'Chess Quiz'<\/p>\n
I appreciate the \"Chess Quiz\" that appears every day in The
\nJakarta Post, which has been quite good these days as compared to
\na few years ago. However, I have some basic complaints about this
\ncolumn.<\/p>\n
The Pre-set Quiz -- as opposed those adopted from end-games
\nactually played by international players, which are supposedly
\ngood -- is too unrealistic, and should be more like an actual
\nmatch.<\/p>\n
Second, there are too many unnecessary pieces that have no
\nfunction -- although perhaps the quiz designer has done this to
\ntry and emulate an actual, ongoing game.<\/p>\n
Third, many times, the adopted end-games seem to be quite
\n\"unreal\", as those Quiz appearing in the Post editions on Jan.
\n14, Jan. 15, Jan. 16 and Jan. 18. The Quiz and the solutions are
\nOK (too simple though), but in all these Quiz, when I try to make
\nout what would have been the previous move (the one immediately
\npreceding the Quiz), I don't find a sensible move that could have
\nbeen made by a reasonably good player.<\/p>\n
That makes me doubt whether the said players really play this
\ngame , and also whether they are well known chess players at
\nall? So, is it possible for a curious reader to request for all
\nthe moves in the game from the start?<\/p>\n
Your Chess Quiz is good enough to draw the attention of keen
\nchess players and enthusiasts like me. While the Quiz, Hint and
\nSolution are generally accurate, one rare mistake did appear in
\nthe Jan. 13 quiz:<\/p>\n
1.The problem is \"while forces mate\"; hint -- \"try the direct
\napproach\"; solution -- 1. Qb4, Nc6; 2. Bb5 pins the Knight and
\nrenews the threat of mate at e7.<\/p>\n
However, it is not that easy to mate, as explained below.<\/p>\n
2. Bb5, Bd7 (releasing the black knight from pin and prevents
\nmate at e7)<\/p>\n
3. if B x c6, Nc5 (blocking Qe7)<\/p>\n
4. if B x d7, K x d7 followed by Ke6 and escaping to f, g, h
\nfiles. Alternatively, even Kf8 followed by Kg8 prevents any quick
\nmate.<\/p>\n
On the other hand: 4. if Q x e5, then black rook averts a
\nquick mate.<\/p>\n
Well, white is sure to win ultimately, because of its superior
\nposition and power\/position advantage.<\/p>\n
Despite the above error, the quiz is definitely interesting
\nand thought-provoking and I am sure a chess-enthusiast who reads
\nyour paper never misses this column.<\/p>\n
Please keep up the good work and keep improvising.<\/p>\n
RANGA NATHAN<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/chess-quiz-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }