Helpmate

A helpmate is a kind of chess problem in which black moves first and helps white to checkmate him within a specified number of moves. In a helpmate in two (sometimes abbreviated to h#2), for example, the solution consists of a black move, a white move, a black move, and then another white move, giving checkmate. It should be noted that although the two sides are cooperating, all moves must be legal according to the rules of chess.

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The example problem to the right is a helpmate in eight by Z. Maslar, published in Die Schwalbe in 1981. The solution is:

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:1.Kf3 Kd3 2.Bb3 Kc3 3.Ke4+ Kd2 4.Kd4 Ke2 5.Kc3 Nb4 6.Kb2 Kd2 7.Ka1 Kc1 8.Ba2 Nc2#

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Note that in helpmate solutions, black's move is given first, which is the opposite to normal algebraic notation.

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Chess problem: A chess problem, formally called a chess composition, is a puzzle set by somebody using chess pieces on a chess board, presenting the solver with a particular task to be achieved. For instance, a position might be given with the instruction that white is to move first, and checkmate black in two mov...

Rules of chess: While the exact origins of chess are unclear, the modern rules of chess first took form in Italy during the 16th century....