u/XasiAlDena

Taken from a game I just played.

While there is one move here which is objectively best, there are multiple winning moves for Black in this position. It's always important when you see a good move to stop and consider if there isn't a better option.

Solution:

>!1...Re3!!!<

>!If White tries to save their Queen, say with 2.Qc2, then it's forced mate after 2...Qxh3!! or 2...Rg3!!<

>!White's only sensible alternative is to take the Rook. 2.fxe3 Rxe3 and anywhere White moves their Queen there's a discovery to win her, so they must desperado the Queen. 3.Qxe3 Bxe3+!<

>!4.Kh1 Qxh3# is how my game ended, but as a final nail in the coffin I did see that after 4.Kh2 Qb7 Black simply forks the Knight on a6, Bishop on b2, and the g2 pawn all at once.!<

Edit: Whoops. IDK why the post looks like that on the Reddit page.

Hello chess lovers!

I've recently (as in, today) decided that I'd like to try getting into the habit of composing my own chess puzzles. This is my first attempt at something beyond very basic tactics.

I'm new to this, so I wanted to get opinions from others about the puzzle. Particularly opinions from people who have experience coaching / educating chess - as my main motivation for creating these problems is as exercises I could give to students in order to teach or express some motif / theme. I am not a coach myself, nor am I even a particularly strong player (1900 Rapid online), but I have a passion for chess and would one day like to help others improve at the game.

I want to know how difficult people think this puzzle is (what level of player is a puzzle like this appropriate for?) and also, do people think that this is even a good puzzle at all?

My intended solution for this puzzle is:

>!1. Nxa1 cxd6 2. e5 dxe5 3. dxc5!* (dxe5 draws, as while White wins the resulting pawn race, Black's c2 pawn will never be captured without inducing Stalemate to Black's King on a1) e4 4. c6 e3 5. c7 e2 6. Nc2!* (this move can be included at several points previously, but this is the final moment where it must be played. I do not really like this, as I personally feel as though puzzles should only ever have one clearly best move, but seeing this idea is a critical part of the overall composition.) Kxc2 7. c8=Q+ Kd1 and the position is theoretically winning due to the Queen vs. Pawn on the 2nd Rank technique - where White can force Black's King in front of their e2 pawn using checks, then bring their King over to win the e2 pawn.!<

>!* I'm not sure where the best place to end the puzzle would be. Both of these points seem like good places to end, as surely to find either of these moves, White must have seen the relevant themes / ideas.!<

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this puzzle and at least found it entertaining.