Chess Win

212
Surprising
Checkntates
by
Bruce Alberston
&
Fred Wilson
2011
Russell Enterprises, Inc.
Milford, CT USA
212 Surprising Checkmates
by
Bruce Albcrslon & Fred Wilson
ISBN: 97g-l-936490-23-3
�)Copyright 20 I I
Bruce Alberston & Fred Wilson
All Rights Reserved
No part of this book may be used, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system

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tronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the express written permission from the publisher except in the
case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Published by:
Russell Enterprises, Inc.
P.O. Box 313 I
Milford, CT 06460 USA
http://www.russell-cn terpriscs.com
in lo({t}russell-en terprises.com
Cover design by Janel Lowrance
Printed in the United States of America
This is a revised edition, with additional material, of 202 SuqJrising

Checkmates, originally published by Dover Publications in 1998
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments 4
Symbols and Abbreviations 4
Introduction 5
Definitions I0
Chapter I
White Mates in One Move 1- 100 I I
Chapter 2
White Mates in Two Moves 10 1- 150 61
Black Mates in Two Moves 15 1 -200 86
Chapter 3
White Mates in Three Moves 20 1-2 12 Il l
Answer Diagrams 1 17
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to the following people who either contributed positions, checked
solutions, or made useful suggestions:
Adam Marcus, Gregory Caesar. Dan Satterwaite, Ben Schanback, Jeff

Tannenbaum, Tom Schrade, Mike Senkiewicz, Emmitt Jefferson, Andy Ansel,
Andrew Fox, Glen Hart, Ned Wall, Oshon Temple, and Marianna Loosemore.
Symbols & Abbreviations
r!} or K stands for King

"/')! or Q stands for Queen
.§ or R stands for Rook
A or B stands for Bishop
<£) or N stands for Knight
ft or P stands tor Pertect, the score you are aiming for.
The symbol for the pawn is P, but is rarely used. A pawn move is indicated by a
lower case letter which identifies the file of the moving pawn.
x stands for a capture

0-0 stands tor kingside castling
0-0-0 stands for queenside castling
three dots following a move number indicate a black move

means that a pawn is promoted to a piece indicated by a capital
letter immediately to the right of the slash mark
e.p. stands tor en passant, a special type of pawn capture. A pawn

advancing two squares may be captured by an opposing
pawn standing on the same rank, on an adjacent file.
The enemy pawn captures the advancing pawn as though it had advanced one
square.
+ stands for check

# stands for mate or checkmate
exclam! means a very good move
!! double exclam! ! means a brilliant move
? means a bad move
?? means a losing blunder
4
Introduction
It is now generally recognized that, alertness to such opportunities when

especially beneath the master level, the they occur in your own games.
outcome of a chess game is mostly
determined by tactical errors. And these The first I 00 positions in this book are
errors can be both of commission and checkmates you can achieve in one
omission. Which of us has not, "in the move (white to move and mate in one),
heat of battle," ruined a well-played and to make them more difficult, most
game by not paying attention to our are rather problem-like.
o p ponent's last move, thereby
overlooking h i s o r her threat of They are, in other words, unlikely to
checkmate in one or two moves? occur in a real game. Although one of
the authors, Fred Wilson, admits he
Conversely, who hasn't missed the carelessly fell into the mate in position
opportunity to play a cute mate-in-one. 46 during a training game with a
perhaps by failing to note that the student! Still, since you know the right
enemy king has no }light squares- so move is a check, make the effort to find
that all possible checks should the most elfective one.
obviously be considered- or by giving
the wrong discol'ered or double c heck? Twenty of the solutions i n v o lv e
[Note: italicized terms arc defined at the discovered checks, but stretch your
end of the introduction.] brain to see which move is necessary
to prevent an enemy piece from
Even worse, how many times have we interposing, for example, or to take
all overlooked an attractive male-in-two away a possible flight square.
- not even bothering to look for it! -
because, being so consumed with our As you approach this first group of
own plans, we don't notice that the positions, bear in mind that many of
opponent's last move was a serious them employ special chess moves such
tactical mistake'! And how often, after as castling long, or the en passant Pawn
having missed a brilliant shot, have we capture.
found that it was there for one move
only, and it was our one opportunity to Also, be on the lookout for long moves,
win? especially ones involving the queen.
Finally, remember that a pinned piece
As chess teachers of many years of can give mate, if the enemy piece
experience we believe the best way to pinning it to your king is itself pinned
overcome short-tem1 tactical oversights to its king by another of your pieces.
is to combine practice with study.
Solving problems with quick, clever But, you ask, how often do you really
tactical solutions will increase your have to think about mate-in-one during
5
practical play? Consider the following

game, which we lind very instructive
for intermediate students to play over.
[Note that an explanation list, "Symbols
and Abbreviations," precedes this
introduction.]
P. H. Clarke vs. J. Jcrolim

England versus Luxembourg
International Chess Olympiad
Amsterdam 1954
Opening: Modern Defense
a b c d e f g h
l.c4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.f4 Nd7

This precise move initiates a winning
5.Nf3 c5?
attack. If Black replies 9... f6, then 10.
Nxe5! fxg5 II. N f7+ wins the
exchange. Black's problem is that even
though he has traded queens, he is not
y e t in an endgame, but rather a
queenless middlegame, and his king,
trapped in the center, is an easy target
for White's better developed pieces.
The play continues ...
9... Ke8 IO.Nd5! Nxf3+ ll.gxf3 Kd7
a b c cl e f g h Trying to guard c7 against the knight

fork. If li...Bxb2 then 12 .Rbl Be5 13.
A very bad move. Allcr the following f4 Bd6 14.e5 c6 15.N f6+! wins a piece.
series of forced exchanges, Black will
be unable to castle and will come under 12.0-0-0 Kc6 13. Nb4+! .•.
vicious attack. 5 . . . c5 would have been

a much better move.
8
7
6.fxe5 dxc5 7.dxe5 Nxe5 8.Qxd8+
Kxd8 9.Bg5+! ... 6
'i
4
3
2
a b c d e f g h
6
Introduction
13 ... Kb6
H
If 13. . .Kc5? then 14.Rd5+! Kxb4 and
7
you have mate in two moves, 15.Bd2+
Ka4 16.Bb5 mate. 6
'5
14.Rd5!! Resigns
3
2
a b c d e f g h
Ana(J'sis: after 14. . . c5
So, okay, what if Black finds 14 ... a5

