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Introduction to series problems

Introduction to series problems

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I'm always trying to get people into unorthodox chess problems. Series problems are one of the easier types to learn, and are fun to solve. In a series problem, one side gets to make several moves in a row.

Here's a simple example that is really easy to solve:

  • 8
  • a
  • 7
  • b
  • 6
  • c
  • 5
  • d
  • 4
  • e
  • 3
  • f
  • 2
  • g
  • 1
  • h

Series mate in 25

The stipulation means that White makes 25 moves in a row. The last move should be checkmate. White may not give check until the very last move. All other chess rules remain as normal.

Edit2: Oops, not cooked after all.

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Originally posted by SwissGambit
I'm always trying to get people into unorthodox chess problems. [b]Series problems are one of the easier types to learn, and are fun to solve. In a series problem, one side gets to make several moves in a row.

Here's a simple example that is really easy to solve:
[fen]8/2p4r/6B1/2p1b1p1/3nbp2/2pp1k2/5P2/6K1[/fen]
Series mate in 25

The stipula ...[text shortened]... very last move. All other chess rules remain as normal.

Edit2: Oops, not cooked after all.[/b]
White king back to g1 via capturing the rook and g5 pawn takes twenty four moves and then 25.Bh5+.

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Walking and catching fresh air does wonders.

Kf1-e1-d1-c1-b1-a2-a3-a4-a5-a6-a7-b8-c8-d8-e8-f8-g8-xRh7-h6-xg5-h4-h3-h2-g1-Bh5#

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OK, that one was rapidly SOLV'D - here's another.

  • 8
  • a
  • 7
  • b
  • 6
  • c
  • 5
  • d
  • 4
  • e
  • 3
  • f
  • 2
  • g
  • 1
  • h

Series helpmate in 7 - 2 solutions

Black plays 7 moves in a row, aiming for a position where white has a mate-in-1. [Yes, Black plots his own demise - that's why it's called a helpmate.]

Black may not give check until his very last move.

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Originally posted by SwissGambit
OK, that one was rapidly SOLV'D - here's another.

[fen]4k3/1K1p1p2/8/8/4N2B/8/5PB1/8[/fen]
Series helpmate in 7 - 2 solutions

Black plays 7 moves in a row, aiming for a position where white has a mate-in-1. [Yes, Black plots his own demise - that's why it's called a [b]help
mate.]

Black may not give check until his very last move.[/b]
d5-xe4-e3-e2-e1(Q)-Qe7-Qf8 then Bc6 is mate. edit: promoting to a bishop instead of queen-Bb4-Bf8 same mate

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****WARNING*****

Do not solve Swiss Gambit's problems too quickly.

He has up his sleeve some probelms that will drive you totally crazy.

If he thinks these are too easy he will clout with you one of his brain busters.

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Originally posted by greenpawn34
****WARNING*****

Do not solve Swiss Gambit's problems too quickly.

He has up his sleeve some probelms that will drive you totally crazy.

If he thinks these are too easy he will clout with you one of his brain busters.
I say bring 'em on.

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Originally posted by tomtom232
[hidden] d5-xe4-e3-e2-e1(Q)-Qe7-Qf8 then Bc6 is mate. edit: promoting to a bishop instead of queen-Bb4-Bf8 same mate[/hidden]
and the second solution that i just noticed i was supposed to find.
promote the f pawn to a rook via taking the bishop then move it to f8. Nd6 mates.

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Originally posted by tomtom232
[hidden] d5-xe4-e3-e2-e1(Q)-Qe7-Qf8 then Bc6 is mate. edit: promoting to a bishop instead of queen-Bb4-Bf8 same mate[/hidden]
SOLV'D, except for one thing.

The Queen promotion does not work - why?

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Originally posted by greenpawn34
****WARNING*****

Do not solve Swiss Gambit's problems too quickly.

He has up his sleeve some probelms that will drive you totally crazy.

If he thinks these are too easy he will clout with you one of his brain busters.
I would never do a thing like that [insert devil smiley].

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Originally posted by tomtom232
I say bring 'em on.
That's the spirit. Here is one that is harder to solve, but certainly not impossible.

  • 8
  • a
  • 7
  • b
  • 6
  • c
  • 5
  • d
  • 4
  • e
  • 3
  • f
  • 2
  • g
  • 1
  • h

Series help STALEmate in 16

Black plays 16 moves in a row, aiming for a position where white has stalemate-in-1. Remember, no checks until the final move of the sequence!

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See what you have done TomTom.

When you see the words:

"....harder to solve, but certainly not impossible."

Then you can kiss goodbye to your last strands of sanity.

Look at it. Series help STALEmate in 16

  • 8
  • a
  • 7
  • b
  • 6
  • c
  • 5
  • d
  • 4
  • e
  • 3
  • f
  • 2
  • g
  • 1
  • h


Where on earth do you begin?

Fred Reinfeld never mentioned anything like this
in his 'White to Play and Win Quickly' books.

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Originally posted by SwissGambit
SOLV'D, except for one thing.

[hidden]The Queen promotion does not work - why?[/hidden]
thats why i edited it. 😳

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Originally posted by greenpawn34
See what you have done TomTom.

When you see the words:

"....harder to solve, but certainly not impossible."

Then you can kiss goodbye to your last strands of sanity.

Look at it. Series help STALEmate in 16

[fen]6r1/8/4Q3/4P3/R1p1k1pR/5p1p/pp6/N3KB2[/fen]

Where on earth do you begin?

Fred Reinfeld never mentioned anything like this
in his 'White to Play and Win Quickly' books.
SOLV'D
just kidding. haven't even attempted yet

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Originally posted by greenpawn34
See what you have done TomTom.

When you see the words:

"....harder to solve, but certainly not impossible."

Then you can kiss goodbye to your last strands of sanity.

Look at it. Series help STALEmate in 16

[fen]6r1/8/4Q3/4P3/R1p1k1pR/5p1p/pp6/N3KB2[/fen]

Where on earth do you begin?

Fred Reinfeld never mentioned anything like this
in his 'White to Play and Win Quickly' books.
If you pay attention you'll notice that the first move can't be with the b pawn or the h pawn because that would mean there are cooks (unless they are the only chess man moved), the f pawn can't go first because it checks and the other two pawns are pinned so the first move must be a king move or one pawn moving sixteen times which is really not feasable.

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