Originally posted by JirakonIt is better to say "one solution with two variations", since "two solutions" usually implies different first moves.
Black
[fen]rnb1k1nr/p4ppp/8/1N6/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKB1R[/fen]
White
Position after White's 7th move. 2 solutions.
Not very long, but it might be a fun little exercise.
If you solve it, send me your solution so others can try.
1 edit
Originally posted by JirakonI've seen PG's labeled 'two solutions' when they had the same first few moves before. The convention '2 variations' is seen more in helpmates, to indicate to the solver that the composer does not intend for the first move or two to differ from one sol to the other.
"two solutions" usually implies different first moves.
Really? I've always thought "two solutions" simply implies two different strategies, not necessarily different first moves. And anyway, you said "usually", so I can be an exception 😛
For example, this problem:
...is given as PG 10.0, 2 solutions, even though the first 2 ply are the same in each.
I agree with David113 that it is more logical to say '2 variations', but the the convention is not hard and fast when it comes to PG's, at least.