15.Be3+ cS 16.Rxc5 ! -
1:!
a b c d e f g h
7
Now take a good look at the final 6
position. What is White's threat? Can't s
Black safely bring out a piece, by
4
14 .. . Nf6. attacking White's rook?
:S
Actually, no, because 15.Rb5 is mate.
2
We are fairly certain you found this
mate-in-one quickly, as it is the most
a b c d e g h
immediate threat behind White's
14. Rd5!!. And we hope you noticed that the threat is if 16 .. .axb4 17. RxcH+
Black's king has no night squares! (discovered check!) 17 ... Ka5 18.RxaH
mate- 16...Bh6
However, what if Black sees the threat

8
and defends by 14 .•. c5. See the next
7
diagram.
6
We have found that it usually takes '5
intermediate players about 30-60
4
seconds to find 15.Bd8 mate! which
3
also refutes 14... c6. But remember, if
you were playing this game and you 2
missed 15.Bd8 mate, Black would now
have some chances to save the position.
a b c d e f g h
7
which we believe is Black's best chance Look at the next diagram position,
to maneuver out of a lost position? which occurred in a game between two
of the strongest grandmasters in the
Many students ignore Black's last move world at that time.
and want to play 1 7 . Rxc8+??
immediately, overlooking the fact that Szabo vs. Reshevsky
if Black replies 1 7 ... Bxe3, it is with Zurich Candidates 1953
check- so now Black is winning! Less White to Play
impulsive students usually take from
one to three minutes to find the right
H
idea here, that there is probably some
7
very strong discovered and/or double
check available- namely 17.Rc6 mate! ()
6 2
4 a h c d e f g h
3
Lazlo Szabo played 20.Nf6+ and
2
Samuel Reshevsky quickly replied
20...Bxf6?'!
a h c d e f g h
H
Congratulate yourself if you (()und the
7
one-move mates in these position fairly
quickly, but always remember how ()
often the possibility of a tricky mate s

in-one can arise even in a serious game
4
between experienced players.
.)
If you are willing to do the work 2
necessary to solve the I00 tricky one

movers in this book, we believe you'll
a h c d e g h
rarely miss such opportunities in your
own games again!
Incredibly, Szabo played 2 1.Bxf6? and
missed 21.Qxg6+ with mate next
If many mates-in-one arc overlooked.
move! Somehow, Szabo either
it stands to reason that a tremendous
overlooked or forgot that Black's t7-
number of males-in-two are also
pawn was pinned against his king by
missed, and not just by beginners and
White's bishop on d5.
intermediates.
Introduction
Report edly, when he real ized his The last twelve positions in this book
mistake, Szab6 was so upset that, arc all White mates-in-three. By the
despite still having a great positional time you get to them, we think you will
advantage, he only managed to draw be ready to analyze a slightly longer
the game. sequence and so we urge you to try
them.
Other examples of great masters
blundering are found in position 133, For example, #20 I employs a fairly
where Ludek Pachman (Black) has just common type of sacri lice to force a
played his rook to c7 , completely hack-rank-mate (hint!) and is therefore
oblivious to Julio Bolboch{m 's brilliant useful to know. 11202 is much harder to
reply, and in position 136, where Boris solve, but both spectacular and
Spassky overlooked a two-move mate beautiful -truly "mind over matter."
against E. Vl a d imirov in 196 1
(although Spassky did win anyway). If you enjoy finding these
comhinations, you arc now ready to
Sin�.:e so many mates-in-two are missed study more advanced books on chess
in practical play, we decided for the tactics, and arc, almost certain, on the
most part to create and use game-like road to becoming a stronger player.
positions in I 01-200. Positions 15 1-
200 are Black mates-in-two because we The positions in this book arc usually,
believe that it is very important for though not always, arranged in order
players to learn to study printed chess of difficulty. With the one movers
positions from Black's perspective. especially, this order has not always
been so easy to determine. Fred Wilson
Our game-like positions can, and ol"lcn took more than one minute to solve
did occur in actual play, and we believe position 59, and has seen a number of
they have much instructive value. masters and experts take even longer!
Themes to look for include queen
sacrifices that not only deflect away or We actually found it easier to agree on
destroy pieces defending the enemy the sequence of positions I01-200,
king but also attract, by force, the although since 151-200 are black
enemy king onto a square where mates-in-two, the easiest black mates
checkmate is possible. begin with 15 1. Finally, in this new
edition, we have added ten white mates
Also, there arc a number of smothered in three.
mates, and mates with a pawn, which
seem unusually hard for beginners and In case you are curious, we have found
intermediates to find. Finally, many the hardest two-movers to solve, even
mates are caused by a quiet move, for advanced players, arc 148, 149, and
perhaps the hardest practical checkmate 150, probably because they are
to plan, because its sole purpose is to problem-like rather than game-like. If
eliminate potential flight squares, so you enjoyed solving these three then
that an unstoppable check on the you might also like to get some books
second move wins against any reply. specilically on chess problems.
9
2 I 2 Surprising Checkmates
Among the game-like two-movers, our If you cannot solve a given position
students have generally found 142, 143, within a reasonable amount of time, say
144,146, 147, 173, 186, 188, 194, 195, 5 minutes, we recommend that you do
198, and 200 the most difficult to solve. not look up the solution immediately,
Interestingly, most students usually but first move on and give it another
found it more difficult to find the try later. Also, we suggest you go
correct first move if it was a quiet move through this book at least two or three
rather than if the solution was a times, until you feel that you can solve
combination. All of the combinations all the examples fairly quickly.
in this book, by the way, are sacrifices
to force checkmate. Good luck and have fun!
Bruce Albertson & Fred Wilson

