chess online

A real nice puzzle. But I have a question, what would you say is a "worthy" puzzle?

I respect you very much. But here's another question: would you say that a puzzle like this is a "worth while" puzzle? puzzle #72128

yes, I'd like to read what he has to say. But i think that the puzzles are OK... not the best composition I can do... but still, an OK puzzle. My goal, as you probably already know, is to be the top puzzler! after that, i will most likely post real game puzzles (like you) or composed puzzles. (like 9422m)

"Don't try to Run before you can Walk."

Many I know who have got on to composing and cannot solve an ordinary 3-mover. They know nothing about the business and merely make themselves a nuisance.
You want to see your name in print as a composer? Resist the desire.
Do not be in too great a hurry, and remember that the anticipation is often better than the realisation. If you must burst into print, get some expert to see that your maiden effort is at least sound.
Do not get so fond of composing your own trivial stuff that you neglect solving and admiring other composers' problems. This is very egoistical. Nearly all good composers solve in one or more columns, partly to keep their eyes in and partly to help the column with their criticisms, etc.
You say, "All this is very well, but exactly how do I set about composing a problem?"
Wait a minute. Before I answer that question I must make a few more statements which may seem at first sight discouraging.
If you keep to 2-ers you need not think that your efforts are going to be in the slightest degree original for the first year or two - if ever. So many 2-movers have been composed, and the number of ideas is limited.
This need not deter you, however, since the actual composing will give you pleasure and the result will (or should) give pleasure to your solvers. All the same, do not be hurt if some critic says, "This problem is as old as the hills!"
Now getting on to our main subject of actual composition:
1. a simple block problem.
2. a simple threat problem.
3. simple use of white pieces. [all with some short guidelines]
Now what?
Having made these problems what do I do with them? Paste them away safely in the family scrap-book or anywhere else where they are secure from human eye.
Yes, I know they're the most wonderful problems that the world has ever seen (or rather would like to see) - I have felt like this myself and lived to regret that I did not do what I am now advising you to do.
Hide them. I say, and study some ordinary 2-movers, noting carefully how the problem is set up, what the idea is, use of the pieces, avoidance of cooks. Then a little later on, try again with some slightly more definite idea such as black knight giving two self-blocks, white battery of some kind, unpin of some white piece, etc.
Try to get decent keymoves, avoiding those which
(1) Give check.
(2) Capture (pawn captures sometimes if no other key available.)
(3) Take flight sqs. from the black king.
(4) Stop threatened chs. on white king.
(5) Bring into play white pieces which are right away somewhere admiring the sunset.