THIRTY-SIX MATES.
(
The Guarded Chessboard)
Place the remaining eight White pieces in such a position that White
shall have the choice of thirty-six different mates on the move. Every
move that checkmates and leaves a different position is a different
mate. The pieces already placed must not be moved.
Answer:
Place the remaining eight White pieces thus: K at KB 4th, Q at QKt 6th,
R at Q 6th, R at KKt 7th, B at Q 5th, B at KR 8th, Kt at QR 5th, and Kt
at QB 5th. The following mates can then be given:--
By discovery from Q 8
By discovery from R at Q 6th 13
By discovery from B at R 8th 11
Given by Kt at R 5th 2
Given by pawns 2
--
Total 36
Is it possible to construct a position in which more than thirty-six
different mates on the move can be given? So far as I know, nobody has
yet beaten my arrangement.