Max Lange Attack
A
cache
by bigcall
Hidden:
10/11/2003
Size:
 (Micro)
Difficulty:
Terrain:
(1 is easiest, 5 is hardest)
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The cache is not at the coordinates, you must solve the puzzle
below to figure out where to look for stage 1.
I tried to combine the best (or worst as depending on your point
of view) of MD and VA cache styles. So here's my multi-micro with a
puzzle to boot. Both legs are in parks but are separated by several
miles, so a vehicle is highly recommended.
Max Lange (1832 - 1899) was a German chess player, theoretician,
and problemist. He is probably best remembered for his variation of
the Two Knights Defense which bears his name - The Max Lange
Attack. Illustrated below is an example of this opening where a
single mistake by black is quickly punished by a 4-move sacrificial
mate:
P-K4 P-K4
N-KB3 N-QB3 B-B4 N-B3 P-Q4 PxP O-O P-Q3 NxP B-K2 N-QB3 O-O P-KR3 R-K1 R-K1 N-Q2 BxP KxB
N-K6 KxN Q-Q5 K-B3
Q-KB5
Now for the fun part - Treating each character (including dashes
and x's, but not existing numbers) as a surrogate for one and only
one number, the sum of each of the 25 moves equals BOOHOO.
Also the first digit of any individual number cannot be a zero and
therefore follows normal convention (i.e. 0124 is not allowed).
This last condition will narrow the solution set from three to
one.
i.e.
P-K4 + P-K4 + N-KB3 + . + . + . + Q-KB5 BOOHOO
There is only one possible solution to this substitution. Once
you have figured out the correct sequence of character/number
substitutions plug it into the following code to get the
coordinates:
QNS -B-NPRH RBQN--O
(the "S" will become apparent)
This micro cache is not a container per se, but is something
that is very appropriate for the area. Once you locate it, the
coordinates for the final cache will be revealed.
Both stage 1 and 2 are small and well hidden. They are both
located quite near private property so the approach to each may
have to be discovered rather than taking a direct route
necessarily. Please be carefull where you decide to park!!!
Not sure how hard this one will ultimately be, but like some of
my other caches it is meant to be devious and difficult hence the
rating.
I'll add clues as necessary. I will be checking up on this cache
periodically but will be out of the area for stretches at a time,
so please be patient.
Additional Hints (
No hints available
)
(Decrypted Hints)
Find...
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Logged Visits (
34 total. Visit the Gallery (7 images)
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Warning.
Spoilers may be included in the descriptions or links.
Cache find counts are based on the last time the page generated.
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September 20 by Team J&J (881 found) Finally! It's been over 5 years since I first attempted this cache. Way back in 2004, I solved the puzzle and searched for stage 1. DNF back then. I contacted the CO, got the coordinates for stage 2, went back and replaced stage 1, made an assault on stage 2, but found the water level too high to attempt it with my son. Some months later, my computer crashed and I lost all data.With a new computer, my thoughts drifted back to this cache and I solved it again. Still, I let another year drift by before thinking I should really head back out to stage 1 to get those coordinates again. Things come up, things go away, and just as I was getting motivated - my new computer died! I lost all data yet again. Another year, another hard drive, and I resolved the puzzle for a 3rd time (less elegantly than before, I might add). It's 2009 and I finally decided that I'm going to get one cache today - Max Lange! I found stage 1 to be right where it should, and headed out for stage 2. The water level was very low and there were many areas to cross. I found stage 2 easily enough. The cache was nice and dry, having experienced no ill effects since it's last discovery earlier this year. I never did figure out an optimal way to solve the puzzle by pencil and paper. I merely ran through all possible combinations with an Excel macro. Because of the 5 years I've spent thinking off and on about this cache, and my affinity for chess, the Max Lange Attack will always have a special place among my geocaching memories. Oh...and I now back up my computer every week and store my cache solves 'in the cloud'. Thanks for keeping this one alive. Find #871
[view this log]
| February 25 by mmammel (546 found) Finally! It took me quite a while to get ahold of the first stage and now today I had an opportunity to go for the final. I searched around a bit, then had to widen my search. There it is It is good to complete this one, good puzzle! -Mark
[view this log] | January 12 by Team J&J (881 found) I have solved this one twice. Computer crash and I lost my data so had to solve it a second time. I made it out to the first stage a few years back, found it missing and, after comms with the cache owner, I replaced the 1st stage. Of course, that was BEFORE my computer crashed so now I have to go out to the 1st stage again. I even made it to a spot where I could see where the final might be hidden, but had my son along and felt it a little too dangerous for him at the time. This one has always been a bright blip on my radar and I'd hate to see it be archived for no good reason. Some caches develop a special reputation for the length between finds and it's nice to get their particular smiley, knowing you're one of just a few.Please keep this cache alive.
[view this log] | January 11 by GLM (5916 found) Just because no one has looked for this cache doesn't mean it needs to be archived. This is a very tough puzzle. Those of us that have put the time and effort into solving it are very proud of our efforts. Stage one of this cache is a tough hide also, so having a smilie on this page is very rewarding. Please keep in mind that every cache is not for everyone. Please do not try to ruin the fun of others just because you do not wish to work on this particular puzzle cache.
[view this log] | January 10 by mmammel (546 found) There is no reason to archive, the reason for few finds is that its a difficult puzzle. Maintenence was performed in July, it was found in August. I found the first stage in August and am planning to hit the final soon. Both stages are in good condition AFAIK.
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Current time: 11/22/2009 8:23:10 AM Last Updated: 10/12/2009 3:48:52 AM Rendered: From Database Coordinates are in the WGS84 datum
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