This Puzzle Will Blow Your Mind

Puzzle FEN:
1b6/4P3/1P2PN2/8/8/P1k5/P1p2P2/K5B1 w - - 0 1
Puzzle Details:
1st Prize
M. Liburkin, 1933
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[@Rocky64]

It's known that this study was originally unsound (Black could force a draw), but it's been fixed by the composer. The published correction is to add a white pawn on c4. Then at 11:58, 11.Nc1+ does win because the extra passed pawn makes all the difference, e.g. 11...Ke4 12.Kb2 Bd8 13.Kxc2 Kxf5 14.Kb3 Kxe6 tablebase win. The main variation with all the underpromotions is not affected.

[@fifiwoof1969]

That's SO sexy!

[@lutimstrickshots9253]

Oooh that's awesome!

[@emphyriohazzl1510]

@Rocky64 : I was going to post these infos but found out you had already beat me to it ;). Also the study stops after 12.e8=R! but Liburkin gave the continuation 12...Bg7 Re6 as an example (there are other moves which win, any move attacking the bishop but they're just losses of time ultimately as white does have to go through this continuation with the key move Rb1! when the pawn is on c4) : 13.Be6 Bd4 14.Re1 (Rd4 or Rd6 are again winning but just losing time) Bf6 15.Rb1! (15.Re6 just loses time again) Kd3+ 16.Rb2 and the ending is won (Liburkin still gives more moves, but they're no longer forced even though the idea stays the same: 16...Ke2 17.c5 Kd118.a4! (only move) c1Q+ 19.Nxc1 Kxc1 20.a3 Bxb2+ 21.Ka2 and the pawns are unstoppable (white could also have played for instance 17.a4, 18.a3 and 20.a5 or 20.Ka2 instead with still a won endgame). Also to be noted that black can't try to go to a3 with their king to attempt to exploit the pin and try to mate while taking some of the pawns : after 16.Rb2 Kxc4 17.a4 Kb4, there is 18.Nd4+! which unpins the rook with an easy win (same thing after 16.Rb1 Kxc4+ 17.Rb2 Kb5 18.Nd4+!) To finish, it migth be worth mentionning that 8.b7 is forced because after white gave their bishop, black now has gained access to the d4 square as an extra square on the long diagonal to threaten mate. So 8.Nf6? would allow 8...Be5 9.Nd7 Bd4! (not Bg7 or Bh8 10.f6!) 10.Nxd4 c1=Q# Edit : last thing, in the version without the pawn c4 that you showed, 8...Kd3 is indeed a cook, but the best attempt for white would be to keep their b pawn and their d8 knight and to play immediately 9.Nc1+. Then the following contiuation is forced : 9...Kd2! 10.Kb2 Be5+ 11.Kb3 Kxc1 12.Nc7!? Kb1! 13.b8Q c1Q 14.Ka4+ Ka1! and the c7 knight is lost and with queens on board, the white passed pawns don't compensate enough for the bishop to grant a win.

[@arthurrtang9670]

Like how many puzzles mentioned here is going to have a flaw until it gets fixed because of missing a pawn or piece? Feels like two in a row.

[@lutimstrickshots9253]

@@emphyriohazzl1510 Thanks for the info!

[@rodrigossgardelis7384]

Wow amazing puzzle! I was screaming at my screen when he said that promoting to a queen was wrong and then I was left speechless when I saw the stalemate. Also the overall idea of having to promote 3 times into everything but a queen made this puzzle next level. Not even a hardcore chess fan but that was amazing.

[@d.j7222]

Impressive that you had the intuition to know getting the queen was incorrect. I was thinking “if getting the queen is wrong then I’m okay being wrong.” After seeing the stalemate, I was not okay being wrong

[@second1387]

The underpromotions are so satisfying lol but sadly that one black king move makes it a draw. It would be cool if white really wins the game cuz it's like an entire army is trying to stop a dangerous pawn and an assassin bishop😄 Because of this puzzle, I just remember an another chess puzzle that I saved in my files that has a similar situation to this one. The setup is: ⬜[WHITE]⬜ King -> a3 Rook -> f7 Bishop -> f1 and g1 Pawn -> b2, b7, d4, f6, and h7 ⬛[BLACK]⬛ King -> a5 Bishop -> b8 Pawn -> a4 and b3 It is white to play and win. Idk who composed that puzzle. It is just a puzzle I found on a FB page

[@keymasta3260]

This position is mate in 35

[@nicholasstantonshomeaccoun2291]

@@keymasta3260 Thanks I will test my grandma Frances

[@williamd2999]

Just add more white pawns or have them better placed

[@rasulrahimov744]

@@keymasta3260 how? I tried it vs stockfish it's not win, it's draw

[@renerpho]

@@rasulrahimov744 Just add a pawn on c4.

