free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.

com

Miniature Chess Problems

Niharendu Sikdar
www.ebook777.com
free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com

SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

Miniature Chess Problems

BOOK—1

TWO-MOVERS

Compiled and annotated by

NIHARENDU SIKDAR

NAYA PROKASH
206 Bidhan Sarani
Calcutta-700 006
Phone : 31-6009

www.ebook777.com
freeSEVEN
ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
IS THE LIMIT
( Miniature Chess Problems )

© Niharendu Sikdar

First Published January, 1989

Published by

Naya Prokash
206 Bidhan Sarani
Calcutta 700 006

Printed at

Naya Mudran
16/3C Dixon Lane
Calcutta 700 014

Cover Design

S. Das

ISBN 81-85109-90-7
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
PUBLISHERS' NOTE

The author of this Collection of chess Problems is himself a composer

of some standing in the field, as his Problems here will testify. The Collec-
tion is the first of its kind brought out by an Indian.
Shri N. Sikdar was born on 16th July, 1937 in a village near Khulna,
now in Bangladesh. Shortly after the area fell in newly created Pakistan
in 1947, his family migrated to West Bengal, where he completed his educa-
tion with a First Class Master's degree in Mathematics from the Calcutta
University in 1962.
He learnt chess at the age of eight from his maternal grandfather whom
he started beating regularly within the first three months. He astounded
many a veteran with his early chess prowess and won many a tournament
right up to his college days. After a brief stint as a school teacher, he
joined the Central Ministry of Education in 1964. At present, he is a Deputy
Educational Adviser in the Ministry.
His interest in the area of composing started developing in the early
sixties. A large measure of the credit for this goes to Late S. K.
Narasimhan who used to conduct a Sunday Chess Column in The Hindu
inviting compositions from budding Indian Composers. On 1st October,
1961, this column published Sikdar's first ever chess Problem—a two-mover.
Since then, he has published all types of chess Problems, besides writing
articles on chess, in newspapers and magazines in India, Britain, Germany,
the USSR, etc. He is probably the first Indian to publish End-Game
Studies. His was the only name from India included in a 1966 Russian
compilation, 'Gallery of 15000 Chess Artistes (i.e. Study Composers)'.
Right from 1960, he started collecting chess Problems and Studies and
today his collection includes more than 20,000 compositions. His four-
year stay in Moscow from 1979 to 1983 helped enormously to swell his
collection. It was in Moscow that the manuscript for this book was largely
completed. One appreciates the dedication needed to give shape to a
Collection of this kind.
From all indications, India is gradually catching up with the rest of
the world in the field of playing chess. There is no reason why it should
la
g behind in the parallel field of chess compositions. To this aim the
Present Collection is a pioneering effort which we as Publishers are glad
to share. We hope that there will be more to follow soon.

www.ebook777.com
free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
EXPLANATION OF NOTATIONS USED

K=King Q== Queen R = Rook

B—Bishop N=Knight P (rarely used)

=Pawn

Algebraic Notation : 8
This Collection uses the Algebraic 7
notation which is the most widely 6
accepted one throughout the world. 5
The chessboard has eight 'rows' 4
(horizontal) and eight 'files' (vertical).
3
The files are marked 'a' to 'h' from
left to right and the rows are marked 2
1 to 8 from bottom to top, as shown 1
in the diagram. Every square is
thus uniquely defined. For example, a b c d e f g h
the square at bottom left is situated in 'a file and also in row 1 and hence
it is denoted as al. Square e4 is the one in e-file and 4th row ; and so on.

The move 1 .Nc3 indicates that, on the first move a White N moves to
the square c3. l.N(b)c3 or l.Nbc3 means that, on the first move the White
N on b-file moves to c3 ; similarly, l.N(l)c3 or l . N l c 3 means that, on the
first move the White N on 1st row moves to c3. (These forms are used
only when there is a possible ambiguity.)

l....Nf6 indicates that, on the first move a Black N moves to f6. Thus,
l.Nc3 Nf6 completely and uniquely defines White's first move followed
by Black's first move.

Pawn moves are generally indicated without the use of the symbol P.
Thus, l.d4 d5 2.c4 d x c 4 means : White begins by pushing Pawn to d4 ;
Black replies by pushing Pawn to d5 ; on the second move White pushes
Pawn to c4 and Black's d-Pawn then captures (x) at c4.

A little practice will enable one to master the whole thing easily,
Some more symbols used universally are ;
'-}-' means 'check'.

www.ebook777.com
free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
'O-O' means 'castling on the shorter side'.
'O-O-O' means 'castling on the longer side'.
'2.c8=Q' means 'on the second move a White P promotes to Q
at c8\
Some special symbols used in this Collection are :
'xx' means mate
means 'any legal move that is convenient'.
' l . . . . K ~ ' means 'on the first move the Black K goes to any square
accessible to it'.
'2,Qa3 or -a4' means 'on the second move the White Q goes to
either a3 or a4'.
'R (e8)-»e7' means 'the R now at e8 is to be shifted to d ' .
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com

INTRODUCTION

The Miniature in chess parlance is a setting in which the total number

of chessmen present on the board does not exceed seven at any time. No
one seems to know why seven is the limit for the Miniature nor who set
it, but it has come to stick. Miniatures constitute just a small segment of
the vast field of chess composition, but, as the saying goes, small is beautiful !
Many of them can hold their own against their big brothers and a select
few are among the best of all compositions.

The general definition of a chess Problem is that it is a composed setting

in which the desired conclusions have to be reached in the stipulated number
of moves, the rules of play being the same as in over-the-board play, unless
otherwise stated. A Miniature Problem is thus one with seven chessmen
or less.

This Collection contains 225 Miniatures—all Two-movers (i.e. where

White is to play and mate in two moves). Other categories of Miniature,
viz. Three-movers, Multi-movers, Fairy chess and 'Miscellaneous', are
intended to be covered in subsequent volumes.

The overall order followed in presenting Problems is that of increasing

number of White pieces. For example, we start with a Problem having
two White pieces (the minimum possible) and one Black piece (the King).
While the number of White pieces remains constant at two, the number
of Black pieces goes on increasing gradually till the total reaches seven.
Next, the number of White pieces increases to three and the whole process
repeats ; and so on till the number of White pieces goes up to the maximum
limit of six (when, of course, the number of Black pieces is reduced to one
—the King). Within this general scheme, both White and Black forces
are arranged in ascending order of heaviness of material. When two Prob-
lems have exactly the same material, the older one comes first.

The chess terms used in this Collection have been defined as exhaustively
as possible, some of them immediately after this Introduction and others
in the body of the text where they first appear. There is also an index at
the end, alphabetically giving authors' names with Problem numbers,

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
One thing must be mentioned. It is customary to give author's name
on top of the diagram and also the name of the publication in which the
Problem first appeared, together with the year of publication. However,
in the present Collection, some Problems appear without any of these parti-
culars and some others with incomplete particulars. This only means that
the compiler has not been able to get these particulars and does not certainly
mean neglect or deliberate omission on his part. The main consideration
has been to include the maximum number of Problems available so as to
give that much more delight to the solvers. Even so, the compiler regrets
the shortcomings with all sincerity.

Date
10th January, 1989 N, SIKDAR
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
DEFINITION OF CHESS TERMS USED
( i n alphabetical order )

The number in brackets is the Problem Number under which the term
first occurs.
'Albino' theme (194)—is defined under Problem No. 194.
'Allumwandlung' (13)—is any scheme that shows Pawn promotions to Q,
R, B and N.
Battery (134)—is formed by two like-coloured chessmen in a line (diagonal,
horizontal or vertical), the one behind giving check if the other moves.
'Black correction' theme (4)—Against any random move of a Black
chessman 'A', White has mate 'B'. Black can refute mate 'B' by one
or more particular moves (—correction manoeuvres) of 'A', only to
introduce new weaknesses enabling White to find new mates not
possible earlier. The whole scheme is known as the 'Black correction'
theme.
Black Knight Wheel (170)—A knight can have a maximum of 8 choices of
move in the form of a wheel. Any scheme that shows a Black N going
to all the 8 squares of the wheel is said to execute the 'Black N wheel'
theme.
'Block-threat' theme (70)—is defined under Problem No. 70.
Chameleon echo (58)—is an echo (-ibid) that takes place in opposite coloured
squares.
Changed mate (37)—Against a particular Black defence 'A', a mate may
be already provided in the setting itself or a mate may come about in
try-play. If the same defence 'A' leads to a different mate after the
key, then this last mate is called a changed mate.
'Complete block' theme (68)—If in the set position White has a mate for
every Black move but has no mate unless Black makes a move, it is
said to be a 'Complete block' position. If the same situation remains
even after the key move, but with at least one changed mate, then the
whole scheme comprises the 'Mutate' theme. Problem No. 20 shows
the 'Mutate' theme.
'Cook' (9)—is a second (unintended) solution of the stipulated (or shorter)
length that spoils the Problem.
Dual (30)—is an alternative move at an intermediate stage and is never
welcome, although sometimes unavoidable. A dual at the first move
would be a major constructional defect and is hardly ever permitted.

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
Echo (51)—is said to occur when a mate shows a configuration exactly
similar to one occurring in another mate in a different part of the chess-
board.
En prise (18)—is to be in an unsupported state such that the opposing K can
make the capture at once.
'Fleck' theme (42)—is the same as the 'Threat separation' theme (-ibid).
Flight square (25)—is one adjacent to the Black K to which it can move at
once.
'Grimshaw interference' theme (97)—is defined under Problem No. 97.
Ideal mate (1)—is a pure mate (-ibid) in which all chessmen present on the
board participate, without exception.
'Indian' theme (29)—White first blocks the line of action of one of its pieces,
'A', with another, 'B', so as to force the Black K onto a square on this
masked line of action of 'A'. Then 'B' moves away to cover the square
earlier occupied by the Black K, with the result that the discovered
check from 'A' becomes mate. The whole mechanism is called the
'Indian' theme. (See also comments under Problem No. 29.).
Interference (31)—In Problem No. 31, after the defence l....Nd6. White
is able to mate by 2.Qd5 only because the N has interfered with the
line of action of the Black R. This is known as interference.
Key (4)—is the first move of the solution. It is generally the most impor-
tant move in a Two-mover or a Three-mover.
Line clearance (221)—occurs when a chessman moves some distance away
to make a particular square available in its direction of movement to
a second chessman moving similarly.
Major pieces (140)—are the Q's and the R's.
Mate transference (95)—If a mate in one situation against a particular
defence occurs against a different defence in another situation, mate
transference is said to have occurred.
Minimal Problem (1)—is one in which White has not more than two men—
his King and one more. There is no limit to the number of Black men,
which can be anything from 1 to 16.
Minor pieces (84)—are the B's and the N's.
Model mate (15)—is a pure mate (-ibid) in which all the chessmen present
on the board participate, with the possible exception of the opposing
K and one or more Pawns. (Compare with 'ideal mate'.)
Multiple Problem (2)—is defined under Problem No. 2.
'Mutate' theme (20)—See under 'Complete block' theme.
'Nowotny' theme (24)—In Problem No. 24, the move of the White N,
viz. 1. Nc7, blocks the different lines of action of two Black pieces
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
enabling White to set up two threats. The capture of the N by either
Black piece nullifies one of the two threats in turn, but not the other.
The whole mechanism is known as the 'Nowotny' theme, after its
expostulator.
'Opposition' theme (65)—is defined under Problem No. 65.
O r i a i n a l (16)—is a previously unpublished composed piece.
O r t h o d o x Problem (1)—as opposed to Fairy Chess Problem. Orthodox
Problems follow the basic rules of over-the-board play.
'Pawn Grimshaw' 1,100)—is defined under Problem No. 100.
'Pendulum' theme (116)—is defined under Problem No. 116.
'Pickaninny' theme (188)—is defined under Problem No. 188.
Pin (50)—A chessman is pinned by an opposing piece if the former cannot
move away from the line of action of the latter without exposing the
former's K to capture by the latter. In reality, therefore, the pinned
chessman cannot move away from the line of action of the pinning chess-
man under any circumstances. A 'pin' refers to the condition of a
pinned chessman.
Pin-mate (89)—is one where it is mate only because one or more opposing
chessmen are pinned (see 'pin').
'Plus-flight' theme (217)—is defined under Problem No. 217.
Pure mate (4)—is one in which the squares adjacent to the mated King
are either covered singly by the opposing side or self-blocked without
being covered by the opposing side, the mate being also given singly.
Reciprocal change (213)—In one situation, the line of play (A) occurs after
defence (a) and the line of play (B) occurs after defence (b). If in another
situation the two lines of play are interchanged after the same two defences,
i.e. the line of play (B) occurs after defence (a) and the line of play (A)
after defence (b), then reciprocal change is said to have taken place.
Self-block (4)—If a square adjacent to the mated King is occupied by one
of its own men without being covered by the opposing side, self-block
is said to have occurred at that square.
Set mate (7)—is a mate set in the initial position, assuming that the side
which is to move first has already made his move. In No. 7, Black's
defence l....Kb5 in the initial setting invites mate by 2.Qd5 and hence
this is a set mate.
Set position (10)—is one where set mates are available against all Black
moves. We also say that the position is set or that it is a 'Complete
block' position.
Solution (16)—The term 'solution' is used to refer not just to the key and
the post-key play, but to the entire play, involving set-play, try-play,

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
retro-analysis, comments, etc.
Square-blocking (4)—In Problem No. 4, after l....Ka7 White is able to mate
by 2. Ra5, because the N cannot now come to a7. We say that square-
blocking (by the Black K) has occurred at a7.
Stalemate (1)—A side is stalemated if it is left with no legal move, its K
not being in check. It is a draw when one side is in stalemate, irres-
pective of whether one side has more material than the other.
'Star-flight' theme (146)—is one where, after the key, the Black K has four
flight squares in the form of a 'Star' (X). In Problem No. 146, the
Black K has four flight squares e6, c4, c6, e4 in the form of X.
Sub-miniature (6)—is any Miniature with less than seven chessmen on the
board.
Switchback (168)—In the course of play, if a chessman returns to the square
initially occupied by it, switch-back is said to have resulted.
'Task' Problem (80)—is one where some maximisation is shown or which
shows a feat not previously achieved.
Theme (24)—is defined under Problem No. 24.
Threat (5)—is the intended line of play on an inconsequential Black move
after the key. All Black's defences are aimed at refuting the threat.
'Threat separation' theme (26)—is defined under Problem No. 26
Try (5)—is any first move that succeeds against all but one reply and hence
is really no solution at all, although a near thing. If any single facet
is said to dominate the Problem world today, it is try-play. A try is
invariably given with a question mark (?) and its refutation invariably
with an exclamation mark (!), such as 1. Ral ? and l....Kc3 ! In
the same context, the key must appear with an exclamation mark, e.g.
1. Ra3 !
Twin (2)—If in a Problem a slight re-adjustment in the setting—normally
limited to just one single action—produces another genuine Problem
with a different solution, then either Problem is a 'twin'.
Underpromotion (1)—is Pawn promotion to R or B or N.
Unpin (50)—is the act of freeing an opposing chessman from pin (-ibid).
Waiting (2)—In Problem No. 2 (i), we find l.Kc7, waiting. This means
that White cannot mate next move unless Black makes his move. It
follows that a waiting move does not have a threat. In general, the
word 'waiting' after a White move signifies that White wins the bargain
—whatever it is—only because Black has to make his move now.
White correction (205)—This is best explained through an example. In
Problem No. 205, any random move of the White B (d4) produces one
or more threats defeated by a particular move of Black (l....ex f l = Q
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
or R). However, the same White B has one particular move (-correc-
tion manoeuvre) that nullifies this Black defence, thereby showing 'White
correction'.
White Knight wheel (118)—is any scheme that shows a White N move to
8 squares—the maximum possible.
Withdrawal key (4)—is one where the key piece goes some distance away
from the Black K, in the process permitting at least one new flight square
for the latter. (To another definition, this last condition is not necessary.)
Zugzwang (14)—The side which is in zugzwang loses the bargain—whatever
it is—only because it is his turn to move. In other words, he would
not lose the bargain if it were the other side's move. If the word zugz-
wang appears immediately after, say, a White move, it means that Black
is in zugzwang. (Compare this with "Waiting".)

www.ebook777.com
free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com

SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

No. 1 No. 2
C. TOMLINSON D. J. MORGAN
"Amusements in Chess", 1845 'British Chess Magazine',
September, 1969

Mate in two
No. I Mate in two
i) Diagram, ii) K(a6)—a7.
This is the Minimal of all iii) K(a6)—b8. iv) K(a6)—c8.
Minimals, with its single point of
under-promotion. There cannot No. 2
certainly be any orthodox Problem
Solution
with lesser material.
i) 1. Kc7. waiting.
1. c8 = Q ? stalemate ! 1 ...Ka7 2. Ra5X X.
1. c8 = R ! Ka6 2. R a 8 x X. ii) 1. Rd8, waitins.
Weal mate. 1 ...Ka6 2. Ra8 X X.

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
iii) 1. Ra5, waiting. No. 4
1 ...Kc8 2. R a 8 x x . OTTO DEHLER
iv) 1. Kb6, waiting. 'Neue Welt\ 1919
1 ...Kb8 2. Rd8 X X.
This is a twin Minimal Problem
in general, but a 'Multiple Problem'
in particular. A Multiple Problem
is one in which the Black K can be
placed in one of several squares so
that each setting is a genuine Prob-
lem.
N.B.—With the Black K at a8
also, White can mate in two ; but
this time it is not a genuine Two-
mover, since the first move is either
1. Kb6 or l.Kc7.
Mate in two

No. 3 No. 4
M. EUDOVICH
'Shakhmaty v SSSR', June, 1981 This shows remarkable riches for
a Minimal Problem of this size.

