Die Schwalbe

90 problem(s) found in 3998 milliseconds (displaying 90 problem(s)). [COMMENTDATE>=20200919 AND NOT S='Allgemeine Zeitung Chemnitz' AND K='Cant Castler'] [download as LaTeX]

1 - P0000058
Leonid M. Borodatow
5758v Die Schwalbe 103 02/1987
P0000058
(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 play one stop play next 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 - P0000101
Leonid M. Borodatow
Evgeny V. Kharichev

6209v Die Schwalbe 110 04/1988
P0000101
(12+10) cooked
h#3
b) sBh5 nach h6
a) 1. 0-0-0 Sxc7 2. hxg3 Sd5 3. g2 Se7#

Beispielauflösung mri:
R: 1. Kf1-e1 Ta2-a1 2. Kg2-f1 Tb2-a2 3. La2-b1 Tb1-b2 4. Kf3-g2 Tf1-b1 5. Ke3-f3 g5xDh4 6. Lh2-g1 Tg1-f1 7. Dd4-h4 Tg2-g1 8. Lg1-h2 Th2-g2 9. Kd3-e3 Tg2-h2 10. Kc3-d3 Th2-g2 11. Kb2-c3 Tg2-h2 12. Kc1-b2 Th2-g2 13. Kd1-c1 Tg2-h2 14. Ke1-d1 Th2-g2 15. Da1-d4 Tg2-h2 16. Dd1-a1 d6xLc5 17. La3-c5 Th2-g2 18. Lc1-a3 Tg2-h2 19. b2-b3 Th2-g2 20. Ld5-a2 Tg2-h2 21. Sc5-a6 Th2-g2 22. Lg2-d5 h6-h5 23. Lf1-g2 Tg2-h2 24. Lh2-g1 Tg1-g2 25. Sa4-c5 g2-g1=T 26. Sb6-a4 f3xTg2 27. Tg1-g2 f4-f3 28. g2-g3 f5-f4 29. Le5-h2 h7-h6 30. Lg7-e5 f6-f5 31. Lf8-g7 f7-f6 32. e7xLf8=L Lg7-f8 33. e6-e7 Lf8-g7 34. d5xTe6 Tg6-e6 35. Sc8-b6 Tg8-g6 36. Sb6xLc8 g6-g5 37. c4xDd5 Dg5-d5 38. Sd5-b6 Dd8-g5 39. Sg3-h1 e7xTd6 40. Ta6-d6 Th8-g8 41. Ta1-a6 g7-g6 42. b3xSc4 Sa5-c4 43. a2xSb3 Sd4-b3 44. Sc3-d5 Sc6-a5 45. Sb1-c3 Sb8-c6 46. Th1-g1 Sf5-d4 47. Se4-g3 Sh6-f5 48. Sg5-e4 Sg8-h6 49. Sf3-g5 Sh6-g8 50. Sg1-f3 Sg8-h6 51. h2-h3


b) 1. Kf7 f4 2. Kg6 c3,c4+ 3. Kh5 g4#
play all play one stop play next play all
in b) fehlt Schwarz ein Retrotempo zur Aufrechterhaltung des Rochaderechts, es kann maximal eine Stellung wie z.B. r3kB2/pppp1p1p/3p2p1/8/8/7P/1PPPPPP1/1NBQKBRN erreicht werden, in der entweder sTh8 oder sLf8 nicht als Schlagobjekt für die notwendigen weißen Bauernschläge zur Verfügung stand.

Der Dual 2. ... c3+,c4+ in b) war von den Autoren in Kauf genommen worden., die (schon bei der Lösungsveröffentlichung bekannten) NLs aber natürlich nicht. Ein Schwalbe-Löser ("PS") kritisierte den "völlig unnötigen Vorwärtsballast" und schlug implizit vor, das Vorwärtsspiel komplett wegzulassen und stattdessen direkt zu fragen: "Ist die 0-0-0 erlaubt?"
Cook: a) 1. hxg3 Sxg3 2. c6 Sf5 3. 0-0-0 Sd6#
b) 1. Kf7 f4 2. Kg6 c4+ 3. Kh5 g4#
Neufassung 5949.
A.Buchanan: It would be great if someone can retrieve 6209v from Die Schwalbe, please, to confirm the diagram and intended solution. If castling right remains, then sBf must promote on g1=T. There is then some jiggling around because Tg1-h2 to unpin Lg1 and let it go b1. In (a) this is doable, but in (b), Black runs out of tempi however there is an alternative no-castling mate with sKh5. However that's just a rough sketch, and I don't want to spend more time until the actual published form is confirmed (2022-01-08)
Ladislav Packa: Is everything allright here? Because solution a) is not a solution - after 3 .... Se7 # ?? 4.Kc7 / b8! (2022-01-09)
Mario Richter: Indeed, the given solution only works with wLh2 instead of g1. I only have access to the solution, but not to original diagram. Perhaps someoe with access to it can give us the correct details? (2022-01-10)
A.Buchanan: Yes I didn't check the solution to a) matches one of the actual ones. With wLh2, it's still cooked, as is b) in any case. Possible to rearrange the free pieces to make b) sound, but I don't see how to fix a) at the same time. (2022-01-10)
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Keywords: Castling (sg), Cant Castler (sg)
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: r3k3/pppp4/N7/2p4p/7p/1P4PP/2PPPP2/rB2K1BN
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: Mario Richter, 2022-01-10 more...
3 - P0000772
Klaus Wenda
1419 Die Schwalbe 30 12/1974
4. ehrende Erwähnung
P0000772
(4+7)
Weiß nimmt 1 Zug zurück, dann #2
b) sBh7 nach b6
a) R: 1. Kd5-e4, dann 1. Kd6
b) R: 1. dxc6ep, dann 1. d6
play all play one stop play next play all
In a) ist die s0-0-0 nicht mehr möglich, weil sich das Schach durch den sLg8 nur durch Kf7(x)e8 erklären läßt, in b) muß mindestens einer der sTT via e8 auf seinen Diagrammplatz gelangt sein.
In a) Entschlagdual R: Kd5xBe4, das wurde in der Lösungsbesprechung noch kritisiert und als NL vermerkt. Hat das der PR gelassener gesehen ('geduldeter Entschlagdual'), oder gibt's noch eine korrigierte Version dieses Problems?
Anton Baumann: Korrektur in 'Die Schwalbe' 12/1975 S.422: +sLh2, +sBe5;
nun geht in a) nur noch zurück: Kd5 x Be4.
Ausgezeichnet wurde gem. Preisbericht in 'Die Schwalbe' 06/1977 S.82 die korrigierte Version 1419v. (2022-12-08)
comment
Keywords: Castling (sg), Help retractor, En passant in the retro play, Cant Castler (sl)
Genre: Retro
FEN: r3k1bR/pr1p3p/2P5/8/2B1K3/8/8/8
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-02-10 more...
4 - P0000840
Luis Alberto Garaza
130 Die Schwalbe 3 02/1970
P0000840
(16+9)
Schwarz und Weiß nehmen 1 Zug zurück, dann #1
R: 1. Kf3-g3 Se2-g1, dann 1. Tf1#! 1. 0-0? der wTh1 muß schon gezogen haben, um ein ewiges Retropendel zu vermeiden.
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: White pawns captured all seven missing black by dxe, f6xg7, gxPf, and e.g. a2xb3, b2xc3, and cxbxc
so d7-d6 happened early in the game
The retroplay might be
R: 1... Kf3-g3 2.Se2-g1+ Kg3-f3 3.Sd4-e2+ Kf3-g3 4.Sf5-d4+ Kg3-f3 5.Sh4-f5+ Kf3-g3
The white knight cannot uncheck to any squares other than g1, e2, d4, f5, and h4, so the threatening perpetual uncheck can be avoided only by Black retracting Kh2-g3 at some point in the past
This means that Th1 has moved, so White may not castle
Pendulation usually means that a checking man moves back and forth on two squares, but here we see extended 'pendulation' on four squares (2021-04-22)
Henrik Juel: two tiny typos:
White pawns captured all seven missing black men
extended 'pendulation' on five squares, not four (2021-04-22)
comment
Keywords: Help retractor, Retropendel, Cant Castler
Genre: Retro
FEN: 8/pp2p1Pp/2PpR1pP/1Q6/4PP2/1PP1P1kB/1Bp3N1/2b1K1NR
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: James Malcom, 2021-04-22 more...
5 - P0000899
Giuseppe Brogi
743 Die Schwalbe 06/1972
P0000899
(8+15) cooked
h#2
b) wSa1
a) 1. T2xh3 Txh3 2. 0-0 Th8#
b) 1. La4 0-0 2. Tf8 Te1#
play all play one stop play next play all
a) White cannot cross-capture, so because of sTh2, w0-0 impossible.
wBe captured sD, either to be captured on f-file or to promote without disrupting sKe8.
b) sTh2 can return to a8 only via e8 as Black cannot cross-capture, so s0-0 is impossible.
wBe was waylaid or promoted after disrupting sKe8.
Cook: 1. T2xh3 Lb4 2. Txg3 Txh8#
1. Sd2 Lf6 2. Tf8 Sd6#
(cooked by MR)
See P0003736 a companion problem.
milan: [-bPa7b6wPg3bSa1+bPg3bBa5-b4 bPc6-d6] h#2 1.2...bRh2? illegal move? M.Frelih (2023-03-30)
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Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wksk), Cross-capture (s,w), Superseded by (P1399805)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye v4.87
FEN: B3k2r/pN1p1p2/1pp3p1/bb3p2/8/p1B3PP/5P1r/nn2K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-03-16 more...
6 - P0001117
Michel Caillaud
3872 Die Schwalbe 74 04/1982
12. Lob
P0001117
(11+12)
h#2
b) sBh7 nach h6
a) 1. 0-0-0? Sg6 2. Lb8 Sxe7! illegal castling
1. Kf7! Sxh7 2. Ke6 Sg5#
b) 1. 0-0-0! Sg6 2. Lb8 Sxe7#
1. Kf7? Sh7 2. Ke6 Sg5+? 3. hxg5!
R: 1. Ke3-e4 Sd6-b7 2. h2xDg3 Dg2-g3+ 3. Kd2-e3 Db7-g2 4. Ke1-d2 Dc8-b7 5. e4-e5 Dd8-c8 6. f3xLe4 Lb7-e4 7. Kf1-e1 Lc8-b7 8. Ke1-f1 b7-b6 9. Kf1-e1 Lb6-a7 10. ... La5-b6 11. ... Ld2-a5 12. ... Lc1-d2 13. ... d2xTc1=L 14. ... e3xTd2 15. ... e4-e3 16. ... f5xLe4
play all play one stop play next play all
Missing: Wh: QRRBB Bl: QRBB
Captures: Wh: gxf3xe (inc B), hxg + [Bf8] Bl: axbxc (for Ba7) fxexdxc/e (g1 not possible)
Assume Black can castle: so neither bK nor bRa have moved. Before bPb7-b6 (which releases QB) *all* Bl captures have been made. wPd can freely advance, all Wh units released except for rooks & Bf1. gxRf3 is forced, and now all Wh units are free and can be captured. To avoid deadlock, wB was captured on e4 not e6. Sequence must be f7-f5 Rh8-f8-f6-...-f3gxRf3.
In this position wLe4 must be played back to f1. With bPh7, wBe4 must retract either by stopping on f7, (disrupting bK) or via f5 (implying retraction of f6-f5, in which case bRa8 is an imposter).
In the alternative route via h7, wB crosses over f7 harmlessly. While wB is on g5 & h4, f7 must be occupied by a static shielding knight, but there is no tempo issue. After all this excitement, b7-b6 if followed by simple and non-unique play to reach the diagram.

(Gerd's earlier solution: Weiße Schläge: h2xg3, gxfxe, sLf8. Schwarze Schläge: a7xb6xc5; fxexdxc1=L In dieser Stellung muß der wLe4 nach f1 zurückgespielt werden. Mit sBh7 kann der wLe4 nur entweder über f7 nach f1 zurück, so daß der sK bereits gezogen haben muß, oder der wLe4 kann über f5 zurück, wozu aber der sTa8 nach h8 zurückgezogen werden müsste, um f6-f5 zurücknehmen zu können.)
Henrik Juel: To make the retroplay plausible one should uncapture bQ early on g3 and retract it to d8. The wB could also get back to f1 via f5, but this would require retracting bRa8 to h8 before retracting bPf5, so castling is still illegal in part a). (2003-04-10)
Gerd Wilts: Hello Henrik, thank you for pointing out the inaccuracy of the solution, I will make the solution more precise soon. And thank you for adding all the other solutions! (2003-04-11)
A.Buchanan: Have posted a solution based on GW&HJ ideas. More often a j’adoube of a rook pawn signals a tempo idea, but not here. The surprising motivation harmonizes with accurate and varied forward play. (2021-10-24)
A.Buchanan: This problem was featured in yesterday's Monthly International Zoom Call, and was a great success, with audible gasps of appreciation, as the significance of h7 was realized :) (2021-10-24)
A.Buchanan: Oh dear, Alfred Pfeiffer has silently reverted the German keyword to "mit Umwandlungsfigur". I'm not going to enter an "edit war" with him, but I would appreciate if he can explain his position here. This is a problematic concept to keyword, but to me "mit Umwandlungfigur" is weak and inaccurate. What is the intended distinction with the existing keywords "Umwandlung" or "Umwandlungen"? It's hopeless. We have in PDB very many poor promotion keywords, and I would like to clean up progressively. I don't know if a native German speaker would care to engage with Alfred on this point. (2021-10-30)
A.Buchanan: To be clearer: to me the German definition seems pretty good. I think the term itself should give more of a clue what's happening :-) (2021-10-30)
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Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (sg), Promotion (l), Obvious promotion (l), Corridor, Retro Shield
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: Forward: C+ Popeye V4.87 Retro: non-trivial reasoning
FEN: r3kN2/bnppp1pp/1p6/2p1P3/4K3/3P2P1/PPP1PP2/N6n
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-30 more...
7 - P0001191
Leon Loewenton
64 Europe Echecs 38 10/1961
P0001191
(15+14) C+
h#2
b) wSd3 nach e1
a) 1. Kd8 Se5 2. Te8 Sxf7#
b) 1. 0-0 Sd5 2. Sh8 Sxe7#
play all play one stop play next play all
Originalquelle?

