There is only s̶i̶x̶t̶y one place he can be
$begingroup$
This puzzle is not mine, although I don't have any reference as to where it originated from. I discovered it when I was a student, some fifteen years ago. It has been among my favourite chess puzzles since then. Could be very well known or a duplicate, but I couldn't find it in the database.
The following position is legal, except that the White King (and the White King only) is not displayed. Find it.
chess
asked 15 hours ago
Arnaud MortierArnaud Mortier
1,624522
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This puzzle is not mine, although I don't have any reference as to where it originated from. I discovered it when I was a student, some fifteen years ago. It has been among my favourite chess puzzles since then. Could be very well known or a duplicate, but I couldn't find it in the database.
The following position is legal, except that the White King (and the White King only) is not displayed. Find it.
chess
asked 15 hours ago
Arnaud MortierArnaud Mortier
1,624522
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
It appears this problem may have originated from The Chess Mysteries of the Arabian Knights by Raymond Smullyan.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This puzzle is not mine, although I don't have any reference as to where it originated from. I discovered it when I was a student, some fifteen years ago. It has been among my favourite chess puzzles since then. Could be very well known or a duplicate, but I couldn't find it in the database.
The following position is legal, except that the White King (and the White King only) is not displayed. Find it.
chess
asked 15 hours ago
Arnaud MortierArnaud Mortier
1,624522
$endgroup$
This puzzle is not mine, although I don't have any reference as to where it originated from. I discovered it when I was a student, some fifteen years ago. It has been among my favourite chess puzzles since then. Could be very well known or a duplicate, but I couldn't find it in the database.
The following position is legal, except that the White King (and the White King only) is not displayed. Find it.
chess
chess
asked 15 hours ago
Arnaud MortierArnaud Mortier
1,624522
asked 15 hours ago
Arnaud MortierArnaud Mortier
1,624522
asked 15 hours ago
Arnaud MortierArnaud Mortier
1,624522
asked 15 hours ago
Arnaud MortierArnaud Mortier
1,624522
asked 15 hours ago
Arnaud MortierArnaud Mortier
1,624522
1,624522
2
$begingroup$
It appears this problem may have originated from The Chess Mysteries of the Arabian Knights by Raymond Smullyan.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
add a comment |
2
$begingroup$
It appears this problem may have originated from The Chess Mysteries of the Arabian Knights by Raymond Smullyan.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
2
2
$begingroup$
It appears this problem may have originated from The Chess Mysteries of the Arabian Knights by Raymond Smullyan.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
It appears this problem may have originated from The Chess Mysteries of the Arabian Knights by Raymond Smullyan.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
The white king must be on square
c3
Explanation:
First, we determine which side is to move. Unless the white king blocks the a4-d1 diagonal, the black king is in check. The king can't be on c2 since it would attack the black king; on b3, White would be to move but there's no way this double-check could have happened in a real game; there's no way to clear both the b3-d5 diagonal and the b3-b5 file with one move from the black rook or the black bishop. Black simply couldn't have played Bb4-d5 or Rc4-b5. So the black king is in check and White made the last move.
So, what was the last move?
The bishop can't have moved along the d1-a4 diagonal, because it would give check on c2 and d3 as well. So it must be a discovered check, caused by a move from the white king, from b3 to another square.
But ...
doesn't this lead to the same problem as before? On b3, the White king is still in double check. No, because there is a move which simultaneously clears the b3-d5 diagonal and the b3-b5 file, but it requires extra pieces: an en-passant capture from b4 to c3, capturing a pawn on c4. Since we have an extra (half-)move compared to the situation above, we can use that move to get rid of the black pawn.
So,
if White played 1. c2-c4, Black can play 1... b4xc3 e.p., White responds with 2. Kxc3 and we're in the diagram in the question with the White king on c3.
answered 15 hours ago
GlorfindelGlorfindel
14.2k45286
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
... but it doesn't include an explanation why this is the only possible solution (which took me a while to write down...)
$endgroup$
– Glorfindel
14 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@ArnaudMortier Glorfindel's answer eliminates other possibilities.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The last move in this position was Bd5+. White blocked the check with c4, black gave double check by capturing en passant bxc, and the king took the pawn on c3.
answered 15 hours ago
noednenoedne
7,78712261
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Um... to me, it looks like rot13(gur cnja vf ba p2)... :P
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
I've ROT13-ed part of the comment so that it doesn't appear as an immediate spoiler. Check the image you've posted.
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I don't see what the problem is.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
That was super quick. Did you know the problem before? Do you know where it is from?
