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The blue book of chess

Chapter 52: CHESS PROBLEMS.
By Howard Staunton
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About This Book

This manual teaches the fundamentals and practical play of chess for beginners and intermediate learners. It begins with board setup, piece movements, notation, rules and technical terms, then systematically analyzes recognized openings — including the king's knight and bishop lines, various gambits, the queen's pawn and several irregular systems — presenting principal variations and recommended continuations. Dozens of illustrative, annotated games by noted masters demonstrate typical plans, tactical motifs and departure points from theory, while later chapters cover endgame technique and present problems for practice. The emphasis is on simplifying openings for the learner and providing clear examples of sound attacking and defensive play.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. Q. to K. B's 5th. (ch.)1. K. to K. Kt's 7th.
2. Q. to K's 4th. (ch.)2. K. to B's 7th.
3. Q. to K. B's 4th. (ch.)3. K. to Kt's 7th.
4. Q. to K's 3d.4. K. to B's 8th.
5. Q. to K. B's 3d. (ch.)5. K. to his 8th.
6. K. to Q's 4th.6. K. to Q's 8th.
7. Q. to her 3d. (ch.)7. K. to his 8th.
8. K. to his 3d.8. K. to B's 8th.
9. Q. takes P. (ch.) and wins.

The same mode of procedure can always be adopted, unless the single Pawn should be either on the Bishop's or Rook's file, in which case Black may usually make a drawn game, owing to the power which he then has of making a stalemate. His having this alternative, however, altogether depends upon the distance which the adverse King may chance to be from the scene of action. In the next position (Diagram 19) the game is drawn.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. Q. to K. Kt's 4th. (ch.)1. K. to R's 8th.
2. Q. to K. B's 3d. (ch.)2. K. to Kt's 8th.
3. Q. to K. Kt's 3d. (ch.)3. K. to R's 8th.

And it is evident, that if White take the Pawn, his adversary is stalemated.

The result is the same when the Pawn is on the Rook's file, as you will at once see by making the experiment.

The next position (see Diagram 20), is a very ingenious exception to this rule, and will well repay your attention.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. K. to Q. B's 5th. (ch.)1. K. to Q. B's 7th. (best)
2. Q. to K. Kt's 2d. (ch.)2. K. to Q. B's 6th.
3. Q. to K. B's sq.3. K. to Q. Kt's 7th.
4. Q. to K's 2d. (ch.)4. K. to Q. Kt's 6th.
5. Q. to her sq. (ch.)5. K. to Q. Kt's 7th.
6. Q. to her 2d. sq. (ch.)6. K. to Q. Kt's 8th.
7. K. to Q. Kt's 4th.7. P. Queens.
8. K. to Q. Kt's 3d.
And wins.


ROOK AGAINST BISHOP.

Diagram 21.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. B. to Q. Kt's 7th.1. R. to Q. Kt's 3d.
2. B. to Q's 5th.2. R. to Q. Kt's 7th.
3. B. to Q. B's 6th.3. R. to K. B's 7th. (ch.)
4. K. to Kt's sq.4. K. to his 7th.
5. B. to Q's 5th.5. K. to his 8th.
6. B. to Q. B's 6th.6. R. to K. B's 3d.
7. B. to Q. Kt's 7th.7. R. to K. Kt's 3d. (ch.)
8. K. to K. R's 2d.8. K. to K. B's 7th.
9. K. to K. R's 3d, &c.
And the game is drawn.


Diagram 22.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. R. to Q. B's 2d.1. B. to Q. Kt's 6th.
2. R. to B's 8th. (ch.)2. B. to K. Kt's sq.
3. K. to Q's 6th.3. P. to Q. Kt's 6th.
4. R. to Q. B's 7th.4. B. to Q's 4th. (best)
5. K. takes B.5. K. to Kt's sq.
6. K. to his 6th.6. K. moves.
7. R. mates.


No. 21.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 22.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 23.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 24.

BLACK.

WHITE.


ROOK AGAINST KNIGHT.

In ordinary positions, and where the Knight is near to, or cannot be prevented approaching, his King, the weaker party will be able to draw the game. The method of doing so, however, is not very easy, and there are many positions (of which we shall give an example) where the Rook can win.

