Here is my effort to duplicate the excellent article by Bart Gibbons, on the 64 greatest
moves, one for each square, only now for composed problems. Gibbons' selections included 32 problems with Black to Move and 32 with White to Move. In keeping with the conventions of the majority of composed problems, all 64 of mine are White to Move.
I will not say that these are definitely the greatest composed
problems of all time. For one thing, there are thousands upon thousands
of composed problems and endgame studies to choose from. But I have
done my best to select positions that I think are spectacular,
instructive and/or historically significant and pioneering.
Like Bart Gibbons, my original intention was to have an equal
distribution among composers. But as those of you who read the article,
Dr. D's Check-up: Fixing Sam (April 2007), which I co-wrote with
former problems columnist Dr. Steven B. Dowd, know, I am a big fan of
Sam Loyd, and he was a pioneer in so many ways and his problems are so
spectacular, that he gets preferential treatment over other composers.
Even on some of the problems, which he did not compose, he still gets
mentioned! I could have easily included even more of Sam Loyd's
puzzles. The one way in which I was more 'democratic' was that I tried
to include direct mate problems that represented a diverse
representation of the many themes, principles and terminology that are
peculiar to the problemist's art.
For those of you who are new to composed problems, I hope that this
article will pique your interest as mine first was over 20 years ago.
The first book on composed problems that I read was 101 Chess Problems
For Beginners; the problems were by Comins Mansfield, the
commentary by Brian Harley and it was edited by Fred Reinfeld. But don't let
the title deceive you, it is only a book for beginners in the sense
that it starts from the ground floor and teaches you all of the major
concepts that one needs to know to enjoy chess problems.
From there, I read all of Kenneth S. Howard's and Brian Harley's books
and endgame study books by A.A.Troitsky, 1234 Modern End-game Studies
by Sutherland and Lommer, and others. More recently, I read The Puzzle
King: Sam Loyd's Chess Problems and Selected Mathematical Puzzles,
available through the USCF, and that further sparked my interest in Sam
Loyd and my discovery of his 'cooked' problems (multiple solutions) led
to "Fixing Sam." I also acquired Alain C.
White's, Sam Loyd and His Chess Problems.
For those of you who are more experienced with composed problems, I
hope that you will still learn something, I certainly did! I have also
included some endgame studies for those primarily focused on OTB play
but as I said, I hope that they can also learn to appreciate composed
problems.
Unlike Bart Gibbons, I am not going to include alternate positions that
didn't make the cut. I plan on presenting those and other problems in
future columns on Chess Life Online. With that in mind, I would look
forward to communication and feedback from the past and future devotees
of Key Krackers, Dr. D's Check-up and beyond, with regards to problems
that they think should have been included, should be featured in the
future, and as a general forum for the problem art. You can reach me at
[email protected]
1.
Sam Loyd, Musical World 1859, White to Mate in Two
Show Solution
Solution
Since either the Black King or Rook must have made the last move,
retroanalysis, 1...0-0-0 is impossible and so after 1. Qa1 any 2 Qh8#.
(Hide Solution)
2.
G.H. Drese and M. Niemeijer, Limburgsch Dagblad 1937 , White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
In
this Black Self-Unpin, the three thematic variations show the Black
Queen unpinned for defensive purposes on the file but the Pawn moves
interfere with her long diagonal.
1. Ka2 d4 2 Rdc2+ Kd3 3 Rb3#
e5 2 Nxd5+ Kc4 3 Rbc2#
c6 2 Rbc2+ Kxb4 3 Rd4#
(Hide Solution)
3.
George Walker, Josef Kling 1841
White to Move and Win
Show Solution
Solution
This study was originally published by George Walker in 1841, who claimed it was a
drawn. Josef Kling showed the winning procedure. 1. Ka3 (the beginning
of a triangulation, a maneuver by the King that loses the move and sets
up or leads to zugzwang, the compulsion to move) 1...Kb6 2 Kb2 Ka5 3
Kb3 (End of triangulation, Black must withdraw the King) 3...Kb6 4 Kc3
Ka5 5 Kd2 Ka4 6 Ke3 Kb4 7 Kd3 Ka3 8 Ke4 Ka4 9 Kd5 Kb4 10 a3+ (Hide Solution)
4.
Maximilian Philipp Friedrich von Klett, Deutsche Schachzeitung 1875, White to Mate in 4
Show Solution
Solution
Adolf
Bayersdorfer (1842-1901) called Klett the "Bach of the problem art" and
he was regarded as the leading exponent of the so-called Old German
Style.
1. Na4 Kd5 2 Rb1! Kxc6 3 Nb6 Kb7 4 Nxa5#
Kc4 3 Nb6+ Kb5 4 Nd4#
Ke4 3 Nc3+ Kf3 4 Rf1#
(Hide Solution)
5.
Jean Oudot, L'Echiquier de France 1957, Mate in Four
Show Solution
Solution
The key is 1. a5 and there are two variations, each showing the Indian
Theme, in which a line-piece is moved across a critical square, another
piece of the same color is moved to this square, creating a Battery, a
two piece mechanism of one color which can open against an enemy
square, line or piece, and may then be moved again to unmask the piece
that was moved first. More on the Indian Theme later.