nicht sicher, ob Zwilling b) auch schon im Original.
Artikel von Petrovici zum "Thema Than" 03/2016 gibt als Originalquelle an: "Europe Echecs 10/1951"
hans: Counting problem
1. Kd8 Se5 2. Te8 Sxf7# !!
1. 0-0 Sd5 2. Sh8 Sxe7# ??
Black needs a tempo to get on move, and the only piece to do that is Th8, so 0-0 is illegal. (2010-06-20)
Mario Richter: The term usually used to describe this kind of problems is "Parity problem". The bRh8 might have been on h8 all the time, since the tempo move might also have been made by the black Queen, but in this case, the bK must have already moved, thereby losing the right to castle too.. (2010-06-21)
Ladislav Packa: You both are right. Black would be in this position made an uneven number moves.
This can be achieved by using Rook moves (eg Rg8-f8-h8), or by the Queen moves while she was still alive (eg Kf8-g8, then Qf8-e8-d8 and then the King back). But both possibilities preventing black castling. (2013-10-04)
A.Buchanan: Parity change could also be achieved without triangulation by e.g. SxDe8 after the black queen has moved once (2022-03-15)
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Keywords: Castling (sk), Parity Argument, Cant Castler, Than theme
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: rawbats
FEN: r1b1k2r/1ppppppp/p5n1/8/8/P1NN3P/1PPPPPPR/nRBK1B2
Reprints: 787 Themes-64 10-12/1961
(7) diagrammes 112 01-03/1995
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: Mario Richter, 2018-03-22 more...
8 - P0001198
Tivadar Kardos
1807 Problem 73-78 06/1961
P0001198
(8+15) C+
h#2
1. Dxc2 Tc1 2. 0-0-0? Txc2#
1. Sd7 0-0-0 2. 0-0 Tg1#
play all play one stop play next play all
Black qside castling is lost as wPa promotes but other rights can be maintained.
S: axb,cxb,dxcxb,fxexBd,gxfxe
W: a=X,g=X,fxe
A.Buchanan: wPh can be removed (2021-11-22)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wgsk)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye C-Version 3.54 & trivial retro-logic
FEN: r1q1kn1r/1p2p2p/bp2P3/bp1pB3/1p6/4p3/1PP1P2P/R3K3
Reprints: 71 Europe Echecs 41 01/1962
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-23 more...
9 - P0001263
Luigi Ceriani
135 Europe Echecs 78 06/1965
P0001263
(15+11)
h#2
1. bxa5 Sb6 2. axb4 Ta8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: analysis
Black captured a3xb2 (not a7xb6, as the SW corner then cannot be released)
The missing white man is [Pe2], which must have promoted on b8
Now the white captures can be seen: axb, exdxcxb, and [Lf8] on f8
The only free white officer is Dd8, so the retroplay must include unpromotion of it on b8
It is impossible to shield Ke8 from check by Db8, so Ke8 has moved and Black may not castle (2022-04-27)
Henrik Juel: solution
1.bxa5 Sb6 2.axb4 Ta8#
not 1.0-0? Lxb6 2.Txa8 Txa8
HC+ Popeye 4.61 (2022-04-27)
Henrik Juel: Andrew, I should have been more precise in recommending your suggestion to introduce the new keyword Organ Pipes
I was talking about the standard meaning of Organ Pipes, which dates back to Sam Loyd, 1859: black LTTL in a problem where each L interferes with each T and vice versa, forming four Grimshaws
You have probably used a pattern search to find all occurrences of black or white LTTL, and you have neglected the interferences
This problem has LTTL in the wrong color, and there are no interferences (2022-04-27)
James Malcom: I agree with Henrik, although White organ pipes still exist, few and far. (2022-04-28)
James Malcom: Until Andrew bumbles back, I've updated the English definition to "A problem *utilizing* the pattern bishop, rook, rook, bishop in a straight line to create multiple Grimshaws." This specifies the purpose and formation of the Organ Pipes. (2022-04-28)
Henrik Juel: Thanks, James (2022-04-28)
A.Buchanan: Hi Guys. I wondered about other uses of organ pipes. In a first pass population of the 500-odd records with the current PDB interface, there’s not much time for thinking. I have multiple tabs open to eliminate the wait time associated with PDB refresh. One could go back and eliminate those which are not grimshaws. Alternatively (and this would be my preference) accept that this is a visual pattern which may occur in non-Grimshaw context. Then use the keyword Grimshaw(4x) to indicate when it’s really Grimshaw. I think it can also occur with white pattern, as a problem by Pal Benko shows. So I blitzed through the d# records, if someone wants to complete the rest that’s good. I think the existence of a few false transient positives is an acceptable price even if we take the narrow definition of Organ Pipes. (2022-04-28)
A.Buchanan: By the way, these days Deepl is good enough to give us decent translation to Feench & German and as a matter of policy whenever I make a change to a definition I try to align the other two. Other users who do not maintain the glossary are encouraged to propose definitions where there is a gap (E.g. Grimshaw). There are a lot of undefined terms, many very recent. (2022-04-28)
A.Buchanan: Hi Henrik feel free to respond to my response to your message, say thanks for the tags I have added, or add tags yourself to complete the work. The ones I’ve added were mostly the d# and it was a deliberate decision to blast through as a first pass and just add them for now anyway, not “neglected”. Now, I really don’t feel like continuing (2022-04-28)
Henrik Juel: Andrew, I believe that most PDB users appreciate your contributions to the site
I certainly do, so please continue your good work (2022-04-28)
comment
Keywords: Castling (sk), Cant Castler, Promotion
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: N3k2r/2pppppp/1p6/B7/RP5P/RP3P2/BpPP2P1/NK1Q3r
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: James Malcom, 2022-04-28 more...
10 - P0001273
Luigi Ceriani
145 Europe Echecs 84 01/1965
P0001273
(6+7)
h#1 (wer? wie?)
Die F.P.I. wurde zweimal erreicht: das erstemal nach einer geraden, das zweitemal nach einer ungeraden Anzahl von Zügen.
Vertikaler Zylinder
Henrik Juel: The FPI (the initial array, but with Black to move) may be reached, e.g., by playing the white knights out, playing Ta1 to b1 and Th1 to g1, then correct the tempo by playing Tb1-a1-h1-b1, and finally moving rooks and knights back into the initial array.
The stipulation condition implies that all four castlings are illegal. Solution: 1.Txa7 Txh8#, not 1.0-0-0? Tc1 nor 0... 0-0-0? 1.Tc8. I do not see any tries involving king-side castling, although they would be nice to have also. (2010-12-08)
A.Buchanan: I am evidently being slow again: please explain. "The FPI was achieved twice: the first time after an even number of moves, the second time after an odd number of moves." To achieve FPI requires an odd number of single moves. Should the stip read "even number of *White* moves"? And then what does it mean to achieve FPI for the *second* time: does that mean game array with White to move again? I agree that the bottom line is to have eliminated all castling rights. (2020-12-25)
Henrik Juel: In P0001272 the FPI was reached once, implying that either White or Black has lost castling rights
I also do not understand this problem (2020-12-26)
Hans-Jürgen Manthey: da der lezte Zug b5x~a6 bzw b4x~a3 gewesen sein kann, sind alle Rochaden, sowie die Farbwahl zulässig.
Oder kann mir mal einer erklären was zum Teufel F.P.I. auf Deutsch heißt ?? (2020-12-26)
A.Buchanan: Siehe die Beschreibung des Schlüsselworts. Aber hier macht es nicht viel Sinn. Ich veröffentliche in ein paar Tagen einen Artikel in Problemas, der besser erklärt und einige neue Beispiele enthält. (2020-12-27)
Hans-Jürgen Manthey: Habe mich über F.P.I. schlau gemacht und FPI, Vertikale Zylinder sowie viele weitere Märchenschach-Bedingungen sind alsolut nicht mein Fall... (2020-12-28)
A.Buchanan: @H-JM: Ich bin kein großer Fan von Feenschach, aber es hat seinen Platz in der Welt der Komposition. Es vervielfacht den Gestaltungsraum für Schachkompositionen erheblich, und viele coole künstlerische Effekte können nur mit Feenschach erzielt werden. FPI ist bislang kein gutes Beispiel: Aber die zugrunde liegende Idee ist gut und reif für eine breitere Nutzung. (2020-12-28)
Henrik Juel: My goodness, Andrew, you are approaching Mario's command of all languages...
I believe, however, that Feenschach is an old-fashioned name for Märchenschach
It came about as a literal translation of Fairy Chess, but now lives on only in the magazine name feenschach
We did almost the same in Denmark: feskak in the 1930s, but now fantasiskak (2020-12-28)
A.Buchanan: Hi Henrik: thanks for your kind feedback. I try to draft in German, and then back translate in google translate to English to see what it thinks, and then go forwards again to correct dumb errors and give me better word choices. But there's still errors, which I am always keen to hear about, so thanks for reminding me about Märchenschach. I now understand that Märchen are "fairy tales" not "fairies" and that the term is used in English by folklorists. Encyclopedia Britannica characterizes them by: "Their usual theme is the triumph over difficulty, with or without supernatural aid, of the one least likely to succeed." I like the detail at the end, which suggests that the key move should be an unlikely one! (2020-12-29)
Henrik Juel: I had three years of german in middle school, but never used the language actively
I believe that most german problemists can read english as well as we can read german, so I do not make the extra effort to communicate in german; besides remembering to capitalize nouns, I would have to check masculinum, femininum, or neutrum (gender?), and check which prepositions entail accusative, dative, or both (kasus?) (2020-12-29)
Olaf Jenkner: (:-) (2020-12-29)
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comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (wbsb), Fake game array, Castling (wbsb), Constrained problem, Vertical Cylinder (Vertikaler)
Genre: Retro, Fairies
FEN: r3k2r/P3p3/P3P3/8/8/p3p3/p7/R3K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: Gerd Wilts, 2020-12-26 more...
11 - P0001285
Jean Oudot
370 Die Schwalbe 07/1960
R. Bédoni gewidmet
P0001285
(11+11) C+
h#2*
* 1. ... dxc5 2. Dxh3 0-0-0#
1. Db2 Le2+ 2. Kc2 Ld1#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: the five missing black men were captured by white pawns (exfxgxh, fxgxj), so with Black to move last move was with Ta1 or Ke1, and White may not castle
C+ Popeye 4.61 (2022-11-26)
A.Buchanan: Pleasant White tempo play in both phases (2022-11-27)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (wl), Castling (wl)
Genre: Retro, h#
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 with simple retro logic
FEN: 8/7p/7P/2pr2pP/2bP2Pb/2pk1BRP/6qN/R3KNrn
Reprints: 553 FIDE Album 1959-1961 1966
157 Europe Echecs 90 07/1966
(10) diagrammes 112 01-03/1995
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-11-27 more...
12 - P0001450
Henri Nouguier
324 Europe Echecs 223 07/1977
P0001450
(13+3)
h#1
hans: 1. Th2xf2 De1xf2#!
1. Th2xh3 0-0#? (Castling illegal)

R: -1. Kf1xSe1 Sg2-e1 -2. Ke1-f1 Sf4-g2+ -3. Tg1-h1 Sd5-f4 -4. Tf1-g1 Se3-d5 -5. Tg1-f1 Sf1-e3 -6. Tg1-h1 Tg2-h2 -7. Th2-h1-g1 Tg1-g2 -8. Th1-h2 g2-g1=T -9 h2-h3 h3xSg2 (2010-06-26)
HENRI: Hans solution has a tipo. Their is no D (=Queen in german) mating. One should read the solution in german : 1. Th2xf2 Ke1xf2#! 1.Th2xh3 0-0#?
or in english : 1. Rh2xf2 Ke1xf2#! 1.Rh2xh3 0-0#? (Castling illegal) (2023-10-25)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wk)
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: 8/8/8/8/8/PPP3PP/B1rPPP1r/BNk1K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
13 - P0001859
William A. Langstaff
The Chess Amateur 1922
P0001859
(5+3) C+
#2
If Black can castle, e.p. is ok:
1. hxg6ep! 0-0 2. h7#
1. ... Tf8,Kf8 2. Td8#
Otherwise Black can't castle:
1. Ke6! ... 2. Td8#
play all play one stop play next play all
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Partial Retro Analysis (PRA), Castling (sk), En passant as key
Genre: Retro, 2#
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 & trivial retro-logic
FEN: 4k2r/8/5B1P/3R1KpP/8/8/8/8
Reprints: (D17) feenschach 27 04/1975
RA64 diagrammes 27 05-06/1977
(1) Die Schwalbe 86 04/1984
Razem 34 23/08/1987
(I) diagrammes 15 07-09/1994
(10) Die Schwalbe 241 02/2010
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-30 more...
14 - P0001938
Hendrik Hermanus Kamstra
Tijdschrift van den NSB 05/1929
P0001938
(4+3) C+
#2
b) Bh7 nach h6
a) 1. Ta1! 0-0? illegal 1. ... hxg6,~ 2. Ta8#
1. Tff7? hxg6!
b) 1. Tff7! h5,~ Tb8#
1. Ta1? 0-0!
play all play one stop play next play all
In a), Schwarz muss zuletzt mit K oder T gezogen haben, deshalb s0-0 illegal.
Wikipedianer: Quelle: Tijdschrift van den NSB 05/1929, S. 162, Aufgaben Nr. 5220 (a) und 5221 (b). Teil eines Artikels "Rochade in Retros" (2021-05-02)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (sk), Miniature, Homebase
Genre: Retro, 2#
FEN: 4k2r/1R5p/6P1/8/8/8/8/5RK1
Reprints: Razem 34 23/08/1987
Outrageous Chess Problems 2005
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: Marcin Banaszek, 2021-11-29 more...
15 - P0002075
Thomas R. Dawson
Pittsburgh Gazette Times 21/12/1913
P0002075
(16+10)
#2
1. 0-0-0?? illegal
1. Td1! ... 2. Td3#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: 1.Td1, not 1.0-0-0? -1... c7 -2.Kd2 Tg3 etc. (2004-03-09)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (wl), Castling (wl)
Genre: Retro
FEN: 8/1p1ppppp/2p1B3/P6R/pP4PP/2N4k/PP2PPrN/R3KQB1
Reprints: 43 Retrograde Analysis 1915
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-05-08 more...
16 - P0003460
Johannes Jacob Burbach
1089 Probleemblad 06-08/1950
P0003460
(5+4) C+
h#3
1. 0-0-0 Ke2 2. Kb8 Td1 3. Ka8 Txd8#
play all play one stop play next play all
1. 0-0-0 0-0? usw. ist nicht erlaubt, da Weiß im letzten Zug einen schwarzen Stein geschlagen haben muss, was nur mit K oder T ging.
A.Buchanan: Tried some experiments to see if other formats of position entry are possible, but having reverted those, the solution animation no longer works. The usual PDB problem of hidden & undocumented variables between stipulation, diagrams & solution animation, sigh. (2021-04-01)
A.Buchanan: I found a "fix" - I added a bogus empty diagram b! How random! (2021-04-02)
A.Buchanan: For h#, I run Popeye without opti noca, so can see all the retro tries explicitly. For d#, I would apply opti noca if relevant, else lines of play might be blocked (2021-04-04)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wksg), Homebase (s)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: Gustav 4.1d C+ Popeye 4.61 also (with 'opt noc h1')
FEN: r3k3/pp6/8/8/8/6P1/5P1P/4K2R
Reprints: (27) Problem 144-147 12/1971
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-04-04 more...
17 - P0003463
Tivadar Kardos
1501 Problemista 68 03/1967
P0003463
(9+16) C+
h#4
b) sSe6->d5
a) 1. Df7! h4 2. 0-0 h5 3. Lh8 hxg6 4. Sg7 gxh7#
b) 1. De6! h4 2. 0-0 h5 3. Kh8 hxg6 4. Tg8 Txh7#
play all play one stop play next play all
1. 0-0-0?? 0-0 2. Kb8 Txc1 3. Ka8 Txb1 4. Tb8 Ta1# (0-0-0 ist illegal)
1. 0-0-0? ist nicht gestattet, da wegen der schwarzen Bauernstellung der weiße Bauer a2 auf a8 umgewandelt wurde!
Marcin Banaszek: Die Urdruck-Stellung ist mit sSe6 (nicht sSd5) und über die Zwilling-Stellung ist dort keine Erwähnung. (2022-06-09)
A.Buchanan: Yes I don't know where the twin concept was introduced to this record (the visible "Last Update" history does not mention it). The twin adds very little: the retro try is identical, and the solution shares most of the White moves, ending in a duller mate. Did the 1983 reprint include it? (2022-06-10)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wksg)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 & trivial retro-logic
FEN: r3k1qr/1p5p/4n1p1/4bp2/6p1/1pPpPpP1/1P1P1P1P/1bn1K2R
Reprints: 144 200 Ausgewählte Schachaufgaben 1983
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-06-10 more...
18 - P0003501
Jozsef Korponai
1224 Sahovski glasnik 01/1970
P0003501
(6+3)
h#2*
2 solutions
set play
1. ... a3,a4? 2. cxb2 0-0?# castling illegal
1. ... Kf1! 2. cxb2 Kg2#
1. ... Kd1! 2. cxb2 Kc2#
actual play
1. c3xb2? 0-0#? castling illegal
1. Ka1! Kd1 2. c2+ Kxc2#
1. Kxb2! Kd1 2. Ka1 Kc2#
play all play one stop play next play all
A.Buchanan: Not sure what is intended here: should one include set play? It's a bit unclear. (2021-10-22)
A.Buchanan: I have marked stip from "h#2" to "h#2* 2 solutions" (2021-10-22)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wk)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 & trivial retro-logic
FEN: 8/8/8/8/1N6/2p1p3/PP2P3/1k2K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-22 more...
19 - P0003505
Herbert Hultberg
7153 The Fairy Chess Review 02/1947
P0003505
(2+3) C+
h#3
1. Kb3 Kd2 2. Ka4 Kc3 3. a2 Txa2#
Nicht 1. Kb3 0-0-0?? 2. Ka2 Td3 3. Ka1 Txa3#, da Weiß zuletzt mit K oder T gezogen hat
play all play one stop play next play all
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wg), Minimal, Miniature, Homebase
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 + trivial retro logic
FEN: 8/8/8/1p6/8/p7/2k5/R3K3
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-06-29 more...
20 - P0003506
Leon Loewenton
4495 Arbejder-Skak 06/1957
nach T.R. Dawson
P0003506
(7+5) C+
h#2*
* 1. ... Tg1 2. e4 g3#
1. Kg3 0-0? 2. h4 Tf3#
1. Kg3 Tg1! 2. Kh4 g3#
play all play one stop play next play all
A.Buchanan: I suppose set play is intended, because it's the only function of sBe5. But I think it's fine without. (2021-10-22)
Mario Richter: The set play is not mentioned in the "official solution" ('Arbejder-Skak' 08/1957 p.231) (2021-10-23)
A.Buchanan: Thanks. Odd! (2021-10-23)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wk)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 & trivial retro-logic I suppose set play is intended, because it's the only function of sBe5. But I think it's fine without.
FEN: 8/8/8/4p1pp/6Pk/4p2P/4P1PR/4K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-24 more...
21 - P0003529
Tivadar Kardos
2290 Magyar Sakkelet 05/1957
P0003529
(10+11) C+
h#2
1. Kxd8 Ta7 2. Te8 Td7#
1. 0-0 0-0-0? 2. Th8 Txg1# try
play all play one stop play next play all
White castling not possible as sBa= on a1. (Also sBgxh= or sBhxg=)
A.Buchanan: Retractor 2.1.1 does not notice that promotion happened on a1 (2021-11-25)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wgsk), Sacrifice of white pieces
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.87 & trivial retro-logic
FEN: b1nNk2r/8/3p4/2Pp1B2/3p4/1PpPp3/1PPP4/R3K1nr
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-25 more...
22 - P0003531
Tivadar Kardos
3563 Schach 24, p. 379, 12/1960
P0003531
(10+12)
h#2
1. Kd8 Txh8 2. Kc8 Txg8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: The diagram pawns captured all missing men, so the missing pawns [Pa7,Ph2] promoted on a1,h8, and Ta1,Th8 have moved, ruling out the apparent solutions 1.Ke7 0-0-0 2.Kxe6 The1#, 1.Dg1+ Ke2 2.0-0 Taxg1#
C+ by Popeye 4.61 and analysis (2021-08-31)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wbsg)
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: r3k1qr/1bp2p2/2p1Pp2/5p2/1P3p2/1Pp2P2/1PP2P2/R3K2R
Reprints: 664 Die Schwalbe 05/1961
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-02-10 more...
23 - P0003539
Hilding Fröberg
332 Land og Folk 01/03/1970
P0003539
(4+2) C+
h#1.5
1. ... Sf5? 2. 0-0-0?? Sd6# - aber die s0-0-0 ist illegal, den zuletzt muß Schwarz mit K oder T gezogen haben.

