Chess Challenges

Why We Picked Chess Challenges

Chess recast as a set of puzzles rather than matches: the opponent has a name, Rupert the Red King, and a fixed set of positions to beat. That framing removes the opening theory and leaves the part most people actually enjoy, which is finding the move that works. It is described as more casual than a full game, which here means shorter sittings and less consequence for a wrong idea; the 3.9 average points at a puzzle format that lands better than the presentation.

How to Play

Three things decide whether a run here goes well:

• Work through the challenge positions one at a time, looking for the move that settles each.
• Beat Rupert the Red King in each puzzle by finding the sequence the position allows.
• Check forcing moves first, since a puzzle has an answer and a quiet move rarely is it.

Editor’s Note

Suits a coffee break and a player who likes chess problems more than opening preparation. Do not expect a full game or a strong engine; this is a puzzle set with a chessboard attached.

Written by the UGFJD editorial team for this page. The publisher’s own description follows below, unedited.