user24675: From the orthodox starting position, how many moves will you need to have the 32 pieces protected exactly once? (The answer is astonishingly low.)

user24675: A friend of mine says... 8 moves are enough. He doesn’t want to spoil the solution. I have 10. Back to the blackboard!

user1766: I think four moves will suffice: 1 b3 ... 2 Bb2 3 g3 ... 4 Bg2.
This way, the rooks will also be protected. The need to protect bishops will happen deeper in the game.

user24675: 
« deeper in the game » ... well, good luck! My friend has published (France-Échecs) his 9-move solution (not 8 as I misprinted it in an earlier post) and this solution is a beauty! Here is the end FEN: 8/8/8/1N6/3PP1P1/5Q2/PPPB1P1P/1K1R1BNR


24675: <p>From the orthodox starting position, how many moves will you need to have the 32 pieces protected exactly once? (The answer is astonishingly low.)</p>
 24675: <p>A friend of mine says... 8 moves are enough. He doesn’t want to spoil the solution. I have 10. Back to the blackboard!</p>
 1766: <p>I think four moves will suffice: 1 b3 ... 2 Bb2 3 g3 ... 4 Bg2.
This way, the rooks will also be protected. The need to protect bishops will happen deeper in the game.</p>
 24675: <blockquote>
<p>« deeper in the game » ... well, good luck! My friend has published (France-Échecs) his 9-move solution (not 8 as I misprinted it in an earlier post) and this solution is a beauty! Here is the end FEN: 8/8/8/1N6/3PP1P1/5Q2/PPPB1P1P/1K1R1BNR</p>
</blockquote>
