Chess Problem Database Server

1 - P0000058
Leonid M. Borodatow
5758v Die Schwalbe 103 02/1987

(13+9) C+
h#3
b) sBa6 statt sLa6

a) 1. ... exf6ep 2. 0-0-0 Lxf4 3. Td7 a8=D#
b) 1. ... Kxf4 2. Te7 e6 3. Tb8 axb8=D,T#
play all

Anton Baumann: Mattdual in b): 3.Tb8 axb8=D,T# (2022-12-16)
A.Buchanan: So Borodatow got it all working! In a) Black might have captured hxgxf and axPb. So castling rights might still be maintained with the ep. In b) on the other hand, it must be axb, bxa, exf and wPgxh6, so there was the cage. Promotion to TD is tolerated in the final move, although it may not be puristic, without the convention, too many mates would be excluded (2022-12-16)
comment

Keywords: En passant as key, Castling (sg), Cant Castler, Valladao Task
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 & basic retro thinking
FEN: r3k3/P7/b3r1pP/4PpBP/3nnpKR/5PRB/5PP1/7N
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-12-16 more...

2 - P0000254
Leonid M. Borodatow
7642 Die Schwalbe 133 02/1992

(16+10)
Welches waren die letzten 7 Einzelzüge, wenn dabei keine Zugwiederholungen vorkamen?

R: 1. 0-0-0# Ke4-d4 2. e5xf6ep+ f7-f5 3. Tg6-b6+ Kf5-e4 4. c7-c8=L
play all

Die von einigen Lösern angeführte Abweichung 2. f5-f6+ Kd4-e4 3. Lh6-g7+ (und mehrdeutig weiter) ließe sich durch die Erweiterung '... keine Zugwiederholungen und keine Pendelzüge ...' (mühsam) kitten. Beim Autor hieß es bei dieser ich-weiß-nicht-wie-vielten Fassung nur 'letzte 9 (!) Einzelzüge ohne Wiederholung).
HHS meint ohnehin, daß es das ganze auch ohne die einengende Zusatzbedingung schon gibt.
Das von einem Löser angegebene 1. Ld3-h7# Th1-h8 2. Lh8-g7 Tg1-h1 3. Se1-g3 g2-g1=T 4. Th7-h8=L scheitert allerdings an der Schlagbilanz.

Anton Baumann: Neufassung vergl. P0006288 (2023-01-06)
comment

Keywords: En passant, Last Moves?, Non-standard material, Castling (wl), Promotion (L), Valladao Task (WWW)
Genre: Retro
FEN: qrB2brr/Bp2p1BB/pR3P2/1Q6/2Pk1P2/B1p2R2/2P3N1/2KR1N2
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2019-08-11 more...

3 - P0000775
Ferad Kakabadze
1422 Die Schwalbe 30 12/1974

(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

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)
more ...
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 - P0000777
Leonid M. Borodatow
1424 Die Schwalbe 30 12/1974

(12+10) cooked
h#2.5

1. ... exf6ep 2. 0-0-0? Lxf4 3. Td7 a8=D# try
1. ... Kxf4 2. Tf6 e6 3. Tf8 Sg7# solution
play all

Cook: 1. ... Kxf4 2. Te7 e6 3. Tb8 axb8=D,T#

See P0000674
Henrik Juel: The stipulation should probably read h#2.5: 1.exf6ep 0-0-0 2.Bxf4 Rd7 3.a8Q# (2003-08-18)
Anton Baumann: Letzter Zug war f7-f5, sonst retropatt. Die weissen Bauern haben 6x geschlagen. Der s a-Bauer wurde so ebenfalls als Schlagopfer benötigt und musste 2x schlagen, um sich umwandeln zu können. Weiss hat also auf h6 den s Bauern geschlagen. Unabhängig davon ob der sTe6 ein Umwandlungsturm ist oder nicht, muss der sTh8 über e8 aus der Ecke gekommen sein. Also ist die Rochade illegal!
Autorabsicht: 1. ... exf6 e.p. 2.0-0-0 Lxf4 3.Td7 a8=D# ist die Verführung!
Lösung: 1. ... Kxf4 2.Tf6 e6 3.Tf8 Sg7#
leider geht auch: 1. ... Kxf4 2.Te7 e6 3.Tb8 axb8=D,T# (2022-12-13)
A.Buchanan: I agree Anton. I suggest as a fix -bBa6 +bDc2. I think retro, solution and try all work correctly now. Do you folks agree? (2022-12-13)
Anton Baumann: Der Vorschlag von Andrew ergibt eine korrekte Lösung, aber nicht im Sinne des Autors: ohne einen s Stein auf a6 ist f6-f5+ als letzter Zug möglich, d.h. kein Retropatt weil Weiss a6-a7 zurücknehmen kann! 1. ... exf6 e.p. ist deshalb nicht zulässig. LB wollte aber dass f7-f5 der letzte Zug war, damit aber die Rochade illegal ist! (2022-12-14)
Anton Baumann: Mögliche Korrektur: a6=sL, g2=sD (2022-12-15)
A.Buchanan: Yes I agree. I had overlooked the unmove of wPa7 (2022-12-15)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Castling (sg), Valladao Task, Superseded by (P0000058)
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: r3k3/P7/p3r1pP/4PpBN/3nnpKP/6PB/1P2PPb1/8
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-12-16 more...

5 - P0001270
Matti Arvo Myllyniemi
142 Europe Echecs 84 01/1966

(15+15) C+
BP in 9.5

1. e3 d5 2. Lc4 d4 3. Se2 d3 4. 0-0 dxc2 5. d4 Kd7 6. d5 Kd6 7. Dd4 Sd7 8. Ld2 c1=L 9. Lb4+ c5 10. dxc6ep+
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, En passant, Non-standard material (l), Castling (wk), Promotion (l), Valladao Task (sww)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: Ergänzung Stelvio 1.2 C+: Keine Lösung: BP 8.5, 9.0. 10. dxc6ep++ Doppelschach.
FEN: r1bq1bnr/pp1npppp/2Pk4/8/1BBQ4/4P3/PP2NPPP/RNb2RK1
Reprints: 92 Shortest Proof Games 11/1991
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-05-25 more...

6 - P0001622
Christian Poisson
491b Europe Echecs 355/356 07-08/1988

(3+11)
shc#11

1. Lf1 2. Kh3 3. Kh4 4. Lh3 5. fxg3ep 6. Kh5 7. Kg6 8. Kf7 9. Ke8 10. 0-0-0 11. Td7 a8=D#
play all

The cluster of tries: Kh2-g1-f1-e1-d2-...-e8 0-0-0 Td7 is 12 moves: just too long.
In the diagram, e.p. is not permitted because last move might be g3-g4. So first shift sK to h4. Following the e.p., check that wK does now have prior move: Kf4-f3. Now sK scampers to e8 where through consequent forgetfulness it recovers castling rights.

more ...
comment

Keywords: En passant, Castling (sg), Seriesmover, Consequent, Valladao Task, Promotion in the mating move (D), Switchback (l), Promotion (D), Königswanderung
Genre: Retro, Fairies
FEN: r7/P1p5/pp6/5pp1/5pP1/5K1b/4rp1k/8
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: James Malcom, 2021-09-14 more...

7 - P0001764
Henri Nouguier
25 Phénix 1 05/1988

(9+13) cooked
shc#6

1. dxc3ep 2. Kxb5 3. Kxc6 4. Kd7 5. Ke8 6. 0-0 Th8#
Aber es geht auch R: 1. Kb2-a1!?
play all

Henrik Juel: The intention may be 1.dxc3ep 2.Kxb5xc6-d7-e8 6.0-0 Rh8#, but -1.Kb2 seems possible. Should bBc1 be moved to a3? (2003-04-28)
GW: Yes, that's the solution, and the problem seems indeed to be cooked. I don't know if it has been corrected. (2003-04-28)
James Malcom: I believe that the intent was that the sLc1 must be the orginal one, and thus an impediment to wK foreplay, as the wBc6 "must" have captured the e7 Black pawn on its way from f2. The problem is that it can take the alternative path fxsLf3xDe3xTc5-c6, and there are enough White pieces to capture for the Black b pawn to make it d2 and for the d pawn to make it to c2. (2021-09-14)
James Malcom: It turns out this problem actually was corrected a long time later: P1012052 (2021-09-14)
comment

Keywords: En passant, Castling (sk), Seriesmover, Consequent, Non-standard material (sLb1), Valladao Task, Promotion in the retro play (sLb1), Obvious promotion ((sLb1)), Superseded by (P1012052)
Genre: Retro, Fairies
FEN: 7r/5pnR/2P3pR/pPpn3p/1kPp4/3P4/P2pP3/Kbb5
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-09-14 more...

8 - P0004036
Sergiy O. Komarov
Andrey Frolkin
diagrammes 85bis 04-06/1988
3. Lob

(5+15)
shc#7

1. a1=S 2. fxg3ep 3. Kxh5 4. Kxg6 5. Kf7 6. Ke8 7. 0-0-0 a8=D#
play all

8. TT
Henrik Juel: Solution: 1.a1S 2.fxg3ep 3.Kxh5xg6-f7-e8 7.0-0-0 a8Q#. Nice problem with open and hidden ep capture (exf3ep). (2003-04-28)
James Malcom: How is the key here justified? (2021-01-18)
James Malcom: I am still pondering. (2021-09-14)
Henrik Juel: James, I have forgotten all about this weird stipulation during the time since my last comment, and I don't know what I meant so say...
The definition of shc in the PDB is not complete; here is the Schwalbe definition:
Konsequenter Serienzüger: Ein Serienzüger, bei dem nach jedem Zug die Retroanalyse der Stellung neu durchgeführt wird (also ohne Kenntnis früherer Züge und Analysen). Beispielsweise wird eine Rochade wieder möglich, wenn König und Rochadeturm auf ihre entsprechenden Felder ziehen (weil in der neuen Analyse "vergessen" ist, dass beide bereits gezogen haben).
In english, something like
After each move the analysis of the position is done afresh, without knowledge of previous moves;
for instance, castling is possible when king and rook reach their original squares (e8 and a8), because it is 'forgotten' that they have already moved (2021-09-14)
Henrik Juel: You ask for a justification of the key, James; there is no need for justification, Black can do whatever he likes
In the position after 1.a1=S last move must have been g2-g4, so the ep capture 2.fxg3ep is legitimized
In the position after 2.fxg3ep last move must have been Ke3xPf3, with the double check being explained by exf3ep++; this is the 'hidden ep capture' I mentioned in my youthful comment (2021-09-14)
James Malcom: Thanks Henri! While the definition is incomplete, the reset each time is deducible from looking over shc problems. The justification here, however, was a level above me somehow. (2021-09-14)
comment

Keywords: Seriesmover, Consequent, En passant, Promotion (sD x2), Valladao Task, Castling, Promotion in the mating move
Genre: Retro, Fairies
FEN: r7/P1pp4/pp3pP1/4rpbP/5pPk/3n1K1b/p6q/8
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: James Malcom, 2021-09-14 more...

9 - P0008793
Andrej N. Kornilow
Shakhmaty v SSSR 1978

(15+8)
#1.5

a) 1. "Ta1-d1+?" ... Td4 2. Txd4# (Completing the illegal castling!)
b) 1. "xc5ep+?" ... Tb5 2. Txb5# (Completing the illegal e.p.!)
c) 1. "xe8=S+?" ... e6 2. Sf6# (Completing the illegal promotion!)

0) 1. Sxe7+! Lxe7 2. f8=B# (Truncating the promotion move!)
play all

n in directmate stipulation #n means that White has n moves to do the job. With n=1.5, therefore, one of the White moves is fractional, so we know we are in the realm of jokes, ho ho!

If White's first move is the fractional one, there are three retro tries which attempt to complete: castling, ep & promotion. However all are illegal:
castling: 8 white pawns, so wTa5 came from h1, dislodging wK.
ep: retracting sBc5 to c7 means wLb8 is promoted, but 8 white pawns.
promotion: white made 7 pawn captures, while sBgh were waylaid.

So we consider that White's second move was the fractional one, by omitting the replacement of wBf8 by an officer.

Henrik Juel: Completing the key isn't legal, 1.'Rd1'/'-bPc5'/'e8S'+, but omitting the promotion in the mating move is, 1.Sxe7+ Bxe7 2.'f8'#. Excellent joke. (2003-09-19)
James Malcom: A very witty joke Valladao! (2020-09-24)
A.Buchanan: Really like this joke (2020-09-25)
Henrik Juel: To see the illegality of completing 1.fxe8=S+?, note the captures:
Black captured fxDe, so [Pg7,h7] were captured on their files, while the other six missing black men were captured by white pawns
The illegality of completing 1.0-0-0,bxc6ep? is rather obvious (2020-09-26)
James Malcom: And for those you don't find it obvious: If the White king hasn't moved, then where did wRa5, and wBb8 if bPb5 has just done a double-step, come from? Neither can be promoted pieces, as White still has all eight pawns. Trying to finish castling and en passant therefore both produce illegal positions and thus cannot be the solution. (2020-09-26)
Henrik Juel: Continuing beating the dead horse...
How does the white player actually perform an entire move?
1.0-0-0+: Ke1-c1 and Ta1-d1
1.bxc6ep+: Pb5-c6 and remove sPc5
1.fxe8=S+: remove sYe8 and Pf7-e8 and replace wPe8 with wSe8 (three fractional actions)
2.f8=Y#: Pf7-f8 and replace wPf8 with wYf8
So a marginally better stipulation might be: 'White to move mates in less than 2 moves' (2020-09-26)
A.Buchanan: Hurray I've got the animation working! I agree with Henrik's stipulation. There is a dummy pawn on f8, but not by the Dummy Pawn rule. Instead it's the joke that does it. If Dummy Rule applied, the move would be full length! :) (2022-02-09)
more ...
comment

Keywords: En passant, Start a move but do not finish it, Castling, Promotion (S,B), Valladao Task (half!), Joke (End move, Start move), Dummy Pawn (not! Start move), Complete an unfinished move, waylaid (sBgh)
Genre: Retro, 2#
FEN: 1B1N1bB1/p2ppP2/2P5/R1pk1N2/1r2p3/1P2P1P1/4PP1P/R1K5
Reprints: (III) Quartz 4 1997
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1997-06-21
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-04-08 more...