[@yassarjordan8224]

5:53 Not sure why you didn’t mention that Black can play Bd4 here (If Nxd4, then c1=Q#). I think White’s only move then is Bf4 to defend c1 with a 2nd piece.

[@ryanpaulmarcoux3813]

Nice spot, but it seems to be easily countered since black seems to be out of moves after white moves Bf4. I think this option may have been cut from discussion to save on the length of the video.

[@Thelegendarian-]

@@ryanpaulmarcoux3813 then still white could move back Bg1 and and if black takes it's no more attacking that diagonal, and if not then bishop with take it on d4

[@ryanpaulmarcoux3813]

@THE LEGENDERIAN It's Black's turn after white goes to Bf4. Black would not want to play Bd4, in the first place, since after white goes Bf4 there is no good answer from Black.

[@emilsadykhov123]

Yeah thats what I was thinking as well, if Bd4 then white can return back to Bg1 and repeat moves.

[@ashwathbennatte7428]

If white go bg1 then black can take it from bd4 and come back to d4, so it can escape b8 diagonal ..isn't it?

[@johnathanpatrick6118]

It's been a minute since the last Mark Liburkin puzzle...😁😁 I can't get enough of puzzles where you can't queen a pawn because the octo-directional nature of queen moves can cut off so many potential escape squares for the enemy king and create stalemate positions. I felt like the easiest moves to figure out were Ne4+, b8(B) and e8(R), the latter 2 due to what I just mentioned in terms of queening a pawn leading to stalemate.

[@Hue_Sam]

Now people can understand that less pieces on the board does not mean it’s necessarily simple. Sometimes they are more complicated than it looks on the surface.

[@randomschmo5778]

This was a fantastic analysis. Totally enjoyed it, thanks for sharing.

[@MrEdwardCollins]

Nelson, I'm very glad you enjoyed it and thought it interesting enough to present to your viewers. Cooked or not, I agree, it's a wonderful composition and you did a great job presenting it.

[@synka5922]

too bad its a draw, even with the c4 pawn added in a later iteration from liburkin

[@MrEdwardCollins]

@@synka5922 Actually, with the fix it's a win for White, as was intended.

[@synka5922]

@@MrEdwardCollins after playing it a few times I found the win, but its extremely different and involves sac'ing the rook It turns to a normal endgame in fact

[@VanillaLimeCoke]

7:38 Yesterday your puzzle featured every what if which led to every different promotion type possible.

[@Incepter.]

Those 3 under-promotions from the pawn to stop a stalement when you take the bishop, this puzzle was truly adequate

[@resignmaster6552]

I've seen this puzzle before but I think white has a pawn on g2. That pawn is important for white to win a resulting queen and pawn endgame after Nc1+ Kd2 (Ke4 obviously loses in this version). For the version in the video, black can hold the endgame.

[@ivanvjcha4166]

The ad appeared on my screen is litterally Rise of Kingdoms💀

[@reubenmanzo2054]

That ad seems to be showing up a lot lately.

[@Illuminex_XD]

Bro Just get YT premium

[@chickennugget993]

@@Illuminex_XD paid Adblock? No thank you

[@Illuminex_XD]

@@chickennugget993 Your problem I guess

[@chickennugget993]

@@Illuminex_XD it’s not, because I have free Adblock kid

[@imakevid]

I quit chess a long time ago but there's just something about this channel that makes me wanna watch it even if I don't play chess anymore lol.

[@endgamexpert]

There is a class of chess players called solvers that take composed studies and solve the (or “cook” them, if they are flawed). Might be worth checking into…

[@rogergeyer9851]

It's a beautiful game whether you want to be a watcher, a player, a problem solver, or whatever. Between the geometry and the logic and the complexity with so few pieces and a small board size, I find it irresistable.

[@verbosewater2538]

Been playing recreationally for 15+ years. I caught the first under promotion but the other two blew my mind. So many tricks with this one that I could not keep up. I know I’m no master but after this puzzle I’m super humbled and am laughing at myself for how tough this was. Excellent vid.

[@gordonriley4297]

Thats one of the most incredible things I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing with a 849 🙏🏻 Love the underpromoting and the stalemate forcing. Will integrate these going forward.

[@davidking4838]

Great puzzle - the "flaw" somehow makes it even more beautiful.

[@liamsun2543]

Unlike some other "flawed" puzzles shown on this channel, this one is easily fixable by just adding a white pawn on, say, h3.

