100 Headachingly Hard Mate in Two Chess Puzzles Composed by Sam Loyd

This book might cause a headache! Warning: It contains 100 extremely challenging mate-in-two puzzles by Sam Loyd, one of the greatest chess composers ever. Prepare to be severely tested!

About Sam Loyd

Born on January 30, 1841, in Philadelphia, Sam Loyd was a pioneering American puzzle creator who also excelled in making puzzle games and math puzzles. Despite his engineering background, Loyd made a career out of creating intricate puzzles. At 14, he started composing chess problems, and by 19, he was the problem editor for Chess Monthly, edited by the legendary Paul Morphy. Loyd was ranked 15th in the world around 1868-1869. His work reflects his mastery and innovative approach to puzzle composition.

Loyd once said about creating mate-in-two problems: "I have often expressed the opinion that it is no easy task to compose a good two-move problem. It should have a decided point, a well-defined theme with a sparkle to it; and the difficulty should consist in the surprise of the trick, and not in the mere trouble of selecting the correct key-move."

Why Solve Mate-in-Two Puzzles?

Former world no. 3 and renowned chess trainer, Arthur Yusupov, emphasizes in his book Boost Your Chess that mate-in-two puzzles are excellent for training in the calculation of variations. These puzzles force you to consider numerous candidate moves and potential replies, honing your ability to calculate short variations and improving your overall chess skills.

What to Expect

• 100 Puzzles by Sam Loyd: Delve into puzzles that challenge your tactical thinking and calculation abilities.

• Semi-Random Order: Puzzles are presented in a semi-random order to ensure a variety of themes throughout the book.

• Detailed Solutions: Solutions include different variations, with some providing only the first correct move for an added challenge.
  

About the Author
Martin B. Justesen, chess newsletter writer and amateur chess player, presents his second book following the success of his first, Blindfold Endgame Visualization, which was highly praised for its innovative design. Martin's chess rating saw his online rating increase by 150 points shortly after publishing his first book.

Dive into these headachingly hard puzzles and improve your calculation today!