Black is on move in positions #1 and #2 (note the algebraic coordinates).
Puzzle night solutions (A=advanced; I=intermediate; B=basic):
1. (A2) Black to play and win: 1…Qxg5+ 2. Qxg5 Bxg5+ 3. Kh3 Black wins material (if 3.Kxg5 h4 results in mate). 3pts (4 pts if the alternative is included)
2. (I2) Black to play and win: 1…Qh2+ 2.Kg5 Qh6+ wins material. 2 pts
3. (B1) Black to play and win: 1…Qh8 1pt
4. (A3) White to play and win: 1. Qxh7+ Kxh7 2. Rh5+ Kg8 3. Ng6 Rf6 4.Rh8+Kf7 5. Rf8++ 3pts
5. (I4) White to play and win: 1. Nxd5 cd 2. Bc7 wins the queen 2 pts
6. (B2) Black to play and win: 1…Bd4+ 1pt
7. (A4) White to play and win: 1. Qh6 Bxh6 2. Rxh6 g5 (if 2…Kf8 3.Rh8+ Ng8 4. Rxg8+ Kxg8 5. Rh8++) 3. Rh8+Kg7 4. R1h7+ Kg6 5. Bd3+ (if 5…Qe4 6. Bxe4+ Nxe4 7. Rg7++) 3 pts, 1 additional pt for each alternative
8. (I6) White to play and win: 1. Rxf6 (if 1…Kxf6 2.Bxg5+, if 1…Qxf6 Nh5+) wins a pawn. 2 pts. 1 additional pt for each alternative.
9. (B3) White to play and win: 1. Ba6. 1 pt.
10. (A5) White to play and win: 1. Rxf8+ Kxf8 2. Nf5+ Kg8 3. Qf8+ Kxf8 4. Rd8++ 3 pts
11. (I7) White to play and win: 1. Qxd5 Qxd5 2. Bb4+ 2 pts
12. (B4) White to play and win: 1. Bd6+ 1 pt
13. (A6) White to play and win: 1. Rxd4 (1…cd 2. Re5+ Kxg4 3. F3/h3++, 1…ed 2. Re5+ Kxg4, 3. F3/h3++, 1….Rxd4 2. Re5+ Kg4 3. F3/h3++) 3pts, only 1 additional pt for noting any or all of the results after 1. Rxd4
14. (I8) White to play and win: 1. Bxf7+ Kxf7 2. Nxe5+ wins a pawn. 2 pts
15. (B5) White to play and win: 1. Bf3 1 pt
16. (A7) White to play and win: 1. Be8+Nxe8 2. Kg5 (mate by Rf8 is inevitable) 3 pts, 1 additional pt for indicating/showing that mate is inevitable.
17. (I9) White to play and win: 1. F4+ 2 pts
18. (B6)White to play and win: 1. Rd2 1 pt
19. (A8) White to play and win: 1. Rf6 – Black will experience significant material loss to prevent mate. (if 1…h6 2. E5) 3 pts, 1 additional pt for indicating 2. e5
20. (I10) White to play and win: 1. Qh8+ Qxh8 2. Rf7 ++ 2 pts
21. (B7) White to play and win: 1. Ne7+ Kh8/h7 2. Rh1++ 1 pt
22. (A9) White to play and win: 1. Nf6+ gf 2. Qf8+Kxf8 3. Bh6+Kg8, 4. Re8++ 3 pts
23. (B8) White to play and win: 1. Rd7+ wins material 1 pt
24. (A10) White to play and win: Note White’s king is in check. 1. Qxf4 (if 1…Bxf4 2. Rxh5 and mate on h8 is inevitable) wins a piece. 3 pts. -5pts if not noting that the King is in check.
25. (B10) White to play and win: 1. Ke5 1 pt
26. Checkmate in two moves, White to play: 1. Bd6 (if 1…Kxd6 2. Qb6++, if 1…d3 2. Ne7++, if 1…f5 2. Ne5++, if 1…b6 2. Qd5++, if 1…b5 2. Qc7++) 10pts. 1 additional point for showing each of Black’s failed defenses. Chess Problems for Beginners, Fred Reinfeld. 1960.
