Editing Helpmate (section)

=== Multiple solutions ===
{{Chess diagram
|tright
|Chris Feather, 1975
|  |rl|rd|bl|  |  |bd|  
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  
|  |  |  |  |nd|  |  |  
|  |  |nd|  |  |  |pd|  
|  |  |kl|  |  |bd|  |  
|  |pd|  |rd|kd|  |  |  
|  |  |  |  |  |  |bl|rl
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  
|Helpmate in 2 (two solutions)
}}
Because the nature of helpmates sees Black and White cooperating, the play in helpmates may seem to be a great deal simpler than in [[directmate]]s (the most common type of problem, where White tries to checkmate Black, and Black tries to avoid being mated). In directmates, a great variety of play can be found in the solution because although White has only one move at each juncture which will solve the problem, Black can choose between several to try to thwart White's efforts. In helpmates, however, both White's and Black's moves are limited to just one at each juncture; this may seem simple, but a well-constructed helpmate also shows thematic play, and the cooperating moves should not always be easy to find. It has been noted by Jean Oudot that "helpmates are the purest form of all the chess arts".

In order to introduce more lines of play into a problem, various devices can be employed. Most straightforwardly, a problem can have more than one solution. The solutions will usually complement each other in some thematic and aesthetically pleasing way. Each solution can be considered a different [[phase of play]]. If there is more than one solution, the composer will state this; if there is no such statement, the problem has only one solution. The example to the right is a helpmate in 2 (h#2) with two solutions. It was published in the June 1975 issue of ''Schach'' and is by the helpmate specialist [[Chris J. Feather]].

The two solutions are '''1. Bxb8 Bd5 2. Nc7 Bxg5#''' and '''1. Rdxd8 Bc6 2. Nd7 Rxb3#'''. These lines are very closely linked, with both exhibiting the same basic pattern: first, Black takes the white piece that gives mate in the other solution (this is known as a [[Zilahi]]), at the same time opening the line on which mate is eventually given, then White moves a bishop to close a line so that Black's next move will not give check. Black's second move closes another line so that after White's last move, giving check, Black will not be able to interpose one of his [[chess piece|pieces]].