Hexagonal Chess by I G Shafran: Problems

Problem #1

Author: Ju K Rostovcev, candidate-master of sport in chess.

Solution:

1.  d8-d9Q+  Qi9:d9
2. Be5-a3+   Kb5:a3
3. Kf3-d4×

See diagram. If Black moves away the King instead of capturing the white Bishop, White wins by 3. Ba3:d9.

Problem #2

Author: Ju K Rostovcev, candidate-master of sport in chess.

Solution:

1. Bb2-g5!  Qf3:g5
2. Nc5-d3+  Ke1-f3
3. Nd3:g5   Kf3:g5
4.  e6-e7!   d8:e7
5.  f7-f8    e9:f8
6.  d6-d7

etc. See diagram.

Problem #3

Author: Ju K Rostovcev, candidate-master of sport in chess.

White: Kd7, Ra4, p. b4 (3); Black: Ka6, Bb7, pp. c7, a5 (4). Checkmate in two moves.

Solution:

Problem #4

Author: V Rudenko, international master of sport in chess composition.

White: Ki6, Qb7, Re4, Rf5, Nh10, Bc2, Bg3, pp. b2, h8 (9);
Black: Kd6, Re6, Rf4, pp. f6, i7 (5).
Reverse checkmate in 7 moves (meaning that White must get himself checkmated).

Solution:

1. Re4-d4+ Re6-d5
2. Rd4-b4+ Rd5-c5
3. Rb4-b6+ Rc5-c6
4. Rb6-d8+ Rc6-d7
5. Rd8-f8+ Rd7-e2
6. Rf8:f6+ Re7-e6
7. Rf5-i5

(See diagram.)

7.  ...    Re6:f6×.

Note the duelling motion of the two Rooks, the white cutting a big hexagon and the black a smaller one.

Problem #5

Author: V Rudenko, international master of sport in chess composition.

White: Kf10, Rf6, Ri7, Ne10, Nh6, Ba2, Bg3, Bg10, pp. d7, f9, g5, g8 (12);
Black: Ke7, Rd5, Nh7, Bc1, Bc2, pp. b5, c5, d2, d6, d8, g9 (11).
Checkmate in 2 moves.

Solution:

1. Ba2-b4 (see diagram).

The threat is 2. Bb4-a5×. Any move of the black Rook which frees the field d5 could counter the attack; but any such move gets him in the way of one of the black Bishops, enabling the white Rook to give checkmate from a field they control.