Chinoiserie

The Pao is the Cannon as used in Chinese Chess. It was first used as a fairy piece in conjunction with orthodox chess by P. Seyfert in the 1930s. The Leo and Vao are analogous pieces to the Pao that were introduced by J. Akenhead. The Pao, Vao and Leo travel like Rook, Bishop and Queen respectively but capture by acting over, or through, one intervening piece of either colour.

Solution: (a) 1.Ba5 Lh5 2Bd8 Ng6‡
(b) 1.Bc4 Le4 2.Bf7 Ne6‡

Comments: (Solution Dec 1975 p.558) "Demonstrating both the diagonal and lateral mate by L and N with maximum economy." G.Whitehead. "Quite an achievement to get two such well-matched solutions from only five pieces" J.E.Driver. "Surprising that the mates even exist!" M.Knibbs.

The Mao is the Knight as used in Chinese Chess. It was first used as a fairy piece in conjunction with orthodox chess by P. Seyfert in the 1930s. The Mao moves to the same squares as a Knight but by making a lateral step followed by a diagonal step, and the intervening cell has to be vacant.

Solution: 1.Kf8 Ke4 2.Bf6 Mdb7 3.Bd8 Md7† 4.Me7 Kd5 (not check since Me7 is blocked at e6) 5.Mg7† Kc6. The Maos d7, e7 are now mutually pinned.

(BCM Jun 1976 p.269).

Solution: 1.Kd3 4.Ka6 5.Mb6 (blocks Mc6 guard on a7; this cannot be played ealier since Lb7 would guard b5 preventing K reaching a6) 7.Ka8 8.Ma4 (8.M×d5 is blocked by Mc6) 9.Mc3 10.M×d5 for L×d5‡

Comments: (Solution Jan 1976 p.32) "Pleasing to solve and to look at!" J.E.Driver. "Accurate move order with only six pieces truly remarkable. Every piece pulls its full weight" D.A.Smedley.

Asymmetry, in which the position is symmetric yet there are not two symmetrically related solutions, is one of my favourite themes.

(BCM Jun 1976 p.269).

The Moa is the analogous piece that makes a Knight move by a diagonal step followed by a lateral step. It was first used and so named by Werner Speckmann. I also invented it independently, and chose the same name for the piece, but Speckmann has publication priority alas!

This problem was published as part of my article on the Stalematemate concept, where the aim is to mate black and simultaneously stalemate white (apart from the hypothetical move to capture the black king).

Solution: 1.Mc6 Rxd5 2.Qe7 Rb5 3.Ma7+ Rb8 mate (with white 'stalemated').

Comments: Q-M interchange. Set stalemate.

This problem was also published as part of my article on the Stalematemate concept, where the aim is to mate black and simultaneously stalemate white (apart from the hypothetical move to capture the black king).

Solution: 1.Mf3 Bh3 2.Qe3+ Kf1 3.Mh2+ Bg2 mate (with white 'stalemated').

An attempt to make a Mao problem analogous to the Moa problem above. Not quite with set stalemate.

This problem was also published as part of my article on the Stalematemate concept, where the aim is to mate black and simultaneously stalemate white (apart from the hypothetical move to capture the black king).

Solution: 1.Qcf1 Ke4 2.Kh2 Me2 3.Kg1 Kf3 4.Mh4(dis+) Kg3 5.Me3 Mh3 mate (with white 'stalemated'). Double check mate.

The original had Bh1 but had cooks by pinning or capturing one mao. I would prefer to find a simpler setting: the BQs are excessive.

This was an attempt to correct a cooked problem.

Solution: 1.Leo-a7 (threat La1 mate) M×g1/Mf3/Mf5/Lf5†(etc) 2.La6/C×f3/C×f4/Md2‡

C is used for Cannon = Pao.