In the following position (see Diagram 23) White will win either with the move or without it.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. Kt. to R's 2d. (ch.)
2. K. to K. B's 7th.2. Kt. to Kt's 4th. (ch.)
3. K. to K. Kt's 6th.
And wins.


ROOK AND PAWN AGAINST BISHOP.

Diagram 24.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. R. to Q. Kt's 7th.1. B. to Q. B's 5th.
2. R. to Q. B's 7th.2. B. to Q. Kt's 4th.
3. K. to B's 5th.3. B. to K's 7th. (best)
4. P. to B's 7th.4. K. to Kt's 2d. (best)
5. K. to his 6th.5. B. to K. R's 4th. (best)
6. R. to Kt's 7th.6. B. to K. Kt's 3d.
7. P. to B's 8th,
becoming a Q. (ch.)		7. K. takes Q.
8. K. to B's 6th.
And wins.


ROOK AGAINST THREE MINOR PIECES.

Diagram 25.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. R. to Q. R's 3d. (ch.)1. B. to K's 6th.
2. R. to Q. R's 2d.2. K. to Kt's 6th.
3. R. to K. R's 2d.3. B. to K. B's 5th.
4. R. to Q. R's 2d.4. B. to K. R's 6th.
5. R. to Q. R's 3d. (ch.)5. B. to K's 6th.
6. R. to Q. R's 2d.6. Kt. to K. B's 7th. (ch.)
7. K. to Kt's sq.7. B. to K. Kt's 7th.
8. R. to K's 2d.8. Kt. to K. R's 6th. (checkmate.)


ROOK AND PAWN AGAINST ROOK.

Diagram 26.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. P. to K's 5th.1. R. to Q. Kt's 3d.
2. R. to Q. R's 7th.2. R. to Q. B's 3d.
3. P. to K's 6th.3. R. to Q. B's 8th.
4. K. to K. B's 6th.4. R. to K. B's 8th. (ch.)
And will draw.


ROOK AGAINST ONE OR MORE PAWNS.

Diagram 27.

White must lose, even with the move.

Suppose:—
  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. R. to K's 8th.1. K. to Q's 2d.
2. K. to his 3d.2. P. "Queens."
&c., &c.


Diagram 28.

Here White will win the Pawn, and therefore the game.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. R. to K. Kt's 6th. (ch.)1. K. to Q's 4th.
2. K. to Q's 2d.2. P. to Q. B's 4th.
3. R. to Q's 6th. (ch.)3. K. to Q. B's 5th.
4. K. to Q. B's 6th.4. K. to Q. Kt's 5th.
5. K. to Q's 5th.5. P. to Q. B's 5th.
6. R. to Q. Kt's 6th. (ch.)6. K. to Q. B's 6th.
7. R. to Q. B's 6th.
And White wins.


Diagram 29.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. P. to K. B's 6th. (ch.)
2. R. takes P.2. R. P. "Queens" (ch.)
3. K. takes Q.3. K. takes R.
4. K. to K. Kt's sq.4. P. to K. Kt's 7th.
5. K. to K. R's 2d.5. K. to B's 7th, and wins.
Or,
1. P. to K. B's 6th. (ch.)
2. K. to R's sq.2. P. to K. Kt's 7th. (ch.)
3. K. takes R. P.3. P. takes R., and becomes
a Kt. (ch.), and wins.


ROOK AGAINST TWO ROOKS.

Diagram 30.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. R. to K. R's 5th.1. R. takes R.
2. R. to Q. R's 6th. (ch.)2. K. moves.
3. R. to Q. R's 5th. (ch.)3. K. moves.
4. R. takes R.
And wins.


No. 25.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 26.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 27.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 28.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 29.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 30.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 31.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 32.

BLACK.

WHITE.


ROOK AND BISHOP AGAINST ROOK.