[@reubenmanzo2054]

@@liamsun2543 How does that extra pawn change anything?

[@TheZombiesAreComing]

The flaw is that 7:15 Is by technicality a stalemate merely because black can't move without checkmating themselves when by all means they should lose

[@joshualemmon5806]

Quick question @ChessVibes, After the black Bishop moves after you play f3, what would happen if you play Bd3 check?

[@marcelobrunorodrigues7630]

Please remember that a game, perhaps the first one known with pawn underpromotion to bishop is Schallopp-Schottländer, Hamburg, 1885.

[@lutimstrickshots9253]

...Kd3 was pretty unfortunate, and pretty clever too. The point is that Black wastes a move with ...Be5 and ...Bxb8 which is 2 moves, so Black plays ...Kd3 first and Black directly takes ...Bxb8 from h2, which is also 2 moves, except Black plonked in an extra ...Kd3. Still, phenomenal study! This small king move doesn't make the study less beautiful! And I'm happy to report I got all the answers right when Nelson asked to pause the video (including the underpromotions!) Thanks for the amazing video Nelson!

[@arthurrtang9670]

I put the final position on SF when Black plays the correct Kd3 instead of Be5 and the brilliant underpromotions following that line. SF found a way for Black to hold and draw but it's a little crazy. White's best move would be 1. Nc1+ which Black responds with 1...Kd2. Line goes on with 2. Kb2 (and not 2. Nb3??, Kd1 and white is losing as Be5+ cannot be avoided), 2...Be5+ 3. Kb3, Kxc1 4. Nc7!, Kb1! (Both 4...Kd1 and 4...Bxc7 actually loses according to SF, I won't go into detail) 5. b8 = Q, c1 = Q 6. Ka4+, Ka1 and Black holds.

[@Qoko88]

Yeah, this line indeed. It gives White winning chances but it isn't actually winning.

[@HeathHunter]

Yes just found this with SF so I am not the only one ;)

[@christopherheckman7957]

The study 8/3PP3/8/P6p/b6p/6kP/2P2p2/5B1K by Ernest Pogosyants also features underpromotions to knight, bishop, and rook (unless IT'S flawed, too ...) via: Andy Soltis, Chess To Enjoy

[@klankungen7794]

After all those moves where you promoted to something to always be able to take the black bishop I was led to the wrong (I think) train of thoughts. I thought the right move was to move the white knight to F6 so that if the bishop moves to E5 I simply move the knight to D7 makning the bishop move to G7 or H8, but then I saw that D4 was an option too. Oh well! That's why I'm not the one making the puzzles 🤭

[@Rhiannon_Autumn]

at time stamp 11:20 in that position White can play Nc1+ here. If black goes for the pawns with the king then White plays Nc7. Then Bishop takes Knight is met with pawn to e7 or king takes pawn is met with pawn b8=Q

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

The whole point of this is in the artistry and creativity to create a position that could allow for the unconventional theme of underpromoting every pawn.

[@k0u0s0h0a0g0r0a0]

Under-promotion to knight itself is very, very rare. Under-promotion to rook and bishop is something which I have seen for the first time in my life.

[@edipedipbulmaz]

Under promotion to rook is for less slatemates

[@nathanuncentered6172]

Hey, Mr. Vibes (I was going to nickname you CV, but that sounds too much like work). Just a quick thank you, and I am sure I am not alone in that sentiment. I have some issues with anxiety and depression that can occasionally get pretty severe. Staring at puzzles with you and the other subscribers on your channel helps me get through the bad days, so again, thanks. Good things happen in ways we don't always expect, keep it up.

[@user-ks6ft5ut4z]

Cheer up. It's not all so bad. Did you try to go to church?

[@edipedipbulmaz]

​@@user-ks6ft5ut4zmaybe hes not Christian?

[@yordantodorov1890]

This puzzle is amazing! Well done!

[@OlleJonasson-pr8lu]

Very good pedagogic show. Learned a lot from this, thank you !

[@johnstebbins6262]

Very cool setup. Wow! What if in the beginning position you have an extra white pawn on e2? It never moves but would remove the option of d3 for the black king at the end of the game. I haven't fully analyzed the situation. But perhaps it would be an elegant solution to the imperfection of the setup.

[@danielyuan9862]

Honestly the white pawn can be in a lot of squares and it probably counters Kd3, because the line after Kd3 is simply a positional variation rather than a tactical one.

[@voodoocado]

What about Kf6 instead of the second bishop? That should give time to jump to Kd7 in time for the next check

[@RJSRdg]

No, because black can play Be5+ straight away.

