Puzzle #87: Black to Play; Black to Tinue

Hello, all!

This week is the last in a series of easier puzzles aimed at beginner and intermediate Takkers. Next week, if I have the time, I'm going to try a new type of puzzle and see how it goes. Also, we're getting closer to puzzle #100... And that means a contest! Details will come around puzzle #95.

Just like last week, I will post some hints on Reddit for those that are stumped. On the other side of things, if you would like to make this puzzle more difficult, try solving it without using the interactive frame; just like a game situation, try to only use your mind to visualize the winning branch.

For those new to my puzzles, I try my best to post one every Saturday night (EST). They are usually one of the following types: Tinue (game ending via forced road), Tinue Avoidance (is there a way out?), Gaelet (game ending via flat count), and Best Move (what would you do, and why?).

The type featured tonight is a Tinue puzzle. Tinue is defined as a board state in which no matter what the opposing player does during their turn (White, in this instance), a road win will be awarded to the other player (Black) on their next turn. If you are familiar with Chess, Tinue is very similar to Checkmate.

The best way to solve these puzzles is to find a move that forces your opponent into doing something. Then, you use that forced move to force another move, until you have won. Sometimes there are more ways than 1 to go about this. While I love seeing the different variations, usually the shortest path to a forced win is considered best. The following is a simple example to show how this works.




Please form your answer with PTN or a link to your solution via ptn.ninja. Also, be sure to use the spoiler tag so as not to ruin it for later puzzle solvers.

** I have noticed some people commenting directly to my blog post when answering puzzles. I would kindly ask that you post your answers on the appropriate post on the Reddit page for Tak (r/tak). This will make it easier for me to respond in a timely manner. On that note, I would like to also apologize to those same people for my delayed replies.

The new Reddit spoiler tag is shown below:

>!spoiler!<

Ex:  >!35. a3> 3b2+!<

Thank you and enjoy!!

Puzzle #86: White to Play; White to Tinue

Good evening, Takolytes!

For those new to my puzzles, I try my best to post one every Saturday night (EST). They are usually one of the following types: Tinue (game ending via forced road), Tinue Avoidance (is there a way out?), Gaelet (game ending via flat count), and Best Move (what would you do, and why?).

The type featured tonight is a Tinue puzzle. Tinue is defined as a board state in which no matter what the opposing player does during their turn (White, in this instance), a road win will be awarded to the other player (Black) on their next turn. If you are familiar with Chess, Tinue is very similar to Checkmate.

The best way to solve these puzzles is to find a move that forces your opponent into doing something. Then, you use that forced move to force another move, until you have won. Sometimes there are more ways than 1 to go about this.

For tonight's puzzle, I believe there are 2 branches that lead to Tinue. For the beginner, you should feel happy to get 1 of these branches. For intermediate players, try to find both. You can vary the difficulty by choosing to use or not use the interactive board (not using the board increases the difficulty).

I will also leave some hints in the Reddit comments for those that are stumped.

Please post your answer in the Tak subrreddit(r/Tak) comments area with PTN or a link to your solution via ptn.ninja. Also, be sure to use the spoiler tag so as not to ruin it for later puzzle solvers.

The new Reddit spoiler tag is shown below:

>!spoiler!<

Ex:  >!35. a3> 3b2+!<

Thank you and enjoy it!!

P.S. If you have a puzzle you want me to post, feel free to send it my way. If you would like to post it yourself but don't know how, I can also help with that.

Puzzle #85: Black to Play; Black to Tinue

Hello, all!

This week, I continue my series on beginner/intermediate puzzles to both initiate newer players and give other players a bit of a mental break while everyone gears up for the 2018 USTA Open Finals. If you are not aware of the finals, you can find information and the schedule on Toornament.

Just like last week, I will post some hints on Reddit for those that are stumped. On the other side of things, if you would like to make this puzzle more difficult, try solving it without using the interactive frame; just like a game situation, try to only use your mind to visualize the winning branch.

For those new to my puzzles, I try my best to post one every Saturday night (EST). They are usually one of the following types: Tinue (game ending via forced road), Tinue Avoidance (is there a way out?), Gaelet (game ending via flat count), and Best Move (what would you do, and why?).

The type featured tonight is a Tinue puzzle. Tinue is defined as a board state in which no matter what the opposing player does during their turn (White, in this instance), a road win will be awarded to the other player (Black) on their next turn. If you are familiar with Chess, Tinue is very similar to Checkmate.

The best way to solve these puzzles is to find a move that forces your opponent into doing something. Then, you use that forced move to force another move, until you have won. Sometimes there are more ways than 1 to go about this. While I love seeing the different variations, usually the shortest path to a forced win is considered best.

Please form your answer with PTN or a link to your solution via ptn.ninja. Also, be sure to use the spoiler tag so as not to ruin it for later puzzle solvers.

** I have noticed some people commenting directly to my blog post when answering puzzles. I would kindly ask that you post your answers on the appropriate post on the Reddit page for Tak (r/tak). This will make it easier for me to respond in a timely manner. On that note, I would like to also apologize to those same people for my delayed replies.

The new Reddit spoiler tag is shown below:

>!spoiler!<

Ex:  >!35. a3> 3b2+!<

Thank you and enjoy!!

P.S. If you have a puzzle you want me to post, feel free to send it my way. If you would like to post it yourself but don't know how, I can also help with that. Any other questions or comments are welcome, too! You can email me at bill.leighton1@gmail.com.

Puzzle #84: Black to Play; Black to Tinue

Good evening, Takkers!

As stated last week, I'm going to take a few weeks and feature easier puzzles for our newer players. But, I will also try to keep something for the more experienced puzzle solvers. This will probably come in the form of an additional step or related puzzle. I'm not sure exactly how easy to make these, as I don't want to insult or bore anyone. On the other hand, I don't want to alienate anyone by making the puzzles impossible. So, tonight, I will post a moderately difficult puzzle. I will make it a bit harder by not posting the number of turns until Tinue. But, I will post this information and a couple other hints on Reddit for less experienced or stumped players to view.

If you are new to these puzzles, I try my best to post one every Saturday night (EST). They are usually one of the following types: Tinue (game ending via forced road), Tinue Avoidance (is there a way out?), Gaelet (game ending via flat count), and Best Move (what would you do, and why?).

The type featured tonight is a Tinue puzzle. Tinue is defined as a board state in which no matter what the opposing player does during their turn (White, in this instance), a road win will be awarded to the other player (Black) on their next turn. If you are familiar with Chess, Tinue is very similar to Checkmate.

The best way to solve these puzzles is to find a move that forces your opponent into doing something that benefits you. Then, you use that forced move to force another move, until you have won. Sometimes there are more ways than 1 to go about this. While I love seeing the different variations, usually the shortest path to a forced win is considered best.

Please form your answer with PTN or a link to your solution via ptn.ninja. Also, be sure to use the spoiler tag so as not to ruin it for later puzzle solvers.

The new Reddit spoiler tag is shown below:

>!spoiler!<

Ex:  >!35. a3> 3b2+!<

Thank you and enjoy!!

P.S. If you have a puzzle you want me to post, feel free to send it my way. If you would like to post it yourself but don't know how, I can also help with that. Any other questions or comments are welcome, too.