Retrograde

Retrograde analysis is a type of chess problem where the solver works backwards to deduce the moves leading up to a given position. The challenge often involves uncovering key details like whether castling is allowed, en passant is possible, or how a piece reached its square. The puzzles require logical reasoning and creative thinking, focusing on reconstructing the history of the position rather than advancing to a goal like checkmate.

"Retrograde analysis" is a broad category, and several categories, like Proof games, are sub-categories of this one.