[@voodoocado]

@@RJSRdg Not in the original variant where the black king is in the way of the check!

[@joaopaulozalamenacorrealim2596]

Was thinking about that also

[@vd5564]

At 11:00 if you move Nc1 check, then it opens up some options. If he moves the king back, then you can do the b8 move. If he moves Kd2, then it gets complicated. It allows white king to escape and both sides can eventually get their queens back. White by doing Nd6, then e7, e8. This after Kb3 and white loses the knight on c1. I didn't fully play it out after that, so black may have a perpetual check with eventual mate.

[@chariotrequiem9030]

You didn't even consider black's moves

[@chariotrequiem9030]

B8 doesn't do anything as the bishop can just ignore it and go straight for the checkmate

[@thetaomegatheta]

In the end, the line Nc1+ Kd2 Is a draw. It is also the best outcome for white from the position at 11:00

[@aun6923]

at 11:00 Nc2+ Ke4 Nf6+ Kf5 Nd7 and after the promotion white wins with the extra knight and 2 pawnes if at 11:00 Nc2+ Kd2 Kb4 Be5+ Kb3 Kc1 Nc7! if bishop takes then e7 or even if he allows promotion on b8 , in both cases both sides get queens which get traded and the position is winning.

[@thetaomegatheta]

Neither of the knights can go to c2 from that position. Nc1 Kd2 line is also a draw, not a win for white. Neither of the kings can go to b4, either, from where they are. And queens do not get traded under optimal play.

[@NeroGMZ]

I have a question. At 5:45 why couldn't you just move the bishop to d4 forcing it to be taken by the black bishop and then take it by the white knight? I'm still learning the intricates of chess so some advice would be helpful!

[@thetaomegatheta]

After knight takes, black promotes with checkmate

[@Paul-sj5db]

@@thetaomegatheta Good call. I didn't see that. It should definitely have been mentioned in the analysis though.

[@Small_Schlonng_9000]

@@Paul-sj5dbno it shouldn’t

[@user-ct7ix8nz1w]

After Bf4, black don't have any good moves

[@pxtxto2479]

f5 is not an only move Nd6 makes it so that the king cant move and you can just promote one of your pawns with no worries

[@SosInChess]

Black king can still go to d3, so Nd6 is not working here

[@bugkake]

Nd6 is mate in 3 ? lol

[@CBowman150]

From your requested position, the immediate Nc1+ gives white a winning advantage. If black goes for the Ke4 line, it loses by force, and if he goes for the recommended Kd2, the lines goes Kb2 .. Be5+. Kb3 .. Kxc1 then the brilliant Nc7. Following the top engine lines, both players get a queen, but if black makes a bad king move, white can force the queen trade and promote another queen to win the game. Fun analysis to look at

[@lenalittle4193]

It ends with a draw, because white have no good checks when blacks king is on a1

[@lethalty6055]

So I've played out this setup using SF, and it seems that if white plays to perfection, it changes to a draw of repetition if black goes Kd3 at 11:02.

[@andeol92]

at 11:00: if the king moves on d3 right here, it doesn't look like you need to sacrifice b7 or e8. you can just Kc1. at 6:00 : can you explain to me why black can't ignore the bishop gift and simply do Bd4 ? I don't see any move white can do to block black from looping Bd4 - Be5

[@BorisGamingChannel]

I was thinking the same

[@maylene1945]

For 6:00, after Bd4, I think white can play Bf4, replacing white knight's job to protect c1 square. So, If black move the king and check with black bishop, white can simply take that bishop with knight without worrying c1 square. Correct me if I wrong

[@andeol92]

@@maylene1945 indeed, didn't see that line, thx

[@Axcille]

1st point that is the best move but still it leads to a draw 2nd point after Bd4 theres a good move Bf4 after black does Bxb6 and white does e7 its checkmate in a view turns

[@Mmtz-ec7tb]

You could've put bishop to d4

[@aaronbarlow4376]

Extremely easy puzzle initially, I saw the sequence immediately. I normally need to think with puzzles. Although the knight promotion was tricky, then it got not so clear. Underpromotions galore. Good stuff.

[@twitchkillgod2985]

That black bishop got more action then i have in any chess game

[@muralimohandinakurthi5034]

What about bishop d4

[@Planet_Arcadia]

Brilliant idea I thought that too

[@FustinJields]

Bf4! to cover the promotion square.

[@FustinJields]

​@Masterpiece Not sure if you got a notification from my first reply so replying to you so you can see it.

