Something Evil This Way Smothers

Shhh...Something Smothers Still...by, Ms Jessica E. Martin (aka BoundingOwl)

Last week we discussed (or I wrote you and you talked back into the computer probably) the Venus Fly Trap and the Smothered Mate.  Well, there are some things I didn't tell you.  (Write you.) 

 

 

 

Sometimes you have to think DIFFERENTLY when you are playing chess.  Like, maybe your first thought is, when your queen is under attack, RUNNNNN!  And off she goes.  Which is fine.  I mean, at least you're saving your queen.  But consider this:  what if you could COUNTER that threat, with a threat of CHECKMATE?!  Much better, right?

 

 

 

 

 

Counter-attacking is a good tool.  It's like a Phillips-head screwdriver.  Very useful.  Start thinking like a construction worker when you play chess.  Get out all the pretty tools.  And the funny-looking ones, too.  Get it? 

Here it is white to move.  Counterattack! 

 

 

 

 

 

We used a zwischenzug here, or intermezzo, or in-between move.  This type of move is so important we have three words in three languages for it.

What's the best kind of check?  A discovered double check!  Why?...............

Because you can only move your king---no other piece on your team can help.

Here are two things to remember:

1.  Don't stuff your king into the corner, going, YES!  SAFE!

2. Calculate counter-attacks twice.  She is a QUEEN afterall.  That's 9 whole dollars.

Go build stuff!  See you next time :)