A classical masterpiece

In the October issue of the Deutsche Schachzeitung in 1888 the following position was published, which later became one of the most well-known studies of all time. It features several queen sacrifices followed by skewers.

L. van Vliet
Deutsche Schachzeitung
1888
White wins

1. Qb4! Qh1! 1... Qd5 2. Qa4+ Kb6 3. Qb3+! Qxb3 4. b8=Q+ +-; 1... Qf3 2. Qa4+ Kb6 3. Qb3+! Qxb3 4. b8=Q+ +-; 1... Qg2 2. Qa3+ Kb5 3. Qb2+! Qxb2 4. b8=Q+ +-; 2. Qa3+ Kb6 3. Qb2+ Ka6 3... Kc7 4. Qh2+! Qxh2 5. b8=Q+ +- 4. Qa2+ Kb5 5. Qb1+! Qxb1 6. b8=Q+ +-

The key position in his study is a mutual zugzwang, so I have tried to compose a version with a thematic try.

L. Van Vliet
1888
Deutsche Schachzeitung
version by A. Rusz (2026)
White wins

The immediate 1. Qb4? is answered by the waiting move 1... Qc2! (and not 1... Qc6? 2. Ka8 zz +-), and after 2. Ka8 Qc6, white is in zugzwang.

The solution is 1. Ka8! Qc6 (forced), and only now 2. Qb4! zz etc.

mutual zugzwang

Other versions were also composed since 1888, the best is probably Zhukov's where four units move before the key position:

L. Van Vliet
1888
Deutsche Schachzeitung
version by A. Zhukov (2026)
White wins

1. b7 Qe4 1... Qf4+ 2. Ka8 Qe4 3. Qa2+ Kb6 4. Qb1+! +- 2. Ka8! Qc6 3. Qb4 etc.

Study 200

Merry Christmas!
My Christmas Puzzle for year 2025:

Árpád Rusz
2025
White wins

Watch this study on a dynamic board.

1.a5! bxa5 2.c5! dxc5 3.e5! fxe5 4.g5! hxg5 5.h6 +-

You can also check the Christmas Puzzles from previous years here.

Study 196

Árpád Rusz
ruszchessstudies.blogspot.com
2024
Dedicated to Gukesh Dommaraju & Ding Liren
White wins

Watch this study on a dynamic board.

1. Bd5! The bishop is aiming at the black pawn! 1. h6? Bc2+! 2. Kxc2 stalemate 1. Ka3? Bxe4! 2. Bxe4 stalemate 1... Bxe4! 2. h6!!

mutual zugzwang

2... Bxd5+ 3. Kc2 Be4+ 4. Kc1 Bd3 5. c4! Bh7 5... Bxc4 6. h7 +- 6. c5 Be4 7. c6! +-

I have composed this study after watching the last game of the World Chess Championship match between Ding Liren and Gukesh Dommaraju. The position which inspired me was the following:

Ding Liren - Gukesh Dommaraju
World Championships match (2024)
14th game
Black to move

The move 56... Bd5! was catching the bishop, and after the exchanges Gukesh had a won pawn endgame on the board. The game ended suddenly by 57. Bxd5 Kxd5 58. Ke3 Ke5 0-1 although the move 58.Ke1!? could set a last trap to black.

After a posible trap 58.Ke1!?

Now advancing the king to the 4th rank is a mistake: 58... Kd4? 59. Kd2! Ke4 60. Ke2, and the opposition saves White. After 58. Ke1!?, only 58...Ke5! would have won because there would be a mutual zugwang on the board. The white king must go further from the pawns 59.Kd1, so black can push the f-pawn 59... f4 60. Ke2 f3+ 61. Ke3 f2! 62. Kxf2 Kd4! -+ (From f2, the white king doesn't have the saving opposition move Kd2 as in the try 58... Kd4?)

Study 179

My Christmas Puzzle for this year is a twin study with DUPLEX solutions.