1. ... Sg8! 2. Td8 Sc7#
play all play one stop play next play all
Mario Richter: Luboš Kekely (Slovakia) correctly points out that 1. ... Sf5! 2. 0-0-0 Sd6# is only a try and not a solution (last black move must have been by King or Rook, so the queenside castling is illegal).
I have changed the solution accordingly. (2023-03-10)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (sg), Aristocrat, Minimal, Miniature, Homebase
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 & trivial retro-logic | C+ rawbats
FEN: r3k3/6K1/N6N/8/8/7B/8/8
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: Mario Richter, 2023-03-10 more...
24 - P0003561
Tivadar Kardos
5396 Arbejder-Skak 01/1961
P0003561
(7+15) C+
h#2
not: 1. Sd7 0-0-0 2. 0-0 Tdg1#
but: 1. Lxe6 Th7 2. 0-0-0 Ta8#
and: 1. Ke7 0-0 2. Kxe6 Tae1#
play all play one stop play next play all
A.Buchanan: Hard to see this as anything but a version of P0563989. Popeye reports again three apparent mates, with all 4 castlings. However pawn capture analysis indicates that Black qside castling is illegal, while the two kingside castlings are mutually exclusive. (2022-01-08)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (sg), Castling, Partial Retro Analysis (PRA)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye v4.87
FEN: r1b1kn1r/1n6/1pPpP3/1p1p4/1bp5/1qpp4/1PP5/R3K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-01-08 more...
25 - P0003574
Juan Ruiz Luque
Jean-Claude Gandy

RA37 diagrammes 21 05-06/1976
P0003574
(8+8)
h#2
Duplex
s) 1. Kf8 g6 2. Se7 Th8#
w) 1. ... Kg1 Td8 2. Lh2 Td1#
play all play one stop play next play all
Rochaderecht
Henrik Juel: C+ by Popeye 4.61 and analysis
If Black could castle, both parts would be cooked:
1.0-0-0?? Txg7 2.Sb8 Tc7#
1... Kg1 0-0-0?? 2.Lh2 Td1#
But he cannot, because explaining wTh7 by h7-h8=T would require nine white pawn captures, and only eight black men are missing; hxg8=T is even worse, requiring 10 captures (Th7 being original or promoted further towards the west obviously would require Ke8 to have moved) (2021-07-04)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (sg)
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: r3k3/6pR/2n4p/5PP1/pp5b/5PBP/6PK/8
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03 more...
26 - P0003607
Ljubomir Ugren
anonymous

881 Sahovski glasnik 07-08/1964
P0003607
(6+8)
h#3*
*) 1. ... 0-0 2. Tf8 Tc1 3. Tf7 Tc8#
1) 1. 0-0 Tf1 2. Txf2 Txf2 3. Kh8 Tf8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: Ljubomir had an anonymous co-author?? (2021-10-31)
A.Buchanan: I've no idea. There were three users called "anonymous" of different kinds, so I merged them into one, that's all. (2021-10-31)
A.Buchanan: I think anticipated in 1948 by Peter Kniest P0003606 (2021-11-01)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wksk), Homebase (w), anticipated (P0003606)
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: 4k2r/3pp1pp/pp6/8/8/8/3PPP1P/4K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-01 more...
27 - P0003622
Janez Moder
Problem 07/1962
P0003622
(4+3)
h#2*
*) 1. ... 0-0 2. Dh4 Txf3#
1) 1. Kh4 Kf2 2. fxg2 Sf3#
play all play one stop play next play all
SCHRECKE: NL: 1. Dg5,Kh4 gxf3 2. Kh4,Dg5 Sf1# (2023-09-13)
Ladislav Packa: Retro content is not needed, the solution is preserved even without it.
Pg4 Pg2 Sh2 Ke1 Rh1 (5)- Ph5 Kg3 (2) h#2* C+

1...0-0 2.h5-h4 Rf1-f3 #
1.Kg3-h4 Ke1-f2 2.h5*g4 Sh2-f3 # (2023-09-14)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wk)
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: 8/8/8/8/6q1/5pk1/6PN/4K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: hpr, 1997-05-07 more...
28 - P0003630
Jean Oudot
652 Themes-64 10-12/1962
P0003630
(9+6) C+
h#2*
*) 1. ... 0-0#
1) 1. Dc5 Tf1+ 2. Df2 Txf2#
play all play one stop play next play all
A.Buchanan: White must cover g2. If not by check, then by rook. However Rf1 is check, so both Black's moves are forced to shield bK (2022-11-27)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wk)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61
FEN: b7/7P/6p1/6qP/6Pb/3p1kNP/3P3P/4K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-11-27 more...
29 - P0003657
Vladislav Bunka
4204 Problem 12/1979
P0003657
(4+13)
h#3
b) -wBh3
a) 1. Txh3 0-0 2. Sd3 Txf4 3. Sd6 Ta4#
b) 1. Sd1 Txh4 2. Se3 Th8 3. Sd6 Ta8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Adrian Storisteanu: Fix for P0534003. (2015-10-17)
Yuri Bilokin: version: -wPh3 8/3pq3/5r2/5p2/4nppp/5r2/kpP2n2/1b2K2R (3+13) h#3 2 Sol
1.Rh3 0-0 2.Sd3 Rxf4 3.Sd6 Ra4# (MM)
1.Sd1 Rxh4 2.Se3 Rh8 3.Sd6 Ra8# (MM) (2021-06-24)
Ladislav Packa: Yuri: Without wPh3, the castling is impossible (theme Cant Castler). But after wPh3-d5, two solutions are OK. (2021-06-24)
Yuri Bilokin: Ladislav, sorry, was wrong. Thank you for your vigilance. A slightly different edition, too, with two solutions: 8/2p1q3/4r3/5pPp/4npp1/5r2/kpP2n2/1b2K2R (4+13) h#3 2 Sol. (2021-06-25)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wk)
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: 8/3pq3/5r2/5p2/4nppp/5r1P/kpP2n2/1b2K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: Gerd Wilts, 1999-04-24 more...
30 - P0003659
Maurice Jago
8202v Die Schwalbe , p. 148, 10/1980
version of cooked 8202 Die Schwalbe 08/1977
P0003659
(12+14) cooked
h#2
b) sBb4->b5
a) 1. Sf2 Dxf2+ 2. Kh1 0-0-0#
b) 1. Sb1 Ta4 2. Sxg3 Th4#
play all play one stop play next play all
Cook: 1. Txg3 0-0-0 2. La2/Lb3/Lc4 Dxh1#
1. La2/Lb3/Lc4 0-0-0 2. Txg3 Dxh1#
See P0000642
Mario Richter: Hier stimmt was nicht: In der Schwalbe 08/1977 erschien als Nr. 2202 die folgende Aufgabe: 8/Pp2p1p1/Bq1p3p/4p3/1p6/n4pP1/1PPPPr1k/R3KQ1n/; h#2, b) sBb4 nach b5 und der AL a) 1.Tf2-g2 0-0-0 2.Tg2xg3 Df1xh1#; b) 1.Sa3-b1 Ta1-a4 2.Sh1xg3 Ta4-h4#, die aber in a) und b) durch 1.f3xe2 La6xb7 2.Tf2-g2 Df1xg2# nebenlösig war.
Ferner ist in nebenstehendem Diagramm sowohl in a) als auch in b) sehr wohl die w0-0-0 möglich
(Weiß hat als letzten Zug Sc7-a8, Schwarz entwandelt auf b1 und h1, Weiß auf f8); und selbst unter der Annahme, daß die w0-0-0 nur mit sBb4 möglich sei, wäre die Aufgabe mehrfach nebenlösig, z.B. durch 1.Ld5-c4 0-0-0 2.Bd6-d5 Df1xh1# (2010-05-29)
A.Buchanan: Here, the source was incorrectly given as "8202v Die Schwalbe 08/1977". No, that was where the original problem appeared, with a "v" added. So when, as here, we suspect the diagram has a typo, we would have to look through many back issues of Die Schwalbe! It turns out that this correction (itself cooked) was published (as text) in p.148 Die Schwalbe 65 10/1980. I have corrected the source. The reference to the earlier buggy problem can then cleanly be put in the "after" field. The actual typo was missing bPc7. (2024-03-06)
A.Buchanan: With the typo fixed, I think the retro-logic works ok, but there is a single cook family, fortunately repairable (2024-03-06)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wg), Superseded by (P1415606)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: both twins cooked by Popeye v4.87
FEN: NBr5/N1p3p1/1qPpp3/2bb4/1p6/n1pP1rP1/1PP1P2k/R3KQ1n
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2024-03-06 more...
31 - P0003666
Johannes Jacob Burbach
Alain C. White

392 Probleemblad 03/1947
P0003666
(5+8) C+
h#2
b) +sBh6
a) 1. Ta6! Lxc3 2. Ta2 0-0#
b) 1. Ta5! Kd1 2. Ta2 Kc2#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: In b) White may not castle, because last move was done by Ke1 or Th1 (2023-12-02)
A.Buchanan: Cute. Do wPe2 & bPe3 serve any purpose, however? (2023-12-03)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wk), Superseded by (P1413924)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 & simple retro logic
FEN: 5n1q/6B1/5r2/7r/5p2/2p1p3/1P2P3/k3K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-05 more...
32 - P0003720
Yuri Markovic Gordian
4496 Schach , p. 30, 01/1964
P0003720
(7+9) C+
h#2
b) sBh7 nach a7
a) 1. 0-0 Tcg3 2. Sh8 Txg7#
b) 1. 0-0-0 Tgc4 2. Sb8 Txc7#
play all play one stop play next play all
more ...
comment
Keywords: Castling, Cant Castler, Obvious promotion (T), Twin
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61
FEN: r3k2r/1pp3pp/2n3n1/8/6R1/2R4P/4P1P1/5B1K
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: Gunter Jordan, 2022-12-01 more...
33 - P0003721
Tivadar Kardos
10820 The Fairy Chess Review 08/1957
P0003721
(13+8)
h#2
1. Th8 0-0-0 2. Txf8 The1#
1. Sa6 0-0 2. Txd8 Tae1#
1. Th7 Sxg6 2. Td7 Th8#
play all play one stop play next play all
wie lautet die Retroanalyse? Warum sollten die Rochaden nicht möglich sein?
Henrik Juel: White pawns captured all 8 missing black men, incl. [Pa7,e7,h7]
For both white castlings to be possible, 4 black pawn captures are needed (axb, dxc, e2xd1/f1, and hxg)
but only 3 white men are missing, so the the white castlings are mutually exclusive (2021-11-22)
Henrik Juel: HC+ Popeye 4.61, if '2 solutions' is added to the stipulation
The 2 solutions are 1.Th7... and the one with the permissible castling (2021-11-22)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: rn1NkN2/1p6/6p1/1Pp3P1/1Pp3P1/1P4P1/1P4Pr/R3K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-22 more...
34 - P0003736
Giuseppe Brogi
1249 Sinfonie Scacchistiche 07-09/1972
P0003736
(12+12) cooked
h#2
b) wSa5
a) 1. f5 Le5 2. 0-0 Th8#
b) 1. Kd8 0-0-0 2. Te8 Lf8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Try to deduce the diagram error, as we do have the intended solutions!
a) wRh7 is original, but cannot have escaped from cage by white cross-capture as there are too many captures needed. On the other hand, Black only has to make 4 captures so the cross-capture is ok.
b) changing the colour of Sa5 shifts the capture balance: now White can cross-capture but not Black, so White but not Black can castle.
Thus the retro-logic works with the diagram as it is, but the forward logic does not. How can we repair the diagram?
See P0000899 a companion problem.
A.Buchanan: Something odd going on here. There are numerous h#2 in both a&b. PRA not normally found in a problem with single solution for each twin. White has 8 pawns so trivially wRh7 must be original. (2018-10-13)
A.Buchanan: There are three similar problems by Brogi which are all twinned RS rather than PRA, but don't have diagram error. P0003743, P0003746 & P0003747. (2018-10-13)
VL: Nothing to do with Retro Strategy (nor with PRA). One definite castling is legal in every case. (2021-02-09)
Ladislav Packa: Cooked a) and b):
1...b8S and 2...R:h8# (2021-02-10)
A.Buchanan: I think the composer simply forgot that wPb7 can promote. Most of the cooks come from S promotions, but it's also possible to have QR. I've fixed it, rejigging the captures to make them still add up. I've posted in Discord, as I did with the partner composition, and will create entries for them here. (2022-03-15)
milan: +sLb8 sBa7=sT M.Frelih (2023-12-02)
A.Buchanan: Hi Milan - I don't think your suggestion quite works for b). In a) there are 0+2 spare captures, so Black can certainly cross-capture. But in b) there is 1+1 so neither side can cross-capture, so there is no solution. Please compare with P1399806, in which there are 1+2 & 2+1 spare captures, so both twins are sound. (2023-12-03)
milan: Hi Andrew my correction works only with 2.1... solutions, black or white knights on a5. are not important. (2023-12-03)
A.Buchanan: Hi Milan not really clear what you are doing, but if as well as the piece changes you proposed, you also change the stipulation to 2.1... then there is still only one solution. Even if you remove Sa5 entirely as well, there is no White cross-capture possible. (2023-12-04)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Castling (wgsk), Cant Castler (wgsk), Cross-capture (s,w), Superseded by (P1399806)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye v4.87
FEN: 4k2r/pPp2p1R/n1pB1ppp/npP5/1P6/5PPP/2P2P2/R3K3
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-03 more...
35 - 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)
more ...
comment
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...
36 - P0003893
Jean-Francois Baudoin
Jean-Claude Gandy

RA112 diagrammes 38 03-04/1979
P0003893
(13+7)
Wieviele #1?
paul: The question is: How many #1? Must try: 1.0-0#, 1.f5xg6 e.p.# or 1.Kf2#. Obviously, 1.0-0#? is not possible be cause bK penetrated on first range only if wK was dislocated. 1.f5xg6 e.p.# is possible if last moves are g7-g5, f4-f5+, f5xg4. But in this case, wPs captured 9 pieces, bBf8 including and this is impossible. So, the unique mate is 1.Kf2# (2011-08-04)
paul: And the retro-play was Pg6-g5, f4-f5+, f5xS(R)g4, etc. (2011-08-04)
A.Buchanan: See P0003893 (2021-06-30)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, En passant
Genre: Retro
FEN: 8/P3pP1p/5p1Q/5Pp1/6p1/PPBP4/BPp1P3/2k1K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-06-30 more...
37 - P0003925
Ivan Skoba
1009 diagrammes 47 09-10/1980
P0003925
(6+7) C+
a) ser-h#6 (AP)
b) nach dem Schlüssel von a): ser-h#5
a)
1. dxc3ep 2. Kc4? 3. Tb5 4. Td5 5. Dc5 6. Kd4 Th4#
2. Tb2! 3. Kb3 4. Kc2 5. Kc1 6. c2 0-0#
b)
1. Tb2? 2. Kb3 3. Kc2 4. Kc1 5. c2 0-0#
1. Kc4! 2. Tb5 3. Td5 4. Dc5 5. Kd4 Th4#
play all play one stop play next play all
There are basically two candidate solutions ending Th4# and 0-0#. In (a), the initial ep can only be justified by 0-0#. On the other hand in the diagram position in (b), White's last move must have been with wK or wR, so 0-0# is disrupted. Nice and paradoxical.
A.Buchanan: Why is there sDe3? Isn't sL sufficient? (2022-05-27)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Seriesmover, Castling (wk), Cant Castler, a posteriori (AP) (Type Petrovic), En passant as key
Genre: Retro, Fairies
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 & simple retro-logic
FEN: 8/8/8/8/bkPp4/pr1pq3/3PRP2/4K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-06-29 more...
38 - P0004920
Valery Liskovets
(F) Die Schwalbe 80 04/1983
P0004920
(5+4)
#2 (AP, pRA)
BTM 1. ... Txh6? 2. Sd7! Txc6+ 3. Kb5! (Kb7?) Td6 4. Sf8 Tf6 5. Sh7! Th6 6. Sf8 no castling
5. a6? Tfxf8 6. a7 Tf5+ 7. Kc6,K~ 0-0!
1. ... 0-0? 2. Se7+! Kh8 3. S5g6#
WTM 1. Td6 droht 2. Td8#
play all play one stop play next play all
White to move has #2 since Black has lost castling rights. So Black pulls the move, but must castle at some point. If Black castles right away, then White has a different #2, so Black must be more subtle. 0... g6/g5/gxh6 leads to castling disruption, e.g. 1.Txg6/Te6+/Sg6. So Black only has 0... Txh6. This pins wSc6 and threatens 0-0, so 1.Sd7! (1. Sg6? Txg6 2. ~ 0-0) etc.
A.Buchanan: A key feature of adversarial A Posteriori is that any castling must be forced in a finite number of moves (but not necessarily limited by the number of moves in the stipulation goal). If the other side can prevaricate indefinitely, then that is sufficient to defeat the A Posteriori "steal" (2022-02-16)
A.Buchanan: Why this would be "PRA"? Maybe the idea is that we don't know who is first to move, yet whoever it is, White wins. But that only applies to "pull" scenarios such as this, where Black snatches the move because otherwise the game is lost. In other situations where White to avoid loss must "push" the move, then there is no way this can be described as PRA. The fundamental push/pull thing has a unity, and I don't think it's helpful to use "PRA" which only describes half of this, and was really designed for a different context. Strategically, these push/pull adversarial battles are amongst the most interesting AP problems. (2023-07-22)
comment
Keywords: a posteriori (AP) (Type Keym), Cant Castler, Castling
Genre: Retro, 2#
FEN: 4k2r/6pr/K1N4R/P3N3/8/8/8/8
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-07-22 more...
39 - P0006285
Werner Speckmann
Schach-Echo 08/1976
P0006285
(2+2)
#11
1. Ke6 Th7 2. Dg5 Kf8 3. Dd8+ Kg7 4. De7+ Kg8 5. De8+ Kg7 6. Df7+ Kh6 7. Df6+ Kh5 8. Kf5 Tf7 9. Dxf7+ Kh4 10. Db3 Kh5 11. Dh3#
1. ... 0-0?
play all play one stop play next play all
Schwarz kann nicht rochieren, da entweder der sK oder der sT zuletzt gezogen haben müssen.
Korrektur: Bernhard Rittmeier
Sally: 1. Ke6 - Kh7, 2. Dg5 - Kf8, 3. Dd6+ - Kg7, 4. De7+ - Kg8,
5. De5+- Kg7, 6. Df7+- Kh6, 7. Df6+ - Kh5, 8. Kf5 - Tf7,
9. Dxf5+-Kh4,10. Db3 - Kh5,11. Dh3#.S.131 Schwalbe 8.1995.
Nr. 199 Mattaufg. mit 3 + 4 Steinen (Speckmann 1979) Dort
mit wk. f5,daum Verb. s. 21 Errata Liste ( = ) (2011-03-04)
Anton Baumann: C+ Gustav 4.1d (2021-01-30)
comment
Keywords: Castling in the forward play, Cant Castler
Genre: Retro
FEN: 4k2r/8/8/3K4/8/8/3Q4/8
Reprints: 1125 Zuglängenrekorde im Wenigsteiner 1986
(7b) Die Schwalbe 154 08/1995
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-08-23
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2013-11-19 more...
40 - P0006972
Tivadar Kardos
1357 feenschach 24 08/1974
P0006972
(11+12) cooked
h#3
1. Lxa2 Txa2 2. 0-0-0 Txa7 3. Td7 Ta8#
1. Lxa2 0-0-0? 2. Dxg2 Tg1 3. 0-0 Txg2# but White can't castle
play all play one stop play next play all
Cook: 1. Lxa2 Lf6 2. Lb1 Txa7 3. Kf8 Txa8#
1. Lxa2 Lf6 2. Lxb3 Txa7 3. Kf8 Txa8#
1. Dxg2 Txb1 2. Dxf2+ Kxf2 3. 0-0 Tg1#
1. Dg3 Txb1 2. Dxb3 Txb3 3. 0-0 Tg3#
paul: White Rook h1 left the S-E camp, so the white castle is no more possible.
Intention: 1.L×a2 T×a2 2.0-0-0 T×a7 3.Td7 Ta8#
1.L×a2 0-0-0 2.D×g2 Tg1 3.0-0 T×g2#
Cooked by 1.L×a2 Lf6 2.Lb1 T×a7 3.Rf8 T×a8# or
1.D×g2 T×b1 2.D×f2+ K×f2 3.0-0 Tg1# (2011-09-15)
milan: wBe5-f4 M.Frelih (2021-12-01)
A.Buchanan: @Milan: that removes all 4 cooks, and alas the intended try also. (2021-12-01)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Obvious promotion (l), Superseded by (P1396304)
Genre: Retro
FEN: r3k1qr/pp3p1p/2p5/3pB2p/8/1P6/P1PPPPPP/Rb2K3
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1996-08-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-12-01 more...
41 - P1001097
Michel Caillaud
R121 Probleemblad 01/2001
Special Prize 2001
P1001097
(12+13) C+
h#2
1. cxb6 d6 2. bxc5 Txb8#
1. La7 Lxa7 2. 0-0-0? Tb8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Castling is impossible because, if black can still castle, the diagram position is draw due to the 50-move rule!
White captures: axb, bxc, exf. Black captures: hxg, gxf, exd, dxc. Promotions: a1=T, b1=T, h8=X. The position can only be unblocked by unpromoting White piece on h8. This can only be wRb5. wK must go to c6 to unpin wR. The journey is via g3, h2, e1, b2, & a3.The 50 white moves are: 34 by wK (screens on c8 [with careful step on a2 to let bB pass] then g8), 11 by wB6 (to e3 to exchange place with bB then screen on a7), 3 by wR (promotion on h8), 2 by wBa4.
more ...
comment
Keywords: Non-standard material (tt), 50 move rule, Cant Castler
Genre: Retro, h#
Computer test: Popeye WINDOWS-32Bit-Version 3.65 (2048 KB) Popeye 4.61 (also)
FEN: rb2k3/2p2p1K/1B6/1RPP1PP1/B1Prbrp1/1Prp1p2/2p2P2/N7
Reprints: Probleemblad , p. 220-227, 12/2010
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2001-02-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2020-10-10 more...
42 - P1011972
Harold Holgate Cross
Die Schwalbe 1961
P1011972
(12+15)
#1
b) wBe2 nach e3
a) 1. 0-0#
R: 1. Tg2-h2 Sf5-d4 2. Th2-g2 Se3-f5 3. Tg2-h2 Sf1-e3 4. Tg1-g2 Se3-f1 5. g2-g1=T ... 6. f3xDg2 ... 7. f4-f3 Da8-g2 8. f5-f4 a7-a8=D 9. f6-f5 a6-a7 10. f7-f6 a5-a6 11. a6xLb5 Lc6-b5 12. Lb5-a4
b) 1. Se2#
play all play one stop play next play all
No. 1039 HN
Mario Richter: vgl. P0006242 (dort sTa3 statt sLa3) (2020-09-23)
Henrik Juel: White captured bxc and promoted on a8
Black captured axb and promoted twice on g1: f3xg2-g1=T, g3xh2xg1=L
In part b) the castling right cannot be preserved, because the tempo is wrong (2020-09-23)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling
Genre: Retro
FEN: 8/2ppp2p/1p6/1p6/brPN4/bqP3PP/nbrPPP1r/RNk1K2R
Input: Henri Nouguier, 2004-01-11
Last update: Mario Richter, 2020-09-23 more...
43 - P1012021
Jean-Francois Baudoin
Jean-Claude Gandy

