1. Standard memberTimmyBx
    TacticsTime.com
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Joined
    26 Mar '07
    Moves
    30333
    20 Nov '11 23:48
    This was an interesting thread on reddit.com

    http://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/mijy0/a_counting_exercise/

    The poster asked: How many different ending positions exist where white delivers a checkmate on his third move? To get you started: there are 4 different ending positions where black delivers a checkmate on his second move. Can't be too hard, can it?

    It took me several tries, and I kept finding new ones.

    If you want to see my answer and analysis, I posted it on my chess blog at: http://tacticstime.com/?p=1439

    I suggest trying it yourself! It was a lot of fun actually 🙂

    Cheers,
    Timmy
  2. Joined
    18 Jun '11
    Moves
    1179
    21 Nov '11 00:17
    I think you missed the most obvious one:
  3. Standard memberTimmyBx
    TacticsTime.com
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Joined
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    30333
    21 Nov '11 00:271 edit
    Yep! You are right, I did!! lol 🙂 Thanks!! I updated my list to include it 🙂
  4. Standard memberyosiman
    Genius
    playing chess
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    29 Sep '07
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    38842
    21 Nov '11 04:18
    Hmm how about that same variation but with e3 instead?

    Also, there are a few variations where you move the c pawn first, move the queen to c2 and then g6 mate.
  5. Standard memberTimmyBx
    TacticsTime.com
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Joined
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    21 Nov '11 04:35
    Thanks yosiman! I used your ideas to find 5 more :-)
  6. Joined
    21 Jul '04
    Moves
    38677
    21 Nov '11 21:07
    While you are solving funny psudo chess puzzles try this: Whats the shortest stalemate you can construct - Don't spoil the fun with google ;-).
  7. Joined
    16 Feb '07
    Moves
    27653
    21 Nov '11 23:24
    Originally posted by Kaoslos
    While you are solving funny psudo chess puzzles try this: Whats the shortest stalemate you can construct - Don't spoil the fun with google ;-).
    I'd be really impressed if anyone gets this without Googling the answer.
  8. Standard memberMarinkatomb
    wotagr8game
    tbc
    Joined
    18 Feb '04
    Moves
    61941
    22 Nov '11 01:07
    Originally posted by Erekose
    I'd be really impressed if anyone gets this without Googling the answer.
    I got it first time but thought i'd check it on Youtube... 😉

    YouTube
  9. e4
    Joined
    06 May '08
    Moves
    42492
    22 Nov '11 11:221 edit
    The best way to catch all the 3 move mates is to use the Help Mate
    feature which Fritz has. Start from the initial position. that should list them all.
  10. Joined
    16 Oct '09
    Moves
    2448
    22 Nov '11 12:48
    Originally posted by greenpawn34
    The best way to catch all the 3 move mates is to use the [b]Help Mate
    feature which Fritz has. Start from the initial position. that should list them all.[/b]
    ohhh GP advocating box use!
  11. Standard memberTimmyBx
    TacticsTime.com
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Joined
    26 Mar '07
    Moves
    30333
    22 Nov '11 15:41
    Originally posted by greenpawn34
    The best way to catch all the 3 move mates is to use the [b]Help Mate
    feature which Fritz has. Start from the initial position. that should list them all.[/b]
    That will list all of the mates that there are, but not give you the unique positions.

    For example the mates after.

    1. e3 f6 2. e4 g5 3. Qh5#

    is the same position as after

    1. e4 g5 2. Qf3 f6 3. Qh5#

    but Fritz would list these as different mates.

    But you are right, it is a good way to check an answer, just like putting a tactics puzzle into Fritz is the best way to check the solution to a chess tactics problem 🙂

    Or getting in a car, and driving 26.2 miles is the best way to "run" a marathon lol

    The fritz "Show all legal moves" can help also. For example the first time I tried this, I missed the tempo killing moves like Ba6 that you would never play in a real game, because they just hang a piece. You have to "think outside the box" to find them all.
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