Árpád Rusz
RCS blog
2019

White wins
DUPLEX
Twin B: wR<->bR (the two rooks switch places)

1. Rd8+ 1. b7? Re8 2. Rg6 Rb8 3. Rxg3 Rxb7 = 1... Kh7 2. b7 g2

3. Rh8+! 3. b8=Q? g1=Q+ 4. Qb1+ Qxb1+ 5. Kxb1 = 3... Kg7 4. Rg8+! Kxg8 5. b8=Q+ +-

The DUPLEX stipulation means that black can also win if it is on move from the starting position. Due the symmetry, the solution is similar:

1... Re1+ 2. Ka2 g2 3. b7

3... Ra1+! 4. Kb2 Rb1+! 5. Kxb1 g1=Q+ -+

The twin also features rook sacrifices:

Twin B

1. b7 1. Rxg3? Rxb6 = 1... Ra6+ 1... Rd8 2. Rxg3 Rb8 3. Rb3 Kg7 4. Ka(b)2 Kf6 5. Ka3! Ke6 6. Ka4 Kd6 7. Ka5 Kc7 8. Ka6 Rh8 9. Ka7 +-

2. Ra3!! Rxa3+ 2... Rb6 3. Ra8+ +- 3. Kb2 g2 4. b8=Q+ +-

With BTM, we have a similar solution. I will give just the main line:

1... g2 2. Rh3+

2... Rh6!! 3. Rxh6 Kg7 4. b7 g1Q+ -+

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Twin A: Click here!

Twin B: Click here!

Study 178

Árpád Rusz
Magyar Sakkvilág
2019

White wins

1. Qd6+! 1. Rd6+? Bd5! -+; 1. Qxa3+? Ke2 = 1... Ke2 1... Bd5 2. Qxa3+ Ke2 3. Rc2 Qh7 4. Qc3 +- 2. Re6+ Kd1! Black is preparing a stalemate combination! 2... Kxf3 3. Qxa3+ (3. Qxd7? Bxd7 =) 3... Kg4 4. Rg8+ Kf5 5. Qh3#; 2... Kf2 3. Qc5+ Kf1 4. Qc4+ +-; 2... Kf1 3. Rd8! d1=Q+ 4. Qxd1+ Qxd1+ 5. Rxd1+ +- 3. Rxc6 3. Rd8? a2+! 4. Kxa2 Bd5+! 5. Qxd5 Qxd5+ 6. Rxd5 b1=Q+ 7. Kxb1 stalemate 3... a2+! 4. Kxb2! Thematic try: 4. Kxa2? Qxe6+! check! (4... b1=Q+? 5. Kxb1 Qb7+ 6. Rb6 Qxb6+ 7. axb6! +-) 5. Qxe6 b1=Q+ 6. Kxb1 stalemate 4... a1=Q+! 4... Qb7+ 5. Rb6 +-; 4... Qg7+ 5. Rf6 +- 5. Kxa1

Starting from this position, the main line splits into two variations:

a. 5... Qxe6! no check!

Queen battery

6. Qxd2+!! White is firing the Queen battery! 6. Qxe6? echo stalemate 6... Kxd2 7. Rxe6 +-

b. 5... Qxc6!

Queen battery

6. Qxd2+!! White is firing a Queen battery again! 6. Qxc6? echo stalemate 6... Kxd2 7. Rxc6 +-

Watch this study on a dynamic board! Click here!

Study 176

Árpád Rusz
The Problemist
2019
2nd Prize

White wins

Try:
1. a8=Q+? Kg1 1... Qg2? 2. Rc1#; 1... Rg2? 2. Rc1+ Kh2 3. Qh8+ +- 2. Rc1+ Qf1+! 2... Kf2? 3. Qa7+ Qe3 4. Rc2+ Kf3 5. Qb7+ Kg3 6. Qg7+ Kf3 7. Qg4# 3. Rxf1+ Kxf1 4. Qa6+ Kg1 5. Qg6+ Rg2 6. Qf6

Position X'

6... Rf2+ -+

Solution:
1. Rc1+! Qf1+! 1... Kg2 2. a8=Q+ Qf3+ 3. Qxf3+ Kxf3 4. Rc3+ Ke2 5. Ra3 Kd1 6. a6 Kc1 7. a7 Rh8 8. Rxa2 +- 2. Rxf1+ Kg2

3. Rh1!! 3. a8=Q+? Kxf1 -+ 3... Kxh1 3... Rxh1 4. a8=Q+ +- 4. a8=Q+ Kg1 5. Qg8+ Rg2 6. Qh8! +-

Position X

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Study 165

Árpád Rusz
Korányi MT
2018
1st/2nd Prize

White wins

1st thematic try:
1. Qd1+? Bg4 2. Nf3 Bc5+! 2... c2? 3. Bxc6!! Queen sacrifice 3... cxd1=Q 4. Be8# 3. Kb8 3. Kb7 c2! -+ 3... Bd6+ 4. Ka7 Bc5+ perpetual check.

