THE PROBLEMIST

SUPPLEMENT
ISSUE

MAY 1992
EDITOR:

SOLUTIONS EDITOR:
SELECTIONS EDITOR:

Welcome

B D Stephenson, I Roydfietd Drive, Warerrhorpe, SHEFFTELD, S19 6ND

M McDowell, 76 Bosron Avenue, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, Essex, SS2 6JB

J R Coward, 25 Elmwood Avenue, HARROW, Middtesex.

to the first issue of our

new

to

chess composition. As far

as

possible, solutions wili be given in full and all

terms will be defined.
. All originals printed here will take part in
the normal Problemist tournaments. do that

publication in this supplement will be

equivalent to publication in the main
magavrne.

For this supplement,

SELECTIONS

new

supplement lo The Problemlst The intention

is to supply explanatory material for those

I am lookinq for

straightforward originals of all types. ld6allv,

they should be pointed, well constructed, arid
have entertainment value. lf you think that
you have anything suitable, plilase submit it
in..the normal way to the appropriate sub-

editor, stating that you consider'it may be

suitable for the supplement. lf you have

HAg 8AJ

(A) is a two-mover, the '#2' under the

diagram being shorthand for 'White to play
and mate in two moves aqainst anv defence'.
l! is a prizewinner by American-composer
Frederick Gamage (1882-1 957). This tipe of
problem is called an incomplete biock.
Mates are already provided, or bet, for some

of black's moves (if it were his move), but the

position seems very open, so the solver
might well look for a key (White's first move)
with a threat; but, surprisinolv, the kev is a

waiter (making no thieat),-comptetin!

the

DlocK.

(A)

F W GAMAGE

1st Prize, American Chess Butletin, 1940

already submitted something ivnicn is

awaiting publication, but whiCh vou think

would be better published here, pkiase write

to the sub-editor and advise him..

The supplement will have its own unified

solving ladder and all will be eligible to enter

it.

Prizes will be

in line wilh the main

Jnag.azlne. Solving rules are explained later

In lhrs rssue.
. Problemists use algebraic notation, just
tne same as many players do, but we use 'S'
(an abbreviation for 'Springer', the German
word for a chess Kniqht) tdstand for Kniqht.

This is because 'N'-is used for

else...

someth-ing

We start this issue with an expert analvsis

by John Coward ol three probldms sele6ted
by him. lt is intended that this becomes a

:r:ii:::i:

:!:til:i::::il
:::t::::::lif

regular series.

lf any reader wishes to write a short

article, suitable for beginners, on any aspect
ot cness composilion, I would be very
pleased
to receive

it.

BDS

#2

There is-a clue to the key move, if you look at

yvs!0; il controls two squares in the bK's
fiefd - d5 and d7, but both of these are
already well guarded. lf White tried 1.Kf8 or
1.Kf7 as a key, he would be relying on the
Sf6 to guard 67, and at the same t-ime
threatening 2.e8=S #; but there are several
119

moves defeating this - 1...Re4,Qe3,Qb4 or

Rb4. So why is the Sf6 there?
On closer insoection, one sees that White

to do something about 1...Qb4 or

1...Rb4, threatening to escape with 2...Kxcs.

has

This illustrates an important guide

for
solvers. lf you see a parlicularly strong Black
move, which hasn't got a mate set for it, look
for a key which provides a mate for it.
The solution is -

L.Sd?! zugzwang.
Z.KCJ +
2.Rc4 *
z-Kco f,
2.Qh6 #
2 -Rxd4 *

1...Qf4,Qe3,Rd3
1...Re4
1...Rd5
1. . .Qb4,Qd3, Ra4, Rb4, Rr4' f4

The bQ and bRd4 are half-pinned on the

d-file against the bK. When one moves away

it

leaves the other unable

to move.

Ot
special interest here is the move 1...Qf4,
pinninq the bRd4, but unpinning the bRg3,

thus forcing White to play 2.Rc3 # shutting

off the bRg3. Two other specific wR moves,
2.8c6 # and 2.Rc4 # are separately forced,
the latter taking advantage ot the pinned bQ.

Other Black moves, not given

above

because of lack of space, lead to a choice o{

zA was) can also be found in selfmates. Here

mates - or White replies forcing Black to
mate - are already set for all 3 Black moves.
For example, if it were Black's move in the

diagram position, and he played 1...Qxh5,

Whlte would play 2.Q96+, torcing Black to
play 2...Qx96

#. White can only maintain this

zugzwang by a key move which spoils all

these lines, but it substitutes new ones. This
type of problem is called a mutate. To
appreciate it fully the solver should notice all

the set play and the changes.