diagrammes 1979
P1012021
(12+8)
#1 (wieviele?)
Si le roque B est jouable et si 0. ... g7g5, alors 1.O-O# et 1.fxg6 ep# en plus 1.Rf2#. Pour gagner c1, le RN n'a pu passer par a3, b3, c3, d3, ces cases ayant toujours été occupées ou défendues par des PB. Son passage par une autre case implique le jeu du RB, ce qui casse le roque. PNg4 vient de d7 (3 prise). PNa7 capturé sur sa colonne par une figure B tandis que les PB ont pris les 8 autres pièces N manquantes, y compris le FNf8 qui est sorti via g7. Donc 0. ... g7g5 nepeut pas être envisagé comme dernier coup possible. Si 0. g6g5 mais alors Dh6+ serait précédé par g7g6 qui serait illégal (FNf8 pris à dom.) Si trait N pas de mat après 1. ... g4g3! Trait aux B : 0.g6g5 f4f5+ -1.f5g4 etc. Donc seul 1.Rf2#.
play all play one stop play next play all
No. 1181 HN
paul: Duplicate of P0003893 (2011-08-05)
A.Buchanan: I guess this diagram is wrong, and the other (+wPa7,-bPb6) is the better (2021-06-30)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, En passant
Genre: Retro
FEN: 8/4pP1p/1p3p1Q/5Pp1/6p1/PPBP4/BPp1P3/2k1K2R
Input: Henri Nouguier, 2004-01-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-03 more...
44 - P1012094
Kuulo Tina
Sergey Volobuev

3 Shakhmatnaya Kompozitsiya 1, p. 54, 1992
P1012094
(14+13)
#2
1. Dxh3 ... 2. Dh8#

1. ... 0-0-0? ist illegal. Vor der Rücknahme von c2xLd3 muß zunächst der wTf3 nach b2 geführt werden, das kostet aber genau einen Zug mehr, als Schwarz an Wartezügen zur Verfügung hat, also haben sK oder sT schon gezogen.
play all play one stop play next play all
No. 1390 HN

überm Diagramm in 'Shakhmatnaya Kompozitsiya' steht nur K. Tina als Autor.
Henrik Juel: HC+ Popeye 4.61 (2023-04-17)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (sg)
Genre: Retro
FEN: r3k3/1pp2pp1/2p2p2/2N2N2/5P2/pP1P1RPp/P2PPP1B/1Kn2Qbn
Input: Henri Nouguier, 2004-01-11
Last update: Mario Richter, 2023-04-17 more...
45 - P1012510
Frank Christiaans
25 The Problemist 3/1993
P1012510
(6+1)
#2
b) Dh3->f1
c) Bb3-
a) 1. De6? droht 2. Dc4#
1. ... Kxd3 2. 0-0-0?
1. Dd7! Kxb3 2. Da4#

b) 1. Ta3! Kb1 2. Kd2#

c) 1. De6! droht 2. Dc4#
1. ... Kxd3 2. 0-0-0#
1. Dd7? Kb3 2. Da4+? Kxa4!
play all play one stop play next play all
No. 2220 HN
Henrik Juel: In parts a and b Ta1 has moved (because Kc2 just came from b1), so White may not castle
These parts are C+ Popeye 4.61
Part c is not clearly defined; if it is Bb3-a3, then it also is C+ Popeye 4.61 (2022-02-19)
A.Buchanan: I agree about part (c). I wonder though about (b) - it seems pointless. If there is also a part (d) which combines (b)&(c), then it does have a unique solution (with checking key) 1. De2+ Kb3 2. Sc5# (2022-02-20)
comment
Keywords: Miniature, Rex solus, Castling (wg), Cant Castler (wg)
Genre: Retro, 2#
FEN: 8/8/8/8/8/1P1N3Q/1Pk5/R3K3
Input: Henri Nouguier, 2004-01-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-02-20 more...
46 - P1012667
Tivadar Kardos
Mat (Belgrade) 1987
P1012667
(9+15) cooked
h#3
1. 0-0 Td1 2. Kh7 Td4 3. Tfg8 Txh4#
1. 0-0 0-0-0? 2. Kh7 Td4,Th1 3. Tfg8 Txh4#
play all play one stop play next play all
Les N ont pris 4 P.B. Les B une P.N. en g3 promue en a1 (2 P.B.) ou d1 (3 P.B.).Le roque B est cassé sauf si PNe3 vient de a7 (4 p.B.) et PNh7 est aller en h1. Donc les B ont pas joués les derniers. Le O-O-O est cassé. S'il n'est pas casséles N ont joués les derniers.
No. 438 HN
Henrik Juel: White captured h2xg3, so [Pa7] must have promoted
Black captured [Lf1], hxgxf, and 3 more white men, incl. [Pd2]
The promotion was either axb-b3xa2-a1 or axbxcxPd-d1, so White may not castle
1.0-0 Ra1-d1 2.Kg8-h7 Rd1-d4 3.Rf8-g8 Rd4*h4#
HC+ Popeye 4.61 (2021-11-26)
A.Buchanan: If sBe3 is [sBa], then [sBh] either captured to g3, where it was captured in turn, or it promoted on h1. In either case, White castling rights may endure, so the intended retro try is a cook. There is also a dual. (2021-11-28)
A.Buchanan: Nouguier (in French) noted the possibility of the Western origin of sBe3, which I think the composer overlooked. But (I think) Nouguier did not see that White castling rights remain even with Black to move. He seemed to be concerned about possibility of WTM, but this is not relevant for this problem. (2021-11-28)
A.Buchanan: This can be quickly patched by e.g. shifting bPe3 to e4, and bSc4 to b4, but this is the kind of cook which invites the problem’s expansion, to include both possible origins of bPe3 as thematic retro lines to be explored (2021-11-29)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler
Genre: Retro, h#
FEN: 4k2r/1p4r1/1bpp2p1/1b2pp2/n1n4q/P3pPP1/1PP1P1P1/R3K3
Input: Henri Nouguier, 2004-01-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-28 more...
47 - P1035188
Norman Alasdair Macleod
The Christian Science Monitor 1947
P1035188
(3+5) C+
#2
1. Kg2! droht 2. Txc8#
Nicht 1...0-0?? da der sK schon gezogen hat: R: 1. h4xg3ep+ g2-g4 2. Kd7-e8+,Kd7xSe8+,Kd7xTe8+
play all play one stop play next play all
BS Problemid: 20117
Authors: Macleod, Norman A
Sources:
Years: 1947
Mario Richter: vgl. mit P1012182 (2011-05-28)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Brian Stephenson Collection (20117), En passant in the retro play, Cant Castler
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 + trivial retro logic
FEN: R1b1k2r/1Q6/8/8/8/6pK/7b/8
Input: Brian Stephenson, 2004-08-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2024-02-27 more...
48 - P1080434
Thierry Le Gleuher
R301 Probleemblad 01-02/2006
P1080434
(10+10) cooked
h#2
Duplex
hans: a) 1. Ke5 Td1 (0-0-0?) 2. f5 Lxg7# b) 1. 0-0-0! Dd8 2. Dxd1#
Some comment: The composer shows how important a tempo can be. Masterly accomplished! (HM). A very intensive study is needed to find the solutions: in fact not the solutions but the motivation. Has cost me days to solve this fine, extremely difficult and profound problem. In (a) 0-0-0 is not allowed., in (b) it is. In my opinion a 1st Prize Retros 2006 (GHB)

R: -1. … Dd8-b8 -2. a5-a6 Kf6-f5 -3. a4-a5 Ke7-f6 -4. a3-a4 Ke8-e7 -5. a2-a3 Lh2-g1 -6. h7-h8=L Ld6-h2 -7. h6-h7 Lf8-d6 -8. h5-h6 e7-e6 -9. h4-h5 Le6-c4 -10. h3-h4 Lc8-e6 -11. h2-h3 d7xDc6 -12. Dc5-c6 f5xSe4 -13. c6xb7 g6xTf5 -14. d5xTc6 etc.
bCap: axbxc2-c1, dxc6, hxg6xf5xe4, wCap: dxe3, gxf3xe4xd5xc6xb7, (2013-08-30)
hans: *2. Kc1-b1 (2013-08-30)
Mario Richter: I've found a cook for a), based on the idea to unpromote the black queen on c1 (shielded by the black bishop c4 on d1). The following PG shows, that the position can be reached with White still able to castle queenside:
1.Ng1-f3 a7-a6 2.Nb1-a3 a6-a5 3.Na3-c4 Ra8-a6 4.Rh1-g1 Ra6-f6 5.Nf3-h4 Rf6-f3 6.Nh4-g6 h7xg6 7.g2xf3 Ng8-f6 8.Bf1-h3 Nf6-e4 9.f3xe4 Nb8-c6 10.Bh3-f5 Nc6-b4 11.Rg1-g4 Nb4-d5 12.e4xd5 Rh8-h3 13.Rg4-e4 Rh3-c3 14.Nc4-e5 Rc3-c6 15.d5xc6 g6xf5 16.c6xb7 f5xe4 17.Ne5-c6 d7xc6 18.h2-h3 Qd8-d4 19.h3-h4 Qd4-e3 20.d2xe3 Bc8-e6 21.Bc1-d2 Be6-b3 22.Bd2-b4 a5xb4 23.Qd1-c1 e7-e6 24.Qc1-d1 Ke8-e7 25.Qd1-c1 Ke7-f6 26.Qc1-d1 Kf6-f5 27.Qd1-c1 Bf8-d6 28.Qc1-d1 Bd6-h2 29.c2-c3 Bh2-g1 30.Qd1-c1 Bb3-d1 31.Qc1-d2 b4-b3 32.Qd2-c2 b3xc2 33.h4-h5 c2-c1Q 34.h5-h6 Qc1-c2 35.h6-h7 Qc2-a4 36.h7-h8B Qa4-a8 37.a2-a3 Qa8-b8 38.a3-a4 Bd1-b3 39.a4-a5 Bb3-c4 40.a5-a6 (and now) Kf5-e5 43.0-0-0! (still possible!) f7-f5 44.Bh8xg7# (2013-08-31)
Henrik Juel: Nicely found, Mario.
So it was fortunate that the problem was not awarded in the tourney, despite the enthusiastic solver comments (2013-08-31)
Henrik Juel: According to judge Bernd Gräfrath, he did not see the cook and awarded the problem 1st-2nd prize (2013-09-01)
A.Buchanan: Was Thierry made aware of the cook? Did this ever get fixed? (2021-06-29)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (wl)
Genre: Retro, h#
FEN: 1q5B/1Pp2pp1/P1p1p3/5k2/2b1p3/2P1P3/1P2PP2/R3K1b1
Reprints: H5 Vkontakte 2013
H5 Phénix 261/262, p. 10347, 05-06/2016
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2009-01-06
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2019-08-11 more...
49 - P1085286
Stanislav Vokal
The Ural's Problemist 04-06/2008
Uralski Problemist 15 JT
2. Lob
P1085286
(7+3) C+
s#5
1. Da3! Kd8 2. De7+ Kc8 3. Db7+ Kd8 4. Dc7+ Ke8 5. De7+ Kxe7#
play all play one stop play next play all
Die 0-0-0 ist retroanalytisch nicht mehr zulässig.
SCHRECKE: C+, Gustav 4.1d, Brute Force (2021-11-13)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Homebase
Genre: s#, Retro
FEN: r3k1K1/p5PP/1PP5/4P3/8/8/8/Q7
Input: Frank Müller, 2009-06-01
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2024-02-26 more...
50 - 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...
51 - P1108454
Werner Keym
Schach-Echo 1967
P1108454
(15+5) cooked
#1
b) wDa5 nach e5, AP
a) BTM
1. ... bxa3ep! 2. Dc3#! (2.0-0#??)
1.0-0#?
b) BTM pushed by Wh
1. ... bxa3ep! 2. 0-0#! (2.Dc3#? AP needs the 00)
1.0-0#?
play all play one stop play next play all
(a) Wh made 11 pcs, right to left, which accounts for all missing Bl units. wBa never captured, so sBa must have captured a3xSb2, prior to Wh a2-a4. Since Wh is missing only 1 unit, bBh promoted on h1, disrupting Wh 00 rights. Moreover Bl has no last move and by Codex Article 15, it’s Bl to move. Last move by Wh must allow Bl a prior move. This can only be R: 1. a2-a4 a3xSb2. So ep is on and there is no alternative.
(b) Again Wh has made 11 pcs, but Black may now have made 2. If WTM, then Black's last move was R: 1. Kc2xSc1 Td1-d2+ 2. Kc3-c2 or R: 1. cxSb1=T or R: 1. cxSb2 (as wBc4 & wBc7 might be foreign to c-file and allow bBc a smooth retraction). In any case, sBa3xSb2 was played so sBh-h1= disrupting 00. So Wh can still not play 1. 0-0#! Now White pushes the move to Bl and also asserts that bxa3ep is on. Both claims will be "proved" by Wh 0-0. We know that with WTM, Wh can't castle, so that's half of it. But if BTM with Wh to castle, then bPaxb & bPhxg, and the only way we can retract is as in (a). The mating move is different, because we have that extra Bl pc to keep castling legal, but we must actually castle so that the whole AP logic can work!
However, I don't understand why Wh can't just play 1. Txb2#?
Cook: In (b) Wh can just play 1. Txb2#
b) Urdruck in Die Schwalbe 228, 12/2007
A.Buchanan: Any ideas about (b)? (2022-06-09)
Henrik Juel: Andrew, you can find Heft 228 on
https://www.dieschwalbe.de/archiv.htm
part b) is mentioned in an article by Valery Livkovets, p.299-304
diagram p.301, solution p.303 (2022-06-09)
A.Buchanan: Thanks Henrik - just the pointer I needed. Please check the detailed solution I'll post above. (2022-06-09)
A.Buchanan: OK the logic nearly works for me. But I don't understand why White can't just play 1. Txb2# in part b, because b2 is now covered by wD. What am I missing? (2022-06-09)
Henrik Juel: Indeed, 1.Txb2# looks like a cook (2022-06-09)
A.Buchanan: Werner agrees. He has fixed it with a better twinning condition (2022-06-12)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, En passant as key, No legal last move for Black, a posteriori (AP) (Type Petrovic), Castling, a posteriori (AP) (Type Keym), Superseded by (P1406456)
Genre: Retro
FEN: 8/2P5/3P4/QP2N1B1/PpP5/1P1P4/1p1RBP2/brk1K2R
Reprints: (10) Die Schwalbe 228, p. 301, 12/2007
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2010-06-23
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-12-05 more...
52 - P1108458
Werner Keym
Main-Post 1968
P1108458
(14+0)
Ergänze den sK, dann #1
a) +sKd3 1. 0-0-0? Castling rights lost
b) +sKf7 1. g8=D#
play all play one stop play next play all
+sKd3? und 1.0-0-0# macht nicht, veil die Stellung ist illegal (saB & sbB).
Das Brett wird um 180° gedreht, dann +sKf7 und 1. g7-g8=D#
Henrik Juel: I believe that the try is
add sK on d3 and 1.0-0-0#
This addition is illegal, however:
the white h-pawns captured all 15 missing black men, but [Pa7,b7] need three captures to promote, and only two white men are missing (2023-04-13)
comment
Keywords: Joke, Board Rotation (180), Add pieces (sK), Cant Castler
Genre: Retro
FEN: 6B1/4R2P/P6P/B6P/7P/7P/1P5P/R3K1N1
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2010-06-23
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-04-15 more...
53 - P1108561
Werner Keym
Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz 1968
P1108561
(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 play one stop play next 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...
54 - 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...
55 - P1146555
Ivar Godal
1787 Postsjakk , p. 147, 12/1965
P1146555
(6+1)
#2
b)-Bf3
a) 1. Sf4+? Kxg3 2. Th3#
1. ... Kxf3!