10 - P0008794
Alexandr A. Klibanski
2 Shakhmaty v SSSR , p. 31, 07/1977

(14+4)
#1

1. Tb1#
zuletzt geschah
R: 1. ... Kc2-b2 2. e5xf6ep+ f7-f5 3. e4-e5+
oder
R: 1. ... Kc1-b2 2. 0-0+
oder
R: 1. ... a2-a1=L
play all

weiße Bauernschläge: axb3,b2xc3xd4xe5xf6,c2xd3xe4xf5xg6xh7-h8=L,e2xfxg = 12 Schläge, alle fehlenden schwarzen Steine sind erklärt, insbesondere hat der wBh2 nie die h-Linie verlassen.
Der sBh4 stammt also entweder von f7 (2 Schläge) oder von h7 (ebenfalls 2 Schläge, um den wBh2 vorbeizulassen). Damit sind auch alle fehlenden weißen Steine erklärt. Da zu diesen auch der schwarzfeldrige wLc1 gehört, kann zuzletzt nicht h5-h4? geschehen sein ('Shakhmaty v SSSR' nennt das "Farbeffekt").

paul: La question est si les Blancs sont a jouer et le reponse est affirmative. Les seuls retro-jeux plausibles sont:
1.Rc1-b2 0-0;
1.Rc2-b2 e6xf6 e.p. 2.f7-f5 Tg6-a6+;
1.a2-a1F.
Donc le task Valladao. Le coup matant est 1.Tb1#
Est interessant a voir pourquoi ne va pas le retro-jeu h5-h4?.
L?analyse demontre que le seul Pion blanc transforme en en h8 a ete Pc2 et la sequence des coups a ete c2xd3xe4xf5xg6xh7-h8F. Le P blanc h6 vient de h2 sans captures, donc le P noir h4 a effectue deux prises, don?t une d?un F blanc de camps noirs. Donc h5-h4 est illegal. (Quartz 4/1997) (2010-03-22)
Henrik Juel: For the benefit of readers, whose French is a bit rusty:
Paul points out that the retroplay given on top is incorrect. Ph4 is [Pf7] who captured the dark-squared [Lc1] on its way to h4; so its latest move was g5xh4, not h5-h4. (2010-03-26)
Paulo Roque: Henrik:
Not R: 1.h5-h4. See also that [Pa7] was promoted in the square a1, at some point. But I think also possible Ph4 is [Ph7], by: h7xg6-g5xh4 or h7-h6xg5xh4 (2010-03-27)
Henrik Juel: You are right, Paulo; my mistake, not Paul's. I should have written: Ph4 is [Pf7] or [Ph7], who captured the dark-squared [Lc1] on its way to h4; so its latest move was g5xh4, not h5-h4. (2010-03-27)
James Malcom: Question: What prevents the Black king from going to c1 after castling is retracted? (2022-06-17)
comment

Keywords: En passant in the retro play, Castling, Promotion in the retro play, Valladao Task
Genre: Retro
FEN: 6NB/Q5pB/R4P1P/6P1/7p/1P4P1/1k1P1P2/b4RK1
Reprints: (V) Quartz 4 1997
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1997-06-21
Last update: Mario Richter, 2022-06-17 more...

11 - P0008845
Gianni Donati
62 Quartz 5 1997

(11+11) C+
BP in 11.5

1. d4 e5 2. Lg5 Dxg5 3. a4 Dxg2 4. a5 Dxg1 5. a6 Dg6 6. axb7 a5 7. dxe5 Da6 8. Dxd7 Kxd7 9. Lh3+ f5 10. exf6ep+ Kd6 11. 0-0 Sxf6 12. bxc8=S+
play all

White consecutively plays the three thematic moves. This PG cannot be extended to move beyond the check in the final diagram.

Henrik Juel: The ep capture is well hidden, and it is not obvious that Sc8 is promoted as Sg1-c8 also takes five moves
Interesting that Euclide 1.01 is 10 times faster than Natch 2.3 here (2021-07-04)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, En passant, Castling (wk), Promotion (S), Valladao Task (www), Phoenix (S)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Natch-2.3 11m 28.52s C+ Euclide 1.01
FEN: rnN2b1r/2p3pp/q2k1n2/p7/8/7B/1PP1PP1P/RN3RK1
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1997-10-19
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-04 more...

12 - P0009099
Klaus Wenda
4123 diagrammes 127 10/1998

(11+5)
s#12
Längstzüger

1. a8=T+ Kd7 2. e8=L+ Ke6 3. f8=S+ Kf5 4. c8=D+ Se6 5. 0-0-0 Ke4 6. Dxc6+ Kf5 7. g4+ fxg3 e.p. 8. Df3+ Sf4 9. Lb5 axb5 10. Ta1 bxc4 11. Tab1 cxb3 12. Dd3+ Sxd3#
play all

paul: Cooked by 1.f8=Q Kd7 2.c8=B Kd6 3.e8=S Ke5 4.Ra5+ Kd4 5.Qc5+ Ke4 6.Re3+ fxe3 7.Qxc6+ Kd3 8.Bf5+ Se4 9.Kd1 exd2 10.Qf6 Kxc4 11.Be6+ Kd3 12.Qc3+ Sxc3#

2... Kc7 3.a8=S+ Kd6 4.e8=S++ Ke5 5.Re3+ Se4 6.d4+ Kxd4 7.Rd1+ Sd2 8.Rf3 Ke5 9.Qf5+ Kd4 10.g3 fxg3 11.Re3 Kxe3 12.Qf2+ gxf2# (Jacobi)
See P1287941 as correction. (2022-04-06)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, Allumwandlung
Genre: Fairies
FEN: 2k5/P1P1PP2/p1p5/6n1/2P2p2/1R5P/3P2P1/R3K3
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1999-02-27
Last update: Olaf Jenkner, 2013-09-22 more...

13 - P0500634
Ante Zutic
211 Delo 20/02/1971

(2+9) C+
h#3

1. Sg5 hxg5 2. 0-0 gxh6 3. Lh8 h7#
play all

Retro!en-passant, Rochade
Bernd Schwarzkopf: Letzte Züge: 1.Kf5xTg6 f4xg3 e.p. 2.g2-g4 Tg4-g6 oder Tg4xg6 ...
Die Rochade ist also zulässig; Schwarz hat einen Umwandlungs-Turm. (2021-09-04)
comment

Keywords: En passant, Last Moves?, Castling (sk), Promotion (t), Valladao Task
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: (Popeye C-Version 3.52 (2048 KB))
FEN: 4k2r/8/4nbKp/7p/7P/6pb/8/5r2
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1996-06-06
Last update: hpr, 1999-05-17 more...

14 - P1012052
Henri Nouguier
diagrammes 2004

(9+15)
shc#6

1. dxc3ep 2. Kxb5 3. Kc6 4. Kd7 5. Ke8 6. 0-0 Txg7#
play all

Un des PNd a pris 1 pièce blanche. pour venir de e7. Donc les PB b, c et d ne peuvent se croiser. Le PBg6 ne peut venir de f5 car il faudrait 2 prises noires! Seule reste le dernier coup blanc 0... c2-c4 Ceci implique que le FNb1 est issue de promtion ! C'est le PNb7, il aurait pris 2 pièces blanches. Les PNg5 et h5 ont pris 2 pièces blanches.

No. 11661 HN
A.Buchanan: “Obvious promotion” is intended to refer to something visible in the initial diagram position, not what is reached during series play (2022-09-14)
A.Buchanan: Similarly “non-standard material (2022-09-14)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Seriesmover, Consequent, En passant as key, Promotion in the retro play (sLb1), Castling, Valladao Task
Genre: Retro, Fairies
FEN: 7r/5pnR/5PnR/1Pp2ppq/1kPp4/p2P4/P2pP3/Kbb4r
Input: Henri Nouguier, 2004-01-11
Last update: Mario Richter, 2022-09-14 more...

15 - P1017610
Michel Caillaud
Kevin James Begley
R0083 StrateGems 15 07-09/2001
2. ehrende Erwähnung

(15+5)
Welches waren die letzten 7 Einzelzüge?
Circe Parrain

R: 1. 0-0[+wBc4]+ sBd4x[Dc3,Bc4]c3ep 2. c2-c4[+wDc3]+ b2xDc1=S[+sLb4] 3. Sb7xLa5[+wBc2] e5xBd4[+sLa5]+ 4. a5xLb6
play all

Michel Caillaud: cooked by Dmitry Baibikov :
3.Sb7xLa5(+wBa3) Kb4xPb5(+sLa5)+ -4.Ta5xLa4(+wSd3)+ e5xSd4 (2022-07-19)
Kevin Begley: correction: P1404688 (2022-09-27)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Circe (Parrain), Last Moves? (7), Valladao Task
Genre: Retro, Fairies
FEN: 8/8/PPp5/NkP5/RbP5/PBpN4/P4PP1/B1n2RK1
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2004-07-03
Last update: Kevin Begley, 2022-09-27 more...

16 - P1068490
Kostas Prentos
Andrey Frolkin
13077 Die Schwalbe 219 06/2006
Werner Keym gewidmet
1. Preis

(10+14) C+
BP in 26.0

1. h4 a5 2. h5 a4 3. h6 a3 4. hxg7 h5 5. g4 Sh6 6. g8=L Lg7 7. g5 Ld4 8. g6 f6 9. Ld5 Lc5 10. Lc6 0-0 11. g7 Kh7 12. g8=T bxc6 13. Tg5 La6 14. Te5 fxe5 15. f4 Tf6 16. f5 Td6 17. f6 Lc4 18. f7 Lxa2 19. f8=D Le6 20. Df3 a2 21. Dd5 axb1=S 22. Ta2 Sc3 23. dxc3 cxd5 24. Kd2 d4 25. Kd3 Lf5+ 26. e4 dxe3ep+
play all

The first known example of the Keym Task.

Henrik Juel: Stelvio 1.31 found the solution immediately and tested it unique in 9 minutes (for the first 25.0 moves) (2023-06-13)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Ceriani-Frolkin Theme (DTLs), Castling, En passant, Valladao Task, Promotion (LTDs), Allumwandlung, Keym Task (The first known prob)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: Natch 3.1 (38 m, utilizing the final ep). Stelvio 1.33, 2min (retracting the e.p. move itself, so full C+)
FEN: rn1q4/2ppp2k/3r3n/2b1pb1p/8/2PKp3/RPP5/2BQ1BNR
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2006-08-05
Last update: Reto, 2023-06-13 more...

17 - P1069093
Michael Grushko
1623 The Problemist Supplement 05/2006

(15+12) C+
BP in 10.5

1. a4 e5 2. a5 Dg5 3. a6 Sf6 4. axb7 Sa6 5. b8=S Lb7 6. Sc6 dxc6 7. h4 0-0-0 8. hxg5 Td3 9. exd3 Se4 10. Dg4+ f5 11. gxf6ep+
play all

A.Buchanan: 11. ... Kb8! is sound, moving past the diagram check. (2021-07-31)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, En passant, Ceriani-Frolkin Theme (s), Valladao Task (wws), Promotion (S), Castling (sg)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: Euclide 0.93
FEN: 2k2b1r/pbp3pp/n1p2P2/4p3/4n1Q1/3P4/1PPP1PP1/RNB1KBNR
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2007-01-07
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-05-26 more...

18 - P1089671
Aleksandr Azhusin
2 Shakhmaty v SSSR 1975

(7+8)
#2

1. e4! droht 2. a8=D#,T#
1. ... fxe3ep 2. De5#
1. ... 0-0 2. Dg7#
1. ... Dxe4 2. Dxh8#
play all

Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2022-06-17)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, En passant, Castling, Promotion, Promotion key
FEN: 4k2r/P1pR4/1N6/6p1/5p2/2Q3r1/4P3/K4Rnq
Input: Ivan Antonov, 2009-08-04
Last update: James Malcom, 2022-06-17 more...

19 - P1106801
Enzo Minerva
1927 Best Problems 43 2007

(13+16) C+
BP in 13.5

1. d4 e5 2. Lh6 Dh4 3. Dd2 g5 4. Da5 Lxh6 5. Sc3 Kf8 6. 0-0-0 g4+ 7. f4 gxf3ep+ 8. Td2 fxe2 9. Sf3 e1=L 10. Kd1 Lg3 11. Tf2 Lc1 12. Ld3 h6 13. Lh7 e4 14. Ke1
play all

paul: Theme Valladao (2013-09-12)
James Malcom: An excellent Valladao with a castling paradox and Anti-Pronkin! (2021-01-23)
A.Buchanan: Normally, castling paradox would employ *both* K&R heading back home after the dalliance. There's non-standard material which to me seems a defect in a Valladao. No-one here was able to agree on what Anti-Pronkin is, so the term has been retired. I guess it covers everything which is not a Pronkin: from Allumwandlung to Zilahi :-) (2021-05-19)
Michel Caillaud: Anti-Pronkin (from FIDE Album "Theme definitions") :
A promoted piece is captured. The corresponding piece of the same colour from the game-array moves onto the promotion-square.
So 1) it doesn't cover everything which is not a Pronkin 2) it is not present in this problem (2021-05-21)
A.Buchanan: I was confusing the term with "Anti-Phoenix" oops.
As Michel says, this problem does *not* show Anti-Pronkin as per Michel's FIDE definition. The promoted piece is never captured.
The "Pronkin" theme in the V&V Encyclopaedia wisely does not requires that the original unit is captured. There has to be some credit for a unit reaching a thematic target square at all, irrespective of the fate of the unit. In the current problem, we could still imagine a Prenix after Lc1 for example to regularize the material: why couldn't that still class as Anti-Pronkin?
Unit quests & regularization of material should be keyworded separately. And there should be a proper symmetry between Pronkin & Anti-Pronkin themes, imho. (2021-07-31)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task (slwwg), En passant, Promotion (l), Castling, Non-standard material (l)
Genre: Retro
FEN: rnb2knr/pppp1p1B/7p/Q7/3Pp2q/2N2Nb1/PPP2RPP/2b1K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2010-06-04
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-31 more...