1 a5 Nc5 2 Rxc5 a6 3 Be5 Kg5 4 Bf6#
Nb8(c7) 2 Bxb8(c7) a6 3 Re5 Kg3 4 Re4#
(Hide Solution)
6.
Sam Loyd, New York State Chess Association, Feb.22, 1892, White to Mate in Two
Show Solution
Solution
1. Ra6 Rxf5 2 Rxa4#This is
the American Indian theme, not to be confused with the Indian Theme. In
the words of Sam Loyd, "The key withdraws a guarding piece to a remote
square so as to attack a Black man which in turn threatens a White
piece previously guarded by the key piece but now open to capture by
the Black King. If the Black man captures the piece initially guarded,
the key piece passes through the square vacated by the Black man and
captures a second Black man giving mate."
(Hide Solution)
7.
Heuacher 1930, White to Move and Win
Show Solution
Solution
If Black is allowed to play e4, he will be able to stop the h-pawn
and draw. Therefore, e4 must be stopped at all costs and the key is 1. Ba7 if 1...Bxa7, then 2 h7 and 3 h8=Q, therefore 1...Ba1 2 Kb1 Bc3 3
Kc2 Ba1 and now White looks to be at an impasse because if 4 Kd3, then
4...e4+ and again the h-pawn is stopped, therefore 4 Bd4!! and if
4...exd4, then 5 Kd3. So 4...Bxd4 5 Kd3 and now 5...e4+ does not work
because of 6 Kxd4 and so after 5...Ba1 6 Ke4, the pawn is blockaded and
White follows with 7 h7 and 8 h8=Q. (Hide Solution)
8.
G.N. Cheney, Brooklyn Standard, November 1860 White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
1. Ba8 fxg4 2 Kb7 Kd5 3 Rd3#
f4 2 Be4 any 3 Rd3#
This problem is a Passive
Indian in that the White Battery, set up by the first two moves, never
opens. Its purpose is purely the one of preventing stalemate.
(Hide Solution)
9.
Eugene Beauharnais Cook, The Chess Compositions of E.B. Cook (1927) White to Mate in 2
Show Solution
Solution
Key: 1 Rb1 with 14 variations. Cook
was co-author of American Chess Nuts (1868), a collection of more than
2,400 positions, an overview of the early years of the problem art in
America. (Hide Solution)
10.
Leonid Zagoruiko and Viacheslav Georgievich Kopayev, Visserman Memorial Tourney 1981
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
The key is 1.
Kxb2 and the three main variations show cross-pins, the pinning of a
piece that is itself pinning a man.
1...Re6+ 2 Qe5 Rf6 3 Qh2#
1...Rd6+ 2 Qd4 Rf6 3 Qh4#
1...Rxc6+ 2 Qc3 Rf6 3 Qh3#
This problem illustrates the Brede theme, a check from a
black piece is answered by the self-pin of an interposed piece which
subsequently unpinned is freed to make the mating move. (Hide Solution)
11.
Brian Harley, South African Chess Magazine, October 1937 White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
The key, 1. Rb3
provides for Nxb5 and avoids Black's stalemate threat.
1...Nxb5 2 Ra7+ Nxa7 3 b7#
1...Nxa6 2 bxa6 bxa3 3 Re8#
1...Ne8+ 2 Rxe8+ Kb7 3 Rb8#
1...Ne6+ 2 dxe6 axb3 3 Ra7#
1...axb3 2 Rxc7 b2 3 Ra7# (Hide Solution)
12.
Sam Loyd, London Era, January 13th, 1861, White to Mate in 5
Show Solution
Solution
1. b4 Rc5+ 2 bxc5 a2 3
c6 Bc7 4 cxb7 any 5 bxa8=Q#
This is the Excelsior theme,
whose task it is to advance a pawn from its second to its eighth rank,
preferably in consecutive moves. Loyd made the problem in 1858 at the
Morphy Chess Rooms. "It was quite an impromptu to catch old Dennis
Julien, the problemist, with. He used to wager that he could analyze
any position, so as to tell which piece the principal mate was
accomplished with. So I offered to make a problem, which he was to
analyze and tell which piece did not give the mate. He at once selected
the Queen's Knight's Pawn as the most improbable piece but the solution
will show you which of us paid for the dinner."
(Hide Solution)
13.
Josef Kling and Bernhard Horwitz, Chess Studies 1851. White to Mate in 12
Show Solution
Solution
1. Bb5+ Kf8 2 Bd6+ Kg8 3 Bc4+ Kh7 4 Bf1 Kh6 5 Bf4+ Kh5 6 Kf5 Kh4 7 Bh6 Kg3
8 Be3 Kh2 9 Kf4 Kh1 10 Kf3 Bh2 11 Bg2+ Kg1 12 Bxf2#, an ideal mate, a
pure mate in which all the men on the board take part; a pure mate is when all of the unoccupied squares in the King's field are
attacked only once; pieces that function as self-blocks are not under
attack, unless necessarily pinned and the mating move is not a double
check, unless this is necessary to prevent the defender from
interposing a man or capturing a checking piece.
