Boom & Zoom puzzle solutions
Problem 1 Solution
White must capture f4:f5. If both sides now start racing, White needs seven turns to bear off the remaining two pieces, whereas Black needs eight. If instead White starts running immediately, with d6-d8 or f4-g5, Black replies f5-c2 and achieves a 9:9 draw.
Problem 2 Solution
Problem 2 Solution
White must capture b4:b6. White is under pressure due to clusters (bad shape) and Black has already borne off two pieces. Next 1. . . . f6:h6; 2. b4:b6 makes a black singleton (2. . . . b6-c5; 3. c4-f7 is a white win). Instead 1. . . . b6:b4; 2. h6:f6 leaves Black with two singletons and losing on time. The move 1. f6:h6, creating a black singleton immediately, is refuted by the backwards move 1. . . . f6-g7, cornering White’s edge piece. White cannot prevent both speedy escape b6-e4 and capture g7:h6.