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
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
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
My win against Bodhana last year might already be the best result in my career!
October 19, 2025 at 10:07 PM
My win against Bodhana last year might already be the best result in my career!
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
Friday Puzzle
I didn't play this week due to a small logistical issue, but in any case I have been quite busy at work so it was probably for the best.
Sharing the below position by Goran Forslund (1996), with some nice patterns.
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
I didn't play this week due to a small logistical issue, but in any case I have been quite busy at work so it was probably for the best.
Sharing the below position by Goran Forslund (1996), with some nice patterns.
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
October 3, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Friday Puzzle
I didn't play this week due to a small logistical issue, but in any case I have been quite busy at work so it was probably for the best.
Sharing the below position by Goran Forslund (1996), with some nice patterns.
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
I didn't play this week due to a small logistical issue, but in any case I have been quite busy at work so it was probably for the best.
Sharing the below position by Goran Forslund (1996), with some nice patterns.
White to play and mate in 2
#chesspunks
Monday Puzzle
Now that the League Season started again (see my last post), I can resume with these. Sharing a mate in 2 by Hermann Pollak (1897)
It took me a little while to understand the position, but then the first move I looked at just worked!
#chesspunks
Now that the League Season started again (see my last post), I can resume with these. Sharing a mate in 2 by Hermann Pollak (1897)
It took me a little while to understand the position, but then the first move I looked at just worked!
#chesspunks
September 29, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Monday Puzzle
Now that the League Season started again (see my last post), I can resume with these. Sharing a mate in 2 by Hermann Pollak (1897)
It took me a little while to understand the position, but then the first move I looked at just worked!
#chesspunks
Now that the League Season started again (see my last post), I can resume with these. Sharing a mate in 2 by Hermann Pollak (1897)
It took me a little while to understand the position, but then the first move I looked at just worked!
#chesspunks
I played the first game of the season for my club last night.
I was nervous and had already lost to my opponent in the past, but I got a decent position with better development and a sudden chance to strike appeared, how did I win as White?
#chesspunks
My team won 5.5-0.5!
I was nervous and had already lost to my opponent in the past, but I got a decent position with better development and a sudden chance to strike appeared, how did I win as White?
#chesspunks
My team won 5.5-0.5!
September 26, 2025 at 11:57 AM
I played the first game of the season for my club last night.
I was nervous and had already lost to my opponent in the past, but I got a decent position with better development and a sudden chance to strike appeared, how did I win as White?
#chesspunks
My team won 5.5-0.5!
I was nervous and had already lost to my opponent in the past, but I got a decent position with better development and a sudden chance to strike appeared, how did I win as White?
#chesspunks
My team won 5.5-0.5!
Reposted by Gaston Franco
We have 20 more League games today plus a few extra rated ones!
Hammersmith faces Hendon in 2 Middlesex League matches, and we have a Juniors vs Adults internal match!
First team will be live here lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
Hammersmith faces Hendon in 2 Middlesex League matches, and we have a Juniors vs Adults internal match!
First team will be live here lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
September 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM
We have 20 more League games today plus a few extra rated ones!
Hammersmith faces Hendon in 2 Middlesex League matches, and we have a Juniors vs Adults internal match!
First team will be live here lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
Hammersmith faces Hendon in 2 Middlesex League matches, and we have a Juniors vs Adults internal match!
First team will be live here lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
Reposted by Gaston Franco
Our first matches of the season are about to start! We have 30 players ready plus a few extra games on the side.
Follow our Hammer 1 v 2 match on Lichess!
lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
Follow our Hammer 1 v 2 match on Lichess!
lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
September 18, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Our first matches of the season are about to start! We have 30 players ready plus a few extra games on the side.
Follow our Hammer 1 v 2 match on Lichess!
lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
Follow our Hammer 1 v 2 match on Lichess!
lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
Reposted by Gaston Franco
HammerSharks hanging out with the Candidates! 👌
Throwback to when my team won a prize at the 2024 Global Chess League, which we received from Kateryna Lagno!
September 15, 2025 at 11:04 AM
HammerSharks hanging out with the Candidates! 👌
Throwback to when my team won a prize at the 2024 Global Chess League, which we received from Kateryna Lagno!
September 15, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Throwback to when my team won a prize at the 2024 Global Chess League, which we received from Kateryna Lagno!
Friday Puzzle
A famous classic today, no hints or introduction needed
White to play and mate in 2, by Sam Loyd (1877)
#chesspunks
A famous classic today, no hints or introduction needed
White to play and mate in 2, by Sam Loyd (1877)
#chesspunks
September 12, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Friday Puzzle
A famous classic today, no hints or introduction needed
White to play and mate in 2, by Sam Loyd (1877)
#chesspunks
A famous classic today, no hints or introduction needed
White to play and mate in 2, by Sam Loyd (1877)
#chesspunks
Monday Puzzle
I'll share a mate in 3 this time. Not too difficult since Black has very few moves available!
White to play and mate in 3, by Rudolf Goette
#chesspunks
I'll share a mate in 3 this time. Not too difficult since Black has very few moves available!
White to play and mate in 3, by Rudolf Goette
#chesspunks
September 8, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Monday Puzzle
I'll share a mate in 3 this time. Not too difficult since Black has very few moves available!
White to play and mate in 3, by Rudolf Goette
#chesspunks
I'll share a mate in 3 this time. Not too difficult since Black has very few moves available!
White to play and mate in 3, by Rudolf Goette
#chesspunks
Reposted by Gaston Franco
A full review of our Awards Night is out, now including the video analysis of the Game of the Season by @danielkingchess.bsky.social
hammerchess.co.uk/game-of-the-...
Many other players received prizes for their achievements: full list on the front page of our website!
hammerchess.co.uk/game-of-the-...
Many other players received prizes for their achievements: full list on the front page of our website!
September 7, 2025 at 8:32 AM
A full review of our Awards Night is out, now including the video analysis of the Game of the Season by @danielkingchess.bsky.social
hammerchess.co.uk/game-of-the-...
Many other players received prizes for their achievements: full list on the front page of our website!
hammerchess.co.uk/game-of-the-...
Many other players received prizes for their achievements: full list on the front page of our website!