Die Schwalbe

38 problem(s) found in 5067 milliseconds (displaying 38 problem(s)). [COMMENTDATE>=20200919 AND NOT K='Hilfsrückzüger' AND G='Retro' AND G='3#'] [download as LaTeX]

1 - P0000195
Frank Christiaans
7167 Die Schwalbe 126 12/1990
P0000195
(13+10)
#3
b) wSe4 nach g8
a) 1. 0-0? droht 2. Tf8+ Kd7 3. Lxe6#
1. ... Lxc5! 2. Sxc5 0-0-0!
1. Thf1! 0-0-0 2. Lxe6+ Td7 3. Tf8#
b) 1. Thf1? Lxc5 2. Sxc5 0-0-0!
1. 0-0! Lxc5 2. Sxc5 ... (0-0-0?) 3. Tf8#
play all play one stop play next play all
a) zuletzt h6-h5 und beide Rochaden sind noch möglich. Schläge von Weiß: Bbxc, Bcxd, Bhxg, Bfxg-g8=L.
b) gegenseitiger Ausschluss der beiden Rochaden. 3 Fälle sind zu betrachten:
b1) zuletzt f7xDe6; Weiß muss 4x geschlagen haben: Bfxexdxc8=L, d.h. s0-0-0 ist unzulässig.
b2) zuletzt d7xDe6; zu den 4 Schlägen von a) wird auch der sBf gebraucht, der sich auf f1 umwandeln muss, also w0-0 unzulässig.
b3) zuletzt h6-h5: wBf zieht über f7 zum UW-Feld g8, g.h. s0-0-0 unzulässig.
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 after analysis (2020-10-30)
A.Buchanan: A very harmonious problem. Suppose that both sides retain castling rights. wLh3 is obtrusive, so wBf/h promoted via g7, and escaped via e6 so sBe6 came from d7 later. Wh has made at least 4 pcs, while Bl has made 2 (D & Lc) dxe6, gxh6. If last move was dxe6, then sD & sLc were captured by officers in cage. Thus sBf was captured by wB, and therefore promoted on f1, disrupting wK. Therefore the last move was h6-h5. In (a) there is no problem retaining both castling rights, but in (b) Sg8 must have reached that square via f6 *after* the promotion, disrupting bK. However in (b) the castling rights are incompatible. In (a) 1. 0-0? Lxc5! 1. Tf1!, while in (b) the reverse.
Neither twin is a PRA problem: in (a) there is no conflict between the castling, while in (b) RS applies: the pre-emptive Wh castling means we are in a reality where Bl cannot castle. (2020-10-31)
comment
Keywords: Castling key (wksg), Obvious promotion (L), Retro Strategy (RS)
Genre: Retro, 3#
FEN: r3k3/ppp1p2p/Nb2p3/P1PP2Pp/4N3/7B/3PPRP1/4K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2022-01-07 more...
2 - P0000763
Lothar Finzer
1159 Die Schwalbe 24 12/1973
P0000763
(12+12) C+
#3
Schwarz hat keinen letzten Zug, daher beginnt er (und setzt in 3 Zügen matt):
1. ... T3d2+ 2. Lexd2 Txd2+ 3. Lxd2 Ta1#,Db3#; 3. Lb2 Txb2#,Db3#; 3. Kb1 Txc1#
Verführung: 1. Ta5+? Kxb4 2. Sc6+ Kc4 3. Tc5#
play all play one stop play next play all
Die Umwandlung aller 16 Bauern in schwarzfeldrige Läufer bzw. in Türme erforderte alle 8 Schlagfälle, und zwar so, daß alle Umwandlungsfiguren auf schwarzen Feldern entstanden. Deshalb kann zuletzt auch keine schwarze UW erfolgt sein.
Joaquim Crusats: Can anyone explain the intention? (2013-01-06)
Henrik Juel: The eight white pawns captured the four missing black officers and promoted on b8, d8, f8, and h8; the eight black pawns captured the four missing white officers and promoted on a1, c1, e1, and g1.
If White had the move, 1.Ta5+? Kxb4 2.Sc6+ Kc4 3.Tc5 would mate in three.
But Black has no last move, so he has the move and mates in three by 1... T3d2+ 2.Lexd2 Txd2+ 3.Kb1 Txc1# (2013-01-06)
A.Buchanan: This is one of a number of problems which had been given both "No legal last move for..." & "Whose move?" keywords. These should correspond respectively to two situations: (1) Codex Article 15 where we add or remove a single move from the beginning of the solutions, but the mating party remains the same. (2) A kind of one-sided duplex, where who moved last implies who delivers the mate (or other final move).
So at most one of the two keyword forms can ever logically apply to a problem. Therefore I have removed the incorrect "No legal last move for Black" keyword.
We might replace "Whose move?" by "Halfduplex", which is related to the Popeye option. What do you think? (2023-11-28)
A.Buchanan: This is a nice problem. There are some final move duals for the actual solution, but all missing units are needed to justify promotions (2023-11-28)
Henrik Juel: Halfduplex is a bit too technical for my taste, although it describes the goings on well (2023-11-28)
A.Buchanan: Thanks Henrik - I'll leave the term "Whose move?" as it is then. (2023-11-28)
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Keywords: Non-standard material (LLLLLLLLtttttttt), Whose move?, Aristocrat
Genre: Retro, 3#
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 (subject to final move duals) with simple retro logic
FEN: 8/N7/8/2R1B1B1/kB1BrBrB/2qrrrrr/K7/2BrBrBr
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-11-28 more...
3 - P0000775
Ferad Kakabadze
1422 Die Schwalbe 30 12/1974
P0000775
(11+5) C+
#3
Welches waren die letzten 2 Einzelzüge?
1. e8=D! f5 2. exf6ep e5 3. Dxe5#
R: 1. b2-b1=L 0-0
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: The forward play is C+ Popeye 4.61
1.e8=D thr. 2.Dc8 thr. 3.Dc3#
1... f5 2.exf6ep e5 3.Dxe5#
(1... f6 does not prevent the threat, so 2.exf6 is not considered dualistic) (2020-09-26)
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comment
Keywords: Last Moves?, Valladao Task, En passant, Promotion, Castling in the retro play, Obvious promotion
Genre: Retro, 3#
FEN: 8/3pPp2/3Pp3/4P3/1N3P2/B7/P1P2P2/kb3RK1
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: James Malcom, 2020-09-27 more...
4 - P0000793
Nikita M. Plaksin
Andrey Lobusov

1558 Die Schwalbe 33 06/1975
4. Preis
P0000793
(13+5) C+
#3 (AP)
1. cxd6ep+! Kxg3 2. 0-0! (proving ep ok)
2. ... Kg4 3. g8=D,T#
2. ... a1=D,L 3. Dg5#