1. Te4? Kxf3 2. 0-0#?

1. Sg1! Kxg3 2. Tg4#

b) 1. Te4! Kf3 2. 0-0#
play all play one stop play next play all
E2-g
Zwilling in Postsjakk 01/1966, Seite 8, ohne Diagramm
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
Last move was Kh3-g2 or similar, so Th1 has moved, and White may not castle (2023-04-01)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0018609), Cant Castler, Miniature
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: HJ: HC+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
FEN: 8/8/8/8/2R5/5PN1/4N1k1/4K2R
Input: Felber, Volker, 2010-09-11
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2023-04-03 more...
56 - P1181914
Miomir Nedeljkovic
145 Orbit 10/1999
P1181914
(6+9) C+
s#3
1. Dh4? f6!
1. Df5! f6 2. De6 Kd8 3. Dd7+ Kxd7#
2. ... Kf8 3. Df7+ Kxf7#
1. Df5! e6 2. Dxf7+ Kd8 3. Dd7+ Kxd7#
1. Df5! Tg8 2. Dd7+ Kf8 3. Dxe7+ Kxe7#
1. Df5! 0-0?? ist unzulässig
play all play one stop play next play all
more ...
comment
Keywords: Castling position, Cant Castler
Genre: s#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 + trivial retro logic
FEN: K3k2r/Pp2pp1p/bp5P/1p2P2Q/1P6/8/8/8
Input: Frank Müller, 2010-12-05
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2024-02-27 more...
57 - P1268181
Nico Georgiadis
Beat Züger

14755 Schweizerische Schachzeitung , p. 21, 10/2009
P1268181
(2+10) C+
#2
Retro: Schwarz kann nicht mehr rochieren.
1. Th3 ... 2. Th8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: .. because last move was done with Ta8 or Ke8 (2023-08-01)
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 and simple analysis (2023-08-01)
comment
Keywords: Minimal, Cant Castler (sl)
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye 4.61 and simple analysis
FEN: r3k3/ppp1p1p1/3pKp2/8/8/3R4/2p5/8
Input: Frank Müller, 2013-04-21
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2023-08-02 more...
58 - P1301781
Stanislav Vokal
784 Seven Chess Notes 2008
Spezielle ehrende Erwähnung
P1301781
(2+5) C+
#2
b) -Ta7
a) 1. ... 0-0-0?
1. Dh7! Kd8 2. Dd7#

b) 1. Dh7? 0-0-0!
1. Dxb7! droht 2. De7,Dxa8#
1. ... Kd8 2. Dd7#
1. ... Kf8 2. Df7#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2024-02-26)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (sl), Castling (sl), Minimal (D), Miniature, Capture key
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 + trivial retro logic
FEN: r3k3/rp6/p3K3/8/8/8/8/1Q6
Input: Rainer Staudte, 2015-04-22
Last update: Gunter Jordan, 2024-02-27 more...
59 - P1348208
Fadil Abdurahmanovic
Orbit 2011
spezielle ehrende Erwähnung 2011-II
P1348208
(5+7) C+
h#2*
* 1. ... h4 2. Kd3 0-0-0#
1. Db3 Ta5 2. Dd3 Sf3#
play all play one stop play next play all
Mit Schwarz am Zug kann Weiß zuletzt nur K oder T gezogen haben, die w0-0-0 ist also illegal.
In der Ausschreibung zum Champagne-TT 2015 als Beispiel für das "Hesitation"-Thema benutzt (hier: "Hesitating queen")
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (wl), Castling (wl im *)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 + trivial retro logic
FEN: 8/8/8/8/2pkr3/q3p2P/1P4pr/R3K1N1
Input: Mario Richter, 2018-03-19
Last update: Gunter Jordan, 2024-02-27 more...
60 - P1357952
John Doe

Kiebitz-Lösungsturnier, Berlin 1900
P1357952
(2+4)
#2
1. ... ??

1. Df6! droht 2. De7#,Dxh8#
1. ... Kf8 2. Dxh8#
1. ... Tg8,Tf8 2. De7#

1. ... 0-0?? illegal
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: The author name must be a pseudonym (2018-11-22)
Henrik Juel: double threat (2024-02-26)
A.Buchanan: (1) A comment from Volker might be helpful: was it really "John Doe", or is that Volker's joke? (2) What does C+ mean? A discussion in Facebook yesterday suggested "conforms with the author's expectation". Here each of the two threats is separately realized - to me that's sufficient. (2024-02-27)
Henrik Juel: I dislike the dual after 1... h6,h5 (2024-02-27)
comment
Keywords: Minimal (D), Cant Castler, Miniature, Castling position, Doppeldrohung, Model mate (Gnaden-)
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: 4k2r/5p1p/3K4/8/8/8/5Q2/8
Input: Felber, Volker, 2018-11-22
Last update: Gunter Jordan, 2024-02-27 more...
61 - P1368554
Andrew Buchanan
OzProblems.com 16/10/2019
P1368554
(4+3) C+
Gewinn
1. Sd3! Kf8 2. Se3 Sg6+ 3. Kd4 Td8+ 4. Kc3 Tc8+ 5. Sc4 Kg7 6. Sf2 Sh8 7. Tf1 Sf7 8. Se4 Td8 9. Sf6 Sg5 10. Se3 Ta8 11. Kb4 Tb8+ 12. Kc4 Tc8+ 13. Kb5 Tb8+ 14. Kc6 Ta8 15. Sfd5 Ta3 16. Kb5 Se4 17. Te1 Sg5 18. Kb4 Ta2 19. Tf1 Kg6 20. Tf6+ Kh5 21. Kb3 Ta7 22. Sf4+ Kh4 23. Se2 Tb7+ 24. Kc4 Sf7 25. Tf1 Kg5 26. Sd4 Se5+ 27. Kd5 Sd3 28. Se6+ Kg6 29. Sf8+ Kg5 30. Ke4 Sc5+ 31. Kd4 Sd7 32. Se6+ Kg6 33. Sd5 Ta7 34. Se7+ Kh5 35. Tg1 Ta4+ 36. Ke3 Tg4 37. Ta1 Sb6 38. Kf2 Sd7 39. Ta8 Tc4 40. Tg8 Tc2+ 41. Ke3 Tc3+ 42. Kf4 Tc4+ 43. Kf5 Kh4 44. Sf4 Sf6 45. Tg2 (thr 46.Sg6#) Tc5+ 46. Kxf6 Tc6+ 47. Kf5 Tc5+ 48. Sed5 (thr 49.Tg4#) Txd5+ 49. Sxd5 (switch to Syzygy DTM) Kh3 50. Sf4+ Kh4 51. Tg4#
Compare 44. ... Tc5+ which gives a longer DTM at the cost of a slightly sub-optimal DTZ. 45. Sed5 (thr 46.Tg4#) Txd5+ 46. Sxd5 (switch to Syzygy DTM) Kh3 47. Tc8 Kg3 48. Ke6 Sb6 49. Sxb6 Kf2 50. Sc4 Ke1 51. Td8 Ke2 52. Td2+ Ke1 53. Kd5 Kf1 54. Ke4 Kg1 55. Kf3 Kh1 56. Kg3 Kg1 57. Td1#
play all play one stop play next play all
According to the Syzygy tablebase, *any* move wins for White except the silly 1. Sa2??
However, the tablebase does not know about castling!
The quickest winning move 1. Sd3!? would be defeated by 1. ... 0-0-0!? which attacks Sd3 and threatens the skewer Re8+. After this, White can only draw - or even loses after 2. Sc1??
But by a simple retro argument, Black cannot castle.
Since this retro point is essential to the solution, we have a retro problem, and hence the 50 move rule, which by Codex default is disengaged, is switched on.
When working with the 50 move rule, the key concept is not the number of moves to mate, but the number of moves to the first capture, pawn move or checkmate, known as DTZ.
All the alternatives to 1. Sd3 take more than 50 moves to force the first capture. The closest are 1. Sc3 & Se3 which according to Syzygy require exactly 50.5 moves, so seem *just* too slow. (For positions close to the cut-off, one has to be careful about *rounding*, see https://syzygy-tables.info/metrics. The number of half-moves for DTZ can be n or n+1. In fact here, after 1. Sc3/Sf3, the zeroing move is at its earliest White's 52nd move, not 51st.)
By the retro property therefore *only* 1. Sd3!, which requires 45 moves to force the first capture, can win. So this removes all the cooks for the first White move.

Lomonosov DTM #59: 1. Nd3!! Kf8!! 2. Ne3! Ng6+! 3. Kd5 Rd8+ 4. Kc4 Rc8+ 5. Kb5 Rb8+ 6. Ka6 Kf7 7. Nc5 Ne5 8. Nd5 Re8 9. Kb7 Nc4 10. Rf1+ Kg7 11. Kc6 Re5 12. Nd3 Re6+ 13. Kc5 Ne5 14. N3f4 Nd7+ 15. Kb5 Rd6 16. Nc7 Kf7 17. Nfd5+ Kg6 18. Ne7+ Kg5 19. Ncd5 Kg4 20. Rf4+ Kg5 21. Rf2 Kg4 22. Ne3+ Kg5 23. N7d5 Kg6 24. Rf1 Nf6 25. Nf4+ Kf7 26. Nc4 Rd8 27. Ne5+ Kg8 28. Rg1+ Kh7 29. Kc6 Rc8+ 30. Kd6 Re8 31. Re1 Ra8 32. Rh1+ Kg8 33. Ke7 Ra4 34. Rg1+ Kh7 35. Ne6 Nd5+ 36. Kd6 Nf4 37. Nc5 Rd4+ 38. Ke7 Rd2 39. Rg4 Rf2 40. Ncd7 Nd5+ 41. Ke6 Nf4+ 42. Kd6 Rd2+ 43. Ke7 Nd5+ 44. Kf8 Kh6 45. Rh4+ Kg5 46. Nf3+ Kf5 47. Nxd2 (zeroing 50M) Nc7 48. Re4 Ne6+ 49. Ke7 Nf4 50. Nf6 Ng6+ 51. Kf7 Ne5+ 52. Kg7 Kg5 53. Nf1 Kf5 54. Ne3+ Ke6 55. Nc4 Ke7 56. Rxe5+ Kd8 57. Rc5 Ke7 58. Rd5 Ke6 59. Re5# 1-0.
http://www.ozproblems.com/walkabout/walkabout2019#WA1610
https://www.chess.com/blog/Rocky64/a-heraldic-endgame-tablebase-composition

The school shield which inspired the problem:
http://www.calvert-trust.org.uk/images/colour.jpg
Henrik Juel: With White to move, last move was made with Ta8 or Ke8, so Black may not castle
An endgame connaisseur may supply the solution... (2019-10-25)
James Malcom: It is now supplied, Henrik. :) I worked through the Sygyzy tablebase, move by move, to get the computer recommended line. (2020-10-09)
A.Buchanan: Thanks James for this hard work to record a solution. Alas there is not just a single recommended line - White has a choice as early as W3. I wonder too if there is a DTM line which is faster than #57, and still clears the DTZ hurdle although maybe not as quickly as B45 as here. There is no DTM engines for 7 pieces yet.
What is certain is that the key works, and is unique. The exactly details of the best mating line remain to be revealed by improving technology. (2020-10-09)
A.Buchanan: For example, 2. Nc5 has DTZ 90, compared to the "superior" 2. Ne3 DTZ 88. However, if you keep picking the top move all the way through, then the final DTZ is in fact checkmate! I haven't all the Black choices though, but there aren't that many of them (2020-10-09)
A.Buchanan: The Lomonosov tablebase is DTM, and is available for free on Android. Today I found a PC app called Blue Stacks which emulates Android. According to Lomonosov, the position is #59, compared to Syzygy's DTZ offering #57 via zero at B45. When I run through the L. indicative solution (very quick to download and grab all of it), it is close to S.'s choices and all the mainline positions are safe from 50M. The zero is at W47, and the final mate is attractive in the middle of the board.
The real questions are:
(1) Is the #59 sound from 50M perspective? Or can Black force White to delay a few moves in order to avoid 50M trouble somewhere?
(2) How dualized is the solution? How does 50M play into pruning that?
What is clear is that both tablebases agree the solution begins 1. Nd3!! Kf8!! 2. Ne3! Ng6! (2020-10-10)
A.Buchanan: James' Syzygy solution had seemed a little odd, because it seemed to go against Syzygy's assertion that DTZ=n means that zeroing happens at n or n+1 ply (it's not exact because of Syzygy's rounding of the units bit of the integers, which apparently saves a vast amount of data, and is allegedly "safe"). But James's solution has zeroing at n-1. If Black was indeed forced to zero prematurely in this way, this would show a bug in Syzygy.

In no sense is this a criticism of James: for whose talent, hard work & existence I am incredibly grateful. But it turns out there is a tiny issue in the solution he posted, just before DTZ=0.

Quarantine lockdown in Hong Kong has given me a chance to look at the position after W44, https://syzygy-tables.info/?fen=6R1/3nN3/8/5K2/2r2N1k/8/8/8_b_-_-_0_1, Black has two choices Tc5+ & Sf6. James chose the first for simplicity, as sensibly he always did, but 45. Sed5 threatens 46. Tg4#. The only way to avoid this 45. ... Txd5+ prematurely zeroing. But Syzygy makes no promises about DTM - it just happens that the random path that James found has mate as the zeroing move! This is not typical, so a better illustrative solution has 44. ... Sf6. With best play by both sides, I think this results in mate at W51.

