A Christmas Quiz

[IM Jack Rudd]

Hmmm, interesting one. Here's a first attempt: 1.c3 e5 2.d4 Ke7 3.Bg5+ Kd6 4.e3 Kd5 5.Qf3+ e4 6.Bc4+ Kxc4 7.Na3+ Kd3 8.O-O-O#. Don't know if this can be improved on.

[Andrew Martin]

Very nice try Jack, but.......

[Kevin Thurlow]

Can we first establish if it's normal chess, not Chess960!?

[Andrew Martin]

Normal chess, but nobody wearing a hat would play the moves required.

[Joseph Conlon]

1. e4 c5 2. Ke2 Na6 3. Kd3 Qc7 4. Kc4 d5+ 5. Kxd5 Bf5 6.c4 0-0-0 is 6 moves. Can it go better?

[Andrew Martin]

I regret that it can...

[Joseph Conlon]

As I have realised.... 1. d4 e6 2. Na3 Ke7 3. Qd3 Kd6 4. Bf4+ Kd5 5. Qf5+ Kxd4 6. 0-0-0

[Andrew Martin]

It was nice while it lasted.

[MJMcCready]

Oh my, that is a rather time-consuming question. May I offer something easier?

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A grid divides the board into 16 large squares, and each move by each side must cross at least one line of the grid. For example, in this position it would be illegal for the black king to move to f3. How can White mate in two moves?

[Matthew Turner]

F3+ Rxf3 Bg1 mate

[MJMcCready]

Not quite. The king has f4 as an escape square.