Gaston Franco
@gatofranco90.bsky.social
Chess puzzles Mondays and Fridays, random stuff (probably still chess related) the rest of the week
Same username on Twitter and Instagram
Same username on Twitter and Instagram
Reposted by Gaston Franco
What a match! Well played all!
And with last night's results, our "Hammersmith 1" teams are in sole or shared first place in all 4 Leagues! (London, Middlesex, Thames Valley and Central London)
And with last night's results, our "Hammersmith 1" teams are in sole or shared first place in all 4 Leagues! (London, Middlesex, Thames Valley and Central London)
December 19, 2025 at 9:24 AM
What a match! Well played all!
And with last night's results, our "Hammersmith 1" teams are in sole or shared first place in all 4 Leagues! (London, Middlesex, Thames Valley and Central London)
And with last night's results, our "Hammersmith 1" teams are in sole or shared first place in all 4 Leagues! (London, Middlesex, Thames Valley and Central London)
Friday puzzle
I beat a 2235 ECF last night, who played better than me but I was lucky when he fell for a trick.
What tactic did he miss? Black to play!
My team did alright too, and left the Galacticos seeing stars!
I beat a 2235 ECF last night, who played better than me but I was lucky when he fell for a trick.
What tactic did he miss? Black to play!
My team did alright too, and left the Galacticos seeing stars!
December 19, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Friday puzzle
I beat a 2235 ECF last night, who played better than me but I was lucky when he fell for a trick.
What tactic did he miss? Black to play!
My team did alright too, and left the Galacticos seeing stars!
I beat a 2235 ECF last night, who played better than me but I was lucky when he fell for a trick.
What tactic did he miss? Black to play!
My team did alright too, and left the Galacticos seeing stars!
Shared 1st at a chess 960 tournament last night 🏆
(But I probably deserved to lose every game)
(But I probably deserved to lose every game)
December 16, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Shared 1st at a chess 960 tournament last night 🏆
(But I probably deserved to lose every game)
(But I probably deserved to lose every game)
Monday puzzle
I found the below position by Alberto Witte (1957). I couldn't quite figure out why there is a pawn on h5, can anyone help?
White to play and mate in 2!
#chesspunks
I found the below position by Alberto Witte (1957). I couldn't quite figure out why there is a pawn on h5, can anyone help?
White to play and mate in 2!
#chesspunks
December 15, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Monday puzzle
I found the below position by Alberto Witte (1957). I couldn't quite figure out why there is a pawn on h5, can anyone help?
White to play and mate in 2!
#chesspunks
I found the below position by Alberto Witte (1957). I couldn't quite figure out why there is a pawn on h5, can anyone help?
White to play and mate in 2!
#chesspunks
Morning tennis 🎾
Almost ready for Wimbledon 😂
Almost ready for Wimbledon 😂
December 14, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Morning tennis 🎾
Almost ready for Wimbledon 😂
Almost ready for Wimbledon 😂
Friday Puzzle
I drew a quiet game last night, but my team won and qualified to the Eastman Cup semifinals, where we will face a powerful club
Below is a mate in two that looks game-like, but is a composition by John Keeble (1911). White to play!
#chesspunks
I drew a quiet game last night, but my team won and qualified to the Eastman Cup semifinals, where we will face a powerful club
Below is a mate in two that looks game-like, but is a composition by John Keeble (1911). White to play!
#chesspunks
December 12, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Friday Puzzle
I drew a quiet game last night, but my team won and qualified to the Eastman Cup semifinals, where we will face a powerful club
Below is a mate in two that looks game-like, but is a composition by John Keeble (1911). White to play!
#chesspunks
I drew a quiet game last night, but my team won and qualified to the Eastman Cup semifinals, where we will face a powerful club
Below is a mate in two that looks game-like, but is a composition by John Keeble (1911). White to play!
#chesspunks
Monday puzzle
Busy day so this one should be solved quite quickly!
White to play and mate in 2, by Grzegorz Jakubowski (1988)
#chesspunks
Busy day so this one should be solved quite quickly!
White to play and mate in 2, by Grzegorz Jakubowski (1988)
#chesspunks
December 8, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Monday puzzle
Busy day so this one should be solved quite quickly!
White to play and mate in 2, by Grzegorz Jakubowski (1988)
#chesspunks
Busy day so this one should be solved quite quickly!
White to play and mate in 2, by Grzegorz Jakubowski (1988)
#chesspunks
Reposted by Gaston Franco
🇦🇷 Diego Flores wins 100th Argentine Championship 🏆
Congratulations 👏
GM Diego Flores emerged as the winner of the 2025 Argentine Championship, claiming his eighth national title. The champion scored an impressive 8.5/11 and was the only player to complete the event
Congratulations 👏
GM Diego Flores emerged as the winner of the 2025 Argentine Championship, claiming his eighth national title. The champion scored an impressive 8.5/11 and was the only player to complete the event
December 7, 2025 at 6:56 AM
🇦🇷 Diego Flores wins 100th Argentine Championship 🏆
Congratulations 👏
GM Diego Flores emerged as the winner of the 2025 Argentine Championship, claiming his eighth national title. The champion scored an impressive 8.5/11 and was the only player to complete the event
Congratulations 👏
GM Diego Flores emerged as the winner of the 2025 Argentine Championship, claiming his eighth national title. The champion scored an impressive 8.5/11 and was the only player to complete the event
First in the world to solve today's Advent of Chess!