R: 1. d7-d5 Tc6xh6 (unless R: Kg1-g2 Th~*h1)
play all play one stop play next play all
VL: A posteriori (AP)!
2.g8Q(R)+/Rg1+? Kf4 3.Qg5#??
Retro: d7-d5, Rc6xh6+ (unless Kg1-g2, Rh~-h1+).
One of the best AP-type problems. (2015-08-20)
James Malcom: The first Valladao AP? (2020-10-03)
A.Buchanan: Hi James, there are 6 earlier ones in PDB, not counting those which are not marked as Valladao (could quite a few, as basic AP is 2/3 of Valladao). Type k='a p' and not g='fairies' and k='valladao', and set sort order by date. The ur-problem is P0003417. (2020-10-03)
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Keywords: Castling (wk), a posteriori (AP) (Type Petrovic), En passant as key, Promotion (ws), Valladao Task (w w w/s)
Genre: Retro, 3#
Computer test: Popeye v4.85 + minor retro/AP thought
FEN: B7/p5PP/p6R/Q1Pp4/8/PP1P2P1/p3P1k1/4K2R
Reprints: (B) Die Schwalbe 48 12/1976
feenschach 40 11-12/1977
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-03-11 more...
5 - P0001228
Wolfgang Hundsdorfer
Deutsches Wochenschach 1909
1. Preis
En-passant-Turnier 1910
P0001228
(13+12)
#3
1. bxc6ep

R: 1. c7-c5 g5-g6 2. Tc6-c2 g4-g5 3. Tg6-c6 g3-g4 4. Tg8-g6 g2-g3 5. Ld4-a7 h4-h5 6. Lg7-d4 h3-h4 7. Lf8-g7 h2-h3 8. g7xLh6,g7xSh6
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: minor dual in forward play
1.bxc6ep+ Db5 2.DLxb5+ Tc4 3.LDxc4#
1... b5,bxa6 2.Kxb4+ Tc3 3.Txc3# (2022-07-01)
Henrik Juel: Last move must be c7-c5, enabling Tc2 to reach g8 in just three retractions (2022-07-01)
comment
Keywords: En passant as key
Genre: Retro, 3#
FEN: 8/bp2p2p/B5Pp/RPp2q1P/Qp2P3/RK1kPP2/P1rppP2/8
Reprints: 139 Favorit-Schachaufgaben , p. 35, nach 1910
75 Retrograde Analysis 1915
101 Europe Echecs 53 05/1963
10 Die Schwalbe 276 12/2015
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-07-01 more...
6 - P0002026
Thomas R. Dawson
Westen und Daheim 02/05/1915
P0002026
(7+2) C+
#3
1. Lf7! droht 2. Txc3 Kxh7 3. Th3#
1. ... c2 2. Txc2 Kxh7 3. Th2#
1. ... Kxh7 2. Tc5 Kh6,~ 3. Th5#

weisser Anzug ist legal, zuletzt z.B.:
R: 1. Kg7-h8 Be7-e8=S+
play all play one stop play next play all
Gerd Wilts (2001-10-17): The retro play given in the solution serves only to justify that it may indeed be White's turn. The forward play indeed starts with 1. Bf7. The idea of TRD was to compose a problem which is legal but in which one of the knights must be a promoted pawn. TRD called this an "obtrusive Knight".
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Keywords: Promotion (S)
Genre: Retro, 3#
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61
FEN: 4N1Bk/2R4P/8/8/1P1P4/1Kp5/8/8
Reprints: 17B Retrograde Analysis 1915
476 Hamburger Problem-Nachrichten 09-10/1949
E1 Problem 5-6 12/1951
RA69 diagrammes 28 07-08/1977
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2020-11-01 more...
7 - P0003816
Jean Oudot
Nation Belge 1956
P0003816
(6+2) C+
#3
1. ... h6 2. La4 Kxa2 3. Tf3 Ka1 4. Ta3#
retro try: 1. Lg8?? h6 2. Tf7 Kxa2 3. Ta7#
play all play one stop play next play all
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comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Minimal
Genre: Retro, 3#
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61
FEN: 8/7p/8/7P/8/1B6/P1P2R2/k1K5
Reprints: RA14 diagrammes 15 06/1975
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-11-27 more...
8 - P0003833
Gaston Balbo
L'Echiquier de Turenne 1958
P0003833
(10+5) C+
#3
1. d3 ... 2. Tc2 ... 3. Tc8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: Black just moved K or T, so he cannot defend with 1... 0-0
White moved his king to allow Te2 to enter, so he cannot mate with 1.0-0 thr. 2.Tc1 thr. 3.Tc8# (2022-05-10)
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Keywords: Castling (wksk), Cant Castler (wksk), Homebase
Genre: Retro, 3#
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
FEN: 4k2r/N3p1pp/4P3/8/8/4P3/3PRP1P/B3K2R
Reprints: RA38 diagrammes 21 05-06/1976
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-05-11 more...
9 - P0003960
Arthur Ford Mackenzie
467 Jamaica Gleaner 1891
P0003960
(3+1) C+
#3
1. La7 Kxa7 2. c8=T Ka6 3. Ta8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Max J. Meyer in 'Brighton and Hove Society', 1904: "It will be seen that the ideas of these two problems [dieses und P1143870] are the same. The addition of the White B. enables Mr. Mackenzie to get a much better key for this position, a point in which Steinweg's problem does not excel; but, of course, the use of an extra piece renders the miniature less remarkable from the point of view of smallness in size."
Paulo Roque: .
Solution:
1) 1. La7 KxLa7 2. c8=T! Ka6 3. Ta8#

