While skimming through my newly acquired tactics book this puzzle was presented and explained. I had never heard of a windmill before but once it was explained I was blown away, I had heard of all the common tactics such as pinning and skewering etc, but never of 'windmills' and 'x-rays'. Well anyway this puzzle is from Torre-Em. Emanuel Lasker in Moscow 1925 and it is white to move.

It's hard to believe someone like Lasker could get caught in such a pickle, but anything is possible.

I suppose the 'back and forth' could also be interpreted as starting with one sort of check then spinning or wheeling to the next and on and on. Either word works I suppose depending on how you visualize it, but anywho it's a thriller of a tactic. I can't wait to apply it in a real game.

Sorry, but I dont see a see-saw either which is strictly an up and down motion.
I do remember an article by Soltis---Chess to enjoy. He was explaining how emotion caused many famous blunders. Like the windmill Lasker experienced.
During the game he had been handed a wire telling him the play, that he and his brother had written, was going to be produced. His excitement was so great he fell into this windmill trap.

Funyunwolf, your chances of applying this tactic in a real game are about a million to one. A smothered mate, which is much more common, most players never get to apply either. How about a discussion of some rare tactics most players never see.

Another idea to kick around---I played in one or two tournaments a year, local chess club---once a week. At work occasionally on lunch and coffee breaks. Since the internet I play 3 or 4 games everyday of year! I'll bet thats pretty much the average for most chess players who are family men. Every year I play more chessgames online than I did in my whole life before the internet. The internet is a god-send!

Maybe those rare tactics we were just discussing will come around once in a while!

We were talking about emotions causing blunders---how about this:

Capablanca is playing Samisch Carlsbad 1929. Capa's mistress is sitting in the front row enjoying the game. Out of nowhere Capa's wife (unexpectedly) enters the playing hall and is escorted down to a seat in front---fairly close to Capa's mistress.

Capa's face went pale and sweat began to form on his brow. Lo and behold, he hung a piece to Samisch. The only time the guy ever beat Capablanca.

See what emotion can do to you boys and girls!!

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1008361
That game is simply amazing. Fischer does a seesaw/windmill.

Wow that Fischer game was incredible, but I wouldn't expect anything less of the great Bobby Fischer!

I've had a few smothered mates before. It is nice when that pattern appears on the board.