Friday, February 11, 2011

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE CHESS PROBLEM

The Introduction
I discovered this puzzle some 20 years ago. Not sure from where but i suspect it must be from one of those Chernev’s or Kmoch’s book or maybe from one of Leonard Barden’s newspaper cutting. Sorry, i could not remember the source but i still remember the puzzle, the story behind it and the solution.

Hope you enjoyed it!

The Problem

White to play and win

Napoleon (Black King at h7) is being hunted by Prussian armies (white pieces). Question is...which square is Waterloo (place where Napoleon was defeated)?

The Solution
Hint:Just continue checking with the knights. Black’s reply is forced.

1.Ng5 Kg8
2.Nh6 Kf8
3.Nh7 Ke7
4.Ng8 Kd7
5.Nf8 Kc8
6.Ne7 Kb8
7.Nd7



7. Ka7
8.Nc8 Ka6
9.Nb8 Kb5
10.Na7 Kb4
11.Na6 Ka3
12.Nb5 mate!


So Waterloo is the a3 square.

The Quote
"You must not fight too often with one enemy, or you will teach him all your art of war."
– Napoleon Bonaparte

"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
- Napoleon Bonaparte

"I fear three newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets."
- Napoleon

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