Chess Players Good Luck Rituals
By on 11 Jan 26 16:29
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Most will deny it but all chess players are a superstitious lot and
have some kind of talisman they either carry or rub before a game.
Dolls, teddy bears, lockets, pens, key rings, shirts, socks, watches...
If they have no talisman they will certainly have a ritual which can
be anything from eating a particular snack before a game to never having
a haircut during an event or taking a distinctive route to a playing venue.
With me it was dogs. (did you play the Colle...Russ)
Once, many years ago I stopped on my way to the Edinburgh Chess Club to pet
a neighbours dog. The game I played that evening was one of the best games I had
ever played. After that fateful game no matter where I was, or who I was playing,
I sought out a pre-game dog to pat. This has led to some rather unfortunate incidents.
It soon became apparent that the neighbours dog was a was on hit wonder. It’s luck
ran out so I went dog-hunting before every game. Once I tried patting a guide dog.
The owner never saw me, (obviously) he walked into and fell over right on top
of me and let out a barrage of pretty colourful language. The dog was unharmed.
(it is strange how Karma strikes, I lost that night’s game due to chess blindness.)
Sometimes there is never a dog around when you need one. The episode
of me and the dog inside the parked car is probably still being talked about in
the police canteen when they are reminiscing about excuses criminals give;
“I was not trying to steal anything, I just wanted to pat the dog for good luck.”
**** Puzzles ****
Good luck (and I hope you all have done your pre-puzzle ritual?)
First is one I call ‘Puzzle Bait’ similar to ‘Click Bait’ I saw it on facebook
with the added claim that only 2% of all chess players can solve this one.
I’ve no idea why people add these silly statements. When you see a problem
position you are either going to solve it or move on. There is no need to tart
it up with a challenge.White to play and deliver checkmate in two moves.
An idea by @Wyn-Davies in a thread he posted in the Chess Forum.
‘Puzzles than can be solved for either side.’ I thought I would make one up
White to play and mate in two. Once solved try Black to play and mate in three.
White mates
Black mates
The Wyn Davies idea would work better if the puzzles were tougher.
This next one, the same idea is a bit harder. (now I am using ‘Puzzle Bait’ )
White to play and mate in three moves.
Black to play and mate in four moves.
White mates
Black mates
Often in the past I have shown a Red Hot Pawn player managing to
self-mate in one move. This type of thing; sabra - Niculae RHP .2010
Black played 49....Rg7 (OOPS!) 50. Ra8 mate.
There is hope for us all. Grandmasters are doing the same.
Wesley So - Vidit Gujrathi, Tata Steel Blitz, India 2026
Wes So played 59. Rg4 (OOPS!) 59...Rh2 mate.
Not quite in the same vein as a selfmate but I recently found this
Queen selfmate on RHP. A variation worth knowing in an old trap
ml23 - amtw99 RHP 2021
The thread accompanying this blog is Thread 204522
