Futility Closet

“The Corpse Groom”: Solution

Posted in Puzzles by Greg Ross on September 28th, 2009

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.


The Corpse Groom

Posted in Puzzles by Greg Ross on September 27th, 2009

A man once married his widow’s sister.

How is this possible?

(Answer)


“Dispatch”: Solution

Posted in Puzzles by Greg Ross on September 25th, 2009

Solution to Dispatch:

White can mate in one move — bxa8=Q#:

http://books.google.com/books?id=nyECAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&rview=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false


Dispatch

Posted in Puzzles by Greg Ross on September 24th, 2009

http://books.google.com/books?id=nyECAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&rview=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

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

(Answer)


“Find the Theme, Part 1″: Solution

Posted in Puzzles by Greg Ross on September 5th, 2009

Solution to Find the Theme, Part 1:

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


Find the Theme, Part 1

Posted in Puzzles by Greg Ross on September 4th, 2009

What do these words have in common?

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

(Answer)


“Nepotism Rewarded”: Solution

Posted in Puzzles by Greg Ross on August 27th, 2009

Solution to Nepotism Rewarded:

Just say yes — you’re better off:

nepotism rewarded illustration


Nepotism Rewarded

Posted in Puzzles by Greg Ross on August 26th, 2009

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)


“Spared”: Solution

Posted in Puzzles by Greg Ross on August 19th, 2009

Solution to Spared:

spared solution

1. Rc6+ permits 1. … Rxh7.


Spared

Posted in Puzzles by Greg Ross on August 18th, 2009

spared

By Karl Fabel. White to move and not checkmate.

(Solution)