Cooks in chess problems: definition & usage

Cooks

Definition

In chess composition and endgame studies, “cooks” are unintended solutions that also satisfy the problem’s stipulation. A single unintended solution is a cook; the plural “cooks” refers to any and all extra solutions that spoil the work. A composed problem or study containing a cook is called unsound because the solution is not unique or not as intended by the composer. See also: Cook, Sound, Unsound, Problem, Endgame study.

Usage

How the term is used in chess

Composers and solvers use “cook” both as a noun and a verb:

• Noun: “The problem has two solutions; it’s spoiled by cooks.”
• Verb: “The solver cooked the problem,” meaning they found an unintended solution.

In mate-in-n problems (e.g., Mate in n), a cook often means there are two different first moves (two “keys”) that both meet the stipulation. In studies, a cook might be an unexpected alternative win or draw. Either way, cooks undermine the artistic and logical integrity of a composition.

Strategic and Historical Significance

Why cooks matter

A core artistic ideal in chess composition is clarity and uniqueness. A sound problem typically has:

• A single key move that starts the intended solution.
• Coherent thematic play (e.g., Grimshaw, Novotny, Bristol) without unintended shortcuts.
• No cooks and, depending on the genre, avoidance of unwanted Duals (multiple equivalent choices deeper in a line).

Historically, many important themes (such as the Babson task and complex underpromotion ideas) were long considered elusive because early attempts were frequently cooked. As analytical tools improved, composers refined constructions to eliminate cooks and achieve fully sound settings.

Types and Nuances

Cook vs. Dual

• Cook: An unintended, complete solution (often a different key in a mate-in-n, or a different winning/drawing line in a study). This makes the composition unsound.
• Dual: Multiple ways to continue within the intended solution after the key. Duals may be acceptable in some genres but usually reduce artistic value. They are not necessarily cooks.

Common sources of cooks

• Uncontrolled flight squares or checks that allow a faster or alternative mate.
• Hidden resource: an extra tempo, quiet move, or underpromotion that the composer didn’t foresee.
• Accidental transposition or move-order trick that reaches the same finale by a different first move.

Identifying and Preventing Cooks

Practical techniques

• Exhaustive checking with modern tools: Use a strong Engine (e.g., Stockfish) and Endgame tablebase/Syzygy where applicable. Tablebases instantly reveal cooked studies in 5–7-man endings.
• Anti-cook guards: Add or reposition a unit to cover a flight square, remove an unintended check, or block a line to prevent an extra key. This is often called “cooking prevention” or “anti-cook correction.”
• Stipulation or geometry tweak: Adjust the stipulation (mate in 3 instead of 2) or modify the geometry to force uniqueness.
• Peer review: Strong solvers and editors actively try to cook submissions before publication or award.

Examples

Illustrative cases

• Mate-in-two with two keys (a classic cook): In a hypothetical setting with the Black king confined in the corner (e.g., on h8) and White attacking along the g-file and long diagonal, both 1. Qg6! and 1. Qg5! might independently create unavoidable threats like 2. Qxh7# or 2. Qxg7#. If both keys work, the problem is cooked.
• Study with an extra win: A composer intends 1. Kf5! leading to a precise zugzwang and promotion; a solver finds 1. Kg5! achieving the same win by triangulation and tempo play. The alternate route is a cook that invalidates the study’s claimed uniqueness.
• Theme preservation: Suppose a problem showcases a Novotny interference on e6 (e.g., 1. Be6!!). If 1. Qe6! also wins immediately by a direct threat, the thematic elegance is lost—this unintended solution is a cook.

Note: In problem jargon, if the alternative solution occurs after the key (not as a different key), it’s often categorized as a dual rather than a cook—important for precise judging.

History and Anecdotes

Composer lore and the march of technology

• 19th-century solvers prided themselves on “cooking” problems by masters; spirited publishing duels between composers and “cookers” helped sharpen standards.
• Many early masterpieces were later found cooked when analytical strength rose. Modern editors routinely engine-test to preserve soundness.
• Some celebrated tasks (e.g., complex underpromotion or AUW ideas) went decades without a sound setting; interim versions were cooked until a definitive construction appeared.

Tips for Solvers and Composers

Best practices to avoid or find cooks

• For solvers: Before accepting the intended key, actively hunt for an alternative key that seems to bypass the theme. Try quiet moves, zwischenzugs, and resource checks.
• For composers: After finding your key, attempt to refute your own work. Check for “order effects,” reserve tempo ideas, and surprising underpromotions that might also solve.
• Iterative refinement: If a cook exists, adjust a guard, relocate a unit, or slightly change the stipulation; then re-test with engines and tablebases.

Related Terms

See also

• Cook (singular)
• Dual
• Sound and Unsound
• Mate in n and Endgame study
• Tablebase and Engine (e.g., Stockfish)
• Composition concepts: Theme, Key, Try, By-product, Model mate, Pure mate

Quick FAQ

Are all non-unique continuations cooks?

No. Multiple continuations after the key are usually duals. A cook is an unintended full solution (often from a different key) or an alternative main-line win/draw in a study.

Do cooks disqualify a composition?

In most formal composing tourneys, yes—cooked entries are rejected or must be corrected before publication or award.

How do modern tools change the landscape?

Powerful engines and Endgame tablebase analysis dramatically reduce published cooks, raising the bar for sound, high-quality compositions.

SEO Summary

What chess players mean by “cooks”

In chess problems and studies, “cooks” are unintended solutions that render a composition unsound. Composers strive to produce sound works with a single key and no extra solutions; solvers and editors try to “cook” them using rigorous analysis, strong engines, and tablebases. Understanding cooks helps players appreciate the craftsmanship behind mate-in-two problems, endgame studies, and the broader art of chess composition.