Shortest-proof-game challenge

Similar to n9531l1's but shorter...

n.e4 e5 n+1.fxe6#

#5801

I kept getting 20 for a while, but I've managed to get to 19 after a bit of testing. Can anyone reach 18 moves or shorter?

Based on both games, I created a somewhat symmetrical version; it's not shorter, but I thought it looked somewhat nice.

That's really getting short. I wonder what BishopTakesH7 had ready.

It took me quite a few more moves to have the black king give the mate.

I interpreted this to mean Black plays the symmetrical Kxe8#!

While interesting, that interpretation is incorrect.

I've gotten it down to a pretty tight 13 moves.

I'd say that's an XXXL compared to Rocky's lean costumes

Before we can say that, we'll have to wait for Rocky to show us one with the black king capturing on e1.

He already did by tailoring yours!

Okay, here's one with a black ...Kxe1#.

That's good, improving on Rewan's game by two moves. I'd say maybe an XL.

Still hoping to see BishopTakesH7's solutions.

Ah, I didn't read the posts all that well. Somehow missed that the frame had moved to black Ke1#. What's that king doing there anyway?

This thread got weird.

It was already weird. It even had someone who insisted a proof game had to end with a move by Black.

I meant in terms of this ke1 thing.

The proof game genre is very popular in the retro composition field. It is suitable to a mix with many different ingredients in stipulations and game types. Imagination is the limit. Attaching it to an end state condition like "Ke1#" is quite "orthodox" compared to many other puzzle types you will find "over there".

Btw, Rocky's versions are hard to beat except for the half move you can gain by including Ke8#! I tried.