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Shortest-proof-game challenge

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cobra91

Round 10 has ended (in fact, time expired more than 18 hours ago), so it looks like I won. I'm actually somewhat disappointed at that, mainly because my solution was so long-winded and should have been beaten. This was more of a "victory by default" that resulted from a tremendous lack of participation. Oh well... here are the conditions to be met for round 11:

1. All border squares (that is, all squares on the 1st rank, 8th rank, a-file, and h-file) must be occupied.

2. All pieces sharing a file must be the same color.

3. All pieces sharing a rank must be of the same type (i.e. rooks, knights, queens, etc.).

The start time is 1:53 p.m. PDT on April 24. On your mark...get set...GO! Laughing

MaartenSmit

Because every rank has squares on the 1st or 8th rank, there can be no pawns on the board. Total is 28, so at least 12 pawns have to promote, and no more than 4 pieces have to be captured (most likely going to be 4 pawns).

Seems like quite the challenge, I'm on it :p

MaartenSmit

First try. I'll have a look if I can make it more efficient later this week.

Scottrf

I find it incredible that people even got a solution to the first puzzle.

thb1973

One question:

Did the new rule help any?

In my opinion, all the rule did was that it made more options for the final solution, but it looks much more complicated. I would wager to say that people feel that it is too complicated. Therefore, they give up before even bothering to try and find a solution which is right there.

Therefore, I think that we should go back to the original rule for at least a while(whether or not it officially gets changed), so that people will be more inclined to participate.

MaartenSmit

Cobra91 didn't post after my solution. I hope he sees this thread soon... Can I post a new challenge? Because if so, I'll have to start looking for something nice :p

talkon

I think you can post now because it's more than 3 weeks now.

thb1973

yes, you won.

MaartenSmit

Okay, no reaction, so here we go.

In the central 16 squares of the board, there will be 16 pieces: 4 queens, 4 rooks, 4 bishops and 4 knights. Each rank (3-6), each file (c-f) and every 2x2 block (c3-c4-d3-d4, e3-e4-f3-f4, etc) contains exactly 1 of each of those pieces, and contains exactly 2 white pieces and 2 black pieces.

The kings are placed on the rim/corners of the board: they cannot touch the central pack.

Challenge starts at May 28th, 10:40 GMT.

I expect/hope to see many attempts, because it really isn't hard to reach such a position. The challenge is to do it in as few moves as possible.

Good luck all!

talkon

Is this ok?

talkon

or I misunderstanding about 2x2 block? 

MaartenSmit

The 2x2 blocks are good, but every row and every column has to contain exactly one of each type of piece :)

MaartenSmit

Think of it as a sudoku-like position.

talkon

ok,thanks.

thb1973

36 and a half moves

No, your position needs each rank, file, and 2x2 square to have one rook, bishop, knight and queen.-I think.

MaartenSmit

Nice! 35.5 is the score to beat :)

talkon

talkon
[COMMENT DELETED]
thb1973

The winner of the past round was maewmiaou; it's your turn to make a position.

thb1973

There is one more rule that we need to make: We need a time limit for how long the winner has to post his new position.

Question 1: Do people agree?

Question 2: How long should it be? - Suggestions are welcome.

Question 3: What is the new rule on who gets to post the new position

 

I would say that it probably should be between 3 days and a week (and a half??), and that whoever is the next on after the time is up should get to post.

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