Note
The cache is not at the posted coordinates and requires completing a chess themed research puzzle. The cache difficulty is rated a 4 due to the rextra research and puzzle solving required to determine the actual coordinates. The hide itself is rated as a 2. Please bring your own stamp pad and leave the stamp in the cache.
Checkmate (frequently shortened to mate) is a situation in chess in which one player's king is threatened with capture (in check) and there is no way to meet that threat. Or, simply put, the king is under direct attack and cannot avoid being captured. Delivering checkmate is the ultimate goal in chess: a player who is checkmated loses the game. In practice, most players resign an inevitably lost game before being checkmated. It is considered bad etiquette to continue playing in a completely hopeless position.
The cache is not actually at the posted coordinates. The actual coordinates are encrypted on a series of 4 overlays on a chess board. Knowledge of the game of chess is needed to break the encryption, however, a geocacher unfamiliar with chess can find all of the information needed by searching the internet or referencing a chess rulebook. Unlike a chess player, a geocacher is never in a completely hopeless position, so keep trying to avoid our version of a checkmate, a DNF.
Each latitude and longitude digit is represented by a separate space (square) on the chess board, for a total of 15 different digits. However, in order to find the final digit that each space represents, a math equation must be solved. Each overlay provides one component of each equation (a total of 15 different spaces / equations) to be solved. In order to make the proper calculations, here are some general rules:
1. The latitude (N) consists of 7 numbers, represented by 7 different squares on the chess board
2. The longitude (W) consists of 8 numbers, represented by 8 different squares on the chess board
3. White pieces, or a white square with a dark blue border, represent latitude
4. Black pieces, or a white square with a dark red border, represent longitude
5. Read the chess board left to right
6. The same 15 squares appear on each overlay. As you work thru each overlay, you will get a different piece of the equation for each square
7. Kings are not part of the equations
8. Overlays are posted under the images portion of the cache page
Overlay 1: This overlay represents polarity. It sets your first integer as a positive or negative number.
Overlay 2: The position of each square determines your first integer
Overlay 3: Determines the calculation to be performed
Overlay 4: Each chess piece determines the last integer
After solving all 15 equations on all four overlays, you should have the latitude and longitude to the cache.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.
This cache is not a park and grab. Once you have the final coordinates, you will have to develop a parking plan and approach route once you have the coordinates. The cache is not accessible from the highway. The container has a lock, the combo is (from top to bottom) 3, 5, 9. The container is missing a hinge, so please take care with the remaining one. You must sign the log inside to get the find. Inside is the special chess stamp, so bring you stamp logs. You DO NOT need to stamp the cache log.
Special thanks to Mr. Rhett Langseth, Colorado's 2011 High School State Chess Champion, for leading the Beta-Testing Team.
Good Luck!