“I came upon a problem the other day I thought might be entertaining for our class,” Professor Pando began. “I can see on your faces you’re wondering what I mean by that.” --- Zephyr and Lucian looked enthusiastic but also a tiny bit puzzled. ---...
“I’m glad to see you’re both here in class together,” ProfessorPando said to Zephyr and Lucian. --- “Also, I want to tell you what I saw the other night at the chess club,” the Professor went on. “Although I don’t want to admit it, getting up at ...
“I’d like you to consider a position I often show in many of classrooms,” Professor Pando said in his usual clarion voice. “Of course, I have some comments to make about it. But before we go any further, let’s take an actual look at it.” --- ...
The Professor began somewhat formally: “For those who are feeling a bit rambunctious, let’s bring up the topic of rules. Particularly, let’s talk about a rule that was changed in the last 150 years or so.” --- “What rule is that?” Zephyr asked. “D...
The Professor had a twinkle in his one good eye. The other eye wasn’t too good either, but he tried to keep that a secret. --- “It’s so odd,” he began. I often see players with the black pieces play for a draw out of the ...
“Life can be funny,” the Professor began. “There are times when it seems we go round and round, never getting anywhere special.” --- “That sounds very philosophical,” Zephyr offered. “The other day my ma...
“Did you have a nice Halloween?” the Professor asked both Zephyr and Lucian who, once again, were in class together. --- Both of the Professor’s prized students nodded in agreement. --- The Professor continued: “I’m curious. What did you do last ...
“How nice to have both of you in my class today,” said ProfessorPando to his two prize students, Zephyr and Lucian. --- “Perhaps you can put your heads together and tackle a fairly difficult problem. Sometimes, though not all the time, two heads ...
“A while back,” Professor Pando began, “I came upon the following interesting position. Oh, by the way, it was created by a very famous chess player, who was best known for the puzzles he made. His name was Sam Loyd.” --- “It’s a curious pos...
“I’ve been thinking a lot about knights recently,” said Professor Pando to an attentive Zephyr. --- “The other day I came upon an interesting problem in a math book. It asked the reader to calculate the number...
“You’re doing very well,” Professor Pando said to Lucian. “Come grading time, I may even give you an E for excellent!” --- “But first you must “play detective.” Consider the following position, with the pieces outlining a capital E, which is the l...
“Occasionally,” Professor Pando began, “I lighten up and pose easy problems anyone can solve, even a novice. Cast your eyes on the following position.” ---- ---- White to move ---- Question: How can White checkmate Black in six moves?” ---...
“I’m going to take you far away in time and place,” Professor Pando began. “There and then, chess is called Checker Chess, and the following bizarre position is legal.” ---- White to move ---- “Do not ask how the following position aro...
ChessKids did you know that September 15 is the official Opposite Day? Well we're celebrating this weekend with ProfessorPando's puzzler! Check it out: ---- “Checkmate is fun, but it’s even more fun if you make the opponent mate himself. Examine t...
“Some situations seem so innocent,” Professor Pando observed. ---- “Yet even the simplest positions can hide a clever tactic.” ---- “Take a look at the following position, with White to move.” ---- ---- Question: How can White win a rook by...
ChessKids: Have you ever heard your parents talk about clothing being "retro"? It means "in the past." Well today we have a "retrograde" problem - you have to think into the past instead of into the future! Professor Pandolfini put forward the fo...
The fourth article from ProfessorPando has a big trick in it. Take your time and see if you can spot the trap - don't rush in to this one! ---- “Lucian,” Professor Pandolfini intoned, “please look at the next setup.” ---- “Let’s assume the fol...
Here we go again ChessKids! It's back to planet Zugzwang with ProfessorPando. Did you solve his crazy first and second puzzles? Now try this one: “I know you love the impossible,” Professor Pandolfini said to Zephyr. Let’s see what you can do wit...
Here we go again ChessKids! You've already solved a position from ProfessorPando where you had to find the worst move, now see if you can checkmate a whole army of Black kings in this zany puzzle! ------ Professor Pandolfini gave Lucian an unusual...
National Master Bruce Pandolfini is an acclaimed Chess Book Author, Teacher and Coach. Lessons in his "Pandolfini's Puzzler" column for ChessKid.com are fictional stories based on true events from his own lessons. "In chess, you look for the best...
Analyzing your games is one of the main ways of improving in chess. During this procedure you will be able to pinpoint your typical mistakes, as well as weaknesses & strengths. Your games are your business card in the world of chess. Each per...
Castling is a move performed simultaneously by a king and a rook with the aims of ensuring the king’s safety and connecting the rooks. There are three ways you can castle: long, short and 'artificial.' The latter is when your king and rook eventua...
Nowadays powerful chess engines have become routine assistants of competitive chess players. Both amateurs and professionals use them to analyze their games, prepare opening lines, evaluate certain positions, etc. Most websites that broadcast game...
Today’s article will be based on a game that was played by me against GM Monika Socko at the recent European Club Cup. I will elaborate not only on the course of the game, but also offer general tips and approaches that can be applied in any chess...