2) Proof da legality of the answer:
Retro: 0... Ka7-a8 -1. b7-b8=L etc (2009-09-06)
Sally: Der letzte weiße Zug von Weiß kann nur Ba7xb8L gewesen sein, demgemäß enthält die Aufgabe 2 Bauernumwandlungen
in verschiedenen Figuren: in der lösung in einem turm und retrospektiv in einen Läufer.
406 Mattaufgaben mit 3 und 4 Steinen (Teil 1) Speckmann 1976 (2016-08-30)
Henrik Juel: There is even a third promotion in the threat 2.c8=D+
C+ by Popeye 4.61 (2016-08-30)
A.Buchanan: Here the threat play (1) is sound & (2) can never occur as Black has no neutral move. But if threat play is *unsound* yet can never occur, can it be safely ignored or will some directmate purists regard that as a defect? (2022-04-02)
Henrik Juel: I think not, Andrew
When I test problems, I ignore plays that do not occur (2022-04-02)
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Keywords: under-promotion (T), Stalemate avoidance, Promotion in the retro play (L)
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye 4.61
FEN: kB6/2P5/2K5/8/8/8/8/8
Reprints: 64 Chess Lyrics , p. 100, 1905
1359 Wiener Hausfrauen-Zeitung 5, p. 77, 29/01/1905
5 Vliegend Blaadje 22/07/1911
Szachy 01/1958
The Problemist (20) 03/1969
406 Mattaufgaben mit drei und vier Steinen 1976
diagrammes 64 01-02/1984
(1) diagrammes 15 07-09/1994
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: Mario Richter, 2020-02-26 more...
10 - P0004269
Herbert Hultberg
7969 Tidskrift för Schack 03/1938
P0004269
(3+6) C+
#3
Längstzüger
1. exf6ep d5,g5 2. Db7 g5,d5 3. Dg7#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: The longest among the possible last moves is f7-f5, so 1.exf6ep d5 2.f7 g5 3.f8Q!?, but 3... Kh7!, so something is wrong. (2003-11-11)
HBae: Habe korrigiert. Es fehlte der wKa1 und die wDb2. (2019-10-11)
Henrik Juel: C+ by Popeye 4.61 (assuming that the condition was in effect also in last move)
Pd7 and Pg4 can be removed without affecting correctness or symmetry (2019-10-11)
Bernd Schwarzkopf: Pd7 and Pg4 are necessary. Without them last move could have been: 1.Pg6xXf5. (2021-02-06)
Mario Richter: Interestingly, the Editors of 'TfS' too thought that Pd7 and Pg4 can be omitted (s. 'TfS' 06/1938, p.124: "Går det inte lika bra utan bönderna på d7 och g4? (BL). Jo, det går visst lika bra. Men förf. har väl haft någon mening med dem också (Red.)."

I think, pawn d7 serves to prevent retractions like R: 1.Pg6xXf5, but pawn d4 is only there to complete the symmetry (i.e. Pd7 is necessary, Pg4 is not). (2021-02-06)
A.Buchanan: Doesn’t bPg4 stop 2.Dg2 as a dual? (2021-02-07)
comment
Keywords: Maximummer, En passant as key, Asymmetrical solution, Symmetrical position
Genre: Retro, 3#, Fairies
FEN: 7k/3p2p1/4p3/4Pp2/6p1/8/1Q6/K7
Reprints: (II) Problem 65-68 01/1960
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-06-03 more...
11 - P0004454
Immo Fuß
Die Schwalbe , p. 463, 03/1939
Allen Teilnehmern herzlich gewidmet
Internationaler Lösungswettkampf 1938
P0004454
(13+11)
#3
1. Tf1? 0-0! Thematic retro try
1. Dxd7+,Sf6+,exd7+,exf7+? Kf8!
1. Dxa8+? Sd8!
1. Sh7? Txh7!

1. 0-0! (droht 2. Txf7,Dxa8+) 0-0? illegal
1. ... Lxb2,Lxb4,b5,c6 2. Dxa8+ Sd8 3. Sxc7#
1. ... Kf8 2. Txf7+
1. ... Tg8 2. Dxd7+,Dxa8+
play all play one stop play next play all
Suppose both players can castle, and derive a contradiction.
White captures: a3xb4,fxe,g2xh3,Bc8 & QR in cage a8--d8.
Black captures: a7xb6,fxe/g,Bc1. bPg promoted. bPf promoted or was captured by wPfxe.
So all captures accounted for. Pieces captured by pawns were wRB & bQXX
b6 is dark, so light wBf1 was not captured there. By elimination, a7xRb6, which released bQ.
Was an original officer captured on b4 to release wR?
bQ not yet released
bRh never moved, bRa captured in cage
bB wrong shade, bBc8 captured in cage
bS couldn't escape g1, and two others on board.
So it must have been a promoted officer captured on b4 earlier.
What was captured on h3, to open the line for promotion on g1? Must be original as wPa & bPa have not yet captured. For the same reasons as axb4, we can eliminate all 4 possible officer types.
Contradiction! So at least one player cannot castle.

We apply the Retro Strategy (RS) convention, and White is permitted to castle, while the range of possible histories shrinks to exclude all cases where Black might have castled. This common special case of RS is also known as Mutual Exclusion.
Kees: Only one castling is legal With black castling there's no #3
1. 0-0!
1. ... Kf8 2.Txf7+ Kg8 3 Dxa8#
1. ... c6 2. Dxa8+ Pd8 3. Pc7#

(axNb3, and for f1=N or g1=N wK must move. so bD must pass bK)
Somebody can better explain than me. (2022-02-14)
A.Buchanan: Hi Kees thanks for the solution which grabs the essence - I have used more words, please point out any slips I might have made! :) (2022-02-15)
comment
Keywords: Retro Strategy (RS), Castling, mutual exclusive (wksk)
Genre: Retro, 3#
Computer test: Popeye v4.87 for forward play Non-trivial thinking for retro logic
FEN: n3k2r/1ppppn2/1p2P3/3N2Np/QP6/b6P/1PPPP2P/4K2R
Reprints: (14) Problem 144-147 12/1971
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-02-15 more...
12 - P0005637
Osmo Ilmari Kaila
Hannu Harkola