20 - P1108561
Werner Keym
Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz 1968

(15+4)
#2

1. 0-0-0? (illegal) c5/g1=D,T 2. Lxd5#
1. ... c6 2. Td4#
1. exd6ep+! c6 2. Lxc6#
play all

Henrik Juel: All captures were made by pawns
The black capture was h3xDg2 early in the game
The castling is illegal, because Black promoted on a1 (2020-12-31)
comment

Keywords: Cant Castler, En passant as key, Valladao Task
Genre: Retro, 2#
FEN: B7/2p1P1P1/5R1N/3pP3/1B2kP1P/4P1P1/2N1P1p1/R3K3
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2010-06-25
Last update: James Malcom, 2020-12-31 more...

21 - P1184196
Werner Keym
feenschach 183 2010
Hans Gruber zum 50. Geburtstag gewidmet

(12+15)
#2

Die letzten Züge waren g7-g5 g6xLh7. Daher 1.h5xg6 e.p.! 0-0-0 2.a8D#.
play all

Das ist der erste (korrekte) Zweizüger mit den konsekutiven Spezialzügen En passant-Schlag, Rochade und Umwandlung (Valladao). (vgl. P1080516 (inkorrekt) und P1184197)

Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis (2022-09-11)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task
Genre: Retro
FEN: r3k3/P2p3P/pp1P1p1p/3p2pP/6nq/4bPrR/1P2PpRB/5BnK
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2011-01-06
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2022-09-11 more...

22 - P1216201
Alexandr P. Dmitrenko
121 Problemist Yuga 07-12/1997

(13+6)
s#9

1. d8=S! Th8 2. 0-0-0 Th7 3. Tb1 Th8 4. Se7+ Kxf8 5. Se6+ Kxe7 6. Dc5+ Kf6 7. Lh4+ g5 8. fxg6ep+ Kxe6 9. Dc8+ Txc8#
play all

SCHRECKE: C+, Gustav 4.2e, Brute Force (2023-08-11)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task
Genre: s#
FEN: 1R3Nk1/3P2pr/6Np/5P1B/5P2/p3p1B1/P1Q1P3/R3K3
Input: Frank Müller, 2011-10-29
Last update: Olaf Jenkner, 2020-03-11 more...

23 - P1224980
Paul Raican
T12v ChessProblems.ca 06/06/2010
D. Meinking & G. Donati gewidmet
Spezialpreis (version)

(10+9)
pSer-h-dia 41

1. b4 ... 2. b5 ... 3. b6 ... 4. bxa7 ... 5. axb8=S ... 6. Sxd7 ... 7. Sxf8 ... 8. Sxh7 ... 9. Sf6+ Kf8 10. Sd5 ... 11. Sxe7 ... 12. Sg6+ fxg6 13. La3+ Txa3 14. Sxa3 ... 15. Sb1 ... 16. a4 ... 17. a5 ... 18. a6 ... 19. a7 ... 20. a8=D ... 21. Da3+ c5 22. Df3+ Ke8 23. Dc6+ bxc6 24. f4 ... 25. f5 ... 26. f6 ... 27. f7+ Kd7 28. f8=S+ Kc7 29. Ta7+ Kb6 30. Ta6+ Kb5 31. e4+ c4 32. Sc3+ Kc5 33. d4+ cxd3ep 34. Dh5+ Kd4 35. Sge2+ dxe2 36. De5+ Ke3 37. Sd1+ exd1=S 38. Le2 ... 39. 0-0 ... 40. Kh1 ... 41. Tg1 Sf2#
play all

Dan Meinking: The original version (wSf8 on e6; wDe5 on h5) was cooked by Mario Richter and "rawbats": 1.a4 2.a5 3.a6 4.axb7 5.b7xa8=S 6.Sb6 7.Sxd7 8.b4 9.b5 10.b6 11.bxa7 12.a8=D 13.La3 14.Lxe7 15.Sxf8 16.Sxh7 17.Da4+ Sd7 18.Sc3 19.Sd5 20.Sf8 21.Sf6+ Kxe7 22.Sg6+ fxg6 23.Db4+ Kxf6 24.Df8+ Ke6 25.Ta6+ c6 26.d4 27.f4 28.De7+ Kf5 29.e4+ Kxf4 30.Dd6+ Se5 31.Dh5 32.Se2+ Ke3 33.Sf4 34.Le2 35.0-0 36.Kh1 37.Da3+ Kxd4 38.Dd6+ Ke3 39.Dd3+ Sxd3 40.Se6 41.Tg1 Sf2#. The diagram and solution have been updated to reflect Paul's correction. (2012-06-24)
paul: This version is published in Quartz50/2020. (2022-03-30)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Parry Series, Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task
Genre: Fairies, Retro
FEN: 2bq1Nnr/6p1/R1p3p1/4Q3/4P3/4k3/2P1BnPP/6RK
Input: Dan Meinking, 2011-11-16
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2018-05-04 more...

24 - P1228018
Enzo Minerva
Andrew Buchanan
Introduction to Proof Games 01/2010
EM, version AB

(14+14) C+
Proof game in 9.0

1. e4 f5 2. Lb5 f4 3. Se2 f3 4. 0-0 fxe2 5. e5 exf1=L 6. Dg4 Lc4 7. d3 Kf7 8. Dxc4+ d5 9. exd6ep+ Le6
play all

Shortest known proof game showing Valladao-Monteiro (after 8.5 moves - the extra half-move is to move beyond the check, and is the only move which preserves uniqueness of the PG).
Composed for http://abrobecker.free.fr/chess/IntroductionToPGs.pdf
>>> Agreed with Enzo Minerva that this is EM v AB: 24-Dec-2014. (Original is at P1284755.)
Kevin Begley: Partially anticipated, by Enzo Minerva, Best Problems 2005 (which shows Valladao-Monteiro in as many moves, based upon the same idea). (2014-03-01)
A.Buchanan: Thanks for highlighting this, Kevin. I had searched PDB for prior art before composing this one, but Enzo's problem was (and still is) absent. I feel that my little composition does add something more. In mine, the identity-defining Ceriani-Frolkin bishop move is not a capture. And WQ has potentially three routes to its final square, including the CF promotion square, but the two duals are eliminated by the waiting move d3. So, is Enzo still active? I am thinking this partial anticipation probably a case of "AB after EM" but if Enzo is still around I would like to discuss with him out of courtesy. (2014-05-01)
Kevin Begley: Andrew, at best, I see yours as a version. (2014-05-01)
Kevin Begley: Compare to 'P1284755'. Clearly Andrew's version is better (and not only because of the extra move avoiding check in diagram -- which may be forgiven in a proofgame aiming specifically for brevity), however thematically, they are nearly indistinguishable. I leave it for Andrew and Enzo to collaboratively determine the proper credit here. (2014-05-01)
A.Buchanan: Oh for Pete's sake... there's *another*, now I look in WinChloe:
Alexeï GASPARYAN Oakham PG Tourney,
The Problemist Supplement 2009-10
1° Mention d'Honneur.
rnb2rk1/pp1p1ppp/3p4/2q5/1b6/3p4/PPP1PKPP/RNBQ1BNR
PG in 9.0
1.f3 e5 2.f4 Bb4 3.f5 Ne7 4.f6 00 5.f×e7 e4 6.e8=N Qg5 7.Nd6 c×d6 8.Kf2 Qc5+ 9.d4 e×d3ep+ (C+)
Now the date in WinChloe is wrong: what counts is the closing date for the tournament, 31-12-2009 (although the judging was only held in 07-2010, and publication was in 11-2010). Mine was published in 01-2010 (composed on 10-01-2010. I think I fold at this point, and allow Messrs. Minerva & Gasparan to duke it out, if they care. (2014-05-04)
A.Buchanan: @Kevin: and on the subject of versioning. Do you have a link to anything that gives guidelines to relative attribution. The Codex is sketchy (as usual), and I don't know where else to look. (2014-05-04)
Henrik Juel: On versioning:
When inspired by a published problem by AA to improve it, I would write 'hj after AA' if my contribution is large and 'AA, version by hj' is it is small. Of course, 'improve', 'large', and 'small' are not well defined, so it is up to the improver and the editor what to choose, and up to the judge whether an award is warranted.
In the Minerva-Gasparyan-Buchanan case the later authors surely were not inspired by the first, so here I would suggest the following possibilities: anticipated, partially anticipated, and not anticipated, again leaving the final verdict to the judge (2014-05-04)
A.Buchanan: I don't see any fundamental difference between accidental and deliberate partial anticipation. Ultimately the choice is between labeling the problem as "A,version", "A,version B" or "B, after A". I am totally ok with whatever Minerva/Gasparyan eventually determine. However, I don't think that PDB supports "A, version B" currently. (2014-05-05)
A.Buchanan: Not heard anything from Messrs Minerva or Gasparyan. I should rephrase my earlier statement as: "I don't see any fundamental difference between accidental partial anticipation, and acknowledged deliberate versioning, in terms of the set of possible final outcomes." (2014-12-24)
A.Buchanan: Resolved with Enzo :D! (See above!) (2014-12-24)
A.Buchanan: Resolved with Alexey in Facebook yesterday :D! AB: "I would like to ask you: are you ok with the current attribution of my problem?" AG: "Yes I agree." So there we are. Maybe EM & AG will conduct diplomatic negotiations at some point, but that's not my concern :) (2021-10-05)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task (swwk), Unique Proof Game, Ceriani-Frolkin Theme (l), Prentos Theme (l), En passant, Castling, Promotion (l)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: Euclide 0.99
FEN: rn1q1bnr/ppp1pkpp/3Pb3/1B6/2Q5/3P4/PPP2PPP/RNB3K1
Reprints: 11 Introduction to Proof Games 03/2010
Input: Alain Brobecker, 2011-12-26
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-05-26 more...

25 - P1233676
Sergio Orce
5421 Problemkiste (136) 08/2001

(12+10)
#2
(RV)
b) wBb3->b4

a) 1. Ke6! (0-0-0 illegal!) ... 2. h8=D,T#
b) 1. dxe6ep! 0-0-0 2. Dxb7#
oder 1. Ke6 ... 2. h8=D,T#
play all

a) 0-0-0 ist illegal. Die wBB haben 5-mal geschlagen, wBBf3/h3 also nicht.
-> sBf2h2 haben 3-mal geschlagen, entweder 3-mal auf schwarz oder nach Rücknahme von g2-g4
-> Lf1 ist nicht unter den Schlagopfern.
-> wBa2 mußte umwandeln. Falls 0-0-0 noch gehen soll, muß die UW auf h8 geschehen sein
-> letzter Schlagfall W×S ist sowieso klar
-> sBa7 muß als Schlagfall für wB dienen. Da e5 es selbst nicht kann, muß er umgewandelt haben, kann dazu aber nur wLf1 schlagen
-> Widerspruch. -> 0-0-0 ist illegal.
b) dito, aber es geht sBa7-a4xLb3-b1 usw.
-> 0-0-0 ist legal. Aber nur, wenn zuletzt e7-e5.
-> 1. dxe6ep, oder falls zuletzt sK/sT-Zug 1. Ke6.
-> "Retrovarianten" (RV) wohl besser als "A posteriori" (AP)
(Übersetzung, Anmerkung und Prüfung durch Hans Gruber).

A.Buchanan: The retro content here is fun, but I don't see why it's suggested that this is AP. (a) is a cant castler, and (b) is a standard PRA matrix. Removing AP as a keyword for this one. (2023-07-21)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, Castling, En passant as key, Partial Retro Analysis (PRA)
Genre: Retro, 2#
FEN: r3k3/1pp4P/3p2N1/2NPpK2/4QpP1/1P3PRP/4Pp1p/6n1
Input: Erich Bartel, 2012-03-04
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-07-21 more...

26 - P1235808
Martin Walter
12171 Die Schwalbe 205 02/2004

(5+7+1)
s#4
Längstzüger
Anticirce

1. a4+ bxa3ep[+nBa7] 2. a8=nT Txh8 3. Da6+ Kxa6[+sKe8] 4. Kxg1[+wKe1] 0-0#
play all

Steen Christensen: ... 4.Kxg1[Kh1] \oo\# should read ... 4.Kxg1[Ke1] 0-0# (2013-03-12)
SCHRECKE: C+, popeye 4.87 (2022-01-09)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, Maximummer, Circe (Anti), En passant, Castling, under-promotion
Genre: Fairies
FEN: 7B/8/4Q3/1kp5/1-P5p/4p3/P3P3/n4Knr
Reprints: F4 König & Turm (14), p. 57, 09/2004
Input: Erich Bartel, 2012-04-03
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2017-07-15 more...

27 - P1263387
Ralf Krätschmer

3. Klein-Winsener Rochade-TT

(9+10)
#6

1. 0-0-0? droht 2. Th1#
1. ... La3#

1. h8=S! Sxh8 2. Ld8+ g5 3. fxg6ep+ Tg5 4. 0-0-0 La3+ 5. Kb1 ... 6. Th1#
play all

SCHRECKE: C+, Gustav 4.1d, Brute Force (2021-06-05)
comment

Keywords: Berlin Theme, Castling, Promotion (S), En passant, Valladao Task
Genre: n#
FEN: 8/2B2npP/3p3p/1r3P1p/1b3P1k/2p3p1/2P1B1P1/R3K3
Input: Felber, Volker, 2013-02-26
Last update: James Malcom, 2021-06-05 more...

