December Throwback #6: Happy Holidays From Benko: Trees and Candles

CLO is combing through its archives to bring readers blasts from the past this holiday season. Look for throwback articles throughout December.

December Throwback #6: In 2019, the chess world lost GM Pal Benko, whose contributions to chess are almost too many to enumerate. He was a pioneer in the openings, a leading authority in the endgame, and a friend and trainer to many, including Bobby Fischer and the Polgar sisters. But perhaps Benko’s most popular mantle was as a world-renowned problematist. He regularly contributed puzzles to Chess Life and Chess Life Online, often tying them to a particular holiday or event. So for this throwback, please enjoy this special holiday treat from the great Pal Benko.

Bonus: Explore the evolution of the Benko Gambit: https://new.uschess.org/news/evolution-benko-gambit-nov-2019

Happy Holidays from Grandmaster and composer Pal Benko, who presents Christmas tree and holiday candle shaped mates in two, three, four and five for your enjoyment this season.

Christmas Tree  

Candle 1

Candle 2

Candle 3

Candle 4

Candle 5

Candle 6 (Twin)

Candle 7 

Christmas tree

More from Benko on uschess that you may have missed: Back to School Problems, and congratulatory problems for the US gold medal Olympic team.