$endgroup$
– Arnaud Mortier
14 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
Your Answer
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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$begingroup$
The white king must be on square
c3
Explanation:
First, we determine which side is to move. Unless the white king blocks the a4-d1 diagonal, the black king is in check. The king can't be on c2 since it would attack the black king; on b3, White would be to move but there's no way this double-check could have happened in a real game; there's no way to clear both the b3-d5 diagonal and the b3-b5 file with one move from the black rook or the black bishop. Black simply couldn't have played Bb4-d5 or Rc4-b5. So the black king is in check and White made the last move.
So, what was the last move?
The bishop can't have moved along the d1-a4 diagonal, because it would give check on c2 and d3 as well. So it must be a discovered check, caused by a move from the white king, from b3 to another square.
But ...
doesn't this lead to the same problem as before? On b3, the White king is still in double check. No, because there is a move which simultaneously clears the b3-d5 diagonal and the b3-b5 file, but it requires extra pieces: an en-passant capture from b4 to c3, capturing a pawn on c4. Since we have an extra (half-)move compared to the situation above, we can use that move to get rid of the black pawn.
So,
if White played 1. c2-c4, Black can play 1... b4xc3 e.p., White responds with 2. Kxc3 and we're in the diagram in the question with the White king on c3.
answered 15 hours ago
GlorfindelGlorfindel
14.2k45286
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
... but it doesn't include an explanation why this is the only possible solution (which took me a while to write down...)
$endgroup$
– Glorfindel
14 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@ArnaudMortier Glorfindel's answer eliminates other possibilities.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The white king must be on square
c3
Explanation:
First, we determine which side is to move. Unless the white king blocks the a4-d1 diagonal, the black king is in check. The king can't be on c2 since it would attack the black king; on b3, White would be to move but there's no way this double-check could have happened in a real game; there's no way to clear both the b3-d5 diagonal and the b3-b5 file with one move from the black rook or the black bishop. Black simply couldn't have played Bb4-d5 or Rc4-b5. So the black king is in check and White made the last move.
So, what was the last move?
The bishop can't have moved along the d1-a4 diagonal, because it would give check on c2 and d3 as well. So it must be a discovered check, caused by a move from the white king, from b3 to another square.
But ...
doesn't this lead to the same problem as before? On b3, the White king is still in double check. No, because there is a move which simultaneously clears the b3-d5 diagonal and the b3-b5 file, but it requires extra pieces: an en-passant capture from b4 to c3, capturing a pawn on c4. Since we have an extra (half-)move compared to the situation above, we can use that move to get rid of the black pawn.
So,
if White played 1. c2-c4, Black can play 1... b4xc3 e.p., White responds with 2. Kxc3 and we're in the diagram in the question with the White king on c3.
answered 15 hours ago
GlorfindelGlorfindel
14.2k45286
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
... but it doesn't include an explanation why this is the only possible solution (which took me a while to write down...)
$endgroup$
– Glorfindel
14 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@ArnaudMortier Glorfindel's answer eliminates other possibilities.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The white king must be on square
c3
Explanation:
First, we determine which side is to move. Unless the white king blocks the a4-d1 diagonal, the black king is in check. The king can't be on c2 since it would attack the black king; on b3, White would be to move but there's no way this double-check could have happened in a real game; there's no way to clear both the b3-d5 diagonal and the b3-b5 file with one move from the black rook or the black bishop. Black simply couldn't have played Bb4-d5 or Rc4-b5. So the black king is in check and White made the last move.
So, what was the last move?
The bishop can't have moved along the d1-a4 diagonal, because it would give check on c2 and d3 as well. So it must be a discovered check, caused by a move from the white king, from b3 to another square.
But ...
doesn't this lead to the same problem as before? On b3, the White king is still in double check. No, because there is a move which simultaneously clears the b3-d5 diagonal and the b3-b5 file, but it requires extra pieces: an en-passant capture from b4 to c3, capturing a pawn on c4. Since we have an extra (half-)move compared to the situation above, we can use that move to get rid of the black pawn.
So,
if White played 1. c2-c4, Black can play 1... b4xc3 e.p., White responds with 2. Kxc3 and we're in the diagram in the question with the White king on c3.
answered 15 hours ago
GlorfindelGlorfindel
14.2k45286
$endgroup$
The white king must be on square
c3
Explanation:
First, we determine which side is to move. Unless the white king blocks the a4-d1 diagonal, the black king is in check. The king can't be on c2 since it would attack the black king; on b3, White would be to move but there's no way this double-check could have happened in a real game; there's no way to clear both the b3-d5 diagonal and the b3-b5 file with one move from the black rook or the black bishop. Black simply couldn't have played Bb4-d5 or Rc4-b5. So the black king is in check and White made the last move.
So, what was the last move?
The bishop can't have moved along the d1-a4 diagonal, because it would give check on c2 and d3 as well. So it must be a discovered check, caused by a move from the white king, from b3 to another square.
