A Benko Happy Birthday to Rex Sinquefield

RexUMoves Rex at Ultimate Moves, Photo Austin Fuller
  Are you recovering from Sinq Cup withdrawal? If so, we have just the remedy. Grandmaster Pal Benko, who recently celebrated his own 87th birthday, composed a set of problems for Chess Club founder and president Rex Sinquefield’s 71st birthday on September 7, 2015. The series includes mates in three in Rex's initials, and his age. See how quickly you can solve all 8! Rex and his wife Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield were recognized by 2015 Sinquefield Cup Champion Levon Aronian in a heartwarming speech, who said: "In (the) history of chess, I don't know anyone that has had so much love for chess."
RexUM3 Rex at Ultimate Moves, Photo Austin Fuller
R 1)

Mate in 3

White to move.

Show Solution
1.b7  Be5  2.b8=Q+ Nb5 3.Qxb5#
  R 2)

Mate in 3

White to move.

Show Solution
1.Bb3  Bd4  2.Rab5 + Nxb5 3.Rc4#
  S 1)

Mate in 3

White to move.

Show Solution

1.Ra6   Kb4   2.Ne4 Kc4 3.Ra4#
S 2)

Mate in 3

White to move.

Show Solution

1.Nc4    Kb4   2. Rb6+ Ka4 3.Bd7# 

If 2...Kc5 3.Nb3#

7 a)

Mate in 2

White to move.

Show Solution

1.d8=N Kd5 2.Rf5# 

If 1...Nc6+ 2.Nxc6#; 1...Nf5+ 2.Rxf5#

7 b)

Mate in 3

White to move.

Show Solution

1.Rg6  Nc6+ 2. Bxc6 Kf4 3.Qe4#

If 1...Kf4 2. Rg4+ Ke5 3.Qxd4#; 1….Nf5+  2.Bxf5 Kf4 3.Qe4#; 1...Kd5 2.Rg5# 

1 a)

Mate in 2

White to move.

Show Solution

1.Nd6 Kd7 2.Qf7#

1 b)

Mate in 3

White to move.

Show Solution

1.Qf5   Kb5   2.Kd4   Kb4 3. Qb1#

If 2...Kc6 3.Qd7#

If 1….Kc7  2.Qd7+ Kb8 3.Qb7#

US Chess wishes Rex Sinquefield a happy birthday!

Jen Shahade and Rex Sinquefield Jen Shahade and Rex Sinquefield
 
GM Maurice Ashley explains the rules of Ultimate Moves to a star-studded crowd GM Maurice Ashley explains the rules of Ultimate Moves to a star-studded crowd.
 
The Mayor Francis Slay, Sinq Cup Champ Levon Aronian and the Sinquefields. The Mayor Francis Slay, Sinq Cup Champ Levon Aronian and the Sinquefields.

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