'Chess Quiz'

'Chess Quiz'

I appreciate the "Chess Quiz" that appears every day in The
Jakarta Post, which has been quite good these days as compared to
a few years ago. However, I have some basic complaints about this
column.

The Pre-set Quiz -- as opposed those adopted from end-games
actually played by international players, which are supposedly
good -- is too unrealistic, and should be more like an actual
match.

Second, there are too many unnecessary pieces that have no
function -- although perhaps the quiz designer has done this to
try and emulate an actual, ongoing game.

Third, many times, the adopted end-games seem to be quite
"unreal", as those Quiz appearing in the Post editions on Jan.
14, Jan. 15, Jan. 16 and Jan. 18. The Quiz and the solutions are
OK (too simple though), but in all these Quiz, when I try to make
out what would have been the previous move (the one immediately
preceding the Quiz), I don't find a sensible move that could have
been made by a reasonably good player.

That makes me doubt whether the said players really play this
game , and also whether they are well known chess players at
all? So, is it possible for a curious reader to request for all
the moves in the game from the start?

Your Chess Quiz is good enough to draw the attention of keen
chess players and enthusiasts like me. While the Quiz, Hint and
Solution are generally accurate, one rare mistake did appear in
the Jan. 13 quiz:

1.The problem is "while forces mate"; hint -- "try the direct
approach"; solution -- 1. Qb4, Nc6; 2. Bb5 pins the Knight and
renews the threat of mate at e7.

However, it is not that easy to mate, as explained below.

2. Bb5, Bd7 (releasing the black knight from pin and prevents
mate at e7)

3. if B x c6, Nc5 (blocking Qe7)

4. if B x d7, K x d7 followed by Ke6 and escaping to f, g, h
files. Alternatively, even Kf8 followed by Kg8 prevents any quick
mate.

On the other hand: 4. if Q x e5, then black rook averts a
quick mate.

Well, white is sure to win ultimately, because of its superior
position and power/position advantage.

Despite the above error, the quiz is definitely interesting
and thought-provoking and I am sure a chess-enthusiast who reads
your paper never misses this column.

Please keep up the good work and keep improvising.

RANGA NATHAN

Jakarta