New York City
February 2011
Definitions
back rank mat e A checkmate flight squares Squares to which a King

administered by a Queen or a Rook to in check can escape because they arc
" King trapped on the first or eighth not attacked by any enemy pieces.
rank by his own pawns.
smothered mat e A checkmate given by
black-mat e-in-lwo A checkmate in a Knight to a Ki n g completely
which Black makes the first move, surrounded by his own pieces.
White responds, and Black checkmates
While with his second move. whi t e mate-in - o n e A checkmate in
which White moves and checkmates
c ombination A tactical manreuvre in Black on the current turn.
which you sacrifice material to gain an

advantage, or at least to improve your white mat e-in-t wo A checkmate in
position. which White makes the first move,
Black responds, and White checkmates
discovered c heck A check caused by Black with his second move.

moving a piece so that the power of the
stationary piece behind it is unmasked, white mat e-in-t hree A checkmate in
giving check along the newly opened which White makes the first move,
line. Black responds, both White and Black
make their second moves, and then
douhle check A discovered check in White checkmates Black with his third
which both the moving piece and the move.
stationary piece behind it give check.
10
Chapter One: White Mates in One Move
1.
a b c d e f g h
2.
a h c d e f g h
II
3.
a b e Ll e f g h
4.
a b c d e f g h
12
. 0 n e Move
White Mates m
5.
6.
13
7.
a h c d e f g h
8.
a b c d e f g h
14
White Mates in One Move
9.
a b c d e f g h
10.
a b c d e f g h
IS
1 1.
a b c d e f g h
12.
a b c d e f g h
16
13.
'5
a b c d e f g h
14.
a b c d e f g h
17
15.
a b c d e f g h
16.
a b c d e f g h
IR
17.
a b c cl e f g h
18.
a b c cl e f g h
19
212 Surptising Checkmates
19.
a b c d e f g h
20.
a b c d c f g h
20
2 1.
a b c d L' r g h
22.
a b c d e f g h
21
23.
a h c d e f g h
24.
a b c d e f g h
22
White Males in One Move
25.
a b c d e f g h
26.
a b c d e f g h
23
27.
'S
a b c d e f g h
28.
a h c d e f g h
24
29.
')
a h c d e f g h
30.
'5
a h c d e f g h
25
3 1.
a b c d e f g h
32.
a b c d e f g h
26
33.
a b c d e f g h
34.
3
2
a b c d e f g h
27
35.
a h c d e f g h
36.
')
a h c d e f g h
2X
37.
3
2
a b c J c f g h
38.
3
2
a b c d e f g h
29
212 Surpnsmg
. . Checkmates
39.
40.
30
4 1.
7 �,,.,..,
3 �"r:--:�;�%:00.
.___,,��-
a b c J e f g h
42.
a b c d e f g h
31
43.
a b c d e f g h
44.
3
2
a b c d e f g h
32
45.
a b c d e r g h
46.
a b c d c r g h
33
47.
'5
a b c d e f g h
48.
'5
.3
a b c d e f g h
34
49.
a b c d e f g h
50.
H
'"""' ,,.
4 ·�''l/////J
a b c d e f g h
35
5 1.
3
2
a b c d e f g h
52.
3
2
a b c d e f g h
36
53.
a b c d e f g h
54.
3
2
a h e d e f g h
37
55.
a b c cl e f g h
56.
3
2
a b c cl e f g h
38
57.
()
a b c d e f g h
58.
3
2
a b c d e f g h
39
59.
')
a b c d e r g h
60.
'5
a h c d e f g h
40
6 1.
a b c d e f g h
62.
a b c d e f g h
41
63.
3
2
a b c d e f g h
64.
3
2
a b c d e f g h
42
65.
a b c d e f g h
66.
a b c d c f g h
43
67.
a b c d e f g II
68.
a b c J e f g h
44
69.
a b c d e f g h
70.
a b c d e f g h
45
7 1.
')
a b c cl e f g h
72.
')
3
2
a b c cl e f g h
4(i
73.
a b c d e f g h
74.
a h c d e f g h
47
75.
'5
a b c d e f g h
76.
'5
a b c d e f g h
48
77.
'5
a b c d e f g h
78.
'5
a b c d e f g h
49
79.
a b c d e f g h
80.
a b c d e f g h
50
8 1.
a h c d e f g h
82.
a h c d e f g h
51
83.
a b c d e f g h
84.
a b c d e f g h
52
85.
a b c d e f g h
86.
a b c d e f g h
53
87.
a b c d e f g h
88.
a b c d e f g h
54
89.
a b c d e f g h
90.
a b c d e f g h
55
9 1.
3
2
a h c d e f g h
92.
3
2
a b c d e f g h
56
93.
a b c d e f g h
94.
a b c d e f g h
95.
a b c d e f g h
96.
a b c d e f g h
58
97.
a b c d e f g h
98.
a b c d e f g h
59
99.
a b c d c f g h
100.
a b c d e f g h
(i()
Chapter Two: White Mates in Two Moves
10 1.
s ll��R'��
7
a h c cl e f g h
102.
a b c cl e f g h
61
103.
a b c d e f g h
104.
a b c d e f g h
62
.
White Mates m Two Moves
105.
')
106.
')
63
107.
a b c d c f g h
108.
a b c d e f g h
64
White Mates in Two Moves
109.
a h c d e f g h
1 10.
H lliW"��
7
'5
4
�W/#�ioo0:
3
a b c d e f g h
65
212 Surpnsmg Checkmates
· ·
111.
c lI e f g h
1 12.
f g h
66
1 13.
a b c cl e f g h
1 14.
a h c cl e f g h
67
1 15.
'5
a b c d e f g h
1 16.
a b e d e f g h
68
1 17.
'5
a h c d e f g h
118.
'5
a h c d e f g h
69
1 19.
a b c d e f g h
120.
a b c d e f g h
70
12 1.
a b e d e f g h
122.
')
a b c d c f g h
71
123.
3
2
a b c d e f g h
124.
3
2
a b c d e f g h
72
125.
a b c d e f g h
126.
a b c d c f g h
73
127.
'5
a b c d e f g h
128.
')
a b c d e f g h
74
129
g h
130.
g h
75
131.
a h c d c f g h
132.
a b c d e r g h
76
White Males in Two Moves
133.
'5
.3
a h c d e f g h
134.
a b c d e f g h
135.
a b c d e f g h
136.
a b c d e f g h
78
137.
.3
a b c d e f g h
138.
')
a b c d e f g h
79
139.
a b c d e f g h
140.
a b c d e f g h
80
14 1.
