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Raymond M. Smullyan

The Chess Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes: Fifty Tantalizing Problems of Chess Detection (Dover Recreational Math) Paperback – Illustrated, January 17, 2012

by Raymond M. Smullyan (Author)

71 ratings

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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in order to deduce on which square the white queen was captured, whether a pawn has been promoted, and which piece has been replaced by a coin.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.

Reading age

12 years and up
Print length

192 pages
Language

English
Dimensions

5.4 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches
Publisher

Dover Publications
Publication date

January 17, 2012
ISBN-10

0486482014
ISBN-13

978-0486482019
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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

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications; Illustrated edition (January 17, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0486482014
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0486482019
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 years and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #690,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #300 in Math Games
- #351 in Mathematical Logic
- #931 in Chess (Books)

Customer Reviews:
71 ratings

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Customer reviews

5 star		74%
4 star		14%
3 star		6%
2 star		1%
1 star		4%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Chris Poole

AceBook Review

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2022

Verified Purchase

Excellent condition and arrived earlier than promised- thank you

Helpful

glashoppah

Fascinating intro to retrograde analysis

Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2021

Verified Purchase

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.

One person found this helpful

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Timothy Chow

Retrograde analysis at its best

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2000

Verified Purchase

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.

21 people found this helpful

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Midwestern guy

This book of problems of retrograde analysis in chess is fun and good mental exercise for those who enjoy that ...

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2017

Verified Purchase

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.

2 people found this helpful

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Nishant

This was a really fun book to read

Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2014

Verified Purchase

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.

One person found this helpful

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Eric B. Platt

First of 2 books on Retrograde Analysis

Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2013

Verified Purchase

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.

3 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

It was like Christmas came early

Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2016

Verified Purchase

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

One person found this helpful

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Niko Pjetri

If you know chess and you like puzzles then this is the book for you.

Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2017

Verified Purchase

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

2 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer

A must-have for anyone who enjoys chess puzzles

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 15, 2022

Verified Purchase

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.

Dean Thornton

An interesting book.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2020

Verified Purchase

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

Amazon Customer

Many hours of fun for chess-playing puzzle fans

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2017

Verified Purchase

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.

Kindle Customer

Great gift

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2014

Verified Purchase

Interesting concept for the Holmes lover and chess player.

Panagiotis Mengos

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2015

Verified Purchase

Very good

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