Meredith – definition in chess composition

Meredith

Definition

In chess composition, a “Meredith” denotes a problem diagram that uses a highly economical number of men on the board. The prevailing modern usage is “no more than 12 pieces in total” (both sides combined, including both kings). Some purists use the stricter, original sense “exactly 12 pieces.” The term is named after the American problemist William Meredith (1835–1903), famed for elegant, economical settings.

Related jargon you may encounter: “half-Meredith” (sometimes used informally for 6 men, by analogy), and “miniature” (Miniature) which is typically 7 men or fewer. All of these labels belong to the economy-of-force aesthetic in chess problems (Economy).

How it’s used in chess

Usage

“Meredith” is a label used by problem composers, editors, solvers, and judges, not a term of over-the-board (OTB) play. You’ll see it in problem magazines, databases, and tourney award write-ups, usually in the header line of a composition, for example:

• “Mate in 2 (Meredith), model mates, no duals.”
• “Helpmate in 3, Meredith setting.” (Helpmate)
• “Selfmate in 2, Meredith; rich strategy.”

Calling a problem a Meredith signals economy of material: the idea has been realized with few pieces, often enhancing clarity and beauty. The label can apply across genres (directmates, helpmates, selfmates, fairies), though it is most commonly seen with directmates (“Mate in n”).

Strategic and historical significance

Why it matters

Economy of force is a core aesthetic principle in composition. A Meredith setting showcases that the composer achieved thematic content—such as a key move, changed mates, battery play, or a paradoxical sacrifice—without superfluous wood. Judges often consider economy when evaluating problems, and many celebrated tourney winners are Merediths.

William Meredith’s legacy is tied to clean two-movers with quiet keys and precise variations. While “miniature” status is even rarer, the Meredith threshold allows enough force to express sophisticated ideas (e.g., Bristol or clearance motifs, dual-avoidance, and even Model mate finishes) without the board feeling cluttered.

Examples

Reading a typical problem header

Imagine opening a composition anthology and reading: “Mate in 2, Meredith; changed mates; model mates on two defenses.” This tells you three things:

• Stipulation: Directmate in two moves (White to move and mate on the second move).
• Economy: The diagram has ≤12 men, i.e., it is a Meredith.
• Content: The mates after the key differ from set-play (“changed mates”), and final positions are “model mates” (every square around the mated king is covered exactly once).

A diagram-only Meredith (for visualization)

Below is a neutral, constructed 12-man diagram purely to visualize what “≤12 pieces” looks like on a board. It is not presented as a published or judged problem—just a countable example:

White: Kg1, Qd1, Ra1, Bc4, Nf3, Ph2; Black: Kg8, Rh8, Bc8, Pa7, Pf7, Pg7 (total 12).

Count the men: 6 white + 6 black = 12 (Meredith). In an actual composed Meredith, this skeleton would be crafted so that one unique key move creates thematic threats and exact mates with no unintended dual solutions.

What to look for in a true Meredith

• A unique key move (often a quiet move improving coordination).
• Economical mates: each unit contributes; no “spectator” men.
• Avoidance of duals (only one mating reply per defense, unless intentionally thematic).
• Classical themes rendered cleanly: batteries, line-clearance, decoy/deflection, Interference (e.g., Grimshaw/Novotny), etc.

Interesting facts and anecdotes

Trivia and nuances

• Two conventions: Many modern editors allow “Meredith” for ≤12 men; others reserve it for exactly 12. If you’re composing for a tourney, check the bulletin’s definitions.
• “Half-Meredith”: Some problemists colloquially say this for 6 men (by arithmetic analogy). Note, however, that 6 men also fall under the stricter “miniature” umbrella; terminology varies by school.
• Economy vs. content: High-complexity tasks (Task) or multi-phase strategy sometimes requires more force, so not every great problem is a Meredith. Conversely, a neat but simple idea often shines best with Meredith economy.
• Model mates and Merediths go hand-in-hand: the clarity of a Model mate is especially striking when realized with minimal material.
• Across genres: You’ll find Merediths in directmates, selfmates, and helpmates; economy is genre-agnostic.

Tips for composers and solvers

For composers

• Start from the thematic core and strip away non-essential units. Can two pieces share a function? Can a line be controlled indirectly?
• Check for duals after each defense—economy often reduces unintended resources.
• Prefer multifunctional placement: a single piece that guards, blocks, and creates a battery is gold in Meredith settings.
• When possible, aim for clean finishes like model mates or echoed mates to amplify the aesthetic punch.

For solvers

• Because force is limited, the key is often a paradoxically quiet improving move.
• Look for hidden lines and battery potential; with few units, each line matters.
• Expect precision: each defense should have a single, elegant refutation.

Related terms

Explore adjacent concepts to deepen your appreciation of Meredith problems:

• Miniature – ultra-economical problems, typically 7 men or fewer.
• Economy – the principle of minimizing material and moves.
• Model mate – mates where each square around the king is controlled once.
• Task – record-like thematic density; often tensions with economy.
• Line opening and Line closing – frequent in economical settings.
• Clearance and Battery – common Meredith-friendly themes.