[@Planet_Arcadia]

​@@FustinJieldsok

[@divyanshugupta5331]

That doesnt work here

[@Sooraj_Cinto_T]

12:54 Why is Kb2 not an option here?

[@shadowyzephyr]

it results in a win for black, black plays bishop back to e5, then according to SF white can't defend

[@skulkgaming9821]

5:18 THERE ARE LIKE 8 DIFFRENT TIMES YOU COULD DO BISHOP TO D4 AND IT WOULD BE BENIFITAL.

[@thetaomegatheta]

Bd4 Bxd4 If your idea is to take with the knight, then black just promotes with a checkmate.

[@fifiwoof1969]

@@thetaomegatheta I'm thinking Bd4 too but by black ie. right after Bh2 - why is that not better than leaving the diagonal to capture White's bishop?

[@thetaomegatheta]

@@fifiwoof1969 White responds with Bf4, preventing promotion.

[@fifiwoof1969]

@@thetaomegatheta so if after that black play Kd3 is that not checkmate? Nah, forgot Nxd4 and either the knight or bishop capture the pawn or promoted piece next move and white wins with remaining material.

[@joshuad450]

Fascinating puzzle! I've never seen a position with so many underpromotions.

[@PrometheanConsulting]

@6:29 You covered pawn moves, but what about Nf6 with Ng4 idea? You're just going to advance to f6 if black tries Be5 -> Bg7/Bh8 EXCEPT Bd4. The knight can't take the bishop and there's no other defense. A significant omission in the analysis, I think.

[@lenalittle4193]

You gave yourself the answer why this doesn't work. Sometimes he miss ideas people could have, but i think it would be to much work and a to long video to cover every single move.

[@PrometheanConsulting]

@@lenalittle4193 I agree with respect to "similar ideas" like all the different pawn moves. I just felt that this particular variation was an exception to the same idea that he illustrated before the bishop deflection to h2 and worth a call out that it would not work. And in comments, a large number of viewers also noted that idea and wanted to explore it. Nelson does a great job with these and I don't think constructive criticism diminishes his work. He's even made videos correcting himself when he feels the gap is egregious enough and I respect him for doing that. That's why I made the comment. To give him the choice :)

[@DoctorPing]

Holy crap Batman, that was a tricky one.

[@davidking4838]

Batman's reply is simply "Holy crap, Robin!".

[@2010sunshine]

@Nelson Lopez I think I have a solution: At 6:06 After black bishop takes white bishop, white has to play N f6, instead of P b7. (No need to go for premature promotions to bishop and rook) Then, if black plays B e5, white has to play N g4. Then if black plays B g7 or h8, White can block the black bishop by playing P f6. White wins subsequently. I request you to analyse further

[@thetaomegatheta]

Nf6 Be5 Ng4 Bd4 If white takes with the knight on b3, then black promotes with checkmate. Nf6 is not a winning move.

[@tangocthang8297]

When white plays N g4, black can play B d4. If white knight gets the black bishop, the black pawn will become queen and black will win. Otherwise, any other moves from white would lead to black king to d3 and win

[@mohammadabrar5803]

Quite amazing love you the way you explain every move

[@alexandernakhle8417]

At the part where you could promote to a knight you could have forked the king and bishop with your bishop

[@Yatagarasu]

No, it won't work since black can just take white's bishop with their bishop, and the knight can't capture the bishop or it stops guarding the square where black's pawn can become a queen. If white doesn't capture black's bishop, black can just move their king, forcing white to capture black's bishop, which then allows black to promote the pawn to a queen, resulting in checkmate.

[@Blinknone]

Crazy.. Thanks for sharing it.

[@colinadevivero]

Excellent study, great presentation style 😊

[@billprovince8759]

Early on in the puzzle, after Bxh2, the suggested move is b7. However, what about Nf6 instead? If Be5 then Ng4 threatens bishop, and if bishop retreats on diagonal then f6. On the other hand, after Nf6 if Kd6 then Ng4 still works! Am I missing something?

[@spacedragon2753]

If Be5 and Ng4, black plays Bd4 and you can't stop mate

[@AmongUsAcademy]

Wow this puzzle is amazing 😮

[@lerkonat]

i let stockfish run the puzzle from the starting position, and on depth 44, the mainline after Kd3 is NOT nc1+ but b8=B, bxb8, nc7, nxc7 and only then Nc1+, and white is up +2.48 after playing the top lines out from stockfish, this is a draw

[@TheGiulioSeverini]

I let Stockfish 15.1 run this study for few minutes up to a depth of 65 and it considers it a draw so I believe there is nothing to do.