1. Rb4 ? Nb6 !

1. Rb5 ! waiting—a good with-

drawal key, considering the scarcity
of material.

1....N at random 2. Ra5xx.

Pure mate.

l....Na7 2. R b 8 x X. Self-
block.

Shows 'Black correction'.

Mate in two
l....Ka7 2. R a 5 x X. Pure
mate.
No. 3
This, considered together with the
The point of this Minimal last mate, shows mutual square-
Problem is the way White releases
blocking by Black's N and K.
Black from stalemate, at the same
time retaining control.
N.B. The term 'Black Correc-
1. Kf7 ! Kh7 2. Qh4xx. tion' was invented by Brian Harley
Ideal mate. (1883-1955) in 1935.
26
18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 5 No. 6
R U D O L F L'HERMET, SAM LOYD
1923 1877

Mate in two Mate in two

No. 6
No. 5 This is a nice sub-miniature
This shows try-play long before Minimal.
try-play came into the limelight. The key is l.Qal ! with the threat
2. Kf7 x X.
l.Qh2 ? l....Bg8 2. K X g 6 X X.
l....Kg8 2. Qa8X X.
l....Kf8 2. Qh8 x X.
No. 7
l....Kd8 2. Q b 8 x X. Dr. WERNER SPECKMANN
'Schach-Echo', 1940
But l....Bh4 ! defeats.
1. Qb2 ?

l....Kf8 2. Qh8X X.

l....Kd8 2. Q b 8 x X.

But this time l....Bb4 ! defeats.

The key l.Q e 5 ! sets up two
threats separated by the two Black
K moves :

l....Kf8 2. Q h 8 x X.
Mate in two
l - . K d 8 2. Q b 8 x X.
No. 7
Shows the same pair of mates This is a good Minimal showing
irom
three different places. four different mates.
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
3

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
l....Kb5 2. QdS X X is a set No. 9
mate not available after the key. YURI AVERBAKH
1. Qe4 ? b5 ! & MIKHAIL BEILIN
1. Qc6 ? b5 ! "ABC of Chess", 1979
1. Kc4 ! waiting.
l . . . . b 5 + 2 . Q X b 5 X X.
l....Ka4 2. Q x a 6 x X.
l....Ra7 2. Q x a 7 X X.
l....Ra8 2. Q x a 8 x X. Ideal
mate.

No. 8
SAM LOYD
'Musical World', 1859

Mate in two
No. 9
The fine key is 1. Qal !, threate-
ning 2. Kf7 X X.
l....Bg8 2. K X g 6 X X.
1... Kg8 2. Q x a 8 x X.
N.B. The N prevents the 'cook'
1. Qa7 o r - b 7 by l....Nc7.
This is just a modified version
of Problem No. 6 published |more
than a hundred years earlier.
26 No. 10
Mate in two
D r . W E R N E R SPECKMANN
'Deutsche Schachzeitung\
May, 1983
No. 8
The interesting point of this
Minimal is that Black has lost the
right to castle. How is this ?
In the set position, it is White who is
to move. Hencc Black's last move
must have been either with the Rook
or with the King, since neither
Pawn has moved from its original
square.
Keeping this in view, the key 1.
Qal is easily found. White mates
by 2. Qh8 against any defence,
since castling is not permitted.
Note that 1. Qa3 ? is refuted
by 1....C5 ! Mate in two

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 10 No. 12
M. EUDOVICH
The position is 'set' : l....Ra6 2. 'Shakhmaty v SSSR\ June, 1981
Q x a 6 x X. !....Ra7 2. Q x a 7
X X . 1....Ra8 2. Q x a 8 x X.
But White has no spare move to
sustain the set position. In fact,
three White tries are defeated in
turn by one of the three moves
available to Black :
1. Qb8 ? Ra6 !
1. Qc6 ? Ra7 !
1. Qb6 ? Ra8 !
White therefore abandons the
whole plan and plays 1. Qhl !
1,...R~2, Q a l x X .
Mate in two
No. 12
No. 11 The key is 1. Kf6, waiting.
OTTO DFHLER, l....Kg8 or -h8 2. R d 8 x x .
1925 1....KM 2. Rh3 x X.
No. 13
Dr. WERNER SPECKMANN
'Schach',
1st prize, 1963

Mate in two

No. 11
The interesting point of this Mate in two
sub-miniature is that White promotes
on both 1st and 2nd moves : i) Diagram, ii) Q(h7)—a7. iii) In
1. c 8 = Q K any 2. b8 = Q x x . ii), K (e6)—c6. iv) In iii) K(e4)—c4.
Changing the order of promotion No. 13
will not do, for 1. b 8 = Q ? is Solution
stalemate for Black ! i) l . f 8 = Q ? stalemate !
4 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
l . f 8 = B ! Kf6 2. Qf5 X X. Kh3 2. Rh5 x X.
ii) 1. f 8 = Q ? stalemate ! v) 1. Rg5, zugzwang. 1....
l.f8 = R ! waiting. 1.... Khl 2. Rh3 x X.
Kd6 2. Rf6 x X. Ideal mate in the vi) 1. Rd2, zugzwang. 1....
middle of the board ! Khl 2. R f l x x . Echo of v).
iii) 1. f 8 = Q Kb5 2. Q (8) vii) 1. Kf3, zugzwang. 1....
c5x x . Kf 1 2. R d l x x . Echo of iv).
iv) 1. f 8 = Q ? stalemate! viii) 1. Rf2, zugzwang. 1....
1. f 8 = N ! waiting. 1.... Kbl 2. Rdl X X. Mirror image of ii).
Kd6 2. Qc5 x X.
N.B. The White K is active only
This shows nice 'Allumwandlung' in iv) and vii).
with perhaps the minimum force
possible !
No. 15
No. 14 KNUD HANNEMANN
JOHANNES J. BURBACH 'Skakbladet', 1972
|'Deutsche Schaclizeitung\
April, 1983

Mate in two
i) Diagram. ii) P(b7)—c7.
Mate in two iii) P(b7)—a7. iv) K(b6)—a7.
Black K at i) diagram position, v) K(b6)—hi. vi) Q(g7)—b8.
ii) c8, iii) h6, iv) h4, v) h2, vi) gl,
vii) el and viii) cl.
No. 15
Solution
No. 14
i) 1. b 8 = Q + K c 6 2. Q(g)
After Problem No. 2, this is another b7x X.
'Multiple Two-mover'. Qr l....Ka6 2. Q h 6 x x .
Solution Here White can mate in 9 more ways.
i) 1. Rb3, zugzwang. 1.... ii) 1. c 8 = Q ? stalemate!
Ka7 2. R a 5 x X. 1. c8 = R ! waiting. 1....
ii) 1. Rf7, zuezwang. 1.... Ka6
Kb8 2. Rd8 x X. 2. Rc6 x X. Ideal mate.
iii) 1. Rg3, zugzwang. 1.... iii) 1. a8 = B ! Ka6 2. Q b 7 x X.
Kh7 2. Rh5 X X. Mirror image of i). iv) 1. Qc7, waiting. 1....
iv) 1. Kf3 ! zugzwang. 1..., Ka6 2. b 8 = N x X.
26
18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
v) 1. b B = Q ? stalemate !
Shift the P to c7 & add a White
1. b 8 = R ! Kh2 2. R h g X X . P at b4. This time the solution is
Model mate. l . c 8 = B K b 8 2. Qb7X X.
vi) 1. Qc8 Ka6 or -a7 2.
b 8 = Q x X. No. 17
The first four settings show OTTO DEHLER
'Allumwandlung'. 1923
N.B. The name 'model mate'
was first suggested by H. D'O.
Bernard.

No. 16
N I H A R E N D U SIKDAR
Original
(dedicated to Otto Dehler)

Mate in two

No. 17
The key 1. Bh2 is waiting.
l....Ka7 or-a8 2 . Qb8xx.
Mate in two l....Kc8 2. Qc7X X.
i) Diagram.
ii) P(d7)—e7. l....Kc6 2. Q b 5 x X.
Three different mates and
No. 16 zugzwang play is quite an achieve-
Solution ment in such a midget !
i) 1. Qh7 ? Kb7 ! and there
is no mate next move.
Correct is 1. d 8 = N ! Kb8 No. 18
2. Qb7 x X.
ii) 1. e 8 = N ? Kb8 ! The surprising waiting key
1. e8 = Q ? stalemate ! 1. Qb7 ! leaves the R en prise.
This time the key is 1. Qh7 !
l....K~2. e 8 = Q x X. l . . . . K x h 5 2. Qh7X X. Ideal
N.B. Part (ii) was shown by mate at the edge of the board.
O. Dehler in 1928.
Shift the P to f7 and the solution l....Kf6 2. R h 6 x X. Ideal
would be l.Qe7H—2. f 8 = Q or mate away from the edge of the
R x X. board.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks
No. 18
==> www.ebook777.com
The try and the continuation
K A R L LORENZ after l....b2 are transformed res-
JESPER JESPERSEN pectively to the continuation after
'Dubuque Chess Journal', 1880 l....b2 and the key.

N.B. The White K has no role

to play.

No. 20

Mate in two

No. 19
A. DOMBROVSKIS
'Shakhmaty',
No. 12, June, 1983
Mate in two

No. 20
A setting of the pattern T is
necessarily symmetrical, with symme-
trical play.
The position is 'set' :
l....Kd4 2. Q c 4 x X.
1. ...Kf4 2. Q g 4 x X.
The waiting key 1. Qe7 changes
both the set mates :
Mate in two l....Kd4 2. Q b 4 x X.
No. 19 l....Kf4 2. Q h 4 x X.
1. Qa5 ? waiting. This is an elegant presentation
I....b2 2. N c 5 x X. of the 'Mutate' theme.
But l....Ka2 ! defeats.
Correct is 1. Nc5 ! (waiting) N.B. The term 'Mutate' was
l....b2 2 . Q a 5 x x . invented by Brian Harley.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 21 No. 22
JOSEPH G R A H A M CAMPBELL
'Chess Players' Chronicle\ 1861 The White B, instead of helping,
is coming in the Q's way. In its
absence, 1. Qa7 or -a6 or -a4 or
-a3 mates next move. But how to
get rid of the obstructing piece ?
There is only one way :

1. Bbl ! K x b l 2. Q h l x x .
Ideal mate with self-block.

No. 23
V. LISKOVETS
'64', Special Honourable Mention,
1981

Mate in two
No. 21
This has a surprising key 1.
Qh8 ! waiting.
, l....Kf4 2. Q d 4 x X.
1....K in h-file 2. B f 5 x x .
With the Black K at h5, this is a
model mate.
Note that 1. B f 5 + ? is defea-
ted only by l....Kf4 !

No. 22
'64', 1976
Mate in two

No. 23
The interesting point of this
sub-miniature is the key 1. Qh8 !
which threatens 2. Qal X X.
l....Be7 or -f6 2. Q a 8 x X.

N.B. The White K's only func-

tion is to prevent the 'cook' 1. Rb2.
In fact, if the White K is placed at,
say, g8, the key would be 1. Rb2
(threat 2. Q a l x x ) . If now 1.,..
Mate in two Be7 2. Qa8 x X.
27
18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 24 No. 25
Dr. NIELS HOEG A. EFRON
'Deutsche Schachblatter\ 1927 'V Italia Scacchistica',
February, 1962

Mate in two
Mate in two

No. 24 No. 25

The key 1. Nc7 blocks the lines White must look for a key that,
of action of both R and B, thereby provides for the flight l....Kc2.
setting up two threats : 2. Qg7 X X It is not difficult to find 1. Ke2 !
and 2. Qd8 x X. waiting.
l....Kc2 2. Q b 2 x X.
If 1....RXC7 2. Q d 8 X X. l....Kd4 2 . Q x c 5 x X .
I....c4 2. Q b 2 x X. Self-block.
Or if l . . . . B x c 7 2. Q g 7 x X. I....e3 2. Q d 3 x X.

The whole mechanism constitutes

the 'Nowotny theme' in a most No. 26
simple form. (A 'theme' is any
well-defined scheme applied in the 1. Qc4 ? Ne7 !
context of a chess composition.) 1. Qb5 ? Nf6 !
1. Qe5 ? f5 ! (or f6 !)
26 The three Black defences separate
N.B. The term 'Nowotny
theme' (or 'Nowotny interference the three threats after the key 1.
theme') came into being after Anton Qg4 !
Nowotny (1829-1871) had published l....Ne7 2. Q d 7 x X.
a 4-mover on the theme in the l....Nf6 2. Q c 8 x X.
'Leipziper Illustrirte Zeitung' on
29th April, 1854, although other 1 — f 5 2. Q x g 8 x X.
composers have shown the idea This is known as the 'Threat
before. separation' theme.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 26 Threat 2. Qe5 x x.
G E R H A R D MALEIKA l....Ke6 2. Q h 6 x X. Pure mate
'Deutsche Schachzeitung', with self-block.
February, 1982 l....Kc5 2. Q d 4 x X.
(amended) I....e6 2. Q f 8 x X. Ideal mate
in the middle of the board, with
two self-blocks.

No. 28
Dr. W E R N E R SPECKMANN
'Deutsche Schachzeitung
March, 1983

Mate in two

No. 27
H A R R Y V. TUXEN &
A R T U R MADSEN
'Skakbladet', November, 1960

Mate in two

No. 28
The position is 'set' :
1.... Ke3 2. Qe2 x X. But White has
no spare move to keep the set
position.
1. Qb3 ?
1....B at random 2. Qd3xx.
But l....Bc3 ! defeats.

Mate in two Correct is 1. Qb5 ! waiting.

No. 27 This leaves the set mate

1. Q h 6 + ? Kc5 ! unchanged, and if 1....B moved
1. Qal ? Ke6 ! 2. Q d 3 x x — w h i c h repeats the
1. Qh8 ! mate occurring in the try-play.

11
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 30
VASILY MANUELOVICH KALIN N I H A R E N D U SIKDAR
1926
'British Chess Magazine\
April, 1968

Mate in two
Mate in two
No. 29 N.B. The position of the R is
1. Qc6 ? c3 ! determined by the fact that, after
The surprising key is 1. Kc6 ! the try 1. Q f l ? and the reply 1....
waiting. It cuts off the Q's line Ba2, it prevents the dual 2. Qf8 x X.
of action and creates a flight square
for the Black K. No. 31
l....Ke4 2. Kc5X X. 'Indian Dr. VALENTINO MARIN
theme'. 'Strategie', 1895
I.,..c3 2. Q a 4 x X.
I....e4 2. Q h 8 x X.

N.B. Henry Augustus Loveday

(1815-1848), a young clergyman
living at the time in India, published
the first Problem on the theme in
the 'Chess Player's Chronicle' in
1845. Although the Problem
itself was unsound, the idea became
well-known as the 'Indian theme'.

26
No. 30
1. Q f l ? b5 !
1. Qhl ! waiting. Mate in two
1....P moved 2. Q a 8 x X.
l....Ka2 2. R a 4 x X. No. 31
l,...Ba2 2. Q c l x X. The good key is 1. Rf5 ! (not
1....B elsewhere 2. Qal X X, 1. Ra5 ? Ne5 !)

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
The threat is 2. Q a 4 x X. Pure No. 33
mate. PAUL M O R P H Y
l....Ne5 2. R f 4 x X. Self-block. "Testyour Chess" by Gerald
l....Nd6^2.Qd5x X. Interference. Abrahams.
l....Ra8, -b8, -c8 or -d5 2.
Q d 5 x X.

No. 32
Dr. W E R N E R SPECKMANN
'Deutsche Schachzeitung , 1957

Mate in two

No. 34
L. SZILAGYI
'// Due Mosse\
November-December, 1960

Mate in two
No. 32
The tries 1. Qa2 ?, 1. Qa3 ?,
1. Rh7 ? and 1. Rb7 ? are each
defeated by I....0-0-0 !
The key is 1. Qhl !, threatening
2. Qh8 X X .
1....0-0-0 2. Q b 7 x X. Self-block.
Also, 1.... Bc5 2. Q x a8 X X.
Pure mate.
The White Q does some long
travel !
N.B. The White K has no
function in this Pawnless Miniature.
Mate in two
No. 33
1 h6 is not provided for. So No. 34
the key 1. Rh6 ! stops it.altogether This is an easy one. Since
and waits. Black has to be released from stale-
I . . . . g x h 6 2. g 7 x X. The rare mate, the key 1. Re4 (waiting)
King-and-Pawn-only mate ! suggests itself.
1....B moved 2. R x h 7 x X. 1....N moved 2. R x N x X.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 35 No. 36
PETKO A. PETKOW MIKLOSCH S. LOCKER
'South African Chess Player\ 'Shakhmaty v SSSR\ October, 1974
October, 1962

Mate in two
Mate in two
No. 37
G. DOROKHOV
No. 35
The position is set and the only
spare move available to White is
1. Kh2—which, therefore, is the
waiting key.

1....N any 2. Q g 4 x X.

1 h5 2. Qf6 x X. Pure mate

with self-block.

N.B. In the absence of the P(h7),

1. Qg6 cooks.

Mate in two

No. 37
No. 36
The key 1. Nc3 threatens 2.
1. Qd6 ? d4 ! Qe4 X X .
1. Qe6 ! Waiting. I....e5 2. Qc8x X. Shows
changed mate : in the set positon,
1 d4 2. Q c 4 x X. l....e5 2. N d 6 x X.
1....N moved 2. Q b 6 x X. l....Be5 2. Qg4x X.

