7
$\begingroup$

What is the fastest, in terms of moves, for a legal game to come to a checkmate, either black or white with a Knight and such that both all other cases of the checkmated King are attacked by an opposing Knight and the King isn't on the edge of the board?

enter image description here

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ I think I need a bondulance. $\endgroup$
    – Bass
    Commented Mar 3, 2021 at 21:21

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
9
$\begingroup$

Well, for starters, you need

at least five knights, because each knight can only cover two squares out of the nine necessary (the king's current square and all adjacent ones)

Here's one rather quick way to do that:

1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nf6 3. exf6 Na6 4. fxg7 Ke7 5. g8=N+ Ke6 6. Nd2 Kd5 7. g4 f6 8. g5 Be7 9. gxf6 Nb8 10. fxe7 Na6 11. exd8=N Nb8 12. Nxb7 Na6 13. b4 Nb8 14. b5 Nc6 15. b6 Nd8 16. bxc7 Rb8 17. cxd8=N Ra8 18. Ngf3 Rb8 19. Nf6#

The game can be replayed here, this is the final position:

enter image description here

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ If the king was to be forced against a corner, it would reduce the amount of squares that the knights needed to cover. Would it be possible to force the king into that are using the four knights and then checkmate them? $\endgroup$
    – TakingNotes
    Commented Mar 3, 2021 at 10:52
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Yes, but the king wasn't allowed to be on the edge – see the question, and I assume that extends to the corner. $\endgroup$
    – Glorfindel
    Commented Mar 3, 2021 at 11:04
  • $\begingroup$ Ah, I missed that. Sorry! $\endgroup$
    – TakingNotes
    Commented Mar 3, 2021 at 11:05

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.