Maddening little problem

Helpmate in 3
a) diagram
b) -Nb7

In a helpmate, Black moves first, and both sides collaborate to checkmate Black within the time given.

i've never done one of these before but how about...

...Nd8 cxd8=Q+..Kxd8 b7 oh whoops that attacks c8 square so ..Kc8 b8=Q# is no good. not to mention it's not even mate lol

but is that the correct number of moves for a helpmate? would that be a successful helpmate in 3 were black to be checkmated at the end?

In a helpmate, Black moves first, and both sides collaborate to checkmate Black within the time given.[/b]

could do it two different ways with white checkmating on their 4th move...
on the 3rd, can't see how... yet...

Originally posted by Aetherael
i've never done one of these before but how about...

...Nd8 cxd8=Q+..Kxd8 b7 oh whoops that attacks c8 square so ..Kc8 b8=Q# is no good. not to mention it's not even mate lol

but is that the correct number of moves for a helpmate? would that be a successful helpmate in 3 were black to be checkmated at the end?

Yes, you get three moves for each side. White's 3rd move should give mate.

Originally posted by SwissGambit
[fen]b1k5/KnP5/1P6/8/8/8/8/8[/fen]
Helpmate in 3
a) diagram
b) -Nb7

In a helpmate, Black moves first, and both sides collaborate to checkmate Black within the time given.

it seems you r a genious i could find 5 ways for mate in 4 but......

That was annoying!

Originally posted by alexdino
it seems you r a genious i could find 5 ways for mate in 4 but......

This one is not my composition. I usually don't give the composer's name right away, to avoid people "solving" by just looking up the name.

These days, most composers will computer-test a problem before they have it printed, just to make sure there are no unwanted solutions.

Originally posted by Jirakon
That was annoying!

Isn't it, though? For some reason, I was stalled on a), but got b) really quickly once I set a) aside for a bit.

Very hard.

What do you mean by -Nb7 in (b)?

ARGHHHHHHH
I noticed now....
I started solving the problem with the white king in a6...... gonna start all over....

No way... there' no solution...
Initially, there are only 5 moves... 4 with knight, one with king.
Neither gives mate in 3 by white.

Originally posted by serigado
No way... there' no solution...
Initially, there are only 5 moves... 4 with knight, one with king.
Neither gives mate in 3 by white.

Once you have the correct idea for limiting King squares, the problem is much easier. Quite annoying though until you find it!

Originally posted by sb3700
What do you mean by -Nb7 in (b)?

It means that you are to remove the Nb7 from the diagram and find another helpmate in 3.

argh... PM a clue, please... I'm going nuts...

well if you take out Nb7 than its ok: 1.a8-c6 1.b6-b7;2.c8-d7 2.c7-c8(bishop) 3.d7-c7 3.b7-b8(Queen) =mate
But i can't wait to see it done with Nb7