An unorthodox problem

I'm reposting this composition of mine from 10 months ago. It's kind of similar to a series helpstalemate, but the rules are slightly different (and somewhat simpler).

In this position, white is the only one making moves. Black never moves. The goal is: White to move and stalemate black in 17 moves. Checks must never occur. There should be only one solution, however you have some flexibility with the move order.

Starting with 1.axb8=B I guess?

EDIT: No no, a8=Q actually...

1.a4 2.a5 3.ab6 4.bc7 5.cb8=B 6.a8=Q 7.Qxd5 8.Qxf3 9.Qxe2 10.Qxc4 11.Qxb5 12.Bxf4 13.Bxh6 14.Bxd2 15.Bxc3 16.Qd7 17.Qf7 - hope I captured everything but f6 

Oh, bro. The move order really should be forced on these.

Ignore the Bg1 in the viewer below - he's just there to 'pass' black's turns.

Wow! :)

How did you figure that out?

I have a fair amount of solving experience. Series problems are quite popular in problem magazines.

The keys to this are Rh6 and Pf6. They are the hardest to capture due to the prohibition on checks. Rh6 is hard to capture with a Knight as well, so a Bishop is strongly indicated.

I tried promoting a wQ and B, but that is one move slow. At least 13 of the pieces must be captured (wB could pin the f-pawn at the end) so that leaves only four non-capturing moves. That's not enough since I must play a4, a5, a8Q, Qf7/g6 at the end, and c4 can't be the last Q capture (just can't conncect the dots like that.)

N/B is really the only other viable combination, and works better because there is a natural stalemate simply by capturing the two most difficult pieces.

Yes, excellent job once again! and good thinking process. Once you identify a knight and bishop work best, the rest is just a matter of time.

Also, I agree. If the move order was unique, it would be a much better problem. I could try and alter it to adress this issue, it's just that I couldn't be bothered  I will someday, perhaps.

Oh I just noticed this. It works, so the problem really is cooked. Great job on finding this!

Oh bro x2. He didn't capture Nd4.

Here is a sound problem, though perhaps not the same problem anymore.

Series stalemate in 19

Lol, I guess I fail at visualizing in my head 

Yes that's solid, though perhaps a little easier because the first move is clearly 1. a8=N since a bishop cannot capture on c3. Nice job with the rooks and general setup though!

We both fell into the same trap. Such compositions are truly excellent excercising for visualization and chess imagination - provided of course, one does not move the pieces on the board while solving

Great job!

Yeah, and my version doesn't have the wQ try. But that's the first one of those I have made, so I was mainly focused on just getting it sound.

Ahh, so it will let you make 'null' moves like Kh8. Noted.

are you guys solving these in your head? i'd have to use the analysis board for sure.  

Respect to u if that's how you've solved them!

Start with solving simpler puzzles which involve less moves (mate-in-2, combinations). After some practice you will be able to imagine longer series like Shoopi's problems.

This is not only fun and gives you more satisfaction from finding the solution but also improves your chess. Great practice for OTB games where you are not allowed to use analysis board and have to find all the moves in your head.

Yes, it will also let you play moves like these, but that's an evil secret only few know