a b c d e f g h
142.
a b c d e f g h
81
.) I.� Surprising Checkmates
143.
a h c d e f g h
144.
a h c d e f g h
R2
145.
a b c d e f g h
146.
a b c d e f g h
83
.' ll Surprising Checkmates
147.
a b c d e f g h
148.
a b c d e f g h
84
149.
a b c d e f g h
150.
a b c d e f g h
85
Chapter Two: Black Mates in Two Moves
15 1.
a b c d e f g h
152.
a b c d e f g h
86
Black Mates in Two Moves
153.
a b c d e f g h
154.
a b e d e f g h
S7
155.
')
a b c d e f g h
156.
')
a b c d e f g h
88
157.
a b c d e f g h
158.
a b c d e f g h
89
159.
a b c d e f g h
160.
a b c d e f g h
90
16 1.
'5
a h c d e f g h
162.
')
a b c d e f g h
91
163.
'5
a b c d e f g h
164.
a b c d e f g h
92
165.
a b c d e f g h
166.
a b c d e f g h
93
167.
a b c d e f g h
168.
a h c d e f g h
94
169.
'5
a b c d e f g h
170.
'5
a b c cl e f g h
95
17 1.
a b c d e f g h
172.
a b c d e f g h
96
173.
174.
a b c d e f g h
97
175.
'5
a b c d e f g h
176.
a b c d e f g h
98
177.
a b c d e f g h
178.
a b c d e f g h
99
179.
.3
a b c d e f g h
180.
a b c d e f g h
100
18 1.
'5
a b c d e f g h
182.
'5
a b c d e f g h
10 1
183.
a h c d e f g h
184.
a h c d e f g h
102
185.
'5
a b c d e f g h
186.
')
a b c d e f g h
1 03
187.
a b c d e f g h
188.
a b c d e f g h
1 04
189.
a b e d e f g h
190.
'5
a h c d e f g h
10 5
19 1.
')
a b c d e f g h
192.
')
a b c d c f g h
1 06
193.
';
a h c d e f g h
194.
a b c d e f g h
212 Surpnsmg
. . Checkmates
195.
196.
a b c
108
197.
a b c cl e f g h
198.
a b c d e f g h
109
199.
c;
a b c d e f g h
200.
a b c d e f g h
1 10
Chapter Three: White Mates in Three Moves
20 1.
a b c J e f g h
202.
a b c d e f g h
Il l
203.
')
a b c d e f g h
204.
a b c d e f g h
1 12
White Mates in Three Moves
205.
a b c d e f g h
206.
a b c d e f g h
113
207.
'5
a h c d e f g h
208.
a h c d c f g h
114
White Mates in Three Moves
209.
a b c d e f g h
2 10.
a b c d e f g h
1 15
2 1 1.
a b c d e f g h
2 12.
a b c d e f g h
116
Answer Diagrams
I. Nd8 mate. 4. Nc3 mate.
u h c J e I � h a h <· d l· f � h
2. Bc7 mate. 5. Qc4 mate.
H
7
6
s
4
3
2
a h c d c f g h a h <· d t· f g h
3. Qh l mate. 6. Rf4 mate.
8
7
')
..
3
2
a h c d e r g h a h c d e f g h
21 2 Surprising Checkmates
7. u5 mate. I 0. Kxc6 mate.
H
7
<;
'I
a h c d e f g h a h c d <· f g h
8 . 0-0-0 mate. I I . Nd4 mate.
H 1:1
7 7
6 6
') <;
1
. 3
2 2
a h c d e f g h a h <· d e f g h
9. g8/N mate. 1 2. Bg7 mate.
H 1:1
7 7
6 6
"i ')
·I 4
.� .�
2
" h ,. d ,. f g h ;o h c d c f �: h
I IR
Answer Diagrams
1 3. Qh I mate. 1 6. Rd5 mate.
II
7
6
';
•I
j
2
a h t· d .: f g h a h c d c f g h
1 4. Nd2 mate. 1 7. g4 mate.
II 8
7 7
6 G
'i <;
4 4
j 3
2 2
1 5. Qg2 mate. I 8. 0-0-0 mate.
II II
7 7
6 6
s s
·i 4
!> 3
2 2
01 h c d .: f g h :o h c d .: f g h
1 9. Bd5 mate. 22. Bc4 mate.
ll ll
7 7
6 6
'i 5
.} 3
2 2
a h t· d � f g h a b c d t' f g h
20. Kb4 mate. 23. Qh I mate.
H II
7 7
6 6
� ')
1
.'1 .'1
2
" h c t.1 t' r 11 h
2 1 . Nc6 mate. 24. Nd4 mate.
ll
7
(,
5
�
3
2
:� h c d o: f g h :o h c d t' f g h
Answer Diagrams
25. Qc4 mate. 28. 0-0-0 mate.
H II
7 7
6 6
� <;
.� 3
2 2
3 h c d ., r g h
26. Re6 mate. 29. Rb5 mate.
ll fl
7 7
6 6
'i 5
4 4
3 3
n h c d t• f !l h
27. f3 mate. 30. Kg4 mate.
ll ll
7 7
6 6
5 'i
4 ·i
J 3
2 2
a h c d c f 11 h
3 I. Nd7 mate. 34. Nb3 mate.
H R
7 7
(, 6
<; <;
.;
.i 3
2 2
:� h e d c f J.l h a h e d <· f g h
32. Bxf8 mate. 35. Qg2 mate.
II
7
(,
';
1
3
2
:� h c d e f g h :• h ·· d ,· f g h
33. Qh8 mate. 36. Ra5 mate.
ll h c d <• f g h
Answer Diagrams
37. e4 mate. 40. c6 mate.
II H
7 7
6 6
� c;
� 1
.3 3
2 2
a h c u <· f )( h a h c d c· f g h
38. cxd6 e.p. mate. 4 1 . Nf4 mate.
II
.3
a h <' d e f g h 'I h L" d L" g h
39. Re4 mate. 42. Be8 mate.
II II
7 7
6 6
s c;
4 4
-� 3
2 2
a h <· d c f g h a h <· d e f g h
123
43. Qh8 mate. 46. R l d6 mate.
ll 8
7 7
6 6
s s
'I .j
j 3
2 2
a b c d e f g h
44. Ng5 mate. 47. e4 mate.
II II
7 7
6 6
s s
4 4
3 3
2 2
a b c d e f g h a b c d t: f g h
45. Qg7 mate. 48. exf6 e.p. mate.
8 8
7 7
6 6
s 5
4 4
.:1 3
2 2
a h c d t: f g h
1 24
Answer Diagrams
49. Qe6 mate. 52. Bf7 mate.
a b c d e f g h a h c d e f g h
50. fxg4 mate. 53. Qa8 mate.
H H
7 7
6 6
� 5
4 4
3 3
l 2
a b c d e f g h 11 b c d e f g 11
5 1 . Nf8 mate. 54. Nf4 mate.
8 8
7 7
6 6
'i s
•i 4
3 3
2 2
a b c u e l' g h a h <· d c f g h
1 25
55. Qb7 mate. 58. ex f6 e.p. mate .
H fl
7 7
6 (i
'; s
'i 1
3 .'\
2 2
:a h c d c f g h
56. Rb2 mate. 59. QtJ mate.
II
7
6
'\
'i
:1
:l
01 h c d e f g h ,. h (' <I " f 1: h
57. Nb5 mate . 60. Ne2 mate.
H H
7 7
6 6
'\ s
·i
;I j
2 2
" " (' .. ... f I( h ;a h ,. <I (' r 1: h
1 26
Answer Diagrams
6 1 . Nf4 mate. 64. NbS mate.
H H
7 7
6 6
s 'j
q 4
3 3
2 2
a h <· u e f l( h
62. Bd3 mate. 65. Qe4 mate.
'i
� h l· d e i' J� h ;o h c tl e i' J.: h
63. Qh8 mate. 66. RgS mate.
8 H
7 7
6 (i
'i 'i
'I ·i
3 3
2 l.
a h <· J o: f � h a h •· .I e f 1-: h
127
67 . N f5 mate. 70. Nd6 mate.
a h c <l c f g h a h <· d c f g h
68. dxc6 e.p. mate. T he bishop on h8

