You're new to hell, and you're given a choice: You can go directly to the fourth circle, or you can play simultaneous chess games against Alexander Alekhine and Aron Nimzowitsch.
Alekhine always plays black and smokes a pipe of brimstone. Nimzowitsch plays white and wears cufflinks made of human teeth. Neither has ever lost.
If you can manage even a draw against either player, you'll be set free. But if they both beat you, you'll go to the eighth circle for eternity.
What should you do?
(Answer in the comments section - full credit to Futility Closet)
Accept the challenge.
ReplyDeleteWait for Nimzowitsch's first move, and then play that move on Alekhine's board. When Alekhine responds, copy his move on Nimzowitsch's board. In effect the two masters are playing against one another; you're just transferring the moves between them. Since their game must end in a win or a draw, you're guaranteed to escape hell. You don't even have to know how to play chess!