(D) Die Schwalbe 48 12/1977
P0005637
(6+1) cooked
#3
AP
WTM: ???
BTM: 1. ... Kxf3 2. 0-0+! Ke3 3. Td1 Kf3 4. Td3#
not 2. Kd2? Kg2 3. Sf4+ Kf2,Kf3 4. Tf1#
play all play one stop play next play all
Cook: 1.Tf1,Se2+,Sf2 all lead to mate in 3, and none require castling
A.Buchanan: I don't get the regular part of this. White can mate in 3 in various ways: 1.Tf1,Se2+,Sf2. Black just played R: 1.Kh2g2 Td~h1+, so White can't castle but doesn't need to. What's going on? (2022-02-15)
comment
Keywords: a posteriori (AP) (Type Keym), Castling, Rex solus, Miniature
Genre: Retro, 3#
FEN: 8/8/6R1/8/8/5PNN/6k1/4K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-06
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-07-30 more...
13 - P0006423
Andrey Frolkin
9128 Die Schwalbe 157, p. 283, 02/1996
Leonid Borodatow gewidmet
P0006423
(9+4)
#3 (AP)
White pushes the move (Keym AP)
1. ... f5! (f6?,fxe6?,fxg6? 2.0-0! ~ 3.Tf3#) 2. gxf6ep! exf6 3. 0-0! f5 4. Tf3#
(2. 0-0=?)
Valladao Task via the try: 1. exf7? e5! 1. ... e6? 2. f8=D e5 3. Da3#
Another try shows fully differentiated black Albino:
1. Kf1? fxg6!
1. ... f5? 2. Lxf5! h3 3. Txh3#
1. ... fxe6? 2. Lxe6! h3 3. Txh3#
1. ... f6? 2. Lf5! h3,fxg5 3. Txh3#,Th3#
And retro tries:
1. 0-0?? f5,~ 2. Tf3# (short solution)
1. f5? f6,~ 2. 0-0?? fxg5,~ 3. Tf3#
play all play one stop play next play all
Wenn Schwarz zuletzt gezogen hat, dann kann Weiß nicht mehr rochieren: R: 1. Kh2-g3 Tf1(g1)-h1+. Da aber Weiß in einem direkten Matt beginnt, ist die Rochade nicht mehr zulässig. Der Zusatz "AP" in der Forderung ist überflüssig: es könnte höchstens der Anzug a posteriori dem Schwarzen übertragen werden. Das geht aber nicht, da Weiß in einem direkten Matt beginnt.
Guus Rol: This is apparently AP after Keym. The move goes to black:
0. ... f5! 1.gxf6ep exf6 2.0-0(justifies the handover) f5 3.Tf3 (2007-02-13)
A.Buchanan: There are two kinds of directmate Type Keym. In one Black unsuccessfully pulls the move, in the other (as here) White successfully pushes it to Black. (2022-04-16)
A.Buchanan: I disagree with the German comment in the solution text. I think including "AP" is advisable in the stipulation. Keym AP riffs off Codex Article 15, but it's not the default. (2022-04-17)
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Keywords: a posteriori (AP) (Type Keym), Castling, En passant, Promotion (D), Valladao Task
Genre: Retro, 3#
FEN: 8/4pp2/4P1N1/6PP/5P1p/6kB/6P1/4K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1996-06-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-04-18 more...
14 - P0008499
Valery Liskovets
Valery Voynov

Shakhmaty v SSSR 02/1974
after Arthur Ford Mackenzie
Speziallob
P0008499
(4+1)
#3
Last 4 single moves?
1. La7 Kxa7 2. c8=T! Kxa6 3. Ta8#
R: 1. Ka7-a8 b7-b8=L+ 2. Ka8-a7 b6-b7+
play all play one stop play next play all
The theme: under-promotions both in the solution and the retro-play.
See P0003960
Henrik Juel: The forward part is C+ Popeye 4.61 (2022-06-01)
comment
Keywords: Last Moves? (4), Type B, Move Length Record, Rex solus, Miniature
Genre: Retro, 3#
FEN: kB6/2P5/N1K5/8/8/8/8/8
Reprints: B5b Length Records in Last Single Moves? , p. 7, 11/2009
B05b Phénix 282, p. 11063, 02/2018
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1996-12-14
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2022-06-01 more...
15 - P0008592
Leonid M. Borodatow
9504 Die Schwalbe 163 02/1997
P0008592
(15+7)
#3. Two solutions (AP)
An earlier stipulation in PDB was "a) #3 b) Weiß setzt in 3 Zügen # (AP)"
hans: a) white pawns capture all black pieces, including h-pawn. If last move was fxLe4, the h-pawn promotes without capture, so 0-0 is illegal.
1. Da3!
1. … Dxb2 2. Ke2+ Kc2/Dc1 3. Sb4/Txc1#
1. … Dxa2 2. Ke2+ Kc2 3. Tc1#
1. … Kc2+ 2. Sxa1+ Kd3/Kb1 3. Da6/Ke2#

b) If last move was a white pawn capture, and black capture hxLg, there must be 0-0 in the solution to prove this.
0. … Dxb2 1. 0-0+ Dc1 2. Txc1+ Kb2 3. Le1#
0. … Dxa2 1. 0-0+ Kc2 2. Tc1+ Kxb2/Kd3 3. Le1/Db5#
0. … Kc2+ 1. Sxa1+ Kxb2/Kd3 2. Db3+/0-0 Ka1/Lxd7 3. 0-0/Sc1#
0. … Lxd7 1. 0-0+ Kc2 2. Lc1+ Kb1/Kd3 3. Sd2/Rd1#

0. … Kxb2+ 1. Lc1+ Kb1 2. 0-0 Dxc3/Dxa2 3. Sxc3/Lb2#
(1. Sxa1? Lxd7 2. Dc2+ Ka3 3. Lc1# but no castling, so illegal) (2015-09-08)
A.Buchanan: This is a good problem with varied and mostly accurate play in both a & b. How would one translate the stipulation of b into English, please? (2015-09-09)
Henrik Juel: What about the stipulation: #3
and the twinning: b) Black to move (AP)
(the German stipulation text is not clear, either) (2015-09-09)
VL: Stipulations like "Black to move (AP)" make no sense because using the AP-logic is a right rather than a duty: if Black to move were stipulated explicitly then nothing would need to be proven and therefore this twin would be cooked. In my opinion, the most appropriate stipulation
is the following paradoxical one: "#3. Two solutions (AP)". "AP" indicates that the AP-logic is permitted, and at least one solution (or maybe only a thematic try) does use it. An excellent problem, anyway. In Die Schwalbe, H.167, its detailed solution is published.

