The Checker Maven

Mr. Scissors

20250926-scissors.jpg

It looks like something straight out of a horror movie; the evil villain (let's call him Mr. Scissors) threatens our heroine with a horrible fate. But of course, we know that the hero will arrive to save the day ... or will he?

The villain in the old movie above certainly isn't regular contributor and master problemist Ed Atkinson, who sent us today's problem, which he of course calls Mr. Scissors.

BLACK
null
WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:WK17,19,22,24:B8,11,K26,K28.

Once you find the right first move, the problem isn't all that hard. Can you cut it? Snip away and save the day, then cut your mouse over to Read More to see the cutting-edge solution.null



Solution

19-15 11x25---A 17-21 28x19 21x16 White Wins.

A---28-10 17-21 26-17 21-16 White Wins.

Mr. Atkinson notes: "The name, 'Mr. Scissors,' is a reference to the jumps, 11-25 or 28-10, which bear a fanciful resemblance to scissor blades."

Our thanks to Mr. Atkinson for sharing this composition with us.

null

08/25/18 - Category: Problems
You can email the Webmaster with comments on this article.



The Checker Maven is produced at editorial offices in Honolulu, Hawai`i, as a completely non-commercial public service from which no income is obtained or sought. Original material is Copyright © 2004-2026 Avi Gobbler Publishing. Other material is public domain, AI generated, as attributed, or licensed under CC1, CC2, CC3 or CC4 and the various CC options. Information presented on this site is offered as-is, at no cost, and bears no express or implied warranty as to accuracy or usability. You agree that you use such information entirely at your own risk. No liabilities of any kind under any legal theory whatsoever are accepted. The Checker Maven is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Bob Newell, Sr.