rainbow@ihuxe.UUCP (02/15/84)
Black (lower case) .-----------------. | - * - * k * - * | Part 1: White to play and mate in two. | * p * - P - * p | | - * N * P * N * | Part 2: At first blush there appear to be | * - P p K p P - | two possible solutions. Prove that | - * - P p P - * | there can be only one. | * - * - P - * - | | - * - * P * - * | | * - * - * - * - | `-----------------' White (Caps) 1)PxBP e.p. threatening P-B7 mate. Blacks last move was P(B2)-B4. 2)Its not possible for blacks last move to be P(Q2)-Q4 because blacks queens bishop was needed to be sacked in order to arrive at the pawn formation given. If the pawn was still on Q2, the bishop would never have been able to move. Whites pawns must make ten captures. Black has lost only 3 pawns and 7 pieces. The bishop was needed.