The king cannot escape from the checks because the corner square is blocked.

Solution:
1. Bxc6! Bc5+! 1... Bxc6 2. Qxc6 +-

2nd thematic try:
2. Kb7? h1=Q 3. Qd1+ Bg4 4. Nf3?

4... Bc8+! Bishop sacrifice. Black is unblocking the g4 square before taking the queen! 5. Kxc8 Qxd1 6. Be8+ Kg4! -+; 2. Kb8? h1=Q 3. Qd1+ Bg4 4. Nf3? Qh2+! -+

2. Ka8!! The corner square has been unblocked, so the white king finds a nice hiding place there. 2... h1=Q! Cross-pin

3. Qd1+ 3. Bxh1? Bxa4 -+ 3... Bg4!

4. Nf3!! Cross theme & Queen sacrifice 4... Qxd1 4... Bxf3 5. Bxf3+ +- 5. Be8#

Watch this study on a dynamic board! Click here!

12-years-old wins a prize at a study composition tourney!

This study has a good flow and it is a great achievement at such a young age:

Christopher Yoo
Steniczka-90 MT
2019
3rd Prize
- win studies section -

White wins

1. Kg7 Nf4 2. f8=N! 2. f8=Q? Ne6+ -+ 2... Kb6! 3. Kf7 3. h8=Q? Rxf8! =

3... Ne6! 4. Nxe6 Rh8 5. Kg7 Rxh7+ 6. Kxh7 Kxc6 7. Kg6 Kd6!

8. Kf6! Thematic try: 8. Kf5? Kd5 mutual zugzwang 9. d3 c6! = mutual zugzwang 8... Kd5 9. Kf5 mutual zugzwang 9... c6 10. d3

mutual zugzwang

10... c5 11. Nxc5! Kxc5 12. Kxe5 Kc6 13. d4 Kd7 14. Kd5! +- mutual zugzwang

Study 158

Árpád Rusz
Moscow Ty
2018
1st Prize

White wins

1. Kb1 1. g7?? Ra1# 1... Rb2+ 2. Ka1! The king moves to the first corner square. 2... Rxc2 3. g7 Rd2

4. Rh1!! This surprising sacrifice to the second corner is the only way to win. Besides attracting the black king to a worse square, the white rook has the idea of getting to the other side of the yet unborn queen! 4. g8=Q? Rxd1+ 5. Ka2 c2 =; 4. Rxd2+? cxd2 5. g8=Q d1=Q+ =; 4. Rc1? Rd8 =
Thematic try: 4. Rf1? This move also attracts the black king to a worse square, but as we will see, it has the negative effect of blocking the eight rank few moves later. 4... Rd8 (4... Kxf1? 5. g8=Q Rd1+ 6. Ka2 c2 7. Qc4+ +-) 5. Rf8 Rd1+ 6. Ka2 c2 7. g8=Q?? (7. Rc8 =) 7... c1=Q -+

In a QR/QR endgame, the winner is usually the one who gives the first check. Now 8. Qa8+ is impossible, black is going to win!

Let's return to the main line.
4... Rd8 4... Kxh1 5. g8=Q Rd1+ 6. Ka2 c2 7. Qh7+ +- 5. Rh8! This is the third move to a corner square! 5... Rd1+ 6. Ka2 c2 7. g8=Q c1=Q If we compare with the thematic try, here the white rook doesn't block the queen's path to the fourth corner (Loyd Clearance with a peri-anticritical manoeuvre). 7... Ra1+ 8. Kb3! (8. Kxa1? c1=Q+ =) 8... c1=Q 9. Qd5+ +-

8. Qa8+! White completes the task of visiting all corners of the board. 8... Kg3 9. Qb8+ Kg4 10. Qb4+ Qf4 11. Rh4+! +- The game ends with another rook sacrifice.

Watch this study on a dynamic board! Click here!

