Die Schwalbe

79 problem(s) found in 6357 milliseconds (displaying 79 problem(s)). [COMMENTDATE>=20200919 AND NOT S='Buffalo Sunday Times' AND K='Kein letzter Zug von Schwarz'] [download as LaTeX]

1 - P0000324
Josef Haas
8259 Die Schwalbe 143 10/1993
P0000324
(7+5)
a) Wer setzt in 1 Zug matt?
b) Auf welchem Feld muß ein schwarzer Bauer eingefügt werden, damit die andere Partei als in a) mattsetzt?
b) (+sBc7) 1. ... Lg8xe6#
a) 1. Tg6#
1) R: 1. ... Kg6xBf6! 2. g5xf6ep++ f7-f5 3. La2-b1+
play all play one stop play next play all
"Vermutlich aus der Kleinkunstkiste des Autors hervorgekramt.
a) sollte einfach formuliert sein: 'Matt in 1 Zug' - denn wie es hier heißt, klingt es als ob nur einer mattsetzen kann. Das aber ist nicht der Fall, denn beide können's: 1. ... Lxe6# und 1. Tg6#. Üblicherweise hat Weiß das Prae und kann darauf pochen, den Schwarz hat einen altklassischen letzten Zug: 1. ... Kg6xBf6! (nebst 2. Bg5xBf6ep++ Bf7-f5 3. La2-(x)b1)" (HHS);
also ist Weiß am Zug und setzt matt mit 1. Tg6#.
b) Nach Einfügen eines sBc7 geht die o.g. Rückzugfolge nicht, weil der wK nicht auf die 8. Reihe gelangen kann. Also Schwarz am Zuge und 1. ... Lxe6#
"Allzubekanntes - kein Problem für Schwalbelöser" (HHS)
Wenn das alles so bekannt ist, erstaunt doch sehr, daß nur drei Löser die Autorintention nachvollziehen konnten. Alle anderen Löser (5) kamen zu genau entgegengesetzten Erkenntnissen (in a) setzt Schwarz matt, in b) Weiß), was wohl durch die nicht ganz konventionelle Formulierung suggeriert wurde. Ich find's ein interessantes Beispiel für Massenhypnose! (GL) 2/I/3L.
vergl. P0004915 (Hans Gruber, Schach 1979)
Brassaud: La solution proposée 1/Tg6# est possible
Mais il y a aussi le rétro jeu -1) Fa2-b1, Rg5g6 -2) Ta4-a5+, Rf4-f5 etc … et avec le trait aux noirs : 1) Fxe6 # est possible (2017-08-30)
A.Buchanan: @Brassaud: yes I agree. There is no reason why White should not have moved last. So both players can mate, but part (b) implies that the intended solution in (a) is 1 player. If the published stipulation for (a) was maybe just "#1", which by default is white to move, then there is a unique solution.
For (b) I am wondering about +sBg6, which would also stop the en passant trick, both by blocking sK from retreating there and also by locking sL in an impossible cage with sBf7. (2017-08-31)
Henrik Juel: Adding a black pawn on g6 of course prevents a black last move by Kf6, but it allows f7xg6 as last move; Lg8 is not locked, because Ph7 is white (2017-08-31)
A.Buchanan: Yes (2017-08-31)
Anton Baumann: vergl. P0004915 (Hans Gruber, Schach 1979) (2023-01-03)
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comment
Keywords: Add pieces, No legal last move for Black, En passant in the retro play
Genre: Retro
FEN: 4K1br/1p4pP/4Pk2/R7/3P4/8/8/1B4R1
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: Mario Richter, 2023-01-03 more...
2 - P0000680
Tivadar Kardos
2527 Die Schwalbe 52 08/1978
P0000680
(4+2) C+
#1
b) Kb1 nach g1
a) 1. ... Kxa1 2. 0-0#
b) 1. ... Kxh1 2. 0-0-0#
play all play one stop play next play all
A.Buchanan: The term "retro" is jungle not garden - that means we should not expect an axiomatic definition. The current problem is a case in point. Case law has established that neither simple employment of the castling convention nor existence of check are sufficient to make a problem "retro". But all this problem has is the quirky use of Codex Article 15 to force BTM. So I think this problem has to be retro. The key point is that nothing hinges on the retro-ness. If the problem included 50M or DP, then one would expect a more solid foundation. As it is, all we need is the free direct mate in 1 that comes as part of the retro paradigm. (2021-11-26)
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comment
Keywords: Castling (wk), No legal last move for Black, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye v4.87
FEN: 8/8/8/8/8/4p3/4Q3/Rk2K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-26 more...
3 - P0000914
Vladimir Archakov
852 Die Schwalbe 17 11/1972
P0000914
(14+3) cooked
#2*
Set Play
1. ... Kxh1 2. Kf2#
1. ... Kxh3 2. Sf4#
1. ... Kxf3 2. Lb7#
BTM
1. ... hxg5 2. Sc3
2. ... Kxh1 3. Kf2#
2. ... Kxh3 3. Lf1#
2. ... Kxf3 3. 0-0#
play all play one stop play next play all
Cook: 1. ... hxg5 2. Kd2 Kxh3 3. Df1# 2. ... Kxf3 3. Lb7#
A.Buchanan: We can +wBd2, but then need to e.g. transpose wLg7 & wBg5, otherwise the wBB are impossibly concentrated in corner. Then I think it's sound. (2021-10-08)
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comment
Keywords: Castling (wk), No legal last move for Black, Superseded by (P1394496)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C- Popeye v4.87
FEN: 8/6BR/B6p/6PP/3P2Np/5P1P/4N1kP/Q3K2R
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-12 more...
4 - P0000919
Marc Benoit
903 Die Schwalbe 18 12/1972
P0000919
(6+1)
#2
Kritisiert wurde sowohl von den Lösern als auch vom Retro-SB Frank Schützhold (die Aufgabe war ohne dessen Wissen der Retroabteilung vom Schriftleiter H.-D. Leiß zugeschlagen worden) die irreführende Forderung 'Matt in ZWEI Zügen'.
Kevin Begley: Best guess: #2.5?
wRa1-d1 (completing castling) [Kc2 [Ra1#]] (2009-01-22)
Henrik Juel: after the castling completion:
0... Kxa2 1.Kc2 Ka3 2.Ta1#
C+ Popeye 4.61 (2022-07-10)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Complete an unfinished move (w0-0-0)
Genre: Retro
FEN: 8/8/8/8/P1R5/k1B5/P7/R1K5
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-07-10 more...
5 - P0003786
Imre Sztankovszky
2916 FEENSCHACH 01-02/1956
P0003786
(7+3) C+
h#2*
1. ... e5 2. g4 Le4#
1. Lxf4 e5 2. Lh2 Le4#
play all play one stop play next play all
A.Buchanan: Setplay doesn't care whether the position is legal. (2023-12-06)
A.Buchanan: So is this a retro problem? I think not. (2023-12-06)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black (setplay doesn't care), Tempo Move
Genre: h#
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 & trivial retro-logic
FEN: 8/8/5PBP/6pP/4PP2/8/5K1b/7k
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-06 more...
6 - P0003816
Jean Oudot
Nation Belge 1956
P0003816
(6+2) C+
#3
1. ... h6 2. La4 Kxa2 3. Tf3 Ka1 4. Ta3#
retro try: 1. Lg8?? h6 2. Tf7 Kxa2 3. Ta7#
play all play one stop play next play all
more ...
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Minimal
Genre: Retro, 3#
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61
FEN: 8/7p/8/7P/8/1B6/P1P2R2/k1K5
Reprints: RA14 diagrammes 15 06/1975
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-11-27 more...
7 - P0003874
Radu Dragoescu
RA90 diagrammes 32 03-04/1978
André Hazebrouck gewidmet
P0003874
(15+10) C+
#2
0. ... h6-h5 1. Tg2 Kxe4 2. Tg4#
1. Sc3? h5 2. Sd5# but BTM
play all play one stop play next play all
Mario Richter: Black has no last move, therefore: 0. ... h5 (Zugzwang) 1.Rg2! (2010-01-23)
paul: See P0000692 as version. (2011-08-01)
A.Buchanan: One can see the linear development from one problem to another. But I think the later P0000692 is rightly not declared by the author as just a version of the earlier. (2021-10-12)
A.Buchanan: If the authors were different, an "after" might be appropriate. (2021-10-12)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black
Genre: Retro, 2#
Computer test: HC+ Popeye v4.87 & trivial retro-analysis
FEN: rrbN4/bpPp3R/1p1P1KRp/1P6/N3Pk1P/4n3/1PP1P3/2B4B
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-12 more...
8 - P0004141
Karl Fabel
1071 The Problemist Fairy Chess Supplement 12/1933
P0004141
(8+1) C+
#1
1. ... ... 2. 0-0?
1. ... Kxg2 2. e5#
1. ... Kxf4 2. Df6#
play all play one stop play next play all
more ...
comment
Keywords: Castling (wk), No legal last move for Black, Castling in the forward play, Fabel-Opus (82)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 with analysis
FEN: 8/8/2Q5/8/4PBN1/3P1k2/6R1/4K2R
Reprints: (IV) Problem 17-18 08/1952
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-05-08 more...
9 - P0004182
Karl Fabel
187 Braunschweiger Neueste Nachrichten 12/1926
P0004182
(5+2) C+
#2
1. ... c6 2. b4 Ka3 3. Ta1#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2020-11-30)
A.Buchanan: What is “fabel opus” keyword intended to convey? (2020-11-30)
Henrik Juel: It is an ordered collection of Fabel's chess problems, as I recall (2020-11-30)
A.Buchanan: Oh you mean like a book? :) (2020-11-30)
Mario Richter: Fabel has keeped a detailed track of all his own compositons in a set of black notebooks, the Opus numbers representing the chronological order of the time the respective problem was composed.
see http://www.fabelschach.de/
In the Fabel-Project, there are links into the PDB (still incomplete), the idea of the keyword "Fabel-Opus" is to provide some kind of backlink from the PDB to the Fabel-Project. (2020-11-30)
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comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Fabel-Opus (14)
Genre: Retro, 2#
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61 together with retro thinking
FEN: 8/2p5/8/2B5/8/8/kPP5/1RK5
Reprints: (V) Problem 37-40 09/1956
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1995-06-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-12 more...
10 - P0006632
Anatolii Vasylenko
(2) Die Schwalbe 159, p. 364, 06/1996
2. Preis Ceriani-Gedenkturnier, 2. Abteilung
P0006632
(6+2)
#2
UW-Figuren in der Diagrammstellung sind 1) zulässig 2) unzulässig
1) 1. Tc8 Kxf8 2. Lf6#
2) 1. ... Kxd8 2. Kf7 g6 3. Se6# 1. ... Kxf8 2. Te7 Kg8 3. Te8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61
It is obvious that if Ld8 is not a promoted pawn then Black has the move (2021-12-26)
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comment
Keywords: Non-standard material, Minimal, Homebase, No legal last move for Black
Genre: Retro, 2#
FEN: 3BkN2/2R3p1/1P4K1/6P1/8/8/8/8
Reprints: 3 Problemist Yuga 3-4, p. 37, 01-06/1997
feenschach 137 08-09/2000
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1996-07-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-12-27 more...
11 - P0006638
Alexander Hildebrand
(37) Die Schwalbe 159, p. 366, 06/1996
2. Lob Ceriani-Gedenkturnier, 2. Abteilung
P0006638
(5+2)
#2
UW-Figuren in der Diagrammstellung sind 1) zulässig 2) unzulässig
1) 1. Lxg1 Kxg1 2. Ta1#
2) 1. ... Lxh2 2. Txh2+ Kg1 3. Ta1#
1. ... Lf2+ Kxf2 2. Kxh2 Th8#
1. ... Lxe3 2. Ta1+ Lg1 3. Txg1#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2022-01-02)
comment
Keywords: Non-standard material, Minimal, Miniature, No legal last move for Black
Genre: Retro
FEN: R7/8/8/8/8/4P1K1/R6B/6bk
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1996-07-11
Last update: Mario Richter, 2022-01-02 more...
12 - P0006639
Alexander Hildebrand
(40) Die Schwalbe 159, p. 366, 06/1996
3. Lob Ceriani-Gedenkturnier, 2. Abteilung
P0006639
(5+2)
#1
UW-Figuren in der Diagrammstellung sind 1) zulässig 2) unzulässig
1) 1. Se3#
2) 1. ... Txf1 2. Tfg3#, 1. ... Txh1 2. Thg3#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2022-01-02)
comment
Keywords: Non-standard material, Aristocrat, Minimal, Miniature, No legal last move for Black
Genre: Retro
FEN: 8/8/6K1/8/8/5R1R/6k1/5NrN
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1996-07-11
Last update: Mario Richter, 2022-01-02 more...
13 - P0008935
Tivadar Kardos
Arpad Molnar

3217 Probleemblad 05/1997
P0008935
(16+10) C+
#1
1. ... Sxb6 Sxc7#
1. ... axb6 Dxa8#
1. ... bxa6 Tb8#
1. ... bxc6 Dc8#
1. ... cxb6 Sxd6#
1. ... dxc5 Td8#
1. ... d5 f7#
1. ... Sxe7 Txe7#
1. ... Sxf6 Sxf6#
1. ... Dxg7 Sxg7#
1. ... Dxh7 gxh7#
1. ... Dxg6 Lxg6#
1. ... Dxh5 Txg8#
play all play one stop play next play all
BTM but for every move there’s a unique mate
A.Buchanan: This one is really nice (2021-11-26)
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comment
Keywords: Non-standard material (TT), No legal last move for Black
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye v4.87 edit
FEN: n3k1n1/ppp1P1RR/QRPpNPPq/1PB1pKpB/4N1P1/3R4/8/8
Input: Gerd Wilts, 1998-06-26
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-26 more...
14 - P1000788
Andrej N. Kornilow
feenschach 15/12/1984
P1000788
(5+1)
#2
1. ... Kxh6 2. Sf8 Kh5 3. Th4#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: C+ by Popeye 4.61 and very simple analysis (2022-08-03)
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comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: Retro
FEN: 8/8/6NP/7k/6R1/6KN/8/8
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2000-10-07
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2022-08-03 more...
15 - P1004057
W. Shupikow
197 Shakhmatnaya Kompozitsiya 40 2001
P1004057
(3+2) C+
#8
Schwarz hat keinen letzten Zug.
1. ... b5! 2. La4! bxa4 3. Kc1 a3 4. Sc2+ Ka2 5. Sd4 Ka1 6. Kc2 Ka2 7. Se2 Ka1 8. Sc1 a2 9. Sb3#
play all play one stop play next play all
A.Buchanan: Wow remarkable the play is completely unique - and if WTM then #2 (2020-11-18)
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comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black
Genre: Retro, n#
Computer test: C+ Gustav 4.1d
FEN: 8/1p6/8/8/1N6/1B6/2K5/k7
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2002-05-05
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2020-11-18 more...
16 - P1012242
Tivadar Kardos
Feladvanykedvelök Lapja 1971
P1012242
(4+1) C+
#1
1. ... Kxa3 2. Da1#
1. ... Kxa5 2. Da7#
play all play one stop play next play all
No. 1701 HN
A.Buchanan: I'm inclined to say that "Retro" genre can include a free directmate in 1, since it's so common, with no other genre mention necessary. (2021-11-26)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye v4.87 + Retractor v2.1.1
FEN: 8/8/8/P7/k1KQ4/P7/8/8
Input: Henri Nouguier, 2004-01-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-26 more...
17 - P1066685
Valery Liskovets
12365 Die Schwalbe 208 08/2004
P1066685
(14+5)
#1 (AP)
1. ... gxh3ep 2. 0-0-0#! (not 2.Sf3#?,Bh2#?)
to force
R: 1. h2-h4! h3xSg2 (not 1. Kd1-e1? Kf1-g1 2. Lf3-e2# )
play all play one stop play next play all
Diagram position is retropat so Article 15 give Black the move. Then White might have last move R: 1. h2-h4 or 1. Kd1-e1. To avoid stalemate in the diagram position, White must castle to demonstrate under AP the legality of 0. gxh3ep. So 1. 0-0-0#! not 1. Sf3#?,Bh2#?
VL: Solution. 1.0-0-0#/Bh2#?? - B. is on move.

0...g*h3 e.p. 1.0-0-0#! (1.Bh2#/Sf3#?? - illegal):
W. forces B. to capture e.p. and legalizes this
possibility a posteriori.

W.Ps took 11: b*c*d*e*f*g, c*d*e*f, e*f*g and g*h.
11+5=16, hence b.Pa7 was also captured among them.
Thus it took once: 1+1(h*g)+14=16. Ph3 took on g2
when w.P stood on h2. No last W's move could be a
capture: e5 and f4 are occupied by w.pieces. Qf4
prevents from Ph3-h4 and Kh2-g1 before that. b.Ps
are blocked from above. Therefore, in his last move,
W. could retro-release B. only in two ways: Ph2-h4
with Ph3*Sg2 before that, or Kd1-e1 with Kf1-g1
and Bf3-e2+ before that. Thus, W. may castle, and
castling AP-legalizes ep (2004-12-09)
A.Buchanan: Article 15 (not AP Type Keym) drives this elegant problem, with usual AP Type Petrovic for ep/castling. (2022-02-16)
A.Buchanan: Have added genre as n#, even though n=1 here, because it's important that this is a #1 rather than a h#0.5, as they behave differently under Article 15. (2022-02-17)
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comment
Keywords: a posteriori (AP) (Type Petrovic), En passant as key, No legal last move for Black, Castling (wk)
Genre: Retro, n#
FEN: 8/6P1/5P2/4NpPP/5QpP/P5B1/3PBPp1/R3K1kb
Reprints: Die Schwalbe 228 12/2007
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2004-08-13
Last update: James Malcom, 2022-07-05 more...
18 - P1066819
Valery Kirillov
Mykhailo Myshko

The Ural's Problemist 04-06/2004
2. Thematurnier
4. Preis
P1066819
(15+7)
s#2
1. ... h1=D Lh6 Dg2,Dh2 2. Ld2+ Dxd2#
1. ... h1=D Lh6 Dxd5 2. Txd5 Lb2#
1. ... h1=D Lh6 De4 2. dxe4 Lb2#
1. ... h1=D Lh6 Df3,Dxh3 2. Sxf3,Sxh3 Lb2#
1. ... h1=T Ld6 Th2 2. Lxh2 Lb2#
1. ... h1=T Ld6 Txh3 2. Sxh3 Lb2#
1. ... h1=L Sf4 Lg2,Lf3 2. Sxg2,Sxf3 Lb2#
1. ... h1=L Sf4 Le4 2. dxe4 Lb2#
1. ... h1=L Sf4 Lxd5 2. Txd5 Lb2#
1. ... h1=S Tf5 Sf2 2. Txf2 Lb2#
1. ... h1=S Tf5 Sg3 2. Se2+ Sxe2#
1. ... hxg1=L Lg7+ Ld4 2. Txd4 Lb2#
1. ... hxg1=S Sg5 Sf3,Sxh3 2. Sxf3,Sxh3 Lb2#
play all play one stop play next play all
Die Retroanlayse zeigt, daß Schwarz am Zuge sein muß.
Olaf Jenkner: Für mich ist das ein Dreizüger. (2017-02-08)
Henrik Juel: An ordinary mate in two is really #1.5, but by ancient convention the stipulation is called #2, because each variation contains 2 white moves; maybe a similar convention has been applied here
White is missing his light-squared [Lf1] only, so the black capture was a6xLb5, not a5xb4 nor g3xh2; the other possible black last moves are obviously illegal, so Black has the move (there is no problem with the white captures, as just six white pawn captures are needed, including g2xh3 and hxg) (2017-02-08)
A.Buchanan: For adversarial stipulations i.e. d# & s# according to codex article 15 footnotes Black gets an extra pre-move. So the stipulation is ok. This is independent of the d# move-counting anomaly that Henrik points out (2021-02-16)
Hans-Jürgen Manthey: s#2 = 1. weiß schwarz 2. weiß schwarz #
also ist das ein S#2,5 oder s#3 schwarz beginnt !! (2021-02-20)
A.Buchanan: H-J: Article 15 of the Codex says that if the 1st move is not with the conventional party then it should be either stated in the stipulation or deductible from retroanalysis. Footnote 19 says "the preliminary move by the unconventional party is not counted, except in help-play problems. The number of moves to be expressed in the stipulation should be the number of moves to be made by White".
So an affected d# or s$ has an extra zeroth black single move, an affected h# loses the initial black single move. There are many aspects of conventions which I rail against, but this one for some reason doesn't trouble me. (2021-02-23)
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comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Allumwandlung (s)
Genre: Retro, s#
FEN: 5B2/1pQR1P2/1Pb1N3/1P1R4/1p4P1/1PkP3P/P1p4p/b1K3N1
Input: Frank Müller, 2004-11-01
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-02-24 more...
19 - P1066820
Yakov G. Vladimirov
The Ural's Problemist 04-06/2004
2. Thematurnier
1. ehrende Erwähnung
P1066820
(15+5)
s#4
0. ... Kxh3 1. Se3+ Kg3 2. Lh2+ Kf2 3. Sc4 h3 4. Lg2 hxg2#
Retro 1. ... Kf2-g3 2. Lh2-g1+ Kg3-f2 3. Lg1-h2+, deshalb ist Schwarz am Zuge.
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (after realizing that Black has the move) (2021-02-16)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black
Genre: Retro, s#
FEN: 8/4p3/4R1P1/3P1RpP/5pPp/5NkP/2P1P1N1/1Q3BBK
Input: Frank Müller, 2004-11-01
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-02-16 more...
20 - P1085404
Valery Liskovets
13336v Die Schwalbe 224 04/2007
Werner Keym zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet
P1085404
(15+7) C+
#2
b) ohne wLb2, AP
c) ferner mit sBe7 nach d6, AP
a) 1. ... gxf3ep 2. Lxf3 Lf5 3. Txg2#! (3.0-0-0#??)
1. Lf3?? gxf3 2. 0-0-0#?

b) 1. ... gxf3ep 2. Lxf3 Lf5 3. 0-0-0#! (3.Txg2#??)
1. Lf3?? gxf3 2. 0-0-0#??

c) 1. ... gxf3ep 2. Lxf3 Lf5 3. 0-0-0#!! (3.Txg2#??)
1. Lf3? gxf3 2. 0-0-0#??
play all play one stop play next play all
VL: Keywords: Whose move? (Wer ist am Zug?); Forced en passant

(a) 1.Lf3?? gxf3 2.0-0-0#? (?? denotes illegal).
0... gxf3 e.p.(forced!) 1.Lxf3 Lf5 2.Txg2#! (2.0-0-0#??)
Bl has the move, e.p. capture is legal, and castling is illegal.

(b) 1.Lf3?? gxf3 2.0-0-0#?
0... gxf3 e.p.(forced) 1.Lxf3 Lf5 2.0-0-0#! (2.Txg2#?? - AP-illegal).
Bl still has the move (due to bPe7). Unlike (a), two different retro-moves are possible: i) f2-f4 (f3xSg2) or ii) b2xc3 (in which case castling is illegal due to the missing dark-squared w Bishop). AP after Petrovic in the reversed form "a la Abdurahmanovic": W forces Bl to capture e.p.

(c) 1.Lf3? gxf3 2.0-0-0#??
0... gxf3 e.p.(!) 1.Lxf3 Lf5 2.0-0-0#!! (2.Txg2#?? - AP-illegal).
W's turn to move is possible (in which case, however, castling is illegal). Executed castling justifies jointly Bl's turn to move (AP after Keym) and e.p.

The twins differ by the role of castling: it is illegal in (a), is legal and legalizes Bl's e.p.-key in (b) and legalizes both Bl's turn to move and e.p. in (c). Separately they have 1-mover predecessors: resp., P0005627, P1066685 and P1068112. (2009-06-22)
A.Buchanan: Very nice problem! Ke2# is a dual not provided separately, but I don't see a way to dispense with it (2023-07-22)
comment
Keywords: a posteriori (AP) (Type Petrovic), Castling (wg), No legal last move for Black
Genre: Retro, 2#
Computer test: HC+ retro thinking & Popeye v4.87
FEN: 8/3PpP2/2Q1P3/3N2P1/5Pp1/2P1P1Pb/1B1R2pp/R2BK1kr
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2009-06-08
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-07-22 more...
21 - P1108448
Werner Keym
Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz 1966
P1108448
(6+1)
#2
0. ... Kxc4 1. Db1
0. ... Kxe6 1. Dh7
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61, except for mate trials after 2... Kd5 (2022-02-15)
comment
Keywords: Symmetrical position, No legal last move for Black, Aristocrat, Miniature
Genre: Retro
FEN: K7/1N6/4R3/3k4/2R5/5N2/8/7Q
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2010-06-23
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2022-02-15 more...
22 - P1108451
Werner Keym
Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz 1966
P1108451
(6+3)
#2
Schwarz hat keinen letzten Zug, deshalb (Zugzwang):
1. ... b4 2. Tb3 bxa3 3. Lb7#

1. axb6ep? axb6+ 2. Txb6# (aber zuletzt R: b7-b5? ist wegen wLa8 und sBa7 illegal.)
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 and simple analysis (2022-08-09)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, En passant as key
Genre: Retro
FEN: B7/p7/k1N5/PpK5/8/B7/8/1R6
Reprints: 3 Der Schachzug (FV Schach Berlin) 15 05-06/1976
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2010-06-23
Last update: Mario Richter, 2022-08-09 more...
23 - 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...
24 - P1108924
Werner Keym
Die Welt 1999
P1108924
(9+6)
Add wB, wS, wL, wT, or wD on f7
Mate in #n moves
b) +wBf7 #1 1. f8=D#,l#

c) +wSf7 #1, White moved last 1. ... Lxf7 2. Sxf7#

d) +wLf7 #2 1. Lxc4 ... 2. Le3#

e) +wTf7 #3 1. Tf4 Txd4 2. Txd4 Lxf7 3. Sxf7#
1. ... Txb4 2. Le3 Txf4+ 3. Lxf4#

f) +wDf7 #4, White moved last 1. ... Txd4+ 2. Kg3 Lxf7 3. Sxf7+ Kh5 4. Th1+ Th4 5. Txh4#
2. ... Td3+ 3. cxd3 Lxf7 4. Sxf7+ Kh5 5. Th1#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61, except for dual in e) 1... Txc5 2.Lxc5,bxc5 and several duals in f) (2022-02-25)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Twin (Forsberg)
Genre: Retro
FEN: 3N2br/7p/5P1k/2P2P2/1PrB3K/2p5/2P5/5R2
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2010-06-26
Last update: James Malcom, 2022-02-25 more...
25 - P1109508
Valery Kirillov
Mykhailo Myshko

1234 Pat a Mat 54 2006
Informalturnier 2006/07
Lob
P1109508
(15+3) cooked
s#6
Schwarz hat keinen letzten Zug, also
1. ... h5! 2. Tc3 h4 3. Tf7+ Kh6 4. Le3+ Kh5 5. Tf5+ Kg4 6. h3+ Kxg3 7. Lg1+ Lxc3#
mit Schwarz am Zug:
1. Te4? h5 2. Le3 h4 3. Seg6 h3 4. Tg4 hxg2 5. Lh6+ Kxh6 6. Sf4+ Lxf6#
play all play one stop play next play all
Cook: 1) NL: 1. ... h5 2. Df3,Df4,Df5 h4 3. Dg4+ Kxf6 4. Tf3+ Ke5 5. Tf7 Lg7,Lf6,h3,hxg3 6. Ld6+ Kxd6+ 7. Dd4+ Lxd4# (bad wBb6 blocks Kc7).
Anton Baumann: ohne den wBb6 ist die Aufgabe C+ (Gustav 4.1d) (2021-05-12)
A.Buchanan: WinChloe has the identical diagram with wBb6, but doesn't pick up the cook (2021-05-12)
A.Buchanan: Note need to have something like "1)" at the beginning of the cook, else it assumes that the play is a variation from the retro try which began 1. Te4? (2021-10-09)
Mario Richter: The award ('Pat a Mat', issue 61 (April 2008), pp. 190-193) too has the "bad wBb6"; the distinction given is "1. Lob" ["1. cestné uznanie"] (2021-10-09)
A.Buchanan: Pat A Mat site has Tourney records only back to 2010. I've sent emails to request that the authors be contacted. I have given Anton's name as the corrector. (2021-10-10)
A.Buchanan: Resolved, see P1394513 (2021-10-12)
more ...
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Superseded by (P1394513)
Genre: s#, Retro
FEN: 5N1b/4N1kP/1P2PR1p/2B5/8/4R1P1/P5PP/KB3Q2
Input: Frank Müller, 2010-07-03
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-11 more...
26 - P1114973
Nikolay S. Zinovyev
115 Redkiye zhanry-plus 73 1997
P1114973
(6+1) cooked
#3
1. ... Kxb4 2. Ld3,Kb1 Ka4 3. c3 Kb3 4. Sc5#

1. c3? Kb3 2. Ld3,Kb1 Ka4 3. Sc5# but BTM
1. Ka2? Kxb4 2. c3+ Ka4 3. b3# but BTM
play all play one stop play next play all
RA3
A.Buchanan: Shifting wK to c1 removes the cooks and duals in the retro tries. (2021-10-12)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0346135), No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: C- Popeye v4.87
FEN: 8/1N6/B7/8/kP6/8/1PP5/K7
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-12 more...
27 - P1118142
Ernest Pogosyants
Snannja ta prazja 1984
P1118142
(5+1) C+
#2
1. ... Kxb7 2. Sc5+! Kc8/Ka8/Kb8 3. De8#

1. Ta7#?/Tb8#? BTM
play all play one stop play next play all
RA2 E7b-S-D
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0312794), Miniature, No legal last move for Black
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis showing that it is Black to move
FEN: k7/1R6/NP6/1Q6/K7/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-05 more...
28 - P1119724
Vyacheslav P. Antipov
32 Schachmatnyje Sadatschi (Borowitschi) 03/1987
P1119724
(6+1) cooked
#4
0. ... Kxd7 1. c8=D+! Kxc8 2. Lb8 Kxb8 3. Tc5 Ka8 4. Tc8#

0. ... Kxd5 1. Lf4+! Ke6 2. c8=D Kf5 3. Tf7+ Kg6 4. Df5#
2. ... Kf6 3. Df8+ Kg6 4. Df7#
3. ... Ke6 4. Df7#,Td6#
1. ... Kc5 2. Ld2,Ka5 droht 3. c8=D#,c8=T#
Dual 1. c8=D! droht 2. Dc4#
1. ... Ke6 2. Lf4 Kf5 3. Tf7+ Kg6 4. Df5#
2. ... Kf6 3. Df8+ Ke6 4. Df7#,Td6#
3. ... Kg6 4. Df7#
oder 2. Td8+ Kf7,Kf6 3. Dg4 ... 4. Tf8#
bzw. 2. De8+ Kf6 3. Dh5 Ke6 4. Df7#
2. ... Kf5 3. Tg7 droht 4. Dg6#,Df7#,De5#
play all play one stop play next play all
Cook: Duale nach 1. ... Kxd5 2. Lf4 und 2. c8=D
E7-5 RA4
A.Buchanan: This reminds me of Plato's two chariot horses: one divine, the other a recalcitrant nag (2021-10-10)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0342661), No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: n#, Retro
Computer test: C- Popeye v4.87
FEN: 8/2PR4/K1kB4/3R4/8/3P4/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-12 more...
29 - P1128978
Ernest Pogosyants
Snannja ta prazja 1984
P1128978
(4+2) C+
#1
1. ... Txb2 2. Lxb2#
1. Txa2#? 1. Tb1#?
play all play one stop play next play all
RA1 SYK
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0321214), No legal last move for Black, Aristocrat, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: n#, Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
FEN: 8/8/8/8/8/B1N5/rR6/k1K5
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-05 more...
30 - P1130086
Ernest Pogosyants
Snannja ta prazja 1984
P1130086
(6+1) C+
#3
1. ... Kxa1! 2. c4 Ka2 3. Sc3+ Ka1 4. Lb2#
Retro try:
1. c4? Kxa1 2. Lb2+ Ka2 3. Sc3#
play all play one stop play next play all
RA3
A.Buchanan: I guess for these kinds of problems it's always worth looking if there is a retro try. Here there is - an added bonus (2023-12-04)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0341852), Miniature, No legal last move for Black
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
FEN: 8/8/8/8/8/1PP5/k1K5/NNB5
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-04 more...
31 - P1130325
Roman F. Zalokotskij
3212 Land og Folk 06/01/1979
P1130325
(3+2)
#2
1. ... b5 2. Txb5 Kxa2 3. Ta5#
1. ... b6 2. Txb6 Kxa2 3. Ta6#
1. ... Kxa2? 2. Ta8#
1. Txb7? Kxa2 2. Ta7# BTM
play all play one stop play next play all
RA2
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0312088), No legal last move for Black, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: 1R6/1p6/8/8/8/8/P1K5/k7
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-07 more...
32 - P1132066
Andrej N. Kornilow
Tscherkaska Prawda 1981
P1132066
(5+2)
#2
1. Da8? Kxb1 2. Dh1#

1. ... Lxb1 2. Dh1 Ka2 3. Da8#
1. ... Lxb3 2. Kxb3 Kxb1 3. Dh1#
1. ... Kxb1 2. Dh1#
play all play one stop play next play all
RA2 mm
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 and very simple analysis (2022-08-03)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0011969), No legal last move for Black, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: 8/8/2Q5/8/8/1PK5/b3P3/kN6
Input: Felber, Volker, 2010-09-11
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2022-08-03 more...
33 - P1132446
Otto Dehler
Deutsche Schachzeitung 1925
P1132446
(3+1)
#3
b) +wBa5
a) 1. d8=T Ka5 2. Td6 Ka4 3. Ta6#;
b) kein letzter Zug für Schwarz, also
1. ... Kxa5 2. d8=D+ Ka6 3. Db8 Ka5 4. Db5,Da7#
play all play one stop play next play all
RA3 BUT32 RA
b) Werner Speckmann, 04.1973, DSZ, S.134, B;
vf: klären Spiegelung in DSZ
SCHRECKE: b) kein letzter Zug für Schwarz, also: 0. ... Kxa5 1. d8D+ Ka6 2. Db8 Ka5 3. Db5,Da7# (2022-08-11)
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61, except for the mate dual in b) (2022-08-12)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0046916), No legal last move for Black, Kindergarten Problem, Miniature, Kindergarten Problem
Genre: 3#, Retro
FEN: 8/3P4/8/8/k1K5/8/1P6/8
Input: Felber, Volker, 2010-09-11
Last update: Mario Richter, 2022-08-12 more...
34 - P1134560
Ernest Pogosyants
Snannja ta prazja 1983
P1134560
(4+3) C+
#3
1. ... a4? 2. Sd7#!
1. ... Lxb6 2. Kxb6 a4 3. Lb7 a3 4. Sa6#
Retro try:
1. Sd7#?
play all play one stop play next play all
RA3
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0341760), No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
FEN: 1k6/b1N5/BNK5/p7/8/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-04 more...
35 - P1135717
Knud H. Hannemann
Skakbladet 1972
P1135717
(2+1)
#2
1. ... Ka7 2. b8=D+ Ka6 3. Db6#
1. b8=D#? BTM
play all play one stop play next play all
BUD20 AS-2
A.Buchanan: While it's true that there is no legal last move for Black, does this make the problem a "Retro"? The reasoning is hyper-trivial. Was this intended as a joke? Or is there some context for the composition? If only I knew a Danish person who might have some knowledge of the culture at the time... :) (2021-10-07)
Henrik Juel: Ha-ha, here goes
Knud Hannemann was the best danish composer in his prime, but this is surely a joke
Possibly the try 1.g8=D#?? was intended
Skakbladet 1972 is not available for me, but it might throw some light on the problem (2021-10-07)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0013220), No legal last move for Black (check), Joke, Kindergarten Problem, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: 2#
FEN: k7/1PK5/8/8/8/8/8/8
Input: Felber, Volker, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-05 more...
36 - P1136091
N. Baschkatow
Omskaja Prawda 10/02/1985
P1136091
(5+2) C+
#2
1. ... Lb6+ 2. Txb6 Ka7 3. Ta6#
1. ... Lxc5 2. Ta6+ La7 3. Lc6#
1. ... Lb8+ 2. Kc8 La7 3. Sc7#
2. ... Ka7,L~ 3. Ta6#
play all play one stop play next play all
No #2, but Black has no last move, so in fact Black to move in zugzwang
H37 RA2
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0312960), No legal last move for Black, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61
FEN: k3N3/b1K5/2R5/1BP5/8/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2022-02-20 more...
37 - P1136432
Arnaud Comte de Savignac-Castelet
L'Echiquier Marseillais 1925
P1136432
(4+3)
#2
1. ... Txa6/Txb7+/d5/d6 2. Dxa6#/Dxb7#/De8#/De8#
1. Da4? Txa6/Txb7+/d5/d6 2. Dxa6#/axb7#/De8#/De8# but BTM
play all play one stop play next play all
B14f C5c 2MW RA!
vf: Leonid Makaronez, 08.1995, Minimat (12)
SCHRECKE: Schwarz hat keinen letzten Zug! (2023-07-13)
Henrik Juel: so it is Black to move
1... Txa5,Txb7+/d5,d5 2.DxT/De8# (2023-07-13)
A.Buchanan: Here the diagram position is not just retropat but also zugzwang. Is this unintentional? Or is it some old-school assumption that if BTM, Black loses a move rather than gains one? (2023-12-05)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0308322), No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: 2#
FEN: k7/rNKp4/P7/1Q6/8/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-05 more...
38 - P1137076
Michail I. Schiz
Shakhmaty v SSSR 02/1982
P1137076
(5+2) cooked
#3
1... b6
play all play one stop play next play all
Cook: 1. ... b5 2. Ta1/Ta1/Ta6/Ta5/Kd7/Kd8
1. ... b6 2. b4/Kd7/Kd8
A18d RA3
Henrik Juel: duals, e.g., 0... b5 1.Kd8,Kd7,Ta1 (2022-12-05)
A.Buchanan: If WTM, no solution, but since no legal last move for Black, we let Black start:
1...b5
2.Ra1/Ra2/Ra6 b4
3.Kd7/Kd8 Kb7 4.a8=Q#
2.Ra5 b4
3.Rc5 Kxa7 4.Ra5#
3.Kd7/Kd8 Kb7 4.a8=Q#
2.Kd7/Kd8 b4
3.Ra1/Ra2/Ra6/Ra5/Ra4 Kb7 4.a8=Q#
1...b6
2.b4 b5
3.Re3 Kxa7 4.Ra3#
3.Kd7/Kd8 Kb7 4.a8=Q#
2.Kd7/Kd8 b5 3.b4 Kb7 4.a8=Q#
The play is so savagely dualized, that one must marked it as cooked. Typo? (2023-12-04)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0334424), No legal last move for Black, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: HC- Popeye v4.87 & trivial retro argument
FEN: k1K5/Pp6/8/8/8/RP6/5B2/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-04 more...
39 - P1137337
Roman F. Zalokotskij
3367 Land og Folk 28/04/1979
P1137337
(3+4)
#2
1. ... c5 2. Txb7 a5 3. Txa5#
1. ... b5 2. Txb5 c5 3. Tb8#
play all play one stop play next play all
RA2
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61, except for some mate duals (2022-02-15)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0312119), No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: k1K5/ppp5/8/8/8/8/8/RR6
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2022-02-15 more...
40 - P1142404
Schamil Ade Dasni
Covqan (Baku) 31 1992
P1142404
(6+1) C+
#2
1. ... Kxa6 2. Ta8+ Kb7 3. Lc6#
1. ... Kxc8 2. Ta8+ Kb7 3. Lc6#

1. Lc6+? Kxa6,Kxc8 2. Ta8#
play all play one stop play next play all
E730 RA2
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0315439), No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61 and human reasoning
FEN: 2R5/1kB5/RP6/3K4/B7/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-06-29 more...
41 - P1142517
Hilding Fröberg
Skakbladet 1970
P1142517
(5+1)
#2
1. ... Kxd7 2. Db7+ Ke8 3. Sd6#
1. ... Kxe7 2. Df5 Ke8 3. De6#
1. ... Kxf7 2. Dh7+ Ke8 3. Sf6#
1. Df5? Kxe7 2. De6# (but BTM)
play all play one stop play next play all
RA2 e423 3m
A.Buchanan: I think this is the true original, not Haas 1976. It is basically the same whether L or B on 7th rank, whether K on d5 or e5, whether everything is shifted by files, whether (if L on 7th) board rotated. (2021-10-06)
Henrik Juel: I agree that P1142901 is anticipated by this problem
And this is also slightly more economical
Haas is not to blame, because the problem section in Skakbladet was not very prominent in 1970
I expect that Hilding tried to fool unwary solvers (2021-10-06)
Henrik Juel: Some old issues of Skakbladet are available at https://skakbladet.skak.dk/ (move the cursor to Arkiv at the top of the page), but issues from 1963 to 1999 are not (yet) available, so I cannot document the details of Hilding's problem (2021-10-06)
A.Buchanan: No worries about Haas or Skakbladet, Henrik. Like probably hundreds of others, Hilding's problem had the correct solution, but as marked neither as G="retro" nor k="No legal last move for Black". I've flipped a bunch of these tonight, but have run out of energy. (2021-10-06)
Henrik Juel: Thanks for your effort, Andrew (2021-10-06)
A.Buchanan: You're very welcome Henrik. Article 15 is my second favourite convention, so I am happy to have identified 146(!) in the last 24 hours that were lurking unrecognized in PDB. I was looking for g='2#' and sol='3.' so I also managed to fix typos etc in about 100 false positives. (2021-10-07)
Henrik Juel: My goodness me
I cannot handle even my old task of just testing; only thanks to Michael S, who is now doing the lion's share, we are just scraping by in the testing department
Tiny typo here in the try: 2.De6#, not 3. (2021-10-07)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0311347), No legal last move for Black, Miniature, Homebase
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: 4k3/3NPN2/8/3K4/8/8/8/1Q6
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-08 more...
42 - P1143600
Tivadar Kardos
Feladvanykedvelök Lapja 1971
P1143600
(4+1) C+
#1
1. ... Kxe8 2. Dg8#
1. ... Kxc8 2. Da8#
play all play one stop play next play all
RA1 A12DD3
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0321180), Aristocrat, Miniature, No legal last move for Black
Genre: n#, Retro
Computer test: Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61
FEN: 2NkN3/8/3K4/3Q4/8/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-11
Last update: Dieter Berlin, 2023-08-15 more...
43 - P1152187
Ernest Pogosyants
Snannja ta prazja 1984
P1152187
(4+2)
#1
1. ... Txh7 2. Tf8#
1. Tg7#? 1. Sf6#?
play all play one stop play next play all
RA1
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
not 1.Tg7? because Black has the move (2022-07-19)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0321213), No legal last move for Black, Aristocrat, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: n#, Retro
FEN: 6kr/5R1N/4K2B/8/8/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-04 more...
44 - P1152691
W. Roosch
Ishorez 1982
P1152691
(6+1) C+
#2
1. ... Kxd8 2. Dc4 Ke8 3. Dc8#
1. ... Kxf8 2. Dg4 Ke8 3. Dg8#
1. De5!? but Black to move
play all play one stop play next play all
m20 RA2 FO3LS
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0312472), No legal last move for Black, Miniature, Homebase
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61 after obvious analysis
FEN: 3BkN2/8/4K3/8/8/2P3P1/4Q3/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-17 more...
45 - P1155781
Ernest Pogosyants
Snannja ta prazja 1984
P1155781
(5+2) C+
#1
1. ... Sxg3+ 2. Dxg3#
1. ... Sxf2 2. Dg2#
1. ... Kxh2 2. Dg2#/Dh5#

1. Dg2#?,Dh5#? but BTM
play all play one stop play next play all
RA1 SYp
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0321215), No legal last move for Black, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: n#, Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
FEN: 8/8/8/8/8/5QPk/5B1N/5K1n
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-05 more...
46 - P1157567
Gunnar Frode Myhre
4052 Schweizerische Arbeiter-Schachzeitung 03/1978
P1157567
(5+1)
#2
1. ... Kxh2 2. Lh3 Kxh3 3. Th1#
play all play one stop play next play all
LOT RA2
A.Buchanan: Thanks for spotting the duplicate keyword. For speed, I have 3 tabs open with PDB and cycle between them - that means I don't have to wait for each query to finish. However occasionally it means a duplicate keyword occurs. I would like if there was an easy way to catch these in PDB. Even the count of something doesn't add up (e.g. 101 cases of "Ceriani-Frolkin" in just 100 problems) it's hard to locate the issue. I will copy Gerd on this thread, and he can maybe add it to his backlog. (2021-10-07)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0311965), No legal last move for Black
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: 8/8/8/8/8/5K2/4N2B/4RB1k
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-07 more...
47 - P1161290
Juri G. Bagrezow
714 Schach-M 29 07/1989
P1161290
(4+3)
#1
1. ... Dg7#
play all play one stop play next play all
RA1
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2022-02-25)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0321222), Miniature, No legal last move for Black
Genre: n#, Retro
FEN: 6Bk/3p3q/5K2/5Q1P/8/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: Rainer Staudte, 2022-02-25 more...
48 - P1161509
Awenir G. Schaposchnikow
10 Schach (Borowitschi) 14 10/1987
P1161509
(4+1) C+
#3
1. ... Kxh7 2. Lf8 Kh8 3. Lg7+ Kh7 4. Sf6#
1. Lf8? Kxh7 2. Sf6+ Kh8 3. Lg7# but BTM
play all play one stop play next play all
RA3
A.Buchanan: A unique retro try adds value to a Article 15 problem, but there's no good way to denote this in the stipulation. Here "*" is tried, but this would normally apply to White losing the first move, e.g. P1394496. Nor is this line a regular try, denoted "v". Instead, I feel the need for a new symbol maybe "^" to denote a clean retro try. What do you think? (2021-10-12)
Henrik Juel: I would leave the stipulation as the author originally had it: just #3
and let the solver figure out what is going on (2021-10-12)
A.Buchanan: OK done - thank you Henrik (2021-10-18)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0342522), Aristocrat, Miniature, No legal last move for Black
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye v4.87
FEN: 4N2k/4BK1N/8/8/8/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-18 more...
49 - P1161743
Oskar E. Vinje
3142 The Fairy Chess Review 11 04/1938
P1161743
(2+2)
#1
1. ... h5,h6 Th6#
play all play one stop play next play all
Schwarz kann nicht zuletzt gezogen haben, ist also am Zug.
Rosalie Fay: Black has no previous move, so it is Black's turn. 1 ... h~ 2 Th6# (2015-09-18)
Henrik Juel: try 1.Td8? (2022-03-28)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0025566), No legal last move for Black
Genre: Retro
FEN: 7k/5K1p/3R4/8/8/8/8/8
Input: Felber, Volker, 2010-09-12
Last update: Mario Richter, 2022-03-27 more...
50 - P1162568
W. Zokurenko
Ishorez 07/04/1982
P1162568
(4+3) C+
#2
1. ... g5,g6 2. hxg6ep,hxg6 hxg6 3. Sxg6
2. ... h5,h6 3. g7#
play all play one stop play next play all
RA2 EPw m
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0312557), No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61 and obvious analysis
FEN: 5KBk/6pp/8/7P/7N/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-17 more...
51 - P1165717
Ernest Pogosyants
Snannja ta prazja 1984
P1165717
(5+2) C+
#3
1. ... Txh3+ 2. Kf4 Txf3+ 3. Dxf3+ Kg1/Kh2 4. Dg2#
play all play one stop play next play all
RA3 SYp m
Henrik Juel: 0... Txh3+ 1.Kf4 Txf3+! 2.Dxf3+ Kg1,Kh2 3.Dg2#
0... Tg2+? 1.Dxg2#
0... Txf2? 1.Sxf2# (2022-07-19)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0341851), No legal last move for Black, Aristocrat, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
FEN: 8/8/8/8/8/5NKN/5Q1r/5B1k
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-04 more...
52 - P1167627
Ernest Pogosyants
Snannja ta prazja 1984
P1167627
(5+2) C+
#4
1. ... Kxg8 2. Se6 hxg5 3. Sf6+ Kh8 4. Sd8 g4 5. Sf7#
play all play one stop play next play all
10 keys if it were WTM
RA4
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0341703), No legal last move for Black, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: n#, Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61 and analysis
FEN: 6Bk/6N1/6Kp/6PN/8/8/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-05 more...
53 - P1168635
Nikolajus Zujevas
Viktor S. Kolpakov

