Editing Sam Loyd (section)

===Charles XII problem===
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This problem was originally published in 1859. The story involves a chess incident during the siege of [[Charles XII of Sweden]] by the [[Skirmish at Bender|Turks at Bender]] in 1713. "Charles beguiled this period by means of drills and chess, and used frequently to play with his minister, Christian Albert Grosthusen, some of the contests being mentioned by Voltaire. One day while so engaged, the game had been played to this stage, and Charles (White) had just announced checkmate in three."
:'''1. Rxg3 Bxg3'''
:'''2. Nf3 Bxh2'''
:'''3. g4{{chessAN|#}}'''
{{clear}}

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"Scarcely had he uttered the words, when a (Turkish) bullet, shattering the window, dashed the White knight off of the board in fragments. Grothusen started violently, but Charles, with utmost coolness, begged him to put back the other knight and work out the mate, observing that it was pretty enough. But another glance at the board made Charles smile. We do not need the knight. I can give it to you and still mate in four!" 
:'''1. hxg3 Be3'''
:'''2. Rg4 Bg5'''
:'''3. Rh4+ Bxh4'''
:'''4. g4#'''
{{clear}}

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Who would believe it, he had scarcely spoken when another bullet flew across the room, and the pawn at h2 shared the fate of the knight. Grothusen turned pale. "You have our good friends the Turks with you," said the king unconcerned, "it can scarcely be expected that I should contend against such odds; but let me see if I can dispense with that pawn. I have it!" he shouted with a laugh, "I have great pleasure in informing you that there is undoubtedly a mate in 5." 
:'''1. Rb7 Be3'''
:'''2. Rb1 Bg5'''
:'''3. Rh1+ Bh4'''
:'''4. Rh2 gxh2'''
:'''5. g4#'''
{{clear}}

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In 1900, Friedrich Amelung pointed out that in the original position, if the first bullet had struck the rook instead of the knight, Charles would still have a mate in six.
:'''1. Nf3 Be1'''
:'''2. Nxe1 Kh4'''
:'''3. h3 Kh5'''
:'''4. Nd3 Kh4'''
:'''5. Nf4 h5'''
:'''6. Ng6#'''
{{clear}}

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In 2003, ChessBase posted a fifth variation, attributed to Brian Stewart. After the first bullet took out the knight, if the second had removed the g-pawn rather than the h-pawn, Charles would be able to mate in ten.
:'''1. hxg3 Be1'''
:'''2. Rg4 Bxg3'''
:'''3. Rxg3 Kh4'''
:'''4. Kf4 h5'''
:'''5. Rg2 Kh3'''
:'''6. Kf3 h4'''
:'''7. Rg4 Kh2'''
:'''8. Rxh4+ Kg1'''
:'''9. Rh3 Kf1'''
:'''10. Rh1#'''
{{clear}}