In a somewhat special day to me 😆
In a somewhat special day to me 😆
December 6, 2025 at 11:16 PM
First in the world to solve today's Advent of Chess!
In a somewhat special day to me 😆
In a somewhat special day to me 😆
Won a bag of lollipops by guessing how many there were! 😂
And this is only half because I tied with someone else 🍭
And this is only half because I tied with someone else 🍭
December 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Won a bag of lollipops by guessing how many there were! 😂
And this is only half because I tied with someone else 🍭
And this is only half because I tied with someone else 🍭
Friday "puzzle"
Just a question on style today. I won a league game last night, where I kept control even though I messed up the move order a little bit (my first time playing as white against the Tartakower!)
I reached a winning endgame and I thought the next move was nice! 🤩
Just a question on style today. I won a league game last night, where I kept control even though I messed up the move order a little bit (my first time playing as white against the Tartakower!)
I reached a winning endgame and I thought the next move was nice! 🤩
December 5, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Friday "puzzle"
Just a question on style today. I won a league game last night, where I kept control even though I messed up the move order a little bit (my first time playing as white against the Tartakower!)
I reached a winning endgame and I thought the next move was nice! 🤩
Just a question on style today. I won a league game last night, where I kept control even though I messed up the move order a little bit (my first time playing as white against the Tartakower!)
I reached a winning endgame and I thought the next move was nice! 🤩
Monday Puzzle
I was hoping to maybe play some tournament this month, but it looks like it will have to be some other time
At least my birthday is getting close!
White to play and mate in 2 by Holger Helledie (1971). Tricky one!
#chesspunks
I was hoping to maybe play some tournament this month, but it looks like it will have to be some other time
At least my birthday is getting close!
White to play and mate in 2 by Holger Helledie (1971). Tricky one!
#chesspunks
December 1, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Monday Puzzle
I was hoping to maybe play some tournament this month, but it looks like it will have to be some other time
At least my birthday is getting close!
White to play and mate in 2 by Holger Helledie (1971). Tricky one!
#chesspunks
I was hoping to maybe play some tournament this month, but it looks like it will have to be some other time
At least my birthday is getting close!
White to play and mate in 2 by Holger Helledie (1971). Tricky one!
#chesspunks
Friday Puzzle
I haven't been online that much recently. Back to sharing one of these:
A mate in 2 by Arthur Gooderson (1974), white to play! How long did it take you to find the solution?
#chesspunks
I haven't been online that much recently. Back to sharing one of these:
A mate in 2 by Arthur Gooderson (1974), white to play! How long did it take you to find the solution?
#chesspunks
November 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Friday Puzzle
I haven't been online that much recently. Back to sharing one of these:
A mate in 2 by Arthur Gooderson (1974), white to play! How long did it take you to find the solution?
#chesspunks
I haven't been online that much recently. Back to sharing one of these:
A mate in 2 by Arthur Gooderson (1974), white to play! How long did it take you to find the solution?
#chesspunks
I finally won a game last night, after a poor streak. I didn't play brilliantly either, but I took my chances and I'm happy I helped my team.
I was hoping this position would be reached at one point. Black would be much better anyway, but I thought the tactical finish was cute.
I was hoping this position would be reached at one point. Black would be much better anyway, but I thought the tactical finish was cute.
November 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I finally won a game last night, after a poor streak. I didn't play brilliantly either, but I took my chances and I'm happy I helped my team.
I was hoping this position would be reached at one point. Black would be much better anyway, but I thought the tactical finish was cute.
I was hoping this position would be reached at one point. Black would be much better anyway, but I thought the tactical finish was cute.
Reposted by Gaston Franco
Join us tonight for our guest speaker IM/WGM Jovanka Houska!
She will give a lecture and then play a ~20 board simul against some of our members! So excited to have her!
📷: Maria Emelianova
She will give a lecture and then play a ~20 board simul against some of our members! So excited to have her!
📷: Maria Emelianova
November 24, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Join us tonight for our guest speaker IM/WGM Jovanka Houska!
She will give a lecture and then play a ~20 board simul against some of our members! So excited to have her!
📷: Maria Emelianova
She will give a lecture and then play a ~20 board simul against some of our members! So excited to have her!
📷: Maria Emelianova
Reposted by Gaston Franco
Hammer 1 is currently leading the Middlesex League, but tonight we face the strong West London who might bring some titled players!
We will broadcast the games live, keep an eye out for the link to be published here later
We also have a Division 3 match, and a CLL match!
We will broadcast the games live, keep an eye out for the link to be published here later
We also have a Division 3 match, and a CLL match!