675 Schach-M 28 05/1989
P1168635
(6+1) cooked
#2
1... Kxe5 (1... Kxg5 2. Lg3 Kf5 3. Td5#) ((Satz:) 1... -- 2. Sh3 Kxe5 3. Td5#) 2. Se6 Kf5 3. Td5#
play all play one stop play next play all
Cook: R: 1. Ke6-f5 Sf7-g5++ So position is legal with WTM
FO3LS RA2
A.Buchanan: I don't see how to correct this pleasant problem, while retaining miniature status, the retro logic + the model mates. With an extra Black pawn, I found 8/2p5/2N3K1/8/4BkN1/3R4/5P2/8. With just 7 units, I seemed to need non-standard material, e.g. 8/5B2/5K2/8/4BkN1/3R4/5P2/8. If anyone manages to salvage this one successfully, pls let me know. (2021-10-08)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0314232), No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: 6B1/6K1/8/4BkN1/3R4/5P2/8/8
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-07 more...
54 - P1168739
Wjatscheslaw A. Lebedew
Sbudinne 1991
P1168739
(5+2)
#4
1. ... Kxg4 2. Kxg6! Kxg3 3. Th5 Kg2 4. Tg5+ Kh2,Kh1,Kh3 5. Th7#
play all play one stop play next play all
H27 RA4 ASb3 m

s.a. P1126519
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2021-01-23)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0344445), No legal last move for Black, Symmetrical position, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: n#, Retro
FEN: 8/5RKR/6p1/6k1/6P1/6P1/8/8
Reprints: 69 Jitvesha schachova Miniatjura [Davydjuk] 1992
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: James Malcom, 2021-01-23 more...
55 - P1172071
Vyacheslav P. Antipov
265 Problemist Pribuzhya 4 10/1990
P1172071
(4+2)
#9
1. ... fxg6! 2. Se2 g5 3. Kg3 g4 4. h3 gxh3 5. Kf2 Kh2 6. Sd4 Kh1 7. Sf5 Kh2 8. Se3 Kh1 9. Sf1 h2 10. Sg3#
1. Tf6? Kxg1 2. Txf7 Kh1 3. Tf1# but BTM
play all play one stop play next play all
RA9 SX12
Henrik Juel: duals 3.h3,h4 and 5.Sd4,Sc3 (2022-11-10)
comment
Keywords: Miniature Collection (0344079), No legal last move for Black, Minimal, Miniature
Genre: n#, Retro
FEN: 8/5p2/6R1/8/8/7K/7P/6Nk
Input: Zuncke/Bruder, 2010-09-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-05 more...
56 - P1193258
Thomas R. Dawson
1539 Pittsburgh Gazette Times 22/12/1914
P1193258
(5+6) C+
a) #3
b) Alles 1 nach rechts. Then what result?
a) 1. e4 Th6 2. e5+ Kg6 3. Lf5#
play all play one stop play next play all
more ...
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black (b))
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: a) is C+ Popeye 4.61 b) is trivial retro logic
FEN: 8/1p1B1pp1/1P1K1kr1/6p1/6P1/4P3/8/8
Input: Frank Müller, 2011-04-23
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-11-02 more...
57 - P1197461
Thomas Woschnik
834 Augsburger Allgemeine 05/02/2005
P1197461
(6+1)
#3*
Schwarz am Zuge
1. ... Kxb2 2. Db3+ Ka1 3. Sc2#
1. ... Kxd4 2. Kc1 Kc3 3. Dc4#
1. ... Kxb4 2. Dc4+ Ka3 3. Db3#
2. ... Ka5 3. Db5#
Leser Hans Gruber wies darauf hin, dass mit wSf5 eine normaler Dreizüger mit Schlüssel 1. Sd4 möglich ist.
play all play one stop play next play all
A.Buchanan: If this was simply stipulated #2 it would work great. Was the stipulation currently given here (#3* BTM) actually the originalforderung? How are we meant to interpret the *? (2024-01-10)
more ...
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Rex solus
Genre: 3#, Retro
FEN: 8/8/4Q3/8/1P1N4/2k5/1N2P3/3K4
Reprints: 141 Kniffelige Schachaufgaben III 2011
Input: Frank Müller, 2011-06-12
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2024-01-10 more...
58 - P1217768
John Frederick Keeble
3084 British Chess Magazine 07/1932
P1217768
(6+5)
#2
1. Dc4-g8!
play all play one stop play next play all
Mario Richter: Cook: Schwarz hat keinen legalen letzten Zug (2014-05-25)
A.Buchanan: This is not a retro problem. If we grant Black first move, then 0. ... Txb7! refutes. It's just a technical oversight. I can find no correction in PDB or WinChloe. Observe that sBb6 serves no purpose. If we remove it, then wLb5 serves little purpose. Removing both units, and shifting wD to e1,e5,e6,g6 or h5 retains soundness, but gives Black a last move. All variations persist, including the minor dual after 1. ... Lxb7, where both mates are separately forced. I prefer wDe6, because the key defending Sc8 is otherwise too strong. Also note the try 1. Dg8? In summary therefore: correction krN5/pN6/b2KQ3/8/8/8/R7/8 #2. (2021-10-09)
A.Buchanan: WinChloe gives a different original source, Wiener Schach Zeitung, with the same year 1932, towards the end of Keeble's chess problem career. (2021-10-09)
Mario Richter: My guess is, that the publication in 'Wiener Schach-Zeitung' is only a reprint as part of what I call "a real solving competition" (since amongst the problems to be solved there were also [intentionally] some with severals cooks or with seemingly or real illegal positions):
"Aus dem diesjährigen internationalen Lösungswettkampf.
Diesem Turnier ... lagen zum Teil sehr knifflige Probleme zugrunde. Es sei für unsere Löser vorausgeschickt, daß die Aufgaben zum Teil mehrfach nebenlösig sind, mitunter eine partieunmögliche Stellung vortäuschen oder auch haben. Die Illegalität der Stellung ist zu beweisen." (2021-10-09)
A.Buchanan: Wow, thanks Mario! This is a great example then of how one can't understand a problem sometimes, without knowing the context in which it's composed. How should we classify this one here in PDB? (2021-10-09)
A.Buchanan: Since illegality is the intention, it's not cooked. And it's a joke. bBb6 is a weasel. So much is clear, but I am uncertain whether to use the descriptive keyword "illegal position" or "no legal last move for black" or something else. The latter is actually a retro-stalemate (defined as a one-sided illegal position). However, 'retro-stalemate' as a keyword it has the sense more of applying to retro compositions where a retro-stalemate is sought in the history of the game, not Article 15 cases where the diagram is already one-sidedly illegal. So I think we should keep the keyword 'no legal last move for black'. (2021-10-10)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black (illegal), Joke
Genre: 2#
FEN: krN5/pN6/bp1K4/1B6/2Q5/8/R7/8
Reprints: 2196 Wiener Schach-Zeitung 15 08/1932
26 Deutsche Zeitung (Celje, Dravabanat) 23/10/1932
Input: Felber, Volker, 2011-11-08
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-05 more...
59 - P1248622
Oleksiy I. Borisenko
1674 Zadachi i etyudy 01-04/2003
2. ehrende Erwähnung
P1248622
(9+3)
s#5
b) -wBg2
a) 1. hxg6ep+ Kh5 2. Dd1+ Kh6 3. Dh5+ Kxh5 4. g4+ Kh6 5. f4 hxg6#
b) 1. Dd1 g4 2. Dh1+ g3 3. f4 g2 4. Dxg2 Kxh5 5. Dg6+ hxg6#
play all play one stop play next play all
Anton Baumann: Retro: Warum soll Dxc1+ g7-g5 illegal sein?
s#5: a) & b) C+ Gustav 4.2a (2024-02-05)
Henrik Juel: You are right, Anton
The keyword 'No legal last move for Black' should be deleted (2024-02-05)
comment
Keywords: En passant as key, No legal last move for Black
Genre: s#, Retro
FEN: 8/7p/4NB1k/4PKpP/4P3/8/5PP1/2Q5
Input: Frank Müller, 2012-09-16
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2017-10-04 more...
60 - P1280468
Michael Schlosser
c 90 Jahre Schachkomposition in Chemnitz 31/05/2008
150 Jahre Vereinsschach in Chemnitz
P1280468
(6+3) cooked
#3
3 Lösungen
1) 1. Tg1 b6 2. Lf6 gxf6 3. g7#
2) 1. Tf1 b6 2. Tf6 gxf6 3. Lxf6#
3) 1. Lf7 b6 2. Lxg7+ Kxg7 3. h8=D#
play all play one stop play next play all
Cook: Black has no last move. And there's no solution with Black to move.
Stefan Felber: Schwarz hatte keinen letzten Zug, muß also anziehen. Kein Matt in 3 Zügen möglich! (2013-11-16)
A.Buchanan: This problem has no intention of being retro. Fortunately, it is easily fixable: shift wK to c4 & sBb7 to c6. (a-file will work as well, but surely c-file is more entertaining!) (2021-10-10)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Superseded by (P1394606), No legal last move for Black (unintended), no solution
Genre: 3#
Computer test: C+ Popeye v4.87
FEN: 6Bk/1p4pP/6P1/1K6/8/8/8/B6R
Input: Rainer Staudte, 2013-11-16
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-04 more...
61 - P1338617
Vladimir V. Kuzmichev
7054 Seven Chess Notes 140 09/2017
P1338617
(6+1) C+
#3
1. ... Kxb4 Kd4 2. Kxa3 Kc3 3. Ka2 Lc2#
2. Kxa5 Kc5 3. Kxa6 Lc6#
1. Ta2?? Kxb4 2. Tb5+ Kc3,Kc4 3. Tc2# aber: Schwarz ist am Zug!
play all play one stop play next play all
Yoav Ben-Zvi: The try 1.R-a2? Kxb4 2.R-b5+ (refuted because it is Black to move) adds to the appeal of this problem. (2017-09-03)
A.Buchanan: Alas this is surely anticipated by P1141562, although the additional pawn usefully removes one redundant retro try. (2021-10-12)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Rex solus (s), No legal last move for Black, anticipated (P1141562), Quasi-symmetrical position
Genre: 3#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye Windows-64Bit v4.63 (1805 MB)
FEN: 8/8/P7/R7/BBk1K3/R7/8/8
Input: Frank Müller, 2017-09-02
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-12 more...
62 - P1353685
Eugeniusz Iwanow
33 Problemista 11/1961
1. ehrende Erwähnung
Section Fairies
P1353685
(6+3) C+
#2
1. ... d7-d6 Lg8-h7! d6-d5 2. e4xd5#
1. ... f7-f6 Lf8-d6! f6-f5 2. e4xf5#

