+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ : ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: +...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: : +...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ : ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: +...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ ::B:: B ::B:: B ::B:: B ::B:: B : +...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ : ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: +...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: : +...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: : +...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ : ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: +...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ This cannot be done with fewer bishops than eight, and the simplest solution is to place the bishops in line along the fourth or fifth row of the board (see diagram). But it will be noticed that no bishop is here guarded by another, so we consider that point in the next puzzle. 298.--BISHOPS--GUARDED. +...+...+...+...+.......+.......+ : ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: +...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: : +...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ : ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: +...+...+...+...+...+...+.......+ ::::: B ::B:: B ::::: B ::B:: : +...........+...+...+...+...+...+ : ::B:: B ::B:: ::B:: B ::::: +...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: : +...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+ : ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: +...+...+...+...+.......+...+...+ ::::: ::::: ::::: ::::: : +...+...+...+...+.......+...+...+ This puzzle is quite easy if you first of all give it a little thought. You need only consider squares of one colour, for whatever can be done in the case of the white squares can always be repeated on the black, and they are here quite independent of one another. This equality, of course, is in consequence of the fact that the number of squares on an ordinary chessboard, sixty-four, is an even number. If a square chequered board has an odd number of squares, then there will always be one more square of one colour than of the other. Ten bishops are necessary in order that every square shall be attacked and every bishop guarded by another bishop. I give one way of arranging them in the diagram. It will be noticed that the two central bishops in the group of six on the left-hand side of the board serve no purpose, except to protect those bishops that are on adjoining squares. Another solution would therefore be obtained by simply raising the upper one of these one square and placing the other a square lower down. 299.--BISHOPS IN CONVOCATION.