1...Qxe6 is a fairly major Unprovided Defence, and after some thought, I decided it was best met with 2.Qf1. This led to 1.Bc6! as the solution, with the following lines:
1...Nxe6 2.Qe4# 1...N elsewhere 2.Be4# (this line is why 1.Ba8? and 1.Bb7? fail: 1...Nb7!) 1...e4 2.Qd5# (and this is why 1.Bd5? fails) 1...Qxe6 2.Qf1# 1...Qf6 2.Nd6# 1...Qg6 2.Rf2# 1...Qg5/f8/h7/h8 2.Rg5# 1...Q elsewhere 2.N6g7# 1...h4 2.Qg4#
First published in the Birmingham News. I found it in Barnes, Pick Of The Best Chess Problems, Elliott Right Way, 1976, p. 48.
(Appropriate that Jack should get the answer since I bought the book, secondhand, while on holiday in Devon. Not sure where I got it - Ilfracombe? Barnstaple?)
I believe I have cracked not only this one but also this year's theme. I guess we won't be seeing post-Great War compositions any time soon.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
ReplyDeleteBut what is the solution?
What is the solution?
ReplyDeleteI confess that, after several tries, & being short on patience, I had to look it up. Pathetic.
It won a prize, & well deserved in my humble opinion.
1...Qxe6 is a fairly major Unprovided Defence, and after some thought, I decided it was best met with 2.Qf1. This led to 1.Bc6! as the solution, with the following lines:
ReplyDelete1...Nxe6 2.Qe4#
1...N elsewhere 2.Be4# (this line is why 1.Ba8? and 1.Bb7? fail: 1...Nb7!)
1...e4 2.Qd5# (and this is why 1.Bd5? fails)
1...Qxe6 2.Qf1#
1...Qf6 2.Nd6#
1...Qg6 2.Rf2#
1...Qg5/f8/h7/h8 2.Rg5#
1...Q elsewhere 2.N6g7#
1...h4 2.Qg4#
It is so.
ReplyDeleteFirst published in the Birmingham News. I found it in Barnes, Pick Of The Best Chess Problems, Elliott Right Way, 1976, p. 48.
(Appropriate that Jack should get the answer since I bought the book, secondhand, while on holiday in Devon. Not sure where I got it - Ilfracombe? Barnstaple?)