(Hide Solution)
14.
Milan Radoje Vukcevich, The Problemist 1981
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
The key is 1. Bb6, threatening 2 Qg6 with the idea of
vacating a square for White's e-pawn or for the knight at c3.
1...Rf5 2 Qf4
1...Nf5 2 Qh4
1...e5 2 Qf5
An example of square vacation,
the removal of a man from a square, usually so that it may be occupied
by another man. (Hide Solution)
15.
Conrad Bayer, Leipziger Illustrierte Zeitung 1855, White to Mate in 9
Show Solution
Solution
This problem was
immediately dubbed 'the Immortal Problem'; and almost as immediately
forgotten, for the problem art was fast changing to its modern form. 1
Rb7 Qxb7 2 Bxg6+ Kxg6 3 Qg8+ Kxf5 4 Qg4+ Ke5 5 Qh5+ Rf5 6 f4+ Bxf4 7
Qxe2+ Bxe2 8 Re4+ dxe4 9 d4#. White sacrifices five pieces and a pawn
to mate with the lone pawn.
(Hide Solution)
16.
Eeltje Visserman, Chess Correspondent 1947,
White to Mate in Two
Show Solution
Solution
1. b8=Q
.....g4 2.Qg2#
Rde6 2 Nc3#
Rxd5 2 Bb1#
c4 2 Bb1#
cxd4 2 Nxg3#
Rf~ 2 Nxg3#
Rxf5 2 Qg2#
gxf4 2 Nc3# (Hide Solution)
17.
Henry Augustus Loveday, Chess Player's Chronicle, 1845 White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
This is actually a
version of a problem by Loveday, the original problem had an extra
black pawn on b6 and mate in four was stipulated. There were nine keys
and many duals, alternative solutions. This problem is the originator
of the Indian Theme, previously defined. The key, 1. Bc1, is a critical
move, the move of a line-piece across a cutting-point which becomes the
critical square later occupied by a piece which interferes, 1...b4 2
Rd2 (White places his rook on the critical square creating a battery)
2...Kf4 3 Rd4#. The interference move, 2 Rd2, releases Black from a
stalemate situation, a common but not essential ingredient of the
theme. Although critical play had been shown under the old rules of
Shatranj, this is the first known example in a problem of the modern
game and its publication marked the beginning of the so-called
transitional period. For more than the first three and a half centuries
of the modern game, problemists had failed to see the possibilities of
the new line-pieces, the Queen and Bishop. Then in 1845, Howard
Staunton published Loveday's Indian Theme problem featuring critical
play. This stimulated the imagination of problemists who soon invented
other kinds of line-themes such as cutting-point themes, doubling
themes, Bristol Clearance and developed other ideas including decoy
themes, focal play and introduced tasks such as Albino and Excelsior.
The years 1845 to 1861 in which the content of problems was so greatly
enriched is sometimes called the transitional period. (Hide Solution)
18.
Anton Nowotny, Leipziger Illustrierte Zeitung 1854, White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
Here is another example
of critical play. The solution is 1. Rbc2 (threatening 2 R2c4#) 1...Bxc2
(a critical move, crossing the critical square e4) 2 Nfe4 (the
interference move, of a kind known as Nowotny Interference) and now
2...Rxe4 3 Nf5# or 2...Bxe4 3 Ne2#. If it were Black's move after 1 Rc2
Bxc2, Black could play ...Bg6 when interference on e4 is ineffective.
Such a move across a cutting-point is called an anti-critical move. (Hide Solution)
19.
Antonin Kvicala, Svetozor 1869, White to Mate in 3.
Show Solution
Solution
Three model mates follow the key, 1. Rc3
1...Rxa2 2 Re3+ Kf4 3 Nd5#
Kd4 3 Nf5#
1...Rd2 2 Qe6+ Kxe6 3 Re3#
This is an example of the Bohemian style
which emphasized model mates and minimum force using few, if any, white
pawns. A model mate is a pure mate in which all of the attacker's men, with the possible exception of king and pawns, take part.
(Hide Solution)
20.
Percy Francis Blake, German Chess Association 1910, White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
The key is 1. Qc4 with variations showing several model mates.
1...dxc4 2 Rxd4
1...Qa6 2 Rxe3
1...Kxe4 2 Bg6+
1...dxe4 2 Qf7+
1...e2 2 Nh6+
(Hide Solution)
21.
Sam Loyd, Wilke's Spirit of the Times 1868,
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
1. Bc5 Nxc5 (1...Nd6 2 Qd7) 2 Qa7 N~ (opening the
diagonal a7-g1) 3 Qg1#.
This problem features
annihilation, the sacrifice of a piece on a line so that another man of
the same color can be moved along the line when the capturing piece is
moved out of the way. (Hide Solution)
22.