How to compare this with the Lomonosov solution with mate at W59? How is it possible that Syzygy, with the extra constraint of avoiding 50M draw, has found a *shorter* mate? If you think about it, there is no issue here. Syzygy is only focusing on DTZ, and there are many points in the long solution at which there are choices of equal DTZ. What Lomonosov tells us is that Black can somehow force a Syzygy branch which gives #59 or longer. For 6 or 7 pieces, we just don't have the visibility in Syzygy to find that DTM path. That is the explanation. However for 5 pieces, Syzygy also gives us the DTM value, and as long as one has escaped 50M range, it makes case to switch to that as soon as 5 pieces are reached. (2022-08-05)
A.Buchanan: As problemists, what we would really like to know is the minimum number of moves to mate, while not falling foul of 50M. Even with both DTZ & DTM values known, this is not easy to find. Here is a toy example to show one difficulty: https://syzygy-tables.info/?fen=7k/8/7K/4P2R/8/8/8/8_b_-_-_0_1 Black's forced move leads to DTZ=1 DTM=3, but White must choose which he wants to achieve, as they are mutually exclusive. If the 50M clock is low, 1.e6 gives DTM=16. But otherwise 1.Rf5 gives DTM=2. Now White will know which he wants, but Black is usually free to decide whether to defend the DTZ or the DTM or potentially to delay the commitment. The tactical richness of a position is not captured by simply the DTZ & DTM values (2022-08-05)
A.Buchanan: OK it turns out that what I'd been arguing for already exists to some extent: it's called DTM50 - see http://galen.metapath.org/egtb50/ (2022-08-05)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Aristocrat, 50 move rule, Miniature
Genre: Retro, Studies
Computer test: www.syzygy.com
FEN: r3k2n/8/8/4K3/8/8/8/2NNR3
Reprints: www.chess.com 17/10/2019
Input: A.Buchanan, 2019-10-25
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-08-05 more...
62 - P1380127
Nikola Predrag
(32) MatPlus.net Forum 15/8/2019
P1380127
(8+11)
-1(s+w), dann #3?
R: 1. c4xb3ep b2-b4, dann 1. Sc3+ Kc2 2. Dd3+ Kxd3 3. 0-0-0#?!
But castling is illegal! This is because Black's dark squared bishop is a promoted piece and White's king must have moved to let the promotion through.
play all play one stop play next play all
http://matplus.net/start.php?px=1600656376&app=forum&act=posts&tid=2343&fid=xshows&page=1
Henrik Juel: Removing wPh2 might help (2020-09-21)
James Malcom: The illegality of the castling is intentional. (2020-09-21)
A.Buchanan: I guess it is intended as a joke. There are numerous cooks e.g. R: 1. Dh1xDh5 Td6-b6 dann 1. Sb2-d2+! (2020-09-22)
James Malcom: Andrew, the White king is in check from the Black bishop. Ep is the only legal way to resolve it. Your suggestion is illegal. Did you forget to eat breakfast again? :) (2020-09-23)
A.Buchanan: Ha this is just like when I play chess otb - so hard to spot extraordinarily distant black pieces on dark squares :-) (2020-09-23)
James Malcom: Sounds fair enough to me! And the position is legal, not illegal, Andrew. (2020-09-23)
A.Buchanan: I meant "no solution" - and I've classified it as a joke which I think is the composer's intent (2020-09-24)
James Malcom: Quite simply, I agree. (2020-09-24)
Mario Richter: I think the "normal usage" of the keyword "no solution" in the PDB so far is to indicate, that the intended solution fails e.g. because of some hidden defense (which corresponds to the german "unlösbar").
This problem doen't fall into that category! In fact, it has as solution, namely that there is no mate in 3 after the (forced) retractions!
(There are 1064 cooked problems with the keyword "no solution", only 9 "no solution" problems with the label "C+", and for all of the latter either the "no solution" or the "C+" is wrongly attributed.
Perhaps the simplest way to handle the Pedrag-problem is to add "intended" to the KW "no solution". (2020-09-25)
James Malcom: I agree, Mario. It is now doe. (2020-09-25)
A.Buchanan: Yes that's fair. Most jokes follow a template, but this is quite original. (2020-09-25)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Belen Theme, Valladao Task, Help retractor, Castling as mating move, En passant in the retro play, Obvious promotion, Joke, no solution (Intentional), Cant Castler (wg)
Genre: Retro, 3#
FEN: 8/1pppp1p1/1R6/b6q/6N1/rp5Q/p5PP/RNk1K3
Input: James Malcom, 2020-09-21
Last update: Mario Richter, 2020-10-07 more...
63 - P1380264
Norbert Geissler
3 The Problemist Supplement 154, p. 646, 05/2018
P1380264
(3+7)
h#4
Wie viele Lösungen?
One solution only!
1. Sh6 f4 2. 0-0 f5 3. Kh8 f6 4. Tg8 Txh6#
1. Th7 0-0? 2. Td7 Ta1 3. De7 Txa8 4. Kd8 Txb8# castling illegal
play all play one stop play next play all
The possible second solution 1. Th7 0-0 2. Td7 Ta1 3. De7 Txa8 4. Kd8 Txb8#
is illegal as white castling is not allowed (last move of white was made by King or Rook)
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2020-09-25)
comment
Keywords: Homebase (2), Cant Castler
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: rn1qk1nr/2p5/8/8/8/8/5P2/4K2R
Input: A.Buchanan, 2020-09-25
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2020-12-11 more...
64 - P1380439
James Malcom
MatPlus.net Forum 23/09/2020
P1380439
(13+1) C+
#4
1. ... Kxc2 2. Sd2! Kxd3 3. Sc4 Kc2 4. Se3+ Kd3 5. Td1#
play all play one stop play next play all
See also P1380440
Henrik Juel: Apparently there is a #3
1.c4? Kxc2 2.Sc3 Kxd3 3.0-0-0?
But two facts prevent this try
1. Black has no last move, so he has the move
2. wKe1 must have moved, so White cannot castle
The solution is
0... Kxc2 1.Sd2 Kxd3 2.Sc4 Kc2 3.Se3+ Kd3 4.Td1#
C+ Popeye 4.61 (2020-09-29)
comment
Keywords: Rex solus (s), Belen Theme (Anti-), Cant Castler, No legal last move for Black, Capture key
Genre: n#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye 4.61
FEN: 8/8/8/8/8/BPPP1P2/PPB2P2/RNk1KR2
Input: A.Buchanan, 2020-09-29
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2020-10-08 more...
65 - P1380440
James Malcom
Andrew Buchanan

MatPlus.net Forum 23/09/2020
P1380440
(10+1) C+
#4
A retro try is:
1. c4? Kxd3 2. Sc3 Kd4 3. Ld6 Kd3 4. 0-0-0#?
2. ... Kc2 3. c5 Kd3 4. 0-0-0#?
but wK has moved, so neither line works.

1. f3! Kxd3 2. Kf2 Kc2 3. Se3+ Kd3 4. Td1#

R: 1. Kc1xLc2 Lb1xTc2,Lb1xSc2
So OK for WTM
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: Compared to James's P1380439:
1. Last move could be Kc1xLc2, so White has the move
2. White may not castle, so
1.c4? Kxd3 2.Sc3 Kd4 3.Ld6 Kd3 4.0-0-0, 2... Kc2 3.c5 Kd3 4.0-0-0 is a try
The solution is
1.f3 Kxd3 2.Kf2 Kd2 3.Se3 Kd3 4.Td1#
2... Kc2 3.Se3+ Kd3,Kd2 4.Td1#
C+ Popeye 4.61
Very nice, James and Andrew (2020-09-29)
A.Buchanan: Thanks Henrik - Belen precondition of bKc1 was satisfied 1.0 move ago. From that position there is a sound #5 but position is clunky and not Meredith.
You didn’t fall into the trap of thinking Black has no last move: there is a dualized solution with BTM waiting for you if you did. (2020-09-30)
James Malcom: Haha, yeah. I fell for Andrew's trap, hook, line, and sinker! :-) (2020-09-30)
comment
Keywords: Rex solus, Belen Theme (Normal & Anti-), Cant Castler
Genre: n#, Retro
FEN: 8/8/8/8/8/BPPP4/PPk2P2/R2NK3
Input: A.Buchanan, 2020-09-29
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-17 more...
66 - P1384402
Thomas R. Dawson
6 Tijdschrift van den NSB , p. 147, 05/1924
P1384402
(6+6)
-1w, dann #2
R: 1. Le5xBc7, dann 1. Lg7 ... 2. Tf8#
1. ... 0-0-0?? illegal, da sK oder sTa8 zuletzt gezogen haben müssen
play all play one stop play next play all
im Dia fehlte wBg5, Korrektur Heft 07/1924, S. 200

in der 'Tijdschrift' zusammen mit P1384401 in einem Artikel über Zwillinge abgedruckt
Henrik Juel: Without wPg5 cooked by -1.Tg5-g4, 1.Tg8# (2020-12-29)
comment
Keywords: Help retractor, Cant Castler (sg)
Genre: Retro
FEN: r3k3/p1B1p2p/K3P3/3P1RP1/4p3/8/8/8
Input: Mario Richter, 2020-12-29
Last update: Mario Richter, 2021-01-06 more...
67 - P1385706
Vladimir Korolkov
3073 Schach 24, p. 370, 12/1958
P1385706
(15+13) C+
#2
1. Tf1!
play all play one stop play next play all
Silvesteraufgabe
Henrik Juel: analysis
Black may not castle, because if he could, Tb3 cannot be brought back to a8, as c7-c5 or c6-c5 must be retracted to open the W cage
White may not castle, because [Pg7] must have promoted on f1 (passing f2) or h1 (2021-01-24)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye WINDOWS98-32Bit-Version 3.77 (8192KB)
FEN: 4k2r/bN1p1p1p/pp5P/R1p4Q/nP4P1/qrP1P3/BPP1P3/Nb2K2R
Input: Felber, Volker, 2021-01-24
Last update: James Malcom, 2021-01-24 more...
68 - P1386916
Osmo Ilmari Kaila
Uusi Suomi 22/12/1935
P1386916
(6+4) C+
#2
1. Ke6! Kf8,T~,b6,b5,g4 2. Dd8#
1. hxg6ep! droht 2. Dd8#
1. ... 0-0 2. h7#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61
PRA
part 1: last move was with Ke8 or Th8, so Black may not castle; 1.Ke6, not 1.hxg6ep??
part 2: last move was g7-g5, so ep capture is possible; 1.hxg6ep , not 1.Ke6? 0-0! (2021-03-02)
comment
Keywords: En passant, Cant Castler (sk), Castling, Partial Retro Analysis (PRA)
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: 4k2r/1p3N2/5P1P/3Q1KpP/8/8/8/8
Input: Rainer Staudte, 2021-03-02
Last update: James Malcom, 2021-03-02 more...
69 - P1390561
Guus Rol
Andrew Buchanan

Discord Chess Problems & Studies Server 02/05/2021
5th Place
Discord Composition Tourney 1
P1390561
(15+9)
#1
1. Dd2!#
1. 0-0-0?#
R: 1. Kc3-d3 De4-b4+ ( 2. Kd3-c3 Db4-e4 retro loop)
2. Kb2-c3 Lb4-a3+ ( 3. Kc3-b2 La3-b4+ retro loop)
3. Kb1-b2 Ta2-a1,Ta3-a1+
play all play one stop play next play all
Authors' solution: hey wait: so is there a dual? Well no. What was Black's last move? Let's look at all the captures & promotions first:
White: captured P promoted RRRRRBS
Black: captured QRRBBSS promoted -

bPs all on original columns: no black cross-captures. So 7 wPs captured once and promoted. The exception must have been poor wPh, because it can't get past bPh anyway, and was waylaid on its starting file by an officer. Other wPs captured as axb, bxc, cxd, dxc/e, exd, fxe, gxh before promoting.

The sequence of bP moves must have been one of:
(i) bPc6 (allows wPd to pass) then bPd5 (allows promoted rooks to escape) then bPe6 (when all the rooks are out, letting wPf to pass)
(ii) bPe6 then bPd5 then bPc6.

So which? In (i) the units promoting late on e8 & h8 must have been S & B, as the door was closed on escaping rooks. But e8 is a light square, and h8 is blocked by bPg7 which never moved. So neither could have promoted to B. Therefore it was option (ii), pawn move sequence roughly:
bPe6 & bPh6
gxh=R, fxe=R, dxe=R,
bPd5
exd=R, cxd=R
5 Rs all exit
bPc6
bxc=S
bPb6
axb=B

Bottom line: all the bP moves and captures were historical, and so it must be bK which just moved. We can now use Retractor 2 program from Theodore Hwa at http://xenon.stanford.edu/~hwatheod/retractor2/retractor.html to validate our manual analysis of the retro play, ignoring any suggestions which involve capture. So wRa had already moved: no castling now.
Henrik Juel: Black captured [Ph2] with an officer
The other white pawns captured all missing black men to promote seven times
Last move was not made by a black pawn as this would ruin the promotions, so it was Kc3-d3
Retroplay: 1... Kc3-d3 2.De4-b4+ Kb2-c3! 3.Lb4-a3+ Kb1-b2! 4.Ta3-a1+ or Ta2-a1+ (other K retractions just postpone the inevitable), so 1.0-0-0 is illegal
1.Dd2#
Good problem, maybe the best in the tourney (2021-06-08)
A.Buchanan: Thanks Henrik. Can you figure out which pawns promoted to which kind of officers on which squares? (2021-06-09)
Henrik Juel: No, I would expect there were several feasible promotion patterns
But the need to move [Pb7c7d7e7] very carefully can easily make your suggestion correct
Offhand I do not see the right sequence, so you are welcome to enlighten me (2021-06-10)
Henrik Juel: I think I got it
(promote [Pg2] to rook on h8 at some early time)
first e7-e6, promote [Pd2f2] to rooks on e8
then d7-d5, promote [Pc2e2] to rooks on d8
get all promoted rooks out
finally [Pb2] promotes to knight on c8 and [Pa2] to bishop on b8 (2021-06-10)
A.Buchanan: Exactly! If you try the other way round, there’s nowhere to promote B (2021-06-10)
comment
Keywords: Non-standard material (TTTTTLS), Cant Castler
Genre: Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.85 Retractor v2.0 + thinking
FEN: 8/p4pp1/1pp1p2p/1RBpR3/RQ3RB1/BN1k4/2N3NR/R3K2R
Reprints: Facebook 28/05/2021
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-06-08
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-06-11 more...
70 - P1390562
Silverbyte
Discord Chess Problems & Studies Server 02/05/2021
Motto: "En Passan't"
6. Platz
Discord Composition Tourney 1
P1390562
(16+8)
#1
1. Td1#
play all play one stop play next play all
Author: "The fact that white had to move to let the h1 rook out easily rules out 0-0-0, but what about en passant? If you count captures, it turns out in fact that white has made 8 pawn captures, and retracting e7-e5 makes it so the f8 bishop couldn't have left its home square. This means the last black move was e6-e5 as the only possibility."
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2021-09-30)
more ...
comment
Keywords: En passant, Cant Castler
Genre: Retro
FEN: 1n6/2pp2p1/NpPk1P2/1P2pPQR/1NB2B1p/5P1P/5PP1/R3K3
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-06-08
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2021-09-30 more...
71 - 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...
72 - P1390813
Thomas R. Dawson
330 Cas 08/10/1922
P1390813
(14+13) cooked
#2
1. Txg7 ... 2. Thxg8#
1. ... 0-0-0?? illegal

R: 1. d6xSc5 Sd7-c5 2. Sf6-g8 Sf8-d7+ 3. Sd5-f6 Tg8-h8 4. Sb4-d5 Th8-h7 5. c7-c6 Th7-h8 6. Sc6-b4 Th8-h7 7. Sd8-c6 Th7-h8 8. a7-a6 Th8-h7 9. Sf7-d8 Kh7-g6 10. ??? Lg5-h6 11. Sd5-f7 L~-g5+
play all play one stop play next play all
If Black preserves castling rights, there is insoluble retro-opposition between sSg8 (unpinned by wS uncaptured at c5) and wTTK, none of whom can triangulate in this position. Apparently "the stars are right" for the sSf7 to allow wKg6 to shift, but the sS route must pass through c6, and retracting c7-c6 means "the stars are wrong". Black must spend his last spare tempo a7-a6 to rectify the situation, and that means there is no possible move while waiting for wLh5-g6 to be retracted.
Cook: There is an easily fixed error in this version: wTa1 can't retract home at all if Black castling rights are retained, rendering irrelevant the subtle timing considerations.
Korrektur zu P1390750
A.Buchanan: Under opposition idea, if Black had an extra tempo (e.g. sBa6 on a5 instead) it would be ok for Black to castle. But that still wouldn't work. We need to unlock the cage with e2xf3, following the retraction wLf1. However wRa1 is locked out! Am I right? Can this be fixed e.g. by starting wBa2 on a4 instead? (2021-06-15)
Mario Richter: So the correction still is not perfect, because the need to bring wRa1 back home already makes black 0-0-0 illegal. But with your suggested modification everything seems to be ok. (2021-06-15)
A.Buchanan: Thank you, Mario. I considered today some new possibilities for Black queenside, but the fundamental challenge always seems to be: prevent Black retracting c7-c6 *before* the retro-opposition phase is entered. So the version I propose is more modest: r3k1nR/1p4pR/p1p1p1KB/2p3PB/6Pb/5Ppb/2P2pP1/7N. It does at least save three pawns, but does it work? (2021-06-16)
Mario Richter: I think r3k1nR/1p4pR/p1p1p1KB/2p3PB/6Pb/5Ppb/2P2pP1/7N doesn't work, because the saved pawns can be used to provide an extra tempo for White: before the black Knight shields on f7, he can uncapture a White pawn eg. on b6 ... (2021-06-16)
A.Buchanan: Oops haha and I was doing so well on this one - thanks. And there is no restriction on sS moving around, because the wT can vibrate indefinitely. Well in that case the earlier suggestion of wBa2 on a4 instead is the simple correction. (2021-06-16)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (sl), Retro Opposition
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: r3k1nR/1p4pR/p1p1p1KB/2p3PB/6Pb/1P3Ppb/P1PP1pP1/N7
Reprints: D1668 Retro-Opposition & Other Retro-Analytical Chess Problems , p. 13, 1989
Input: Mario Richter, 2021-06-14
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-06-16 more...
73 - P1390918
Lion Xray
Facebook 17/06/2021
Happy Birthday, Andrew Buchanan
P1390918
(12+7)
#2
1. Lg2! droht 2. Th1#
1. 0-0-0? illegal
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: The retroplay is R: 1... Kh1xLh2 2.Lg1xDTSh2+, not 2.Lg1-h2+?? leaving Black no previous move
The uncaptured bishop is [Ph2] promoted on b8 or d8 after six additional white captures, so [Pa7] must have promoted
White has only D and S left to be captured, so the black promotion was on a1, not b1, and White may not castle, because Ta1 has moved
Solution 1.Lg2 thr. 2.Th1#, not the illegal 1.0-0-0??
A delightful birthday greeting (2021-06-19)
Henrik Juel: I am trying to estimate your age, Andrew
You published your first problem in 'Mathematics at DEC' in 1991, at which time you could be around 30 years old; so your current age might be 60
In any case, happy birthday from me also, and thanks for your contributions to PDB (2021-06-19)
A.Buchanan: Thank you, Henrik, but I'm just one of the noisiest of the many servants of PDB. In Lion's problem, I particularly like the Home Circuit. He asks if there is a name for the theme where a promoted pawn is captured after homecoming? On other matters, see P1299465 :) (2021-06-19)
Henrik Juel: I think that we should just let that theme remain unnamed (here, [Ph2] promotes and returns to h2 as a bishop, which is captured) (2021-06-19)
A.Buchanan: I ask more to try to make a general pattern. There are plenty of keywords which indicate when something gets somewhere. Maybe the dramatic qualifier "fatal" can indicate the fate awaiting the piece when it gets there? So "fatal homecoming", "fatal pronkin", "fatal Donati" etc? :) (2021-06-19)
Walter Lindenthal: The solution is clear-cut. But the sequence of moves that leads to the final diagram position is characteristically influenced by the kind of b promotion. a1=bQ/bS allows a rather FREE selection of moves and finally bQ/bS/bR could occupy h2 for the R-final capture wBg1x?h2, bKh1xBh2. In contrast, a1=bR directs the sequence of moves rather tightly, and ONLY the promoted bR can occupy h2 for the R-final capture (analytic details see Facebook). (2021-06-21)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Home Circuit, Volet Pawn (extended), Ceriani-Frolkin Theme (L), Prentos Theme (L)
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: 8/1p1ppppp/8/8/5N2/P5PB/1PPPPP1k/R3KR2
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-06-18
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-06-19 more...
74 - P1390922

Das Magazin (Berlin) , p. 11, 04/1986
P1390922
(6+6)
#1?
1. 0-0? aber die Rochade ist illegal
play all play one stop play next play all
Im 'Magazin' abgedruckt mit der Einleitung: "Einen Krimi für Schachspieler, den uns unser Leser Tilo Matern sandte, veröffentlichen wir zur Erinnerung an die erste offizielle Schach-Weltmeisterschaft, die vor 100 Jahren in New York ausgetragen wurde ...". Eingebettet ist die Aufgabe in eine Geschichte "Rochade mit Holmes", in der der berühmte Detektiv einen Betrüger dadurch überführt, daß dieser meint, durch 0-0 den sK mattsetzen zu können, wobei Holmes dem Delinquenten sogar noch ein Schlupfloch offeriert: "Kann es nicht so gewesen sein, daß der schwarze König auf f3 stand, als Sie die Rochade ausführen wollten?"
Erinnert gerade auch durch diese alternative sK-Position stark an P1108559.
Unklar, ob Tilo Matern nur die Rahmenhandlung oder auch das Problem erdacht hat.
Henrik Juel: White may not castle, because sK reached c1 via d2 or d1, so wK has moved (2021-06-19)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (wk)
Genre: Retro
FEN: 3rr3/8/2p5/3p4/3Bb3/8/1PP3R1/2k1K2R
Input: Mario Richter, 2021-06-19
Last update: Mario Richter, 2021-06-19 more...
75 - P1391114
Gerard Johan Bouma
Tim Krabbé's Website #102 17/03/2001
Gewidmet Tim Krabbe
P1391114
(3+4)
#5
b) sBa7->g7
a) 1. Dg7? 0-0-0!

