Crushing the Castle: Anastasia's Mate Puzzle Set

Crushing the Castle:  Anastasia's Mate Puzzle Set...by, Mrs Jessica Era Prescott (aka BoundingOwl)

Hi friends!  It's summer vacation!  Are you reading any good books?  I'm in the middle of this really long novel by my favourite author, David Foster Wallace.  Did you know that chess and books go together like tomato sauce and pizza?  

Anastasia was actually a character in a novel written 200 years ago!  She (or, actually, the author) created this fantastic eponymous checkmate.  (Eponymous means it is named after someone.)

                                         <------Named after the Queen

 

 

This puzzle set will be mate-in-twos.  You have to watch the video first!  Also, you should read this article to learn the pattern.  Each puzzle will be a variation on the same pattern.  (It can also look like a back rank mate or a side-file mate.)  Good luck!

Watch the weakness on the h-file!

 

 

 

1.  White to move.  Easy!  Check, then mate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.   White to move.  A sacrifice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  White to move.  Sac your queen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  White to move.  This trick uses a deflection.  Lure the king closer...

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.  White to move.  Another variation on the theme.  (This should look familiar!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.  Black to move.  A sci-fi variation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Results:

1 out of 6 pick up clicks.  That is, go back and click on each puzzle to try again.

2 out of 6 pick up bricks.  You need to strengthen your tactic-muscles, try again.

3 out of 6 pick up flicks.  Watch the videos again, please.

4 out of 6 pick up tricks.  Your ideas are good, now practice your tactic-tricks!

5 out of 6 pick up Knicks.  Play some b-ball, your chess is great for now!

6 out of 6 pick up tix.  Put your book down and go get tickets for CHESS the musical!