Buzz
Crack the puzzle using algebraic notation or by bending the rules
The Password Game is an online browser game where you must create an increasingly difficult password while adhering to a set of displayed rules. The rules begin simple, but soon become more complex. Rule 16 presents a chessboard filled with pieces and requires you to incorporate the best move in algebraic notation into your password. This can be tricky, particularly if you aren’t familiar with chess or how to write algebraic notation. Fortunately, it’s a solvable challenge. This article will guide you through solving Rule 16 in The Password Game.
Conquer Rule 16
The chess pieces in Rule 16 are randomly generated. You’ll need to identify the most optimal move and include the algebraic notation in your password. If chess isn’t your strong suit, websites like nextchessmove.com can help you determine the best move in algebraic notation.
Instructions
Cracking Rule 16
Insert the next best move in algebraic notation into your password. Since the chessboard is randomly generated for every game, there isn’t a single fixed solution.
- To solve this puzzle, you’ll need to learn the basics of chess and how to understand and write algebraic notation.
- If you’re not proficient at chess, you can cheat to find the correct move.
Understanding Algebraic Notation
Chess piece abbreviations. In algebraic notation, each chess piece (with the exception of pawns) is represented by a capital letter. The first letter in the notation indicates the piece being moved. If no capital letter appears before the move, it means the piece in question is a pawn. The abbreviations for the pieces are as follows:
- "K" = King
- "Q" = Queen
- "N" = Knight
- "B" = Bishop
- "R" = Rook
- No letter = Pawn
Board coordinates. This refers to where the piece moves on the chessboard. On a chessboard, the vertical columns are labeled A through H, with the leftmost column being the A column and the rightmost column being the H column. The horizontal rows are numbered 1 to 8, with the row closest to the player being row 1, and the row farthest from the player being row 8. For example, if a piece moves to e4, it’s moving to the square at the intersection of the 4th row and the "e" column.
Special Chess Moves. In addition to how pieces move, there are also special notations that describe what a piece does during its move. These are as follows:
- "x" = capture: If a piece captures another piece during its move, this is denoted by an "x" after the piece's letter and before the square it moves to.
- "+" = check: If a move places the opponent’s king in check, meaning it can be captured, this is represented by a plus (+) sign after the move notation.
- "++" = checkmate: A checkmate is the final, winning move in chess. It means the opponent's king is under threat and cannot escape. If the move results in checkmate, it is indicated by a double plus (++) after the move.
- "0-0" = kingside castling: Castling is a special move involving the King and Rook, moving simultaneously to switch places. It can only occur if the King and Rook haven’t moved yet, the King is not in check, no pieces are blocking, and the King doesn’t move through check. Kingside castling (right side) is indicated by "0-0".
- "0-0-0" = queenside castling: If the King castles with the Rook on the left side (queenside), it is written as "0-0-0".
Examples of Algebraic Chess Notation. Below are several examples of algebraic notation used in chess, with explanations:
- "e4"—A pawn moves to the "e4" square. Since there’s no capital letter before the notation, it indicates that a pawn is being moved.
- "Nc3"—The knight moves to the c3 square, as indicated by the capital "N".
- "Bxf4"—The bishop moves to f4 and captures a piece on that square. The "x" signifies the capture.
- "Qxa4+"—The queen moves to a4, capturing a piece and putting the opponent's king in check. The plus (+) indicates the opponent is in check, and the "x" shows that the queen captured a piece on the a4 square.
Utilizing NextChessMove.com
Use NextChessMove.com to solve the puzzle quickly. If you’re not familiar with chess or don’t want to spend time figuring out the next move, you can easily use a website like NextChessMove.com. Open NextChessMove.com in a new browser tab. Arrange the pieces to match the layout shown in The Password Game. Then click Calculate Next Move. Copy the algebraic notation and paste it into your password.
- Don’t forget to adjust the rest of your password to comply with Rule 5 (the digits in your password must add up to 25).
