Puzzle 2

Hello everyone! After a few days in bed with a nasty cold, I'm back!

Heeeeere's another one

Mate in 1 move, you're playing the white pieces

This one was simple, right? I'll be posting tougher puzzles soon.

Stay tuned!

Chess

Ok, time for the first post. The last one was more of a #0 post, really.

Today I feel like talking about one of my biggest passions: chess. It's not a very popular game, at least not as much as I believe it should be. It's beautiful, it's pure logic, envolves no luck whatsoever, it's all there to be seen on the board (you just have to see it!). Unlike, for example, poker, which I also love but honestly doesn't make the top tier in my view precisely because of how huge a role the luck factor plays. That said, I really don't understand why chess isn't more popular. Being a game of pure logic, chess is tipically viewed as a game for nerds - and it probably is (nerds are awesome) - but, suprisingly, it isn't even reasonably popular among nerds!  At least not in most countries, notable exceptions being Eastern Europe, Russia, India and the Phillipines. 

Why is this? I've heard people say it is boring to play chess. I don't get it, you're sitting down, not supposed to speak, and pay attention. OK, sounds bad. But you have to do those same things when you play video games or watch a movie - and those aren't considered boring. (I'd like to point out that I'm an avid gamer and also love watching a good movie). Or is it having to wait while your opponent thinks about which move to make? Maybe it is, maybe people just don't like to wait. Other than that, why chess isn't played more often and by more people beats me. The game is even more beautiful because of how simple the rules are and yet how huge the variety of play can be! 

You can read wikipedia's article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_of_chess, sections 1, 2 and 3. After you've done try solving the problem below.

You are playing the white pieces. Look at the position of black's pieces and yours, try to see who controls which squares. As things stand, you pose an immediate threat. Can you see the way to checkmate black's king in one move? Good luck :)