user1703: I was wondering what the maximum number of captures in a position is, either in a real game or a problem.

user3831: I have some records from a book published in 1969. They might have been surpassed since then, but if that is the case, I was not able to locate that information. I guess, since there is no reply after ~2 weeks, this should be better than nothing. These are records for captures by one side.
74 captures; legal position:
[Title "T. W. Marlow & William Cross, Problem 05/1967"]
[FEN "r1n1n1b1/1P1P1P1P/1N1N1N2/2RnQrRq/2pKp3/3BNQbQ/k7/4Bq2 w - - 0 1"]

Additional Source: Die Schwable Chess Problem Database Server
Edit: In response to the comment - here's a legal position without underpromotions in play, 65 captures possible.
[Title "T. W. Marlow & William Cross, Problem 05/1967"]
[FEN "k2Kb2R/1RrQnQN1/8/BqQbQqQn/8/1QbQqQNB/8/3rQq2 w - - 0 1"]

Additional Source: Die Schwable Chess Problem Database Server
Source: Guide To Fairy Chess by Anthony Dickins.

1703: <p>I was wondering what the maximum number of captures in a position is, either in a real game or a problem.</p>
 3831: <p>I have some records from a book published in 1969. They might have been surpassed since then, but if that is the case, I was not able to locate that information. I guess, since there is no reply after ~2 weeks, this should be better than nothing. These are records for captures by one side.</p>
<p><strong>74 captures; legal position:</strong></p>
<pre><code>[Title &quot;T. W. Marlow &amp; William Cross, Problem 05/1967&quot;]
[FEN &quot;r1n1n1b1/1P1P1P1P/1N1N1N2/2RnQrRq/2pKp3/3BNQbQ/k7/4Bq2 w - - 0 1&quot;]
</code></pre>
<p>Additional Source: <a href="https://pdb.dieschwalbe.de/P1178639" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Die Schwable Chess Problem Database Server</a></p>
<p><strong>Edit: In response to the comment - here's a legal position without underpromotions in play, 65 captures possible.</strong></p>
<pre><code>[Title &quot;T. W. Marlow &amp; William Cross, Problem 05/1967&quot;]
[FEN &quot;k2Kb2R/1RrQnQN1/8/BqQbQqQn/8/1QbQqQNB/8/3rQq2 w - - 0 1&quot;]
</code></pre>
<p>Additional Source: <a href="https://pdb.dieschwalbe.de/P1178637" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Die Schwable Chess Problem Database Server</a></p>
<p>Source: <em>Guide To Fairy Chess</em> by Anthony Dickins.</p>
