02 August 2025
Mate in 2, or 1? A Chess Puzzle
This AI-generated chess puzzle declares "White to move, mate in 2", but a single knight move would instantly end the game. In addition, the board's coordinate system is glitched: row numbers go 8, 6, 4, ... and then restart at 8. In the end, both kings are placed on g8. Four black pawns appear mysteriously on Black's home rank (did they walk backward)? All these oddities stem from the fact that AI models confuse visual layout with correct chess structure; as I know from observing my toddler (or sometimes myself), it is easy to mimic form without necessarily grasping the substantial rules. And it's the same with AI tools; they can generate chess puzzles, but understanding them is something else entirely.