Mathematical_Recreations-Kraitchik-2e

CHAPTER TWELVE
GAMES
1. POSITIONAL GAMES
1. CHESS AND CHECKERS. The typical positional game
is chess. It is not our purpose to give an extended description
or discussion of a game so universally known, and con-
Lost.
FIGURE 143.
Sam Loyd's Shortest Stalemate with No Piece8
cerning which there is such a vast literature. We shall
confine ourselves to a few remarks, principally touching
mathematical aspects of the game.
The shortest possible game, often called the Fool's Mate,
is well known:
WHITE
BLACK
1. P-KB3 (or 4) 1. P-K3
2. P-KKt4 2. Q-KR5 (mate).
This checkmate can be accomplished only with the connivance
(or incredible folly) of White.
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