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Retrograde chess problems

Posted By: Robert Chow
Date: Thursday, 10 April 2014, at 2:16 a.m.

In Response To: Retrograde chess problems (Nack Ballard)

I have one of the Smullyan's books and have borrowed the other from the public library. As Nack mentioned, the problems do get progressively more difficult. Actually, my favorite type of chess puzzles are studies which have great practical value because they resemble positions from otb play. Some chess problems are highly esoteric due to their contrived nature or theme - for example, helpmates.

As someone who is mainly concerned about otb play, I am very impressed by Nack's ability to quickly determine a sequence, over 30-ply(!), that would lead to a particular position and most importantly, assuming reasonable if not perfect play. Before I was aware of Nack's reputation as a master of puzzles; now I know he's the "real deal".

Messages In This Thread

• Donkey Variant
  Nack Ballard -- Sunday, 6 April 2014, at 1:56 p.m.
  • Donkey Variant
    MishyPoo -- Sunday, 6 April 2014, at 2:52 p.m.
  • Donkey Variant
    Christian Munk-Christensen -- Sunday, 6 April 2014, at 3:43 p.m.
  • Donkey Variant
    mandm1951 -- Sunday, 6 April 2014, at 4:51 p.m.
  • Donkey Variant
    Timothy Chow -- Sunday, 6 April 2014, at 5:31 p.m.
  • Donkey Variant
    Robert Chow -- Sunday, 6 April 2014, at 5:58 p.m.
  • Donkey Variant
    Fatboy -- Sunday, 6 April 2014, at 6:04 p.m.
    • Donkey Variant
      Stick -- Sunday, 6 April 2014, at 7:30 p.m.
      • Donkey Variant
        Fatboy -- Monday, 7 April 2014, at 12:05 a.m.
        • Donkey Variant
          Stick -- Monday, 7 April 2014, at 12:58 a.m.
          • Donkey Variant
            Nack Ballard -- Monday, 7 April 2014, at 2:03 a.m.
            • Donkey Variant
              Keene -- Monday, 7 April 2014, at 2:30 a.m.
          • Donkey Variant
            Fatboy -- Monday, 7 April 2014, at 8:13 a.m.
            • Donkey variant
              Timothy Chow -- Monday, 7 April 2014, at 1:56 p.m.
  • Donkey Variant
    Stick -- Sunday, 6 April 2014, at 7:34 p.m.
  • Donkey Variant
    Keene -- Sunday, 6 April 2014, at 11:33 p.m.
  • Donkey Variant
    Robert Chow -- Wednesday, 9 April 2014, at 1:16 a.m.
  • Donkey Variant, ROLLOUTS
    Nack Ballard -- Wednesday, 9 April 2014, at 5:31 a.m.
    • A couple of followup questions
      Timothy Chow -- Wednesday, 9 April 2014, at 3:04 p.m.
      • A couple of followup questions
        Nack Ballard -- Wednesday, 9 April 2014, at 9:06 p.m.
        • A couple of followup questions
          Timothy Chow -- Thursday, 10 April 2014, at 2:20 p.m.
      • Cube rolllouts after 51K
        Nack Ballard -- Thursday, 10 April 2014, at 10:38 p.m.
        • Cube rolllouts after 51K
          Timothy Chow -- Friday, 11 April 2014, at 3:10 p.m.
    • Donkey Variant, ROLLOUTS
      Robert Chow -- Wednesday, 9 April 2014, at 4:10 p.m.
      • Retrograde chess problems
        Nack Ballard -- Wednesday, 9 April 2014, at 9:43 p.m.
        • Retrograde chess problems
          Robert Chow -- Thursday, 10 April 2014, at 2:16 a.m.
          • Retrograde chess problems
            Timothy Chow -- Thursday, 10 April 2014, at 2:29 p.m.
            • Retrograde chess problems
              Robert Chow -- Thursday, 10 April 2014, at 6:10 p.m.