I feel that it is rather unfair of Petrov to blame Kutuzov for timidity. Was this attitude politically motivated?
The Retreat of Napoleon I from Moscow
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May 24, 2014
0
#3
blueemu wrote:
I feel that it is rather unfair of Petrov to blame Kutuzov for timidity. Was this attitude politically motivated?
Well, it is hard to say what Petrov was thinking. However, Kutuzov had been known to favor diplomacy over battle in the years prior to 1812-1813.
I think the "story" and the requirement the white queen stay near the white king makes for a more pleasing solution.
Awesome puzzle! IM Laptian showed this to me a few years ago. It was nice hearing the story in a Russian accent.
May 24, 2014
0
#6
Philidor2000 wrote:
Nice story but 6.Qa8 is mate!
Yes, but Kutuzov was under orders not to leave the Czar's court.
May 24, 2014
0
#10
Philidor2000 wrote:
Nice story but 6.Qa8 is mate!
That is true, but a condition of the puzzle is that the White Queen not move!! When you have solved the puzzle, comments will show in the annotations.
@ghostofmaroczy - lovely diagram! I had a minor in history and found European history to be fascinating. :-)
@10
Napoleon could be destroyed while crossing the Berezina: 6 Qa8#, but was allowed to escape.
This puzzle was published by the Russian Master Alexander Petrov in Schachzeitung #6, in 1824. It is more than a puzzle, it is a morality tale.
The Black King represents Napoleon. The White King is Czar Alexander I. The White Queen is Marshall Kutuzov, who was known to be very cautious. The White Knights represent the Russian Cavalry (Cossacks).
Moscow is the b1 square; Paris is h8. The h1-a8 diagonal is the Berezina River.
In this puzzle, Marshall Kutuzov MUST remain near the Czar! The text in quotations comes from puzzlist Gary Kevin Ware.
The board is in graytones, to represent the Russian winter.
For more information on the story behind the puzzle, see Gary Kevin Ware's commentary here:
http://www.chessproblem.net/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=316