Here a kind of AP-logic, called sometimes "typ Keym" or "ad libitum", is employed: the justification of the improper side's turn to move (rather than of an e.p.-key) a posteriori. (2015-09-20)
A.Buchanan: In the V&V Encyclopedia, "Type Keym"/"ad libitum" is described in the context of PRA rather than AP. It is contrasted there with "Type Offner"/"a priori". I still feel it's all rather cloudy. How are these accurately defined, and exactly how does the distinction carry across to AP, please? (2022-02-15)
A.Buchanan: I've looked at V&V encyclopedia carefully, and in the absence of definitive information, I am going to make the assumption that for AP we distinguish between Types Petrovic & Keym, and this has nothing to do with the terms "Type Keym"="ad libitum"/"Type Offner"="a priori" in PRA. Werner Keym has two types, is all. If someone has an authoritative specification, then I would be grateful. This is sufficient to clear up the island which is A Posteriori to some extent. (2022-02-15)
A.Buchanan: I have adopted VL's suggestion for the stipulation. Apart from anything else, in set play, Black would *lose* a move, while in a retropat situation (like Codex Article 15, and here) Black *gains* a move. (2022-02-15)
more ...
comment
Keywords: a posteriori (AP) (Type Keym), Castling
Genre: Retro, 3#
FEN: 4b3/p1pP1Pp1/3P4/4P3/Q2Pp3/1NP1P3/NP1B1R2/qk2K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1997-03-19
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-02-16 more...
16 - P1067403
Alexander Kukush
8966 feenschach 152 07-09/2003
P1067403
(6+3)
#3 (AP, pRA)
BTM: 1. ... 0-0 2. Dh8+ Kxh8 3. Th3+ Kg8 4. Th8#
WTM: 1. Db8+! Kd7 (Ke7) 2. Dd6+ Ke8,Kc8 3. Te3#,Sa5#
play all play one stop play next play all
If BTM, then must castle immediately to prove that it's his right, but still #3
If we accept that this kind of AP plays with who has the move, then maybe we say that it has one solution two parts?
more ...
comment
Keywords: a posteriori (AP) (Type Keym), Castling, Homebase (s)
Genre: Retro, 3#
FEN: 4k2r/5p2/8/6P1/2N5/2R5/KB5Q/8
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2005-01-09
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-02-15 more...
17 - P1080382
Werner Keym
13879 Die Schwalbe 233 10/2008
1. Preis
P1080382
(13+12)
#3
Henrik Juel: 1.0-0 thr. 2.Dxc6+,Td1 (2023-07-18)
A.Buchanan: I don't think it's as straightforward as this. Under PRA, there are 2 parts: a) wK & sD rights ok b) wD & sK ok. We tackle each separately. a) 1. 0-0? 0-0-0! 1. Td1! b) 1. 0-0-0? 0-0! 1. Tf1! The forward play is messy, and there are three promoted units, but the amazing paradox is that White wins by not castling. This is not a case of mutual exclusion. This is why it got first prize, I think. (2023-07-18)
Mu-Tsun Tsai: Yeah, on second thought I indeed got it the wrong way; it is in fact possible that Kq castling are both valid (I have the proof game in fact), and I take your word that the other side is also true. (2023-07-19)
A.Buchanan: For complete retro proof, need both retro logic & non-unique proof games. For the latter, maybe can show the legality of rn2k1nr/ppp1p1pp/4P2B/4p3/2P1Q3/2P5/PP2P1PP/R1b1KB1R. From here, can branch to the two ways of getting the two rook promotions: (a1+h8 vs h1+h8) (2023-07-19)
Henrik Juel: If Andrew's analysis holds, the keys are correct by Popeye 4.61
But there are duals in each part (2023-07-20)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Partial Retro Analysis (PRA), Castling
Genre: Retro, 3#
FEN: r3k2r/bRp1p1p1/1pn1P2B/rB2p3/n1P1Q3/2P1P3/1P4P1/R3K2R
Reprints: 172 Eigenartige Schachprobleme 2010
(8) Die Schwalbe 241 02/2010
A Die Schwalbe 283, p. 9, 02/2017
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2009-01-03
Last update: Mu-Tsun Tsai, 2023-07-19 more...
18 - P1096274
Rolf Uppström
11217 Springaren 03/2008
Nils A. Bakke gewidmet
P1096274
(2+13) C+
#3
b) sLd1
a) 1. Dxb7 droht 2. Dxa8#
1. ... Da6 2. Dxa8+ Dc8 3. Dxc8#
2. Dh1 (droht 3. Dh8#) 0-0-0 3. Da8#
1. ... Db1,b2 2. Dxa8+ Db8 3. Dxb8#
1. ... c5,c6 2. Dxa8+ Lb8 3. Dxb8#
1. ... Td8 2. Dh1 droht 3. Dh8#
b) 1. Dh1 Lh5 2. Dxh5+ Kd8 3. Dh8#
play all play one stop play next play all
In (b) Rochade nicht mehr möglich, da sLd1 durch Umwandlung entstanden (und sDa1 somit die schwarze Original-Dame ist)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Minimal, Castling, Cant Castler (sl)
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 + trivial retro logic
FEN: r3k3/ppppp1K1/3brp2/3Qp3/8/8/8/q2n4
Input: Frank Müller, 2009-12-19
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2024-02-27 more...
19 - P1114973
Nikolay S. Zinovyev
115 Redkiye zhanry-plus 73 1997
P1114973
(6+1) cooked
#3
1. ... Kxb4 2. Ld3,Kb1 Ka4 3. c3 Kb3 4. Sc5#

1. c3? Kb3 2. Ld3,Kb1 Ka4 3. Sc5# but BTM
1. Ka2? Kxb4 2. c3+ Ka4 3. b3# but BTM
play all play one stop play next play all
RA3
A.Buchanan: Shifting wK to c1 removes the cooks and duals in the retro tries. (2021-10-12)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0346135), No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: C- Popeye v4.87
FEN: 8/1N6/B7/8/kP6/8/1PP5/K7
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-12 more...
20 - P1117278
Christian Caminade
Themes-64 1980
P1117278
(4+3) C+
#3
b) -sBb3
a) 1. Tgg7 Kf8 2. Lb4+ Ke8 3. Tc8#