26
18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
Both these mates are possible No. 39
because of the self-block at e5. A. H A R T H
l....Ke5 2. Q d 5 x X. This shows "Reynold's Miscellanies", 1868
why the N must go to c3 in the first
move.

No. 38
V. K. R A M A N MENON
'Times of India', 12th August, 1973

Mate in two

No. 39
This is a beautiful composition
that shows different mates after
different captures at the same square.
The good key 1. Qd8 ! (threat
2. Q x a 5 x x ) leaves the White
Mate in two
B en prise.
l . . . . K x b 4 2. Q d 4 x X. Pure
No. 38 mate, with two self-blocks row-wise.
1. Qa6 ? I . . . . a x b 4 2. Q a B x x , with two
self-blocks file-wise.
l . . . . K b 3 2. Q d 3 x X. l . . . . B x b 4 2. Qdl X X, with three
I....b3 2. Q d 6 x X. self-blocks.

1....N a t random 2 . Q x a 4 x x .
But l....Nc6 ! defeats. No. 40
The surprising key 1. Ke3 !
The waiting key 1. Bb5 ! changes (threatening 2. Qbl X X) grants two
the first two mates : flight squares.
l....Kb3 2. Q f 3 x X. l . . . . K c l 2. K e 2 x X. Shows the
I....b3 2. Q f 8 x X. Indian theme.
Also, 1....N any 2. Q x a 4 x X. l....Bc2 2. Q h l X X. Pure mate
with self-block.
Besides changed mates, this
shows mutual self-block at b3 between l....Kel 2. Q h l X X . Also pure
the K & the P (b4). mate.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 40 The waiting key 1. Qhl ! changes
Dr. SAMUEL GOLD, 1902 the set mate :
1....B any 2. Qdl X X.
Also, 1 f 1 ==Q 2. Qe4x X.
Qr l . . . . f l = N 2. Q h 5 x X.
This is an example of the 'Mutate'
theme.

No. 42
Z. H E R N I T Z
'The Problemist', 1975

Mate in two
N.B. Qmit P(h4) and the setting
is cooked by 1. Q d 3 + K e l 2 . Bg3x X.
Qmit P(b2) and there is no solution
after l....Kcl.

No. 41
WILLIAM E D W A R D LESTER
'Empire Review', 1923

Mate in two

No. 42
1. Qg8 ? Kf5 !
1. Qb3 ! Threats 2. Q f 7 x x ,
2. Qe6 x X and 2. Qf3 x X.
1....B moved 2. Q f 7 x X.
1... .either P moved 2. Qe6 x X.
l....Kf5 2. Q f 3 x X.
Mate in two
The three mates are thus
26 separated.
No. 41
The position is 'set' : 1....B This is called the 'Threat
any 2 . Q x f 2 x x . separation' theme, also known as
But White has no spare move ! the 'Fleck' theme.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 43 1... .Ra3 2. Qc2 x X. Self-blocks.
Eu. ALEKSEEV This last also shows Black correc-
'Shakhmaty v SSSR', tion.
January, 1981 T h e Black B is only to p l u g a l .

No. 44
V. VEDERS
'Minimaf, 1971

Mate in two
No. 43
This shows fine play involving
self-blocks at c3. Mate in two
In the set position, l....Nc3
2. Q b 6 x X and l....Bc3 2. Q d 6 x X.
1. Qa5 ? Nc5 ! (2. Q x a l + ?c3!) No. 45
1. Qa3 ! threatening 2. Qe3 x X.
l....Nc3 2. Q a 7 x X. Changed
mate.
l....Bc3 2. Q d 6 x X.
1 . . . . C 3 2. Q b 4 x X .

No. 44
In the set position, l....Ra3
2. Q c 2 x X.
1. Bc2 ? Ra3 ! White cannot
now play 2. Qc2.
1. Qcl + ? Ka2 !
The good key 1. Bbl ! is waiting.
l . . . . K x b l 2. Q c 2 x X. Self-
block.
l....Ka3 2. Q a 2 x X. Self-block, Mate in two
with interference of the Black R by
the Black K. No. 45
1 — b 3 2. Qcl x X. Self-block. The key is 1. Rb5 ! with the
1....R at random 2. Q x b 4 x X. threat 2. Qe8 x X.

SEVEN IS THE LIMIT 17

- 2

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
I . . . . c x b 5 2. QaBx X. A lone Q But l....f4 ! defeats.
model mate with self-blocks, always The kev is 1. Qc5 ! waiting.
pleasing. I....f4 2. R x f 4 x X. Changed
l....Kd8 2. Rb8X X. Changed mate.
mate, since in the set position 1. .. 1 g5 2. R h 6 x X.
Kd8 2. R a 8 x X. 1. e5 or Kg5 2. Qe7x X.
White's K is idle. The most interesting play comes
after the key.
N. B. This was quoted in
'Shakhmaty', March, 1980.
No. 47
N. FADEEV
No. 46 1982
A. SHURYAKOV
'Shakhmaty v SSSR\
July, 1982

Mate in two

No. 47
Mate in two 1. Qfl ?
I....b4 2. Q b 5 x X.
No. 46 I....e5 2. Q f 7 x X.
Black has three moves at his But l....Ke5 ! escapes.
disposal, each coming to his rescue l.Qgl ?
in a try. l....Ke5 2. Qg5 X X .
l.Qg3 ? I....e5 2. Qg8x X.
I....g5 2. R h 6 x X. But 1—b4 ! escapes.
1 f4 2. Q x f 4 x x. 1. K f 4 ? e 5 + !
But l....e5 ! defeats. Thus, the three moves of Black
1. Rg4 ? are used in turn to defeat the three
I....e5, 2. Q b 6 x X. tries.
l....P(f5) moved 2. Q f 4 x X. The good key is 1. Qal ! waiting
But 1 g5 ! defeats. (1. Qb2 ? b 4 !)
1. Qa7 ? I....b4 2. Q a 5 x X.
I....e5 or Kg5 2. Q e 7 x X. I....e5 2. Q a 2 x X.
I....g5 2. Q g 7 x X. l....Ke5 2. R c 5 x X.
Also, l....Ke5 2. Q d 4 x X. All the mates shown are different.
26
18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 48 No. 49
F. M E N D E S de MORAES E. PRADIGNAT
'L' Echiquier Beige', 1961 ' Shakhmatniy', 1895

Mate in two
Mate in two
No. 48
The beautiful key is l.Qg3 !!
In the set position, 1....N any
It is waiting, grants a flight d4 and
2. Qg8 x X.
changes the mate after l....d4 2.
1 — f 6 or f5 2. Q e 7 x X. l....Kd8
Qg8 x X.
2. Qf8 X X. But l....d5 is not provi-
ded for. l....Kd4 2. R b 4 x X. Pure mate
However, White abandons all with self-block. The square e5 is
set mates and plays l.Qal ! leading covered, which is not the case after
to 2.Qa8 X X against all defences. 1. Qf3 ? and hence it fails after
Not 1. Qc3 ? Kd8 ! 1....Kd4 !

N.B. Apart from providing the

No. 50
spare move for Black in the set
position, the P (d6) prevents the This is a magnificent composition
'cook" l.Qe5 + . The White K, showing two important themes
besides looking after g7 in the elegantly.
variation l....Kf8, prevents the The position is 'set' :
'cook' 1. Q h 8 + a n d also the 'cook' 1 . . . . C 5 2. Q x d 5 x X .
1. Q x h 6 . 1....N any 2. R f 6 x X.
l....Ke6 2. Q e 5 x X.
But White has no spare move
No. 49 and hence the set position cannot be
This is a fine example of the maintained.
'Mutate' theme.
The position is 'set' : l....N(b) The key 1. Qa7 ! is waiting, thus
moved 2. Qc3 x X. 1... .N(f) moved demonstrating the 'Mutate' theme.
2. Q d 3 x X. I....d4 2. Q e 6 x x. All the set mates are now changed :
But there is no spare move available 1 . . . . C 5 2. Q d 7 x X .
to White. 1....N any 2. Q e 7 x X.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 50 No. 51
T. SHENBERGER Set l....e5 2. Qc4x X and 1....
1933 Bd5 2. Qe3 x X.
These two are changed after the
key 1. Qd6, threatening 2. R f 4 x X.
I....e5 2. Q d 3 x X. l....Bd5 2.
Qf4 X X. This last mate is the echo
of the corresponding set mate.
The only role of the N (al) is
to refute the try l.Kg3 ? by 1....
Nc2 !
No. 52
D. ABRAGAM
B.O.E. Tourney, 1949

Mate in two

l....Ke6 2. Q d 7 x X.
In addition, the unpinned B's
moves give rise to the theme of
Black correction :
1....B at random 2. Q d 7 x X.
l....Be6 2. Q c 7 x X.

No. 51
Dr. W E R N E R SPECKMANN Mate in two
'Schach-Echo', 1961
i) Diagram.
ii) K(b6)—b5.
No. 52
This is an easy one for the solvers.
i) 1. f8 = Q ? stalemate !
1. f 8 = R ! Kd6 2. R d 8 x x .
ii) l . f 8 = Q Kc7 2. Qd8 x X.

No. 53
l.c8=Q+ ?
l . . . . K x c 8 2. Ba6x X.
l....Ka7 2. Be3 or Qa6 or
Qb8x X.
But l....Kb6 ! escapes.
Mate in two l . c 8 = N ! (waiting)

20 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 53 No. 51
'64', 1975
In every setting except iv), 1 , f 8 = Q
means stalemate for Black.
i ) l . f 8 = R ? stalemate!
l . f 8 = N + !Kf6 2. g 7 x X.
The P(h6) has no use after this.
ii) l . f 8 = N + ? Kd6 !
l . f 8 = B ! Kf6 2. Q f 5 x X.
iii) l.f8 = R ! waiting. l....Kd6
2. Rf6 x X. Model mate.
iv) 1 . f 8 = Q Kd7 2. Q(c)c8 x X.
This shows pleasing 'Allumwand-
lung' in a sub-miniature.

No. 55
N. CHEBANOV
'Shakhmaty v SSSR\
Mate in two January, 1982

l . . . . K x c 8 2. Ba6x X. Ideal
mate.
l....Ka8 2. B c 6 x x . Model
mate.

No. 54
R. K O F M A N
'64', 1976

Mate in two

i) Diagram.
ii) Interchange the Kings.
No. 55
This is one of those extremely
rare compositions where switching
the two Kings results in a genuine
twin. Tt is destined to be widely
quoted.
Mate in two i) The key l.Qd8 is waiting.
l . . . . K x c 6 2. N a 5 x X !
i) Diagram. ii) Q (c7)—h7. l....Ka6 2. Nc5 X X !
iii) Q(c7)—a7. iv) Q(c7)—c3. Two fine mates by the N(b3).

21 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks
ii) Here also
==> www.ebook777.com
the key l.Nal ! No. 57
is waiting. WILLTAM W. GREENWOOD
1....Kc3 2. Q d 4 x X. 'Leeds Mercury', 1880
l....Kb5 2. Q b 4 x X.
This time the two mates are
delivered by the Q.

No. 56
JOHN GILBERT NIX
'Chess Journal', 1877

Mate in two

l....Ke6 2. Q f 5 x X. This one

is a model mate.
1 ....Kd4 2. Qc5x X. Also a
model mate, echoing the last one.
l....Kd5 2. Qe4x X. Another
26 model mate of the same kind as
Mate in two after l....Ke6.
All the five mates are different,
No. 56 although the Q moves to only three
The key 1. Bh5 is waiting. different squares.
l....Kd5 2. Q e 5 x X.
l....Kf5 2. Q e 5 x X. No. 58
l....Kd3 2. Q e 2 x X. P. WEN MAN
l....Ke3 2. Q d 4 x x . This one
is a model mate.
l....Kf4 2. Q e 5 x x . Also a
model mate of the same kind as the
last one.
Although the Q goes to only
three different squares, all the five
mates are really different.

No. 57
The key is 1. Bbl ! waiting,
permitting two more flight squares in
addition to the existing three.
l....Kf4 2. Q e 4 x X.
l....Kf6 2. Q f 5 x X, Mate in two

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 51 No. 60
The waiting key l.Be8 ! grants V. R A Z U M E N K O
two more flight squares in addition 'Shakhmaty v SSSR', June, 1974
to the existing three.
l....Ka3 2. Q a 4 x X. Model mate.
l....Kb3 2. Q a 4 x x. Model
mate.
l....Kc4 2. Q b 5 x X. Simple
echo of the last mate.
l....Kc5 2. Q d 4 x x . Chame-
leon echo of the last two mates.
l,..,Ka5 2. Q b 5 x X.
N.B. White's K has no
function.

No. 59
N. GRIGORfEV

Mate in two

No. 60
The surprising key 1. Ne2 !
leaves the R en prise.
l . . . . K x h l 2. Q h 3 x X.
l....Kf3 2. O - O X X .
Noting the positions of White's
K and R, castling at some stage is
only to be expected. From this
consideration it is soon clear that
the N must make the key move.
Mate in two

No. 59
This is an easy one, the key being No. 61
1. Qd5, waiting.
1. Q b 4 + ? Ka6 and there is no
l....Ka4 2. Q b 5 x X. mate because the R's way to a4
1....Kc3 2. Q c 4 x X. is blocked.
l.Qbl-f- ? Ka5 ! and not 1....
N.B. The White pieces are set Kc5 ? 2. Q b 4 x X.
up as while starting a game. Other The surprising key is 1. Ra4 !
than its contribution towards this
aspect, the White K plays no part. l . . . . K x a 4 2. Bc6x X. Ideal
mate.
This appeared in the Russian
magazine '64', no. 17, September, 1....KC5 2. Qb4x X.
1982. l....Kb6 2. Qa5x X.

23 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks
No. 61
==> www.ebook777.com
No. 63
Dr. ESTEBAN P U I G Y PUIG ISAAC KONSTANTINOVICH
'Schackbladet', 1906 KIKOIN

Mate in two Mate in two

No. 63
No. 62
The point of this Miniature is
that the setting is in the form of ' K \
after the name of its author.
I.g4, waiting.
1 — h 2 2. N g 3 x X. \
N.B. This is taken from the
book "Chess Kaleidoscope" by
A.E. Karpov & E.Y. Gik.
No. 64
V. K. R A M A N M E N O N
'Times of India', 28th October, 1973

26
Mate in two
No. 62
The spectacular key is l.Rel !!
l . . . . K x e l 2. Bc3x x. Ideal
mate.
l....Kc2 2 . Q d l x x .
l....Kd3 2. Q e 2 x X.
N.B. This was demonstrated on
Moscow TV on 25.8,83, Mate in two

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 51 No. 66
The key is 1 .Bb5. waiting. OSKAR WIELGOS
l....Ke6 2. Bc4x X. A beautiful 'Deutsche Schachzeitung\
model mate. February, 1982
l....Ke4 2. Bc6x X. Model
mate.
l....Kc5 2. R f 5 x X. This one
is not a model mate becuase of the
double coverage of c4.

No. 65
N I H A R E N D U SIKDAR .
'British Chess Magazine
6th Commend, 1968

Mate in two

No. 66
The several N tries constitute
the interesting feature of this sub-
miniature.

1. N f l ? Bf4 !
1. Ne2 ? Be5 !
1. Ne4 ? Bf4 !
Mate in two

No. 65 After the key 1. Nf5 !, White

mates by either 2.R(d) c3 or 2.Ne3,
I. Rb8 ? Bb4 ! Not l....Bb2 ? depending on Black B defences.
2. Bd2 x X.
1. Rd8 ? Bd6 !
1. K f l or -f3 ? Be7 !
1. Rf8 ? B X f8 ! No. 67
1. Rg8 ? Bc5 ! This shows two nice mates
1. Ra8 ! waiting.
resulting from self-block, each being
l....Bb2 2. B d 2 x X.
a near echo of the other.
1....B elsewhere 2. R a l x X.
Five tries by the White R are
defeated in turn by five different The key l.Bb4 threatens. 2.
moves of the Black B. One can say Bd2 x X.
that the efforts of the White piece
are successfully opposed by the Black l....Nf3 2. R(f) e 4 x X.
piece. The theme at work here is
the 'Opposition' theme. l....Nd3 2, R(d) e 4 x x.

25 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 67 The trick is to find the spare
G E O F F R E Y MOTT-SMITH move for White. 1. Rb7 ? Bd6 !
1. Rh7 ? Bf6 ! 1. Bd5 ? Kd8 !
1. Bf5 ? Kf8 ! 1. Kgl ? Bc5-f !
1. Kh2 ? B d 6 + !
Hence the only spare move
available to White in this Pawnless
composition is 1. Kg2 ! which is
therefore the key. The play remains
unchanged.
N.B. This shows the 'Complete
block' theme, but not the 'Mutate'
(compare with Problem No. 20),
since no mate is changed after the
key.