means the e5-pawn has been in place 7 1 . Ne4 mate.
one fu ll turn.
a h c d t: f g h
a b c d c f g h
69. Rg2 mate. 72. Ba7 mate.
8 8
7 7
6 6
s s
4 4
3 3
2 2
o b c d •· f 11 h a b c d e f g h
1 28
Answer Diagrams
73. Qa I mate. 76. R l a6 mate.
a h c u c f u h
74. Nxc8 mate. 77. Ne3 mate.
'i
/.
a h c d c f u h
75. Qd2 mate. 78. 0-0-0 mate.
B B
7 7
6 6
s 5
4
3 i
2 z
a h c d c f g h a h <· d c f g h
1 29
79. Rg6 mate. 82. Bd3 mate.
H H
7 7
(, 6
� <;
·i <I
j 3
l 2
a h c d c l g h ;t h c d c f g h
80. Nd8 mate. 83. Qa l mate.
:t h l· u c f g h a h r d <· f g h
8 1 . NbS mate. 84. Nexd4 mate .
H /!
7 7
6 6
<; <;
•I
:1 j
l 2
a h c d <· f g h a h c d c f g h
1 30
Answer Diagrams
85. Q f3 mate. 88. 0-0-0 mate.
H H
7 7
6 6
<; s
.; 4
3 -�
2
" h .. <I t' f I! h a h c <.l t· f l! h
86. Rf5 mate. 89. Bc4 mate.
I!
7
(i
')
:1
:t h <· <i e f g h :t b t' d t• l' g h
87. Nfe2 mate. 90. Nl� mate.
H
7
(i
s
·I
:\
2
a h c d c f g h a h t· d c f g h
131
9 1 . Nd7 mate. 94. Nc5 mate.
II 8
7 7
Ci Ci
5 5
4
.3 3
2
a h l· d e f g h a b c d e f g h
92. Nd4 mate. 95. Qd3 mate.
II
7
6
5
4
3
2
a h c d c f g h
93. Qa8 mate. 96. Qh8 mate.
II II
7 7
Ci Ci
<; <;
·l 4
3 .3
2 2
a b c d c f g h a h c d e f g h
132
Answer Diagrams
97. Nb6 mate. 1 00 . Nf5 mate.
H H
7 7
Ci 6
s <;
•i 4
.3 .3
2 2
a b c ll e f g h a h c d l· f g h
98. Rd I mate. From our dirty tricks Answer Diagrams

dept. A pos itio n in mid-move. Just White Mates in Two Moves
complete cas tling.
I 0 I . I .Qh8+ Bxh8 2.Rxh8#.
H
7
6
s
1
3
2
a h c d .: f g h
� h c d c l g h
99. Qd2 mate.
1 02. I .Qxh7+ Kxh7 2.Rh l#
H
7
6
s
.3
2
a h <· d e f g h
133
I 0 3 . l.g6 ( threat 2 . g7#) l . . . hxg6 1 06. I .Qxb8+ Rxb8 2.Nc7 mate.