28 - P1276697
Peter Heyl
15592 Schach 11/2004

(12+9) C+
#3

1. gxh8=D? bxc4!
1. Td1? bxc4!

1. 0-0-0! droht 2. Td6+ exd6 3. exd6#
1. ... f5 2. exf6ep Kf7 3. Txe7#
1. ... bxc4 2. Lf1 Ta4 3. d8=S#
play all

Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2020-09-25)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task
Genre: 3#
FEN: r5br/3PppP1/2P1k1p1/1pP1P1P1/2P1R1P1/p6B/8/R3K3
Input: Felber, Volker, 2013-08-22
Last update: James Malcom, 2020-09-25 more...

29 - P1287896
Jelisej K. Lebedkin
68 Die Schwalbe 29, p. 213, 10/1974
Preis, 154. TT., Abt. 3
Richter: H. P. Suwe

(12+7) cooked
#3*

* 1. ... Sa3-c2+ 2. Db2xc2 droht 3. Dc2-g6#, 3. Dc2-f5#
2. ... f3-f2+ 3. Dc2xf2#
1. Th2-h4? droht 2. Th4-f4#
1. ... e7-e5!
1. 0-0-0! droht 2. Db2-b6 ... 3. Db6-g6,Db6-e6#, 2. Td1-f1 ... 3. Tf1xf3#
1. ... e7-e5 2. dxe6ep+ Kf7xe6 3. d7-d8=S#
1. ... g7-g5 2. hxg6ep+ Kf7xg6 3. h7-h8=S#
1. ... g7-g6 2. h5xg6+ Kf7xg6 3. h7-h8=S#
play all

Cook: NL:
1.Db2-b6 ! Drohung: 2.Db6-g6 # 2.Db6-e6 #
1...Sa3-c2 + 2.Ke1-d2 Drohung: 3.Db6-g6 # 3.Db6-e6 #

Von der NL mal abgesehen, dieser Wust von Nebenvarianten und "Verführungen" machen das Stück für meinen Geschmack schon fast zum Ärgernis. \eb 16.1.2001

'Die Schwalbe', Heft 33 (Juni 1975), S. 341: "Nr. 68/Lebedkin hat nach 1. ... e5 den Dual 2. Dxe5 und zu dem die NL 1. Dd6! [gemeint war wohl 1. Db6!].
Die Auszeichnungen der inkorrekten Aufgaben entfallen. Ein Nachrücken nachfolgender Preisprobleme an die Stelle entfallener Aufgaben findet nicht statt."
milan: m.j.frelih::sBb7 nach a7 1.0-0-0! (2014-09-14)
James Malcom: Is it possible that the bP on b7 was a misprint and it should have been on a7? Because it seems very bizarre that such an obvious cook could slip into an awarded problem. (2020-09-26)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, En passant, Castling
Genre: 3#
FEN: 2N2b2/1p1PpkpP/8/3P3P/8/n3BpN1/1Q4PR/R3K3
Input: Erich Bartel, 2014-09-10
Last update: Mario Richter, 2020-09-26 more...

30 - P1287941
Klaus Wenda
Heinrich Bernleitner
4123 diagrammes (127) 10-12/1998

(11+6)
s#12
Längstzüger

1. a8=T+ Kd7 2. e8=L+ Ke6 3. f8=S+ Kf5 4. c8=D+ Se6 5. 0-0-0 Ke4 6. Dxc6+ Kf5 7. g4+ fxg3ep 8. Df3+ Sf4 9. Lb5 axb5 10. Ta1 bxc4 11. Tb1 cxb3 12. Dd3+ Sxd3#
play all

Korrektur
paul: Correction of P0009099. (2022-04-06)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, Allumwandlung, Maximummer, En passant, Castling
Genre: Fairies
FEN: 2k5/P1P1PP2/p1p3p1/6n1/2P2p2/1R5P/3P2P1/R3K3
Input: Erich Bartel, 2014-09-11
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2014-09-11 more...

31 - P1287950
Hilmar Ebert
33 Stern 08/08/1991

(6+3) C+
#3

1. 0-0-0! d7-d5 2. cxd6ep e4-e3 3. c7-c8=D,T# (UW-Dual)
play all

Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (apart from the promotion mate dual) (2020-09-26)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, En passant, Castling key, Tolerated dual promotion
Genre: 3#
Computer test: Popeye 4.61
FEN: 8/2Pp4/8/N1P5/4p3/P1k5/8/R3K3
Input: Erich Bartel, 2014-09-12
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2020-09-26 more...

32 - P1288159
Alexandr P. Dmitrenko
Sachove umeni 2000

(12+7) C+
s#9

1. a8=T! b5,b6 2. cxb6ep,cxb6 c5 3. Sxc5 Kf8 4. 0-0+ Kg8 5. Lf7+ Kf8 6. Dg7+ Ke7 7. Lg8 Kd8 8. Th1 Txg8 9. Dg5+ Txg5#
play all

Anton Baumann: 1. ... b6 2.cxb6 c5 3.Sxc5 ...
C+ Gustav 4.2a (2022-04-07)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, En passant, Castling
Genre: s#
FEN: 1b4kr/Pp1P3p/2p1N2P/2P1Q2B/2N4R/4p3/4P3/4K2R
Input: Erich Bartel, 2014-09-16
Last update: Marcin Banaszek, 2022-04-07 more...

33 - P1288169
Kjell Widlert
3027 Problemkiste (82) 08/1992

(4+9)
h#2
Gitterschach

1. cxb3ep! (Tempo) Txg6 2. Le2 0-0#
2. ... Tf1+? 3. Kf2!
play all

Der letzte Zug war b2-b4

En passant als Tempozug. Die Grundidee (Einfachschritt des wB ist im Gitterbrett automatisch ausgeschlossen) kann man schon in Fairy Chess Review finden. Hier ist sie mit Rochade garniert in offener Stellung. die jedoch keinen anderen letzten Zug erlaubt. (Autor).
Ganz toll gemacht! (HB).
Raffinierter Zugzwang (KF).
Das ist schon gemein, was der Autor mit den Lösern vorhat (HM).
Viel Gitterschach (Doppelschritt, Retropatt des Tg7 und Rochade trotz Le2) läßt den bekannten e.p.-Trick in neuem Licht erscheinen (MR).
Henrik Juel: Where is the promotion needed for Valladao? (2024-02-04)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, En passant, Castling, Grid Chess
Genre: Fairies, Retro
FEN: 8/4p1R1/4p1p1/8/1Pp4p/2p2k2/2p5/3bK2R
Input: Erich Bartel, 2014-09-16
Last update: Olaf Jenkner, 2015-03-19 more...

34 - P1288199
Klaus Wenda
U188 König & Turm 04/2003
1. Lob
Informalturnier
Richter: Hans Gruber

(10+9) C+
s#7
Längstzüger

1. 0-0-0 Lb4 2. h8=D+ Ke7 3. f8=L+ Kd8 4. b8=T+ Kc7 5. a8=S+ Kxb8 6. Dxg7 d5 7. exd6ep axb2,cxb2#
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Maximummer, Valladao Task, En passant, Castling, Promotion (DLTS), Allumwandlung
Genre: Fairies
Computer test: Alybadix
FEN: 5k2/PP1pbPpP/4pp2/4P3/4P3/p1p5/pRN5/R3K3
Input: Erich Bartel, 2014-09-18
Last update: James Malcom, 2021-12-13 more...

35 - P1288203
Klaus Wenda
Heinrich Bernleitner
Bo Lindgren
F1996 The Problemist 09/2000

(12+10) cooked
s#7
Längstzüger
wDU=Grashüpfer

1. a8=G+ Kb6 2. b8=D+ Kxc6 3. c8=T+ Kd7 4. e8=L+ Ke6 5. 0-0-0 Gg5 6. f8=S+ Kxf5
7. g4+ fxg3ep#
play all

Cook: 1. f8=G Gg8 2. Gxd6 Gg1 3. Gd4 Gc5 4. Gf7 Lh7 5. Gf5 Gf8 6. Ke2 Gxf5 7. Kd3 Gc2#
1. cxd8=D+ Kb5 2. Dxd6 Lxf5 3. Dxd5+ Sc5 4. e8=G+ Ld7 5. f8=D Lxe8 6. Sf1 Lh5 7. Dd3+ Sxd3#
1. cxd8=D+ Kb5 2. Dxd6 Lb1 3. Dxd5+ Sc5 4. g4 Lxf5 5. De4 Lc8 6. Sf1 Lxg4 7. Dd3+ Sxd3#
1. cxd8=D+ Kb5 2. Dxd6 Lf1 3. Dxd5+ Sc5 4. e8=D Lc4 5. De2 Lxe2 6. Sf1 Lh5 7. Dd3+ Sxd3#

Verbesserung

übernommen von G. Ettl 7.7.2003 \eb
paul: The corrected version is G198, FIDE Album 2001-2003. (2024-04-05)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, Allumwandlung (Super-), En passant, Castling, Maximummer, Promotion, konsekutive Umwandlungen 5 (GDTLS)
Pieces:

= Grasshopper (G)
Genre: Fairies
FEN: 3*2q4/PPP1PP2/p1Pp1p2/k2p1*2Q2/np3p2/3b4/3P2PN/R3K3
Reprints: The Problemist 3, p. 126, 05/2003
Input: Erich Bartel, 2014-09-18
Last update: James Malcom, 2021-02-12 more...

36 - P1288719
Ivan Bryukhanov

(5+2) C+
s=8

1. g8=D+! Kh6 2. 0-0 h4 3. Df6+ Kh5 4. g4+ hxg3ep 5. Tf3 g2 6. Dh4+ Kxh4 7. Th3+ Kxh3 8. Dg3+ Kxg3=
play all

James Malcom: Source? (2021-02-14)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, En passant, Castling, Promotion (D)
Genre: Fairies
Computer test: %Popeye FreeBSD-5.4-RELEASE-i386-32Bit V4.06
FEN: 3Q4/6Pk/8/7p/8/8/6P1/4K2R
Input: Erich Bartel, 2014-09-30
Last update: James Malcom, 2021-02-14 more...

37 - P1288722
Arnold Beine
Best Problems 2005
3. Preis
L. Vitale Memorial

(3+11)
h#19
Doppellängstzüger

1. a5 d4 2. c5 dxc6ep 3. Db6 cxb7 4. Dh6 bxc8=S 5. Dc1+ Ka2 6. Dh6 Sd6+ 7. Dxd6 Kb1 8. Dh2 Ka1 9. Db8 d5 10. Dh2 d6 11. Da2+ Kxa2 12. 0-0-0 dxe7 13. d5 Kb3 14. Td6 Ka4 15. Th6 Kb5 16. Ta6 Kxa6 17. g5 Kb5 18. Lh6 Kc6 19. Lf8 exf8=D,T (UW-Dual)
play all

Anton Baumann: abgesehen vom Umwandlungsdual C+ (Alybadix) (2023-03-28)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, En passant, Castling, Maximummer (Doppel-)
Genre: Fairies
FEN: r1bqkb2/ppppp1p1/8/3P4/8/8/3P4/K7
Reprints: A4387 Phénix (178), p. 7731, 11/2008
Input: Erich Bartel, 2014-09-30
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2014-09-30 more...

38 - P1301693
Gaspar J. Perrone
i076 Mirador (16) 06/2005

(8+10)
hs=6
Madrasi

1. a6 axb1=S 2. a7 Sa3 3. a8=D b1=L 4. 0-0 c1=T 5. Lf5 Kc8 6. e4+ dxe3ep=
play all

Anton Baumann: NL: 1.Kd2 Dxh3 2.e3 Txh8 3.a6 Sd5 4.S5c3 Df1 5.a7 cxb1=L 6.a8=T+ Ke7 = weitere mit Zugumstellung (2022-04-06)
comment

Keywords: Allumwandlung, Valladao Task, Madrasi
Genre: Fairies
FEN: 3k3B/2p4r/8/PN6/3p1n2/5q1B/ppp1P3/bN2K2R
Input: Erich Bartel, 2015-04-20
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2015-04-21 more...

39 - P1329145
Gennady Koziura
Valery Kopyl
10860 feenschach 205 01-02/2014

(13+6) C+
s#9

1. Sg6+! Sxg6 2. Th4+ Sf4 3. Th4-h5 Ld8-g5 4. Sc1-a2 b3xa2 5. b5-b6 c7xb6 6. d7-d8=L b6-b5 7. b2-b4 c4xb3ep 8. Dc6-c7 Ke5-d5 9. 0-0-0 Sf4-d3#
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, Castling, En passant, under-promotion (L)
Genre: s#
Computer test: Gustav 4.1d
FEN: 3b1N1n/2pP4/2Q5/1P2k3/2p2R2/1pP2P1B/1P5B/R1N1K3
Input: Frank Müller, 2017-01-02
Last update: Marcin Banaszek, 2021-04-01 more...

40 - P1380122
Zalmen Kornin
Kibitzer's Cafe 5/8/2004

(9+5) C+
#4

1. g8=D! d5 2. exd6ep Kc2 3. Sxc3 Kd3,Kb2 4. 0-0-0#,Dxa2#
play all

Final development of the earlier P1380121

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessforum.pl?kpage=587&archive=1#kibitzing

"For those interested in Chess Problems: In Tim Krabbé's "Open Chess Diary" the investigation on an idea in Composition, the so called "Belén-Theme" goes on with more novelties; - i'm arriving from that chess-cyber-café... i found that Problemist, he asked me "do You know the Valladão-Theme?" - Yes, i knew that jargon: "The Problem is pronto" What? "Ready" He showed me and asked me to publish here (is related to the previous ones) Author: Z. Kornin; "The Kibitzer's Café" 2004, Original - White: Ke1, Ra1, Bd4, Nb1, Pb6, Pc5, Pe5, Pg4, Pg7 (9); Black: Kc1, Pa2, Pc3, Pc6, Pd7 (5) - Mate in 4 , or in Forsyth: 8-3p2P1-1Pp5-2P1P3-3B2P1-2p5-p7-RNk1K3 (9+5) #4 < the key introduces a threat against 'a2', 'b3' and 'c4' , there are two related thematical variations, following a scheme aAbB - bBaA in the second and third moves; the sideline defenses 2...axb1 or 2...Kb2 in the 1...d5 variation are not total stops from the initial threats; in the en-passant moment there's a choice too: 3.cxd6 ep? c5! and Black will not fall in zugzwang; so 3.exd6!! - this effects springs from a natural setting - the Pawn 'c6' is necessary to stop an eventual Qxd5... Pawns 'b6' and 'g4' prevents duals in thematical play, other features are similar to the Author's scheme from "The Kibitzer's Café" July, 29 - see above Page 566.> The last chapter from a Chess-Composition workshop on-line!!"

