Chess Problems

fianchetto · Expert Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

I subjected the position to chess computer analysis and it is a mate in 4 and not 3 as you stated.

mrmip · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:54 am Post subject:

Ummph - I do not to know, what to say? I still think it is mate in 3 - computer or no computer.

You know there are three kind of computers - those, which can count and those which cannot. Unless of course it is made by IBM - "The Four letters You can count on!". Very Happy

Still I would like to see the four move solution the computer gave?
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papadoble · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 4:42 am Post subject:

In my experience a standard chess software such as Fritz - at least the 8 version running on chessbase database, is very bad for problems. If it sees a #4, it stops here and does not search for shorter mate. I have also noticed that it does not foresee defences based on underpromotion.
There is also the special case of e.p. key, which I know mrmip is fond of, this computer softwares definitely do not see.
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fianchetto · Expert Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

this computer specifically searched for mate in 3 but could not find it. I then told it to search for mate in 4 and it found it. It commences with c2c3.

Your solution had black exchanging rooks which is clearly not forced.

mrmip · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:36 am Post subject:

Thanks for the explanation. Clearly the computer does not search through all alternatives. Its suggestion c2-c3 indeed mates in 4 moves, but the given solution mates in 3 as reguired.

If you look to the 'Navigate solution' you will see that the alternative of exchanging the rook is also covered and results mate in 3 as well.

I suggest you put the first move and any possible black defence move into the computer and look for mate in 2. Surely it can find that ?
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fianchetto · Expert Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

As I stated before, your 3 move mate solution is contingent on black exchanging rooks. If black decides not to exchange rooks there is no mate in 3.

fianchetto · Expert Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

I see th a2a3 move if black rook goes elsewhere. I will put position in th computer again at different stages and see what if finds.

fianchetto · Expert Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

I resetted the computer to its default algorithm (it has multiple search algorithms) which is the strongest, and it found the mate in 3 in a second. So it was different algorithm that prevented it fidning mate in 3 but it found mate in 4.

mrmip · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:03 am Post subject:

So. We can regard this as settled then ?
Against all odds the Puzzle is mate in 3 afterall.
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fianchetto · Expert Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

and mate in 4 dont forget

mrmip · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:01 am Post subject:

No,no I will not forget - But here is a philosophical dilemma:
If a problem is mate in 3, can it also be a mate in 4?

Because a problem inherently reguires both parties to make very best moves, then when white makes a correct first move (key) the problem terminates after white's 3rd move and s/he never gets to play the 4th move - so the mate in 4 is impossible - No?
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fianchetto · Expert Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

is the question always posed to find a mate with best possible moves, or simply to find a mate? With best possible moves the shortest path is reached, but if not best possible then any path is possible as long as it is forced, and in this case the mate in 4 is possible since it is forced moves from black's point of view, even if white did not choose the best possible first move.

mrmip · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:12 am Post subject:

Perhaps not always, but it certainly is customary. If stipulation says "Mate in 3 moves" then finding a mate in 4 or more moves has no relevance to solution.

I guess one could ask simply "Find a mate" in which case any mate - regardless how many moves it took - would be a correct answer.

But here the stipulation was clear : Mate in 3 moves.
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