[@Aurexo2]

Well, in the end, what White can do is do the move Knight to c1 check. That way, it force black 2 option. If he go king d2 then we play King to b2, getting out of there while protecting our knight. If he King c3, then we do the exact same plan than before for the win

[@chariotrequiem9030]

The same plan as in Nc7? Pretty sure the bishop can ignore that knight and just go back to it's original place

[@Ewheii]

That wasn’t necessarily the only way to not lose, keeping your bishop on G1 allowed it to block the black bishop if the kind moved, although it would’ve been a knight and bishop for just a bishop, you could’ve promoted to a queen. Kind of a risky trade but it works (I believe) (Edit:) I realized black would’ve promoted their pawn with mate in one, oops

[@peterpetrov6522]

Intricate! At 6:07 instead of b7 white plays Nf6. If Be5 then Ng4 followed by f6 unless of course black plays Bd4. But then at least somebody wins!

[@thetaomegatheta]

If black goes Bd4, white seems to be out of good options.

[@sockeyetrout8143]

real good cool solution. i enjoyed this immensely

[@DasHemdchen]

In my engine, Ke4 „going after the pawns“ is a win for White, after Kb2, Kxf5 with Nc7! White will promote either the b- or e-pawn. But 9...Kd2 resolves into a complicated Queen endgame. I don’t have tablebases to tell the result. But this is not an easy win, and surely not a good end for this puzzle.

[@rommelflorencio2716]

sir black cannot even make draw in the "drawn position as we saw" if we add just 1white passedpawn as part of composition (maybe on h6 or in a6) and therefore the puzzle is still works!

[@christianpauling6409]

Bei 12:00 geht der schwarze König nach d2. Bei erneutem Schach durch den Springer schwarzer König nach d1. Kein weiteres Schach möglich und egal was weiß zieht, schwarzer Läufer oder Bauer zur Dame setzt Matt.

[@arsenalzocker]

6:53 what is with knight blocks the attack, bishop takes, queen blocks the attack and moves to b2?

[@felix7771]

Then the pawn will promote to a queen or rook and the white queen can't capture because it is pinned - so checkmate

[@Pankaw]

If knight blocks bishop's attack, then it stops guarding c1, so black promotes to queen or rook with checkmate

[@synka5922]

11:00 what if you play knight to c1? Edit: black wont go there with his king in the "fixed" version - and that version is draw by repition due to bishop d4 - g7 being repeatable

[@kinyutaka]

The obvious bait move is to promote the queen. First you need to attack the King with Knight to E4. Black King moves to D3, White King to B2. Note, if Black King goes to D4 instead, then the same move kills the Black Pawn/Queen But that is as far as I can get.

[@Sadtwopointoh]

The bishop like a sniper

[@yourfather8041]

1. Nc1+, Ke4 2. Kb2, Kf5 3. Ng7+ Kf3 4. e7 Ke7 5. Nf5+ and from that point you can maneuver around into a check mate, if at any time that bishop leaves to check the king you just take the pawn and with two knights you can walk your pawns up the side. It’s a win for white. Edit: I’ve played it out 5 different ways and white always wins if they don’t blunder

[@RJSRdg]

But why would black play Ke4? Kd2 would be better.

[@yourfather8041]

@@RJSRdg because now I get to run my pawns up the board without opposition

[@jonathanwork7070]

Kd2 draws for black after Nc1+. The line goes 2. Kb2 Be5+ 3. Kb3 Kxc1 4. Nc7 Kb1 5. b8=Q c1=Q 6. Ka4+ Ka1. 7. Regardless of what white plays here there is perpetual check

[@ZoroIsGone]

I just thought a little about the move where king went to d3 if knight goes to d4 sacrificing the knight and king take knight then the white king has space to escape and most likely win the game since he has more pawns than the black king I thought a little more about this and forgot that the knight was protecting the c1 square.

[@FraggleH]

After Nc1, Ke4 doesn't help black because of Nd6+ which clears the path for the e-pawn with tempo, allowing Kb2. Black now only has time to capture the f-pawn before e7 forces the bishop off the diagonal that was preventing b8=Q. Stockfish, however, offers Kd2 instead, which seems to be an interesting line in it's own right...

[@thetaomegatheta]

'After Nc1, Ke4' Why would black go Ke4?

[@FraggleH]

@@thetaomegatheta That's the example he used @12:00 to demonstrate that it's a drawn position. Granted the position was slightly altered from the final position the video ended with, so maybe he wasn't trying to imply that would be the response to Nc1, but that's how I viewed it at the time.