Konig and Turm: ""Noch im Jahr der Thema(*)-Entdeckung (*the Belén) gelang dem Brasilianer Kornin eine Darstellung mit dem Valladão-Task" Hanspeter Suwe (2007);" (quote taken from here-https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessuser?uname=vonKrolock)

Tim Krabbe's minuscule mention in #253 in a small edit to the 7/28 P.S: "(NB: see pages 566 [P1380121 ] and 587 of that forum for the on-line development of a Valladao-Belén.)"

http://www.berlinthema.de/Auswahl_PH.pdf-"Das Belén-Thema verlangt den schwarzen Königsmarsch von c1 nach d3 gefolgt von der weißen langen Rochade – wie P.H. richtig anmerkt, sollte man besser von einem „Motiv“ sprechen. Kornins Stück verbindet dieses Motiv vermutlich erstmalig mit einem Valladao.
Auf mich wirkt ein Valladao mit Damenumwandlung allerdings immer „halb“, denn der „eigentliche“ Sonderzug ist doch eine Unterverwandlung? Eine solche würde auch einen selbstverständlichen Schlüssel verhindern."

James Malcom: This is the first Valladao-Belen: the Belen theme plus promotion and en passant. (2020-09-21)
Henrik Juel: Only the cases with Black defending by d7-d5 and Kc1-c2 in his first two moves lead to dual-free full-length variations (2020-09-21)
comment

Keywords: Belen Theme, Valladao Task, En passant, Promotion key, Castling as mating move
Genre: n#
FEN: 8/3p2P1/1Pp5/2P1P3/3B2P1/2p5/p7/RNk1K3
Reprints: H48a Der Reiz des Ungewöhnlichen
König & Turm 22, p. 14, 5/2007
(15) MatPlus.net Forum 8/9/2019
Input: James Malcom, 2020-09-21
Last update: James Malcom, 2020-10-27 more...

41 - P1380128
James Malcom
(34) MatPlus.net Forum 18/9/2019

(12+7) C+
#5

1. Sbc3!+ Kc2 2. cxd8=S b5 3. cxb6ep Txe6+ 4. Sxe6 Kd3 5. 0-0-0#
play all

http://matplus.net/start.php?px=1600656376&app=forum&act=posts&tid=2343&fid=xshows&page=1

http://www.berlinthema.de/Auswahl_PH.pdf-"Wenn man eine Unterverwandlung haben will, ist die Springerumwandlung in der Regel am einfachsten zu erzeugen, wegen der unterschiedlichen Gangart des Springers. Die (H48b) mag als Erstdarstellung ihre Berechtigung haben, doch daß Schwarz statt b7-b5 auch b7-b6 spielen kann, entwertet m.E. den e.p.-Schlag weitgehend. Zudem wirkt angesichts des ungedeckten Satzschachs das erste Zugpaar künstlich aufgesetzt."

James Malcom: This is the first Valladao-Belen with an underpromotion. However, it is damaged by the common "short" ep and a dualistic move order. (2020-09-21)
comment

Keywords: Belen Theme, Valladao Task, Checking key, under-promotion (S), En passant, Castling as mating move
Genre: n#
FEN: 3b4/1pPPr1p1/4P1P1/p1P5/N1p5/P7/P4P2/RNk1K3
Reprints: H48b Der Reiz des Ungewöhnlichen
Input: James Malcom, 2020-09-21
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2020-09-22 more...

42 - P1380143
Peter Hoffmann
H48c Der Reiz des Ungewöhnlichen 9/2019

(14+9) C+
#5

1. Sxc3+! Kc2 2. b8=T! f5 3. gxf6ep Lb5 4. Txb5 Kd3 5. 0-0-0#
play all

See the improved P1380148

http://www.berlinthema.de/Auswahl_PH.pdf-"In der einschlägigen Diskussion im „MatPlus Forum“ schälte sich heraus, daß Darstellungen mit Turm- oder Läuferumwandlung noch nicht existier(t)en, und dies rief P.H. auf den Plan, der ja ausdrücklich unerforschtes Terrain sucht.
In seinem Stück ist die Unterverwandlung in einen Turm im zweiten Zug logisch begründet – was auch hier das erste Zugpaar aufgesetzt wirken läßt. Mir scheint, daß das Belén-Motiv eher eine hinderliche Vorgabe ist ... 51
(Die Zweckreinheit der schwarzen Reihenfolge-Auswahl, welche die Damenumwandlung
widerlegt, soll hier nicht näher untersucht wurden. Unseres Erachtens ist sie zweckrein, falls man bereit ist, den Austausch der Möglichkeit 5. L:e4# durch die Möglichkeit 5. 0-0-0# als bloße Kompensation zu sehen.)"

http://matplus.net/start.php?px=1570441154&app=forum&act=posts&fid=gen&tid=2361&pid=17978#n17978

Post #1-"A wonderfull surprise! PH presented today a brand new Valladao-Belen, its already published in Erik Zierke's online book in PDF on Hoffmann's works:

http://www.berlinthema.de/AUSWAHL_PH.pdf

page 181, with full solution and comments. In page 180 are also presented, and commented, the known examples of Valladao-Belen (Just two so far, one of them evolved online recently here in MP):

http://matplus.net/start.php?px=1569833313&app=forum&act=posts&fid=xshows&tid=2343&pid=17926#n17926

After a promotion to Queen, and a promotion to Knight, now we have a promotion to Rook.

****** Peter, thanks for Your interest in the Valladão-Belén!! :"

Post 7-"In his excellent # 5, Peter Hoffmann introduces important novelties in the VB field: The promotion move act in three different levels of significance (control of b3, of b5 avoiding to affect d3, and - not least- create a threat of mate in two in e4, allowing a consistent en passant part in real play) : 2.b8 = R is the most impressive single movement in the whole VB's history!

He refers to the Belén as a "motif". In the old Rebnora forum discussions Frank Richter alluded to an "ornamental effect". For Erik Zierke, the Belén condition arrive to become an obstacle ('Hindernis') for the more satisfactory expression in the Valladão field (in the same book we find others of Peter Hoffmann's creations in this field)."

James Malcom: The first Valladao-Belen with a rook promotion. (2020-09-22)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Belen Theme, Valladao Task, Capture key, Checking key, under-promotion (T), En passant, Castling as mating move
Genre: n#
FEN: B3b3/1P3pPQ/4p3/3pP1P1/3Pn3/BPp2p2/pP3P2/RNk1K3
Reprints: (1) MatPlus.net Forum 30/9/2019
Input: James Malcom, 2020-09-22
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2020-09-22 more...

43 - P1380144
James Malcom
Zalmen Kornin
chessproblem.net 10/8/2019

(12+9) C+
#5

1. Sc3+! Kc2 2. h8=L! e5 3. fxe6ep cxd4 4. Lxd4 Kd3 5. 0-0-0#
play all

https://www.chessproblem.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1078&p=2344&hilit=belen#p2344

"Yes, a Valladao-Belen with a Bishop promotion, and the first to ever appear before the public !"

http://www.berlinthema.de/Auswahl_PH.pdf-"P.H.s (H48c) löste eine verstärkte Suche nach einer Darstellung mit der nun einzig noch feh- lenden Läuferumwandlung aus, und formell ist die (H48e) die Erstdarstellung. Allerdings sehen wir hier dieselbe gravierende thematische Schwäche wie in der (H48b), daß der Doppelschritt vor dem e.p.-Schlag nicht exklusiv ist und Schwarz ebenso den Einzelschritt spielen könnte – wodurch es zum gleichen Spiel kommt nur ohne den thematisch unabdingba- ren e.p.-Schlag."

http://matplus.net/start.php?px=1600576227&app=forum&act=posts&fid=xshown&tid=2367-"****...and the solution now is complete. Yes, You knew already, I'm sure: "habemus episcopus" - after Q, N and R, a promotion to Bishop in a published Valladao-Belen!"

James Malcom: The first Valladao-Belen with a bishop promotion. (2020-09-22)
comment

Keywords: Belen Theme, Valladao Task, Checking key, under-promotion (L), En passant, Castling as mating move
Genre: n#
FEN: 8/4p2P/3p4/pPpp1P2/B1pP1P2/Br3p2/1P3P2/RNk1K3
Reprints: H48e Der Reiz des Ungewöhnlichen
(1) MatPlus.net Forum Moremovers 10/8/2019
Input: James Malcom, 2020-09-22
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2020-09-22 more...

44 - P1380148
James Malcom
Peter Hoffmann
H48d Der Reiz des Ungewöhnlichen 9/2020
JM nach PH

(15+7) C+
#5

1. Sxc3+! Kc2 2. b8=T! d5 3. cxd6ep Dxb5,Dc6 4. Txb5,Lxc6 Kd3 5. 0-0-0#
3. exd6ep? Dxe6+!
3. Lxd5? Dd8!
play all

See P1380143

http://www.berlinthema.de/Auswahl_PH.pdf-"James Malcom weist darauf hin, daß ohne die schwarze Logik in der Widerlegung der Damenumwandlung man eine eindeutige Zugreihenfolge in der Lösungsphase erhalten kann. Danke für das Interesse an unserer Schrift!"

James Malcom: Some months back, I managed to improve Hoffmann's P1380143. But has only been published recently alongside it, and ironically in the same month. The point here is that there is but a single solution. It turned out to be scarcely possible, requiring every White man but the queen. (2020-09-22)
comment

Keywords: Belen Theme, Valladao Task, Capture key, Checking key, under-promotion (T), En passant, Castling as mating move
Genre: n#
FEN: B1N1q3/1P1p4/4P1p1/1RP1P1P1/8/BPp2p2/pP3P2/RNk1K3
Input: James Malcom, 2020-09-22
Last update: Olaf Jenkner, 2021-01-04 more...

45 - P1380368
James Malcom
MatPlus.net Forum 22/9/2020
Gewidmet Zalmen Kornin & Peter Hoffmann

(14+9) C+
#7

1. Sc3+! Kc2 2. exd4 hxg1=D+,T+ 3. Txg1 Lxh5 4. g4 fxg3ep 5. Txg3 Lg4 6. Txg4 Kd3 7. 0-0-0#
play all

http://matplus.net/start.php?px=1601242024&app=forum&act=posts&fid=gen&tid=2488

http://www.berlinthema.de/Auswahl_PH.pdf-"J.M. arbeitete weiter am Valladao-Belén und konnte ihn schließlich gemischtfarbig zeigen! Den „Umwandlungsdual“ halten wir für irrelevant, da ohne Pattmotiv die Turmumwandlung kein eigenständiger Zug ist. Und wir anerkennen durchaus die Pionierleistung! Andererseits ist ein ungedecktes Satzmatt eine sehr häßliche Konstruktionserleichterung."

more ...
comment

Keywords: Belen Theme, Valladao Task, Checking key, En passant, Promotion, under-promotion (t), Castling as mating move
Genre: n#
Computer test: Popeye 4.61
FEN: 8/5B2/6P1/3P3Q/2pq1pb1/Bp2Pp2/pP3PPp/RNk1K1NR
Reprints: H48i Der Reiz des Ungewöhnlichen 9/2020
Input: James Malcom, 2020-09-27
Last update: James Malcom, 2021-12-26 more...

46 - P1380523
Nels H. Nelson
760 Los Angeles Times , p. 30, 28/3/1937
"April Fool Joke"

(9+5)
#3

1. gxh6ep+! Kxf7 2. 0-0xg1! Sf6 3. e8=sS#!
play all

28/3/1937-https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25408700/chess-by-herman-steiner/

"NELS NELSON

We have heretofore published many of Nelson's fine problems and should like to show any readers the more humorous side of his talent. This winter our distinguished friend is spending his vacation in Los Angles. It is with his kind permission that we are publishing this story and problem.

Nels Nelson, born in Denmark in 1871, emigrated to the United States when 12 years of age. He learned the moves of chess in Denmark and began solving and composing problems in 1894. He was chess editor of the Minneapolis State Chess Asccostion, 1911-1912, president of the Minnesota State Chess Asccostion, 19229-1930, and lives at Hopkins, Minn., a suburb of Minneapolis.

AN APRIL FOOL JOKE

A certain celebrated chess master, who we will designate as Mr. "X," while on in the provinces happened into a tavern which was the mecca of the village chess players. Mr. "X," very fond of practical jokes, conceived a plan of springing on one of the unsuspecting natives. Professing ignorance of the game, the champion of the club offered to teach Mr. "X" its intricacies. After showing Mr. "X' all of the moves with the exception of pawn promotion, pawn takes pawn, etc., and castling, the champion said the following: ""I have purposely omitted three of the maneuvers in chess, which to the beginner are somewhat difficult to grasp. They are pawn promotion-when a pawn reaches the eight rank it ceases to be a pawn but may but it may be converted to any piece on the board and assumes its function at once. It is thus theoretically possible to have as many as nine queens on the board at once, and so on down the line." The champion then went to explain the castling on the king and queen side and emphasized the importance of moving the king first. The act of pawn takes pawn "en passant" was then thoroughly explained and the actual game started with the champion giving odds of queen to Mr. "X," who proved to be a very apt pupil! Mr. "X" lost the first game in short order-walking boldly into a mating net. In the second game he gave the champion quite the battle and won the approbation of that was worthy. In the third game, the champion managed to trap Mr. "X's" queen but had to give up two pieces for it and saw that he had a lost game but continued on in the hope that his experienced opponent would make some mistake. When the game has reached the position in the diagram the champion was dumbfounded to hear Mr. "X" announce mate in three moves. "Impossible!" exclaimed the champion. "You should win, of course, but mate in three cant be done." "Well, if you have interpreted the move and rules correctly, I am certain I see a mate in three," said Mr. "X." "Of course I have interpreted the rules correctly, exclaimed the now irate champion: and I will lay you a wager of dinner for the members of the club that you fail to mate in three moves." "Done!" cried Mr. "X." By this time nearly every member in the club was watching the game with interest. Now, who won this wager? It will be shown in the solution April 11."

