Christmas #2

The c & e pawns MUST have moved two since pawns on c3 or e3 would leave king in check. Hence e.p. capture is possible and problem is pxp ep and mate next move.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
The c & e pawns MUST have moved two since pawns on c3 or e3 would leave king in check. Hence e.p. capture is possible and problem is pxp ep and mate next move.

Which? If its possible to deduce which pawn moved its far too deep for me!!!

Good Luck to whoever attempts to solve it!

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Which? If its possible to deduce which pawn moved its far too deep for me!!!

Good Luck to whoever attempts to solve it!

Here's my answer:

I'm thinking it's b4xc4 (to c3) , white takes a knight, c3-c2 mate.

The reason for this is because white's last move had to be c2-c4, because he had no other legal moves. It could not be e2-e4, because otherwise, how could white have gotten his bishop out from f1?

Black could have captured White's bishop. It may not have left its square.

Actually, the last move was c2-c4. Black couldn't have captured white's bishop if it was on f1. Once you figure out why, the reason c2-c4 was the last move becomes apparent (hint: Black's Pawns and White's remaining men).

Ah i see. The pawns must have made 10 captures, and there are 6 white pieces/pawns left on the board. This means that the white light-square bishop was captured by a pawn. Hence, the e-pawn was not moved last, as then the bishop would never have made it out. The last move by white was c2-c4, and the solution is 1. bxc3 any move 2. b2#

Originally posted by Dejection
Ah i see. The pawns must have made 10 captures, and there are 6 white pieces/pawns left on the board. This means that the white light-square bishop was captured by a pawn. Hence, the e-pawn was not moved last, as then the bishop would never have made it out. The last move by white was c2-c4, and the solution is 1. bxc3 any move 2. b2#

Originally posted by Dejection
Ah i see. The pawns must have made 10 captures, and there are 6 white pieces/pawns left on the board. This means that the white light-square bishop was captured by a pawn. Hence, the e-pawn was not moved last, as then the bishop would never have made it out. The last move by white was c2-c4, and the solution is 1. bxc3 any move 2. b2#