Since we started this column in 2006, there have been 2700 puzzles put up here. It was always my hope that they would be either instructional or entertaining or challenging or all three. However, the encompassing desire was that they would make the reader a better player who could take the lessons learned and their concepts into one’s own games. If you take each puzzle to heart and remember the “big idea” of each, then you should be able to solve similar positions when they pop up either over the board or in this column. We’ve given this puzzle before. Can you remember the concept? Can you see the mating attack all the way through? Let’s see…

This is a game won by the famous American champion, MacKenzie, in 1887. The overlying concept here is to get the Black king lured forward where it can be exposed to attack. In order to do that, you’re going to have to figure out a series of forced moves using checks to bring him closer to your camp while never allowing him to retreat. 1.Qh6+! Kxh6 2.Nhf5+ Bxf5 3.Nxf5+ Kh5 4.g4+ Another way is 4.Rh3+ Nh4 (4...Kg4 5.Ne3# (5.Nh6#) ) 5.Rxh4+ Kg6 6.Rh6# 4...Kxg4 5.Rg3+ You can still go wrong with 5.h3+?? Kh5 6.Ng3+ Kh4 7.Nf5+ Kh5 with only a draw by repeating the position 5...Kh5 6.Be2# Did you remember the idea of what you had to do? If you did, terrific! If you didn’t, then you can get a lot better as a player if you go back to the original position—knowing the solution—and trying to see it all in your head. Do that with every puzzle and you’ll find your play improve.

Send questions and comments to PTamburro@aol.com.