Grasshopper: Series Play Problems

Serieshelpmates

G. P. Jelliss
British Chess Magazine Jul 1977 p.336 #11228
(solution Nov 1977 p.543)
Grasshopper. Serieshelpmate in 16

Solution:1-5.d1=R 6-7.Rxh2 8-9.Ra6 10-14.h1=G 15.Ga8 16.b5 for axb(e.p.)‡

Comments: "Neat use of G to force b5 and thus the e.p. capture" J. E. Driver. "Much easier to solve than to construct" I. L. Stein.

G. P. Jelliss
The Problemist Nov-Dec 1978 p.266 #3
Grasshopper. Serieshelpmate in 6

This was composed for the Fairy Solving Tourney, Canterbury 1 Sep 1978,
and is dedicated to Zvonimir Hernitz.

Solution:1.Gd7 2.Gg4 3.Gh3 4.Kf5 5.Gg6 6.hGe6 for Gh5‡

Comments: Transforms Z to H formation of the grasshoppers.
BK starts in check. Last move Pd7xe8=G+.

Seriesselfmate

G. P. Jelliss
BCM? (composed 14 Sep 1978)
Grasshoppers. Seriesselfmate in 9

In a Seriesselfmate White makes a series of moves to reach a position where Black to move can only give mate.

Solution: 1.Gc4 2.Kd5 3.Kc6 4.Ga2 5.Gd4 6.Kb6 7.Ka6 8.Gb6 9.Rc4† for BxR‡

Autostalemate

G. P. Jelliss
Chessics 11 Jan-Jun 1981 p.15 #417
(solution C12 Jul-Dec 1981 p.6)
Grasshoppers. Autostalemate in 10

In an Autostalemate White makes a series of moves to reach a position where he can make no further move. Obviously the last move must be irreversible. There happen to be no black pieces in this composition.

Solution: 1.Kg5 2.Gh6 3.Kg6 4.Gg7 5.Kh7 6.Kg8 7.Rh7 8.Kh8 9.Rg8 10.Pf8=G stalemate.

Comments The initial and final positions are symmetric, but with different axes. Asymmetric play. A BK could be added for "legality" but would spoil the symmetries.