The Chess Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes: Fifty Tantalizing Problems of Chess Detection (Dover Recreational Math) by Raymond M. Smullyan (PDF)

Description

Join the master sleuth as he and Dr. Watson examine interrupted chess matches at clubs and country homes, examining the pieces’ current positions to identify previous moves. Rather than predicting the outcome of these games, the Baker Street duo focus on past events, using the same variety of logical reasoning that unlocks the secrets to their ever-popular mysteries. Holmes instructs Watson (and us) in the intricacies of retrograde analysis in order to deduce on which square the white queen was captured, whether a pawn has been promoted, and which piece has been replaced by a coin. The mysteries grow increasingly complex, culminating in a double murder perpetrated by the devious Professor Moriarty.Philosopher and logician Raymond Smullyan brilliantly recaptures the mood of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s tales. Readers need only a knowledge of how the pieces move; the first puzzles explain all of the concepts that arise later on. These witty and challenging problems will captivate chess aficionados, puzzle enthusiasts, Sherlock Holmes fans, and everyone who relishes mysteries, crime stories, and tales of detection.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: About the Author Raymond Smullyan received his PhD from Princeton University and taught at Dartmouth, Princeton, Indiana University, and New York’s Lehman College. Best known for his mathematical and creative logic puzzles and games, he was also a concert pianist and a magician. He wrote over a dozen books of logic puzzles and texts on mathematical logic. Raymond Smullyan: The Merry Prankster Raymond Smullyan (1919–2017), mathematician, logician, magician, creator of extraordinary puzzles, philosopher, pianist, and man of many parts. The first Dover book by Raymond Smullyan was First-Order Logic (1995). Recent years have brought a number of his magical books of logic and math puzzles: The Lady or the Tiger (2009); Satan, Cantor and Infinity (2009); an original, never-before-published collection, King Arthur in Search of His Dog and Other Curious Puzzles (2010); and Set Theory and the Continuum Problem (with Melvin Fitting, also reprinted by Dover in 2010). More will be coming in subsequent years. In the Author’s Own Words:”Recently, someone asked me if I believed in astrology. He seemed somewhat puzzled when I explained that the reason I don’t is that I’m a Gemini.” “Some people are always critical of vague statements. I tend rather to be critical of precise statements: they are the only ones which can correctly be labeled ‘wrong.'” — Raymond Smullyan

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐Excellent condition and arrived earlier than promised- thank you

⭐Even if you don’t know a thing about logic, this book is very fun, and especially fun and interesting for chess enthusiasts. Like many books of this type, you will be really surprised by what you can *know* about a situation given seemingly very little information and a fat dose of rigorous logic. Highly recommended.

⭐Those who enjoy puzzles that require logical thinking but are bored by standard “logic puzzles” and chess problems will find this book a sheer delight. Each puzzle presents an innocuous-looking chess position and a seemingly impossible-to-answer question about it, such as, “What was White’s previous move?” or “Is it legal for Black to castle now?” or “On which square must the White pawn be located?” The questions can all be answered by pure deduction; although some of the problems are in some sense “trick questions,” there are no silly answers involving outright cheating of the kind commonly found in inferior puzzle books. The puzzles are fresh, original, entertaining, and deep. My only complaint is that in the first half of the book, there is no clear demarcation between the statement of the puzzle and the solution, so that the reader who likes tackling puzzles without any hints has to guess the point at which he should stop reading. This flaw does not occur in the second half of the book, however. Readers who enjoy this book may also want to buy the companion volume, “Chess Mysteries of the Arabian Knights,” although as of this writing (July 2000) it is out of print.

⭐I’m a fan of Smullyan’s books. This book of problems of retrograde analysis in chess is fun and good mental exercise for those who enjoy that sort of thing. Could be a horrible experience for those who do not like chess or logic problems. Best or worst of both domains.

⭐This was a really fun book to read, and a nice change of pace compared to usual chess puzzles. The plot itself wasn’t that enticing, but the fun problems made up for it. I especially enjoyed the 2-3 “troll” problems near the end of the first section.

⭐The second is ‘The Chess Mysteries of the Arabian Knights’This one is much easier than the second.The use of chess puzzles to demonstrate deductive and inductive logic is quite the feat. Great read for those who like chess or logic.

⭐Bought this for my father who loves Sherlock and chess. It was like Christmas came early! He is very happy with it!

⭐You have to be somewhat knowledgeable in chess and also like puzzles but a great book.

⭐I really enjoyed these retro chess puzzles and those in the sister book “Arabian Knights”.There are a couple of errors where the solution doesn’t work – including the final puzzle – which is surprising given it’s such an old book. But it’s definitely a must-buy if you enjoy chess puzzles.

⭐I’m pleased with this book. Interesting! Quick delivery. Very good. Thanks.

⭐Great fun for chess players & puzzle solvers. Sherlock Holmes storyline works better in some contexts than others. Shame about 1 flaw (I think) in what is otherwise one of my favourites “You Really can’t You Know”. But some are great to use at school chess clubs for the more able students.

⭐Interesting concept for the Holmes lover and chess player.

⭐Very good

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