1. Dc5! Kd7,Kd8 2. Dd6+ Kc8 3. Dc6+ Kd8 4. Kf7 ... 5. Lf7#

b) 1. Dc5? Kd7,Kd8 2. Dd6+ Kc8 3. Dc6+ Kd8 4. Kf7 Ta7+!

1. Dxg7! Kd8 2. Ld6 Ta7 3. Dxa7 and mate in two
play all play one stop play next play all
https://timkr.home.xs4all.nl/chess2/diary_6.htm

KrabbéProudly presenting: a problem, dedicated to me, by the prominent Dutch composer Gerard Bouma, who has already often been very helpful when I wanted to illustrate the problem art in these pages.
Trying to solve these elegant miniature twins gave me a pleasure that I invite the reader to share. I did solve them (found the ways to mate Black in time), but I confess that I missed the wittiest point of the whole thing.
In a), 1.Qg7 (Kd8 2.Bd6 etc.) is defeated by O-O-O! Therefore: 1.Qc5 Kd7 2.Qd6+ Kc8 3.Qc6+ Kd8 4.Kf7 and 5.Be7 mate
In b), this doesn't work because Black has 4...Ra7+ Now, however, White can play 1.Qxg7 There follows 1...Kd8 2.Bd6 Ra7 3.Qxa7 and mate in two more moves. But can't Black castle here? That is what this problem is really about. He can't. If he could, his last move should have been with the Pf6. If it was f7-f6, then the white King, in its march to g8, would necessitate the black King to have been away from e8 temporarily. If the Pf6 captured to f6 in its last move (this is what I forgot), then the Bf8 must be a promoted Pf7 - also proving the black King must at some time have moved. No castling.
Thanks to those readers who sent me solutions - most of them entirely correct.

Duplicate Diagram: P1169710

A.Buchanan: See the duplicate diagram. Interesting if such a complementary twin only arrived 8 years later. (2021-06-27)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Castling, Cant Castler, Miniature, Non-standard material (Retro play dependent)
Genre: n#, Retro
FEN: r3kBK1/p7/5p2/8/8/8/8/6Q1
Input: James Malcom, 2021-06-26
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2024-02-26 more...
76 - P1391338
Klaus Vetters
4380 Sächsische Zeitung 27/02/2021
P1391338
(6+6) C+
#4
1. La3! Kf8 2. Kd7+ Kg8 3. Ke8 ... 4. Se7#
1. ... b5 2. Kc6 b4 3. Lxb4 ... 4. Sc7#
play all play one stop play next play all
Nr.4380 (Vetters): „Ein allzubekannter Retro-"Trick", den man in dieser luftigen Stellung möglicherweise übersehen könnte.“ (H.Suwe, Winsen) stand im Mittelpunkt. „Die Zusatzbemerkung war für die Lösungsfindung natürlich ein „Wink mit dem Zaunpfahl“.“ (A.Grundmann, Dresden), denn die Rochade ist im Problemschach im Rahmen der gewohnten Regeln immer möglich, es sei denn, man kann nachweisen, dass der entsprechende Turm oder König schon gezogen haben. Im Beispiel konnte Schwarz vor Erreichen der Diagrammstellung weder b7-b6, noch cb6 aufgrund Kd6 gezogen haben und somit kamen nur Turm oder König infrage. Damit verteidigt in der Lösung 1.La3! (Zugzwang) nicht mehr die Rochade und es verbleibt nur 1...Kf8 2.Kd7+ Kg8 3.Ke8 4.Se7 matt und 1...b5 2.Kc6 (3.Sc7) b4 3.L:b4 4.Sc7 matt (4 Punkte)
Rochade unzulässig
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler
Genre: n#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye WINDOWS98-32Bit-Version 3.77 (8192KB)
FEN: 4k2r/pN3p1p/1p1K1P1P/3N4/8/8/8/2B5
Input: Felber, Volker, 2021-07-04
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-07-04 more...
77 - P1395004
Leonardo Mano
? 2000
P1395004
(14+14)
-1w, dann #3
AL liegt nicht vor, es löst
R: 1. Dg5xLg4!, dann 1. Ld8! droht 2. De7#
1. Ld8 Kf7,Kf8 2. De7+ Kg8 3. De8#
1. Ld8 0-0? aber die Rochade ist illegal
play all play one stop play next play all
der entschlagene sLg4 ist ein UW-L, der auf b1 entstanden sein muß, was zusammen mit sBf7xg6 zwei sBcaps erfordert, also das Schlagen aller fehlenden wSteine, insbesondere auch des wBf2. Dieser konnte die f-Linie nicht verlassen (nach R: Dg5xLg4 hat Schwarz 15 Steine, und der sLc8 wurde von einem weißen Offizier geschlagen, was alle fehlenden sSteine erklärt), um geschlagen werden zu können, mußte er also schlaglos umwandeln (und dabei auch das Feld f7 passieren), die s0-0 ist also nicht mehr möglich.
Henrik Juel: Maybe something like R: Sc3xSb1, preventing the black castling
But I see no mate (2021-10-29)
Mario Richter: Henrik, you were already on the right track (Cant castler), only the Details differ a Little bit ... (2021-10-29)
Henrik Juel: Yes, and retracting Dg5xTSg4? fails, because the mate is easily prevented (2021-10-29)
comment
Keywords: Help retractor, Cant Castler (sk)
Genre: Retro
FEN: qn2k2r/1p1p2pp/r1p2Bp1/2P1p3/1P4Q1/P5PN/nb1PP2P/RN2K2R
Reprints: Prisma (Revista ADPF) 67 04-06/2011
Input: Mario Richter, 2021-10-28
Last update: Mario Richter, 2021-10-29 more...
78 - P1395012

8 International Solving Match 1946
P1395012
(10+11) C+
#2
s. Anmerkung zu P1395005
Henrik Juel: White pawns on the diagram captured all five missing black men
Black pawns on the diagram captured five of the six missing white men, so there remains one black capture
A black promotion on a dark square is necessary
The missing two white and two black pawns originated on the a-file and either the b-file or the h-file
There are four possibilities to consider
1. [Pa2,Pb2,Pa7,Pb7] bxa, no long castling
2. [Pa2,Pb2,Pa7,Ph7] Yxa, no castlings
3. [Pa2,Ph2,Pa7,Pb7] bxa or Yxa, no long castling
4. [Pa2,Ph2,Pa7,Ph7] impossible
Conclusion: no long castling
Three solutions, 1.0-0,Kd1,Kf1 (2021-10-29)
A.Buchanan: Nice clear solution, Henrik! Pity the retro implications aren't more interesting.
Distinction between "obvious promotion" & "non-standard material".
Would be good to have keyword for intended "multiple solutions" outside h#, perhaps.
If author not given, maybe record as Anonymous? (2021-10-31)
Henrik Juel: I see little need for 'Anonymous'
Of course, someone must have composed each problem, and not stating an author just means that we don't know the name(s) (2021-10-31)
A.Buchanan: Hi Henrik. I had wondered about that argument, and then I thought: if the article didn't give a name, we should reflect that. Otherwise we are conflating with two other cases (1) PDB entry accidentally omits a known name, or (2) the name is unknown because we don't have the primary source. But up to you :) (2021-10-31)
comment
Keywords: Non-standard material (l), Cant Castler (wg), Quasi-symmetrical position
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 + trivial retro-logic
FEN: 4r3/2bprpb1/3pkp2/3p1p2/3P1P2/3P1P2/B2P1P2/R3K2R
Input: Mario Richter, 2021-10-29
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-31 more...
79 - 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...
80 - P1396304
Tivadar Kardos
Andrew Buchanan

PDB Website 27/11/2021
Happy Birthday to James Malcom!
A gift from Tivadar Kardos (helped a little by Andrew Buchanan)
I don't think this one needs a proof game :)
TK, version AB
P1396304
(11+13) C+
h#3
2 solutions
1. Lxa2 Txa2 2. 0-0-0 Txa7 3. Td7 Ta8#
1. Dg3 Txb1 2. Dxb3 Txb3 3. 0-0 Tg3#
1. Lxa2 0-0-0? 2. Dxg2 Tg1 3. 0-0 Txg2# (White can't castle)
play all play one stop play next play all
The cooked P0006972 can be fixed many ways. I wanted to find a single touch that would keep the intended solution, the intended try, and exactly one of the cooks which seemed worth saving, while eliminating all the other cooks.
Henrik Juel: Black captured [Lf1] and the remaining 4 missing white men with exdxcxTb2-b1=L and gxh
1.Bb1*a2 Ra1*a2 2.0-0-0 Ra2*a7 3.Rd8-d7 Ra7-a8 #
1.Qg8-g3 Ra1*b1 2.Qg3*b3 Rb1*b3 3.0-0 Rb3-g3 #
Not 1.Bb1*a2 0-0-0? 2.Qg8*g2 Rd1-g1 3.0-0 Rg1*g2 # (White may not castle, as he has moved his king)
Neat birthday greeting (2021-11-27)
James Malcom: Thanks for the warm gift Andrew. Huzzah! (2021-11-28)
comment
Keywords: Castling (sgsk), Cant Castler (wg), Obvious promotion (l)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 + trivial retro-logic
FEN: r3k1qr/pp3p1p/1bp5/3pB2p/8/1P6/P1PPPPPP/Rb2K3
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-27
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-28 more...
81 - P1398939
Edgar Fielder
Andrew Buchanan

Discord Chess Problems & Studies Server 07/022022
EF, version AB
P1398939
(13+10)
h#1
R: 1. Dg4-g3 Kd8-e8 2. Dg5-g4 Kc8-d8 3. Dg6-g5 Kb7-c8 4. Df6-g6 Tb8-h8 5. De6-f6 Kc8-b7 6. Dd6-e6 Kd8-c8 7. Dc6-d6 Ke8-d8 8. Db6-c6 Kf8-e8 9. Da7-b6 Kg8-f8 10. Db7-a7 Te8-b8 11. Db8-b7 Tf8-e8 12. b7-b8=D 0-0 13. c6xDb7 Da8-b7 14. d5xLc6 Dd8-a8 15. d4-d5 Lb7-c6 16. e3xSd4 Lc8-b7 17. f2xSe3 c6-c5 18. h5-h6 b7xLc6 is one of many possible histories, but all involve hidden castling
play all play one stop play next play all
Retro solution (which works for Fielder's original too).
Pawn captures: white missing LSBf, captured by axbxc,bxc. Therefore wBf captured at least 3 times fxexdxc, also exd & sLf8 died at home. So one missing black unit unaccounted for currently.
Cage can only be unlocked by exd3, but wLf must be returned home prior to this. Can only be uncaptured by sBb7xLc6-c5. If wPf did not promote, it was captured by sBa on b6 after 5 captures or on c5 after 4 captures. The latter is not possible, as wBc4 never left its file. The former is not possible, because sD would be unavailable for capture until b7xc6, which only happened after the cage was formed.
Therefore wBf promoted, and must have captured four times to reach b-file, accounting for the final capture. When it promoted on b8, sBb had already moved, capturing wLf and therefore the cage was already formed. So wDg3 is the promoted unit. If wBexd3 was capture of sLc, then there is deadlock between the two releases of bishops, so sLc was captured by wBf, hence path to promotion shifted to light squares (i.e. via c6 not b6) so sBc5 was already in place. When b7-b8=D, all the other White pieces (except possibly for wPh6, bK & bRh8) were already in place.
There is now a time-critical retraction, as White has at most 7 moves (not 9, because must release wRh before wLf is free) before sBb7xLc6, with sD & sLc sealed inside. So R: 1. b7-b8=D ~ 2. c6xDb7 zB Da8-b7 3. d5xLc6 Dd8-a8 4. d4-d5 Lb7-c6 5. e3xSd4 Lc8-b7 6. f2xSe3 c6-c5 7. h5-h6 b7xLc6. Where was bK while all this was happening. There is only one spare tempo (h4-h5) If bK was off the back rank, there was not enough time to retract back there. So the only possibility is that Black was already castled, and can uncastle when the black cage is closed. The missing move can be R: 1. ... 0-0.
Since castling is illegal in the forward play, h#1 is unique with Donati theme as wQ revisits the promotion square:
1. c6 Db8# not
1. 0-0? Dxg7#
cheeky retro-active version of P0001136
A.Buchanan: Looking at the original, I am wondering why wBh cannot be on h5. It clearly cannot retract to h3, but how many times is it needed to retract if White retracts from the critical position 1Q3rk1/2pppppp/8/2p4P/2P5/PPRP4/RBpP1PP1/N1K5 (2022-02-07)
A.Buchanan: Maybe the distinguished composer felt that the more spare White moves has, the more creditable is the fact that Black had no way to avoid prior castling. The problem is still sound either way. Of course, with the h#1 version, wBh6 is mandatory. wD location was pretty much arbitrary in the original, but now there is only one wD location for soundness: g3. (e5 & g4 are unsound). (2022-02-07)
A.Buchanan: The solution given in Keym’s wonderful “Eigenartige Schachprobleme” uses an unnecessary move by wPh. (2022-02-23)
A.Buchanan: In offering this version, I do not think that pure retros are in anyway inferior to forward problems, which was perhaps the motivation for forward stipulations in the days of yore. Rather, the aesthetic tension between past and future never tires for me. It is not an issue to me whether the balance of interest in a retro-active problem be equally divided between the two directions. Rather, it’s essential that the position have two readings: that the pieces have two purposes. This formal requirement of double meaning which is ubiquitous and quotidian in a cryptic crossword should also find a place near to the hearth in chess problems. So Morse might welcome Dexter. (2022-02-23)
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comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling Paradox (hidden sK), Donati Theme (wD), Castling in the retro play (wk)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: Substantial retro thinking to show castling illegal + trivial v4.87 for forward play
FEN: 4k2r/2pppppp/7P/2p5/2P5/PPRP2Q1/RBpP2P1/N1K5
Input: A.Buchanan, 2022-02-07
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-15 more...
82 - P1399136


P1399136
(14+9)
#2
1. De5! droht 2. Dxh8#,Dxe7#
1. ... bxc6 2. Dxe7#
1. ... e6 2. Dxh8#
1. ... Kd8 2. Dxh8#
1. ... Kf8 2. Dxh8#
1. ... Tf8,Tg8 2. Dxe7#
play all play one stop play next play all
die üblichen Löseprogramme liefern als weitere Varianten noch
1. De5
1. ... 0-0-0? 2. Dxc7#
1. ... 0-0? 2. Sxe7#
aber Schwarz kann weder kurz noch lang rochieren, da sein K schon gezogen hat:
der wLa4 ist ein UW-L, der umwandelnde wB muß auf seinem Weg zum UW-Feld d7 passiert haben. Das ging nur, wenn der sK temporär sein Heimatfeld verlassen hat.

