There's an old schoolhouse saying about "the exception that proves the rule" meaning that there may be a general rule (typically in grammar) but there are exceptions to the rule, and somehow that "proves" the rule. We always thought that this was, in fact, exceptionally nonsensical, with no basis in logic.

Getting to the point: While today's problem is not quite a "first Saturday of the month" speed problem, it's not overly difficult and it is quite clever, and demonstrates that every rule indeed has its exceptions, even if they don't exactly "prove the rule."

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:W32,19,10,K6:B24,K31,K26,K18

No, you won't need exceptional skill to solve this one, and we hope you won't take exception to our evaluation. But either way, see how you do and then click on Read More to see the exceptional solution.

Solution

24-28!---A 19-16----B 18-14 10-7 14-10 6x15 31-27 32x23 26x19x10x3 Black Wins.

A---Preventing 32-28 and setting up the play that follows. Going into the "dog hole" isn't always bad!

B---White might be said to get away a little easier with 10-7 18-23 19-16 23-27 32x23 26x12 Black Wins.

This clever position was sent to us by regular Toronto based contributors Lloyd and Josh Gordon.