Diagram 31.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
 1. R. to K's 8th. (ch.) 1. R. to K. B's sq.
 2. R. to K's 7th. 2. R. to K. B's 8th.
 3. R. to Q's 7th. 3. R. to K. B's 7th.
 4. R. to Q. B's 7th. 4. R. to K. B's 8th.
 5. B. to K. B's 6th. 5. R. to K. Kt's 8th. (ch.)
 6. K. to B's 5th. 6. R. to K. Kt's 7th.
 7. B. to K's 5th. 7. R. to Q. R's 7th.
 8. R. to K. Kt's 7th. (ch.) 8. K. to B's sq.
 9. R. to Q's 7th. 9. K. to Kt's sq.
10. K. to B's 6th.10. R. to Q. R's 3d. (ch.)
11. B. to Q's 6th.11. R. to Q. R's 8th.
12. R. to K. Kt's 7th. (ch.)12. K. to R's sq.
13. R. to K. Kt's 2d.13. R. to K. B's 8th. (ch.)
14. K. to K. Kt's 6th.14. K. to Kt's sq.
15. B. to Q. B's 5th.15. R. to K. B's 5th.
16. R. to K. Kt's 5th.16. R. to Q. R's 5th.
17. K. to B's 6th. (dis. ch.)17. K. to R's 2d.
18. B. to K's 3d.18. R. to Q. B's 5th.
19. R. to K. Kt's 7th. (ch.)19. K. to R's sq.
20. R. to Q. Kt's 7th.20. K. to Kt's sq.
21. R. to Q. Kt's 8th. (ch.)21. K. to R's 2d.
22. R. to Q. Kt's 6th.22. R. to Q. B's 2d.
23. B. to Q's 4th.23. R. to K. B's 2d. (ch.)

This is his only move to draw the game; and now, whether you
take the Rook or not, he will succeed in preventing your winning.

ROOK AGAINST ROOK AND KNIGHT.

Diagram 32.

White, with the move, will win the Rook in four moves.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. Kt. to K's 6th. (ch.)1. K. to Q's 4th.
(If instead he play K. to his 5th,
White will check with R. at Kt's 4th.)
2. R. to Q's 8th. (ch.)2. K. to his 5th.
3. R. to Q's 4th. (ch.)3. K. moves.
4. K. takes R.


KING AND PAWN AGAINST KING AND PAWN.

Diagram 33.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. R. takes P. (ch.)
2. R. takes R.2. P. to Q's 7th.
3. R. to Q's 5th.3. K. takes R.
4. P. to Q's 7th.4. P. Queens.
5. P. Queens. (ch.)
And wins.


KING AND TWO PAWNS AGAINST KING AND PAWN.

Diagram 34.

First, suppose White moves:—

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. K. to Q's 4th.1. K. to Q's 3d.
2. K. to Q's 3d.2. K. to Q's 2d.
3. K. to K's 3d.3. K. to K's 2d.
4. K. to Q's 4th.4. K. to Q's 3d.
5. K. to K's 4th.5. K. to K's 3d.
And the game must be drawn.

But suppose Black have to play:—

  WHITE.  BLACK.
 1. K. to Q's 3d.
 2. P. to K. B's 5th. 2. K. to K's 2d.
 3. P. to K. B's 6th. (ch.) 3. K. to his 3d.
 4. K. to Q's 4th. 4. K. to Q's 3d.
 5. P. to K. B's 7th. 5. K. to his 2d.
 6. K. to his 5th. 6. K. takes P.
 7. K. to Q's 6th. 7. K. to B's sq.
 8. K. to his 6th. 8. K. to Kt's 2d.
 9. K. to his 7th. 9. K. to Kt's sq.
10. K. to B's 6th.10. K. to R's 2d.
11. K. to B's 7th.11. K. to R's sq.
12. K. takes P.12. K. to Kt's sq.
13. K. to B's 6th.13. K. to R's 2d.
14. K. to B's 7th.14. K. to R's sq.
15. K. to Kt's 6th.15. K. to Kt's sq.
16. K. to R's 6th.16. K. to R's sq.
17. P. to Kt's 6th.
And wins.


KING AND TWO PAWNS AGAINST KING AND TWO PAWNS.

Diagram 35.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. K. to his 3d.1. K. to his 4th.
2. K. to B's 3d.2. K. to B's 4th.
3. K. to Kt's 3d.3. K. to K's 4th.
4. K. to Kt's 4th.4. K. to B's 3d.
5. K. to Kt's 3d.5. K. to K's 4th.
And the game is drawn.

