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
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
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.
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
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
Monday Puzzle
Not particularly enjoying the weather lately, but the food has been good!
Sharing a mate in 2 by Meindert Niemeijer (1963). Black's King is surrounded but how to finish off?
#chesspunks
Not particularly enjoying the weather lately, but the food has been good!
Sharing a mate in 2 by Meindert Niemeijer (1963). Black's King is surrounded but how to finish off?
#chesspunks
October 20, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Monday Puzzle
Not particularly enjoying the weather lately, but the food has been good!
Sharing a mate in 2 by Meindert Niemeijer (1963). Black's King is surrounded but how to finish off?
#chesspunks
Not particularly enjoying the weather lately, but the food has been good!
Sharing a mate in 2 by Meindert Niemeijer (1963). Black's King is surrounded but how to finish off?
#chesspunks
Friday Puzzle
No games for me this week, lots to do at work and a visit from my manager seemed to have been productive.
Sharing a mate in 2 by D. Lamouroux (1890), which should not be so challenging!
#chesspunks
No games for me this week, lots to do at work and a visit from my manager seemed to have been productive.
Sharing a mate in 2 by D. Lamouroux (1890), which should not be so challenging!
#chesspunks
October 17, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Friday Puzzle
No games for me this week, lots to do at work and a visit from my manager seemed to have been productive.
Sharing a mate in 2 by D. Lamouroux (1890), which should not be so challenging!
#chesspunks
No games for me this week, lots to do at work and a visit from my manager seemed to have been productive.
Sharing a mate in 2 by D. Lamouroux (1890), which should not be so challenging!
#chesspunks
Game analysis lecture last night by yours truly
October 14, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Game analysis lecture last night by yours truly
Monday puzzle
Busy day but taking a short break to post this! Plus later tonight I will analyse some internal games played by my clubmates at @hammerchess.bsky.social
Below is a tricky mate in 2 by Rudolf Zangger (1902), can you solve it?
#chesspunks
Busy day but taking a short break to post this! Plus later tonight I will analyse some internal games played by my clubmates at @hammerchess.bsky.social
Below is a tricky mate in 2 by Rudolf Zangger (1902), can you solve it?
#chesspunks
October 13, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Monday puzzle
Busy day but taking a short break to post this! Plus later tonight I will analyse some internal games played by my clubmates at @hammerchess.bsky.social
Below is a tricky mate in 2 by Rudolf Zangger (1902), can you solve it?
#chesspunks
Busy day but taking a short break to post this! Plus later tonight I will analyse some internal games played by my clubmates at @hammerchess.bsky.social
Below is a tricky mate in 2 by Rudolf Zangger (1902), can you solve it?
#chesspunks
Friday Puzzle
Very late at posting this, but I realised I never shared the news of my article being published on the ECF newsletter ChessMoves (back in June!). They were so kind to send me a printed copy as well
Here's today's mate in 2, by Johann Berger (1886)
#chesspunks
Very late at posting this, but I realised I never shared the news of my article being published on the ECF newsletter ChessMoves (back in June!). They were so kind to send me a printed copy as well
Here's today's mate in 2, by Johann Berger (1886)
#chesspunks
October 10, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Friday Puzzle
Very late at posting this, but I realised I never shared the news of my article being published on the ECF newsletter ChessMoves (back in June!). They were so kind to send me a printed copy as well
Here's today's mate in 2, by Johann Berger (1886)
#chesspunks
Very late at posting this, but I realised I never shared the news of my article being published on the ECF newsletter ChessMoves (back in June!). They were so kind to send me a printed copy as well
Here's today's mate in 2, by Johann Berger (1886)
#chesspunks
Monday puzzle
Quite a lot of work to do this week, and probably next too. Unlikely I will play any matches but we'll see how things go
Can you solve the below mate in 2? Not too hard once you see what needs to happen. By Emilio Battaglia (1996)
#chesspunks
Quite a lot of work to do this week, and probably next too. Unlikely I will play any matches but we'll see how things go
Can you solve the below mate in 2? Not too hard once you see what needs to happen. By Emilio Battaglia (1996)
#chesspunks
October 6, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Monday puzzle
Quite a lot of work to do this week, and probably next too. Unlikely I will play any matches but we'll see how things go
Can you solve the below mate in 2? Not too hard once you see what needs to happen. By Emilio Battaglia (1996)
#chesspunks
Quite a lot of work to do this week, and probably next too. Unlikely I will play any matches but we'll see how things go
Can you solve the below mate in 2? Not too hard once you see what needs to happen. By Emilio Battaglia (1996)
#chesspunks