Today's column title has interesting origins. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy has a popular meaning which refers to something very easy to do or accomplish. The "easy peasy" part, from what our research tells us, dates back at least as far as a 1940 movie. The "lemon squeezy" part is often said to refer to a 1950s British soap product, Sqezy, which unsurprisingly came in a squeeze bottle and had a lemon scent (we were unable to find a public domain image for this product). However this account is rather speculative.

The problem below could be the easiest speed problem we've ever published; the trick is to solve it in just a few seconds without making a slip-up as there are a couple of opportunities to do so. Is the problem "easy peasy lemon squeezy"? You'll have to decide for yourself.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win in 3 Seconds

B:WK2,9,K14,20:B1,3,K15,K16

Pretend you're playing a bullet game (one minute of time for the entire game). Can you solve this instantly? It's easy peasy with minimal thought, but will you find the right moves through rapid reflex? It's an interesting challenge. Give yourself about three seconds. If you haven't gotten it by then, keep going and you'll surely see it in a few more seconds. When done, click on Read More to verify the solution.

Solution

1. 1-6*---A 20x11 2. 6x13*---B BW

A---Other seemingly logical moves like 16-11 only draw.

B---Hasty play with 15-8 will only draw.

Was this just too easy? Perhaps, but we found it to be an interesting if brief diversion. Thanks to regular contributors Lloyd and Josh Gordon for sending this to us.