Deca 1-27

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The document describes different levels of chess clubs based on player experience and ability. It also provides examples of how to write out solutions to chess puzzles on the boards.

The different levels of chess clubs described are DECA, MEGA, GIGA, TERA and EXA clubs. They are differentiated based on player experience, tournament results, and approximate ECF grade.

Examples are provided on how to write solutions to 1-move and 2-move chess puzzles. It suggests using coordinates, arrows or writing out the moves. It also provides examples of questions that could be asked for puzzles.

Deca Puzzles

Issues 1-27

Delancey UK Chess Challenge


Description of Levels

Club Description Approximate


ECF Grade *
DECA – Club Complete beginners and those with an Ungraded
incomplete grasp of the rules
MEGA – Club Know the rules but little grasp of planning 0 – 59
what to do beyond capturing and quick
checkmates. Little to no tournament
experience
GIGA – Club Players with some tournament experience 60 – 99
looking to “level up”
TERA – Club More experienced players who have won or 100 – 129
placed highly in local competitions
EXA - Club Very experienced players with success at 130 – 159
National Level events

Delancey UK Chess Challenge


Example
Below are examples of how you might write your solution to a puzzle presented
in the booklet. Or you might prefer to just solve them in your head – completely
up to you!

Q: Can you find checkmate in one 8


for white? 7
Here, because the solution is only 6
one move, you might draw arrows 5
on the board or you can use the
lines below to answer – or both! 4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
Rf6#
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………

8
Q: Can you find checkmate in two
for white? 7
6
Here, the solution is a bit (OK a
lot!) trickier and requires 5
consideration of multiple 4
variations. If you are familiar with
coordinates, it is probably best 3
that you write your answer out as 2
shown.
1
a b c d e f g h
1.Qe1 e6 (1..c6 2.Qa5#) 2. Qh4#
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………

Delancey UK Chess Challenge


Deca
There is a missing white piece that should be stood on the
square highlighted in blue. The green squares indicate which
squares it can move to. On each board work out what the
missing white piece is.

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
Write down how many moves the white piece can make in
each position below. Also count how many different pieces it
can capture. Finally – work out how many squares it can move
to safely – that is without being captured

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In these puzzles you have to give check – which
means attacking the black king (see example to the
right)!
Remember to give a safe check – ie where the
attacking piece cannot be captured

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In these puzzles the white King has to escape check – either by moving
away, capturing or blocking.

Remember “Check” is where the king is attacked. A player must escape


check immediately – if they cannot it is game over!!

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In these puzzles it is white to play. Write down the number of
different ways white can check the black king – and also write
down how many of these moves are safe from capture.

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
White gets to make 2 consecutive moves - on the 2nd move
you must place the black king in check. You must make sure all
of your pieces are on safe squares at all times!

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
White to play and capture an unprotected piece.

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In each position it is white to play. You need to attack an
UNPROTECTED piece in a SAFE way (you cannot place your
piece where it can be captured).

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
White to play and capture an unprotected piece.

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In each position you need to work out how many “safe
squares” the ringed piece can move to.

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In these puzzles it is white to play and move your piece out of
harm’s way. In puzzle number one your rook is attacked by the
black bishop, where can you move it to get to safety?

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In these puzzles it is white to play. You have to capture a free
unprotected piece! Scan the board for any unprotected pieces
and see if you can capture one.

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In the positions below a white piece is attacked. You need to
find a way to defend so that you don’t lose material.
Remember it is often a good idea to defend a weaker piece
with a stronger one.

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In the positions below a white piece is attacked. There is only
ne safe square to escape to – can you find it?

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
Attack both of the black pieces at the same time. This is known
as a “Fork” in chess!

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
Attack both of the black pieces at the same time. This is known
as a “Fork” in chess!

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In the positions below the white army is not quite lined up
properly. What is the least number of moves you would need
to get the pieces back to their correct positions?

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
Can you remember the rules about when you can and can‘t
castle? In these puzzles it is white to play. You have to decide
whether white can castle kingside, queenside or not at all.

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
The rook can move in straight lines as many squares
as it likes as shown on the right. A rook captures a
piece by moving on top of it.
See if you can solve the ‘hungry rook’ puzzles
below, try and capture all the pieces in as few
moves as possible. Write down how many moves it
takes you. Unlike in real chess black does not get to
make a move!
1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
The queen can move in straight lines and diagonals
as many squares as it likes as shown on the right. A
queen captures a piece by moving on top of it.
See if you can solve the ‘hungry queen’ puzzles
below, try and capture all the stars in as few moves
as possible. Write down how many moves it takes
you.

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
The knight is a tricky piece that moves in an “L—
Shape”.
See if you can solve the ‘hungry knight’ puzzles
below, try and capture all the stars in as few moves
as possible. Write down how many moves it takes
you.

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
The bishop moves along the diagonals (like an “X”
shape).
See if you can solve the ‘hungry bishop’ puzzles
below: try and capture all the stars in as few moves
as possible. Write down how many moves it takes
you.

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
Capturing pieces is an important part of chess, you
cannot capture your own pieces and you capture an
enemy piece by moving your piece on top of it.

In the diagram the white rook can capture the black


pawns as shown with the green arrows. Have a go
at capturing the pieces below in the right order
without your own piece being captured!
1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In these puzzles you are playing white and have to choose the
best piece to capture. Consider the value of the pieces, what
black will do after your move, and which of your pieces are
under threat!

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In these puzzles it is black to play. You have to determine
whether it is checkmate, stalemate or neither!

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In these puzzles it is black to play. You have to determine
whether it is checkmate, stalemate or neither!

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Deca
In these puzzles it is black to play. You have to determine
whether it is checkmate, stalemate or neither!

1 8
3 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………

2 8 4 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………
Delancey UK Chess Challenge
Take a look at…

Check out our weekly Zoom lessons with WFM Sarah Longson on our
website using the link below! We run classes every weekday for each
ability level as well as tournaments weekdays and weekends!

https://www.delanceyukschoolschesschallenge.com

If you enjoyed solving the tactics puzzles today you


might enjoy WFM Sarah Longson and GM Danny
King’s Chessable course on Endgames!

You can find out more online or using the link


below.

https://www.chessable.com/tournament-ready-
the-endgame/course/33413/

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from you!

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Delancey UK Chess Challenge

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