[Retros] Two little SPG-challenges

[DoctorSBD at aol.com]

Mario Richter said:


>In an SPG the goal is to reach the final position

>*as fast as possible*, so I call elements of the solution, 

>which seem to be counter-productive with respect to 

>that goal, "paradoxical".


That is interesting to me, given that paradox is one of the components of many good problems.

One very experienced composer tried to help me in composing proof games by telling me to "look for the longest possible move in each setting." I am sure that is good general advice, although the last proof game I tried using that advice ended up having something like 9,000 solutions. :)

I also find the "longest move possible" analogous with vector theory, although many might disagree with that. There is an expert-level player in the US who uses vector theory in playing chess, and thus advocates 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5?! as the best way to start a game. His theories are somewhat off-the-wall, but he does win games, sometimes against master-level players with that theory.

I am sure mathematicians like Noam would have something to contribute to that view; but also Mario, in terms of solving, wouldn't we consider him as something of an "outlier" (statistics -ugh!) given he is a World Champion in solving?


SBD