Editing Chess (section)

==Problems and studies==
{{Chess diagram  
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|[[Richard Réti]] <br />''[[Ostrava|Ostrauer]] Morgenzeitung'', 1921
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|{{center|White to move and draw}} {{pb}}[[Réti endgame study|This endgame study]] is solved by advancing the white king [[diagonal]]ly, simultaneously stopping the black pawn and supporting the white pawn on its way to {{chessgloss|queening|queen}}.<ref>{{harvp|de la Villa|2008|pp=179–180}}</ref>
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[[Chess problems]] (also called chess compositions) are composed positions, usually created for artistic effect rather than practical application. The creator is known as a [[chess composer]].<ref>{{harvp|Howard|1961}}</ref>

There are many types of chess problems, the most common being {{chessprobgloss|directmates}}, in which White is required to move and checkmate Black within a specified number of moves, usually two or three, against any defense.

These are commonly referred to as "two-movers", "three-movers", or "more-movers". "Many-movers" (also known as "long-range problems") of over 100 moves have been composed, the current record standing at over 200; these usually require repetitions of the same manoeuvre in order to produce a repeated [[zugzwang]] and force detrimental pawn advances.<ref>{{harvp|Hooper|Whyld|1992|p=234}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=John Nunn|authorlink=John Nunn|date=12 May 2015 |title=Longest dual-free direct mate problem |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/longest-dual-free-direct-mate-problem |website=Chessbase.com |access-date=30 January 2025}}</ref>

Directmates usually consist of positions unlikely to occur in an actual game, and are intended to illustrate a particular ''{{chessprobgloss|theme}}'', usually requiring a surprising or counterintuitive ''{{chessprobgloss|key}}'' move. Themes associated with chess problems occasionally appear in actual games, when they are referred to as "problem-like" moves.<ref>{{harvp|Hooper|Whyld|1992|p=110}}</ref>

Other common types of problems include:
*[[Helpmate]]s, in which Black moves first and cooperates with White to get Black's king checkmated
*[[Selfmate]]s, in which White moves first and forces Black to checkmate White
*[[Retrograde analysis problems]], in which the solver is required to work out what has previously occurred in the game, for example to prove that castling is illegal in the current position

The above type of problems are usually considered orthodox, in the sense that the standard rules of chess are observed.

[[Fairy chess]] problems, also called heterodox problems, involve altered rules, such as the use of unconventional pieces or boards, or stipulations that contradict the standard rules of chess such as [[reflexmate]]s or [[seriesmover]]s.

[[Endgame study|Studies]] are usually considered distinct from problems, although there is some overlap. In a study, the stipulation is that White to play must win or draw, without specifying any particular number of moves. The majority of studies are [[Chess endgame|endgame]] positions, with varying degrees of realism or practical application.<ref>{{harvp|Hooper|Whyld|1992|pp=400–401}}</ref>

Tournaments for composition and solving of chess problems and studies are organized by the [[World Federation for Chess Composition]] (WFCC), which works cooperatively with but independent of FIDE. The WFCC awards titles for composing and solving chess problems.<ref>{{harvp|Weenink|1926}}</ref>