Thanks to Kevin for organizing a fun night!
SOMETHING NEW: CHESS PUZZLE NIGHT ON TUESDAY, APRIL 23.
Join us in solving chess puzzles for fun and prizes. Solving starts at 6:45 PM.
2024 Rochester Chess Open at Mayo Civic Center, July 6th-7th
Round Times for all sections (5-round Swiss, USCF membership required).
Time Control: G/60 + 30 second increment per move. Forfeit time is 30 min after round start time.
Saturday
- 10:00 AM
- 2:00 PM
- 6:00 PM
Sunday
- 10:00 AM
- 2:00 PM
$5400 Total Projected Prizes Based on 150 Participants.
Open Section (based on 30:
- $1000 (1st)
- $600 (2nd)
- $300 (Top U2100)
U1900 Section (based on 30):
- $600 (1st)
- $400 (2nd)
- $200 (Top U1600)
U1500 Section (based on 30):
- $500 (1st)
- $250 (2nd)
- $150 (Top U1300)
U1100 Section (based on 30):
- $400 (1st)
- $250 (2nd)
- $150 (Top U800)
U700 Section (based on 30):
- $250 (1st)
- $150 (2nd)
- $100 (Top U500)
- $100 (Unrated)
This tournament is part of the MSCA’s Summer Grand Prix Series. You can learn more about the $2,500 in prizes and 4 State Championship Playoff Qualification spots available to the winners of the Summer Grand Prix Points competition at https://www.minnesotachess.com/grand-prix.
Players who have never played a US Chess regular-rated tournament will be considered unrated. Players who have rating history but are published as unrated (due to recency of events) will have their up-to-date US Chess rating used for pairings, prizes, and section eligibility. Register Here
Registration and Advance Entry
| BY -> | 6/7 | 6/14 | 6/21 | 6/28 | Onsite |
| Premier | $75 | $85 | $95 | $105 | $115 |
| U1900 | $75 | $85 | $95 | $105 | $115 |
| U1500 | $55 | $65 | $75 | $85 | $95 |
| U1100 | $55 | $65 | $75 | $85 | $95 |
| U700 | $55 | $65 | $75 | $85 | $95 |
On-Site Registration: Saturday, July 6 for all sections 8:15 – 9:00 AM. Stipends are available for scholastic players.
Byes: Max two ½ point byes, any rounds, declared before round 3.
Rochester Chess will provide chess sets and clocks.
Advance entries by mail: Send a check made payable to Rochester Chess postmarked by June 24th to Rochester Chess, c/o Dennis Mays, 2022 Ponderosa Drive SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55902. Please include the section you want to play in and any bye requests. If you send an advance entry, please send an email to dennismays101@gmail.com and semmons2848@gmail.com to let us know that a check is coming.
Free entry for Masters if registered by June 20. All Masters, including those whose current rating is <2200, can register by sending an email to Sarah Wahl (semmons2848@gmail.com) with your USCF ID and noting any bye requests.
Lodging: Hilton Garden Inn Rochester MN, 225 South Broadway Rochester, group rate, $129 in a King Deluxe or Double Queen. Parking is $8 per night. Rochester Open Hilton Garden Inn. Additional lodging options can be found at https://www.rochestermnsports.org/events/2024-Chess-Open.html
Directions: Park in the Civic Center ramp, 100 1st Ave SE, Rochester, MN, for free until 1 AM on Saturday and 1 AM on Sunday. Cross the skyway on the second level to enter the civic center. The playing hall is in suites 110 – 113.
Chief TD: Sarah Wahl, Assistant TD: Jackson Wahl
Organizers: Matt Jensen, Paul Kinion, Kevin Gaustad, Steve Lange, and Dennis Mays.
Sponsors: Rochester Chess, Mayo Civic Center, and Experience Minnesota’s Rochester.
Questions? Contact Dennis Mays: dennismays101@gmail.com or 507-254-6809.