I think I've spotted the theme of the Harley puzzle: every single lateral move of the rook is met with a different checkmate by white. The key move is 1.Bb8! and the lines are as follows:
1...Bd7 2.Rb6# 1...B elsewhere 2.Rc8# 1...R along g-file 2.Ne5#
That's both. The Harley, which was provided by Jonathan, was first published in Chess Amateur in 1910. (Jonathan found it in Colin Russ's column in Chess, March 2001.)
The Pauly, which was provided by Martin, was published in the Daily Telegraph on 2 April 1910.
I think I've spotted the theme of the Harley puzzle: every single lateral move of the rook is met with a different checkmate by white. The key move is 1.Bb8! and the lines are as follows:
ReplyDelete1...Bd7 2.Rb6#
1...B elsewhere 2.Rc8#
1...R along g-file 2.Ne5#
...and now:
1...Rxa5 2.Nxa5#
1...Rb5 2.Rc7#
1...Rc5 2.Nb4#
1...Rd5 2.exd5#
1...Re5 2.Nxe5#
1...Rf5 2.exf5#
1...Rh5 2.e5#
I haven't checked fully, but I think the key-move to the other one is 1.a8=N.
The fourteen puzzles of Xmas?
ReplyDeleteYields on puzzles have increased this Xmas as confidence has fallen that time spent on trying to solve them will be repaid.
ReplyDeleteJack has the first one, by the way: I'll leave the second (and the source information) until he gets back to us.
ReplyDelete1. a8=N does look good. Black is in zugzwang. He has defences to 2. Bb4 & 2. Bg3 threatening mate on c7 & e7, but must break them up with his reply:
ReplyDelete1. ... Bf5/g4/h3 2. Bg3 e5 3. dxe6#
1. ... Bb5/a4 2. Bb4 c5 3. dxc6#
1. ... f5 2. Bh4 ~ 3. Bxe7#
1. ... e6/e5 2. dxe6 ~ 3. Rxd7#
1. ... c6/c5 2. dxc6 ~ 3. Rxd7#
That's both. The Harley, which was provided by Jonathan, was first published in Chess Amateur in 1910. (Jonathan found it in Colin Russ's column in Chess, March 2001.)
ReplyDeleteThe Pauly, which was provided by Martin, was published in the Daily Telegraph on 2 April 1910.