2.Nxg6 mate.
:o h ,. tl ,. f g II :o h c d e f g h
104. I.Qxh7+ Kxh7 2.hxg5 mate. 1 07. 1 . Kb6 f4 2.Bxe4 mate.
H
7
.'1
:o h c d " f M h :o h t· d l· f M h
108. 1 . Bg5+ Kc7 2. Bd8# I f I . .. Ke8

1 05. I .Qxf6+ Kx f6 2.Bg5 mate. 2.Rd8 mate.
II
7
6
'l
4
3
l
:o h c d c f M h :o h c d t· f g h
1 34
Answer Diagrams
I 09. I .Bg5+ Qxg5 2.Nx f7 mate. White 1 1 2. I . Rh8+ Kx h8 2.Qh7 mate .

gets N f7 mate in any event.
H H
7 7
6 (,
� ,
4 ·I
3 3
2 2
a h l· d e l" � h a h e d t: l" g h
1 1 0. I .Qxf8+ Kxf8 2. Re8 mate . 1 1 3 . I .Rxg7+ Rxg7 2.Qxh6 mate.
a h c d e f )( h :l h c d t: f )l h
I l l . I . Nf7+ Qxf7 2.hxg5 mate. 1 1 4. I .Qe I + Rxe I 2.g3 mate.
3 .�
a h e d t: f )l h
1 35
1 1 5. l .Qh6 gx h6 (else 2.Qx g7 mate) 1 1 8. I .Ra5+ Bxa5 {or I ...Rc5 2.Qe4

2.Nxh6 mate. mate) 2.Qd4 mate.
H
7
6
"
� h <· d e f g h a h c u <· f ,;: h
1 1 6. l .Qxg6+ fxg6 (or I ... Bg7 2.Qxg7 1 1 9. I .Bf8 Ng5 {or any) 2.Qh6 mate.
mate) 2. n mate.
H
7
6
�
4
j
2
a h c d e f )l h
a h c d t• f g h
1 1 7. I . Rh8+ Nxh8 2.Qh7 mate. 1 20. I .Qa2+ Q[R]xa2 2.Nb3 mate.
H I!
7 7
6 6
" �
·1
;\ 3
2 2
:� h c d e f g h
1 36
Answer Diagrams
1 2 1. l .Qxb8+ Rxb8 2. Bxb5 mate. 1 24. l . Qf5+ Rxf5 (I . .. Q f7 2.Qxf7

mate) 2.Rg8 mate.
7
6
')
3
2
a b c d c f g h
1 22. I .Qb8+ Kxb8 2.Rd8 mate. 1 25. I . Rd8+ Kxd8 2 . Rc8 mate.
II fj
7 7
6 6
� �
•i ·l
,; .i
l 2
a b (' d l' r g h " b c d c I g h
1 23 . I.Ra5+ bxa5 2.Nc5 mate. 1 26. l .d6 Rxd7 2. Rb8 mate.
H H
7 7
6 6
s �
4
3 j
2 2
a h c d e f g h :o h c d c f g h
137
1 27. I .Rxh7 + Kxh7 (or I ...Rxh7 2. Rg8 1 30. I .Qg7+ Kxg7 2. Rxg6 mate.
male) 2.Rh4 male.
:o l> e d c f g h a b c d e f g h
1 28 . I .Qf6 exf6 (else 2 .Qg7 mate) 1 3 1 . 1 . Rxg7+ Kxg7 2.Qg6 mate.

2.Rxe8 mate.
a h t· d <" f g h :o h c d <· f )! h
1 29. I . Qxf6+ Rxf6 ( I . . . Kg8 2 .Qg7

mate) 2.Re8 mate. 1 32 . I .Bh6+ Qxh6 2.Qt7 mate.
a h c d e f g h a b c cJ " f I! h
1 38
Answer Diagrams
1 33. I .Qx f7+ Kx f7 ( I .. .Kh8 2.Q[B]g7 1 36. I .Qxe8+ Qxe8 2.Bc5 mate.
mate) 2.Bxe6 mate.
:o h ,. d .. r �.: h :o h <· d e f g h
1 3 7. I . Rh8+ Bxh8 ( I . . . Bg8 2 . Rxg8

1 34. l .Qxh6+ gxh6 2.Rag8 mate. mate) 2.Nh7 mate.
II
7
(i
�
-�
2
:o h c d <· f g h :l h l· d ,· f g h
1 38 . I . Be8 Kc4 (or I . . . Bc2) 2 . Bb5

1 35. l .Qxd5+ B[Q,R]xd5 2.Ne6 mate. mate. If I ... Kc2 2.Bg6 mate.
:a h c ,t e I g h :t h <· d e f g h
1 39
2 1 2 Surprising Checkmates
1 39. l .Bb I ext1 2.Nf5 mate. 1 42. I .Kg5 Bxe4 (or any) 2.Rf8 mate.
H
7
6
s
4
3
2
a h c � e r g h
1 40. I .Qa6 (a) I ...Bxb6 2.Qa8 mate;

(b) l . ..cxb6 2.Qc8 mate; (c) J ... Bb8
2.b7 mate; (d) l ...d5 2.bxa7 mate. 1 43. l .Qn+ Nxn 2.Ne6 mate.
a h c d t: f g h a h c d e f g h
1 44. I .Rg6 threat 2.Rxh6# I f I ...Ne6

1 4 1 . I .Rxd7 Rxd7 (or any) 2.Bd l mate. 2 . Rg8 mate.
a h t' d t: f g h
1 40
Answer Diagrams
145. I .Be6 Kf6 2.Bd4 mate. If I ... Kd6 1 48. I .Rc l Kc5 2.Kd3 mate.
2.Bf4 mate.
8 H
7 7
6 �
5 s
4
3 3
2 l
:o h (· d e f g h a h c d e l" g h
1 46. I . Rg l threatens 2.Bc l mate. If

l .. .e4 2.Nh3 mate. 1 49. I .Qh l Kf5 2.Qd5 mate.
H R
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
a h c d e f g h a b <: d c· l" g h
1 47. l .Rxc6 (threat 2.Q[R]x.c8 mate)

l ...bxc6 ( l . ..Qxe8 2.Rx.e8 mate) 2.Rb l 1 50. l .Re6 Kxe6 (o r any move) 2.Qe8
mate. mate.
H H
7 7
6 6
s s
4 4
j 3
;l h (· d e l" g h a h c d t" F g h
141
Answer Diagrams
B lack Mates in Two Moves
1 5 1 . I . .. Qg3+ 2.Bxg3 hxg3 mate. 1 54 . l . . . Nd4 2 . Bc3 (o r any move)

