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.