11/4/1937-https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25408721/chess-by-herman-steiner/

"SOLUTION TO PROBLEM 760 by N. Nelson: "April Fool Joke."

White: K. on K1 R. on Q7, and KR1: Kt. on KB7 and KB8: B, on QB5: P. on K7, KKt5, and KKt2, Black: K. on KKt2: R. on KKt1: Kt. on K1: B. on KKt8: P. on KR4. (Wh. 9: BL. 5.)

Many members of the club were very fine players and felt their champion would win. Curiously, most of them were pulling for Mr. "X," as the champion was somewhat of a braggard and if he won they felt they would be hearing about it for a long time. They were, therefore, keenly alert when Mr. "X" started to proceed the game. "My first move is pawn takes en passant," said the smiling Mr. "x." "Of course, I anticipated that move," replied the champion, "and I shall meet it with king takes knight." Oh well then I shall make for my second move, castle: taking the bishop," continued Mr. "X." "This move is according to your definition of castling, perfectly legitimate, as the king moves first, and the bishop being on the knight square, certainly is subject to capture." "Well," replied the champion, "I must say your interpretation is far fetched, but I will grant you even this point as I fail to see how you mate on the next move: you evidently overlook the fact that when you promote the pawn the king will be able to capture it. Of course, I am forced to interpose my knight and it is pinned, but the king will still be able to take care of that promoted pawn. " Well," smiled Mr. "X," "I shall, however, mate you by pawn to king eight, discovering check, as I shall claim a black knight for the promoted pawn, which, according to your interpretation of pawn promotion, is perfectly legitimate. You stated I might choose any piece on the board and, of course, as the black knight is the only piece that will mate, I naturally selected it."
Exit champion.

We are publishing the best solution sent in my Ladderite L. A. Post, incidentally only two others solved this April Fool Problem.

Problem 760 to complete the tale that Mr. Nelson started to what I believe to be the logical solution according to the rules given by the local champion.
1. White: Pawn takes pawn "en passant" check.
The local champion then captured the white knight reposing on his "bishop two."
1. Black: king takes knight.
"Now," continued Mr. "X" "I understand to quote you, the king moves firstl in castling."
"That is correct," agreed the champion.
Thereupon Mr. "X" executed the move in the prescribed manner by first moving his king to his king knight square and removing the champion's bishop and then setting his rook down on his king bishop square calling check.
The champion was nonplussed, for in stating the rules for "castling" he had failed to forsee a circumstance of this kind. He was forced to admit that, according to his own statement, such a move was possible But seeing in spite of this that it was still impossible to checkmate on the next move, he conceded the point and interposed his knight.
2. Black: Knight to king bishop three.
"Did you not say," resumed Mr. "X," "that in 'pawn promotion' you could reclaim to any piece on the board?"
"That is correct," conceded the champion, "but since you insist on taking me literally I might add that there is no "queen' on the board you may claim in one."
"In that case," stated Mr. "X," "I will be equally generous and present you with a 'knight.'"Whereupon Mr. "X" removed the pawn at king seven and placed a black 'knight' at king eight discovering checkmate to the champion's "king."
"Such a thing is impossible !" cried the outraged champion.
"Not at all," replied Mr. "X," "for according to your statement that "upon reaching the eight rank a pawn be converted to any piece on the board and assumes its function at once.'"
To this the other members agreed. So the champion held a dinner in honor of Mr. "X," the most apt pupil he had ever taught.

Respectfully yours,

L.A. Post
Seaman, First Class, U.S. Navy,
U.S..S Texas, San Pedro, Cal."

Henrik Juel: Some help is needed here, James
At least for me (2020-10-01)
A.Buchanan: Hi Henrik I am guessing it’s a cheatyface Valladao:
1. gxh6ep+ Kxf7 2. 0-0+ Sf6 3. f8=sS#
No proof for the ep, castling with capture and promotion to black officer (2020-10-02)
James Malcom: Bingo Andrew! (2020-10-02)
Henrik Juel: Even though I ought to stand by my fellow danish author:
This is a most crude 'joke' problem, especially the 'castling' with capture (2020-10-02)
A.Buchanan: It's kind of a running gag: three silly jokettes which do combine relatively harmoniously (2020-10-02)
A.Buchanan: 1. ... Kf6 allows a short mate, robbing White of the Valladao. 4nNbn/3RP1kN/8/6Pp/8/8/8/4K1bR is the best I can find, fixing the problem, and with less material (2020-10-02)
A.Buchanan: I was hoping that someone would spot that I have shifted a unit to h7 - i.e. the e.p. is even more Foolish :-) I claim it "improves" the problem because currently the e.p. *might* be legal :-) If this is too crude for some, then 4nNr1/3RP1k1/6N1/4P1Pp/8/8/8/4K1bR works. Note you need sTg8 to prevent 2. Sh8#, but wSg6 is blocking g-file, so wBg2 is still free to find other duties on e5. (2020-10-03)
James Malcom: Excellent improvements, Andrew! (2020-10-06)
A.Buchanan: Thanks James: do you think the one with Sh7 is excessively silly? (2020-10-06)
James Malcom: Yes, 'd say a bit too silly. (2020-10-16)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Joke, Valladao Task, Joke promotion (s), En passant as key, Castling, Checking key, under-promotion (s)
Genre: 3#
FEN: 4nNr1/3RPNk1/8/2B3Pp/8/8/6P1/4K1bR
Reprints: Los Angeles Times , p. 13, 11/4/1937
Input: James Malcom, 2020-10-01
Last update: James Malcom, 2021-02-23 more...

47 - P1380892
Courtnay Lemon
343 American Chess Magazine Volume 2, p. 284, 12/1898

(7+6)
#3

1. bxc6ep+! Kc7 2. 0-0-0 Dxb4 3. a8=S#
play all

Solution text from the 2/1899 issue: "A clever rendering of this "triple idea." It will be seen that Black cannot play simply 2.R-Q sq on account of 3. Q x Q ch."

zum Autor heißt es im 'ACM': Courtenay Lemon, New York
James Malcom: I found this most excellent early Valladao while ago, but only today did I finally find it again. This is the second one that I've found, i.e. P1380523

Is this the second oldest known Valladao after the 1867 P1360420 found by Keym?

The mainline should be C+, with the "legitimate" ep key, but with many dualed sidelines. (2020-10-14)
Henrik Juel: Something seems missing, James
There is no mate 3... Kc8,Kxc6 (2020-10-14)
Henrik Juel: Adding wSe7 would help (2020-10-14)
James Malcom: Henrik, Mario-many thanks!-has now fixed the position. I had missed the wSe7 when entering! (2020-10-14)
comment

Keywords: Joke (e.p.), En passant as key, Castling, under-promotion in mating move (S), Valladao Task
Genre: 3#
FEN: 1b6/Pk2N3/1q6/1Pp5/1Q6/4p1p1/2P5/R3K3
Input: James Malcom, 2020-10-14
Last update: Mario Richter, 2020-10-14 more...

48 - P1381642
Milomir Babic
8650 Phénix 301-302 11-12/2019

(8+7)
s#11

1. d3-d4+! f7-f5 2. g5xf6ep+ Tg4-g6 3. 0-0+ Lf4-c1 4. Kg1-h1 h5-h4 5. Lg3-h2 h4-h3 6. f6-f7 b5-b4 7. f7-f8=L h6-h5 8. Lf8-d6 h5-h4 9. Lh2-g1 h3-h2 10. Ld6xh2 h4-h3 11. Tf2-g2 h3xg2#
play all

SCHRECKE: Nach 4. ... b4 geht 5.Lh2 oder 5.f7 (2020-11-09)
comment

Keywords: Checking key, En passant, Castling, under-promotion (L), Valladao Task, Pawn mate
Genre: s#
FEN: 8/5p1B/7p/1p4Pp/5br1/1N1P2B1/5R2/1k2K2R
Input: Marcin Banaszek, 2020-11-09
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2020-11-09 more...

49 - P1381790
James Malcom
Facebook 24/09/2020

(7+5) C+
#3

1. h8=D+! e5 2. dxe6ep+ Kxd3 3. 0-0-0#
2. ... Kxb4 3. Db2#
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, Promotion key (D), En passant, Castling as mating move, Checking key, Flight-giving key
Genre: 3#
Computer test: popeye 4.85
FEN: 8/4p2P/3p4/2pP4/1R6/2kBp3/8/R3K1N1
Input: James Malcom, 2020-11-12
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2020-11-13 more...

50 - P1383322
Werner Keym
7 Die Schwalbe 215, p. 241, 10/2005
Hanspeter Suwe gewidmet

(5+4) C+
#3

1. Th5! droht 2. Th8#
1. ... g5+ 2. f5xg6ep 0-0-0 3. a8=D#
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, En passant, Castling, Promotion
Genre: 3#
Computer test: popeye 4.85
FEN: r3k3/PR4p1/8/5PR1/7K/8/6p1/8
Input: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2020-12-24
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2020-12-24 more...

51 - P1385600
Michel Caillaud
MatPlus.net Forum 14/01/2021

(14+14)
PG in 12.5
Staugaard castling

b) 1. e4 h5 2. e5 h4 3. Dh5 h3 4. Le2 hxg2 5. h4 Th6 6. Th3 Tb6 7. Ta3 d6 8. Ta6 Kd7 9. Lg4+ f5 10. exf6ep+ Kc6 11. fxe7 bxa6 12. e8=T Kb7 13. 0-0-0-0-0-0
play all

Objective: Staugaard (Pam-Krabbé) Valladao.
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Staugaard castling, Valladao Task, En passant, Castling, Prenix (T), Promotion (t)
Genre: Retro, Fairies
FEN: rnbq1bn1/pkp3p1/pr1p4/7Q/6BP/4K3/PPPPRPp1/RNB3N1
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-01-21
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2021-05-10 more...

52 - P1390560
Geir Sune Tallaksen Østmoe
Discord Chess Problems & Studies Server 02/05/2021
4. Platz
Discord Composition Tourney 1

(14+5)
#1
b) wKf5->e1
c) wKf5->g1

a) 1. dxe6ep#
b) 1. 0-0#
c) 1. f8=D,T#
play all

Henrik Juel: Black captured [Lc1] and b7xDa6, so in part a) last move was e7-e5
1.dxe6ep#, 1.0-0#, 1.f8=DT# (2021-06-08)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, Castling as mating move, En passant, Tolerated dual promotion, under-promotion (T)
Genre: Retro
FEN: B7/p4P2/p7/P2PpK2/6P1/3P1kpP/1P1P2R1/2NN3R
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-06-08
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2021-09-30 more...

53 - P1391291
Pascal Wassong
Messigny 1998
4. Preis

(14+14) C+
BP in 13.5

1. a4 d5 2. Ta3 Lg4 3. Te3 Lf3 4. exf3 Kd7 5. Lb5 Kd6 6. Se2 d4 7. 0-0 d3 8. Kh1 dxe2 9. d4 exf1=L 10. d5 Ld3 11. Te2 Lf5 12. Dd3 Lc8 13. Lf4+ e5 14. dxe6ep+
play all

A.Buchanan: 14. ... Kc5! would move beyond the diagram check. (2021-07-31)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling, En passant, under-promotion (l), Pronkin Theme (l)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Euclide 1.01, no solution in 12.5
FEN: rnbq1bnr/ppp2ppp/3kP3/1B6/P4B2/3Q1P2/1PP1RPPP/1N5K
Reprints: Problemesis 4 08/1998
M4 Phénix 66, p. 4112, 09/1998
13 Orbit 30, p. 318, 04/2006
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2021-11-26 more...

54 - P1391292
Viktor Peretyatko
R307 The Problemist , p. 28, 01/2001

(14+9) C+
BP in 12.5

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Sc6 3. dxc6 Ld7 4. cxb7 Lb5 5. b8=S Dd7 6. Sxd7 0-0-0 7. Sxf8 Txd2 8. Sxh7 Txh7 9. g4 Th5 10. Lh3 Te2 11. Kf1 Tc5 12. g5+ f5 13. gxf6ep+
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling, En passant, under-promotion (S), Ceriani-Frolkin Theme (S), Prentos Theme (S)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Euclide 1.01, no solution in 11.5
FEN: 2k3n1/p1p1p1p1/5P2/1br5/8/7B/PPP1rP1P/RNBQ1KNR
Reprints: 9 Orbit 30, p. 317, 04/2006
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2021-11-26 more...

55 - P1391293
Ayako Okaya
R003 Problem Paradise 13 03/1999

(11+15) C+
BP in 11.0

1. d3 e6 2. Lh6 Dh4 3. Dd2 g5 4. Dc3 Lxh6 5. Dxh8 Kf8 6. Dg7+ Kxg7 7. Sa3 Kh8 8. 0-0-0 g4 9. f4 gxf3ep 10. Td2 fxe2 11. g4 exf1=T#
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling, En passant, under-promotion (t), Phoenix (t)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Euclide 1.01, no solution in 10.0
FEN: rnb3nk/pppp1p1p/4p2b/8/6Pq/N2P4/PPPR3P/2K2rNR
Reprints: 3 Orbit 30, p. 216, 04/2006
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2021-11-26 more...

