Chess Problems: Obstruction!
By David Friedgood
“Obstruction occurs when a piece moves to a square so that another piece
is prevented from occupying that square” (Chess Wizardry: The New
ABC of Chess Problems, by John Rice, B.T. Batsford 1996). It is clear from
this definition that the self-block, which my
last series of articles explored, is really a special case of obstruction,
in which a flight square in the king’s field is blocked. In a two-mover,
the self-block of the king is the only type of obstruction that is feasible,
so we will be dealing with three and more-movers from now on.
Let us look at some problems exemplifying obstruction. The first shows the
basic idea repeated in three beautifully engineered variations on the theme:
[Event "1st Prize Schweiz. Arb. Schachzeitung"] [Site "London"] [Date "1968.??.??"]
[Round "?"] [White "Michael Keller"] [Black "Mate in 3"] [Result "*"] [Annotator
"Friedgood,David"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "3nK3/2N5/2p1pQ1p/3p3p/4kN2/p2p1pP1/qP1n1B2/2b5
w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "5"] [EventDate "2012.??.??"] {The key is} 1. Kd7 {This
move guards d6 in preparation for the threat (see details below).} Qb1 (1...
-- {Threat:} 2. Qg6+ Ke5 3. Nxd3# {All Black can do to defend is to protect
d3, for which there are three queen moves available, 1. ..Qb1 (see main line)/Qb3/Qc4.
These moves might appear quite innocent and undamaging to Black, but the composer
has arranged a devilish trap for each one }) (1... Qb3 2. Nfxe6 $1 -- 3. Nc5#
$140 (3. Qf4# $140 {Black is unable to cope with this double threat. The Nd2
needs to move away to allow the Bc1 to protect f4 for the Qf4 threat, but since
b3 is now blocked, that square is unavailable to the knight simultaneously to
protect c5 against the Nc5 threat.} )) (1... Qc4 2. Ng6 $1 -- 3. Qe5# (3. Qf4#
{This time Black can't defend e5 as well as f4, because 2...Nc4 has been rendered
impossible by Black's first move, which obstructed that square.})) 2. Nfxd5
$1 -- 3. Nc3# $140 (3. Qf4# $140 { The double threat forces mate as 2...Nb1
is impossible. This clever problem thus shows three obstructions of a knight
by the queen.}) *
The second problem, a four-mover, shows mutual obstruction on the same square
between two pieces, harking back to the similar Grimshaw theme:
[Event "1st Prize Schach Echo"] [Site "?"] [Date "1982.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White
"Milan Vukcevich"] [Black "Mate in 4"] [Result "*"] [Annotator "Friedgood,David"]
[SetUp "1"] [FEN "3bK3/1r1pp3/2bp4/6n1/3PkN2/1pP1N1P1/3n1PR1/Q7 w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "7"] [EventDate "1982.??.??"] {Solution:} 1. Qh1 {See details of the
threat below.} Rb5 {This allows Black to interpose the rook on f5 after 2.f3+
Ngxf3 3.Qh7+ preventing mate on the fourth move.} ({Threat:} 1... -- 2. f3+
Ndxf3 (2... Ngxf3 3. Qh7+) (2... Kxf3 3. Rxd2+) 3. Qb1+ Kxe3 4. Re2# ({or} 4.
Qd3#)) (1... Bb5 {This allows the bishop to prevent 4.Qd3#/Re2# after 2.f3+
Ndxf3 3.Qb1+ Kxe3!} 2. Rh2+ Ngf3 ( 2... Ndf3 3. Qb1+ Bd3 4. Qxd3#) 3. Rh8 $1
{A second Bristol!} -- 4. Qh7# $140 { This time the mate threat can't be countered
by Black as 3...Rb5 is impossible. }) 2. Rg1+ $1 Ndf3 (2... Ngf3 3. Qh7+ Rf5
4. Qxf5#) 3. Ra1 $1 {The famous Bristol manoeuvre: the rook clears the line
for the queen by moving along the line beyond the square to which the queen
will move.} -- 4. Qb1# $140 {The mate threat can't be countered by Black as
3...Bb5 is impossible. A brilliant setting of the obstruction theme, combined
with the Bristol manoeuvre doubled. The problem shows the mutual obstruction
between rook and bishop on the same square, reminiscent of the Grimshaw theme
[the mutual interference on the same square between rook and bishop - also bishop
and pawn] . Note how White's second move in the thematic variations paradoxically
interferes with the queen. The mechanism of this problem will repay careful
study.} *
Now I leave you with two obstruction-themed problems for solving, the annotated
solutions to which will appear in a while. In both cases you have to find the
unique key move which contains a threat of forcing mate on the third move. You
have to find Black’s defences to the threat and the continuations whereby
White takes advantage of the new weaknesses arising from these defences.
Mate in three
A simple problem where the key move provokes mutual obstruction between the
black pieces. There is a bonus feature which you may well spot when you are
solving the problem.
Mate in three
This problem has a strong puzzle flavour. You’ll probably soon be home
and dry once you spot which black piece needs to be obstructed.
Any queries or constructive comments can be addressed to the author at david.friedgood@gmail.com.
Copyright in this article David Friedgood 2012/ChessBase
The
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oldest chess problem society. It exists to promote the knowledge and enjoyment
of chess compositions, and membership is open to chess enthusiasts in all countries.
The Society produces two bi-monthly magazines, The Problemist and
The Problemist Supplement (the latter catering for beginners), which
are issued to all members. Composers from all over the world send their problems
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The BCPS also organises the annual British Chess Solving Championship, and
selects the Great Britain squad for the World Chess Solving Championship. The
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and composing tourneys and lectures; this event attracts an international participation.
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