No. 69
Mate in two A. TAUBER
I'Madyar Shakvilag', 1923

No. 68
Dr. W E R N E R SPECKMANN
'Deutsche Schachzeitung\ August, 1981

Mate in two
No. 69
The position is 'set' :
Mate in two l....e2 2. Q b 3 x X. Self-block.
I....exd2 2. Q x d 2 x X.
But White has no spare move.
No. 68 The waiting key 1. Na3 ! changes
both the set mates :
The position is 'set' : l....Kd8
l....e2 2. Q c 2 x X. Self-block.
2. R c 8 x X. l....Kf8 2. R g 8 x X.
1....B along diagonal a3-f8 2. I . . . . e x d 2 2. Q f 3 x X. Also
R c 8 x x . 1....B along diagonal self-block.
d8-h4 2. R g 8 x X, This is a 'Mutate'.
26
18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks
No. 70
==> www.ebook777.com
51 No.
H E N R I G E R A R D MARIA W E E N I N K
'Good Companion', 1919

Mate in two

Mate in two No. 72

DR. W E R N E R SPECKMANN
No. 70 'British Chess Magazine', July, 1969

The position is 'set' : l....c4 2.

d 4 x x , but White has no spare
move.
1. Qf2 ? c 4 !
The surprising key 1. Nd5 !
sets up the threat 2. Qe4 x X.
1....KE5 2. Q h 5 x X. A fine
model mate !
The 'Complete block' position is
changed to a position where White
has a threat. This is called a 'Block-
threat' theme.
Mate in two
No. 71 No. 72
The key is 1. Kf7, waiting. The play in any setting of pattern
T as here is necessarily symmetrical.
I . . . . f x g 5 2. Q h 3 x X. Model
In the set position, l....Kc7 or
mate, with self-block.
-e7 2. d 8 = Q x X. But l....d3 is
1....KM 2. Nf3 x X. not provided for and White cannot
maintain the set mates.
l....Kh6 2. Qg6x X. The waiting key 1. Q x d4 removes
the inconvenient P, in the process
N.B. This appeared in the 'Times changing the set mates :
of India'. l....Kc7 2. Q b 6 x X.

27 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
l....Ke7 2. Q f 6 x X. No. 74
N.B. The White K has no A. P. GREEN
effective role.

No. 73
'64', 1975

Mate in two

N.B. The White K prevents the

'cook' 1. Q a l + Kh2 2 . h 8 = Q or
R X X.
Mate in two
No. 75
No. 73 Dr. W E R N E R SPECKMANN
'Deutsche Schachzeitung\
l . f 8 = Q ? stalemate ! December, 1982
1. f 8 = R ? Kd6 !
1. f 8 = N + ? K x e 8 ! but not
l....Kd6 12. R e 6 x X.
l.f8=B ! K x d 8 2. Q c 8 x x .
Model mate.
The theme is 'Allumwandlung'.
N.B. In the absence of the P(g7),
l.Kf6 Kd6 2. Rd8 x X constitutes
a 'cook'.

No. 74
Evidently, the Q must move, but
whereto ?
l.Qb2 ? Be4 !
Any other Q move (except, of Mate in two
course, the key) is defeated by
l....Bg2. No. 75
The surprising key is l.Qa8 ! The position is 'set' :
pinning the B and threatening 2.h8 1....N moved 2. N e 3 x X.
= Q or R x X. But White has no spare move to
If l....Bg2 2. Q X g 2 X X, sustain the set mate.
26
18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
The key is 1. Ncl ! threatening No. 77
2. Q d 2 x X. EUGENE N E U H A U S
l....Kc3 2. Qc5X X. Pure mate. 'American Chess Bulletin'',
September-October, 1940
The theme here is 'Block-threat'.

No. 76
H I L D I N G FROBERG
'Deutsche Schachzeitung\
May, 1983

Mate in two

No. 77
White has to release Black from
stalemate.
The good key is l.Qa5 ! waiting,
and leaving the N en prise.
Mate in two l . . . . K x b 3 2. B d l x X.
1....KM 2. Bg6x X.
No. 76 1 bl =Q 2. Qc3x X.
l . . . . b l = N 2. Q a 2 x X.
1. Nb5 ? Note that 1 .Qa3 or -a4 ? is defea-
l . . . . K x b 8 2. Qc7x X. ted only by l . . . . b l = Q or R or B !
l . . . . R x b 8 2. Qc6x X.
But 1....R anywhere along a-file ! No. 78
& there is no mate next move. The position is 'set' and the only
1. Nd7 ? spare move available is l.Bfl—•
which therefore becomes the waiting
l . . . . R x a 7 2. Qc6x X. key.
l....Ka6 2. Q b 6 x X. 1. ...Rb6 2. Q d 7 x X.
But 1....R anywhere along 8-th l....Rb7 2. Qc5x X.
row ! & again there is no mate next 1....R elsewhere along the b-file
move. 2. Ne5 x X.
The solution is 1. Qc6-f ! l....Re5+ 2. N x e 5 x X.
1....R elsewhere along the 5th
l . . . . K x b 8 2. Q b 6 x X. Changed row 2. N b 4 x X.
mate. This shows the 'Complete block'
l . . . . K x a 7 2. Q c 7 x X. Echo of theme as also 'Black correction'
the last mate. along both file and row.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 78 l....Kd7 2. K e 5 x X. The Indian
Dr. WILHELM MASSMANN theme at work here !
'Schweizerische Schachzeitung', N.B. In the absence oi the
August, 1962 P (g5), White also mates by l.Qg6-f
Kd7 2. Qc6.

No. 80
G E O F F R E Y MOTT-SMITH
'The Chess Review', November, 1939

Mate in two

No. 79
'64', 1973
Mate in two

No. 80
The surprising key I. Ka2 !!
invites two more Black checks.
The threat is 2. Qb3 x X.
l....Qa3+ 2. Q x a 3 x X.
l....Qc4+ 2. Q x c 4 x X.
l....Qd5+ 2. N x d 5 x X.
l....Qa5 2. Q x a 5 x X.
l....Qb4 2. Q c 2 x X. Self-block.
l....Qb5 2. Q d 4 x X.
l....Qb6 2. N d 5 x X.
A 'Task' Problem showing six
different mates after Black Q moves !
Mate in two
After the key l.Ka2, omit the
26 Black Q and White can mate in
No. 79 6 ways, viz., by Qb3, Qa3, Qa5,
The beautiful waiting key l.Kf5 !! Qc4, Qd4 & Nd5. This means that,
leaves the N en prise and also allows excluding l....Qb4 resulting in self-
a second flight square. block, each Black Q defence refutes
l . . . . K x d 5 2. Qdl X X. A nice 5 of these mates in some way, leaving
model mate. only one way in which to mate.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
This, in other words, amounts to No. 82
virtual threat separation and PHILIP HAMILTON WILLIAMS
separating six of them is the difficult "Modern Chess Problems", 1903
'task' achieved. It also gives a
measure of the power of the Q.

No. 81
OTTO W U R Z B U R G
'Grand Rapids Herald\ 1932

Mate in two

1....B moved 2. Q a 7 x X.

l....Ka6 2. R d 6 x X. Changed
mate yet again.
Mate in two
l....Kc7 2. Q x a 5 x X. This is
No. 81
an ideal mate away from the edge
This is a nice Miniature where of the board.
the surprising key grants two flight
squares in place of none existing and
also puts Black into zugzwang ! l....Kc5 2. Q d 4 x X.
1. Re2 !! waiting.
l....Kd5 2. Bg2x X. N.B. This was, however, first
l....Kb5 2. R c 2 x X. Indian published in the 'Birmingham News',
theme at work here. 1897.
1... .d5 2. Re6 x X. Line-opening
with self-block.

No. 82
In the set position, l....Ka6 No. 83
2. Q f 6 x X. 1. Qcl ? 1. ..Ka6 2.
Qh6 or - c 6 x x . Changed mate. The key 1. R (c)b8 is waiting.
1....B at random 2. Q c 6 x x . But
l.,..Bc3 ! defeats. 1. Rc2 ? 1.... I....c4 2. R b 4 x X. Changed
B ~ 2. Q a 7 x X. But l....Ka6 ! mate, for in the set position, l....c4
escapes this time. Again, l.Qe5 ? 2. R x c 4 x X.
Bb4 ! defeats.
The good key is 1. Rd2 ! waiting. 1....N moved 2. R a 5 x X.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 83 N.B. This is one of those rare
Miniature Two-movers where White
has only minor pieces against Black's
Q-
No. 85
ANDERS E. WESTER
'The Hindu', 20th September, 1970

Mate in two

No. 84
MIKLOSCH S. LOCKER
'The Problemist\ 1968

Mate in two

No. 85
The key is 1. Rgl, waiting.
1—d2 2. N c 3 x X.
1 — f 2 2. Ng3 x X.
In fact, it is soon clear that the
initial position is 'set' and that
1. Rgl is the only spare move avail-
able to White. No mates are
changed. The theme is 'Complete
block'.

Mate in two No. 86

In the set position, a random
No. 84
move by the Black N permits 2.
1. Nc4 ? (thr. 2. Nb2 & 2. Ne5) Ra3 X X. Black can correct his
l....Qh2 ! reply to l....Nb5 ! when there is
1. Nc2 ? (thr. 2. Nb4) l....Qe7 ! no mate.
1. Ndl ? (thr. 2. Nb2) l....Qh2 ! After the try l.Nb3 ? (waiting),
The key is 1. Nd5 ! threatening the mate after random N moves is
2. Nb4 x X. If 1. ...Qel or -e7 changed to 2. Nc5. But the try' is
2. Nf4 x X. defeated by l....Ne4 !

36 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT 48

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 86 No. 8?
FRITZ KARGE 1. Bd6 ? (A)
'Deutsche Schachzeitung', 1....RM 2. N b 7 x X. l . . . . R c l
February, 1982 Nc6x X. l....Rel 2. N e 6 x x .
l....Rfl 2. N f 7 x X.
But 1....Rgl ! (a) defeats.
1. Bg7 ? (B)
This time l . . . . R d l ! (b) defeats.
The key is 1. N f 7 !
Now defence (a) invites move (B)
and defence (b) invites move (A) :
l....Rgl 2. Bg7x X.
l....Rdl 2. Bd6x X.
Also, l . . . . R b l 2. B b 4 x X. 1....
Rcl 2. B c 5 x X. l....Rel 2.
Be7 x X. These mates are changed
from those in the tries.
Finally, l....Kb8 2. B d 6 x X.
Mate in two

No. 88
The key 1. N d 3 ! introduces the G E O F F R E Y MOTT-SMITH
threat 2. Nb2 x X. Black can 'The Empire Review', 1934
refute this only by l . . . . N d l , when
White mates by 2. Nc5, because the
Black N has uncovered a3 for the
White R to guard.

No. 87
O. PATTERSEN
'Dagbludet', 1957

Mate in two

No. 88
The waiting key 1. Rd3 is good !
l....N(c) at random 2. R a 3 x X.
l . . . . N b 4 2. N c 5 x X. Self-block.
Shows Black correction.
l . . . . N b 3 2. N c 3 x X. Again
Mate in two self-block.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 89 No. 90
F. S. B O N D A R E N K O Looking for the counter to 1....
' The Hindu' R x a 3 suggests the key 1. Q f l !
waiting.
l....Ra4 2. Q d 3 x X.
1....R elsewhere 2. Qb5 x X.
1....Ka4 2. Q c 4 x X.
1....C4 2 . Q d l X X .

No. 91
Dr. W E R N E R SPECKMANN
'The Problemist', 1972

Mate in two
No. 89
White has to provide for 1....
Kh5 and the only way he can do so
is by 1. Bf7 (waiting).
l....Kh5 2 . R f 5 x x . Pin-mate.
1 h5 2. Bel x X .
Mate in two
No. 90 No. 91
N. CHEBANOV
'Shakhmaty v SSSR',
1. R(d) d6 ? threatening mate by
Special Prize, 1983
R (c6) moved.
l . . . . R x d 6 2 . R x d 6 x X . 1....
Rd7 2. R c 7 x X . l....Rc8 2. Rc7 or
R x c 8 x X.
But 1.... Re8 ! defeats.
1. Rd7 ? R x d 7 !
1. Rc7 ! is the key.
l....Bxc7 2. R x d 8 x X.
l....Rxd5 2. B x d 5 x X.
l....Rd6+ 2. R x d 6 x X.
l....Re8 2. R e 5 x X.

No. 92
This is a fine Problem showing
Black correction and the 'Mutate'.
The position is 'set' : 1....N
moved 2. Q d 7 x x , but White has
Mate in two no move to spare.
18-
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
• No. 92 No. 83
'64', 1976
A little checking will show that
the position is 'set' :
1....N moved 2 . Q x h 2 x x .
Pure mate.
l . . . . B x g 3 2. N X g 3 x X. Pure
mate.
1. ...Bgl 2. Q Xf3 x X. Model
mate with self-block.
Does White have a spare move ?
1. g4 ? Bf4 etc. and there is
no mate next move.
1. Kc5 ? Bgl ! and the Q is
pinned ! This is the most interesting
point of this Problem.
Mate in two If the White K goes to any White
square, the Black N gives check.
The waiting key 1. Nc4 abandons Thus, the only spare move, and
the set mate. hence the key, is l.Kd6 !, for 1....
1....N at random 2. d 5 x X. B x g 3 + 2. N x g 3 x x changes
l....Nd5 2. Q c 8 x X. nothing. Other mates also remain
l....Nd7 2. Qg8X X. unchanged. The theme is 'Complete
Note that 1. N f 7 ? is defeated block'.
by l....Nd7 ! for now 2. Qg8 does
not mate.
No. 94
J. ANDERSSEN
No. 93
'Shakblade?
JOSEF C U M P E
'Bohemia', 1908 1st prize, 1941

Mate in two Mate in two

36 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT 35

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 83 i....Nd6 2. Qe'3X X. Shows
The key is 1. Nc3 threatening mate transference (for in the set
2. N b 5 x X. position the mate comes after 1. ..
Bc6).
1....N at random 2. e 3 x X.
But l....Bg6 ! defeats.
1....Ne3 2. Q f 6 x X. l....Ne5 2.
Qb6 x X. The key l.Qa6 ! threatens 2.
Qb5x X.
1....B at random 2. N b 5 x X.
l....Be4 or B x e 2 2. Qe4x X. l....Bc6 2. Q a 7 x X. Changed
mate.
Shows Black correction by both
N and B. l....Nd6 2. Q x d 6 x X. Un-
changed.
Tn the set position, any random
move of the N allows 2.e3 x X, but
there is no mate against l....Ne3
No. 96
or Ne5. The likely-looking 1. Nf6 ?
G E O F F R E Y MOTT-SMITH
succeeds against all but l....Ne3 and
'New York Sun', 1932
1....B at random (i.e. other than
Be4 or B x e 2 ) .

No. 95
MIKLOSCH S. LOCKER
'Shakhmaty v SSSR',
November, 1970

Mate in two

No. 96
The surprising key 1. Qe5 !
sets up the threat 2.Qb8 X X.
l . . . . R x e 5 or Re8 or Nc6 2.
b 7 x x . (Pure mate after l . . . . R x e 5 . )
Mate in two
l....Rxb6+ 2. N x b 6 x X.
Shows changed mate after Black
No. 95 check, for in the initial setting 1....
l....Bc6 2. Q e 3 x X. R x b 6 + 2 . K x b 6 x X.
1....Nd6 2. Q x d 6 x X. 1... Rd6 2. Qe8 or - h 8 x X .
1. Ne5 ?
Threat 2. Nd7 x X. N.B. The Black N prevents the
]....Bc6 2. Q x c 6 x X. 'cook' 1. K b 5 + K b 7 2. Q a 6 x X.

36 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT 36

 free ebooks
No. 97
==> www.ebook777.com
N.B. The term 'Grimshaw inter-
H E N R Y G E R A R D MARIA ference' came into being after a
WEENJNK pioneer Problem by the Yorkshire
'Op de Hoogte, 1918 composer, Walter Grimshaw (1832-
1890).

[No. 98

Mate in two

No. 97 Mate in two

A tempting try is 1. Qg7 ? (threat
2. N c 5 x X), which changes the set No. 98
mate after l....Bf7 from 2. Q d 6 x X The key is 1. Be5, waiting.
to 2. Qe5 X X . l....Kh4 2. B f 6 x X. Model
But the try is defeated by 1.... mate.
Be8 !, pinning the N. l....Kh6 2. B f 4 x X. Again
In fact, a careful examination will model mate, this time with self-block
show that the position is 'set' and that at h7.
the only spare move available is I....h6 2. B f 6 x X. Once again
l.Kc7 !, which therefore becomes model mate with self-block.
the waiting key. The general theme
here is 'Complete block'. N.B. Without the P (e6), the
setting would be cooked by 1. Bd6
l....Bg6 2. Q f 6 x X. and 1. Bc7.
l....Rg6 2. Q e 8 x X. This appeared in the 'Times of
This pair shows mutual interfe- India' dated 22nd June, 1969 without
rence at the same square between the author's name.
two Black pieces resulting in different
mates. This is known as 'Grimshaw No. 99
interference'.
In the set position, l....P(d)
Also, l....Bf7 2. Q d 6 x X. Self- moved 2. e x d 6 x x . But l....P(f)
block. moved is not provided for.
1....B elsewhere 2. Q e 8 x X. The try 1. Bf6 ? is defeated by
1....R elsewhere 2. Q f 6 x X. l,...d6 ! but not by l....d5 ? 2.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 99 No. 100
A. KUZNETSOV H E N R I G E R A R D MARIA
'Shakhmaty v SSSR\ WEENINK
October, 1981 'Good Companions', 1917

Mate in two Mate in two

Q g 4 x X. Similarly, the try l.Bd6 ? l....Bc6 2. Q b 4 x X. This, on
is defeated by l....f6 ! but not by the otherhand, shows interference
1 f5 ? 2. Q c 4 x X. These are the of the P(c7) by the B(c6), for now
interesting points of the composition. the P cannot shut off the check by
The key l.Ke8 ! is obvious. The 2....c5.
'set' play remains unchanged. In
addition, l....P(f) moved 2. e x f 6 Thus, we witness the very interest-
X. X. As the key move makes the ing mutual interference between
position symmetrical, the play is also Black's B and P, called 'Pawn
naturally symmetrical. Gramshaw'.

