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Every move in chess involves moving a piece to a square. Let us call this square the "move-square" for that turn.

In the following, the move-square of the black player must be symmetrical (over the obvious center-horizontal) to the move-square by white on that turn. The requirements may be met with a white move, but an additional valid move for black must be shown to exist. This extra move is not included when counting the number of moves taken to reach one of the below conditions.

What is the shortest sequence (with symmetrical move-squares) resulting in a Rook x Rook capture?
Resulting in a Knight x Rook capture?
Resulting in Queen x Bishop capture?

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  • $\begingroup$ Hi @ArtemLugin, welcome to Puzzling SE! (Take the tour if you haven't already!) Can you clarify if the same piece has to occupy black's move-square as white's, or can any piece count? For example, would something like 1. e4 e5 2. Be2 Ne2 be acceptable? Or is only Be7 by black possible? $\endgroup$
    – HTM
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 0:59
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    $\begingroup$ @PiIsNot3 Its doesn't have to be the same piece. Only the corresponding symmetric square. Assuming you mean Ne7 not Ne2 yes, thats acceptable $\endgroup$
    – Artemmm
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 1:08
  • $\begingroup$ @RewanDemontay the game ends at the capture, theres no need for the capture to occur twice. If it ends with a white move, a valid move by black must be shown to exist (in description) $\endgroup$
    – Artemmm
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 1:10
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    $\begingroup$ I can't accept your edit as it contains improper grammar and is inaccurate. I'm open to suggestions and edits to improve understandability $\endgroup$
    – Artemmm
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 1:19
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    $\begingroup$ I think the question is clear enough, perhaps some terminology can be fixed but at least I can tell what’s being asked $\endgroup$
    – HTM
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 1:32

2 Answers 2

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Partial (will update as I go)

R x R (3rd attempt)

I got it! 5 moves:

1. a4 a5 2. Ra3 Ra6 3. Rh3 Rh6 4. d3 d6 5. Rxh6 Apronus link

The h3 square is covered by the black bishop.

Note that 5 is the absolute minimum number of moves needed, since it takes at least 3 moves to make the rooks attack each other, and they can’t directly take each other on the 4th move.

R x R (2nd attempt)

I found a 6 move solution:

1. a4 a5 2. Ra3 Ra6 3. Rb3 Rb6 4. c3 Nc6 5. Rb5 Nb4 6. cxb4 Rxb5

Apronus link

R x R (1st attempt)

This question demonstrates a 7 move sequence, but since we don’t have to copy each others’ moves, only the squares, we can also do the more interesting

1. a4 a5 2. Ra3 Ra6 3. Rc3 Nc6 4. e4 Ne5 5. Rc5 Nc4 6. c3 Rc6 7. Bxc4 Rxc5

Apronus link

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  • $\begingroup$ You're on the right track. There are several ways to get it in 5 moves with white capturing the piece $\endgroup$
    – Artemmm
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 2:30
  • $\begingroup$ The question you linked was the inspiration. Thought I'd spice it up. a-Rook takes h-rook looks very interesting as well $\endgroup$
    – Artemmm
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 2:36
  • $\begingroup$ Great job! Marked as correct $\endgroup$
    – Artemmm
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 2:51
  • $\begingroup$ @ArtemLugin While you're free to Accept whichever answer you think best addresses the puzzle, it's a bit unclear why you would select one that only answers one of the three parts of your question. Did you mean to pick this one? $\endgroup$
    – Rubio ♦
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 5:22
  • $\begingroup$ @Rubio of the 2 answers, neither solves all 3 questions correctly. This answer contains the correct solution to the most difficult of the 3, while the other the latter 2. If that answer is updated I'll consider marking it correct. $\endgroup$
    – Artemmm
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 6:08
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Under your rules, here are my answers.

Rook X Rook:

1. g4 g5 2. h4 h5 3. gxh5 gxh4 4. h6 h3 5. h7 h2 6. hxg8=R hxg1=R 7. Rgxh8

Proof Game:

Apronus

Knight X Rook:

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. Nh4 Nh5 3. Ng6 Ng3 4. Nxh8

Proof Game:

Apronus

Queen X Bishop:

1. e4 e5 2. d4 d5 3. Bg5 Bg4 4. Qxg4

Proof Game:

Apronus

UPDATE: Do you mean improve my Rook X Rook game like this?

1. a4 a5 2. Ra3 Ra6 3. Rb3 Rb6 4. Rxb6

Proof Game:

https://www.apronus.com/chess/pgnviewer/?m=a4_a5_Ra3_Ra6_Rb3_Rb6_Rxb6

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    $\begingroup$ Oooh, I found one I really like. Looks kind of flashy IMO: 1.e4 e5 2. Qe2 Be7 3. Qb5 Bb4 4. Qxb4 $\endgroup$
    – Brandon_J
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 2:03
  • $\begingroup$ Great solutions. RookxRook can be improved $\endgroup$
    – Artemmm
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 2:11
  • $\begingroup$ Should I add another or 2? $\endgroup$
    – Artemmm
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 2:13
  • $\begingroup$ @ArtemLugin generally, if you're going to change the question (by adding questions) simply ask a new question! $\endgroup$
    – Brandon_J
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 2:14
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    $\begingroup$ The shortest is 5 white moves $\endgroup$
    – Artemmm
    Commented Apr 8, 2019 at 2:28

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