If Black move, he plays:—
1. K. to his 4th.
2. K. to his 3d.2. K. to Q's 4th.
(Were he to move K. to B's 4th,
you would win by 3. K. to Q's 4th.)
3. K. to B's 3d.3. K. to his 4th.
4. K. to Kt's 3d.4. K. to his 3d.
5. K. to Kt's 4th.5. K. to B's 3d.

And by continuing to play thus, Black may always draw the game.

KING AND TWO PAWNS AGAINST KING AND THREE PAWNS.

Diagram 36.

With or without the move Black wins.
First, with the move,—

  WHITE.  BLACK.
 1. P. to K. Kt's 6th.
 2. P. to R's 3d, or (A.) 2. K. to Q's 5th.
 3. K. to B's 3d. 3. K. to his 4th.
 4. K. to his 2d. 4. K. to his 5th.
 5. K. to B's sq. 5. K. to Q's 6th.
 6. K. to his sq. 6. K. to K's 6th.
 7. K. to B's sq. 7. K. to Q's 7th.
 8. K. to Kt's sq. 8. K. to his 7th.
 9. K. to R's sq. 9. P. to B's 6th.
10. P. takes P.10. K. to B's 7th.
Winning.

(A.)

2. P. takes P.2. R. P. takes P.
3. K. to B's sq.3. K. to his 6th.
4. K. to his sq.4. K. to Q's 6th.
5. K. to B's sq.5. K. to Q's 7th.
6. K. to Kt's sq.6. K. to his 7th.
7. K. to R's sq.7. P. to B's 6th.
And wins.

Next, if White move first he must equally lose.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. K. to B's 2d.1. P. to Kt's 6th. (ch.)
2. K. to Kt's sq.2. K. to his 6th.
3. K. to R's sq.3. P. to B's 6th.
4. P. takes B. P.4. K. to B's 7th, &c.
Winning.

No. 33.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 34.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 35.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 36.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 37.

BLACK.

WHITE.


No. 38.

BLACK.

WHITE.


KING AGAINST THREE PASSED PAWNS.

Diagram 37.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. P. to B's 4th.
2. K. to Kt's 2d.2. P. to R's 4th.
3. K. to Kt's 3d.3. P. to Kt's 4th.
4. K. to Kt's 2d.4. P. to B's 5th.
5. K. to B's 3d.5. P. to R's 5th.
6. K. to Kt's 4th.

And wins; because whatever Pawn is moved, the King takes it.

KING AND THREE PASSED PAWNS AGAINST
KING AND THREE PASSED PAWNS.

Diagram 38.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
 1. K. to Q's 2d.
 2. P. to R's 4th. 2. K. to Q. B's 3d.
 3. P. to R's 5th. 3. K. to Kt's 4th.
 4. P. to Kt's 4th. 4. P. to R's 4th.
 5. P. to B's 4th. (ch.) 5. K. to R's 3d.
 6. P. to B's 5th. 6. K. to Kt's 4th.
 7. K. to B's 2d. 7. P. to R's 5th.
 8. K. to Kt's 2d. 8. P. to Kt's 4th.
 9. K. to R's 3d. 9. P. to B's 4th.
10. K. to R's 2d.10. P. to B's 5th.
11. K. to Kt's 2d.11. P. to Kt's 5th.
12. K. to Kt's sq.12. P. to B's 6th.
13. K. to B's 2d.13. P. to R's 6th.
14. K. to Kt's 3d.14. Is obliged to move
his King, and one of the
White Pawns will Queen.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS]

CHESS PROBLEMS.

Problem 1.

White to play and mate in two moves.

WHITE.


Problem 2.

White to play and mate in two moves.

WHITE.


Problem 3.

White to play and mate in three moves.

WHITE.


Problem 4.

White to play and mate in three moves.

WHITE.


Problem 5.

White to play and mate in four moves.

WHITE.


Problem 6.

White to play and mate in three moves.

WHITE.


Problem 7.

White to play and mate in three moves.

WHITE.


Problem 8.

White to play and checkmate without moving his King.

WHITE.


Problem 9.

White to play and mate in four moves.