Chess problem stipulation notation

In a composition, the stipulation states what must be achieved, who tries to achieve it, and whether the opponent resists or cooperates. It is the problem's instruction, not its solution or a move list.

Common forms

• #2: direct mate in two. White moves and must force mate no later than White's second move against every Black defense.
• h#2: helpmate in two. Black begins and both sides cooperate so that White gives mate on White's second move.
• s#3: selfmate in three. White forces Black to mate the white king within the stipulated number of moves.
• + and = in studies: White moves and must force a win or a draw, respectively.

Letters may appear in upper or lower case depending on the publication, such as H#2 or h#2. Fairy problems can add conditions, unorthodox pieces, or further abbreviations, so a more complex stipulation needs its own legend.

Placement changes the meaning of some characters. In algebraic notation, + after a move normally means check; as a study stipulation, + means White must win. Context prevents the task from being mistaken for a comment from the symbol system or for game text in Portable Game Notation (PGN), the text format for storing games.