56 - P1391294
Per Grevlund
251 Problemskak 6 04-06/2009
to L.Larsen for his 90 years
6. Lob
Problemskak 2008-10

(11+13) C+
BP in 11.0

1. g4 b5 2. g5 b4 3. g6 b3 4. gxh7 bxa2 5. hxg8=S axb1=S 6. Sh6 Sxd2 7. Kxd2 g5 8. Ke3 Lxh6 9. Ld2 0-0 10. Dc1 g4 11. f4 gxf3ep+
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling (sk), En passant (s), under-promotion (Ss), Ceriani-Frolkin Theme (Ss), Prentos Theme (Ss), Phoenix (s), Prenix (S)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Euclide 1.01, no solution in 10.0
FEN: rnbq1rk1/p1pppp2/7b/8/8/4Kp2/1PPBP2P/R1Q2BNR
Reprints: Problemskak 21 2013
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Björn Enemark, 2022-08-07 more...

57 - P1391295
Andreas Thoma
17289 Die Schwalbe 288 12/2017

(13+12) C+
BP in 13.5

1. b4 g5 2. b5 g4 3. b6 g3 4. bxa7 gxh2 5. axb8=S hxg1=S 6. Sxd7 Sxe2 7. Sc5 Sc3 8. Se4 Kd7 9. Dh5 Ke6 10. g4 Ld7 11. Lh3 Le8 12. 0-0 Dd7 13. g5+ f5 14. gxf6ep#
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling (wk), En passant, under-promotion (Ss), Phoenix (s), Prenix (S)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Euclide 1.01, no solution in 12.5
FEN: r3bbnr/1ppqp2p/4kP2/7Q/4N3/2n4B/P1PP1P2/RNB2RK1
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2021-11-26 more...

58 - P1391296
Jonathan Mestel
WCCC Ohrid 09/2018
2. ehrende Erwähnung
Champagne Tourney, 2018

(15+13) C+
BP in 13.5

1. c4 h5 2. Db3 h4 3. Kd1 h3 4. Kc2 hxg2 5. Sh3 g1=S 6. Lg2 Sf6 7. Lc6 Sf3 8. Tg1 Se4 9. Txg7 f6 10. Tg1 Lg7 11. exf3 0-0 12. c5+ d5 13. cxd6ep+ Tf7 14. d7
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling (sk), En passant, under-promotion (s), Ceriani-Frolkin Theme (s)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Euclide 1.01, no solution in 13.0 or 12.5
FEN: rnbq2k1/pppPprb1/2B2p2/8/4n3/1Q3P1N/PPKP1P1P/RNB3R1
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Marcin Banaszek, 2023-09-29 more...

59 - P1391297
Marek Kolcak
WCCC Ohrid 09/2018
1. ehrende Erwähnung
Champagne Tourney, 2018

(12+15) C+
BP in 12.5

1. f4 c5 2. f5 Da5 3. f6 Kd8 4. fxe7 Kc7 5. e8=T b6 6. Te3 La6 7. Th3 Lxe2 8. Sf3 Lxd1 9. Le2 c4 10. 0-0 Lc5+ 11. d4 cxd3ep+ 12. Tf2 Lxf2+ 13. Kf1
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling, En passant, under-promotion (T), Prenix (T)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Euclide 1.01, no solution in 12.0 or 11.5
FEN: rn4nr/p1kp1ppp/1p6/q7/8/3p1N1R/PPP1BbPP/RNBb1K2
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Marcin Banaszek, 2023-09-29 more...

60 - P1391298
Ladislav Packa
Emil Klemanic
Michal Dragoun
Ladislav Salai
WCCC Ohrid 09/2018
2. Lob
Champagne Tourney, 2018

(15+12) C+
BP in 11.5

1. h4 e6 2. h5 Dh4 3. c3 Dc4 4. f4 Lb4 5. f5 Se7 6. f6 0-0 7. fxe7 Sc6 8. exf8=S Se7 9. Sxh7 Kxh7 10. Dc2 Kh6 11. d4 g5 12. hxg6ep+
play all

Henrik Juel: Thanks for posting this nice set of Valladao proof games, Andrew (2021-07-03)
A.Buchanan: Welcome Henrik - it's a popular and accessible theme :) (2021-07-03)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling, En passant, under-promotion (S), Ceriani-Frolkin Theme (S), Prentos Theme (S)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Euclide 1.01, no solution in 10.5
FEN: r1b5/ppppnp2/4p1Pk/8/1bqP4/2P5/PPQ1P1P1/RNB1KBNR
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Marcin Banaszek, 2023-09-29 more...

61 - P1391300
Igor Vereshchagin
Michel Caillaud
IV Phénix 206, p. 8574, 06/2011

(15+12) C+
BP in 15.5

1. e2-e4 c7-c5 2. Lf1-d3 c5-c4 3. Sg1-e2 c4-c3 4. 0-0 c3xd2 5. c2-c4 e7-e6 6. Se2-c3 Lf8-a3 7. Dd1-e2 d2-d1=S 8. f2-f4 Sd1-f2 9. b2xa3 Sf2-h3 10. g2xh3 Ke8-e7 11. Tf1-f2 Ke7-f6 12. Kg1-f1 Kf6-g6 13. e4-e5 f7-f5 14. e5xf6ep Kg6-h6 15. f4-f5 g7-g5 16. f5xg6ep#
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling, En passant (2), under-promotion (s), Ceriani-Frolkin Theme (s)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: Euclide 1.01, no solution in 14.5
FEN: rnbq2nr/pp1p3p/4pPPk/8/2P5/P1NB3P/P3QR1P/RNB2K2
Reprints: 791 Problemskak 17, p. 9, 2012
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2021-11-26 more...

62 - P1391301
Brian E. Chamberlain
R450 The Problemist 09/2012
dedicated to J.Ling

(12+14) C+
BP in 16.0

1. Sb1-c3 Sg8-f6 2. Sc3-d5 Sf6-e4 3. Sd5xe7 Se4xd2 4. Ke1xd2 a7-a5 5. Kd2-c3 a5-a4 6. Kc3-b4 Sb8-a6 7. Kb4-a5 Lf8xe7 8. e2-e4 0-0 9. Dd1-h5 f7-f5 10. Lf1-e2 f5-f4 11. Le2-g4 f4-f3 12. Sg1-e2 f3xe2 13. Th1-d1 Tf8-f3 14. Td1-d5 Tf3-a3 15. Td5-b5 e2-e1=L+ 16. b2-b4 a4xb3ep#
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling, En passant, under-promotion (l), Non-standard material (l)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: Euclide 1.01, no solution in 15.0
FEN: r1bq2k1/1pppb1pp/n7/KR5Q/4P1B1/rp6/P1P2PPP/R1B1b3
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2021-11-26 more...

63 - P1391302
Unto Heinonen
Tehtäväniekka 10/2014
Lob
Jubile E Saazenheimo-95

(14+12) C+
BP in 17.5

1. d2-d4 g7-g6 2. d4-d5 Lf8-h6 3. d5-d6 Ke8-f8 4. d6xe7 Kf8-g7 5. Dd1-d6 c7-c5 6. Dd6xb8 b7-b5
7. Db8-b6 a7xb6 8. e7-e8=D Ta8-a4 9. De8-e7 Ta4-h4 10. e2-e4 d7-d5 11. Lf1-d3 Lc8-g4 12. Sg1-e2 Lg4-h5 13. 0-0 Lh6-d2 14. g2-g4 Ld2-a5 15. g4xh5 g6xh5 16. Lc1-f4 Kg7-g6 17. e4-e5 f7-f5 18. e5xf6ep#
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling, En passant, Promotion (D), Phoenix (D)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: Euclide 1.01, no solution in 16.5
FEN: 3q2nr/4Q2p/1p3Pk1/bppp3p/5B1r/3B4/PPP1NP1P/RN3RK1
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2021-11-26 more...

64 - P1391303
Hitoshi Yanami
R253 Problem Paradise 84 10/2018

(12+16) C+
BP in 18.0

1. g2-g3 h7-h5 2. Lf1-g2 h5-h4 3. Lg2-c6 d7xc6 4. d2-d4 Lc8-e6 5. Dd1-d3 Dd8-d7 6. Dd3-b5 c6xb5 7. Lc1-f4 Sb8-c6 8. Ke1-d2 0-0-0 9. Kd2-e3 Dd7-e8 10. Sb1-d2 Td8-d5 11. Ta1-f1 Td5-h5 12. d4-d5 Kc8-b8 13. d5-d6 Le6-d5 14. d6-d7 e7-e5 15. d7-d8=L e5-e4 16. Ld8-f6 g7xf6 17. Lf4-d6 Lf8-h6 18. f2-f4 e4xf3ep+
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling, En passant, Promotion (L), Ceriani-Frolkin Theme (L)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: Euclide 1.01, no solution in 17.0
FEN: 1k2q1nr/ppp2p2/2nB1p1b/1p1b3r/7p/4KpP1/PPPNP2P/5RNR
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2021-11-26 more...

65 - P1391304
Ivan Denkovski
76 feenschach 183, p. 382, 08/2010
Lob

(13+13) C+
BP in 24.0

1. h2-h4 a7-a5 2. h4-h5 Ta8-a6 3. h5-h6 Ta6-e6 4. h6xg7 Te6-e3 5. f2xe3 h7-h5 6. Ke1-f2 Sg8-h6 7. g7-g8=L Lf8-g7 8. Kf2-g3 Lg7-e5 9. Kg3-h3 f7-f6 10. Lg8-b3 h5-h4 11. c2-c4 0-0 12. Sb1-a3 Dd8-e8 13. Sa3-c2 De8-h5 14. c4-c5 Sh6-f7 15. c5-c6 Sb8-a6 16. c6xb7 c7-c5 17. a2-a3 c5-c4 18. Ta1-a2 c4-c3 19. Sc2-a1 c3-c2 20. b7-b8=D c2xd1=T 21. Db8-c7 Td1xf1 22. Dc7-c2 Tf1-f2 23. Dc2-d1 d7-d5 24. g2-g4 h4xg3ep#
play all

Henrik Juel: Euclide 1.01 found the solution quickly, but later got stuck on pos. 112, and I killed the program after some 20 hours (2021-07-04)
A.Buchanan: Congratulations Henrik you have invented the concept of "HC++" (2021-07-04)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling, En passant, under-promotion (Lt), Promotion (D), Pronkin Theme (D), Phoenix (t), Prenix (LD)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: Stelvio 1.5, in 2sec.
FEN: 2b2rk1/4pn2/n4p2/p2pb2q/8/PB2P1pK/RP1PPr2/N1BQ2NR
Reprints: feenschach 212 04/2015
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03
Last update: Reto, 2023-08-19 more...

66 - P1391341
Gianni Donati
v Best Problems 50 04/2009
2nd Honourable Mention,
E. Minerva 45 JT

(13+14) C+
BP in 22.0

1. h4 a5 2. Th3 a4 3. Tb3 axb3 4. Sc3 bxa2 5. b3 d5 6. La3 Lf5 7. Db1 e6 8. Kd1 Dg5 9. hxg5 c5 10. g6 Sc6 11. gxh7 g5 12. Kc1 Lg6 13. Kb2 f5 14. Dd1 Sf6 15. Sb1 Tg8 16. h8=T 0-0-0 17. Th1 Lh6 18. Kc3 Tg7 19. Kd3 c4 20. Ke3 c3 21. Lc1 g4+ 22. f4 gxf3ep+
play all

HJ: last moves were something like 21... g5-g4+ 22.f2-f4 gxf3ep+
so it suffices to test the position with Pf3 on g5 and a wP added on f2
C++ means C+ plus that no shorter solution can be found.
A.Buchanan: The definition of Pronkin seems over-narrow, in two ways:
(1) The original officer must be captured: why? Standardization of material can be achieved by later Ceriani-Frolkin of the promoted officer, or (if S or T) by capture of another officer. In *any* of these three cases, it's an achievement for the promoted unit to have doing a homecoming.
(2) And this capture must happen *before* the homecoming of promoted officer: again why? This is a similar timing irrelevancy to "Phoenix", where the proper concept is "Nix".
So there are all these other fine scenarios which are completely nameless. Not to moan: how to fix all this? (2021-07-04)
A.Buchanan: @Henrik, I like your concept of "C++" (the well-known programming language). For positions with checks in the final diagram clearly testing n & n-1.0 suffices. Where there is no check in the final diagram, then the testing should be n, n-0.5, n-1.0 & n-1.5. Even though this is a bit of a bore, in most cases the other cases are very quick. This is the minimum set of tests necessary to *guarantee* no shorter PGs exist. To me, it seems worth pushing that extra yard, because otherwise C++ will be tarred with the same subjective incompleteness as C+. (2021-07-04)
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling (sg), Promotion (T), Phoenix (T), Pronkin Theme (T), Impostor (Th1)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C++ Euclide 1.01
FEN: 2kr4/1p4r1/2n1pnbb/3p1p2/8/1Pp1Kp2/p1PPP1P1/RNBQ1BNR
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-04
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-04 more...

67 - P1399595
David Dana-Bashian
Chess Life and Review 4/1990

(6+16)
h#3

1. ... fxg6ep 2. 0-0 c8=S 3. Dh8 Sxe7#
play all

http://uscf1-nyc1.aodhosting.com/CL-AND-CR-ALL/CL-ALL/1990/1990_04.pdf

Henrik Juel: White captured nothing, so Black captured a7xb6xc5xd4xc3, cxd, d7xc6 hxg, and did two more pawn captures to explain the pawn inversion on the f-line; as [Lf1] was captured at home, all 10 missing white men are accounted for
White has no possible last move, so he has the move, and the stipulation is really h#2.5
Last move was g7-g5, because this is the only way to give White a previous move (Kg5-h5), so White may start with an ep capture (2022-03-02)
Henrik Juel: HC+ Popeye 4.61 with analysis (2022-03-02)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task
Genre: h#
FEN: 4k2r/1pPbn3/2p2q1P/3p1PpK/3bprpn/4pp2/4P1P1/8
Input: James Malcom, 2022-03-02
Last update: James Malcom, 2022-03-02 more...

