hypothetical solver.

与假想的解棋者之间
Just as in a first-rate work of fiction, the real clash is not

就像一流的小说创作真正地冲突并不发生在角色身上
between the characters, but between the author and the world.

而应产生于作者与这个世界之间
So that a great part of the problem's value is due to the number

棋盘上的谜题最大价值在于尝试的次数
of tries, delusive opening moves, false scents, specious lines of play,

开局的迷惑手法欺骗的踪迹徒有其表的棋路
astutely and lovingly prepared to lead the would-be solver astray.

敏捷而又可爱地准备好引领假想的解棋者误入歧途
But whatever I can say about this matter of problem composing,

但无论我对如何描述组合棋局这件事
I do not seem to convey sufficiently the ecstatic core of the process and

我似乎并没有完全传达出过程中令人痴迷的核心以及
its points of connection with various other,

千变万化的点与点间的连线
more overt and fruitful, operations of the creative mind:

更为公开且更有成效创造性思维的智力操作过程:
from the charting of dangerous seas, to the writing of one of those

从测绘危险海域的海图到写作一本不可思议的
incredible novels where the author, in a fit of lucid madness,

小说其作者一阵神志清醒一阵疯癫痴狂