[@jonathanmarcellinoalansage3208]

D2*

[@KillerIntent1]

6:11 i cant play for black that well, but does knight to f6, bishop to e5, knight to d7 work? Its a turn before your challenge though, but it blocks/stops the bishop from being active and lets you push the pawn on e6 forward.

[@thetaomegatheta]

'but does knight to f6, bishop to e5, knight to d7 work' No. Black bishop just goes to d4.

[@KillerIntent1]

@@thetaomegatheta had a feeling it wouldn’t, just forgot the other knight couldnt help

[@barun9665]

Amazzing puzzles . in the query at last , can't we just do Nc1 check and then wherever king moves we have Kb2 escaping the mating net ? and then we play Nc7 can push e7 then both pawns can't be stopped and we get queen first and win

[@anshu5860]

Moral of Story: Never push your King to the edge or corner of the board.😂

[@nguyenthienminh5590]

Hi @Chess Vibes, after f4 at 3:49: - Black can go c1+ -> Queen (check) - White goes Nxc1 - Black can go Kc2+ (checkmate by Bishop at e5). Am I right?

[@Rocky64]

No, ...Kc2+ fxe5.

[@nguyenthienminh5590]

@@Rocky64 ah, I see. Thanks

[@GLitchesHaxandBadAudio]

Although I might not have been the first to mention or realize this, I personally find it odd you failed to mention a very major possibility for black at 12:00 following white knight to C1. Given the Board state at 12:01, would the best move for black not be king to D2? If white returns the knight to B3, black can move the king to D1 (or back to D3); Black bishop to E5 is still open, resulting in checkmate (albeit after a prolonging via white knight to block at D4). If white instead moves king to B2 while leaving the knight at C1, then black can still move bishop to E5. While not checkmate, the resulting state would leave black at an advantage, forcing white king to B3. Black may then pre-empt the white pawns via bishop to F6. The board state is in black’s favor.

[@craigisaacs3506]

Someone help me understand; after the second promotion on b8, what if instead of Kc4 the Black Bishop captures the promoted piece on b8, how does white escape checkmate?? I don't see anything stopping the Bishop from returning to e5.

[@Lily-dg2qv]

the problem with king d3 is the pawn on b7 because if you dont promote earlier you win the game

[@JaneSmith-gk9xi]

At 5:50, what's to stop Black from moving Bd4 instead of Bxh2 and forcing a draw by repetition just shuffling the bishop between d4 and e5?

[@antarath517]

After Bd4, Bf4 adds a second guard to the queening square, and black has no more tactics.

[@JaneSmith-gk9xi]

Thanks! @@antarath517

[@AjaySathe]

Incredible! Amazing!

[@deathblade32]

Correct me if I am wrong. But after the first bishop sacrifice you move knight to F6 instead of pawn to B7, then next move, move knight to G4, after, it controls check mate threat, and if king moves for it, push D pawn, or take threatening queen pawn with king, it shouldn't be a stalemate situation You keep queen threat in check with first knight, mate threat from king moving is blocked by knight for at least 2 moves, enough for the rook and you still have an easy queen at both B and E and a close one for F That or I'm just blanking an obvious reason not to

[@thetaomegatheta]

'But after the first bishop sacrifice you move knight to F6 instead of pawn to B7, then next move, move knight to G4, after, it controls check mate threat' Nf6 Be5 Ng4 Bd4 White has no good followup, and black is going to checkmate white shortly thereafter.

[@mackienzykahl]

At 6:15 is knight f6 not viable? To then move G4 to prevent rhe bishop checkmate?

[@awequayzngs1780]

Super puzzle. Thanks.

[@nledaig]

These are brilliant puzzles

[@josephastrahan6403]

In the last example instead of the black king going for the pawns, why doesn't he go for d2 instead? This would put pressure on the knight? The white king MUST move to b2 or get checkmated as moving the e pawn would be too slow. After the check the king would have to move out of the way to b2. Next the bishop can move to F6 blocking the pawns advances. Not sure after this though.

[@aerialitestv6332]

After the black move to kc3, white move should be kb2 and i think white will win from this position.

[@joehilby6955]

On the original solution did anyone try Nf6? After Be5, white has Nb5. That way the bishop check (by discovery by the king moving) isn’t mate. When the bishop is moved and still kept on that diagonal, white closes it with f6! And the pawn is protected by the knight. Still not a solution to the king move Kd3. 😢

[@notthebestname2521]

12:48 maybe if we don't play pawn to b7 but knight to f6, then the king moves to d3, and then we put our knight on g4, we actually guard e5 so the bishop can't go there.

