ROME 25/10 – Day 39: Look homeward

Posted on 5 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Here in Rome, the sunrise was at 6:45.

The sunset will be at 17:02.

But not for me.

The Ave Maria Bell ought to ring at 18:30 for the Curia.

At The Parish it ought to ring at about 17:28… or so.

I was up a bit late, cleaning and straightening.

White to move and mate in 2.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Last Ivy Report.

Last glimpse at church.

Last meal.   Risotto crema di scampi.

Walking home last night.

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UPDATE

All locked up.

Wait in line for the worst lounge ever? I think not

I like to see these.

It won’t be like this much longer.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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8 Comments

  1. waalaw says:
    5 November 2025 at 10:48 AM

    A short puzzle but a long answer: [For sure!]
    1. Q-e8
    If . . . . . . R×e8
    2. R×e8#
    If. . . . . . R-a4+
    2. Q×a4#
    If . . . . . . b7-b6 or -b5
    2. Q×b8#
    If . . . . . . R-c8 or R-d8
    2. Q×c8# or Q×d8#

  2. revueltos67 says:
    5 November 2025 at 12:48 PM

    Several variations on this one. Hope the following is clear.

    1) Qe8 RxQe8
    2) RxRe8 mate

    1) Qe8 any other move by the b8 Rook
    2) QxR mate

    1) Qe8 Ra4+
    2) QxRa4 mate

    1) Qe8 any other move by the a7 Rook or the pawn
    2) QxRb8 mate

  3. hwriggles4 says:
    5 November 2025 at 3:16 PM

    Fr. Z:

    Sounds like you had an excellent sojourn and you really don’t want to leave. I have had a few vacations like that where I felt sad coming home.

    I guess that’s human nature.

  4. Diane says:
    5 November 2025 at 10:39 PM

    Safe Traveling back home, Father. Prayers for you.

  5. Gregg the Obscure says:
    5 November 2025 at 10:59 PM

    @hwriggles4 one in particular comes to mind. NYC in the week after Christmas 2009. given what’s going on there these days, you couldn’t pay me enough to spend five minutes there. sic transit gloria mundi.

  6. DCLex says:
    6 November 2025 at 11:28 AM

    1. Qe8 RxQ
    2. RxR#
    If 1. … Ra4+
    2. Qxa4#
    If 1. … b7
    2. QxR#

  7. Fr. John Zuhlsdorf says:
    6 November 2025 at 12:47 PM

    I need to find harder puzzles!

  8. Cranky Old Man says:
    6 November 2025 at 2:22 PM

    The Roman philosopher Seneca said, “Magis quis quam quo veneris interest.” [When you travel] it matters more what manner of person you are than where you go.

    I used to believe that universally. Now I believe it with an absolute carveout for the Eternal City, which cannot help but move any manner of mortal.

    Te Romam, urbem quam vere nominamus aeternam, inter totius orbis urbes praeeminentem, humiliter salutamus.

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