b) 1. Tb3 Th3 2. Txh3 Kd8,Kf8 3. Th8#
play all play one stop play next play all
E2-e E2-R
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0039072), Cant Castler (sk), Miniature
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 + trivial retro logic
FEN: 4k2r/2R5/8/B7/8/Kp4R1/8/8
Input: Felber, Volker, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2024-02-27 more...
21 - P1130086
Ernest Pogosyants
Snannja ta prazja 1984
P1130086
(6+1) C+
#3
1. ... Kxa1! 2. c4 Ka2 3. Sc3+ Ka1 4. Lb2#
Retro try:
1. c4? Kxa1 2. Lb2+ Ka2 3. Sc3#
play all play one stop play next play all
RA3
A.Buchanan: I guess for these kinds of problems it's always worth looking if there is a retro try. Here there is - an added bonus (2023-12-04)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0341852), Miniature, No legal last move for Black
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
FEN: 8/8/8/8/8/1PP5/k1K5/NNB5
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-04 more...
22 - P1132446
Otto Dehler
Deutsche Schachzeitung 1925
P1132446
(3+1)
#3
b) +wBa5
a) 1. d8=T Ka5 2. Td6 Ka4 3. Ta6#;
b) kein letzter Zug für Schwarz, also
1. ... Kxa5 2. d8=D+ Ka6 3. Db8 Ka5 4. Db5,Da7#
play all play one stop play next play all
RA3 BUT32 RA
b) Werner Speckmann, 04.1973, DSZ, S.134, B;
vf: klären Spiegelung in DSZ
SCHRECKE: b) kein letzter Zug für Schwarz, also: 0. ... Kxa5 1. d8D+ Ka6 2. Db8 Ka5 3. Db5,Da7# (2022-08-11)
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61, except for the mate dual in b) (2022-08-12)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0046916), No legal last move for Black, Kindergarten Problem, Miniature, Kindergarten Problem
Genre: 3#, Retro
FEN: 8/3P4/8/8/k1K5/8/1P6/8
Input: Felber, Volker, 2010-09-11
Last update: Mario Richter, 2022-08-12 more...
23 - P1134560
Ernest Pogosyants
Snannja ta prazja 1983
P1134560
(4+3) C+
#3
1. ... a4? 2. Sd7#!
1. ... Lxb6 2. Kxb6 a4 3. Lb7 a3 4. Sa6#
Retro try:
1. Sd7#?
play all play one stop play next play all
RA3
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0341760), No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
FEN: 1k6/b1N5/BNK5/p7/8/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-04 more...
24 - P1137076
Michail I. Schiz
Shakhmaty v SSSR 02/1982
P1137076
(5+2) cooked
#3
1... b6
play all play one stop play next play all
Cook: 1. ... b5 2. Ta1/Ta1/Ta6/Ta5/Kd7/Kd8
1. ... b6 2. b4/Kd7/Kd8
A18d RA3
Henrik Juel: duals, e.g., 0... b5 1.Kd8,Kd7,Ta1 (2022-12-05)
A.Buchanan: If WTM, no solution, but since no legal last move for Black, we let Black start:
1...b5
2.Ra1/Ra2/Ra6 b4
3.Kd7/Kd8 Kb7 4.a8=Q#
2.Ra5 b4
3.Rc5 Kxa7 4.Ra5#
3.Kd7/Kd8 Kb7 4.a8=Q#
2.Kd7/Kd8 b4
3.Ra1/Ra2/Ra6/Ra5/Ra4 Kb7 4.a8=Q#
1...b6
2.b4 b5
3.Re3 Kxa7 4.Ra3#
3.Kd7/Kd8 Kb7 4.a8=Q#
2.Kd7/Kd8 b5 3.b4 Kb7 4.a8=Q#
The play is so savagely dualized, that one must marked it as cooked. Typo? (2023-12-04)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0334424), No legal last move for Black, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: HC- Popeye v4.87 & trivial retro argument
FEN: k1K5/Pp6/8/8/8/RP6/5B2/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-04 more...
25 - P1161509
Awenir G. Schaposchnikow
10 Schach (Borowitschi) 14 10/1987
P1161509
(4+1) C+
#3
1. ... Kxh7 2. Lf8 Kh8 3. Lg7+ Kh7 4. Sf6#
1. Lf8? Kxh7 2. Sf6+ Kh8 3. Lg7# but BTM
play all play one stop play next play all
RA3
A.Buchanan: A unique retro try adds value to a Article 15 problem, but there's no good way to denote this in the stipulation. Here "*" is tried, but this would normally apply to White losing the first move, e.g. P1394496. Nor is this line a regular try, denoted "v". Instead, I feel the need for a new symbol maybe "^" to denote a clean retro try. What do you think? (2021-10-12)
Henrik Juel: I would leave the stipulation as the author originally had it: just #3
and let the solver figure out what is going on (2021-10-12)
A.Buchanan: OK done - thank you Henrik (2021-10-18)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0342522), Aristocrat, Miniature, No legal last move for Black
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye v4.87
FEN: 4N2k/4BK1N/8/8/8/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-18 more...
26 - P1165717
Ernest Pogosyants
Snannja ta prazja 1984
P1165717
(5+2) C+
#3
1. ... Txh3+ 2. Kf4 Txf3+ 3. Dxf3+ Kg1/Kh2 4. Dg2#
play all play one stop play next play all
RA3 SYp m
Henrik Juel: 0... Txh3+ 1.Kf4 Txf3+! 2.Dxf3+ Kg1,Kh2 3.Dg2#
0... Tg2+? 1.Dxg2#
0... Txf2? 1.Sxf2# (2022-07-19)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0341851), No legal last move for Black, Aristocrat, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
FEN: 8/8/8/8/8/5NKN/5Q1r/5B1k
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-04 more...
27 - P1193258
Thomas R. Dawson
1539 Pittsburgh Gazette Times 22/12/1914
P1193258
(5+6) C+
a) #3
b) Alles 1 nach rechts. Then what result?
a) 1. e4 Th6 2. e5+ Kg6 3. Lf5#
play all play one stop play next play all
more ...
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black (b))
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: a) is C+ Popeye 4.61 b) is trivial retro logic
FEN: 8/1p1B1pp1/1P1K1kr1/6p1/6P1/4P3/8/8
Input: Frank Müller, 2011-04-23
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-02 more...
28 - P1197461
Thomas Woschnik
834 Augsburger Allgemeine 05/02/2005
P1197461
(6+1)
#3*
Schwarz am Zuge
1. ... Kxb2 2. Db3+ Ka1 3. Sc2#
1. ... Kxd4 2. Kc1 Kc3 3. Dc4#
1. ... Kxb4 2. Dc4+ Ka3 3. Db3#
2. ... Ka5 3. Db5#
Leser Hans Gruber wies darauf hin, dass mit wSf5 eine normaler Dreizüger mit Schlüssel 1. Sd4 möglich ist.
play all play one stop play next play all
A.Buchanan: If this was simply stipulated #2 it would work great. Was the stipulation currently given here (#3* BTM) actually the originalforderung? How are we meant to interpret the *? (2024-01-10)
more ...
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Rex solus
Genre: 3#, Retro
FEN: 8/8/4Q3/8/1P1N4/2k5/1N2P3/3K4
Reprints: 141 Kniffelige Schachaufgaben III 2011
Input: Frank Müller, 2011-06-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2024-01-10 more...
29 - P1221603
V. Schächter
219 Funkschach 11, p. 243, 15/11/1925
P1221603
(10+3) C+
#3
1. axb6ep! Zz
1. ... Kxa3 2. Td2 c3,Ka4 3. Ta2#
1. ... Ka5 2. Txc4 Kxa6 3. Ta4#
play all play one stop play next play all
RA
A.Buchanan: The purpose of La8 is to prevent the cook 1. Sc2! Kxa5/b4 2. a7/Kb6 ~ 3. a8=Q(R)/Txb4#. However the amusing side-effect is that due to ep, this bishop must be promoted! There is no issue with the capture balance: White made 10 pawn captures. (2021-04-24)
A.Buchanan: Also La8 eliminates a dual in the actual solution. (2021-04-24)
comment
Keywords: En passant as key, Promotion (L)
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.85 & trivial retro thinking
FEN: B7/8/P1P5/PpKP4/k1pR4/P7/8/N1N5
Input: Felber, Volker, 2011-11-08
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-04-24 more...
30 - P1278097
Michael Schlosser
V46) Problemkiste (207) 09/2013
P1278097
(5+3) cooked
#3
1. ... bxa6 La7 a5,Ka5 2. Tc5#
1. ... bxc6 La7 c5 2. Tb6+ Ka5 3. Sc6#
1. Ta5#?
1. Tc5#?
play all play one stop play next play all
Schwarz beginnt, da er keinen letzten Zug hat.
A.Buchanan: What's going on here? (2021-10-06)
Henrik Juel: Maybe Pb4 should be removed (2021-10-06)
A.Buchanan: WinChloe has the same diagram, and the solution given here (with incorrect move counting) assumes sBb4 is present. Without it, there is a cook: 1. ... bxc6 2. Kc3 c5 3. Ld8,Lc7 c4 4. Ta5# (2021-10-07)
comment
Keywords: Symmetrical position, Superseded by (P1394575), Symbol problem (Kreuz)
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: %Popeye Windows-32Bit v4.61
FEN: 1N6/1p6/RBR5/1k6/1p6/1K6/8/8
Reprints: V46 Bulletin Michael Schlosser-60-Jubiläumsturnier , p. 38, 2016
Input: Erich Bartel, 2013-09-20
Last update: Gunter Jordan, 2023-07-21 more...
31 - P1323157
Lord Dunsany
3813 The Times Literary Supplement , p. 1028, 27/12/1928
P1323157
(10+9) cooked
#3
"This problem is the complement of the one by the same author, published last week [i.e., #3809]."
See P1323156
Henrik Juel: I fail to see the intention
1.Txa7? thr. 2.Ta8#, but 1... 0-0!
Th7 may be a promoted pawn, or it may be [Ta8] with black cross-capture b7xc6 and c7xb6, so even if White may castle there seems to be no #2 (2016-08-02)
A.Buchanan: I agree Henrik, but I didn't want to say anything to allow people to come at this afresh. My theory is that this is really a #3, *and* sBc6 should be on c7. Then 1. 0-0-0! 0-0? for retro reasons, and 2. Txa7 3. Ta8# can't be prevented. I have sent an email to Mr Gullette, asking him about this, inter alia. (2016-08-02)
A.Buchanan: Pushing the pawn back to c7 doesn't work. Maybe no-one had realized about cross-capturing in 1928? :) The simplest way I can see to fix it, is to push sBa7b6 to a6b7, push wTa6 to b6, remove wL, and add wSa7. (2016-08-02)
A.Buchanan: The stipulation was #2 obviously wrong, and so I have fixed it to #3. However the problem remains cooked and it can't simply be put down to a typo. I will post my correction as discussed. (2021-05-11)
comment
Keywords: Castling, Superseded by (P1389458)
Genre: Retro, 3#
FEN: 4k2r/pB1p1p1r/RppP1P2/7p/8/7P/1PP3P1/R3K3
Reprints: www.alangullette.com/lit/dunsany/ 1/6/1997
Input: A.Buchanan, 2016-08-02
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-05-11 more...
32 - P1338617
Vladimir V. Kuzmichev
7054 Seven Chess Notes 140 09/2017
P1338617
(6+1) C+
#3
1. ... Kxb4 Kd4 2. Kxa3 Kc3 3. Ka2 Lc2#
2. Kxa5 Kc5 3. Kxa6 Lc6#
1. Ta2?? Kxb4 2. Tb5+ Kc3,Kc4 3. Tc2# aber: Schwarz ist am Zug!
play all play one stop play next play all
Yoav Ben-Zvi: The try 1.R-a2? Kxb4 2.R-b5+ (refuted because it is Black to move) adds to the appeal of this problem. (2017-09-03)
A.Buchanan: Alas this is surely anticipated by P1141562, although the additional pawn usefully removes one redundant retro try. (2021-10-12)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Rex solus (s), No legal last move for Black, anticipated (P1141562), Quasi-symmetrical position
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye Windows-64Bit v4.63 (1805 MB)
FEN: 8/8/P7/R7/BBk1K3/R7/8/8
Input: Frank Müller, 2017-09-02
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-12 more...
33 - P1371205
Michael Schlosser
1906 Gaudium 215 24/12/2019
Weihnachts- und Neujahrsgruß an alle Gaudium-Leser
P1371205
(4+2) C+
Matt in wieviel Zügen?
1. ... Kxg8! 2. Ke7 Kh8 3. Sf6 gxf6 4. Kf7 f5 5. g7+ Kh7 6. g8=D+ Kh6 7. Dg6#

