Spartan Chess Puzzles - Solutions
Puzzle #1
Black (Spartan) to move and mate in 3
1. ... Lf3-e3+
2. Kb1 Cb5-b3+
3. Ka1 L35-c3#
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Puzzle #2
Black (Spartan) to move and mate in 4
1. ... Hb2-c1 = K
2. Qa2xKc2 Kc1xQc2
3. Ka1-a2 Ca5-a4+
4. Ka2-a1 Ca4-a3#
Only by promotion the hoplite to a King can the Spartan win.
Persian moves other than 2. Qa2xKc2 result in a quicker Spartan victory.
2. Qa2-b3 Ca5-a3+
3. Qb3xCa3 Kc1-b1#
2. (any other) Kc1-b1#
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Puzzle #3
White (Persian) to move and mate in 2
1. Nd8-b7+ Ld5xNb7
2. b2-b4#
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Puzzle #4
Black (Spartan) to move and mate in 3
1. ... Lf5-c3+
2. Bb2xLc3 La5xBc3+
3. Rf3xLc3 Wb4xRc3#
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Puzzle #5
Black (Spartan) to move and mate in 2
1. ... Wc5xb3+
2. Kc1-b2 Hd2-c1=W#