Selfmates are chess puzzles where one side, usually White, is to play and force Black to deliver checkmate within a certain number of moves. In other words, White sets up a position where Black is compelled to checkmate White, even though it may seem counterintuitive. The objective is for White to cooperate with Black to enforce the checkmate.
Selfmate puzzles often have a theme or a specific set of constraints. The goal is to find a sequence of moves that forces Black to checkmate White, usually in the fewest possible moves. The solutions to selfmate puzzles are unique and typically involve sacrifices, clever maneuvers, and strategic coordination between the two sides.
Please take a moment to examine a selfmate puzzle in two moves, composed by Wolfgang Pauly and featured in his work “The Theory of Pawn Promotion” in 1912. In this puzzle, White initiates the sequence of moves and forces Black to deliver checkmate either on Black’s first move or by Black’s second move at the latest:
Of course, White can instantly deliver a checkmate themselves: 1. g8♘# However, that’s not the objective of this puzzle. If it is Black’s turn to move, they can mate the white king by 1. … ♝xg2#, but Black still has another move to play, so the mate wouldn’t be enforced. Let’s see:
- The black king cannot be moved, as all its surrounding squares are either occupied by the black pieces or under attack of the white ones.
- The black h-pawn is blocked by the white h-pawn.
- The black bishop has only one valid move – to capture the white one with a checkmate.
So, the only way to avoid checkmating the white king is to make a move with the other black pawn. But it’s White’s turn to move, so they must do the necessary preparation:
Selfmates are a fascinating genre of chess composition and require a different mindset compared to typical chess play. They test one’s tactical and strategic abilities by challenging the player to think creatively and envision unlikely scenarios.
Selfmate puzzles are primarily used for entertainment and chess composition competitions rather than for practical gameplay situations. They provide a platform for chess enthusiasts to explore unconventional ideas and enjoy the intricacies of the game beyond standard play.