[@thetaomegatheta]

Then, instead of Kd3, black goes Be5. After Ng4 black responds with Bd4, leaving white with no good followup.

[@user-ct7ix8nz1w]

After Nf6 instead of b7, white easily lose after Be5

[@CloudColumncat]

Now that is puzzle. so much intense, have some issue and still people find figure out.

[@reidflemingworldstoughestm1394]

It's one thing to play your way out of that puzzle. It's whole nother one being able to create the puzzle.

[@jackfredricks6223]

So once white moves its bishop to h2 @ 5:56 what is to stop black from bd4? White can't take with the knight because it is busy guarding c1? All white can do is move its bishop back to g1, and black can perpetual to stalemate? Remember that when the puzzle says white to play and win, all black has to do is force a draw to ruin the puzzle.

[@GizmoTheViking]

@6:30 why isn't Nf6 considered? if Be5, we simply go Ng4, attacking the bishop again as per usual. Also defending D4 and F6, so if the bishop goes g7 or h8, we can still block with the pawn on f6. I'm not really a chess player, so I'm unable to see what black can do to prevent this. He can't move the king first to set up the checkmate, as our knight then gets to g4 and attacking the bishop already on h2, while also defending the important e5 square. what am I missing?

[@GizmoTheViking]

never mind, noticed black just goes D4 to get our Knight on b3 out and we can't defend both C4 and D3 in a safe manner.

[@InvisbleEnd]

6:05 Bishop To D4 Knight Is Blocking Also Worked, Forces Bishop Trade

[@thetaomegatheta]

In case of a bishop trade, black promotes with a checkmate

[@salmanalfarisiyunansyah7785]

They are Two Option for White 1. Nb3 2. Nd3

[@trueriver1950]

I like that this solution involves all three possible under-promos

[@thaleswatanabe1606]

Instead of trying to promote to bishop on b after Bxh8, you should go kf6, then when bishop back to e5, kg4 attacks It, and the only way to keep the check threat going would be to Go back to f7 or h8, whickever you could block by putting a pawn on g6, protected by the Knight, which basically invalidates the bishop check. By then theres no threat and you get time to promote the pawns on b and e and get to a winning position

[@thetaomegatheta]

'you should go kf6' There is no position in the game where either of the kings can go to f6, so I assume you meant 'Nf6'. Nf6 Be5 Ng4 Bd4 (an option that you have just ignored in your analysis) If white takes with the knight on b3, then black just promotes with checkmate.

[@dineshmohanraj6144]

At 6:16 when Bh2, I don’t know why you haven’t considered this Nf6, Be5, Ng4. This knight now controls e5 and f6 squares so black has to play Bg7 or Bh8 which white can cut off by pawn to f6. Please see this line of attack for white and share your comments.

[@dineshmohanraj6144]

This line is simple and doesn’t need any other under promotions

[@peteneville698]

What about black's Bd4?

[@dineshmohanraj6144]

@@peteneville698 Same threat still remains even after under promoting to Bishop. Going by the solution provided in this video at 7:39 after under promoting to Bishop, black Bd4, Ba7, Bxa7. This is a winning option for black.

[@FeruccioBilich]

you take with the other knight@@peteneville698

[@FeruccioBilich]

The same thing I was wondering

[@jonathanmarcellinoalansage3208]

13:09 what if king to B2 or knight to C1 with check the black king first before get checked by black bishop and avoid some threat simple checkmate

[@thetaomegatheta]

Knight to c1 is correct - leads to a draw, and is the best option for white. King to b2 loses after Be5+ that forces white to either sacrifice the knight and let black promote, or to move the king to c1.

[@rajanganger5942]

Instead of b7 would also be Nf6 work? Nf6 Be5 Ng4 hitting the Bishop and still winning? Any thoughts

[@byronwatkins2565]

At 13:15, if Kd3, then Kb2 allows Kc1 escape and Nd2 block or Nc5!. I don't know whether that is enough to win, however.

[@thetaomegatheta]

... Kd3 Kb2 Be5+ Kc1 Kc3 After this, black threatens Bf4 checkmate.

[@byronwatkins2565]

@@thetaomegatheta I could stretch it a few moves, but you are basically right.

[@bradlichtenstein1160]

What about, instead of p-b7, n-f6? Then n-g4 controlling e5, d4, and f6

[@andreworam2844]

7:18 technically that’s not the definition of a stalemate. The definition is that a player has no legal move to make.

[@spacedragon2753]

That's wrong. By your definition, a standard checkmate would be a stalemate, because there would also not be any legal moves. The correct definition for stalemate is that there are no more legal moves AND the king isn't in check