But ...
doesn't this lead to the same problem as before? On b3, the White king is still in double check. No, because there is a move which simultaneously clears the b3-d5 diagonal and the b3-b5 file, but it requires extra pieces: an en-passant capture from b4 to c3, capturing a pawn on c4. Since we have an extra (half-)move compared to the situation above, we can use that move to get rid of the black pawn.
So,
if White played 1. c2-c4, Black can play 1... b4xc3 e.p., White responds with 2. Kxc3 and we're in the diagram in the question with the White king on c3.
answered 15 hours ago
GlorfindelGlorfindel
14.2k45286
edited 14 hours ago
answered 15 hours ago
GlorfindelGlorfindel
14.2k45286
answered 15 hours ago
GlorfindelGlorfindel
14.2k45286
answered 15 hours ago
GlorfindelGlorfindel
14.2k45286
14.2k45286
$begingroup$
... but it doesn't include an explanation why this is the only possible solution (which took me a while to write down...)
$endgroup$
– Glorfindel
14 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@ArnaudMortier Glorfindel's answer eliminates other possibilities.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
... but it doesn't include an explanation why this is the only possible solution (which took me a while to write down...)
$endgroup$
– Glorfindel
14 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@ArnaudMortier Glorfindel's answer eliminates other possibilities.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
... but it doesn't include an explanation why this is the only possible solution (which took me a while to write down...)
$endgroup$
– Glorfindel
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
... but it doesn't include an explanation why this is the only possible solution (which took me a while to write down...)
$endgroup$
– Glorfindel
14 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
@ArnaudMortier Glorfindel's answer eliminates other possibilities.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@ArnaudMortier Glorfindel's answer eliminates other possibilities.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The last move in this position was Bd5+. White blocked the check with c4, black gave double check by capturing en passant bxc, and the king took the pawn on c3.
answered 15 hours ago
noednenoedne
7,78712261
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Um... to me, it looks like rot13(gur cnja vf ba p2)... :P
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
I've ROT13-ed part of the comment so that it doesn't appear as an immediate spoiler. Check the image you've posted.
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I don't see what the problem is.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
That was super quick. Did you know the problem before? Do you know where it is from?
$endgroup$
– Arnaud Mortier
14 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
The last move in this position was Bd5+. White blocked the check with c4, black gave double check by capturing en passant bxc, and the king took the pawn on c3.
answered 15 hours ago
noednenoedne
7,78712261
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Um... to me, it looks like rot13(gur cnja vf ba p2)... :P
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
I've ROT13-ed part of the comment so that it doesn't appear as an immediate spoiler. Check the image you've posted.
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I don't see what the problem is.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
That was super quick. Did you know the problem before? Do you know where it is from?
$endgroup$
– Arnaud Mortier
14 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
The last move in this position was Bd5+. White blocked the check with c4, black gave double check by capturing en passant bxc, and the king took the pawn on c3.
answered 15 hours ago
noednenoedne
7,78712261
$endgroup$
The last move in this position was Bd5+. White blocked the check with c4, black gave double check by capturing en passant bxc, and the king took the pawn on c3.
answered 15 hours ago
noednenoedne
7,78712261
answered 15 hours ago
noednenoedne
7,78712261
answered 15 hours ago
noednenoedne
7,78712261
answered 15 hours ago
noednenoedne
7,78712261
7,78712261
$begingroup$
Um... to me, it looks like rot13(gur cnja vf ba p2)... :P
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
I've ROT13-ed part of the comment so that it doesn't appear as an immediate spoiler. Check the image you've posted.
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I don't see what the problem is.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
That was super quick. Did you know the problem before? Do you know where it is from?
$endgroup$
– Arnaud Mortier
14 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
Um... to me, it looks like rot13(gur cnja vf ba p2)... :P
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
I've ROT13-ed part of the comment so that it doesn't appear as an immediate spoiler. Check the image you've posted.
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I don't see what the problem is.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
That was super quick. Did you know the problem before? Do you know where it is from?
$endgroup$
– Arnaud Mortier
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
Um... to me, it looks like rot13(gur cnja vf ba p2)... :P
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
Um... to me, it looks like rot13(gur cnja vf ba p2)... :P
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
I've ROT13-ed part of the comment so that it doesn't appear as an immediate spoiler. Check the image you've posted.
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
I've ROT13-ed part of the comment so that it doesn't appear as an immediate spoiler. Check the image you've posted.
$endgroup$
– EKons
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I don't see what the problem is.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
@EKons I don't see what the problem is.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
That was super quick. Did you know the problem before? Do you know where it is from?
$endgroup$
– Arnaud Mortier
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
That was super quick. Did you know the problem before? Do you know where it is from?
$endgroup$
– Arnaud Mortier
14 hours ago
|
show 3 more comments
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2
$begingroup$
It appears this problem may have originated from The Chess Mysteries of the Arabian Knights by Raymond Smullyan.
$endgroup$
– noedne
14 hours ago