A Chess Lock Puzzle?

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I was recently talking to one of my friends who played chess (much better than me, I'll admit). He said he had a different kind of chess problem, one that may be a little easier, or that may be a little bit harder than usual. He said it was a chess lock puzzle.



He then grabbed two(!) chess sets and set up the following position:



enter image description here



He challenged me to find the least number of moves to capture the black king, using the following rules:




  1. White gets an infinite number of moves.

  2. White may only capture undefended pieces, and the black king (checkmate isn't a thing, just capture the black king)

  3. Rooks are the only keys that work. You must capture the black king with a rook.



He said his best was to do it in 17 moves. Can you do it quicker?






chess







share|improve this question























  • Just to clarify, do black's pieces capture whites pieces if they are in a position where they could?
    – gabbo1092
    46 mins ago






  • 1




    @gabbo1092 no, but white is not permitted to capture black pieces that are guarded.
    – Excited Raichu
    46 mins ago






  • 1




    @gabbo1092 I think that black pieces can't do any moves. We only consider white moves. Am I right?
    – Piotr Wasilewicz
    45 mins ago










  • @PiotrWasilewicz yes.
    – Excited Raichu
    43 mins ago














up vote
5
down vote

favorite
2












I was recently talking to one of my friends who played chess (much better than me, I'll admit). He said he had a different kind of chess problem, one that may be a little easier, or that may be a little bit harder than usual. He said it was a chess lock puzzle.



He then grabbed two(!) chess sets and set up the following position:



enter image description here



He challenged me to find the least number of moves to capture the black king, using the following rules:




  1. White gets an infinite number of moves.

  2. White may only capture undefended pieces, and the black king (checkmate isn't a thing, just capture the black king)

  3. Rooks are the only keys that work. You must capture the black king with a rook.



He said his best was to do it in 17 moves. Can you do it quicker?






chess







share|improve this question























  • Just to clarify, do black's pieces capture whites pieces if they are in a position where they could?
    – gabbo1092
    46 mins ago






  • 1




    @gabbo1092 no, but white is not permitted to capture black pieces that are guarded.
    – Excited Raichu
    46 mins ago






  • 1




    @gabbo1092 I think that black pieces can't do any moves. We only consider white moves. Am I right?
    – Piotr Wasilewicz
    45 mins ago










  • @PiotrWasilewicz yes.
    – Excited Raichu
    43 mins ago












up vote
5
down vote

favorite
2









up vote
5
down vote

favorite
2






2





I was recently talking to one of my friends who played chess (much better than me, I'll admit). He said he had a different kind of chess problem, one that may be a little easier, or that may be a little bit harder than usual. He said it was a chess lock puzzle.



He then grabbed two(!) chess sets and set up the following position:



enter image description here



He challenged me to find the least number of moves to capture the black king, using the following rules:




  1. White gets an infinite number of moves.

  2. White may only capture undefended pieces, and the black king (checkmate isn't a thing, just capture the black king)

  3. Rooks are the only keys that work. You must capture the black king with a rook.



He said his best was to do it in 17 moves. Can you do it quicker?






chess







share|improve this question















I was recently talking to one of my friends who played chess (much better than me, I'll admit). He said he had a different kind of chess problem, one that may be a little easier, or that may be a little bit harder than usual. He said it was a chess lock puzzle.



He then grabbed two(!) chess sets and set up the following position:



enter image description here



He challenged me to find the least number of moves to capture the black king, using the following rules:




  1. White gets an infinite number of moves.

  2. White may only capture undefended pieces, and the black king (checkmate isn't a thing, just capture the black king)

  3. Rooks are the only keys that work. You must capture the black king with a rook.



He said his best was to do it in 17 moves. Can you do it quicker?






chess




chess






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 48 mins ago

























asked 1 hour ago









Excited Raichu

2,543231




2,543231











  • Just to clarify, do black's pieces capture whites pieces if they are in a position where they could?
    – gabbo1092
    46 mins ago






  • 1




    @gabbo1092 no, but white is not permitted to capture black pieces that are guarded.
    – Excited Raichu
    46 mins ago






  • 1




    @gabbo1092 I think that black pieces can't do any moves. We only consider white moves. Am I right?
    – Piotr Wasilewicz
    45 mins ago










  • @PiotrWasilewicz yes.
    – Excited Raichu
    43 mins ago
















  • Just to clarify, do black's pieces capture whites pieces if they are in a position where they could?
    – gabbo1092
    46 mins ago






  • 1




    @gabbo1092 no, but white is not permitted to capture black pieces that are guarded.
    – Excited Raichu
    46 mins ago






  • 1




    @gabbo1092 I think that black pieces can't do any moves. We only consider white moves. Am I right?
    – Piotr Wasilewicz
    45 mins ago










  • @PiotrWasilewicz yes.
    – Excited Raichu
    43 mins ago















Just to clarify, do black's pieces capture whites pieces if they are in a position where they could?
– gabbo1092
46 mins ago




