Benefits of Playing Chess

Benefits of playing Chess
Sharp Memory
Concentration
Innovation
Analytical Ability
Self-dependence
Creativity

Endgame Study

Below is a beautiful Endgame Study by the great Chess Composer Ghenrikh Kasparyan (1935)

White to play and win


Solution:
1. Nd6-e8 Kh5-g6
2. h4-h5+ Rh2xh5
3. f4-f5+ Rf1xf5
4. g3-g4! Rf5-e5
5. Bc8-f5+ Re5xf5
6. Ne8-g7 Rf5-e5
7. g4xh5#
1 - 0

Click here to read a review of the great book on Endgame Studies authored by Ghenrikh Kasparyan

Below is the Youtube link to this problem:

Excelsior Chess Puzzle by Sam Loyd

White to play and mate in 5 moves

Solution:

1. b2-b4!  Rc8-c5+ 

2. b4xc5+! (threatening Rb1#)  a3-a2

3. c5-c6! (threatening Rd5/Rf5 and Rd1/Rf1#)  Bd8-c7

4. c6xb7  Bc7xg3

5. b7xa8(Q)#  or  b7xa8(B)#

1 - 0

Excelsior Puzzle on ChessBase

Sam Loyd Links: Official Website, Wiki, Chessgames, Cyclopedia