1. Sf6? gxf6 2. Kf7 f5 3. g7# ist nur Verführung, da S keinen letzten Zug hat
play all play one stop play next play all
Mate in 6 not 3
A.Buchanan: Nice big gap between the actual and unique retro try solution lengths. (2021-10-12)
more ...
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Promotion, Miniature, Minimal (b)
Genre: Retro, 3#, n#
Computer test: Popeye 4.61
FEN: 4N1Bk/6p1/4K1P1/8/8/8/8/8
Input: Rainer Staudte, 2019-12-31
Last update: Gunter Jordan, 2022-05-29 more...
34 - P1375084
Edward Nathan Frankenstein
4 British Chess Magazine , p. 21, 1883
P1375084
(4+3)
Add one Black man, and White mates in three moves
(+sBd1, dann) 1. Kf5 Kd3 2. De4+ Kd2 3. Lh6#
play all play one stop play next play all
Add a black pawn on d1, then ...
Henrik Juel: After the addition of sPd1, C+ Popeye 4.61 (2022-01-26)
Henrik Juel: Other variations
1... Kc4/Ke3 2.Dc2+/Lb4 (2022-01-26)
comment
Keywords: Dummy Pawn, Golden Age (Dummy Pawn), Add pieces (b)
Genre: 3#, Retro
FEN: 5B2/8/6K1/1p6/3k4/6p1/1P4Q1/8
Input: James Malcom, 2020-04-27
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-04 more...
35 - P1384455
Werner Keym
Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz 1963
Dr. Ernst Bachl gewidmet
P1384455
(9+3) C+
#3
1. Ta8? b5xa4!
1. Lxb5+? Kxd8!
1. Sb6+? Kxe8!
1. Scd6? b5xa4!
1. Sed6? Kxd8!
1. a5xb6ep+! Kxd8 2. b7 g6 3. Td6#
1. ... Kxc8 2. Ta8+ Kb7 3. Lc6#
play all play one stop play next play all
Die letzten Züge waren b7-b5 Tc6xXa6+. Also ist der En-passant-Schlag erlaubt.
more ...
comment
Keywords: En passant as key
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye 4.61
FEN: 2NBN3/3k2p1/R7/Pp1K2P1/B7/1P6/8/8
Reprints: 299 Eigenartige Schachprobleme , p. 97, 2010
288 Chess Problems Out of the Box , p. 87, 2018
Input: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2020-12-30
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2020-12-31 more...
36 - P1389458
Lord Dunsany
Andrew Buchanan

