This Puzzle Will Test If You Love Chess

Here's the puzzle FEN:
3N4/8/8/7K/5p1n/8/8/3k3n w - - 0 1

Puzzle Details:
Shakhmaty v SSSR, 1934 (version)

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[Aaron_Frederick_]

I really enjoyed this puzzle. It truly shows how endgames in chess can be really fascinating. With that in mind, I happened to stumble upon a short puzzle when analyzing one of my games. It involves a position where white is threatening checkmate in 1 and it may look like black has nothing to do to stop the mate (or mate the white king), black actually has a really nice couple of moves. I know this puzzle is very short (like around 4 moves to complete it), but I still think that it's fascinating. The FEN is this: b - - 0 1 I hope that you (or anyone who looks at this position) sees how chess puzzles can appear in a game of chess without you even realizing it. I'm so happy that I analyzed that game as I wouldn't have seen this short puzzle otherwise. I hope that anyone who looks at this is as fascinated as me.

[martinrea]

That's not a stalemate, it's a stable mate! Nice vid.

[PrometheanConsulting]

The underpromotion and the stalemate at the end was completely unexpected. Very cool!

[jaivanttitus]

Hi Nelson! I just want to say that I recently discovered you, you have been much more help than others. Keep it up!
And yes this puzzle.... was amazing!

[tottenvillelegend]

An incredible stalemate. Truly inspirational.

[DunklerZebralord]

Man these puzzles show why within 2 years I completely fell for chess. I just keep getting amazed at this game and your channel showcasing so many awesome and fascinating puzzles or concepts really helps

[jettyung]

At the GM level, they say the bishop is stronger, but at the sub-1200 level, the knight is a much bigger pain in the ass than the bishop.

[a_doggo]

Whoa... That was just beautiful. I love this channel, it's quite literally boosting my rating by a few points a week by making sure I study the examples, puzzles, and advice. Really helpful, and a lot of fun to learn this way. NM Nelson has a great eye for the beauty of chess.

[jasonhe]

I analyzed this with the engine and it almost suggested an alternate suggestion of kf6 (only -1) at 4:29, however the knight promotion does win for black there since there aren't any stalemates, and the tablebase says its DTZ 60

[Rocky]

Another fine study by V. Jakimtsjik, made in 1934. There's a more famous one by Herbstman & Kubbel (1937) with the same idea that features (1) multiple stalemates in side-variations as well, and (2) an even more beautiful finish where the white king forks THREE knights on f2, f3, f4 by playing to g3, forcing Black to play ...Ke3 to defend them all and causing stalemate.

[kisaragireion]

I just discovered this channel and it’s quickly becoming my number one source for chess puzzles! Thanks YouTube algorithm! And also Nelson!

[Relisoc]

I didn’t even consider ke2 would be a stalemate at first, that’s amazing

[johnathanpatrick]

The fact that with best plays from both sides White can actually draw this game from this position is fascinating. Of course moving the king immediately to threaten the marching Black pawn ain't happening because of the coverage by the two Black knights, so White's knight has to be the hero. As the video progressed as soon as the possibility of Black getting a third knight happens, instantly I'm thinking draw by stalemate. And sure enough, Ne3+, Nxe3+; Ke4 happens. I'm thinking 'Black, don't defend both knights, you're gonna walk into a stalemate trap!!'. But ...Ke2 and...oops. 🤣🤣

[Kraykz]

why not move the black king to protect the pawn and avoid forking?

[GregoriousApartment]

Thanks for sharing this amazing puzzle, Nelson!

[giovannicorno]

The stalemate was a surprise, very elegant solution, in the center and with reduced material!

[miodragcristianiovanov]

Wow! How amazing stalemate in the middle of the board and no heavy pieces just a few knights! Great puzzle, great video! Congrats on the wonderful puzzle series! I think this is unique among chess channels...

[dentonyoung]

Another wonderful position and analysis.

[keithkimball]

At timing 3:47. White could move 1) N-C4, f7, 2) K*NH4, f-8 (Queen), 3) N-E4+

[Robi]

That last stalemate was something brilliant 👍