Need some help in the analysis of a chess composition

Date: 02 Sep 2006 13:52:46
From:
Subject: Need some help in the analysis of a chess composition

I am a completely outsider to the world of chess and chess problems. I
have not played chess or solved any chess problem for the last 30
years. This afternoon I wanted to create a chess problem and II managed
to do something, but I would need someone to comment on it. I have
posted it in a blog you can find at:

http://hh-chessproblem.blogspot.com

Any help is welcome.

Jos=E9 Potrosal

Date: 08 Sep 2006 06:03:00
From:
Subject: Re: Need some help in the analysis of a chess composition

The mate in five I proposed is:

8

Date: 08 Sep 2006 05:54:21
From:
Subject: Re: Need some help in the analysis of a chess composition

> Once again, these are fine compositions. Try moving on to some other
> themes -- anything that strikes you as interesting.
>
> One thing you might do is also provide the FEN for each position, so
> people can enter the positions into their computers more easily. If you
> don't know what FEN is, you can find the definition here:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forsyth-Edwards_Notation
>
> jm

Is this a correct FEN notation for the position I posted?

8/K1P2n1p/PQP2pkp/p1p2p1p/8888 w

Two Hs one white, the other black,, white to play and mate in five

Thanks

Date: 08 Sep 2006 13:45:08
From: Anders Thulin
Subject: Re: Need some help in the analysis of a chess composition

[email protected] wrote:

> Is this a correct FEN notation for the position I posted?
>
> 8/K1P2n1p/PQP2pkp/p1p2p1p/8888 w

No: Fourth rank is p1p2p1p -- only black pieces?

and No: FEN does not allow '/' to be omitted, though there are some versions of
plain Forsyth notation that do.

and No again: FEN requires six data fields, but you have only specified two.

FEN was defined for positions from games, where castling and en-passant status
are well known, and where the 50-move clock is equally well defined.
In a problem, castling is allowed, en passant requires proof, and 50 move
clock used only in special circumstances. And white generally also moves first.
Forsyth notation is usually enough.

I suspect you intended 8/K1P2n1p/PQP2pkp/P1P2p1p/8/8/8/8

Full FEN would be: 8/K1P2n1p/PQP2pkp/P1P2p1p/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1

--
Anders Thulin ath*algonet.se http://www.algonet.se/~ath

Date: 03 Sep 2006 11:04:46
From:
Subject: Re: Need some help in the analysis of a chess composition

[email protected] wrote:
> > Chess problems really only have one requirement, that there be a unique
> > solution (or, at least, a unique first move if, like your problem, it
> > is a Mate in N).
> >
> > Therefore, your problem is acceptable, since only one move by White
> > accomplishes the Mate in 4. It's not particularly difficult, though, as
> > the answer would be one of the first two moves tried by somebody who
> > attempts to solve it.
> >
> > A very nice first attempt. Keep going....
> >
> > jm
>
> Thanks so much for the answer. This morning I have prepared a dozen
> similar problems. I found one (whito to mate in five) that has a key
> which is not that obvious, at least for me.
> If you can have a look I'll be most grateful.
> Thanks in advance
>
> http://hh-chessproblem.blogspot.com

Once again, these are fine compositions. Try moving on to some other
themes -- anything that strikes you as interesting.

One thing you might do is also provide the FEN for each position, so
people can enter the positions into their computers more easily. If you
don't know what FEN is, you can find the definition here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forsyth-Edwards_Notation

jm

Date: 03 Sep 2006 06:07:17
From:
Subject: Re: Need some help in the analysis of a chess composition

> Chess problems really only have one requirement, that there be a unique
> solution (or, at least, a unique first move if, like your problem, it
> is a Mate in N).
>
> Therefore, your problem is acceptable, since only one move by White
> accomplishes the Mate in 4. It's not particularly difficult, though, as
> the answer would be one of the first two moves tried by somebody who
> attempts to solve it.
>
> A very nice first attempt. Keep going....
>
> jm

Thanks so much for the answer. This morning I have prepared a dozen
similar problems. I found one (whito to mate in five) that has a key
which is not that obvious, at least for me.
If you can have a look I'll be most grateful.
Thanks in advance

http://hh-chessproblem.blogspot.com

Date: 03 Sep 2006 06:07:13
From:
Subject: Re: Need some help in the analysis of a chess composition

Date: 02 Sep 2006 16:54:24
From:
Subject: Re: Need some help in the analysis of a chess composition

[email protected] wrote:
> I am a completely outsider to the world of chess and chess problems. I
> have not played chess or solved any chess problem for the last 30
> years. This afternoon I wanted to create a chess problem and I managed
> to do something, but I would need someone to comment on it. I have
> posted it in a blog you can find at:
>
> http://hh-chessproblem.blogspot.com
>
> Any help is welcome.
>
> Jos=E9 Potrosal

Chess problems really only have one requirement, that there be a unique
solution (or, at least, a unique first move if, like your problem, it
is a Mate in N).

Therefore, your problem is acceptable, since only one move by White
accomplishes the Mate in 4. It's not particularly difficult, though, as
the answer would be one of the first two moves tried by somebody who
attempts to solve it.

A very nice first attempt. Keep going....

jm

Date: 02 Sep 2006 16:02:15
From:
Subject: Re: Need some help in the analysis of a chess composition

[email protected] wrote:
> I am a completely outsider to the world of chess and chess problems.

> I would need someone to comment on it [...] Any help is welcome.

I have two immediate thoughts:

1. White is probably moving "up" the board, but state whether that's
the case. You could put a white dot on his side of the board, or show
the algebraic a-h / 1-8 grid.

2. This position is unlikely to occur in a game and as far as I can
tell doesn't teach anything fundamental about chess, so I have little
inclination to solve it.

Here's what I consider a good chess problem, with similar complexity:

Diagram: http://tinyurl.com/mbz2m
FEN: k7/1p6/1K6/P1P5/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1