1. e4-e5?
1. ... d7-d5 2. e5xd6ep#
1. ... f7-f5 2. e5xf6ep#
(retro try, it's BTM)
play all play one stop play next play all
Polnisches Championat 1945-1970
27. Platz
A.Buchanan: For some reason this lovely problem had incorrectly been marked as cooked! (2021-10-08)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Homebase
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: Popeye 4.67
FEN: 2K1kBB1/3p1pP1/8/8/4P3/4R3/8/8
Reprints: 36 Problemista 7 02/1962
542 Problemista 01-02/1966
XXVII Szachy 02/1974
Input: Marcin Banaszek, 2018-08-14
Last update: Marcin Banaszek, 2024-02-01 more...
63 - P1371205
Michael Schlosser
1906 Gaudium 215 24/12/2019
Weihnachts- und Neujahrsgruß an alle Gaudium-Leser
P1371205
(4+2) C+
Matt in wieviel Zügen?
1. ... Kxg8! 2. Ke7 Kh8 3. Sf6 gxf6 4. Kf7 f5 5. g7+ Kh7 6. g8=D+ Kh6 7. Dg6#

1. Sf6? gxf6 2. Kf7 f5 3. g7# ist nur Verführung, da S keinen letzten Zug hat
play all play one stop play next play all
Mate in 6 not 3
A.Buchanan: Nice big gap between the actual and unique retro try solution lengths. (2021-10-12)
more ...
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Promotion, Miniature, Minimal (b)
Genre: Retro, 3#, n#
Computer test: Popeye 4.61
FEN: 4N1Bk/6p1/4K1P1/8/8/8/8/8
Input: Rainer Staudte, 2019-12-31
Last update: Gunter Jordan, 2022-05-29 more...
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 - P1381928
Guus Rol
www.chess.com 14/11/2020
P1381928
(4+5) C+
#1
a) 1. Df5#,De6#,Df7#? aber Schwarz ist am Zug!
a) 1. ... Kxg6 2. Df5#
1. ... Lxg4 2. Df7#
1. ... Lxg6 2. De6#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61
missing variation: 1. ... Kxg6 2. Df5#
If White had the move, 1.Df7,De6,Df5# would mate immediately
But Black has no last move, so he has the move, and his three possibilities are met with just these mates (2020-11-15)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Fleck Theme (3)
Genre: Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61
FEN: 8/6p1/3K1kPb/3Q2pb/6P1/8/8/8
Input: A.Buchanan, 2020-11-15
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2020-11-17 more...
66 - P1386945
Werner Keym
Augsburger Allgemeine 13/02/2021
P1386945
(6+1) C+
#2
1. ... Kxh7! 2. Le4+ Kg8 3. Sh6#
1. ... Kxf7! 2. Lf8 Ke6 3. Dd5#
2. ... Ke8 3. De7#
1. Sh6+? Kxh7 2. Le4#
play all play one stop play next play all
Schwarz hat keinen letzten Zug!
A.Buchanan: Werner opened my eyes to the delights of these “official jokes” sanctioned by Codex Article 15 through his book Eigenartige Schachprobleme. The animation does not handle them well, as the move numbering and the ordering has to be distorted as here (2021-03-04)
A.Buchanan: I expect that Werner will be delighted with this one, as it has very clean solutions and retro try, which is his aim. (2021-03-04)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Miniature, Symmetrical position, No legal last move for Black, Aristocrat, Rex solus (s), Asymmetrical solution
Genre: Retro, 2#
Computer test: Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2021-03-03)
FEN: 6k1/5NBN/8/6Q1/8/8/6B1/6K1
Input: Gerd Wilts, 2021-03-03
Last update: Alfred Pfeiffer, 2021-07-30 more...
67 - P1388352
Waleri N. Woinow
8637 Seven Chess Notes 2020
Lob
P1388352
(4+3) C+
#4
1. ... axb4! 2. Sb2 b3 3. Lc6 Ka5 4. Lb5 a6 5. Sc4#
2. ... Ka5 3. Lb7 b3 4. Sc4+ Ka4 5. Lc6#
3. ... a6 4. Lc6 b3 5. Sc4#

1. Sb2? axb4 2. Sc4 b3 3. Kc6 b2 4. Lb7# aber Schwarz am Zug!
play all play one stop play next play all
A.Buchanan: Ideally, I'd like to start the solution count at Black's move zero, but this is not supported by the animation currently. So we start at B1 and finish with W5. The challenge is that then B1 is interpreted as a *defence* to W1 retro try! A workaround is to put the solution B1-W5 *before* the retro try W1-W4. Would also like some "restart" symbol in the animation, to say: ok forget all the history. (2021-04-10)
more ...
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Miniature
Genre: n#, Retro
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61 plus simple retro thinking.
FEN: B7/p7/k7/p1K5/NB6/8/8/8
Input: Rainer Staudte, 2021-04-09
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-04-10 more...
68 - P1394484
Andrew Buchanan
A The Problemist Supplement 174, p. 182, 09/2021
Motto="U for Uplex"
P1394484
(4+3) C+
h#2.5 Duplex
w) 1. a2 a6 2. Ka3 Ta5#
s) 1. b2 Td5 2. b1=D Td3 3. Db2#
play all play one stop play next play all
BTM in both twins.
Numerous retro tries but none distinct in the retro twin w).
AB: Duplex means that there is a twin where B/W roles are reversed. If we can deduce who must have the move then, e.g. in a helpmate, one of those twins will lose the first single move. So here it's Black to move, and the twins are BWBWB# (Black checkmating White) and BWBW# (White checkmating Black). "Uplex" is not a Fairy Condition - it's just an identifier of an obvious idea for retro-active compositions, which curiously hasn't been explored before, as far as Geoff Foster and I can see.
Henrik Juel: Thanks for the explanation, Andrew
Here Black has no last move, so he has the move
1.b2 Td5 2.b1=D Td3 3.Db2#
1.a2 a6 2.Ka3 Ta5#
C+ Popeye 4.61 (using 'sti h#2.5 opt hal' and 'sti h#2') (2021-10-09)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Miniature, Character problem (U)
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Last move analysis + Popeye 4.61
FEN: 8/8/8/P1R5/k1P5/ppK5/8/8
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-08
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-06 more...
69 - P1394485
Andrew Buchanan
B The Problemist Supplement 174, p. 182, 09/2021
P1394485
(16+15) C+
h#2.5 Duplex
w) 1. Se6 Sd5 2. Sd8 Sxc7#
s) 1. Sxd1 Kxd1 2. Se4 Se1 3. Sxf2#
play all play one stop play next play all
BTM in both twins.
Numerous retro tries but none distinct in the retro twin w).
Henrik Juel: The total number of white moves in any proof game is even, and the number of black move is odd
The different parities imply that White made the last move, so it is Black to move
1.Sxd1 Kxd1 2.Se4 Se1 3.Sxf#
1.Se6 Sd5 2.Sd8 Sxc7#
C+ Popeye 4.61 (2021-10-09)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Parity Argument
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Parity counting + Popeye 4.61
FEN: r1b1kb1r/pppppppp/8/2n5/8/2nNN3/PPPPPPPP/R1BQKB1R
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-08
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-06 more...
70 - P1394486
Geoff Foster
Andrew Buchanan

C The Problemist Supplement 174, p. 182, 09/2021
P1394486
(16+16) C+
h#2.5 Duplex
w) 1. e5 Sxg7+ 2. Ke7 Sd5#
s) 1. g6 d3 2. Lh6 Kd2 3. Sf3#
play all play one stop play next play all
BTM in both twins
Numerous retro tries but none distinct in the retro twin w).
Henrik Juel: A parity argument shows that it is Black to move
1.g6 d3 2.Lh6 Kd2 3.Sf3#
1.e5 Sxg7# 2.Ke7 Sd5#
C+ Popeye 4.61 (2021-10-09)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Parity Argument, Capture-free
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Parity counting + Popeye 4.61
FEN: r1bqkb1r/pppppppp/3n4/6nN/8/2N5/PPPPPPPP/R1BQKB1R
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-08
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-06 more...
71 - P1394487
Andrew Buchanan
D The Problemist Supplement 174, p. 182, 09/2021
P1394487
(15+15) C+
h#3 Duplex
w) 1. Sb4 Sg5 2. Sc6 Se6 3. Sd8 Sxc7#
s) 1. Sb4 Sf3 2. Sd3 Se1 3. Sxf2#
play all play one stop play next play all
BTM in both twins
Numerous retro tries but none distinct in the retro twin s).
Henrik Juel: A parity argument shows that it White to move
Popeye 4.61 found lots of solutions with 'sti h#3 opt hal' and none with 'sti h#2.5' (2021-10-09)
Henrik Juel: Here are the correct details of the parity argument
White has made an odd number of moves (K odd, TT odd, SS even, P odd)
Black has mad an even number of moves (K even, TT even, SS even, PP even)
So White made last move, and it is Black to move
1.Sb4 Sg5 2.Sc6 Se6 3.Sd8 Sxc7# (White mates, 'h#3')
1.Sb4 Sf3 2.Sd3 Se1 3.Sxf2# (Black mates, 'h#2.5 opt hal')
C+ Popeye 4.61 (2021-10-09)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Parity Argument
Genre: h#, Retro
Computer test: HC+ Parity counting + Popeye 4.61
FEN: 2b1kbrn/rppppppN/p6p/8/8/P7/nPPPPPPP/1RBK1BNR
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-08
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-06 more...
72 - P1394488
Geoff Foster
E The Problemist Supplement 174, p. 182, 09/1021
P1394488
(3+3) C+
h#4 Duplex
w) 1. [...] Kf3! Sc5 2. Sb4 Kd4 3. Kf4! Sc4 4. Se2#
s) 1. Ke5 Kc5! 2. Se4+ Kb5 3. Kd5! Sf5 4. Se5 Sc7#
play all play one stop play next play all
BTM in both twins as Black in check. This is deemed insufficient to make a problem "retro".
Henrik Juel: Ke4 stands in check, so it is Black to move
1.Ke5 Kc5 2.Se4+ Kb5 3.Kd5 Sf5 4.Se5 Sc7#
1.Kf3 Sc5 2.Sb4 Kd4 3.Kf4 Sc4 4.Se2#
C+ Popeye 4.61
Crude analysis, but nice play (2021-10-09)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black (check), Aristocrat, Miniature, Tempo Move (K,k)
Genre: h#
Computer test: C+ Popeye 4.61
FEN: 8/8/N1nN4/8/2K1k3/6n1/8/8
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-08
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-07 more...
73 - P1394496
Vladimir Archakov
Andrew Buchanan

