Posers and Puzzles
21 Apr 05
21 Apr 05
The usual definition of a forced mate is one in which no matter what one player does, the other can ensure checkmate by optimal play.
But can you think of a position in which no matter what the players do, checkmate within a certain number of moves is completely unavoidable? A more difficult challenge is to think of a position with such a forced mate, but one in which the mate may take several moves to occur. How many moves away from the inevitable mate can you manage?
22 Apr 05
Originally posted by Acolyte
The usual definition of a forced mate is one in which no matter what one player does, the other can ensure checkmate by optimal play.
But can you think of a position in which no matter what the players do, checkmate within a certain number of moves is completely unavoidable? A more difficult challenge is to think of a position with such a forced mate, bu ...[text shortened]... e may take several moves to occur. How many moves away from the inevitable mate can you manage?
OK this is my best effort.
White has 2 black bishops as he has "queened" one of his pawns into a bishop (bishoped?) I think the position is legal.
With white to move, it's inevtiable that he can only move his pawn, which will reach the 8th rank in 6 moves, before the black king can take it. No other pieces can move.
Of course, this only works providing white doesn't turn his pawn into another bishop or a knight!!! 🙂
22 Apr 05
Originally posted by AcolyteMy best effort is here:
The usual definition of a forced mate is one in which no matter what one player does, the other can ensure checkmate by optimal play.
But can you think of a position in which no matter what the players do, checkmate within a certain number of moves is completely unavoidable? A more difficult challenge is to think of a position with such a forced mate, bu ...[text shortened]... e may take several moves to occur. How many moves away from the inevitable mate can you manage?
http://www.redhotpawn.com/board/showthread.php?threadid=22215&page=2
...although it involves lots of promoted force!
Noam Elkies has done a mate in 10 (!):
http://www.xs4all.nl/~timkr/chess2/diary.htm
Item 267.