No. 100 Also, l....Bd5 2. Q x d 5 x X.

Set : 1 . . . . C 5 2. Q d 7 x X and 1....

c6 2. Q e 5 x X, both possible because
of self-block. No. 101
The key l.Qc4 ! (thr. 2. Q x c 7 The key l.Qd3 (thr. 2. Q f 5 x X)
X X ) changes both the mates : permits a third
l....Kf3 2. flight
Q f l x square.
X.
1 . . . . C 5 2. Q e 6 x x and l....c6 2.
Q d 4 x x , again possible owing to I....e2 2. Q g 3 x X.
self-block. But here the second l....Ke5 2. Q d 6 x X. This one
mate is more than a simple self- is a pure mate.
block—it also shows interference
of the Black B by the P(c6) : the N.B. The Black B has no other
former cannot now shut off the check useful function than blocking h6
by 2....Bd5. after l....Kg5 2. Q f 5 x x.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 101 1... .Nd4 2. Qe7 x X. Self-block
L. RICZU at d4.
'DSZ\ 1976 Shows Black correction with
self-block.

No. 103
Dr. WERNER SPECKMANN
'British Chess Magazine
October, 1969

Mate in two

No. 102
OTTO DEHLER
'Neue Leipziger Zeitung\ 1939

Mate in two

No. 103
The position is 'set' :
l....Kd7 2. Q c 6 x X.
l....Kf7 2. Q g 6 x X.
But White has no spare move
available to maintain the set mates.
The waiting key 1. Q x e 5 there-
fore changes the set mates and hence
shows the 'Mutate' theme :
l....Kd7 2. e 8 = Q x X.
Mate in two
l....Kf7 2. e 8 = Q x X.
No. 102
The key is l.b3, threatening 2. N.B. In the absence of the P(e5),
Qc4 X X . there would be many 'cooks', e.g.,
1....N at random 2. b 4 x x . 1. Qd4, 1. Q x f 4 , 1. Qb7 and l.Qh7.
Pure mate. In the absence of the P(f4), the White
1... .Nb4 2. Qf2 x x. Self-block K will provide the spare move in
at b4. the set position.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks
No. 104
==> www.ebook777.com
No. 105
K. WINTERER N. S. MUTHUSWAMI
'V Italia Sacchistica\ 1963 ' The Hindu'

Mate in two
Mate in two
No. 104
1. Qh8 ? No. 106
I . . . . g x h 5 2. Q d 4 x X. I. TKESHELASHVILI
l . . . . K x h 4 2. N f 6 x X. 1st prize, 1893
But l . . . . g x h 4 ! defeats.
1. Qh7 ! waiting.
I . . . . g x h 5 2. Q e 4 x X. Changed
mate with self-block.
l . . . . K x h 4 2. N f 6 x X.
I . . . . g x h 4 2. Q X g 6 x X. Self-
block.

No. 105
l.Qg8 ? Bg3 !
1. Qa7 !—a very good key.
Threat 2. Qgl X X.
l....Bc5 or Kh2 2. Q h 7 x x . Mate in two
Pure mate.
l....Bh2 2. Q x a 8 x X. Self- No. 106
block. The good key is 1. Qgl ! waiting.
1....KT4 2. Nd3 x X. Model
18- mate.
N.B. The White K has no func-
tion, but it occupies the only safe I....f4 2. Q c 5 x X.
square available for it. l....Kd6 2. Q d 4 x X.

SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 108
No. 107
R I C H A R D STEINWEG Dr. W E R N E R SPECKMANN
'Deutsches Wochenschach', 1893 'The Problemist', 1969

Mate in two
Mate in two

No. 107
No. 109
The fine key is 1. Qb7 !, waiting.
l . . . . K x h 7 2. Q h l x X. Model
mate.
1....P (g7) moved 2. N g 6 x x .
Also model mate.

N.B. The White K prevents the

'cook' l . Q b 8 + K x h 7 2 . Q h 2 x x .
The P(e6) prevents the 'cooks'
l.Qa2 and l.Qb3.

No. 108
Mate in two
The position is 'set' : l....f4 2.
Q e 2 x X . 1 . . . . C 5 2. B b 7 x X .
No. 109
The waiting key 1. Bc8 changes
the first set mate : 1 f4 2. Q d 3 x X, l.Qg6 ? d 3 !
but leaves the second set mate l.Bc6 ? Kc5 !
unchanged. l.Qh2 ? d 3 !
1. Ba8 ? Kd3 !
This is one more demonstration 1. Bb7 ! waiting, a good key.
of the 'Mutate'. l....Kc5 2. Q c 6 x X.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
l....Kd3 2. B a 6 x X. This shows No. I l l
the real function (the only one) of HARRY V. TUXEN
the N—-covering the square e3. 'Skakbladet', February, 1963
It also shows changed mate : in
the initial setting, l....Kd3 2. Qe2
X X.
I....c2 2. Q x c 2 x X.
1 d3 2. Q d 5 x X.
N.B. This is taken from the
'Times of India', dated 12th February,
1978.

No. 110
N I H A R E N D U SIKDAR
'The Hindu', 31st May, 1970

Mate in two
No. I l l
The good key 1. Bd3 ! grants an
additional flight square, but threatens
2. Qe4 x X.
l....Kc6 2. Q e 6 x X.
l....Ke5 2. Q f 5 x X.
I....e5 2. Q d 7 x X. Self-block.
l....Be5 2. Q c 4 x X. Self-block.
Shows two good self-blocks on e5.

No. 112
SAM LOYD
'Sunny South', 1885
Mate in two

No. 110
The position is set except for
l....Ka5 :
l....a6 2. Q b 4 x X.
I....a5 2. Q c 6 x X.
l....Nc7 2. B x c 7 x X.
This last mate is changed after
the waiting key l.Qa4.
l....Nc7 2. B x a 7 x X.
The King flight l....Kc5 invites
the beautiful pure mate 2.Qa5 Mate in two
18-
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 112 l....Nxh6 or Ne7 2. N f 3 x x .
White has a mate for each Black l....Nd4 2. N g 6 x X.
move except for l....Rg7. This soon Shows threat separation with
enables one to find the withdrawal Black correction in a Pawnless
key l.Qa8 !, waiting. setting.
l....Rg7 2 . Q h l x x .
1....R elsewhere 2. Q g 8 x x .
No. 114
l....Kg7 2. Qg8x X.
CHARLES PLANCK
N.B. The White K prevents the "The Chess Problem", 1887
'cook' 1. Qb8.

No. 113
V. KOTLYAR
<Shakhmaty v SSSR\ July, 1974

Mate in two

No. 114
This has an unlikely key not
easy to find : it is 1. Qcl ! waiting.
l....Kd4 or -f6 2. Q f 4 x X.
Mate in two I....d4 2. Q g 5 x X. Self-block.

No. 113 No. 115

The good key l.Qh6 !, waiting, 1. Qa3 ?
allows Black to capture White's 1 d3 2. Q x d 3 x X.
most powerful piece, but achieves l....Kc4 2. Q b 3 x X.
the important objective of immobi- l....Ke4 2. Q f 3 x X.
lising the N(h5), whose moves are But l....e5 ! defeats.
the only ones not provided for in The key is 1. Qf6 !
the initial setting. I....d3 2. Q d 4 x X (threat).
l....Kh3 2. Q x h 5 x X, for the Changed mate.
surviving N is pinned. This also l....Kc4 2. Q x d 4 x X. Also
shows changed mate, for in the set changed mate.
position l....Kh3 2. Qhl X X . l....Ke4 2. Q f 3 x X.
l . . . . N ( f ) at random 2. N f 3 x x 1 e5 2. Q c 6 x X.
and 2. Ng6 x X. Also, 1.... Kd6 2, Q d 8 x x .

SEVEN IS THE LIMIT 43

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 115 l....f6 2. B f 4 x X.
B. V. KARLSSON I....f5 2. Be7X X.
'Folket', 1947 But White has no spare move.
(In the absence of the P a t e 4 , 1.
Kf3 would be a spare move.)
The key 1. Bf8, waiting, changes
the first two mates :
1 ...Kf6 2. Q f 5 x X.
I....f6 2. B h 6 x X.
ii) The position is 'set', as is
clear from the solution of i). The
key this time is l.Bd6, waiting. Now
the set play of i) becomes the post-
key play.
Settings i) and ii) together show
what is called the 'Pendulum* theme.
Each also shows the 'Mutate*.
Mate in two
No. 117
No. 116 N I H A R E N D U SIKDAR
J A N VALUSKA 'The Hindu', 18th October, 1970
'British Chess Magazine',
.October, 1966

Mate in two

Mate in two No. 117

i) Diagram, ii) After key of i). Set l....b6 2. Bc3x X and
l....b5 2. Bc7x X.
No. 116 These two mates recur after the
key, but in a different context.
Solution
The key 1. Q x b 7 sets up three
i) The position is 'set' ; threats : 2. Bc3 x X, 2. Bc7 x X and
l....Kf6 2. Q h 6 x X, 2. Q b 5 x X.
18-
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
These three threats are separated Any move by the N (except i.
by the three moves available to N x d 6 ) creates the threat 2.Qe4x X.
Black, thereby showing the 'Threat But the N has eight possible squares
separation' theme in an elegant way: to go to : we shall see that seven of
l....Nd7 2. Bc3x X. them constitute tries and the eighth
l....Nc6 2. Bc7x X. is the key.
1....Na6 2. Q b 5 x X. 1. Nf6 ?
N.B. If the Black N (b8) is
absent, 1. Q x b 7 is stalemate, but Black defeats it by 1 d5 !
White mates by 1. Bc7+ b6 or Ka6 because f6 is occupied : had the N
2. Qa8. been elsewhere, White would now
mate by 2.Qf6.
No. 118 1. N x d 6 ? No threat.
G E R H A R D LATZEI l....Kd4 or -f4 2. Q e 4 x X.
'Die Schwalbe\ 5th Hon. Mention, ]....Ke6 2. Re2 x X.
1956
But l....g2 ! defeats, because 2.
Qe4 is not mate this time.
1. Nc5 ? 1—d5 2. Qf6 X X.
But l . . . . d x c 5 ! defeats, because
Black has been given the chance to
eliminate the N.
1. Nc3 ? I....d5 2. Q f 6 x X.
l....Ke6 2. R e 2 x X.
But this time l....Kd4 ! defeats,
because the N blocks the R's guard
of c5.
1. Nd2 ? I....d5 2. Q f 6 x X.
But l....Ke6 ! defeats, because the
N interferes with the R to prevent
2. Re2 x X.
Mate in two 1. N f 2 ? 1 — d 5 2. Q f 6 x X.
1....Ke6 2. R e 2 x X.
No. 118 But l . . . . g x f 2 ! defeats, again
This is a gem of a two-mover— getting the chance to remove the N.
one of the best ever composed ! 1. N x g 3 ? 1 d5 2. Q f 6 x X.
It shows White Knight wheel in l....Ke6 2. R e 2 x X.
try-play : seven N tries are each
defeated by only one Black defence, But now l....Kf4 ! defeats,
different each time ! The theme has because the N has removed the
been shown earlier, but never in a self-block at g3.
Miniature. After one has gone By comparison, the play after the
through the entire play, one is left key 1. Ng5 ! (threat 2. Q e 4 x x .
with a strong feeling as if the diffe- 1 — d 5 2. Qf6 x X) is dull, but by
rent chessmen present on the board this time we have seen something
have been given their respective that comes off once in a lifetime !
powers of movement just to make N.B. This must be one of the
this thing possible. And that is most under-rated Problems in a
art in chess in its sublime form ! tourney !

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 119 No. 120
A. MITUSHIN & EU. ALEKSEEV
R. FEDOROVICH 'Shakhmaty',
'Shakhmaty', November, 1980 December, 1982

Mate in two Mate in two

No. 120
No. 119 The position is 'set' except for
l....Kd5. Hence the key 1. Ke7,
In the set position, 1 f4 waiting, is easy to find.
2. Qb3 x X. l....Kd5 2. Q d 6 x X.
I....e4 2. R d 2 x X.
1. ..Kd3 2. Q d 2 x X.
1. Qd6 ?
1 f4 2. Q a 3 x X.
No. 121
I . , . . e x f 3 2. Q d 4 x X.
But l . . . . K x f 3 ! escapes. '64', 1973
1. Qe5 ?
1 f4 2. Q c 3 x X.
But l . . . . K x f 3 !
l.Qg3 ?
1 f4 2. Q f 2 x X.
But l . . . . e x f 3 ! defeats.
18-
A host of changed mates after
1 —f4.
The key is 1. Rg2 ! waiting.
I....f4 2. Qb3X X, the same as
set.
l....Kxf3 2. Qg3x X.
I . . . . e x f 3 2. Q e 5 x X. Self-block. Mate in two

SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 112 No. 123
ING. T. GARAI
The surprising key is 1. Rc4 !, 'To Mat', December, 1958
threatening 2. Rd4 x X.
1 . . . . B x c 4 2. N c 5 x X. Model
mate with two self-blocks.
l....Kxc4 2. N e 5 x X. Pure
mate.
I....e2 2. Q c 3 x X.

No. 122
OTTAVIO STOCCHI
Composing Tourney of Holland, 1953
2nd Honourable Mention

Mate in two

No. 123
The key is 1 .Qf2, waiting.
l....el = Q 2. Q x c 2 x X. Self-
block.
l . . . . e l = N 2. Q d 2 x X.
l....cl=Q 2. Q x e 2 x X.
1 cl =N 2. Rd2 x X. Self-
block.
It is easy to see now that the
trv 1. Qh2 ? is defeated only by
l....cl=N !
Mate in two N.B. White's K has no role to
play.

No. 122 No. 124

In the set position, l....Kc5 2. Black has only three moves and
B e 7 x X and l....c5 2. B d 2 x x . each of them defeats a try—a feat
Shows mutual square-blocking by not very easy to achieve in a
the Black K and the P (c7). Miniature.
1. Q c 4 + ?
These two mates are transferred 1. ..Kb2 2. Q c l x X.
after the waiting key 1. Qc6 ! which B u t l . . . . K d 2 ! escapes.
permits two flights in place of one : 1. Ke4 ?
l . . . . K a 3 2. B e 7 x X. I....b2 2 . Q x d 3 x X .
I....b2 or Ka5 2. B d 2 x X. l....Kd2 2 . Q x d 3 x X .
Note that 1. Kb2 ? is refuted But 1 d2 ! defeats.
by 1....C6 ! 1. Kf4 ?

SEVEN IS THE LIMIT 47

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 124 No. 125
M. MARANDEUK, 1972 M. PAVLOV
'It Duale',
1st prize, 1978-81

Mate in two

l....d2 2. Bf5X X. Mate in two

l . . . . K d 2 2. Q b 2 x X.
But l....b2 ! defeats. i) Diagram.
1. Bc4 ! waiting. ii) Remove R(e6) & add White N
l....Kd2 2. Q x d 3 x X. at c l .
I....d2 2. Bd3X X. Self-block. iii) Remove R Ce6) & add White N
at h2.
I....b2 2. Q x d 3 x X. Self- iv) Remove R (e6) & add White B
block. at e3.
N.B. The White K also prevents
the 'cook' 1. Bf5.
I....e4 2. Q b 5 x X. Self-block.
In this last setting, the B (e3)
No. 125 cannot be at, say, f2, for then l . K b 7
i) The key is 1. Rf6 ! waiting. cooks : l....Ke4 2. Q f 3 x x . 1....
l....Ke4 2. B f 3 x X. e4 2. Qd4 x X.
I....e4 2. B e 6 x X. Self-block. All the mates shown are different.
ii) Here the key is 1. Ne2 !
waiting.
l....Ke4 2. Q f 3 x X. No. 126
I....e4 2. N f 4 x X. Self-block. The waiting key 1. Rd5 takes
iii) This time the key is 1. N f l ! away one flight square but permits
waiting. another instead.
l....Ke4 2. Q c 4 x X. Model
1....N a t random 2 . B e l x x .
mate. l....Nc3 2. B e 7 x X.
I....e4 2. N e 3 x X. Self-block. Shows Black correction.
iv) Now the key is l.Qb4 ! l....Kc3 2 . B e l x x .
waiting.
l....Kc6 2. Q b 7 x X. Shows the l....Ka5 2. Bel x X. A beautiful
only use of the White K. double pin-mate !
18-
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 126 The key 1. Qf4 ! grants two
NILS G. G. Van DIJK flight squares, each fetching a
'The Problemist', 1968 different pin-mate :
l....Kh5 2. Bf7X X. Pin-cum-
pure mate.
l....Kf6 2. R x e 6 x x . In the
absence of P (e6) White would also
mate by 2. Q x f 5 .
The general theme here is the
'Complete block'.

No. 128
V. MELNICHENKO
'Shakhmaty v 'SSSR\ January, 1975

Mate in two

No. 127
FRIEDR1CH FREIHERR von
WARDENER
'L' Echiquier Marseillais\
Second prize, 1925-26

Mate in two

No. 128
1. Rh3 ? Bf3 !
1. Rh6 ? Be2 !
The key is 1 . 0 - 0 ! waiting.
1. ...B at random 2. Ral x X.
l....Bb3 2. B e 8 x X.
Shows Black correction.
I....g4 2. R f 4 x X.