2 ... Ne2 mate.
(,
�
•i
a h c d e f � h :t h l' d " f � h
1 5 5 . I . . . Rg6 (threatening 2 . . . Rxh6

1 52. I .. .Qb6+ 2.Nxb6 Rb4 mate. mate) 2.fxg6+ fxg6 mate.
a h c d <· f �: h a b <' d l· f �: h
1 53 . I . . . Nc3 2 . Rh4 (o r any move)

2 ... Rd I mate. 1 56. l ... Rh4+ 2.gxh4 Qg2 mate.
H H
7 7
(, 6
, �
·I •J
3 �
l 2
" h ,. d l' f � h a b c d e f g h
1 42
Answer Diagrams
1 57. l ...Nd3+ 2.Kd2 (or 2.Kb l Rxd l 1 60. l . ..Qxg l + 2. Rxg l Nh2 mate.
mate) 2 ... Rh2 mate.
H
7
6
s
'I
3
2
a h c d •· f g h a h c t.l l· f g h
1 6 1 . l ... Qg3 2.hxg4 (else 2 ... Qh2 mate)

1 5 8. I . ..Rxb3+ 2.axb3 Ra t mate. 2 ...Qh4 mate.
a h c d � r g h :1 h t' d ... f ll h
1 62. I . ..Qxc3+ 2.bxc3 Ba3 mate. I f

1 59. I ... Rxg3+ 2. hxg3 Rxg3 male. 2.Bc2 Qxc2 mate.
6
'j
·I
:1
2
a h ,. d ,. f ll h a h l· d l· r ll h
1 43
1 63. 1 . ..Ne5 (threat 2 ...Nd3#) 2.Ne4 (or 1 66. 1 ...Bh4 2.c6 (or any move) 2 ... Be l
any N-move) 2 ...Nf3 mate. mate.
:1 3
2 2
a h c d e f g h a h c d e f g h
1 64. I . . .Ng3+ 2.hxg3 Qh6 mate. 1 67. I .. .Ng3+ 2.hxg3 hxg3 mate.
H H
7 7
6 6
'1 s
..
3 3
2 2
a h c d .- f g h a h c d e r g h
1 65. I . . . Rg3+ 2.hxg3 Nf3 mate. 1 68 . J Be7 2 . Bc4 (or any move)
• • •
2 ... Ra3 mate.
a h c d tc f g h a h c d o: f g h
1 44
Answer Diagrams
1 69. l . ..Ne6+ 2.Qxe6 Bf4 mate. 1 72. l . . . Rh l + 2.Kxh l Qh3 mate.
1:1
a h <· d e f g h a h � <.l e f g h
1 70 . I . . . N f3 + 2 . gxf3 (o r 2 . K h I )
2 ... Qxh2 mate. 1 73. I ...Nf3+ 2.gx f3 Qx f2 mate.
H H
7 7
6 (,
s �
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 7 1 . l ... Qfl + 2.Kxfl (2.Kh2 Qg2 mate) 1 74. I . ..Rga2 2 . R a l (o r any mo ve)
2... Rd l mate. 2 ... R8a3 mate.
8 H
7 7
6 6
s s
" 1
3 3
2 2
1 45
1 75 . l . . . aS+ 2.Qxa5 ( 2 . Kxa5 Qxa3 1 78 . I . . . Qd6 threat 2 . . . Qf8 mate. I f

mate) 2 . . . Qb2 mate. 2.Qxg6+ Qxg6 mate.
a h � d t• t" g h a h ,· d ,· f g h
1 76 . I . . . Rh3 2 . gx h 3 ( i f 2 . 8-mo ves 1 79. I . . . BhS 2 . Rxg7 (or any mo ve)

Rxh2 mate) 2 ...g2 mate. 2 ... Bf3 mate.
H H
7 7
(, (,
'l 'l
1
:1 .:1
2 2
a h <· d <· f g h a h c d <· l. g h
1 77. I . . .Qg3+ 2.hxg3 ( i f 2.Rf2 Qxf2

mate) 2 . . . Ng2 mate. 1 80. l ... Bb2 2.g8/Q Nc3 mate.
H H
7 7
6 (,
'l
1
.:1
2
a h c d e f g h a h l" d l" r g h
1 46
Answer Diagrams
1 8 1 . l . . .g i /N 2.N f3+ (o r elsewhere) 1 84. I ...Bh3 2.Rfl (2.Re I Nxf3 mate)

2 ... Nx0 mate. 2 . . . Ne2 mate.
li
'1
·i
.:1
1.
" h .- d ,. r 11 h .1 h ,. d ,. r �: h
1 82 . I . . . Qxg5+ 2 . Kxg5 (o r 2. Bxg5 1 85. I ... Qe3+ 2. Kg2 (or 2.Rf2 Qxf2
Be I #) 2 ... Bd8 mate. mate) 2 ...h3 mate.
H
7
li
<;
" h c d t· r �: 11 " h l ,J l' f ).: h
1 83. I ... Rxh3+ 2.gxh3 Qx t2 mate. 1 86. I . .. Qe l + 2 . Kh2 g3 mate.
H
7
li
;o h c d c f g h ;o h c d t· f g h
1 47
1 87. l ...h4+ 2.Kf4 g5 mate. 1 90. 1 ... Qa3+ 2.Kxa3 Nc2 mate.
1:1 H
7 7
6 6
'i 'i
4
j -�
l
a h c d t· f g h
1 88 . I . . . Bd4+ 2. Re3 (or 2.Qe3 N d 1 1 9 1 . I . . .Nb3+ 2.axb3 Qa8 mate.

mate) 2 ... Qh4 mate.
B
7
1 89. I . . . Bg3 2.Qxc8 (o r any move) 1 92. l . ..Nfl + 2.Qxfl Rd4 mate.
2 ... Re l mate.
a h c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1 48
Answer Diagrams
1 93 . I ...Ng4+ 2.hxg4 Qh8 mate. 1 96. I ...Qe4+ 2.Qxe4 Ng4 mate.
� h <· d e f g h a h c d c f g h
1 94. I ...Bh5 2.Qxh5 (or 2. Bg2 to stop