The setting may appear rather heavy, but
firstlv, since there is no threat, all unwanted

Black moves (eg. 1...Oh3) have

more restrictive medium for the composer

pleasingly simple mechanism for achieving 3

cnanges.

Solution SeL play -

1...Qxf4 2.Kd6+ Qxe5 #

1...Qxh5 2.Q96+ Qxqf6 *
1...Qx95 2-Qe7+ QxeT +
I.d6l zugzwang.

(B)

I..

.QxI4 2.Kd5 i Qxe5 {

.Qxh5 2.Qt] + Qxtl
1...Qxq5 2.Qq8+ QxgS #
t..

S MLADENOVTC
The Problemist, 1987

' l' ',',r '

g!
,A
A',
::^
:Atr' AA,A
I

T-

'\
I

/\
IJ

,, WY

.........'.....'.i.,.,

l...gi.....

l..

AEO
:,....,,, A

,::::l.l;.l,::::l

'''

..l

:.::Al

(c)

T GARAI
3rd Prize, The Problemist, 1986

II

raa:

.. :..

tfl

.3

..

li.....i

....,.

-.:
^
E..il'
ah:
t I
f-l

A
:.'

.'...l..'i.il...li.

I l;:::'ll::

A'

'r^

H#2 Two solutions

...:ll.'.''.

.... ..,. ..i...t...,'.i

A:.:,.:.:.lll:l::;

(B) is a selfmate, the 'S#2' under the

diaoram meanino 'White to olav and force
Bta6k to mate Wlite in 2 moVed'. Some of
the ideas found in direct mate problems (as

be

than direct mate - especially in the

construction of a number of changed lines of
play. Nevertheless, the composer finds a

mates by White. Such choices are called

duals.

s#2

to

"plugged", and secondly, selfmate is a much

..'..u..i,.'.'.

l:l:il:l:.::':l:.o

"

(C) is a helpmate, the 'H#2' under the

diagram indicating 'Black plays first and cooperates with White to enable White to mate
Black on his (White's) second move'. There
is a convention that the shorter helDmates

2 (or more) solutions, which

should be thematicallv similar. or well
'twinned'. Also, the m-aterial used should
should have

take part in all solutions, as far as possible.

Looking at this problem as a solver, what
is the wPf2 doing? lt is not controlling a

souare in the bK's field. Solvers should

always remember that the bK is not always
mated on his stafting square, but here he

clearly

is.

He cannot be mated on 94, so the

wPf2 must move, to control 94 or 95.

White's other move - his mating move should be obvious when we come to it, but

the clever part is Black's two moves, when a

lot happens in both solutions.

Most importantly, Black checks on

his
second move and White replies with mate by
discovery; this type of problem is called a
cross-checker. The lines for both White's R
and B are cleared so that one delivers mate
while the other pins a Black piece which
would otherwise have interposed; and
another Black piece (not pinned) which could
also have othenryise interposed, is shut off by

Black

piece. This is

called black

interference. The same two Black pieces R and S - are used in both solutions, with
theirfunctions reversed in each. Clearly, the
solutions are well 'twinned'.
2.Se6+ in one solution is called a self-pin.

In the'other solution, the same result is

achieved by what is called a half-pin; after

1.Rxd5, if either this R or the bS moves off

the rank, the other one is pinned.

common

idea. Don't miss the set play in

P58!

For the helpmates, PSg - PS1 1, don't

forget that Black plays first and co-operates
with White to enable White to mate Black in
the number of moves soecified.
In the selfmates White plays and forces

Black

to

mate

White.

PS12

Edward's first attempt at one.

is

Brian

PS'|4 is a Serieshelpstalemate in which

Black plays a series of 77 consecutive

moves (without White playing at all) to reach

a position where White can stalemate him in
one move.

All the

preceding problems used the

normal rules and pieces, if sometimes the

aim of the game was different. The rest of
the originals fall firmly within the realm of
Fairy Chess, where aim, rules, boards and
oieces can be unorthodox.

Most of the remaining problems feature

the popular Circe condition. When captured,
a piece is immediately replaced on its square
of origin (game array square) if that square is
empty; in the case of Rook, Bishop or Knight
on the square of the same colour as that on

which it was caotured. Thus a white Rook

captured on h8 (a black square) would be
replaced on al , provided a1 was empty; it

al was occupied the Rook would

removed from the board

as in a

be

normal
caplure. Pawns go to the initial square of the
file they are captured on. PS15 is in two
parts and there are 2 solutions in each part.
To get to part (b) replace wBe6 with a wS.

PS17 is a serieshelpmate in which black

a series of 10 consecutive moves
(without White playing at all) to reach a

Solutions 1.Rdb7 f3
1-Rxd5 f4

defeated by only one black defence) in PS3;

if you do, you will appreciate it the more. We
finish the two-movers with PSS, which has a
more spectacular nature.
The three-movers PS7 and PS8 share a

plays

2.Sxe6+ d6 r

2.str,7+ e'7 #
JRC

ORIGINALS
Our first set of originals are not all original
because of a lack of material - so composers
olease note!

PS1 is by a little known British composer

of the last century. I hope that it brings
enjoyment. PS2 is by another little known
composer, this time from Sweden. Afier
these two ouotations we can savour two
originals fr<jm top conlemporary British

composers. Make sure that you find all the

tries (moves that nearlv solve. but

are

position where white can mate in one. lt

features a Grasshopper. This moves and
captures on Queen lines by hopping over the
lirst man of either colour standing on one of
those lines to the square next beyond that
man. In PS17, if it were white to play" the
Gf1 could play to f8, and il that square were
occupied by a black piece, would capture
that piece. This problem is dedicated to the
memory ol the late Norman Macleod.
PS18 is another problem with two settings.
To get to (b) move the wRa2 to h3.

Solving rules can be found on page 6.

Please send your solutions (however few!)
and comments to Michael McDowell, the
solutions editor. at the address on the front
page.

BDS

-4PS2

PS1 R KELLY

(Source unknown)

1,,,

w\l

FOERIKSSON
1935

Mora Tidning,

,,,,!,,,,l,,.

PS3 DJSHIRE
(Canterbury)

i6t:

t:::rilr::::i:l

I|-::

; ........:
a
.:::..:A
:.::: A

.::

'^A.,.s...
,....',...lll

i..:

ii,i]:]|iliii

.I
,ll,

...t...

::it:iia

j]:*:::A.]]i*:

:::,

n'
:I:}

'rf'l
TJ

:':'

:,&r:

_4.

Illrtl

,i[.

#2

#2

#2 (tries)

PS4 BP BARNES

PSs M PFEIFFER

PS6 V KOZHAKIN

(Rochestel

,,:::::::t::::

:E'.

:i]t::::::::::At::::,:i:i::

H::il!:i:A'::*:'f:r

I,

,,,:,i' ,,, I

...'...,.,....i

.,.,.,.,.,1

'',,

,,,,,,1:::,:,t

/l

t,:,:i:tl:::tt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

..

-r\ qr+:
El l4'

,:

l]l:::::]::il]:*il
.,....:,t,,...

,'

(cts)

:::,,:i:::l

;
^tl,!::
(,,,:t::
,i:,.

*lE-e
'6Jt3

A,

fr, :':

1st Prize, Tecza. 1931

::fii::

:,

,,,,,,

:,1:, fj
l-i

:;:]]:i:i:::,

:::::

..........l'.. i ......ll.A

#3

PS7 B BOROVIK

PS8 S MLADENOVIC

(Ukraine)

(Yugoslavia)

#3

#3

PS9 K CAMERON

Four solutions

-5PS1O ASLESARENKO
(Russia)

PSl1 N BANTYSH
(cts)

PS12 B EDWARDS
(Paisley)

H#2 Two solutions

H#3 2 solutions

PS13 MGREENACRE

PS14 ASHURYAKOV

PSl5 LGROLMAN

SH=77

H#3 Circe

(lpswich)

(Uknine)

s#2

Two solutions
(b) e6=wS

PS16 A VASILFfiKO-;:
(lJkraine)
.

!^.

P$TZ TKAFDOS

PS18 FSABOL

(llungary)

(Czechoslovakia)

irt:ilirtii:::

l::u
:::lrii:::rri
l:l ill;,,,,,o,,,

.....'.,....iiliiit,,..i,...ilii'iit.'ii...i
l;:;l

iiti:i

.;;:::::",:";

H#3 Circe
Two solutions

""::i::::'

SH#l0 Grasshopper

f1

SH#4 Circe
(b)wRa2 -> h3

-6SOLVING RULES

5.

No score ot less than zero will be given for a

problem.

A correct solution is:

(d

PROBLEM CONVENTIONS

Direct mates, selfmates and reflexmates:

(i) 2-movers - a correci keymove.

(ii) 3 moves or more: a correct l(eymove

and at least one correcl continuation (as
tar as the last White move belore mate)
leading to a forced mate in the stipulated

number

of

moves (or the number o{

moves claimed for a short solution).

(b) Helpmates'. a @rrecl

sequence of

moves ending in mate.

rc) A carred claim of no solution.
There will be three scoring levels:
(a) Male in 2, selfmate in 2, rellexrnate in 2.
(b) Mate in 3, selfmate in 3, reflexmate in 3,
helDmate in 2.

(c)

Male in 4 or more, seif mate in 4 or more,

reflexmate in 4 or more, helpmate in 3 or more.
Solutions will be awarded points as follows:
(a) A correct solution lo a single problem, the

solutions to a
mulli-solution or correcl solulions to all parts of
a multi-part problem. In a helpmate a solution
must be given lor each stipulated sel-play. A
duplex problem counts as a problem with 2

stipulated number

of correct

by

Michael McDowell
The most basic oroblem convention is that
a problem should be a legal position, that is
one which could be arrived at from the
starting posilion of a game. This avoids
unaesthelic monstrosities such as a white
bishop on a1 hemmed in by a white pawn on
Composers often construct illegal
positions as jokes to entertain their friends,

b2.

but occasionaily a serious composition is

published without the illegality being

immediately evident. A good example is the

rniniature (1), with its pieasing echoed mates

atter capture of the knights. I wonder how

many solvers at the time noticed that black
coulil not have played last?

(1)

R COLLTNSON

London Telegraph, 1907

solutions.

abc
:::::::

(b)

Penalty for tailing

to give a

correct
has
been given (does not apply to helpmates where
a complete sequence of moves must be given
to get a score).

continuation when

the correct keymove

|:-t-

Penalty lor missing or incorrecl solution

in a multi-solution or multi-part problem or for
an incorrect additional solution.

abc
1-2-3
(d) Bonus for additional correct solution or
lor a solution in less than the slipulated number
of moves (not more than one bonus score per
problem).

abc
123
4.

ll the diagram shows an illegal position, the

problem should be solved as if it were legal and points
will be awarded as above. A correct claim of illegality
will score a bonus o1 1 point. An incorrect claim of
illegality will incur a penalty ol 1 point.

::::i,,::r+\

:::t=:l

.. ?r
A

bc
(c)

tt
EI

#3

1.Qa7 [2.Qe3

O Kxg4 3.Qf4

Kh4
1...Kx95 2.Qg'l+
1. . .Kx94 2.Qe3 O Kh4
Kh4
1...Kx93 2.QgI+

#]

3.Sf5

3.Qf4
3.Sf3

#
#

Another convention, aimed at avoiding

uqlv oositions, holds that there should not be

pionioted force in the diagram. While few

would disagree that a position ieaturing six

bishoos and five rooks would hold

little

appeal lor a casual solver (not to mention the

difiiculty of setting up such a position without
a second set of pieces), the rule is relaxed
somewhat in the 6ase oi positions containing

obtrusive force. In (2) the black bishop on

d4 clearlv did not come from f8, but the
attractiveness of the setting is hardly

corilpromised. This masterpiece

by

-7
Loshinski illustrates the very difficult task of

four mates following black-self-interference

changed between set and actual play, and it

would be absurd to lose such a'marvellous
problem through the over-rigid application of
a debatable convention.

problems in which a small adjustment to the

diagram creates a second problem with new
p!ay. (5) is a fine exampie, with the black
king visiting his four diagonal or star-flights
in (a) and his four lateral or plus-flights in
(b).

(2) L I LOSHINSKI

(3) NGGVANDTJK

1st Prize. e.a. Russian Sports Committee, 1948

(Atler B Larsson)
Ostledingen, 1959

#2
qaf

hl.r'

Sofut ion

1,

1.Sc7!

I. . .BaZ
1. . .Sf4
1...Sf6
1...e6
1...Qe6

.Fxa'l *
2.cxd4 #

!. .Eaz
1...Sf4

2.Se6 #
2.Bd6 #
2.Sxe6 #

1. . . Sf 6

1...e6
1. . .Qe6
1. . .0x95

1-..Qxc5+
1...Qd6

. - -Kes

(2.Qd5 #)

2.5a6

.Kfz t

1. - .S+

(4)

2.Se4 #
2.Sce6 #

(2

Qxbl

2.Qa7

E A DUGAS

The Problemist, 1980

2.Qf8

#
2 . Scxe6 #
2.Sce6 #

2.Qxc6 *
2.Rb5 #
2.Sxe4 #

Castling is allowed in a problem as long

as it cannot be proved that either kino or rook
has moved in the plav leadino ud to the
diagram. ln (8) (yeb, f know thb nitmbering

ts stily, but that's my fault, not Michael's! Ed/ castling appears as a set mate, neatly
c.hanged by the key, but in (3), castling ia
rllegal, as the white pawns have not moved

and hence the black king must have reached

a2 via d1 ot d2 afier hiicounterpart vacated
e1. En passant, on the other hand, is only
legal as a key move if it can be proved tha:t
the last move was a double pawn-step. (4) is

a simple
exolanation.

example which needs

no

Many problems add variety by havinq

multiple

phases. Set mates- foll6w btacl

moves from the diagram, while the variations

which follow the key move form the actual

play. Tries are attdmpted keys which fail to

a single black defence, and will

be

considered in a separate article. Twins are

#2

1.hxg ep!
1...Bh7

(2.97 #l
2.Rxh7

Much rarer than the twin is the multisolution problem in which there is more than

one intended solution in the

diagram.

Composers vary in their attitudes to -such

compositions; however (6) gives some idea
of their possibilities. The famous Indian
theme (in which a piece crosses a critical
square in order to allow a second piece to

interfere on that square and release a

potential stalemate) is shown four times with
great clarity and remarkable economy of

-8means.
Finally, where possible the key move of a
problem should be thematic, that is it should
introduce the play which follows. With many
complex ideas such a key is impractical, but
adds considerably to the
achieved

il

it

enjoyment and value of a problem. Consider

(7), where 1.Kd6 grants the black king his

pair of flights, while allowing the rook checks
which form the core o{ the oroblem. Gerald
Anderson must have been delighted to find
that he could incorporate such a wonderful

1.Ra3 96 2.Bb3
L.8a2 96 2.Rb3

Kd3
Kd5

3.Bd5 {

1.Rf8 96 2.Bf7 Kf5

1.898 96 2.Rf7 Kd5

3.Bd5 {
3.Rf4 {

3.Rb4

(7) G F ANDERSON
ll Secolo, 1919

H:
t,,::

Key.

.gl.A

1,,:,:;,,:1,1,1,,.;.,;,:,;

(5) J J GILL (AJterc

Latzel)
1st HM.. The Problemist. l967

fi::

:li:ir:::i ::-::
:::::r,::::

ii::::i:i:i:. :ll....i,...:.

Atti

.:i].::.,.]i:.i,

,,...:.,.:.,i

.E

r:::::::::,i::::

Ar;.11i...1L'

.ili

ii,....t...

....

#2

..,....i.'...l

1 . Kc7-d6

12

.Qe'l-b'1 *)

1. . .Rd3+ 2.Bd5

f...Hgo+
1. . .Kb6
1. - .Kb4

z.bea
2.8c2

#
T
+

2 -Kxc6

(b) wSeT -> t5

#2

(8)

C S KTPPTNG
Falkirk Herald, 1923

1.Re3+!

1...Kd6
1...Kxf6
1...Kf4
1...Kd4
(b)

cEql

2.Se8 #
2.Qxb2 #

2.Sfd5 #
2.Sf5 #

.,/\.

Ig

-.'^-.'.n^

:t,l

^A::i*.:

1...Kxf5 2.Re2 #
1...Ke6 2.Rb5 #
1. . .Kd5 2.Re3 #
1...Ke4 2.Rc5 #
(6)

w seecxrtrlnN, H STAUDTE & B scHwARzKopF

Aachener Nachrichten, 1966
1
r:!Iii!!
!:!:i

:l:..

.........:::!:!.ll::!:.

::i:::::]::::::

..

:,AA.

.:.:. .:.:.{i:.:. .i
:

A ....'.!f
... .s4+ /\:
,,,! lJ
[l;
iii..iii.i.il

!:t!:!

........::!:l ::!:i:

l::!:i:.:::: :

.:;;i]:::i'l,l::;ili

,l
, l,,:

i..'i

.'n.'.
..TJ:::

fi

#3\

(4 Solutions)

l\:::.':::.r

E:::I

-Rh4 zugzwang!

t...oJ
r. .ez
1...B-

l.Kxc4 i
z.ET+ x
2.S(x)b3 or S(x)