Futility Closet

Even Deadlier

Posted in Entertainment by Greg Ross on November 12th, 2007

Harold Cross once composed a chess position with 29 possible mates.

In this one, by Henry Dudeney, White can choose among 36 different mates on the move:

http://ia331305.us.archive.org/2/items/amusementsinmath16713gut/16713-h/16713-h.htm#X_353_THIRTY-SIX_MATES