Just to clarify, do black's pieces capture whites pieces if they are in a position where they could?
– gabbo1092
46 mins ago




1




1




@gabbo1092 no, but white is not permitted to capture black pieces that are guarded.
– Excited Raichu
46 mins ago




@gabbo1092 no, but white is not permitted to capture black pieces that are guarded.
– Excited Raichu
46 mins ago




1




1




@gabbo1092 I think that black pieces can't do any moves. We only consider white moves. Am I right?
– Piotr Wasilewicz
45 mins ago




@gabbo1092 I think that black pieces can't do any moves. We only consider white moves. Am I right?
– Piotr Wasilewicz
45 mins ago












@PiotrWasilewicz yes.
– Excited Raichu
43 mins ago




@PiotrWasilewicz yes.
– Excited Raichu
43 mins ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
4
down vote



accepted










I think there's a quicker way to do it.




Rb2 Nb1 Rd2 Bd1 Rf2 Bfe2 Rf4 Bgf3 Rg4 Rxg7 Rg8 Rxa8




for 12 moves.






share|improve this answer




















  • Yeah, this was it (and this gets the check for the earlier timestamp)
    – Excited Raichu
    30 mins ago










  • Darn I was just finishing double checking mine and you just beat me! Congrats!
    – gabbo1092
    30 mins ago

















up vote
2
down vote













I can do it in 15 moves by my count.




The key is to move it around like one of those sliding block puzzles (like rush hour first. Then you only need to get a pawn promoted to a rook. No need to move any existing rooks out.




Spoiler Break




Rb2

Nb1

Rd2

Bd1

Ne2

Nf4

Ne6

Nxg7

Ne8

Nxf6

Ng8

f6

f7

f8=R

Rxa8




And will look something like this (apologies if I mess something up, I set the picture up after the fact, the annotation should be right.




https://i.imgur.com/xZcshmk.png







share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    2
    down vote













    I think I found a solution in 12 moves:




    1.Rb2
    2. Nb1
    3. Rd2
    4.Bd1
    5. Rf2
    6.Be2
    7.Rf4
    8.Bf3
    9.Rg4
    10. Rxg7
    11.Rg8
    12.Rxa8







    share|improve this answer
















    • 1




      I think you were about 28 seconds behind @Especially Lime unfortunately
      – JGibbers
      30 mins ago










    Your Answer




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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    4
    down vote



    accepted










    I think there's a quicker way to do it.




    Rb2 Nb1 Rd2 Bd1 Rf2 Bfe2 Rf4 Bgf3 Rg4 Rxg7 Rg8 Rxa8




    for 12 moves.






    share|improve this answer




















    • Yeah, this was it (and this gets the check for the earlier timestamp)
      – Excited Raichu
      30 mins ago










    • Darn I was just finishing double checking mine and you just beat me! Congrats!
      – gabbo1092
      30 mins ago














    up vote
    4
    down vote



    accepted










    I think there's a quicker way to do it.




    Rb2 Nb1 Rd2 Bd1 Rf2 Bfe2 Rf4 Bgf3 Rg4 Rxg7 Rg8 Rxa8




    for 12 moves.






    share|improve this answer




















    • Yeah, this was it (and this gets the check for the earlier timestamp)
      – Excited Raichu
      30 mins ago










    • Darn I was just finishing double checking mine and you just beat me! Congrats!
      – gabbo1092
      30 mins ago












    up vote
    4
    down vote



    accepted







    up vote
    4
    down vote



    accepted






    I think there's a quicker way to do it.




    Rb2 Nb1 Rd2 Bd1 Rf2 Bfe2 Rf4 Bgf3 Rg4 Rxg7 Rg8 Rxa8




    for 12 moves.






    share|improve this answer












    I think there's a quicker way to do it.




    Rb2 Nb1 Rd2 Bd1 Rf2 Bfe2 Rf4 Bgf3 Rg4 Rxg7 Rg8 Rxa8




    for 12 moves.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 32 mins ago









    Especially Lime

    1,263411




    1,263411











    • Yeah, this was it (and this gets the check for the earlier timestamp)
      – Excited Raichu
      30 mins ago










    • Darn I was just finishing double checking mine and you just beat me! Congrats!
      – gabbo1092
      30 mins ago
















    • Yeah, this was it (and this gets the check for the earlier timestamp)
      – Excited Raichu
      30 mins ago










    • Darn I was just finishing double checking mine and you just beat me! Congrats!
      – gabbo1092
      30 mins ago















    Yeah, this was it (and this gets the check for the earlier timestamp)
    – Excited Raichu
    30 mins ago




    Yeah, this was it (and this gets the check for the earlier timestamp)
    – Excited Raichu
    30 mins ago












    Darn I was just finishing double checking mine and you just beat me! Congrats!
    – gabbo1092
    30 mins ago




    Darn I was just finishing double checking mine and you just beat me! Congrats!
    – gabbo1092
    30 mins ago










    up vote
    2
    down vote













    I can do it in 15 moves by my count.