Auch Weiß kann nicht mehr rochieren:
Die wBB haben insgesamt 7mal geschlagen, also alle fehlenden schwarzen Steine, insbesondere auch den sBg7. Der wLf1 wurde nicht von sBB geschlagen, bleibt also ein einziger schwarzer Bauernschlag, der nicht ausreicht, um den sBg7 direkt in den Schlagbereich der wBB zu bringen. Er mußte also zunächst umwandeln, was mit dem einen verbleibenden Schlag nur auf h1 möglich war.
Auch der sBa7 gehörte zu den Schlagobjekten der wBB, er mußte zunächst schlaglos auf a1 umwandeln, bevor er geschlagen werden konnte.
Mithin haben die wTTa1+h1 bereits gezogen
'Quebec Morning Chronicle': "We take the following interesting matter from the ably edited chess columns in 'Bristol Mercury'"
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61, except for the double threat 1.De5 thr. 2.Dxe7,Dxh8# (2022-02-15)
Mario Richter: In this problem, the variations after the key are important - what does popeye (or human solver) give here? (2022-02-15)
Henrik Juel: Thanks for the hint, Mario
La4 has promoted via d7, so Black may not castle (2022-02-15)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (wg,wk,sg,sk)
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: r3k2r/1pp1p2p/2P5/3N1pN1/B2pPQ1P/3P4/4PPP1/R3K2R
Reprints: Quebec Morning Chronicle 12/11/1891
Input: Mario Richter, 2022-02-15
Last update: Mario Richter, 2022-02-16 more...
83 - P1399805
Giuseppe Brogi
Andrew Buchanan

Discord Chess Problems & Studies Server 15/03/2022
GB, correction AB
P1399805
(8+14)
h#2
b) sSa1 -> wS
a) 1. T2xh3 Txh3 2. 0-0 Th8#
b) 1. La4 0-0 2. Tf8 Te1#
play all play one stop play next play all
Colour of Sa1 is irrelevant to forward play, except for castling rights. Ignoring these retro concerns, there are two candidate solutions.
Suppose that both castling rights remain. Then sTh2 is original sTa8, and black b&c & white g&h pawn pairs have both cross-captured. However White has made 1 visible pawn capture, Black 6. In (a) this leaves 2+1 unaccounted for; in (b) 1+2. So at most one side can have cross-captured, so in each twin just one side can retain castling rights, allowing just one candidate to work in each.
Corrects P0000899. See P1399806, a companion problem.
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comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (wksk), Castling (wksk), Cross-capture (s,w)
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: 4k2r/p2p1Np1/1pp2p2/1b3p2/8/p4PPP/B4P1r/nn2K2R
Input: A.Buchanan, 2022-03-15
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-04-01 more...
84 - P1399806
Giuseppe Brogi
Andrew Buchanan

Discord Chess Problems & Studies Server 15/03/2022
GB, correction AB
P1399806
(13+9) C+
h#2
b) sSa5 -> wS
a) 1. f5 Le5 2. 0-0 Th8#
b) 1. Kd8 0-0-0 2. Te8 Lf8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Colour of Sa5 is irrelevant to forward play, except for castling rights. Ignoring these retro concerns, there are two candidate solutions.
Suppose that both castling rights remain. Then wTh7 is original wTh1, and both pairs of g&h pawns have cross-captured. However White has made 6 visible pawn captures, Black just 1. In (a) this leaves 2+1 unaccounted for; in (b) 1+2. So at most one side can have cross-captured, so in each twin just one side can retain castling rights, allowing just one candidate to work in each.
Corrects P0003736. See P1399805, a companion problem.
A.Buchanan: Oops this one doesn’t quite work I will fix it in the morning (2022-03-15)
Mario Richter: Hi Andrew, it would be nice to know the cook. Can you please give it - either here or if you prefer, via email? (2022-03-16)
A.Buchanan: Hi Mario: thanks for your interest. The transient version 4k2r/N1p2p1R/p1pB1ppp/npP5/5P2/5PPP/2P2P2/R3K3 a) allowed wPaxb=R then entering the cage disrupting b0-0 rights. That's 5 pawn captures by White. In the mean time, Black only has two visible pcs, with 4 captures available, so wRh1 (and another White officer) can be captured by officers without disrupting w0-0-0 rights. wSa7 is unhelpful in trying to fix it, but despair turned to joy when I realized that wPb6 & bPc7 both cover c7, and when the latter is missing, the former is not a promotion risk. Hence the new version which the Discord community provisionally thinks are sound. (2022-03-16)
comment
Keywords: Castling (wgsk), Cant Castler (wgsk), Cross-capture (s,w)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 + simple retro-logic
FEN: 4k2r/Np3p1R/1PpB1ppp/n1P5/P7/6PP/PP3P2/R3K3
Input: A.Buchanan, 2022-03-15
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-03-31 more...
85 - P1406456
Werner Keym
OP016 The Hopper Magazine I02 25/06/2022
corrects Keym Schach-Echo 1967 / Die Schwalbe 2007
P1406456
(15+5)
#1 AP
b) - Lh8
a) 1. ... bxa3ep 2. Dc3#!
(2. 0-0#?)
1. 0-0#? (rights lost)

b) 1. ... bxa3ep 2. 0-0#!
(2. Dc3#?)
1. 0-0#? (Black to move if rights remain)
play all play one stop play next play all
a) White & Black have made 11+1 pawn captures, accounting for all missing material. bPa captured to b file (must be bPb2 now, to get behind wPb) so bPh promoted on h1, to supply balance. Therefore White cannot castle. Black has no last move, so by Article 15 we can conclude that Black has the move. The only way to give Black a move is R: 1. a2-a4 a3xNb2. Therefore ep is legal, and indeed that is Black's only move. After 0... bxa3ep, White mates with 1.Dc3#! not 1.0-0#? since castling is illegal. AP is not used in this twin, but is available as a condition in order to make twins as similar as possible, and show that the difference in behaviour comes just from wBh8, not from conditions.
b) Now there is a second white unit missing, which gives more retro possibilities. One case is that bPh might have captured to g-file, to promote (or to be captured if original bPg promoted), so White may retain castling rights, but in this case it must be Black to move. So 1.0-0#? doesn't work as a solution. Alternatively, if White has lost castling rights, Black might have just played c2xNb1=R, or c3xNb2 or a/c5xb4. So in this scenario we cannot prove unconditionally that it's really Black to play.
However, under adversarial AP, White makes a double claim: firstly that it is Black to move (AP Type Keym), and secondly that ep is legal (AP Type Petrovic). If White retains castling rights, then both of these items are correct, and the ep must be bxa3 not bxc3. So White mates with 1.0-0#! for AP justification, not 1.Dc3#?.
corrects P1108454
Henrik Juel: here is my guess
a) 0... bxa3ep 1.Dc3#
b) 1.0-0# (2022-12-05)
A.Buchanan: Comments on the proposed solution welcome (2023-08-21)
more ...
comment
Keywords: a posteriori (AP) (Type Keym), a posteriori (AP) (type Petrovic), No legal last move for Black, En passant as key, Castling, Cant Castler (wk)
Genre: Retro
FEN: 7B/2P5/3P4/1P2Q3/PpP1N3/1P1P4/1p1RBP2/brk1K2R
Input: A.Buchanan, 2022-12-05
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-22 more...
86 - P1406796
Juri W. Kaschirski
4834 Schach , p. 61, 02/1965
P1406796
(3+5)
#2
Längstzüger
b) sBf5->g5
a) 1. La4! Tf8 2. Dxd7#
b) 1. Lc2! 0-0 2. Dh7#
play all play one stop play next play all
Aus der Lösungsbesprechung 'Schach' 06/1965 S. 188:
" Die Stellung a) von 4834 (Karschirski) hielten viele Löser für unlösbar, weil sie meinten, daß Schwarz nach 1. La4 rochieren müßte, bei 1. Le6 aber d7-d5 folgen würde. Aus der Stellung geht jedoch hervor, daß der letzte (längste) Zug von Schwarz entweder Tf8-h8 oder f7-f5 gewesen sein muß [mri: zuletzt war auch Th7xDh8,Th7xTh8 möglich, das ändert aber nichts an der Retrologik]. Im ersteren Falle ist aber die Rochade verwirkt, im zweiten Falle hätte sie aber geschehen müssen, weil sie der längere Zug als f7-f5 ist. Da Schwarz aber nicht rochiert hat, war die Rochade nicht mehr zulässig ..."
Henrik Juel: how do you show that Black may not castle in part a)? (2022-12-21)
Mario Richter: The argumentation goes as follows:
In a), either Black's last move was Tf8-h8, or if Black's last move was f7-f5, then this was only legal if Black has lost his right to castle, otherwise (instead of f7-f5) he had to chose the longer move 0-0.
So by retro argument, Black is not allowed to castle in a). (2022-12-21)
Henrik Juel: Thanks, Mario (2022-12-21)
Henrik Juel: HC+ Popeye 4.61 (2022-12-21)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (sk), Maximummer
Genre: Retro, Fairies
FEN: 4k2r/3p4/7p/5p2/8/1B1Q4/8/7K
Input: Felber, Volker, 2022-12-21
Last update: Mario Richter, 2022-12-21 more...
87 - P1407032
Alexander Kislyak
8890 Schach , p. 283, 06/1979
P1407032
(14+8)
#2
1. Dh3 ... 2. Kd2#
2. 0-0-0?, aber w0-0-0 ist illegal.

Beispielauflösung mri:
R: 1. ... b7xLa6 2. Sf4-g2 Kg2-h1 3. Sg6-f4 Kh3-g2 4. Da4-d7 Kg4-h3 5. Dd1-a4 Kf5-g4 6. c4-c5 Ke6-f5 7. b3xLc4 Kd7-e6 8. Sh8-g6 Le6-c4 9. Ld3-a6 Ke8-d7 10. Le4-d3 Lc8-e6 11. d2xDe3 Dc5-e3 12. Lg2-e4 Df5-c5 13. Lf1-g2 Dd7-f5 14. g2-g3 Dd8-d7 15. Sg6xTh8 d7-d6 16. d6xBc7 Tg8-h8 17. c2-c3 Th8-g8 18. Le5-h2 Tg8-h8 19. Lb2-e5 Th8-g8 20. Lc1-b2 Tg8-h8 21. e5xSd6 Sf5-d6 22. Ta4-a1 Sh6-f5 23. Th4-a4 Th8-g8 24. Th1-h4 Sg8-h6 25. f4xDe5 Db2-e5 26. g3xTf4 Db1-b2 27. Sb5-a7 b2-b1=D 28. a7-a8=L Tf6-f4 29. a6-a7 Tb6-f6 30. a5-a6 Ta6-b6 31. a4-a5 Ta8-a6 32. a2-a4 a3xTb2 33. Tb1-b2 a4-a3 34. h2xSg3 Se4-g3 35. Sf4-g6 Sc5-e4 36. Sh3-f4 Sa6-c5 37. Sa3-b5 Sb8-a6 38. Ta1-b1 a5-a4 39. Sb1-a3 a6-a5 40. b2-b3 a7-a6 41. Sg1-h3
play all play one stop play next play all
RA Henrik Juel (2023-01-03): Assuming that Ke1 never moved, Ta1 is [Th1], and [Ta1] was captured early in the game by [Pa7]: Pa3xTb2-b1=Y, which was captured by the Volet pawn [Ph2] on its way towards c7
Only after d6xPc7 and´d7-d6 could [Lc8,Dd8,Ke8] get out to be captured with b3xLc4 and d2xDe3
Last move was b7xLa6
Very good way to show castling illegality
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2023-01-03)
Henrik Juel: Assuming that Ke1 never moved, Ta1 is [Th1], and [Ta1] was captured early in the game by [Pa7]: Pa3xTb2-b1=Y, which was captured by the Volet pawn [Ph2] on its way towards c7
Only after d6xPc7 and´d7-d6 could [Lc8,Dd8,Ke8] get out to be captured with b3xLc4 and d2xDe3
Last move was b7xLa6
Very good way to show castling illegality (2023-01-03)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (wg), Volet Pawn (h2-c7)
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: B4b2/N1PQpppp/p2p4/2P5/8/2P1P1P1/4PPNB/R3K2k
Input: Mario Richter, 2023-01-03
Last update: Mario Richter, 2023-01-04 more...
88 - P1409335
Samuel Loyd

P1409335
(4+4)
#2
Schwarz hat noch nicht rochiert
1. Dg3! droht 2. Db8#
1. ... 0-0?? - aber s0-0 ist illegal
1. ... Kd8,~ 2. Db8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Der 'Vorwärts': "Die vorstehende Komposition des anerkannt bedeutendsten Problemkomponistern verbindet mit einem gewöhnlichen Zweizüger (1. Dh3-g3) noch einen besonderen Witz, der durch den Zusatz 'Schwarz hat noch nicht rochiert' bewirkt wird. man überzeugt sich nämlich leicht, daß das Problem unlösbar wäre, falls Schwarz das Recht der Rochade noch zustünde. Man kann aber aus der Stellung selbst den Beweis erbringen, daß Schwarz zwar 'noch nicht rochiert hat', jedoch auch kein Recht (!) mehr hat zu rochieren ... Da Weiß am Zuge ist, ist die Position augenscheinlich durch einen Zug von Schwarz entstanden. Der schwarze Stein, der diesen letzten, zur Position führenden Zug gemacht hatte, befindet sich also noch auf dem Brette. Welcher von den vorhandenen vier schwarzen Steinen mag es gewesen sein. Augenscheinlich nicht einer der Bauern h7 oder g7, die noch auf ihren ursprünglichen Plätzen sich befinden. Zur Entstehung der Position bleibt also nur die Erklärung, daß Schwarz in seinem letzten Zuge entweder seinen König oder seinen Turm gezogen hatte. In beiden Fällen hätte aber Schwarz hiermit das Rochaderecht auch verwirkt. Demnach kann er der Drohung Dg3-c8# auch durch die Rochade (?) nicht mehr entgehen. Derartige Schachkompositionen, die auf einem Wortspiel ('hat noch nicht rochiert') oder sonstigem Witz basieren, nennt man 'Humoresken'."
in den bekannten Loyd-Büchern nicht enthalten
vgl. P0002056
Henrik Juel: Black just moved his king or rook, so he may not castle (2023-05-06)
Henrik Juel: C+ by Popeye 4.61 and very simple analysis (2023-05-06)
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler (sk), Homebase (s)
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: 4k2r/6pp/4K3/8/8/1P5Q/7P/8
Reprints: 473 Rigasche Rundschau 103 05/05/1906
Vorwärts 21/05/1910
Input: Mario Richter, 2023-05-06
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2024-02-26 more...
89 - P1413924
Johannes Jacob Burbach
Alain C. White
Andrew Buchanan

PDB Website 05/12/2023
JJB & ACW, version AB
P1413924
(4+6) C+
h#2
b) -sBg6h7
a) 1. Ta5 Kd1 2. Ta2 Kc2# (not 1.Ta7?etc Lxc3 because White may not castle)
b) 1. Ta7 Lxc3 2. Ta2 0-0# (last move could be 0.h7-h8=L)
play all play one stop play next play all
See P0003666
A.Buchanan: Apart from having removed wBe2/sBe3, I don't think this is an improvement. In the original, sBh6 gave and took. The version is more economical but there's two pawns difference between the twins. (2023-12-06)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wk), Remove pieces
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 + trivial retro logic
FEN: 7B/6rp/6p1/7r/8/2p5/1P6/k3K2R
Input: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-05
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-05 more...
90 - P1415606
Maurice Jago
Andrew Buchanan

PDB Website 07/03/2024
MJ, correction AB
corrects 8202v Die Schwalbe, p.148, 10/1980
P1415606
(8+15)
h#2
b) sBb4->b5
Supersedes P0003659.
"The noted Cornish problemist, Dr. Maurice Jago was most prolific during the war when he was a lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He became increasingly interested in the more flamboyant and unusual kinds of positions and problems." (www.keverellchess.com, now closed)
Yuri Bilokin: perhaps such a version does not harm the author's intention –wNa7, -wNa8, -wBb8, -wPd3, -bRc8, -bPc7, -bPe7 8/8/1Pqp4/2bb4/1p6/n1p2rP1/1PP1P2k/R3KQ1n (8+12) h#2 b) bPb4-b5 (2024-03-10)
Yuri Bilokin: slip of the pen -wNa7, -wNa8, -wBb8, -wPd3, -bRc8, -bPc7, -bPe7, -bPa4, -bPg6 8/8/1Pqp4/2bb4/1p6/n1p2rP1/1PP1P2k/R3KQ1n (8+10) h#2 b) bPb4-b5 (2024-03-10)
A.Buchanan: Hi Yuri thanks yes it’s more than intention here. In b need to ensure that White can’t have just played axb6, fxg3 or g2-g3, in order to eliminate the castling try: the extra pieces are all to ensure this (2024-03-11)
Yuri Bilokin: Hi Andrew. I apologize, I didn't go there, although the white horse on the a8 square still bothers me. (2024-03-11)
A.Buchanan: WP cap: axb BP caps: fxexdxc. bPh must have promoted, so either bPh3xg2-g1= or wPh was waylaid. In any case, all captures are accounted for. wPf promoted. Easy to see that White cannot have just played g2-g3 or f2xg3 or d2-d3 or axb6. So must have bPb4 rather than b5, allowing for White to have just played Sb5-a7 or b5-b6. If any of the "retro-dressing" White pieces e.g. Sa8 are removed, then White might have just played g2-g3 or d2-d3. At least the retro-dressing units have no possible last move (& wSa8 wBb8 have not just promoted), so there is some craft to their deployment. (2024-03-11)
A.Buchanan: bPg6 blocks a cook so must stay there, but can shift bPe7 to d7 (allowing the removal of wSa8 or wBb8) or to b3/b7 (allowing the removal of all three White officers: wSa7a8 & wBb8.) Maybe that's worth doing? (2024-03-11)
Yuri Bilokin: Thank you for the detailed analysis. Perhaps my poor view will allow you to get an optimal starting position. (2024-03-11)
Henrik Juel: a) 1.Sh1-f2 Qf1*f2 + 2.Kh2-h1 0-0-0 #
b 1.Sa3-b1 Ra1*a4 2.Sh1*g3 Ra4-h4 # (2024-03-11)
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis (2024-03-11)
A.Buchanan: I had wanted to keep to the spirit of P0003659, in which may be the author wanted to have a bunch of White retro-dressing that could not retract. But going back to the first version P0003659, the White position is much cleaner. So following Yuri being bothered by a horse, I am going to change the diagram here from NBr5/N1p1p3/1Pqp2p1/2bb4/pp6/n1pP1rP1/1PP1P2k/R3KQ1n by removing 4 white units. Hope this is agreeable to all (2024-03-13)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Cant Castler, Castling (wg)
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: 8/rpp2p2/1Pqp4/2bb4/pp6/n1p2rP1/1PP1P2k/R3KQ1n
Input: A.Buchanan, 2024-03-06
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2024-03-13 more...
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