Mate in two No. 129

1. Rb4 ? Rh5 !
No. 127 1. Rc5 ? Rh2 !
The position is 'set' : 1....B The good key is 1. Rh5 ! (threat
moved 2. Q g 5 x X. 2. Q b 6 x x ) , the key square being
determined by the need to prevent
But White has no spare move ! l....Rh2, pinning the mating piece.
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
49 -2

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 129 No. 225
JOHANN SCHEEL This is a good Problem showing,
'Casopis Ceskych Sachistu', 1919
mainly, R-opposition.
1. Qh5 ? R x b 7 !
The key 1. Qbl ! is waiting.
1....Re8+ 2. R e 7 x X. Changed
mate. (Set l . . . . R e 8 + 2 . Q x e 8 x X.)
1. ..Rc8 2. R c 7 x X.
l....Rd8 2. R d 7 x X.
l....Rf8 2. R f 7 x X.
l....Rg8 2. Rg7X X.
1....Rh8 2. R h 7 x X.
l....Rxb7 2. Q x b 7 x X.
I....a2 2. Q x a 2 x X.
N.B. The White K, besides pro-
viding the mechanism for a changed
mate, prevents a mate on the move
Mate in two by 1. Qa6.

1. ...Rb7 2. Qa3 x X. Self- No. 131

block. The White K prevents duals. H. JUHE
l . . . . R x a 7 2. Q b 5 x X. Self- 'Neue Leip. Zeitung', 1937
block.
l . . . . K x a 7 2. R a 5 x X. Pure
mate.
N.B. The Black P prevents the
defence l....Rh6.

No. 130
HALVAR HERMANSON
' Schackvarlderi, 1930

Mate in two

No. 131
The Black check l . . . . R x g 6 + is
not provided for.
1. Qc6 ? waiting.
1....RXC6-1- 2. B x c 6 x X.
l....Rg6 2. B x g 6 x X.
Mate in two l....Rf6 2. B f 7 x X.

50 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
i....Re6 or -d6 2. B any X X . Juhe (cf. No. 131). Hence these
1....R elsewhere 2. Q d 7 x x . two together constitute a twin,
I....e6 2. Q d 7 x X. composed by two different com-
But l....e5 ! refutes the try. posers !
Also, 1. Q d 6 + ? e x d 6 !
The key is 1. Qe6 ! waiting.
1....R at random 2. Q d 7 x X. No. 133
1 . . . . R X e 6 + 2. Bc6x X. PYOTR ELYANOVICH SOLOVYEV
1. ...Rg6 2. B x g 6 x X. 'Svenska Dagbladet',
l....Rf6 2. B f 7 x X. Special prize, 1929
Shows Black correction.

No. 132
Dr. W E R N E R SPECKMANN
'The Problemist', May, 1966

Mate in two

No. 133
The key 1. Qh5 has a threat 2.
Qb5 x X, which is not called for
Mate in two in the actual play.
1....B any 2. R f 8 x x . Pin-mate.
No. 132 1....N at random 2. Q x f 7 x x .
1. Qf4 ? waiting. 1....Ne5 (or-h8) 2. R e 6 x X.
1....R at random 2. Qg5x X. Pin-mate.
1....Rf2 2. B x f 2 x X. Shows Black correction.
l....Rf3 2. Bg3x X.
l . . . . R x f 4 + 2. Bf6x X.
Shows Black correction. No. 134
But l....g3 ! defeats. Q + R battery is rare in Minia-
Similarly, 1. Qf6 ? g3 ! ture two-movers. The battery in
The key is 1. Q f 5 + ! this one delivers all the three mates.
l . . . . R x f 5 + 2 . Bf6x X . 1. Re7 ? a5 !
l....Kh6 2. Bg5x X. Correct is, 1. Qf2 !
N.B. Surprisingly, the setting is l....Ka7 2. R e 7 x X. Pin-mate.
obtained by giving a 90° turn clock- 1....Ka5 2. Ra3 X X. (Threat).
wise to the 1937 setting by H. I....a5 2. R e 6 x X.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 225 1....Kf7 2. Q a 7 x X. Pure
N. P A R K H O M E N K O mate, a nice one ! The P prevents
'Shakhmaty v SSSR\ the dual 2. Qc7 x X.
January, 1984 1....N moved 2. Q f 8 x X.

No. 136
MIKLOSCH S. LOCKER
'Shakhmaty v SSSR', May, 1974

Mate in two

No. 135
Dr. Z D E N E K MACH
'Nove parizske mod'y, 1899 Mate in two

No. 136
1. Qa6 ?
1....N at random 2. Q a l x x .
1....Nel 2. R ( e ) f 2 x x .
But l....Nd2 ! defeats.
1. Qh3 ?
1....N at random 2. Q h l x x .
l....Ngl 2 . R ( g ) f 2 x x .
But l....Nh2 ! defeats.
1. Qh8 ! waiting.
1....Ngl or -h2 or -h4 2. Qal X X.
l . . . . N e l or -d2 or -d4 or -e5 2.
Qhl X X .
Mate in two l....Ng5 2. Qal or Qhl X X .
The interesting point is the play
No. 135 involving Black correction after
the two tries.
The good waiting key 1. Rh6 !
grants an additional flight square.
l . . . . K x h 8 2. Qf8X X. Pin-mate. N.B. The White K prevents the
l . . . . K x h 6 2. Qg5X X. Another obvious 'cook' 1. Q c l + and also
pin-mate. the 'cook' l.Qc4.

52 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks
No. 137
==> www.ebook777.com
No. 138
M. M A R A N D E U K J. F. L I N G
'Prapor Peremogi', 1973 'The Problemist', 1953

Mate in two Mate in two

No. 137
l....Be6+ 2. K x e 6 x X.
1. R(T) h2 ? waiting. l....Rd4+ 2. K x d 4 x X.
1....Kg3 2 . Q g l x x . l....Rc4 2. K x c 4 x X.
l....Kg5 2. Q g 7 x X. l....Re4 2. K x e 4 x X.
But 1. ..f2 ! defeats. l....Rf4 2. K d 6 x X.
l . Q f 6 ? Threat 2 . Q h 4 x x . Shows the maximum 'task' of
l....Bg5 2. Q x f 3 x X. white K moves to six different
l....Bg3 2. Q f 5 x X. squares.
But 1....Bh2 ! defeats.
The two tries show play involving No. 139
mutual square-blocking between LEONID IVANOVICH KUBBEL
Black's K and B, twice over ! '64', No. 19, 1978
The key is 1. Qe4 ! waiting.
l....Kg5 2. Q f 5 x X. Changed
mate, for in the set position 1....
Kg5 2. Qg7 x X.
l....Kg3 2. Q x f 3 x X.
Shows changed mates when
compared to the play after the first
try.

No. 138
The checks l....Be6 and l....Rd4
are not provided for—which soon
gives away the key : 1. Qc6 !
Threat 2. Rb5 x X.
l....Rb4 2. R a 6 x X.
1....Bxc6+ 2. K x c 6 x X. Mate in two

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
No.
free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 141225
The key 1 .Qf5 ! cuts off the lines A. ARZHUSIN
of action of two Black pieces resulting '64',
in the two threats 2. Rh8 X X and \st-2nd Special Hon. Mention, 1971
2. Rh4 x X. The two threats are
separated by the two captures 1....
R x f 5 (when 2. Rh4 does not mate,
but 2. Rh8 does) and l . . . . B x f 5
(when 2. Rh8 does not mate, but
2. Rh4 does).
No Black move prevents both the
threats.
This shows the Nowotny theme.
N.B. The White K plays no
part in this Pawnless composition.

No. 140
E. M. HASSBERG
'New York Post', 21st April, 1945
Mate in two
i) Diagram, ii) B(c8)-*f8.
iii) B(c8)->h8. iv) B(c8)->f7.

No. 141
i) l.b8 = Q ? stalemate !
1. b 8 = N + ?
l....Kb6 2. R b 7 x X. But 1....
Kd6 !
1. b8 = B ! Kb6 2. R h 6 x X.
ii) 1. b8 = Q or R ? stalemate !
1. b8 = N+ ! Kb6 2. B c 5 x X.
iii) 1. b8 = R ! waiting.
l....Kd6 2. R b 6 x X.
Mate in two iv) l.b8 = Q Kd7 2. B d 5 x X.
This is one more that shows
No. 140 'Allumwandlung'.
The surprising key 1. Qc2 ! N.B.—In iii), the P(b4) is not
sets up the threat 2. Qh7 x X. necessary. In iv), either the P(b4)
1....RXC2 2. R h 7 x X. or the White K (but not both) is
l . . . . R x g 7 or Rg6 or Rg5 2. Qx superfluous.
h2x X.
This is one of those rare Minia- No. 142
tures without Pawns where both sides Solution
have only major pieces. i) 1. b 8 = Q + ? Kc6 ! Here 2.
N.B. The White K prevents a Q(h) c7 is ineffective because the
mate on the move by 1. Qh8. R(h2) P(b6) provides the escape square b5.
prevents 'cooks' like 1. R ( l ) X g 2 , This P has no other use here or
1. R h l + , etc. subsequently.

54 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks
No. 142 ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 143
H. STAUDTE N. BAKKE
'V Italia Scacchistica', 1964 'Schach-Echo', 1972
(amended)

Mate in two
Mate in two
i) Diagram, ii) P(b7)->c7.
iii) Pfb7)->d7. iv) P v b7)-*e7. i) Diagram, ii) N ( f 7 ) ^ f 3 & N(f4)-»
f6 iii) N(f7)-»c5. iv) N(f7)-»f5.
1. b 8 = N ! Ke6 2. Q d 7 x X.
ii) 1. c8 = Q ? stalemate ! 1. b8==R ! waiting.
1. c8 = R ! waiting. l....Ke6 l....Kd6 2. Rb6x X.
2. R c 6 x X. iii) 1. b8=B ! Kb6 2. Rh6x X.
iii) 1. d8 = N ? stalemate ! iv) 1. b 8 = Q or R ? stalemate !
l . d 8 = Q + ! K c 6 2. Q ( h ) d 7 x x . 1. b 8 = N + ! Kb6 2. Nd5x X.
1. ...Ke6 2. Q f 6 x X. Mate can The interesting point of this
be given here in five other ways. 'Allumwandlung' is that in each
iv) 1. e8 = Q ? stalemate! setting a different piece delivers the
l.'e8 = B ! Ke6 2. Q d 7 x X. final blow.
This also shows 'Allumwandlung'.
N.B. ' This has got practically
No. 144
the same play as in the Hannemann
piece composed in 1932 (vide No. Solution
144). However, there is better play
in ii) here. i)
l.b8=Q+ ? Kxc6 !
l . b 8 = N ! zugzwang. l....Ke6
No. 143 2. Rf6 x X.
Solution ii) 1. c 8 = Q ? stalemate !
i) l.b8 = Q Kd7 2. N e 5 x X. 1. c 8 = R ! Ke6 2. R f 6 x X.
ii) l . b 8 = Q ? Stalemate ! iii) 1. d 8 = N ? stalemate !
1. b8=N+ ? 1. ..Kb6 2. 1. d 8 = Q + !
N d 5 x X. But 1....Kd6 ! l . . . . K x c 6 2. Q d 7 x X.
Note that, with N (f6) at f4, l....Ke6 2. Q e 7 x x . Mate
after l....Kd6 2. R d 7 x X. can be given here in five other ways.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 freeK Nebooks
No. 144 ==>
UD HANNEMANN
www.ebook777.com
No. 145
EDITH BAIRD
'Skakbladet\ 1932 nee Mrs. W. J. BAIRD
'Chess Amateur', 1924

Mate in two
Mate in two
i) Diagram, ii) P(b7)-»c7.
iii) P(b7)->d7. iv) P(b7)-»e7.
No. 146
TOUW HIAN BWEE
'Schakend Nederland', 1976
iv) l . e 8 = Q ? stalemate !
l.e8 = B ! zugzwang. 1....
Ke6 2. R f 6 x X.
In i), ii) and iv), the Pawn pro-
motion is determined by the need
to protect the B(c6), at the same time
avoiding stalemate to Black. One
more 'Allumwandlung'.

No. 145
Mate in two
The setting is symmetrical about i) Diagram, ii) K(g4)->e2.
the diagonal bl-h7, excluding the iii) K(g4)->a6. iv) K(g4)->c8.
a-file, but the solution is not !—a
rare thing. This is because the No. 146
solution involves the a-file.
i) l.Rd3+.l....Kc4 2 . N e 5 x x .
l....Ke4 2. N c 5 x X. l....Kc6 2.
1. Ka2 ! Kc2 2. R e l x x , N d 8 x X. l....Ke6 2. R d 6 x X.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
ii) 1. R f 5 + . ]....Kc4 2. Rc5 No. 148
X X. l....Ke4 2. N d 6 x X. l....Kc6 Dr. ANTAL MISKOLCZY
2. N a 5 x X. l....Ke6 2. N d 4 x X. 'Magyur Sakkujsag', 1911
iii) 1. Rd7 + . 1. ...Kc4 2. Rd4
X X. l....Ke4 2. N d 2 x x . l....Kc6
2. Ne5X X. l....Ke6 2. N c 5 x X.
iv) 1. Rb5 + . J . . . . K c 4 2 . N d 6 x X.
l....Ke4 2. N g 5 x X. l....Kc6 2.
N d 4 x X . l....Ke6 2 . R e 5 x x .
Four N mates occur twice and
four others occur once. All the
four R mates are different.
A fine twin Pawnless 'Star-flight'
Miniature !
No. 147
V. KOROLKOV, 1947

Mate in two

l....Kf6 2. Q e 7 x X.
l . . . . K h 6 2. B e 3 x X.
All these are model mates—a
great achievement with such scanty
material !
No. 149
THOMAS ZERNOW
'Deutsche Schachzeitung',
January, 1983

Mate in two
No. 147
Any setting of the pattern 'I'
is obviously symmetrical leading
to symmetrical play.
The key 1. e 8 = Q is waiting.
l . . . . K d 6 2. Q h 2 x X.
l . . . . K f 6 2. Q b 2 x X.

No. 148
The waiting key l.g4 ! allows
star-flights to the Black K, showing
the 'Star-flight' theme in a most
elegant form. Mate in two
l . . . . K f 4 2. Q f 5 x X. i) Diagram, ii) Replace WB by
l . . . . K h 4 2. B e 7 x X. WR.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
No. free ebooks ==> 225www.ebook777.com
No. 151
i) The surprising waiting key S. KIRILLOV
l....Bd5 ! permits only one reply : 'Shakhmaty v SSSR', April, 1974
l . . . . K x d 5 2. Q d 7 x X. Model mate.
ii) Here the key 1. Rh7 permits
three variations.
l....Kd5 2. Q d 7 x X., as before.
l....Kc6 2. Qc5x X.
1....Ke6 2. Q d 7 x X.
Tn this last variation, the White K
looks after f6. It also prevents the
'cook' 1. R h 6 + K d 5 2. Q d 7 x X.

No. 150
WILLIAM A N T H O N Y SHINKMN
'Der Westen', 1902

Mate in two
i) Diagram, ii) Replace P by
White B.
l.Qh7 ! waiting—a good key.
1....Ke6 2. f 8 = N x X.
1....K elsewhere 2. f 8 = Q or
R x X.
(ii) Now the key is 1. Ne7 !
waiting.
l . . r . K x e 7 2. Q e 8 x X.
1....Kc7 2. Q c 8 x X.
No. 152
Mate in two
The theme here is 'Allumwand-
No. 150 lung'.
i) 1. c 8 = N , waiting. l....Kc5
The point of this composition is 2. Qb5 x X .
that the key move 1. Qe8 ! leaves Not 1. c 8 = Q or R ? stalemate !
six flight squares to the Black K. ii) 1. c8 = Q, waiting. l . . . . K x d 6
The play, however, is dull, because 2. Q(g)d7 x X.
wherever the Black K goes, 2. f 8 = Q iii) l . c 8 = Q ? stalemate !
mates. 1. c 8 = R or N ? Ke6 !
1. c 8 = B ! waiting. l....Kc6 2.
Qb7 x X ;
No. 151 iv) 1 c 8 = Q ? stalemate !
(i) 1. Ne7 ? 1. c 8 = B or N ? Kc6 !
l . . . . K x e 7 2. Qe8X X. 1. c8 = R ! Ke6 2. Q f 7 x X.
l....Kc7 2. Q c 8 x X. N.B. The White K is idle
But l....Ke6 ! secapes. throughout,

58 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks
No. 152
==> www.ebook777.com
1. b 8 = R ? Kd6 !
J. MORICE 1. b 8 = B ? l....Kf8 2. Bd6x X.
'Themes—64' But 1....Kd8 !
April-June, 1958 1. b 8 = N ? 1....Kd8 2. Q d 7 x X.
l....Kd6 2. Q e 5 x X. But l....Kf8 !
Abandoning this plan, White
finds the key 1. Ba4 ! waiting.
Now the P has no use.
1....Kf7 2. Qe8 x X. Model
mate.
l....Ke6 2. Q d 7 x x . Echo model
mate.
1. ...Kf8 2. Qe8 x X. Model
mate.
1. ...Kd6 2. = Q e 5 x X. Model
mate with chameleon echo of
variations 1 and 2.
N.B. The White K has no func-
tion,
Mate in two
No. 154
i) Diagram, ii) Q(d7)-+g7. iii) V. SUBRAMANIAM
Inii), B(f6)-*a3. iv) In iii), B(a3)-» 'The Hindu', 3rd January, 1971
g3.

No. 153
A. H A R T H

Mate in two

No. 154
This is a Pawnless miniature
Mate in two showing the 'Star-flight' theme.
No. 153 The key is 1. Bc2, waiting.
l....Ke6 2. Q e 7 x X.
The try scheme shows 'Allum- l....Kc6 2. B a 4 x X.
wandlung'. l....Kc8 2. Bf5 x X.
1. b 8 = Q ? stalemate ! l....Ke8 2 . Q e 7 x x .