PDB Website 11/05/2021
"No more cross-capturing to inconvenience you, Milord."
Lord Dunsany, correction AB
P1389458
(10+9) C+
#3
1. 0-0-0! droht 2. Txb7 droht 3. Tb8#
1. ... Kd8 2. Txa6+ b6,Kc8,Ke8 3. Ta8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Mutex castling
Corrects P1323157.
Henrik Juel: If both White and Black can castle, there is no way to explain sTh7
If only White can castle, both black rooks are original
If only Black can castle, sTh7 is a promoted pawn
So the castlings are mutually exclusive, and the solution
1.0-0-0 thr. 2.Txb7 thr. 3.Tb8# is C+ Popeye 4.61 (2021-05-11)
Henrik Juel: I had a hard time finding the correct Popeye input, which is 'opt cas a1h8'
Good work, Andrew; if you continue like this, you may expect a peerage letter from the british queen, provided Scotland stays in the union... (2021-05-11)
A.Buchanan: Thanks Henrik: yes I can never remember these parameters, but Olive gave me a hint after I got it wrong :) I replaced wSa7 by wLa5 for an extra variation. These problems were just Christmas puzzles for Dunsany every year in the main Literary magazine of the time. So I fix it in that spirit, but I'm sure I've seen other more intricate problems where both sides have one side boxed in by possibly cross-capturing pawns depending on capture-counting (2021-05-11)
Henrik Juel: The additional variation is 1... Kd8 2.Txa6+ b6,Kc8,Ke8 3.Ta8#
Still C+ Popeye 4.61 (2021-05-11)
comment
Keywords: Castling
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ simple retro thinking + Popeye v4.85
FEN: 4k2r/1p1p1p1r/pRpP1P2/B6p/8/7P/1PP3P1/R3K3
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-05-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-09 more...
37 - P1390750
Thomas R. Dawson

P1390750
(14+13) cooked
#3
1. Txg7 Sf4+ 2. Kh7 ... 3. Thxg8#
1. ... 0-0-0 illegal
play all play one stop play next play all
Cook: Unlösbar wegen 1. Txg7 0-0-0! (legal!)

BP (Ing. O. Koštál):
1. f3 e6 2. Sa3 Df6 3. Sc4 Dc3 4. bxc3 f5 5. Se5 d6 6. Sg6 Sh6 7. La3 Le7 8. Lc5 Tf8 9. Le3 f4 10. Tb1 Tf5 11. Kf2 Tg5 12. Tb5 Tg4 13. Db1 Ld7 14. fxg4 f3 15. Kg3 Lc6 16. Kf4 Lh4 17. Db4 Le1 18. Tf5 f2 19. Sh3 Lf3 20. gxf3 Sf7 21. Tg1 Se5 22. Tg3 Sec6 23. Sg1 Sd8 24. Th3 Sf7 25. Sf8 Se5 26. Th6 Sec6 27. Lh3 Sd8 28. Tg6 h5 29. Th6 Sf7 30. Tff6 Se5 31. Th8 Sec6 32. Tfh6 Sd8 33. Tg8 Sf7 34. Thh8 Se5 35. Kg5 Sec6 36. Kg6 Sd8 37. Kh7 Sf7 38. Lh6 Sd7 39. g5 Sb6 40. Lf5 Sd5 41. Dg4 hxg4 42. Lg6 Sf4 43. Lh5 Sh3 44. Kg6 Sd8 45. Th7 Sc6 46. Thh8 Sb4 47. Th7 c6 48. Thh8 Sd5 49. Th7 Sf6 50. Tgh8 Sg8 51. Sd7 a6 52. Sc5 dxc5
In der 'Prager Presse' mit der Information nachgedruckt: "Die Schachrubrik des 'Cas' macht folgende Aufgaben [diese und P0001348] zum Gegenstande eines Lösungsturniers"; Forderung "Matt in 3 Zügen. (Rückläufige Analyse)."

Korrektur s. P1390813
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis (except for mate dual after 2... Kf8)
1.Txg7 Sf4+ 2.Kh7+ any 3.Thxg8# (2021-06-12)
Henrik Juel: White captured b2xc3, g2xf3, and fxg; Black captured dxc and hxg
If Ke8 remains on e8 there is no way to release the eastern cage, so Ke8 has moved, and Black may not castle (2021-06-12)
Mario Richter: Sorry, Henrik, but you fell into the same trap than Dawson: by uncapturing a wS on c5 White can provide a retro-shield on f8, and then everyting easily resolves (making it possible for the wK to temporarily visit h7) ... (2021-06-12)
VL: Mario, the (parity changing) tempomove a7-a6 looks unavoidable for such a castling preserving genesis; accordingly, the shift of bPa6 to a7 would repair the problem. (2021-06-14)
Mario Richter: Valery, I think your correction would work too, but Dawson found another way to repair the Problem. (2021-06-14)
A.Buchanan: Mario: did really Dawson not architect the retro-shield? It's so nice, I'm sure he must have! sS can only reach f7 via d8, so c7-c6 must be retracted too. This throws the parity, which was otherwise good, so Black must spend his other parity move a7-a6 to get back in the game. Then he should have no waiting retractions while Lg5-h6. I think that Dawson didn't spot until too late that Sf4-h3 is always available once wK is off g6. That's what breaks the problem. Certainly shifting sBa6-a7 will render the #3 sound by eliminating the castling defence, however it costs retro content, because the intention (I believe) is that it's parity that costs Black his essential waiting retraction. Note that in the official repair, P1390813, the Black qside pawn configuration is unchanged: but Sh3 is no longer to be seen. (2021-06-15)
Mario Richter: Yes, of course - the retro-shield on f8 is part of the intended solution. The problematic piece is black Sh3, which has tempo moves after R: Kh7-g6 ... (2021-06-15)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (sg), Superseded by (P1390813), Retro Opposition
Genre: 3#, Retro
FEN: r3k1nR/1p4pR/p1p1p1KB/2p3PB/6p1/2P2P1n/P1PPPp1P/4b1N1
Reprints: 232 Cas 01/01/1922
159 Prager Presse 15/01/1922
Input: Mario Richter, 2021-06-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-06-16 more...
38 - P1395022

18 International Solving Match 1946
P1395022
(7+12)
#3
s. Anmerkung zu P1395005
Henrik Juel: Pa7 captured twice, so Ke8 has moved, and Black may not castle
Still there is no way for White to mate in 3 (2021-10-29)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (sg)
Genre: 3#, Retro
FEN: r3k3/Pppppppp/pn2Q3/1B2B3/n7/8/1P6/K3R3
Input: Mario Richter, 2021-10-29
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2024-02-26 more...
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