378. Missax

The Ultimate Guide to 378 Missax: Uncovering the Mystery

5. What makes Puzzle 378 a teaching gem?

What stuck with me most was the feeling that I had authored part of the game’s story—by arranging the tiles, I had composed the music that underscored Mira’s memory. It’s a rare, intimate bond between player and creator that I hope more indie developers explore.

• King safety: Both kings are not in check.
• Side to move: The puzzle doesn’t ask for a side‑to‑move; the position is simply reachable after a plausible series of captures.
• En‑passant rights: Not needed for verification.
• Castling rights: White can still castle kingside (O-O) because the squares f1 and g1 are empty and the rook on h1 has not moved. Black cannot castle either side because the queen on e8 blocks the king’s path and the rook on c8 has already moved off its original file.