PDB Website 10/10/2021
VA, correction AB
P1394496
(15+3) C+
#2*
Set Play
1. ... Kxh1 2. Kf2#
1. ... Kxh3 2. Sf4#
1. ... Kxf3 2. Lb7#
BTM
1. ... hxg5 2. Sc3
2. ... Kxh1 3. Kf2#
2. ... Kxh3 3. Lf1#
2. ... Kxf3 3. 0-0#
play all play one stop play next play all
Corrects P0000914.
Black to move.
Missing White unit captured on h-file. So wPa promoted, hence 11 necessary captures by White, within budget.
more ...
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black, Mutate (2), Castling (wk)
Genre: 2#, Retro
Computer test: Henrik Juel: C+ Popeye 4.61 (2021-10-10)
FEN: 8/6PR/B6p/6BP/3P2Np/5P1P/3PN1kP/Q3K2R
Input: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-10
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-08-15 more...
74 - P1395005

1 International Solving Match 1946
P1395005
(5+4)
#2
1. ... b5 2. Dd4+,Dg1+ c5 3. Dxc5#
2. Da5 b4/c5/Lb7+ 3. Dc5#/Sxb5#/axb7# (trial)
1. ... c5 2. Sb5#
1. ... Lb7+ 2. axb7#

1. Da3? b5/c5/Lb7+ 2. Dc5#/Sb5#/axb7# but BTM
play all play one stop play next play all
Mir liegt nur die Broschüre mit den Aufgaben vor (ohne Autor- und Lösungsangabe), für deren Komposition 1946 die Mitglieder des "Nederlandse Bond van Probleemvrienden" verantwortlich waren.
Das Besondere an diesem Löserwettbewerb war, daß zu den Aufgaben auch solche mit mehreren Lösungen, unlösbare sowie mit retroanalytischen Inhalt gehörten.
(s.a. Henrik Juels Kommentar zu P0004647)
Henrik Juel: It is clearly Black to move
0... b5! 1.Dd4+,Dg1+ c5 2.Dxc5#
0... b5! 1.Da5 b4/c5/Lb7+ 2.Dc5/Sxb5/axb7#
Trial 1.Dd4+,Dg1+,Da5 (2021-10-29)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: b1K5/k1NP4/Ppp5/8/8/8/8/Q7
Input: Mario Richter, 2021-10-29
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2021-10-30 more...
75 - P1395682
J. Rada
8 International Solving Match 1948
P1395682
(11+5)
#2
1. Kc8,Kd8,Ke6,Ke7,Ke8
1. Ta4,Tb4,Tc4,Te4,Tf4
1. Tg1,Tg3,Tg4,Tg5+,Tg6,Txg7
1. La6,Lb1,Lb5,Lc2,Lc4,Le2+,Lf1,Lf5,Lg6+
1. Lc1,Ld2,Lf2,Lg1
1. a8=D,a8=T,a8=L,a8=S
1. axb8=D,axb8=T,axb8=L,axb8=S
1. h8=D,h8=T,h8=L,h8=S
1. f7
1. fxg7
1. hxg7
play all play one stop play next play all
zuletzt kann nicht R: 1. ... Kg6-h5,Kg6xYh5 geschehen sein, weil nach dem forcierten R: 2. gxf6ep f7-f5 eine illegale Position des wK entstünde

92 Punkte
Henrik Juel: The retroplay seems to have been something like
R: 1... Kg6-h5 2.g5xf6ep+ f7-f5?
but this prevents Kd7 from getting home to e1, so Black has the move
Several solutions, even in 1.0 moves, e.g. 0... gxh6 1.Lg6,Le2# (2021-11-10)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black
Genre: 2#, Retro
FEN: 1b4N1/PppK2pP/5P1P/7k/3R3P/3BB3/6R1/8
Input: Mario Richter, 2021-11-10
Last update: Mario Richter, 2021-11-10 more...
76 - P1397454
Valentin Balanovsky
117 Problemist Yuga 5-6 07-12/1997
P1397454
(7+1)
Matt in wievielen Zügen?
Schwarz hat keien legalen letzten Zug, zieht also an:

1. ... Kxa5 2. Db6#
1. ... Kxa3 2. Db3#
1. ... Kxc5 2. Db6#
1. ... Kxc3 2. Dc4#
play all play one stop play next play all
Henrik Juel: HC+ Popeye 4.61
The human contribution is ensuring that it is Black to move, because he has no last move (2021-12-25)
comment
Keywords: No legal last move for Black
Genre: Retro
FEN: 8/8/4Q3/P1P5/1k6/N1N5/8/2KB4
Input: Mario Richter, 2021-12-25
Last update: Mario Richter, 2021-12-25 more...
77 - P1402593
Andrew Buchanan
PDB Website 09/07/2022
after G.P.Latzel
P1402593
(10+4)
h#1.75 (-:
hint rot13: pbqrk negvpyr svsgrra
0. ... [-bPg5] 1. Lxb3 Ta8#
play all play one stop play next play all
Clearly an unfinished move joke. By a usual convention for these things, a player might be halfway through a castling, an en passant, or a promotion. 1.75 is nearly 2.0, so Black would be the moving player.

Black is not in the middle of an e.p. or castling, so the only possibility is a promotion. Black has lifted up the pawn, to replace it with an officer on the 8th rank. However, White has apparently made 12 pawn captures, accounting for all missing Black units, so Black is not part way through promoting a pawn.

Therefore it's not Black in the middle of a move. By a joke application of Article 15, we say that it's *White* in the middle of a move instead. So 1.75 - 0.5 = 1.25 and it's h#1.25.

- White can't be part way through a promotion, because all White pawns are on the board.
- If White were in the middle of castling, then the pawn capture balance would be ok, but Black would have no prior move.
- If White were in the middle of en passant h5xg6, then bPg5 can help with capture balance, but still there is one capture short for the balance.
- So White is in the middle of en passant f5xg6. If we complete the joke move by removing bPg5, then the position is legal, with 12 White pawn captures and 13 missing Black units. A sound h#1 awaits.
After P0004346
Henrik Juel: Not completion of 0-0-0, because Black has no last move
Completion of f5xg6ep is feasible, and then 1.Lxb3 Ta8#
Stipulation should be h#1.25, I think (2022-07-10)
A.Buchanan: Hi Henrik: it’s intended to be h#1.75 :-) Can black complete any Valladao move? And if not then what do we do? :-) (2022-07-10)
Henrik Juel: Thanks Andrew
So Black must complete a move, but his four men are stuck, and white pawns captured the remaining 12 black men; so there is nothing for Black to complete
Looks like a weird joke... (2022-07-10)
A.Buchanan: Sorry you don't like the Valladao joke Henrik. "1.75 minus 0.5 = 1.25" is a novel way to combine "unfinished move" with Article 15. I also like the fact that all the cases of pawn capture counting are exact, with no "retro dressing" unit purely to contribute to a balance.s (2022-07-10)
comment
Keywords: Joke, Complete an unfinished move, En passant, Castling (wg Not!), Promotion (Not!), No legal last move for Black
Genre: h#, Retro
FEN: 7k/5p1P/5PPP/1P4p1/b7/1P6/6PP/R1K5
Input: A.Buchanan, 2022-07-10
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-12-08 more...
78 - P1405053
Norman L. Guinasso
1662 Los Angeles Times 18/11/1945
P1405053
(5+2) cooked
#3
1. S4b6? axb6 2. c4 b5 3. cxb5#
play all play one stop play next play all
Cook: Schwarz hat keinen letzten Zug, und mit Schwarz am Zug gibt es kein 3#
SCHRECKE: Schwarz hat keinen letzten Zug! (2022-10-10)
Henrik Juel: So it is Black to move, and he is stalemated (2022-10-10)
Rainer Staudte: Eine Korrektur wäre einfach, z. B. durch Verschiebung um eine Reihe nach unten. Aber wäre das Autorabsicht? (2022-10-10)
A.Buchanan: According to the Codex, mere illegality does not cook a problem or even make it unsound. But in the grunting world of PDB data fields, we only have "cooked" to express all degrees of structural displeasure. If I was fixing the problem, I would stick wLa8 on h1 instead. For then we have the tiny satisfaction of knowing that Black's last move was R: 1. Kb7xTa6.
This author is unknown to WinChloe, and only has one other problem in YAC. (I have added it here.) Amazingly, WinChloe has not heard of the LA Times either! (2022-10-11)
A.Buchanan: It's a rare name: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62652231/norman-l-guinasso 1920-1978 might fit as a California memorial. There's then a Norman L. Guinasso Jr, whose age might fit as a son, who retired as a Professor of Oceanography in 2015 (2022-10-11)
A.Buchanan: Or replace wLa8 with wBc6. (sBb7 also works, but is still illegal!) (2022-10-11)
more ...
comment
Keywords: Minimal, Miniature, No legal last move for Black (unintended), Superseded by (P1413729)
Genre: 3#
FEN: B1N5/p7/k7/8/1KN5/2P5/8/8
Input: Rainer Staudte, 2022-10-10
Last update: A.Buchanan, 2023-11-28 more...
79 - 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...
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