Study 155

Árpád Rusz
Garcia-70 JT
2018
Special Honourable Mention

White wins

1. Rd3+!! rook sacrifice 1... Ke5 1... Kxd3 2. Rd1+ Kc4 3. Rxd6 Kc5 4. a7! +- rook sacrifice 2. Rxd6 Kxd6 3. a7 Rxe6+ 3... Ra4 4. e7! Kxe7 5. Rg8! Rxa7 6. Rg7+ +-

4. Rg6!! rook sacrifice 4... Rxg6+ 5. Kxh7 +-

Thematic try: 1. Rd1+? Ke5 2. Rxd6 Kxd6 3. a7 Ra4! 3... Rxe6+?

4. Rf6!! rook sacrifice 4... Rxf6+ 5. Kg7! +- 4. e7 Kxe7 =

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Study 153

Árpád Rusz
Tarasiuk-50 JT
2017
Special Honourable Mention

White wins

1. Qd4+ e5 2. Nxe5 f6! 3. Nxf6 b1=Q+ 3... h1=Q 4. Nf7# 4. Ka7 Qgb3 4... Qh7 5. Nxh7 Kxh7 6. Qxd7+ Kxh6 7. Ng4+ Kg5 8. Nxh2 +-

5. Qb2!!

Sandwich Theme

5... Qb7+! Domino Theme 5... Q1xb2 6. Ng6#; 5... Q3xb2 6. Nf7#; 5... h1=Q 6. Qxb3 Qxb3 7. Ng6# 6. Qxb7 Qxb7+ 7. Kxb7 h1=Q+ 8. Kb6! The king returns to its initial square after drawing a triangle on the board. 8. Ka7? Qxh6 9. Nf7+ Kg7 10. Nxh6 Kxf6 11. Kb6 a4 =; 8. Kc7? Qh2 =; 8. Kc8? Qa8+ =; 8. c6? Qxc6+! 9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. Kxc6 a4 = 8... Qxh6 9. Nf7+ +-

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Study 152

Árpád Rusz
RCS blog
2018

White wins

1. g4! 1st knight sacrifice 1... hxg3 e.p. 1... Bxe4 2. a6 +- 2. Nxg3+ Kg2

3. Nh1!! 2nd knight sacrifice 3. Nh5? Bc4! (3... Kxh3? 4. Nf4+ +- echo) 4. h4 Kh3 = 3... Be2 3... Kxh3 4. Nf2+ +- echo; 3... Kxh1 4. h4 Kg2 5. h5 Kf3 6. h6 Kf4 7. a6! Kg5 8. a7 +- 4. h4 Kh3! 4... Kxh1 5. Ke7 Kg2 6. Kf6 Kg3 7. Kg5 +- 5. h5! Bxh5 6. Nf2+ Kg3 7. Ne4+

Rundlauf

7... Kf4 8. a6! 3rd knight sacrifice 8... Kxe4 9. a7 +-

Watch this study on a dynamic board! Click here!

An example of a Syzygy Endgame Explorer search

White wins

The only move to win is 1. Qh1!!
This position was found with the help of SEE using the following commands:

[Tablebase "KQPkrr"]
[Output "out.pgn"]

[Position "1"]
[Eval "win"]
[SideToMove "white"]
[Piece2 "a8"]
[Piece5 "rank1"]
[Piece6 "fileH"]
[OnlyMove "yes"]
[Move "Qa8h1"]
[Capture "no"]
[Check "no"]

[Position "2"]
[AttackedByBlack "h1"]
[NotAttackedByWhite "h1"]

I was searching for a position where the only winning move for white is Qa8-h1, a silent move without capture or check. Two black rooks should protect h1, so the queen move should be a sacrifice on a double protected corner square! It turned out that I was lucky: there exists a position like that!
I have succeeded to turn this position into a nice study which will be published soon.

Study 139

Árpád Rusz
Magyar Sakkvilág
2017
Commendation

Draw

1. Nc2+ Kb1 2. Nd4 2. Nb4? Qb3# 2... Qc4 2... Qd5? 3. Rf1# 3. Rb6+ Ka1

4. Rb3!! mutual zugzwang 4. Rb4? Qa2# 4... axb3 4... Qxd4 5. Rb1+! Kxb1 stalemate; 4... Qc5+ 5. Rb4 Qc3+ 6. Kxa4 = 5. Nxb3+ Kb1 6. Nd2+ =

Watch this study on a dynamic board! Click here!