68 - P1400824
Otto Kerekes
Tivadar Kardos
Andrew Buchanan
France-Echecs 23/04/2022
OK & TK, correction AB

(11+15)
h#2
b) wBg2 -> sB

a) 1. cxd4 Lxc4 2. Dd5 Ld3#
not 1. cxd3ep? Txd1 2. dxc2 Lxc2# because last move was 0-0.
b) 1. cxd3ep cxd3+ 2. Kf3 Lxd1# because last move was d2-d4.
play all

Corrects P0005275
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis (2022-04-23)
Henrik Juel: solutions
a) 1.cxd4 Lxc4 2.Dd5 Lxc2#
not 1.cxd3ep? Txd1 2.dxc2 Lxc2, because last move could be 0-0
b) 1.cxd3ep cxd3+ 2.Kf3 Lxd1# (2022-04-23)
Mario Richter: In a), why not 1. cxd3ep?
Andrew: "because last move was 0-0."
Henrik: "because last move could be 0-0"
Mario: "because d2-d4 definitively was not White's last move" (2022-04-24)
Henrik Juel: You are right, Mario
But my argument suffices to rule out the ep capture, which is allowed only if you can show that last move was d2-d4 (2022-04-24)
A.Buchanan: Thanks Mario. I think that our opinions are consistent. I wanted to emphasise the castling because of Valladao. In b), h8=L is accurate, even if we never know the result of e8=X in either twin. (2022-04-25)
more ...
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task, En passant as key, Castling in the retro play, Promotion (L), Castling (wk)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.61 & Retractor 2 which determines that only candidate last move are a) d2-d4 & 0-0 b) d2–d4. Manual logic determines in a) that last move was not in fact d2-d4 because wPe would promote on wrong colour square. Also C+ with rawbats
FEN: 8/p1p5/1B6/q1p1b3/r1pPkpp1/1Bp3Pb/PPP2PPr/1n1n1RK1
Input: A.Buchanan, 2022-04-23
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-15 more...

69 - P1401684
Velmurugan Nallusamy
SS027 The Hopper Magazine I01 24/12/2021

(15+11) C+
PG in 9.5
Madrasi

1. h4 Sf6 2. h5 g5 3. hxg6ep Lh6 4. Txh6 0-0 5. Txh7 De8 6. Txf7 Dxf7 7. g7 Se8 8. gxf8=T+ Kg7 9. Th8 Kf6 10. Th1
play all

more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Homebase (w), En passant, Pronkin Theme (T), Promotion (T), Castling (sk), Valladao Task, Phoenix (T), Madrasi
Genre: Retro, Fairies
Computer test: C+ Jacobi 0.7.5
FEN: rnb1n3/pppppq2/5k2/8/8/8/PPPPPPP1/RNBQKBNR
Input: A.Buchanan, 2022-06-08
Last update: Miguel Ambrona, 2023-07-26 more...

70 - P1406941
Marco Bonavoglia
Best Problems 105, p. 561, 01/2023

(4+4)
h#2 a Posteriori
Ultrapatrouilleschach

1. dxe3ep 0-0-0+! 2. Kf7 d8=S#

R: 1. e2-e4
play all

Autor: "Le ultime mosse sono state del Re bianco (protetto dalla Ta1) o Be2-e4 protetto dal Ke1. Il nero prende en passant e il bianco deve giustificarlo a posteriori arroccando. Tema Valladao of course." [Zuletzt zog der weiße König (geschützt durch Ta1) oder Be2-e4 geschützt durch Ke1. [mri: oder Td1-a1] Schwarz schlägt en passant und Weiß muss es anschließend durch die Rochade rechtfertigen. Valladao-Thema natürlich.]

Posthum innerhalb eines Nachrufes auf Marco Bonavoglia veröffentlicht.

Antonio Garofalo: "Marco, mentre era in ospedale, mi ha inviato questi due problemi, uno augurale, l'altro per la competizione fairies. Sfortunatamente egli non può vedere i suoi lavori pubblicati, essendo deceduto nelle prime ore del 5 dicembre 2022..." [Marco schickte mir, während er im Krankenhaus war, diese beiden Probleme [dieses und P1406940], eines für seine [Neujahrs-]Wünsche (P1406940), das andere für den Wettbewerb, Abteilung Märchenschach. Leider kann er seine veröffentlichten Werke nicht mehr sehen, denn er verstarb in den frühen Morgenstunden des 5. Dezember 2022.]
Joost de Heer: C+ Popeye with 'opt enp e2e3e4'.
Too bad there isn't a try without castling. (2023-04-04)
comment

Keywords: En passant as key, Ultrapatrol, Valladao Task
Genre: h#, Retro, Fairies
Computer test: laut 'Best Problems' C+, aber Prüfprogramm nicht angegeben
FEN: 4k2r/3P4/2n5/8/3pP3/8/8/R3K3
Input: Mario Richter, 2022-12-30
Last update: Mario Richter, 2022-12-30 more...

71 - P1408358
Andrew Buchanan
10 Problemas 36, p. 1190, 10/2021

(15+13) C+
PG in 14.5

1. e4 c5 2. Lb5 c4 3. Sf3 c3 4. 0-0 cxd2 5. c4 f6 6. Db3 d1=L 7. Lh6 Kf7 8. c5+ d5 9. cxd6ep+ Kg6 10. Se5+ Kh5 11. Le8+ g6 12. Lg7 Lh3 13. gxh3 Lg4 14. f3 Kh4 15. fxg4
play all

Objective: co-record shortest achievement of task, followed by artistic continuation.
Also version rnbqBbnr/pp2p1Bp/3P1pp1/4N2k/4P3/1Q5P/PP3P1P/RN1R2K1 PG in 14.0 mentioned in article. This offers different artistic continuation (with Pronkin instead of Ceriani-Frolkin).
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling (wk), En passant, Promotion (l), Prenix (l), Ceriani-Frolkin Theme (l)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: HJ: C+ Stelvio 1.0
FEN: rn1qBbnr/pp2p1Bp/3P1pp1/4N3/4P1Pk/1Q5P/PP5P/RN3RK1
Input: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-19
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-20 more...

72 - P1408359
Andrew Buchanan
9 Problemas 36, p. 1190, 10/2021

(14+13) C+
PG in 12.0

1. e4 b5 2. e5 b4 3. Lb5 b3 4. Se2 bxc2 5. 0-0 cxb1=S 6. Dc2 f5 7. Dxc7 Kf7 8. Dc4 d5 9. exd6ep+ Kf6 10. Dxg8 Le6 11. d7 Dc8 12. d8=S Sd7
play all

Objective: co-record shortest achievement of task, followed by artistic continuation.
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling (wk), En passant, Promotion (sS), Prenix (s), Phoenix (S)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: HJ: C+ Stelvio 1.0
FEN: r1qN1bQr/p2np1pp/4bk2/1B3p2/8/8/PP1PNPPP/RnB2RK1
Input: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-19
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-20 more...

73 - P1408360
Andrew Buchanan
8 Problemas 36, p. 1190, 10/2021

(13+13) C+
PG in 11.5

1. d3 e5 2. Sd2 e4 3. Sdf3 exf3 4. b4 fxe2 5. La3 exf1=S 6. Dg4 Ke7 7. 0-0-0 Kd6 8. b5+ c5 9. bxc6ep+ Kc7 10. Dxd7 Kb6 11. g4 Sg3 12. hxg3
play all

Objective: co-record shortest achievement of task, followed by artistic continuation.
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Valladao Task, Castling (wg), En passant, Promotion (s), Ceriani-Frolkin Theme (s)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: HJ: C+ Stelvio 1.0
FEN: rnbq1bnr/pp1Q1ppp/1kP5/8/6P1/B2P2P1/P1P2P2/2KR2NR
Input: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-19
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-20 more...

74 - P1408361
Andrew Buchanan
2 Problemas 36, p. 1189, 10/2021

(15+13) C+
PG in 8.0

1. e4 Sf6 2. Ke2 Sd5 3. exd5 g5 4. d6 Lh6 5. dxc7 0-0 6. cxb8 Da5 7. Ke3 g4+ 8. f4 gxf3ep+
play all

Objective: record achievement of task. Promotion can be to either minor officer, but prefer to keep the "stem cell" to avoid arbitrary choice of non-standard material.
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Dummy Pawn (in diagram), Valladao Task, Golden Age (Dummy Pawn), Castling (sk), En passant
Genre: Retro
Computer test: HJ: with wSd8 C+ Stelvio 1.0
FEN: rn1P1rk1/ppp2p1p/3p1n1b/8/8/4Kp2/PPPP2PP/RNBQ1BNR
Input: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-19
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-04 more...

75 - P1408362
Andrew Buchanan
2 Problemas 36, p. 1189, 10/2021

(15+13) C+
PG in 8.0

1. e4 Sf6 2. Ke2 Sd5 3. exd5 g5 4. d6 Lh6 5. dxc7 0-0 6. cxb8 Da5 7. Ke3 g4+ 8. f4 gxf3ep+
play all

Objective: record achievement of task. Promotion can be to any officer, but prefer to keep the "stem cell" to avoid arbitrary choice of non-standard material.
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Dummy Pawn (in diagram), Valladao Task, Golden Age (Dummy Pawn), Castling (sk), En passant
Genre: Retro
Computer test: HJ: with wSb8 C+ Stelvio 1.0
FEN: rPb2rk1/pp1ppp1p/7b/q7/8/4Kp2/PPPP2PP/RNBQ1BNR
Input: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-19
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-04 more...

76 - P1408363
Andrew Buchanan
3 Problemas 36, p. 1189, 10/2021

(15+13) C+
PG in 8.0

1. d4 Sf6 2. Kd2 Se4+ 3. Ke3 Sc5 4. dxc5 g5 5. c6 Lh6 6. cxb7 0-0 7. bxc8 g4+ 8. f4 gxf3ep+
play all

Objective: record achievement of task. Promotion can be to any officer, but prefer to keep the "stem cell" to avoid arbitrary choice of non-standard material.
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Dummy Pawn (in diagram), Valladao Task, Golden Age (Dummy Pawn), Castling (sk), En passant
Genre: Retro
Computer test: HJ: with wSc8 C+ Stelvio 1.0
FEN: rnPq1rk1/p1pppp1p/7b/8/8/4Kp2/PPP1P1PP/RNBQ1BNR
Input: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-19
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-04 more...

77 - P1408364
Andrew Buchanan
4 Problemas 36, p. 1189, 10/2021

(15+12) C+
PG in 8.0

1. d4 Sc6 2. Kd2 Se5 3. dxe5 Sf6 4. exf6 g5 5. fxe7 Lh6 6. exd8 0-0 7. Ke3 g4+ 8. f4 gxf3ep+
play all

Objective: record achievement of task. Promotion can be to either minor officer, but prefer to keep the "stem cell" to avoid arbitrary choice of non-standard material.
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Dummy Pawn (in diagram), Valladao Task, Golden Age (Dummy Pawn), Castling (sk), En passant
Genre: Retro
Computer test: HJ: with wSd8 C+ Stelvio 1.0
FEN: r1bP1rk1/pppp1p1p/7b/8/8/4Kp2/PPP1P1PP/RNBQ1BNR
Input: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-19
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-04 more...

78 - P1408365
Andrew Buchanan
5 Problemas 36, p. 1189, 10/2021

(15+14) C+
PG in 8.0

1. f4 e6 2. f5 Lc5 3. f6 Se7 4. fxe7 Lb6 5. exd8 c5 6. Kf2 0-0 7. Ke3 c4+ 8. d4 cxd3ep+
play all

Objective: record achievement of task. Promotion can be to either minor officer, but prefer to keep the "stem cell" to avoid arbitrary choice of non-standard material.
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Dummy Pawn (in diagram), Valladao Task, Golden Age (Dummy Pawn), Castling (sk), En passant
Genre: Retro
Computer test: HJ: with wSd8 C+ Stelvio 1.0
FEN: rnbP1rk1/pp1p1ppp/1b2p3/8/8/3pK3/PPP1P1PP/RNBQ1BNR
Input: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-19
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-04 more...

79 - P1408366
Andrew Buchanan
6 Problemas 36, p. 1189, 10/2021

(15+14) C+
PG in 8.0

1. f4 d5 2. f5 Ld7 3. f6 Lc6 4. fxe7 Sd7 5. exf8 Dg5 6. Kf2 0-0-0 7. Kf3 d4+ 8. e4 dxe3ep+
play all

Objective: record achievement of task. Promotion can be to either minor officer, but prefer to keep the "stem cell" to avoid arbitrary choice of non-standard material.
more ...
comment

Keywords: Unique Proof Game, Dummy Pawn (in diagram), Valladao Task, Golden Age (Dummy Pawn), Castling (sg), En passant
Genre: Retro
Computer test: HJ: with wSf8, C+ Stelvio 1.0
FEN: 2kr1Pnr/pppn1ppp/2b5/6q1/8/4pK2/PPPP2PP/RNBQ1BNR
Input: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-19
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-04 more...

80 - P1410231
David Leo Brown
Shakhmatna Misl 1982

(15+8)
s#7

1. e5+! d5 2. exd6ep+ Td5 3. f8=S Txh7 4. Da8+ Tb7 5. Lh1 f3 6. La3+ Tc5 7. 0-0-0 Txc4#
play all

Henrik Juel: Popeye 4.61 with 'non 0 1' found no flaws (2023-06-08)
SCHRECKE: C+, Gustav 4.2c, Brute Force (2023-06-08)
comment

Keywords: Valladao Task
Genre: s#
FEN: 3Q4/3p1P1N/P1k3pr/P1B2rPp/P1R1Pp1P/4pB2/4P3/R3K3
Input: Rainer Staudte, 2023-06-08
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2023-06-08 more...