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 155 No. 156
E U G E N E BEAUHARNAIS COOK COLIN V A U G H A N
' Wilke's Spirit of the Time', 1868 'Deutsche Schachzeitung',
April, 1983

Mate in two
Mate in two
No. 155
The good key is 1. Qal !, setting No. 157
u p Q + N battery. R. OMENEL
1. ...Kg8 2. N e 6 x X. 'Courrier Socialiste', 1937
l....Kh7 2. N f 5 x X.
N.B. Had the R (b7) been at,
say, a7, the setting would be cooked
by l . Q a 8 + K h 7 2. N f 5 x X. Simi-
larly, had the White K been at h3,
1. K g 2 + K g 8 2. Ne6 x X would be
a 'cook'.

No. 156
For a moment it seems that there
cannot be a mate in two, but then it
dawns on one that 1. f7 puts Black
in dire zugzwang. Any move by the
R along the row enables White to
capture it with Pawn promotion to Q Mate in two
or R, delivering mate at the same
time, while if l . . . . R x b 7 , either of i) Diagram, ii) P(f6)-*e7
the remaining two P's promotes to
Q or R, giving mate. No. 157
N.B. The B(h7) can be replaced This twin shows two different
by a White P, but then there would underpromotions.
be a dual after l....Rg8. i) l . K g 4 ? f 5 + !
18-
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
The key is 1. f 8 = B ! (not l . f 8 No. 159
=Q or R ? stalemate !) THOMAS RAYNER DAWSON
l....Kg8 2. N x f 6 x X. 'Chess Amateur', 1920
ii) 1. f 8 = B ? Kg8 ! and now
2. Nf6 is not mate.
Here the key is 1. Kg4 ! zugzwang.
l....Kg6 2 . f 8 = N x X .

No. 158
COLIN A.H. RUSS
"Miniature Chess Problems from Many
Countries", 1981

Mate in two

But White has no spare move.

The key 1. Bb5, waiting, activates
the other N. Now any move of
the Black B allows either 2. N(c)
b3 X X or 2. Nb7 x X.
The general theme is the 'Mutate'.
Mate in two
No. 160
No. 158 CAMIL SENECA
'Club des Masques', 1935
Set l....Ke5 2. R c 5 x X and 1....
e5 2. R(h) d6 x X. (There is no set
mate after l....e6.)
The waiting key 1. Rh5 ! changes
both the set mates :
l....Ke5 2. f 6 x X. Model mate.
I....e5 2. f x e 6 e . p . x X.
Also, l....e6 2. f x e 6 x X.

No. 159
This has a nice idea neatly
executed.
The position is 'set' : any move
of the Black B allows either 2. N(d)
b 3 x X or 2 . N c 6 x X. Mate in two

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 225 No. 162
The play shows the 'Indian V. KVYATKOVSKI
theme' in a simple form : 'Shakhmaty (Riga),
1. Kc6 Ke4 2. K c 5 x X. November, 1982
N.B. This in fact is part of a
composite Problem depicting mates
in 4, 6 and 8 moves.
No. 161
NTHARENDU SIKDAR
'The TTi„du\ 4th October, 1970

Mate in two

No. 162
The key is 1. Bd6, waiting.
1 . . . . R x d 7 2. R b 8 x X. Pure
mate with self-block.
Mate in two 1....R elsewhere along row 2.
Ne6 x X.
No. 161 1....R along file 2. N f 7 x - x .
1. Nd3 ? N x d 3 ! Note that the try 1. Bh4 ? is
l.Na2 ? Na4 ! defeated only by l . . . . R x d 7 !
l.Nc8 ? Nb7 !
1. Ng8 ? Nd7 ! N.B. The White K, while playing
1. Nf5 ? Nb7 ! no part, occupies the only safe
Efforts to deliver mate with a square. With it at a7, l.Bd6 is
Knight thus fail. defeated by l . . . . R x d 7 . If it be at
1. N (7) c6 ? is not a try in the a6 initially, the check l . . . . R e 6 +
pure sense, for it is defeated by both would be unprovided.
l....Nd3 ! and l....Nd7 ! However,
the point is clear when we find that
the key is 1. N(4) c6 !, threatening No. 163
both 2. Rd4 x X and 2. Re5 X X. The fine key 1. Qa2 ! (waiting)
l....Nd3 or -d7 2. R d 4 x X. permits a flight with capture of a
1....Nb3 or -e6 2. R e 5 x X. piece, even if it takes away a free
Thus, it resolves finally into threat flight.
separation. After the plethora of l . . . . K x a 8 2. c 8 = Q x X. Pin-
N tries, it pleases one to discover mate.
that the mating piece is really the l....Kc6 2. Q d 5 x X. Pure mate.
Rook. 1....N at random 2. c 8 — Q x x .

62 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 225 1 — f 2 2. N(2) g3 x X.
Both mates are possible because
of the self-blocks created by the
Black P.

No. 165
T. AMIROV
'// Duale',
2nd prize, 1978-81

Mate in two

l....Nc8 2. d 8 = N x X. A
pleasing model mate with self-block.
This last also shows Black correc-
tion. •
N.B. This was quoted in
'Shakhmaty', July, 1980.
Mate in two
No. 164 No. 165
L. RICZU 1. Nel ? Be2 !
1. Nf4 ? Bc2 !
1. Nh4 ? Bh5 !
Threatening mate by the N is thus
refuted every time. Instead, the key
1. Ne3 ! threatens mate by 2. Re6.
1. ...Bb3 2. N g 4 x X.
1....Bg4 2. N x g 4 x X.
N.B. The basic idea here is
similar to that in No. 161.

No. 166
1. Bc3 ? Threat 2. R d 8 x X.
l....Ke8 2. R g 8 x X.
But 1....Nf7 ! defeats.
Mate in two Also, l.Be6 ? N f 7 ! again defeats.
No. 164 The key 1. Bh7 ! threatens 2.
The key is l.Bh4, waiting. Rg8 x X.
I . . . . f x e 2 2. N e 3 x X. l....Ke8 2. Rd8X X.

63 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 166 No. 225
Ya. URSEGOV
1. d8 = Q or R ? stalemate !
'Die Schwalbe',
The fine key l.Qc7 ! leaves six
2nd Special Honourable Mention, 1979
flight squares for the Black K, but
wherever it goes, 2. d 8 = Q mates !
N.B. P(h6) prevents the Black
K's escape after l....Kg7.

No. 168
H. KNUPPERT

Mate in two

The threat and the continuation

after l....ICe8 get nicely interchanged
in this Pawnless composition !
N.B. The White K prevents the
'cook' 1. B b 4 + K e 8 2. R g 8 x X. Mate in two

No. 168
No. 167 The pleasing key 1. Qd7 ! allows
WILLIAM A N T H O N Y SHINKMAN an extra flight square but puts Black
'New York Clipper', 1874 into zugzwang. (Not l.Qd6 ? Kx
f5 !)
1....B at random 2. Q d 4 x X.
l....Be3 2. Q d 5 x X.
] . . . . B x e 5 2. Q d 3 x X.
Shows Black correction theme.
Each correction results in a self-
block here enabling White to find
alternative mates.
1....Ke3 2. Q d 3 x X.
l . . . . K x e 5 2. Q e 6 x X. Switch-
back. Shows the only use of P(f5).

No. 169
i) The key is 1. Qc8 ! waiting.
l....Kb5 2. Q a 6 x X.
Mate in two l....Kd5 2. Q d 6 x X.

64 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 169 No. 170
COLIN V A U G H A N 1. g 8 = Q or B ? stalemate !
'Deutsche Schachzeitung', Correct is l.g8 = R ! waiting.
September, 1982 l....Nf4 or -g5 or -g7 2. R c 8 x x .
l....Nf8 or -d8 or -c7 2. R g 4 x x .
l....Nc5 2. N(d) e 5 x X. Self-
block.
1....Nd4 2. N(f) e 5 x X. Self-
block.
Shows 'Black Knight Wheel' in
a Miniature, although in an elemen-
tary form.

No. 171
'64', 1973

Mate in two
i) Diagram, ii) K(e3)->-f3.

l....Kc3 2. Na4 or - d 3 x X. An
unfortunate dual.
ii) Not now l.Qc8 ? Kc3 !
Here the key is I. Qh6 !
The first two mates remain un-
changed, while if l....Kc3 2.
Qcl x X.
No. 170
J. KORPONAl
2nd prize, 1955 Mate in two
No. 171
The position is more or less
symmetrical and a symmetrical solu-
tion is expected. But, before that,
a aood try is l.Qb5 ?, threatening
2.Qd3 x X.
1....Bc4 2. Q e 5 x X.
l....Be4 2. Q c 5 x X.
But l... B x b 7 ! defeats. (This
is why a White B at a3, removing the
N at b7, will not do.)
Similarly 1. Qf5 ? B x b 7 !
Also note that the position is
'set' : l....Kc4 2. Q a 4 x x and 1....
Ke4 2. Qg4 x X, but White has no
Mate in two spare move.
65
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

—5

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
The waiting key l.Qd6 changes No. 173
the two set mates : l....Kc4 2. Dr. H E R M A N N von GOTTSCHALL
Q b 4 x X and l....Ke4 2. Q f 4 x x . ' Deutsche Schachzeitung', 1892
This also shows the 'Mutate' theme.
N.B. After the key the N(b7) has
no use.

No. 172
R U D O L F WEINHEIMER
'Deutsche Schachzeitung', 1891

Mate in two
No. 174
A N D R E CHERON
'V Illustration', 1936

Mate in two
No. 172
The key is 1. Nb4 ! threatening
2. Nc6 x X, which is a model mate.
l....Kd4 2. Q f 4 x X, a pleasing
model mate.
I....gxf5 2. Qe3x X. Once
again a model mate, this time with
self-block.

No. 173 Mate in two

The point of this Problem is a
model mate and an ideal mate. No. 174
The key 1. Bf5 ! threatens 2. The position is 'set' : 1...JF6
Q x e6 x x . 2. Qe4x X. 1...JF5 2. Q d 6 x X.
l . . . . K x f 5 2. Q f 3 x X. Model 1....Kf5 2. Bg4x X. Pure mate.
mate with self-block. 1. c7 ? f 6 !
I . . . . e x f 5 2. g 8 = N x X. Under- 1. Kg7 ? Kf5 !
promotion and ideal mate with one 1. Kg5 ? f 6 + !
self-block away from the edge of 1. Be2 ? f6 !
the board ! 1. Bg4+ ? f5 !
18-
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
Thus, the three Black defences are No. 176
used in turn to defeat a try. T A N HIEN YAN
The key is 1. Bf3 ! waiting. 'Indian Chess Bulletin'
The first two set mates are
changed :
l....f6 2. Q d 5 x X. Self-block.
1 f5 2. Bd5 x X. Model mate.
l . . . . K f 5 2. Bg4x X.
This is a good example of the
'Mutate' theme.
No. 175
GEOFFREY MOTT-SMJTH
'The Chess Review', December, 1937

Mate in two

N.B. The P (f6) prevents the

'cook' 1. Qf7 + , but it can be dis-
pensed with by shifting the White
K to b2, at the cost of the unim-
portant try 1. Qc8.

Mate in two
No. 175 No. 177
The beautiful waiting key 1. Ne4 ! V. KORENEV
takes away the existing flight square, '64', 1973
but offers a bigger booty instead.
l . . . . K x e 4 2. B c 6 x X.
I . . . . e x d 6 2. N f 6 x X . Self-block.
I....e6 2. B c 6 x X. Self-block.
I....e5 2. Qd3 x X. Self-block.

No. 176
1. Qbl or -c2 ? Ke6 !
1. Qc8 ? e 4 !
The good withdrawal key l.Qh7 !
(waiting) grants an extra flight and
releases the Black P from pin.
l....Ke6 2. Q f 7 x X.
I....e4 2 . Q x e 4 x X .
l....Kc6 2. Q b 7 x X.
l . . . . K d 4 2. Q d 3 x X. Mate in two

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 225 No. 179
Dr. M1ROSLAV HAVEL
The key is 1. Ng5, waiting.
'Tidskrift', 1916
l....Kg4 2. Q f 3 x X.
L . . . K h 6 2. Q h 7 x X.
N.B. White's K does not play
any part. Further, the Black P is
not necessary, esxcept to show that
the try 1. Bg5 ? is defeated only by
1. ...Kg4 !

No. 178
N. CHERNYAVSKI
'Zvezda,
2nd prize, 1976

Mate in two
No. 179
The key 1. Qc7 !, waiting, is
surprising.
1....N any 2. g8 = Qx X. With
the Black N at e7, this becomes a
pin-cum-pure mate.
l....Kg8 2. N f 6 x X. Another
pin-cum-pure mate, a beautiful one !
l....Kg6 2. Bd3 x X. Pure mate.

No. 180
N I H A R E N D U S1KDAR
'The Hindu', 28th June, 1970
Mate in two

No. 178
1. Bb4 ?
l....Kd5 2. Q d 6 x X.
l....Kd4 2. Q e 4 x X.
l....Kf4 2. Q g 3 x X. Pure mate.
I....d6 2. Q x d 6 x X.
But 1 — d 5 ! defeats.
The key 1. Ne8 ! threatens 2.
Qe4x x .
I....d5 2. Q f 6 x X. Self-block
at d5.
l . . . . K d 4 o r - d 5 2 . Q d 6 x x . Pure
mate. Mate in two

68 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

No.
free ebooks ==>225 www.ebook777.com
No. 182
G E O F F R E Y MOTT-SMITH
This shows changed Black check.
In the set position, l . . . . N x d 2 +
2. Q X d2 x X. After the key 1.
Ke2 (thr. 2. Qgl x x ) , l....Nc3 +
d X c 3 x X. l....Nxd2 2. Q x d 2
X X remains unchanged.
The try 1. Kel ? is defeated by
1.... Na3 !
1. Qe3 ? Nc3 !

No. 181
K. STZHALA
'Shakhmaty (Riga),
Special prize, 1982
Mate in two

No. 182
The key 1 .Nf2practically suggests
itself. The threat is 2. Qe4 x X.
1. ...Be5 2. Qa2 x X. A beautiful
ideal mate right in the middle of the
board.
l....Bd4 2. c 4 x X.

No. 183
H A R R Y V. TUXEN
'Skakbladet', December, 1963

Mate in two

No. 181
1. Bfl ? Nd3 !
1. Bg4 ? Nc2 !
1. Bf5 ? Nd3 !
1. Be6 ? Nd5 !
1. c7 ? Nc6 !
Correct is 1. Bd7 ! waiting.
1....N at random 2. c 7 x x .
l....Nxc6 2. B x c 6 x X.
Shows Black correction.
l....Ka3 2. Qa5X X. Mate in two

69 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 225
N.B. This has the same pattern
The key 1. Qe7 threatens 2. Qc5 as Problem No. 183.
X X.
l....Rd8+ 2. c x d 8 = Q x X.
No. 185
l....Rb8 2. c 8 = N x X.
M. MARANDEUK
1....RXC7 2. Q x c 7 x X.
'Zvezda',
All these mates are available in lst-2nd prize, 1976
the set position. The key only
introduces a threat.
The interesting point is Pawn
promotion to two different pieces,
not very easy to achieve in a Minia-
ture.

No. 184
N I H A R E N D U SIKDAR
'The Hindu', 23rd August, 1970

Mate in two
No. 185
Set l....Ke6 2. e 8 = O x X.
1. Bd5 ?
1....Kc8 2. e 8 = Q x X.
l....Ke8 2. Q a 4 x X. Model
mate.
But 1 f5 ! refutes.
1. Qc4 ! Threat 2. Q c 6 x X.
l....Kd6 2. e 8 = Q x X !
Mate iii two l....Ke8 2. B c 6 x X. Changed
mate.
No. 184
The White P promotion to Q
This also shows Pawn promotion occurs in all the three phases and
to two different pieces. The key 1. out of them the promotion after the
Qc7 threatens 2. Qb6 X X . If now key is the most interesting.
l....Rc8 2 . b x c 8 = Q x X . And
N.B. White's K is idle.
if l . . . . R x a 8 2. b 8 = N x X !
Also, l . . . . R x b 7 2. Q a 5 x X.
This shows the only use of the No. 186
B(h2). It also shows changed mate, 1. Ba4 ?
since in the set position l . . . . R x b 7 l....Kc4 2. Q e 4 x X.
2. Qal X X . l....Kd5 2. Q d 3 x X.
1. Kb5 ? is defeated by 1.... But l....e2 ! defeats.
Rxb7+ ! 1. Bf3 ? Kc4 !

70 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks
No. 186 ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 187
SH. DASNI G. UMNOV
'Shakhmati', May, 1978 'II Duale',
3rd prize, 1978-81

Mate in two
Mate in two
1. Be2 ? Kd5 !
The first try provides for both
King flights, which are used in turn l....Bg4 2. B f l x X.
to defeat the subsequent two tries. 1....BXC8 2. B x c 8 x X. Model
A sort of 'separation' idea is at work mate.
here. 1....B elsewhere 2. Q x B x x .
The key 1. Bc2 ! generates two Pure mate.
threats 2 . Q d 3 x x and 2 . Q e 4 x x ,
which are separated by the two No. 188
King flights : M U R R A Y MARBLE &
l....Kc4 2. Q d 3 x X. Dr. H E N R Y WALD BETTMANN
l....Kd5 2. Q e 4 x X. 'Gazette Times', 1915
Further, the two mates are
interchanged from the play after the
first try to the play after the key
(AB-BA pattern).

