Indian Problem (Mate in 4)
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The first published chess puzzle was the 'Indian Problem' (left). It was printed in The Chess Player's Chronicle, in 1845. Can you solve it?
Good
easy
good puzzle, but in a way pretty pointless. As long as you were a fairly descent player, you'd eventually win against blacks meger 3 pawns and knight.
I read this in The Psychology of Chess
That a common newspaper would publish this as the 1st chess puzzle is not strange, but it is very strange that it is named The Chess Player's Chronicle. It is an awful problem for a chess enthousiast by the standards of our time but just as much by the standards of that time or any time. Not because of the indian them which is great but in the absence of any attempt to control the solution. Not only demonstrated by the numerous dual solutions but even more by the complete waste of a full meaningful move. Never believe that chess was in its infancy in the 19th century and they didn't know any better. The understanding of efficiency and aesthetics are native in most human beings and require no training or cultural evolution. I understand this magazine quickly crumbled under mismanagement and it is not hard to see why. Some things you simply never do - unless you are the president of the most powerful country on the planet.
Next level saturday daily puzzle right there...
Dang. I remember this puzzle when I was starting off. That just kinda bothers me how I don't remember where the pieces go. Very happy to see this puzzle again <3
Wow finally found that; had seen it in a chess magazine of approx 1982... Thanx!
