It is perfectly natural to get a little frustrated when you can’t solve a chess puzzle. So, it’s important to remember that not all chess puzzles are meant to be solved. Some chess compositions are intended to be appreciated as art.
Most chess enthusiasts are not familiar with the name Gustavus Reichhelm (1839-1905). Reichhelm was a nineteenth century chess genius who left a tremendous legacy. He wrote extensively about the Philadelphia chess scene in “The Chess Record” and the “Philadelphia Evening Bulletin”. In 1898, his book “Chess in Philadelphia” was published and his passion for chess in the City of Brotherly Love is evident through the many historical anecdotes and chess insights from the region. A strong chess master, writer, composer and analyst, Gustavus was the Philadelphia Chess Champion many times over again and a friend to many other chess notables such as fellow composer Josef Halumbirek and the World Champion Dr. Emanuel Lasker. In fact, he collaborated with Lasker on a famous study on corresponding squares that is the most widely studied chess position on this topic.
His mate-in-70 creation below may be too daunting for most to solve but all levels of chess players can appreciate this ingenious composition and its elegant solution. Of course, I am just posting a partial solution so that my readers can still enjoy exploring a few “what if’s.”