    The key is to move it around like one of those sliding block puzzles (like rush hour first. Then you only need to get a pawn promoted to a rook. No need to move any existing rooks out.




    Spoiler Break




    Rb2

    Nb1

    Rd2

    Bd1

    Ne2

    Nf4

    Ne6

    Nxg7

    Ne8

    Nxf6

    Ng8

    f6

    f7

    f8=R

    Rxa8




    And will look something like this (apologies if I mess something up, I set the picture up after the fact, the annotation should be right.




    https://i.imgur.com/xZcshmk.png







    share|improve this answer
























      up vote
      2
      down vote













      I can do it in 15 moves by my count.




      The key is to move it around like one of those sliding block puzzles (like rush hour first. Then you only need to get a pawn promoted to a rook. No need to move any existing rooks out.




      Spoiler Break




      Rb2

      Nb1

      Rd2

      Bd1

      Ne2

      Nf4

      Ne6

      Nxg7

      Ne8

      Nxf6

      Ng8

      f6

      f7

      f8=R

      Rxa8




      And will look something like this (apologies if I mess something up, I set the picture up after the fact, the annotation should be right.




      https://i.imgur.com/xZcshmk.png







      share|improve this answer






















        up vote
        2
        down vote










        up vote
        2
        down vote









        I can do it in 15 moves by my count.




        The key is to move it around like one of those sliding block puzzles (like rush hour first. Then you only need to get a pawn promoted to a rook. No need to move any existing rooks out.




        Spoiler Break




        Rb2

        Nb1

        Rd2

        Bd1

        Ne2

        Nf4

        Ne6

        Nxg7

        Ne8

        Nxf6

        Ng8

        f6

        f7

        f8=R

        Rxa8




        And will look something like this (apologies if I mess something up, I set the picture up after the fact, the annotation should be right.




        https://i.imgur.com/xZcshmk.png







        share|improve this answer












        I can do it in 15 moves by my count.




        The key is to move it around like one of those sliding block puzzles (like rush hour first. Then you only need to get a pawn promoted to a rook. No need to move any existing rooks out.




        Spoiler Break




        Rb2

        Nb1

        Rd2

        Bd1

        Ne2

        Nf4

        Ne6

        Nxg7

        Ne8

        Nxf6

        Ng8

        f6

        f7

        f8=R

        Rxa8




        And will look something like this (apologies if I mess something up, I set the picture up after the fact, the annotation should be right.




        https://i.imgur.com/xZcshmk.png








        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 37 mins ago









        JGibbers

        1,5411518




        1,5411518




















            up vote
            2
            down vote













            I think I found a solution in 12 moves:




            1.Rb2
            2. Nb1
            3. Rd2
            4.Bd1
            5. Rf2
            6.Be2
            7.Rf4
            8.Bf3
            9.Rg4
            10. Rxg7
            11.Rg8
            12.Rxa8







            share|improve this answer
















            • 1




              I think you were about 28 seconds behind @Especially Lime unfortunately
              – JGibbers
              30 mins ago














            up vote
            2
            down vote













            I think I found a solution in 12 moves:




            1.Rb2
            2. Nb1
            3. Rd2
            4.Bd1
            5. Rf2
            6.Be2
            7.Rf4
            8.Bf3
            9.Rg4
            10. Rxg7
            11.Rg8
            12.Rxa8







            share|improve this answer
















            • 1




              I think you were about 28 seconds behind @Especially Lime unfortunately
              – JGibbers
              30 mins ago












            up vote
            2
            down vote










            up vote
            2
            down vote









            I think I found a solution in 12 moves:




            1.Rb2
            2. Nb1
            3. Rd2
            4.Bd1
            5. Rf2
            6.Be2
            7.Rf4
            8.Bf3
            9.Rg4
            10. Rxg7
            11.Rg8
            12.Rxa8







            share|improve this answer












            I think I found a solution in 12 moves:




            1.Rb2
            2. Nb1
            3. Rd2
            4.Bd1
            5. Rf2
            6.Be2
            7.Rf4
            8.Bf3
            9.Rg4
            10. Rxg7
            11.Rg8
            12.Rxa8








            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 31 mins ago









            gabbo1092

            2,333428




            2,333428







            • 1




              I think you were about 28 seconds behind @Especially Lime unfortunately
              – JGibbers
              30 mins ago












            • 1




              I think you were about 28 seconds behind @Especially Lime unfortunately
              – JGibbers
              30 mins ago







            1




            1




            I think you were about 28 seconds behind @Especially Lime unfortunately
            – JGibbers
            30 mins ago




            I think you were about 28 seconds behind @Especially Lime unfortunately
            – JGibbers
            30 mins ago

















             

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