November 20, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Hammer 1 is currently leading the Middlesex League, but tonight we face the strong West London who might bring some titled players!
We will broadcast the games live, keep an eye out for the link to be published here later
We also have a Division 3 match, and a CLL match!
We will broadcast the games live, keep an eye out for the link to be published here later
We also have a Division 3 match, and a CLL match!
Reposted by Gaston Franco
Four wins in four matches for our London League teams last night!
Well done everybody!
Well done everybody!
November 12, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Four wins in four matches for our London League teams last night!
Well done everybody!
Well done everybody!
Monday Puzzle
Probably quite easy for most, but some funny patters show up on this one by Analotij Kirichenko (1991)
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
Probably quite easy for most, but some funny patters show up on this one by Analotij Kirichenko (1991)
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
November 10, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Monday Puzzle
Probably quite easy for most, but some funny patters show up on this one by Analotij Kirichenko (1991)
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
Probably quite easy for most, but some funny patters show up on this one by Analotij Kirichenko (1991)
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
Meanwhile Alexei Shirov is visiting my country and playing in an Open tournament.
In the first round he got paired against a guy called Svidler 😂
lichess.org/broadcast/xx...
@polborta.bsky.social
In the first round he got paired against a guy called Svidler 😂
lichess.org/broadcast/xx...
@polborta.bsky.social
XXXII Abierto Internacional ProAm FIDE Circuit Main Event Villa Martelli • Round 1
"9-round Swiss" | 90 min + 30 sec / move | standard | Villa Martelli, Argentina | Shirov, Perez Ponsa, Acosta, Santiago, Hungaski
lichess.org
November 3, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Meanwhile Alexei Shirov is visiting my country and playing in an Open tournament.
In the first round he got paired against a guy called Svidler 😂
lichess.org/broadcast/xx...
@polborta.bsky.social
In the first round he got paired against a guy called Svidler 😂
lichess.org/broadcast/xx...
@polborta.bsky.social
Monday Puzzle
I took a few photos of my new neighbourhood during the weekend. More on my instagram!
Sharing a position by Fatyh Aitov (1970), where knowing some patterns will definitely help!
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
I took a few photos of my new neighbourhood during the weekend. More on my instagram!
Sharing a position by Fatyh Aitov (1970), where knowing some patterns will definitely help!
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
November 3, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Monday Puzzle
I took a few photos of my new neighbourhood during the weekend. More on my instagram!
Sharing a position by Fatyh Aitov (1970), where knowing some patterns will definitely help!
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
I took a few photos of my new neighbourhood during the weekend. More on my instagram!
Sharing a position by Fatyh Aitov (1970), where knowing some patterns will definitely help!
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
Friday Puzzle
I returned to the board this week, not playing very well. Won one and lost one.
Sharing a rather clever mate in 2 by Johannes Zukertort! (1869). Don't be fooled, this man knew how to play chess!
#chesspunks
I returned to the board this week, not playing very well. Won one and lost one.
Sharing a rather clever mate in 2 by Johannes Zukertort! (1869). Don't be fooled, this man knew how to play chess!
#chesspunks
October 31, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Friday Puzzle
I returned to the board this week, not playing very well. Won one and lost one.
Sharing a rather clever mate in 2 by Johannes Zukertort! (1869). Don't be fooled, this man knew how to play chess!
#chesspunks
I returned to the board this week, not playing very well. Won one and lost one.
Sharing a rather clever mate in 2 by Johannes Zukertort! (1869). Don't be fooled, this man knew how to play chess!
#chesspunks
Got a bit lucky with a tactic 😊
October 27, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Got a bit lucky with a tactic 😊
Monday Puzzle
I have a week off, and hope to return to the board and play some league matches for my club. Let's see how rusty I am!
Here is a mate in 2 by H R Burkill (1897), with a nice key move. White to play
#chesspunks
I have a week off, and hope to return to the board and play some league matches for my club. Let's see how rusty I am!
Here is a mate in 2 by H R Burkill (1897), with a nice key move. White to play
#chesspunks
October 27, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Monday Puzzle
I have a week off, and hope to return to the board and play some league matches for my club. Let's see how rusty I am!
Here is a mate in 2 by H R Burkill (1897), with a nice key move. White to play
#chesspunks
I have a week off, and hope to return to the board and play some league matches for my club. Let's see how rusty I am!
Here is a mate in 2 by H R Burkill (1897), with a nice key move. White to play
#chesspunks
Friday puzzle
I'm taking a week off so I'm racing to finish all my work today
Below is a position by Renato di Vincenzi (1998), with a fairly expected but satisfying first move
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
I'm taking a week off so I'm racing to finish all my work today
Below is a position by Renato di Vincenzi (1998), with a fairly expected but satisfying first move
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
October 24, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Friday puzzle
I'm taking a week off so I'm racing to finish all my work today
Below is a position by Renato di Vincenzi (1998), with a fairly expected but satisfying first move
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
I'm taking a week off so I'm racing to finish all my work today
Below is a position by Renato di Vincenzi (1998), with a fairly expected but satisfying first move
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks