Half-pin Blockbusters
Report by David Friedgood
The first problem is a monumental achievement by the Serbian double GM for
composing and solving, who, together with the Finn Kari Valtonen and other collaborators
has recently brought out “Encyclopedia of Chess Problems: Themes and Terms”
published by Chess Informant.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.-- 1.Kg3? g4 1...Rxd6 2.Ng4+ fxg4 3.Qf4# 1...f4+ 2.Qxf4+ Rxf4 3.Re6# 1...Nc3! 2.Re6+ Rxe6 3.Nxg4# 1.Kf3! g4+ 1...Rxd6 2.Qf4+ gxf4 3.Ng4# 1...f4 2.Re6+ Rxe6 3.Qxf4# 2.Nxg4+ Rxg4 3.Re6#
- Start an analysis engine:
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- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
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Milan Velimirovic | - | Mate in 3 | - | | 1986 | | 1st Prize Die Schwalbe | |
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The second problem seems forbidding in length, but succeeds with admirable
clarity in showing a modern idea of reciprocal move sequences linked to the
traditional Grimshaw and half-pin themes.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.-- 1.Qb5 -- 1...Rc6 2.Ng4+ Ke6 3.Ne3+ Ke5 4.Nc4+ dxc4 5.Bf4+ Kf6 6.Be3+ Ke5 7.Bxd4# 1...Bc6 2.Bf4+ Kf6 3.Be3+ Ke5 4.Bxd4+ cxd4 4...Kxd4 5.Qc4+ Ke5 6.Qf4# 5.Ng4+ Ke6 6.Ne3+ Ke5 7.Nc4# 1...Nc6 2.Rf7! Nxf7 3.Bf4+ Kf6 4.Ng4+ Ke6 5.Ne3+ Kf6 6.Nxd5# 2.Rf6 Qxd7 3.Qxd7
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
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A.Lobusov & M.Marandjuk | - | Mate in 7 | - | | 1987 | | 2nd Prize Probleemblad | |
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The last two diagrams were given for the reader to solve. The first is a straightforward
two-mover, with the half-pin already in place. You have to find the key move,
which uniquely forces mate on the following move, regardless of what Black does.
Having found the key, the real enjoyment is to be derived from Black’s
defences to White’s threat and how the first player takes advantage of
the weaknesses created by those defences. Almost all the action relates to the
half-pinned black pieces on White’s fourth rank.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.-- 1.Bc7! -- 1...Ba5 2.Rb6# 1...Ba3 2.b3# 1...Bd2 2.Qxc2# 1...Bc3 2.Rb3# 1...Nc6 2.Ra5# 1...Nxb5 2.bxa8Q# 1...Nb3+ 2.axb3# 2.Ra5#
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
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Comins Mansfield | - | Mate in 2 | - | | 1915 | | 1st Prize Hampshire Telegraph & Post | |
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The following three-mover classic is really rather difficult, but is guaranteed
to repay the solver’s persistence with some marvellous play. Again, the
key uniquely forces mate in 3 moves, but even after you have found it there
is a way to go, as White’s responses to Black’s defences are not
altogether obvious. This is an anticipatory half-pin and the play turns on the
black king’s captures of the d5 pawn.
1.-- 1.Bb6‼ Be2 2.Kd7‼ Qxd5+ 2...Kxd5 3.Nxc3# 3.Nd6# 1.Bb6 Qg2 2.Nd6+ Kxd5 3.Bc4# 1.Bb6 Kxd5 2.Bb7+ Ke6 2...Kc4 3.Nd6# 3.Nd4#
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Gerald F.Anderson | - | Mate in 3 | - | | 1920 | | 1st Prize, Hampshire Telegraph & Post | |
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Any queries or constructive comments can be addressed to the author at david.friedgood@gmail.com.
Copyright
in this article David Friedgood 2012/ChessBase
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British Chess Problem Society (BCPS), founded in 1918, is the world's
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of chess compositions, and membership is open to chess enthusiasts in all countries.
The Society produces two bi-monthly magazines, The Problemist and
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The BCPS also organises the annual British Chess Solving Championship, and
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