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Jump to navigationMake Haste Slowly
Looks like the folks in the photo above are in quite a rush. Maybe they should "make haste slowly" lest they trip and fall.
"Make haste slowly" is the watchphrase for this month's speed problem. In the diagram below, White is two pieces up and the win, as they say "should be easy" and it actually is --- if you make haste slowly.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W29,21,18,K15,K13:BK26,K23,K22
How fast can you solve this one? Perhaps fast enough --- but not too fast? Proceed a bit slowly, and when you're ready hasten to click on Read More to see the solution.
Solution
If your first thought was to play 18-14, you were perhaps a bit too hasty as this move only draws. The winning line is as follows.
29-25! 22x29 13-17! (best; 18-14 also wins) 23x14 17x10 White Wins.
Not difficult for an expert, of course, but this does show the need for a moment of reflection, even when solving a speed problem!
Our thanks to regular contributors Lloyd and Gosh Josh Gordon for sending this along; it occurred over the board during their regular nightly play. Alas, Gosh Josh played 18-14 and missed the win.
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