Joseph Henry Blackburne: The Black Death, Part 2

Welcome back!  Today Mrs Jessica E Prescott (aka BoundingOwl) will show you how Blackburne got his name!  We will see his 17 move victory with the black pieces over A. Albin in the year 1897.  That's not a typo--it was over 100 years ago!  Thankfully someone notated their game.   You love notating don't you?!  Did you already read the article showing you how to set up Blackburne's bishop and knight mate?  Do that first.

Here are 3 puzzles on the theme.  Good luck!  Then we will see the original game.

1.  White to move.  This amazing move looks like it sacs a queen.  But what's better than a queen?  Actually your move WINS a queen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Remember one of the requirements is that black not have a pawn on g7.  Threaten an unstoppable mate!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Nothing can be on g7!  So get rid of it, then mate follows in two more moves.

Hint:  Use a forcing move, then a discovered double check!  Do you notice the powerful fianchettoed bishop on b2?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here The Black Death has the black pieces.  Remember, when we show you patterns they can be used for both white and black!

 

 

 

 

What do you think?  Pretty nasty right?   Minor pieces can give checkmate, too!

Do you see the final mate?  Let's say white has just play Qxf6.

 

 

(You can also play Ne2#.)

Tip of the week:  Create your own moniker (nickname) over the chessboard.  It will increase your confidence!