Robin Charles Oliver Matthews, The Problemist 1978, White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
The key is 1. Nc6 threatening 2 Kd7
1...Rg1 2 Rg6+
1...Rf1 2 Rf6+
1...Rf2 2 Bf4
1...Rg2 2 Bg3
1...Ra2 2 Bb8 (Hide Solution)
Fernando Saavedra, originally published by G.E. Barbier in the Glasgow Weekly Citizen, May 1895
White to Move and Win
23.
Show Solution
Solution
White's first move is 1. c7 and in April 1895, Barbier
had claimed that Black could draw by 1...Rd6+ 2 Kb5 Rd5+ 3 Kb4 Rd4+ 4
Kb3 Rd3+ 5 Kc2 Rd4 6 c8=Q? Rc4+ 7 Qxc4 stalemate. But Saavedra, a monk,
discovered that instead of 6 c8=Q, White could win by 6 c8=R (if
6...Ra4 7 Kb3) and thus the most famous of all chess studies was
created. (Hide Solution)
24.
Vatslav Yevgenievich Gebelt, USSR Team Championship 1982, White to Mate in 4
Show Solution
Solution
Another example
from the Bohemian school. The key is 1. Nc8 followed by three model mate
variations:
1...Bg3 2 Nb6+ Qxb6 3 Nf2+ Kc5 4 Ne4#
1...Bc5 2 Qf7+ Qxf7 3 Ne5+ Kb5 4 Bc6#
1...~ 2 Nd6+ Qxd6 3 Nb2+ Kc5 4 Na4#
(Hide Solution)
25.
C.S. Kipping, Chess Amateur, October 1921,
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
This problem features a rare
unpin of White on Black's first move. The first two variations show
unpin by interference on the pin-line and the last two by withdrawal
from the line. In the first variation, White's second move uses the
unpinned White Rook to unpin his own Knight.
1 Rd1 e5 2 Rc3 ... 3 Nd6#
Nc6 2 Nd6+ Ke5 3 Re3#
Qxh4 2 Re3+ Kxf5 3 Re5#
Qg1 2 Rxg4+ Kxf5 3 Rf4# (Hide Solution)
26.
Percy Francis Blake, Western Daily Mercury 1906, White to Mate in 2
Show Solution
Solution
The key is 1. Qd2
threatening 2 Qxd4#. The Rook on a3 needs to defend g3 and e3, the
Bishop on e2 needs to defend b5 and c4 and their paths intersect on the
cutting point d3. The first two variations showing reciprocal
interference by Rook and Bishop constitute Grimshaw interference.
1...Bd3 2 Qxh2#
1...Rd3 2 Be7#
1...Nbd3 2 Nc4#
1...Ncd3 2 Qxe2#
1...d3 2 Qe3#
1...Qd6 2 Bxd4#
1...Qxd7 2 Nxd7#
(Hide Solution)
27.
Herbert Siegfried Oskar Ahues, Schweizererische Schachzeitung 1982, White to Mate in 2
Show Solution
Solution
This is
an example of White correction, correction being a term for certain
effects created by alternative moves of, in this case, a white piece.
By moving the Bg6, White threatens Ng6#. A random move (Ba7?) is
defeated by 1...Bb1. Secondary corrections: 1 Bf5? Bc7, 1 Be4 Rd6, 1
Bc2 Nd6. The key, 1. Bd3 avoids the errors of the secondary corrections.
1...Bc7 2 Qxf6#
1...Rd6 2 Qxe4#
1...Nd6 2 Qc1#
(Hide Solution)
28.
Sam Loyd, Chess Monthly 1857,White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
Organ Pipes, a problem idea originated by
Loyd in 1857 in which two black rooks and two black bishops are aligned
on a file or on a rank and in the main variations, each bishop
interferes with each rook and vice versa. After 1 Rd4+ exd4, 2 Qc5 sets
up a block, Black is under no threat but is exposed to a threat if
obliged to move. This is the problemist's equivalent of zugzwang.
2...Bg7 or Bg6 3 Qg5#
2...Rg7 or Rf6 3 Qxd4#
2...Rf7 or Rg6 3 Nh5#
2...Bf7 or Bf6 3 Qf5#
(Hide Solution)
29.
Arvo Matti Myllyniemi, Satakunnan Tehtavakerho
theme tourney 1982,
White to Mate in two
Show Solution
Solution
This
problem features changed play, in which the mates set for set play (if
Black were to move first) are changed in the post-key play.
Set Play: Key: 1. d5
1...fxe5 2 Qf7# 1...fxe5 2 Rf7#
1...Ra4 2 Qxc8# 1...Ra4 2 Bxc8#
1...Qb4 2 N4xe3# 1...Qb4 2 N2xe3#
1...exf2 2 Be4# 1...exf2 2 Qe4#
1...Bh2 2 Nxh6# 1...Bh2 2 Nh4#
(Hide Solution)
30.
Max Euwe 1927, White to Mate in 2
Show Solution
Solution
Black to move would have a strong defense in d6. Therefore, d6 must be prevented at all costs, 1. Qd6! There is no threat but any move by Black weakens his position. 1...c6 or c5 2 Qb8#, 1...R moves 2 Qxd7# and if Black accepts the sacrifice 1...cxd6, then 2 Rc1#. (Hide Solution)
31.
Alfred de Musset, La Regence 1849,
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
This problem was created after the
composer was told that mate with two knights was impossible. 1. Rd7 Nxd7
2 Nc6 3.Nf6# (Hide Solution)
32.
Helmut Maria Zajic, Die Schwalbe 1981,
White to Mate in Two
Show Solution
Solution
This problem features a bivalve, a
move made by Black that opens a file for one black line-piece and
closes a line commanded by another black line-piece. White needs to
move his Bishop from f6 to threaten Qe5#. There are four tries: 1 Bh4?
Nh3, 1 Bg5? Ng2, 1 Be7? Nd5, 1 Bxd4? Nd3. The key is 1. Bd8
1...Nh3 2 Nh4#
1...Ng2 2 Rg5#
1...Nd5 2 Bxe6#
1...Nd3 2 Nxd4#
The
first variation shows a valve, a move made by Black that opens a line
for a black line-piece and closes a line previously commanded by the
same line-piece, the other variations show bivalves. (Hide Solution)
33.
Byron Zappas, The Problemist 1980,
White to Mate in Two
Show Solution
Solution
The key is 1 Ne1, guarding c2 and threatening 2 Rd3#. The set play:
1...Nc5 2 Qc4#
1...Nde5 2 Qb3#
1...Nfe5 2 Qd4#
The tries, other attempts to guard c2, are each refuted by one of the set-play moves:
1 Bb1? Nc5
1 Bb3? Nde5
1 Nd4? Nfe5 (Hide Solution)
34.
Sam Loyd, Checkmate 1903, White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
The key is 1 Ke2 and Loyd called the problem
the Steinitz Gambit because this move is often made in that gambit, 1
e4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 f4 exf4 4 d4 Qh4+ 5 Ke2. If 1...f1=Q+ 2 Ke3 or if
1...f1=N+ 2 Rf2+. Loyd's aim was to provide a key that allowed Black a
double check. This kind of problem earned him the nickname "showman of
the problem world." (Hide Solution)
35.
Kraemer 1948, White to Mate in 6
Show Solution
Solution
Black's queen must cover potential mates by Ng8 and Nd5. White
has no waiting moves, for instance, 1 Kb2? b3, 1 Bg4? Qd8! Key: 1 Re3
prevents 1...Qf3+ but now after 1...Qg2, Black still guards d5 and g8.
2. Bg4 cuts off guard of g8 and 2...Qxg4 leads to 3 Nd5+ Kf5 4 Re5#. So
2...Qa8 3 Re5 Qd8 4 Bd7 and now not 4...Qxe7 5 Rf5#. So 4...Qa8 5 Re4
and now we have the initial position with Black to move and the Black
Queen cannot prevent mate at both g8 and d5.
(Hide Solution)
36.
J.B. of Bridport 1863,
White to Mate in Two
Show Solution
Solution
Black's threats include Nxd3 and Bxb7, so 1. Be4!
threatening 2 Qxe7#. If 1...Kxe4 2 Re3#, if 1...Rxe4 2 R or Qxd5#, if
1...N or Bxe4 2 Bf4#. Other moves don't stop mate either. (Hide Solution)
37.
Peter August D'Orville Problemes d'echecs, composes et dedies aux amateurs de ce jeu 1842,
White to Mate in 5
Show Solution
Solution
D'Orville was the most outstanding of the problemists
that preceded the transitional period. "To compose like D'Orville" was
the highest praise. His solutions contain moves, he says, that are
unlikely to be chosen by players, thus problems became an art form
unrelated to the game. 1 Ne5 a5 2 Nc6 axb4 3 c4 b3 4 Nc2 bxc2 5 Bxc2# (Hide Solution)
38.
William Anthony Shinkman, Illustrated American 1890, White to Mate in 2
Show Solution
Solution
Shinkman was one of the
two greatest American composers of the 19th century, and more prolific
and thorough in his work than the other, Sam Loyd. 1 Qe6 (setting up a
block) 1...Kb4 c5#. The mating move opens batteries on three lines
simultaneously. Other variations:
1...Kc6 2 Qc8#
1...N~ 2 Qxd6#
1...d5 2 Qb6#
1...Kd4 2 Bb6#
1...Rb4 2 Qd5# (Hide Solution)
39.
Thomas Rayner Dawson, The Problemist 1941,
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
This problem features
plus-flights, the four flights laterally adjoining the square occupied
by a king that does not stand on the edge of the board.
1. Ne7 Ke5 or e3 2 Rc4 K~ 3 Re4#
Kd4 or f4 2 Re2 K~ 3 Re4# (Hide Solution)
40.
Marjan Kovacevic, Myllyniemi Jubilee tourney 1980, White to Mate in 2
Show Solution
Solution
This problem features
Dombrovskis Theme, in two tries, the intended mating moves, A and B,
are forestalled by Black's replies a,b. But in two variations of the
solutions, the black moves a and b are answered by white moves A and B.
1. Be4? (threatening 2 Nd6# (A)) Bd5 (a)
1. Ne3? (threatening 2 Bc4# (B)) Bd6 (b) The key is
1. Qe8 (threatening 2 c7#) 1...Bxd5 (a) 2 Nd6# (A)
1...Bd6 (b) 2 Bc4# (B)
(Hide Solution)
41.
Sam Loyd, Leipziger Illustrierte Zeitung, October 23, 1869, White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
"The
strikingly fine activity of the Queen against the opposing Bishop has
never before been brought out." Konrad Bayer calls it a 'splendid
example of strategy.'
1. Qf1 Bc3 2 Qd3
Bb2 2 Qb1
Be5 2 Qf5
g3 2 Ng6+ hxg6 3 Qh3# (Hide Solution)
42.
Johannes Kohtz and Carl Kockelkorn, V Deutsches Wochenschach November 11, 1906
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
If White plays
1. Nfe6 threatening mate by 2 Nc5 or 2 Nf8, the black bishop can defend
against both mates by 1...Bb4. If White plays 1 Nd5 threatening mate by
2 Nb6 or 2 Nf6, the black rook can defend against both by 1...Rxg6. So
White's keymove, 1. Qf2 threatens 2 Qd4#, so Black is forced to capture the queen with the rook or the bishop.
1...Bxf2 2 Nfe6
Bc5 3 Nxc5#
1...Rxf2 2 Nd5 Rf6 3 Nxf6#
The
composers also collaborated on the book, Das indische Problem (1903), a
comprehensive examination of critical play. In this problem, the Roman
theme is doubled, the Roman theme being where a defending piece is
moved to another square from which it still defends against the primary
threat, but the changed defense allows a different mate.
43.
Josef Plachutta, Leipziger Illustrierte Zeitung 1858, White to Mate in 4
Show Solution
Solution
After 1. Qf3 Nxc5,
White continues 2 Rg7, a sacrifice on the cutting point g7 (the R on h7
needs to guard c7 and the R on g8 to guard g3)
2...Rhxg7 3 Qg3+ Rxg3 4 Bc7#
2...Rgxg7 3 Bc7+ Rxc7 4 Qg3#
This
is the Plachutta Theme. A year earlier, Sam Loyd had shown the same
idea and a version of his problem published in The Illustrated London
News, December 1857, was almost certainly known to Plachutta. Unlike
the Grimshaw and Nowotny interferences (using R and B), the Plachutta
and its relations like the Holzhausen theme use like-moving pieces (R
and R, or Q and B) and cannot be shown in two-movers. (Hide Solution)
44.
Sam Loyd Mirror of American Sports November 1885
White to Mate in 4
Show Solution
Solution
Loyd said, "I made it yesterday and gave it to (Wilhelm) Steinitz, betting
him that he would not solve it. In half an hour, he said he had solved
it. I told him to write out the solution, which he did. I then told him
to examine the solution carefully, as he would lose his bet if he made
any mistakes; so he took five minutes more, and then said he would
stand by his solution. He gave me the following, which I expect most of
your solvers to send: 1 f4 B any 2 Bf8 any 3 Bxg7 any 4 Bxf6#. After he had thoroughly examined it, I showed him the following defence: 1 f4 Bh1 2 Bf8 g2 3 Bxg7 stalemate! Better publish it under the motto 'S.S.'-Stuck Steinitz."
The correct answer to the problem is: 1. f4 Bh1 2 b3 g6 3 Be7
(Hide Solution)
45.
Eric Ernest Zepler 1935,
White to Mate in 4
Show Solution
Solution
White would like to play 1 Ra2+ followed by 2
Qb4# but after 1...Qxa2, White's queen is pinned to his king. So 1.
Bxf5! Qxf5+ 2 Ke7! and now Black has no good check and so he goes back
to guard the threatened mate at a2, 2...Qb1, but now after 3 Ra2+ Qxa2,
there is no pin and so 4 Qb4#. (Hide Solution)
46.
Arthur Ford Mackenzie, American Chess Bulletin 1905, White to Mate in 2
Show Solution
Solution
The key is 1.Rf6 which completes what was before
an incomplete block, "in which not every Black move is set with a mate"
The block is complete after the key; White threatens nothing but mate
follow because Black must make a move.
1...f2 2.Qxg2#
1...Rf on rank 2 Rf4#
1...Rff7 2 Rd7#
1...Rxf6 2 Nxf6
1...Re on rank 2 Re6#
1...Ree8 2 Rd8#
1...Re5 2 Rd4#
1...Nd3 2 Re5#
1...N~ 2 Qb1#
1...e2 2 Qd4#
1...hxg3 2 Nxg3#
(Hide Solution)
47.
Vladimir Alexandrovich Korolkov, Lelo 1951
White to Move and Mate in 12.
Show Solution
Solution
A miniature, 7 or less pieces. 1 f7
Ra6+ 2 Ba3 Rxa3+ 3 Kb2 Ra2+ 4 Kc1 (not 4 Kxa2? Be6+=) 4...Ra1+ 5 Kd2
Ra2+ 6 Ke3 Ra3+ 7 Kf4 Ra4+ 8 Kg5 Rg4+ 9 Kh6 Rg8 10 Ne7 Be6 11
fxg8=Q(R)+ Bxg8 12 Ng6#, an ideal mate. (Hide Solution)
48.
Sam Loyd New York Sunday Herald 1889,
White to Mate in Two
Show Solution
Solution
Another American Indian by Loyd,
who put extra men on the board to make the position more like one in
actual play, so as to entice players (to whom the key would be even
more improbable than to solvers) to try it.
1 Bf8 threatening 2 Qa1#
1...Bxb2 2 Bxh6#
1...Kxb2 1 Qa3#
(Hide Solution)
49.
Israel Abramovich Schiffman,
British Chess Federation tourney 1928,
White to Mate in 2
Show Solution
Solution
This
problem features the Schiffman defense, to prevent a threatened mate by
discovered check, Black moves a man so that it becomes pinned, a
self-pin. If White attempts to carry out the threat, this man becomes
unpinned and can prevent mate; however because this man is pinned,
White can mate in another way, a pin-mate. The key 1. Bg1 threatens 2
f4#. The three moves that prevent this lead to pin-mates.
1...Qxe4 2 Qxf6#
1...Nxe4 2 Qa1#
1...dxe4 2 f3# (Hide Solution)
50.
B.J. de C. Andrade, Observer, August 1927,
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
Annihilation of the Rook 1. Rg2 threatening 2 Qa2
1...Bxg2 2 Qa2 Bxd5 3 Qh2#
Else 3 Qa7#
1...cxb3 2 Qc1
The thematic try is 1 Rh2 defeated by 1...Bg2 2 Qa2 Bxd5! and now the Queen cannot mate at h2. (Hide Solution)
51.
Joseph C.J. Wainwright Les Tours de Force 1906
White to Move and Mate in 2
Show Solution
Solution
About 1903, Wainwright became
interested in this task, which he christened the 'Queen's Cross',
showing the queen giving mate on 12 different squares, the maximum
possible. An essay on this theme by him, with 50 examples by himself,
Walter I. Kennard and Frederick Gamage, was printed as an introductory
essay to Les Tours de Force sur l'Echiquier, the 1906 volume of The
Christmas Series by Alain C. White.
1 Rg3 Qxb4 2 Qd5#
Qb5 2 Qxb5#
Qc5 2 Qxc5#
Bc2 2 Qxc2#
Bd3 2 Qxd3#
Be4 2 Qxe4#
Bb6 2 Qc8#
f3 2 Qxg4#
fxg3 2 Qf1#
f6 2 Qe6#
gxh4 2 Qxf4#
Ng6 2 Qxf7# (Hide Solution)
52.
Hendrik Hermanus Kamstra, Tijdschrift v.d.K.N.S.B. 1950, White to Mate in 8
Show Solution
Solution
This problem shows
mate by a lone pawn after the sacrifice of seven pieces. 1 Bg4 Rxg4 2
Bg5+ hxg5 3 Rf6+ gxf6 4 Ng6+ fxg6 5 Qf5+ gxf5 6 Nd5+ Bxd5 7 Rf3+ Bxf3 8
e3# (Hide Solution)
53.
N. Easter, British Chess Problem Society 1927,
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
Each White Rook is
unpinned in turn, by defenses to the threat. In each case, the piece is
sacrificed and the pin-line is opened, now with a Black check. The key
is 1 Qg5 with threats of 2 fxe7 and 2 Qg7.
1...e6 2 Rd5+ exd5+ 3 Nd7#
Kxd5 3 Rc5#
1...Nc7 2 Re6+ Nxe6 3 Nc6#
Kxe6 3 Rxe7#
1...Bd4 2 Qc4+ Nxc4 3 exd4#
1...Bc7(5) 2 R(x)c4+ Ke6 3 Rxe7#
1...Bxe3 2 Qxe3+ Be4 3 Qxe4# (Hide Solution)
54.
MSS Magliabechiani xix,51,Biblioteche Nazionale Centrale, Florence c. 1500,
White to Move and Win
Show Solution
Solution
In this classic breakthrough problem, White queens a pawn after 1 g6 hxg6 2 f6 or 1...fxg6 2 h6 (Hide Solution)
55.
Richard Reti, Deutschosterreichische Tages-Zeitung 1921, White to Move and Draw
Show Solution
Solution
It is seemingly
impossible for White to stop the Black pawn. 1. Kg7 h4 (if 1...Kb6, then
2 Kf6 threatening both to get within the 'square' of Black's pawn and
to support his own passed pawn and then if 2...h4, then 3 Ke5) 2 Kf6
Kb6 (if 2...h3, then 3 Ke6) 3 Ke5 Kxc6 (if 3...h3, then 4 Kd6) 4 Kf4= (Hide Solution)
56.
Ignazio Calvi, Le Palamede 1836 (version)
White to Play and Win
Show Solution
Solution
This study shows, for perhaps the
first time, two different underpromotions. 1. g8=N Bxe3 2 h8=B (not 2
h8=Q? Nd4 3 Ne7 Nc2+ 4 Bxc2 Bxd4+ 5 Qxd4 stalemate) 2...Nd4 3 Ne7 Bd2 4 Nd5 (Hide Solution)
57.
Comins Mansfield, Chess Correspondent 1947,
White to Mate in 2
Show Solution
Solution
This is a case of Black
correction. The key is 1. Rh1 with the primary threat of 2 hxg4#. To
avoid this, Black needs to move the Ng4 or Bg6. If the Ng4 makes a
random move, 1...Nf3, Nxf2 or Nf6, White plays 2 Be2#, the secondary
threat. Black could correct the error of the random move by preventing
the double check, 1...Ne5. However, Black makes a secondary error
(obstruction of Ba1) and White answers 2 Ng7#. A random move by the Bg6
(Bxc2) permits 2 Be8#, another secondary threat. The secondary Black
correction 1...Bf5 prevents the double check but then 2 Nf4#. To
prevent the double check and to immobilize the Ne6, Black can reply
1...Bf7, a tertiary black correction but White replies 2 Qf5#. (Hide Solution)
58.
Venelin Alaikov, Shakhmatny Misl 1982,
White to Mate in 2
Show Solution
Solution
This problem features star-flights,
the four flight squares diagonally adjoining the square occupied by a
king that does not stand on the edge of the board. The key is 1. Rh2+ and
star-flights follow.
1...Kd1 2 Nxc3#
1...Kf3 2 Bh5#
1...Kxf1 2 Bc4#
1...Kd3 2 Qd8#
The
try-play shows the Albino task with star-flight refutations, the Albino
task being to have a white pawn on the second rank, other than a rook's
pawn, is moved, in different variations, in each of four possible ways,
two forward moves and two captures, each preceded or followed by a
different black move. The task was first achieved by Sam Loyd in 1858.
The equivalent using a black pawn is called a pickaninny, first shown
by William Anthony Shinkman in 1885.
1 dxc3? Kd1
1 d3+? Kf3
1 dxe3? Kxf1
1 d4+ Kd3 (Hide Solution)
59.
Otto Wurzburg, British Chess Magazine, October 1896, White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
This problem features
Turton doubling, in which the weaker of the two pieces to be doubled
moves first.
1. Bh3 a5 2 Qa6+!
... 2 Qg4 Any 3 Qc8# (Hide Solution)
60.
Leonid Yarosh, Shakhmaty v SSSR, March 1983,
White to Mate in 4
Show Solution
Solution
This is the pioneer problem of
the Babson Task, in each of four variations, different promotions by
one side (usually Black) are answered by similar promotions by the
other side, a kind of reciprocal Allumwandlung (AUW), a German term
literally meaning omni-promotion, as a pawn is promoted to a Q, R, B
and N. The key is 1.Rxh4
1...cxb1=Q 2 axb8=Q Qxb2 3 Qb3
1...cxb1=R 2 axb8=R Rxb2 3 Rb3 Kxc4 4 Rxf4#
1...cxb1=B 2 axb8=B Be4 3 Bxf4
1...cxb1=N 2 axb8=N Nxd2 3 Nc6+ Kc3 4 Rc1#
(Hide Solution)
61.
Abun Naam Lost Al Adli Collection, c.840 AD
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
1. Nh5+ Rxh5 2 Rxg6+ Kxg6 3 Re6# One of the earliest known model mates,
it appeared in a manuscript dated about the 14th century, which quotes
problems from a collection made by an Arabian, Al Adli, circa 840 AD. (Hide Solution)
62.
A.W. Galitsky, Schachmatny Obozrenie 1892,
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
The annihilation of a Pawn. Key- 1. h6
1...Bxh6 2 Rg5 Bxg5 3 Qh3#
Ke3 3 Rg3#
e3 3 Qa8#
1...Bg7 2 Rxg7
1...e3 2 Qe5 (Hide Solution)
63.
Viktor Ivanovich Chepizhny and Lev Ilyich Loshinsky, Themes 64, 1966,
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
After
the key, 1. h7, the variations show both a pickaninny (with Pd7) and an
albino (with Pe2).
1...dxc6 2 Nbxd6+ Kd5 3 e4#
1...d6 2 Rf5+ Kxd4 3 e3#
1...d5 2 Nd3+ cxd3 3 exd3#
1...dxe6 2 Nf3+ gxf3 3 exf3#
(Hide Solution)
64.
P.A. Boorer, Observer, July 1938
White to Mate in 3
Show Solution
Solution
This is a Double Indian, meaning that
the Indian Theme is shown in two different variations. It is a
legitimate Indian device to release stalemate, by giving a move to a
piece other than the Black King, as in the second variation. The key is
1. Bh8
1...a2 2 Rf6 Kxb2 3 Rf1#or
1...axb2 2 Rg7 b-pawn any 3 Ra7#
(Hide Solution)
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