My first proof game!

Black

White

Or at least, my first good one (I guess you'll be the judge of that). This was the position after Black's 20th move. Construct the game.

*(please don't get cooked)*

Originally posted by Jirakon
Black
[fen]1k1rnQn1/ppprbpp1/2Rp2p1/1b2p2B/2P1P1P1/2N2K2/PP1P1P1P/1RB3q1[/fen]
White

Or at least, my first good one (I guess you'll be the judge of that). This was the position after Black's 20th move. Construct the game.

*(please don't get cooked)*

Good to see some interest in composing PG's here!

However, this one, like many first ventures, is ill-fated. My girlfriend cooked this one while I was mixing a drink.

1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Qh4 3. Ne2 d6 4. Nf4 Bd7 5. Ng6 hxg6 6. Qh7 Bb5 7. Be2 Nh6
8. Bh5 Be7 9. g4 Nd7 10. Rg1 O-O-O 11. Rg3 Kb8 12. Rc3 Nf6 13. Rc6 Rd7 14.
c4 Rhd8 15. Qg8 Ne8 16. Qf8 Ng8 17. Nc3 Qg3 18. Ke2 Qg2 19. Rb1 Qg1 20. Kf3

Obviously, Black could have lost a move somewhere along the way to extend the length to 20.0.

Hope to see some more versions to test. Keep at it!

All right, I'm pretty sure I know where I went wrong. Maybe I should backtrack a few moves:

Black

White

17.5 Moves (Position after White's 18th move)

Oh, and if you don't cook it *(crosses fingers)*, send me the solution so others can try.

Originally posted by Jirakon
All right, I'm pretty sure I know where I went wrong. Maybe I should backtrack a few moves:

Black
[fen]1k1r1bn1/ppp1rpp1/2RpQnp1/1b2p2B/2P1P1P1/2N2K2/PP1P1P1P/1RB3q1[/fen]
White

17.5 Moves (Position after White's 18th move)

Oh, and if you don't cook it *(crosses fingers)*, send me the solution so others can try.

This one got cooked by Natch [testing software]:

1. Nh3 e5 2. Nf4 Qh4 3. Ng6 hxg6 4. e4 Rh5 5. Be2 Rf5 6. Bh5 Rf6 7. Qg4 Re6
8. Rg1 Re7 9. Qe6 d6 10. g4 Bd7 11. Rg3 Bb5 12. Rc3 Nd7 13. Rc6 O-O-O 14.
c4 Qg3 15. Ke2 Qg1 16. Kf3 Kb8 17. Nc3 Ndf6 18. Rb1

Question: What is the idea of this PG? Is it just the Rh8 to e7 maneuver? If that's all it is, why not just stop after Re7?

Okay, this time there's no doubt. This one is definitely unique (and the strategy is a little different):

Black

White

17.0 moves (this was the position after Black's 17th move).
The problem was just a little misplacement by the pawn.

*(I know I sounded confident, but I really don't want this to be cooked again)*

Originally posted by Jirakon
Okay, this time there's no doubt. This one is definitely unique (and the strategy is a little different):

Black
[fen]1k1r1bn1/ppp1rpp1/2RpQnp1/1b2p2B/4P1P1/2N2K2/PPPP1P1P/1RB3q1[/fen]
White

17.0 moves (this was the position after Black's 17th move).
The problem was just a little misplacement by the pawn.

*(I know I sounded confident, but I really don't want this to be cooked again)*

Looks sound to me [and C+ by Natch.]

Note: C+ means 'computer tested'.

Looks sound to me [and C+ by Natch.]

Sweet! My first 15+ move proof game! This is the greatest day...in some time.

I'm wondering whether this is really that good, or you're all just trying to make me feel good by holding off on your solutions.

Originally posted by Jirakon
I'm wondering whether this is really that good, or you're all just trying to make me feel good by holding off on your solutions.

One thing that might improve it is for the Rook maneuver to be motivated by something other than the move count. [It's obvious that it must go around the front of the pawn island, because the alternative, switchbacks of Bf8 and Ng8 to let it through, takes one move longer.]

The other consideration is thematic. The main point of the problem seems to be the Rh8's route to e7. Once he lands there, why does the problem continue? The remaining moves have a unique sequence, but nothing special happens in them. Unless you're trying to set a length record, you generally don't want to tack moves on the end if they add nothing to the main theme of the problem.

Still, this is a good start. The sequencing tools learned during the process of getting this one sound are vital for making sound PG's in general.

Wait, so... did you solve it or what?

Originally posted by Jirakon
Wait, so... did you solve it or what?

I solved the 2nd attempt [but I couldn't find the cook - the comp got that].

So send me your solution to the third one. A proof game is not as satisfying without someone to solve it.

Originally posted by Jirakon
So send me your solution to the third one. A proof game is not as satisfying without someone to solve it.

1. Nh3 e5 2. Nf4 Qh4 3. Ng6 hxg6 4. e4 Rh5 5. Be2 Rf5 6. Bh5 Rf6 7. Qg4 Re6
8. Ke2 Re7 9. Qe6 d6 10. g4 Qg3 11. Re1 Qg1 12. Kf3 Bd7 13. Re3 Bb5 14. Rc3
Nd7 15. Rc6 O-O-O 16. Nc3 Kb8 17. Rb1 Ndf6