Resurrected Proof Game

Black

White

23.0 moves (position after Black's twenty-third move)

So I was just browsing through some old threads when I found one asking for the most beautiful chess problems ever composed. SwissGambit submitted this proof game. Then I realized that no one (including myself) had attempted to solve it then. So I spent the last 45 minutes doing just that. And I do think it is indeed a very beautiful solution. Oddly enough, it is somewhat reminiscent of one of my previous proof games (those who manage to solve this and have solved the one I'm referring to will see the resemblance). Anyway, I thought it deserved its own thread for people who want to solve it and appreciate its beauty.

EDIT: Please send your solutions instead of posting them so others will have a chance to solve it.

Originally posted by Jirakon
Black
[fen]r1R2Bnk/ppp2ppp/4pR2/2pB4/N1PP4/1PP1KPP1/5PP1/1N6[/fen]
White

23.0 moves (position after Black's twenty-third move)

So I was just browsing through some old threads when I found one asking for the most beautiful chess problems ever composed. SwissGambit submitted this proof game. Then I realized that no one (including myself) had attempted ...[text shortened]... : Please send your solutions instead of posting them so others will have a chance to solve it.

I do try, but i generally just fail miserably.

Originally posted by Dejection
I do try, but i generally just fail miserably.

Originally posted by SwissGambit
You are counting minimal moves first, yes?

Originally posted by heinzkat
I have just tried doing only that, but already there I stumble on difficulties. Perhaps I'm not following the correct method.

I get 19 for white

I've never really tried solving proof games, nor read any strategy. It's something I should try though.

Originally posted by forkedknight
I get 19 for white

You also need to include the Queen's moves. How many moves must she make to get to either of the squares she could possibly have been captured on?

Im usually terrible at these proof games so i can make whites minimal number of moves to be 23
now as for blacks moves.... absolutely no idea

Originally posted by banx99
Im usually terrible at these proof games so i can make whites minimal number of moves to be 23
now as for blacks moves.... absolutely no idea

Someone can post the solution (here o by private message)?
Thanks.

alright, the major thing that's stuffing me up right now is white's white bishop and that annoying c-pawn...
but chances are i'm probably missing something here

EDIT: scratch that, make it both of white's bishops

Ask yourselves these questions: What can White do before capturing? How soon can White capture? What, then, must White capture? After that, what can Black do before capturing? How soon can Black capture? And it's obvious what Black captures.