2 ... Qx0 mate) 2 ... Qe4 mate. 1 97. I ... NcS+ 2.R[ P]xc5 e4 mate.
a b <· d e f g h a b c d e f g h
1 95. I .. . Rxh3+ 2.Kxh3 (or 2.gxh3 Qg l 1 98. l . ..g2 2 . Bxc4 (or 2. Bxg2 Be6
mate) 2 ... Qh l mate. mate) 2 ... gl/N mate.
8 H
7 7
6 6
5 ;
4 4
3 3
2 2
a h ,· d c f g h
1 49
1 99 . l . . . d5 2 . Rxh5 {or any move) 202. I .Ng6+ hxg6 2.Qh6+ gxh6 3 .Rh7
2 ... Re4 mate. mate.
H H
7 7
6 (,
� �
1 4
j 3
2 2
a h c d e f � h :J h <· d e f g h
2 00 . I . . . Qg5 2 . Rxc I (o r 2 . Bx f4 203. I . R xh7+ Nxh7 2 . Qxe5+ N f6

Q[R]xg l #) 2 . . . Qg2 mate. 3.Qxf6 mate.
H
7
6
'j
·i
-�
:� h c d e f g h a h <- d <· f � h
Answer Diagrams 204. I . R x a 7 + Kxa7 2 . Ra I + N a4

White Mates in T hree Moves 3 .Rxa4 mate.
20 1 . I .Qxf7+ Rxf7 (if I . . . Kh8 2.Qx f8

H
mate) 2.Rd8+ Rf8 3 . Rxf8 mate.
7
(,
�
3
2
a h t• d c• f g h
" h c t1 e r � h
1 50
Answer Diagrams
205. l .QeR+ Rxe8 2 . fxc8/Q+ Bxe8 208. I . Qf7+ Kg5 2.Qf5 + Kh4 3.g3
3 .Bxd6 mate. mate.
a h c d l" f g h a b c d l" f g h
206. I . Rc8+ Kb7 2 . Rc7+ Ka6[a8] 209. I .Rxh7+ Kg5 2.Qe5+ Kh4 3 .Qg3
3.Ra7 mate. mate. I f I ... Kxh7 2.Qxg6+ Kh8 3.Qh7
mate.
a h c d ., f g h a h c d l" f g h
207. 1 .Qh4 Kd l ( I . ..Kfi 2.Qh l mate.) 2 1 0. 1 . Rxh7+ Kxh7 2. Bg5+ Kg7 3 .Qh6
2.Qh l + fi /Q+ 3.Qxfl mate. mate.
a h c d l· F g h a h c d e F g h
151
2 12 Surprising Checkmates
2 1 1 . 1 .Qb8+ Qd8 2.Qxd8+ Bxd8 3 . Rf8

mate.
3
2
a h c d e f g h
2 1 2. 1 . Bxb5+ Kxb5 ( I . . . Kb7 2.Qc7

mate, or I ... Ka5 2.Qb4 mate) 2.Qb4+
Ka6 3 .Nc7 mate.
a h c d e f g h
1 52

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This is a revised edition, with additional material, of 202 SuqJrising

Symbols and Abbreviations 4

Adam Marcus, Gregory Caesar. Dan Satterwaite, Ben Schanback, Jeff

Symbols & Abbreviations

r!} or K stands for King

x stands for a capture

three dots following a move number indicate a black move

e.p. stands tor en passant, a special type of pawn capture. A pawn

+ stands for check

It is now generally recognized that, alertness to such opportunities when

practical play? Consider the following

P. H. Clarke vs. J. Jcrolim

l.c4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.f4 Nd7

9... Ke8 IO.Nd5! Nxf3+ ll.gxf3 Kd7

a b c cl e f g h Trying to guard c7 against the knight

vicious attack. 5 . . . c5 would have been

Ana(J'sis: after 14. . . c5

So, okay, what if Black finds 14 ... a5

However, what if Black sees the threat

often the possibility of a tricky mate­ s

If you are willing to do the work 2

necessary to solve the I00 tricky one­

Bruce Albertson & Fred Wilson

back rank mat e A checkmate flight squares Squares to which a King

c ombination A tactical manreuvre in Black on the current turn.

which you sacrifice material to gain an

discovered c heck A check caused by Black with his second move.

Chapter Two: Black Mates in Two Moves

I. Nd8 mate. 4. Nc3 mate.

2. Bc7 mate. 5. Qc4 mate.

3. Qh l mate. 6. Rf4 mate.

7. u5 mate. I 0. Kxc6 mate.

8 . 0-0-0 mate. I I . Nd4 mate.

9. g8/N mate. 1 2. Bg7 mate.

1 3. Qh I mate. 1 6. Rd5 mate.

1 4. Nd2 mate. 1 7. g4 mate.

1 5. Qg2 mate. I 8. 0-0-0 mate.

1 9. Bd5 mate. 22. Bc4 mate.

20. Kb4 mate. 23. Qh I mate.

" h c t.1 t' r 11 h

2 1 . Nc6 mate. 24. Nd4 mate.

25. Qc4 mate. 28. 0-0-0 mate.

26. Re6 mate. 29. Rb5 mate.

27. f3 mate. 30. Kg4 mate.

3 I. Nd7 mate. 34. Nb3 mate.

32. Bxf8 mate. 35. Qg2 mate.

33. Qh8 mate. 36. Ra5 mate.

37. e4 mate. 40. c6 mate.

38. cxd6 e.p. mate. 4 1 . Nf4 mate.

a h <' d e f g h 'I h L" d L" g h

39. Re4 mate. 42. Be8 mate.

43. Qh8 mate. 46. R l d6 mate.

44. Ng5 mate. 47. e4 mate.

45. Qg7 mate. 48. exf6 e.p. mate.

49. Qe6 mate. 52. Bf7 mate.

50. fxg4 mate. 53. Qa8 mate.

5 1 . Nf8 mate. 54. Nf4 mate.

55. Qb7 mate. 58. ex f6 e.p. mate .

often the possibility of a tricky mate s

necessary to solve the I00 tricky one