Futility Closet

Solution to The Corpse Groom:

The man married one woman, who died. He married her sister and then himself died, making a widow of the second wife. Thus he once married his widow’s sister.

A man once married his widow’s sister.

How is this possible?

(Answer)

Solution to Dispatch:

White can mate in one move — bxa8=Q#:

By Sam Loyd. In how few moves can White mate?

(Answer)

Solution to Find the Theme, Part 1:

Each word can be broken into a pair of given names (BEA NED, etc.).

What do these words have in common?

• BEANED
• DOTTED
• GRANTED
• HERBAL
• HOMERED
• JACKAL
• LEEWARD
• ROYAL
• PATRON
• VICTIM
• VICTORIAN

(Answer)

Solution to Nepotism Rewarded:

Just say yes — you’re better off:

It’s your first day at XYZ Industries, and your new boss calls you into his office. There you meet another trainee, J. Wellington Smithersby-Farquhar VII, the owner’s son, who is already helping himself to the brandy.

“Gentlemen,” says the boss, “we have a bit of a difficulty. You’ll both be starting at $100,000 per year, as promised. But I must offer you different increases. One of you will get a $15,000 raise each year, and the other a $5,000 raise every half-year.”

“That’s no problem, sir,” says Wellington, lighting a cigar. “I’m sure Jenkins will be quite happy with the smaller sum.”

The boss coughs uncomfortably. “Jenkins,” he says, “is that acceptable?”

How should you respond?

(Answer)

Solution to Spared:

1. Rc6+ permits 1. … Rxh7.

By Karl Fabel. White to move and not checkmate.

(Solution)