No. 187
1. Be2 ? Threat 2. Q a 3 x x .
l....Bg4 2. B f l x x . l....Be6 2.
Q h 8 x X. But l . . . . B x e 4 ! defeats.
1. Bc8 ?
l....Bg4 2. Q a 3 x X.
1....BXC8 2. Q x c 8 X X.
1....B elsewhere 2. B x B x X.
But l....Kg4 ! escapes.
The key is 1. Qc8 !
l....Kg4 2 . Q x f 5 x X . Pure
mate. Mate in two

SEVEN IS THE LIMIT 71

www.ebook777.com
No.
free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 190225
The good key is l.Qe8 ! waiting. OTTAVIO STOCCHI
I . . . . c x b 6 2. Q b 5 x X. 'Salul public
I . . . . c x d 6 2. Rh5X X. 3rd prize, 1929
1 . . . . C 6 2. Q h 5 x X .
1 . . . . C 5 2. Q e 4 x X .

Four different mates for the four

moves of a single Black P ! This is
called the 'Pickaninny' theme.
1... Kc5 2*Qb5X X.

No. 189

Mate in two

l < 4 . R a 3 + 2. N a 4 X X. Again
self-block.
l....Rh2 2. N c 4 x X. (threat).
1....R elsewhere along file
2. Qb2 x X.

No. 191
Mate in two JEAN O U D O T
'British Chess Magazine',
No. 18.9
October, 1967
The key is 1. Rh2, waiting.
l . . . . f l = Q 2 . Qb4x X.
l . . . . f l = N 2. N f 3 x X.
Both mates are possible because
of the self-block at f l .
l . . . . K f l 2 . Rhl X X .
N.B. This Miniature is by a
Russian composer.

No. 190
The key is 1. d4, with the threat
2. Nc4 x X.
1....Rc3 2. Qa4 x X. Self-
block. Also changed mate (set
l....Rc3 2 . Q x c 3 x x ) .
l . . . . R b 3 2. Q c 5 x X» Self-block, Mate in two

72 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> 225www.ebook777.com
No. No. 193
EMIL DOBRESCU
1. Qb4.
Chuvash Sports Committee Miniature
Threat 2. Q h 4 x X.
Tourney, 1956
1....N at random 2. Q f 8 x x.
1st prize
1....N X e6 2. Q d 6 x X.
Shows Black correction.
Now Black further corrects to
1....Nd7, when 2. e 7 x x , made
possible because of the self-block
at d7. It is a model mate.
N.B. The White K guards f8
after l....Ke7 2. Q h 4 x X.

No. 192
F R E I H E R R WALTHER von
HOLZHAUSEN
'Deutsches Wochenschach', 1899

Mate in two

No. 193
This is a very interesting work,
rich in thematic ideas.
In the set position, 1....B at
random 2. Q e 2 x x . l....Bd2
2. Q e 4 x X. However, l....Bf2 ! is
unprovided.
Shows Black correction with
self-block.
The key is 1. c4 ! waiting.
Mate in two It also allows one extra flight.
1....B at random 2. Q e 4 x X.
l....Bd4 2. Q e 2 x X.
No. 192 This shows mate transference as
The spectacular key is 1. Ra8 !! also Black correction with self-
waiting. block.
1....KXc4 or Kd4 2. Q d 5 x x .
l . . . . K x a 8 2. Q f 3 x X. Model
mate. The White K prevents duals.
l....Kc6 2. Qb5 x X. Pure mate. No. 194
l....Kb6 2. Q b 5 x X. The key is l.Rc3. waiting !
1. ...B at random 2. Qa6 x X. l....Ke2 2. g 3 x X.
l....Bb6 2. Q f 3 x X. l....Bh3 2. g x h 3 x X.
The last two constitute the Black l....Bf3 2 . g x f 3 x X .
correction theme. l....Bh5 2. g 4 x X.

73 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks
No. 194
==> www.ebook777.com
No. 225
B. GIOBEL
1. Bc3 ?
'Swertska Dagbladet', 1927
Threat 2. Qdl X X.
l....Kb3 2. Q b 2 x X.
l....Kd3 2. Qbl X X .
But l....e2 ! defeats.
The key 1. Nc3 ! changes every-
thing.
The threat now is 2. Qbl X X.
l....Kb3 2. Q a 2 x X.
l....Kd3 2. Qdl X X.
Another interesting point is that
the threat and the continuation after
l....Kd3 are interchanged from try
play to post-key play (AB-BA
pattern),
No. 196
Mate in two N. S. MUTHUSWAMI
'The Hindu'
Shows a single White P moves to
four different squares. This is known
as the 'Albino' theme.
l....Be2 2. Q c l x x . Self-block.
1— Bdl 2. Q e 3 x X. Echo of the
last mate.
1.... B elsewhere 2. g3 or g4 x X .

No. 195
I. KISIS
'Molodejh Molda vi\
1st prize, 1981

Mate in two
No. 196
White's play is determined by the
need to provide for l . . . . K x f 3 .
1. Qd2 ? Kf5 !
1. Qg5 ? Kd3 !
1. Qg8 ! waiting. Grants an
additional flight.
l . . . . K x f 3 2. Q g 2 x X. Pure
mate.
l....Kf5 2. Q d 6 x X.
l....Kd3 2. Q c 4 x X.
Mate in two 1....C5 2. Q d 5 x X.

74 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 197 No. 198
E. BOGDANOV N I H A R E N D U SIKDAR
'Shakhmaty v SSSR', June, 1974 'The Hindu', 14th June, 1970

Mate in two Mate in two

No. 197
Black has three moves at his l . . . . K x e 4 2. Q g 4 x X.
disposal and each of them refutes a l . . . . N x e 4 2. B e 5 x x . This one
try—a theme not very easy to achieve is a model mate with self-block.
in a Miniature. l....Kg3 2. Be5x X.
1. Qh2 ? N.B. The B(al) cannot be at,
l....Ke3 2. Q e 5 x X. say, b2, for then 1 .Bel + cooks.
l....Kd4 2. Q f 4 x X. Beautiful
pure mate.
But 1....C5 ! defeats the try. No. 199
Similarly, 1 .Be7 ? c5 ! MIKLOSCH S. LOCKER
l.Qc5 ? Kf4 ! '64', 1971
1. Bd2 ?
1....C5 2. Q e 3 x X.
But this time l....Ke5 ! escapes.
The key l.Bc5 ! threatens both
2. Qe3 x x and 2. Q d 4 x X.
l . . . . K f 4 2. Q e 3 x X.
l....Ke5 2. Q d 4 x X.
Thus, the final solution shows the
threat separation theme.

No. 198
1. Bd4 ? Kg3 !
The good key 1. N d l ! leaves a
piece en prise.
The threat is 2. Q h 4 x X. Pure
mate. Mate in two

SEVEN IS THE LIMIT 75

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 225 l....Kxf3 2. O-Oxx!
1. N(b) a3 ? Changed mate.
1....Kd3 2. Q f 3 x X.
l . . . . K d 5 2. Q f 5 x X. No. 201
But 1 d3 ! defeats. S. K I R I L L O V
1. Rc6 ? 'Shakhmaty v SSSR\ August, 1974
l . . . . K d 3 2. Q f 5 x X.
1....Kd5 2. Q f 3 x X.
But l....d3 ! defeats again.
1. Q f 2 ! waiting.
l . . . . K d 3 2. Q e 2 x X.
l....Kd5 2. Q x d 4 x X.
1 — d 3 2. N c 3 x X.
In the two tries and the key, each
time a different pair of mates occurs
after the pair of King flights. Fur-
ther, the two pairs in the two tries
form AB-BA pattern.

No. 200
A. M I K H A I L O V
'Shakhmaty v SSSR\
October, 1983 Mate in two

No. 201
1. Qh5 ?
Threat 2. Qd5 x X.
l....Bc6 2. Qe5X X.
1....Be6 2. Q c 5 x X.
But l....Bf5 ! defeats.
1. Qf3 ? Be6 !
1. Qb3 ? Bc6 !
l . Q f l !! waiting—a very good
key.
l....Bc6 2. Q f 6 x X.
l....Be6 2. Q a 6 x X.
Changed mates f r o m those after
Mate in two the main try l....Qh5.
l....Kc6 2. Q a 6 x X.
No. 200 1....Ke6 2. Q f 6 x X.
1. Qd4 ?
1.. K x h l 2. Qgl X X.
l . . . . K x f 3 2. Q f 2 x X. No. 202
1....Kg3 2. Q g 4 x X. This is an excellent presentation
But l....e5 ! defeats. of the 'Pickaninny' theme which
The kev is 1 .Qe5 ! waiting. shows four different moves of a
l....Kxhl 2. Q h 2 x X. single B'ack Pawn giving rise to
Changed mate. four different mates.

76 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 202 No. 225
Dr. H E N R Y W A L D B E T T M A N N This one is simple but enjoyable.
'Gazette Times', 1915 The key is 1 .Qb2, waiting.
l . . . . K x c 4 2. Q b 4 x X.
I . . . . d x c 4 2. R b 5 x X.
I....d4 2. Q b 5 x X.
N.B. The B is required only for
the first mate.

No. 204
V. BAJA

Mate in two

The key 1. Bd6 ! threatens 2.

Q X e7 x X.
I . . . . e x f 6 2. Q e 7 x X.
I . . . . e x d 6 2. Q e 8 x X.
I....e6 2. Q a 7 x X.
I....e5 2. Q b 3 x X.

Mate in two
No. 203
A. P E T R U S E N K O The unexpected key is l.Qd8 !
'64', 1974 l....Ka6 2. Q x b 6 x X.
l....Bc7 2. Q a 8 x X.
1....BXd8 2. R a 7 x X.
N.B. White's K has no role in
this Pawnless composition.

No. 205
1. R f 4 + ? Kd3 ! but not 1....
K x f 4 ? 2. Q g 4 x X.
1. B (d4) at random ? (threat
2. Qd4 or Q f 5 x x) l . . . . e x f l = Q or
R !
1. Bf2 ! Threat 2. Q f 5 x X.
Shows White correction.
l . . . . K f 3 2. Q g 4 x X.
Mate in two l....Ke5 2. Q d 4 x x. Pure mate.

77 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
Mo. 205 No. 206
A. LOBUSOV This Pawnless Miniature has a
'Central Chess Club Bulletin spectacular key : l.Qh8 !!
February, 1975 Threat 2. Qd8 x X.
l . . . . R x h 8 2. Be5X X. Delight-
ful pure mate !
1....Rh2+2.Q X h2 x X. Beauti-
ful pure mate at long range !
l....Rd6 2. Qc8X X, resulting
from self-block.
l....Kd6 2. Qe5x X. Pure
mate.
No. 207

Mate in two

The surprising key shuts off the

R and permits three flight squares
in place of the one existing.
N.B. The White K prevents the
'cook' 1. Rf3. l . . . . e l = a n y 2.
B b 7 x X. Qr l . . . . K x f 3 2. Qg4x X.

No. 206
V. M O Y K I N Mate in two
'Shakhmaty V SSSR\
Special prize, 1973 No. 207
The key is 1 .Na4, waiting.
l . . . . K x c 4 2. R b 6 x X.
l....Ka5 2. Qg5x X.]
I....a6 2. R e 5 x X.
I....a5 2. R b 6 x X.
Note that 1. Nd7 ? is defeated
only by l . . . . K x c 4 !
No. 208
The unprovided l....Kxb7
should give the key away. It is
l.Qal, waiting.
l . . . . K x b 7 2. Q a 8 x X.
1. ...Kd7 2. Qa4 x X. Pin-mate.
l....Kd5 2. Qhl x X .
The long Q travel in two varia-
Mate in two tions is the interesting feature here.

78 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
fSTo. 208 l....Kxa5 2. Q c 5 x X. Pin-
G. BASILAYA mate.
1967
l....Bb3 2. B x b 3 x X.
l....Bb5 2. B x b 5 x X.
l . . . . B d 7 + 2. Be6x X.
After any other Black B move,
any White B move mates.
N.B. The White Q cannot be
at, say, h4 for then l.Qel or - e 7 +
cooks. The White K has no useful
function.

No. 210
W O U T E R J. G. M E E S
'Probleemblad', 1959

Mate in two

No. 209
N1HARENDU SIKDAR
'The Hindu', 9th August, 1970

Mate in two

i) Diagram, ii) B(a8)->g8.

No. 210
i) 1. d 8 = Q ? stalemate !
Mate in two
l . d 8 = B ! Kd7 2. f 8 = N x X.
No. 209 Model mate.
This is a Pawnless near symme-
trical position with more or less ii) 1. d 8 = R ! K x e 7 2. f 8 = Q
symmetrical play. X X.
The key is l.Qd4. Shows a form of'Allumwandlung'
l . . . . K x a 3 2. Q c 3 x X. Pin- that is difficult to achieve in a
mate. Miniature !

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 211 No. 212
Dr. W E R N E R S P E C K M A N N N. BAKKE
'Shakhmaty v SSSR\ 1965 'Probleemblad', 1972

18-
Mate in two
i) Diagram, ii) Remove P(c6). Mate in two
iii) Remove B(b7) in ii). iv) Re- i) Diagram. ii) R(e8)-»e7. iii)
move B(a5) in iii). R(e8)->d8. iv) R(e8)-*d7.

No. 211 The interesting point is that

i) c 8 = N + ! Kb8 2. c 7 x x . 'Allumwandlung' occurs as a result
Model mate. of slight changes in the position of
ii) l . c 8 = B ! Kb8 2. N c 6 x x . the R(e8), the changes confined
Model mate. within the four adjacent squares e8,
iii) 1. c 8 = R ! Ka6 2. R a 8 x x . e7, d8 and d7. The pattern shown by
iv) 1. c 8 = Q ! Kb6 2 . Q b 7 x x . the tries is also harmonious, pro-
This is one more twin that shows gressively increasing from a single
'Allumwandlung'. promotion to three at the end.

No. 212
i) 1. b8—Q Kd7 2. Q c 7 x x . No. 213
ii) l . b 8 = R . waiting. l....Kd6 i) The key is 1. Nd4, waiting.
2. Rb6 x X. Not l . b 8 = Q ? stale- l....Kc5 2. Qe7 x X. Model mate.
mate ! l....Ke5 2. Q c 7 x X.
iii) l . b 8 = Q or R ? stalemate !
ii) This time the Pawns move
l . b 8 = B ! Kb6 2. R d 6 x X.
in the opposite direction.
iv) l . b 8 = Q or R or B?
Kxd7 ! The key is 1. Ne5, waiting.
l....Kd4 2. Q d 2 x X.
l . b 8 = N + ! Kb6 2. R b 7 x X.
l....Kf4 2. Q f 2 x X.
The P(a6) is needed only in iii)
and iv), while the White K is needed Shows reciprocal change after
only in i) and ii). the King flights.
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 213 But l....Kf6 ! defeats, because
M I K L O S C H S. L O C K E R the Q's access to f8 is blocked by its
'British Chess Magazine' own K.
August, 1969
The waiting key l . Q f l ! leaves
the above two mates unchanged,
while if l....Kf6 2. N e 6 x X. This
also shows the only functions of the
P(h5).
ii) This time l . Q f l ? fails after
l....Kf6 !, because 2. Ne6 is no
longer mate (2....Kxe6).
Now the key is the try of i),
i.e. 1. Qa3 ! waiting, for 1....KT6 is
met by 2. Qf8 x X.
N.B. This can be regarded as an
improvement on Problem No. 169.

Mate in two No. 215

Dr
i) Diagram, ii) Turn the broad - WERNER SPECKMANN
t h r o u g h 180°. 'British Chess Magazine',
August, 1970

No. 214
H. G. M A T T H E W S

Mate in two
i) Diagram, ii) P(d4)-»b6.
Mate in two
i) Diagram, ii) K(d6)-»c6. No. 215
i) 1. Qcl ?
No. 214 l . . . . K x f 6 2. Q g 5 x X.
i) 1. Qa3 ? 1. ..Kf8 2. Q c 5 x X.
l....Ke4 2. Q d 3 x X. l....Kd6 2. Q c 5 x X.
l....Kg4 2. Q h 3 x X. But 1.... Kd8 ! escapes.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
1. Qh3 ! waiting. l....Kg6 2. N e 7 x X. Changed
l . . . . K x f 6 2. Qe6x X. mate from try-play to post-key play.
1....Kf8 2. Q a 3 x X. l....Kg4 2. N h 6 x X.
l....Kd6 2. Q d 7 x X. ii) l . g 8 = N ?
l....Kd8 2. Qd7x X. l....Kg4 2. N h 6 x X.
ii) 1. Qh3 ? Kd6 ! for now But l....Kg6 ! escapes.
2. Qd7 is not mate. l . g 8 = B ! waiting.
l.Qcl ! waiting. l....Kg4 2. Be6x X. Changed
l....Kd8 2. Q c 7 x X. mate.
1....Kd6 2. Qc7x X. l....Kg6 2. B h 7 x X.
Other mates are as in the try of i). The twin shows reciprocal chan-
Shows interchange of try and key ges between try and key as well as
as well as changed mates for the between try-play and post-key play.
'Star-flights'. N.B. In i), the White K has no
N.B. The P(b2) prevents the part in play.
dual 2. Q a 3 x X after l....Kf8.

No. 217
No. 216 NILS G . G . van D D K
M I K L O S C H S. L O C K E R 'American Chess Bulletin', 1961
'64', 1973

Mate in two
Mate in two
No. 217
i) Diagram, ii) P(e6)-^c7. This shows the 'Plus-flight'
theme.
No. 216 The checking key l . N f 7 + gives
In both i) and ii), 1 . g 8 = Q or R ? the Black K four flight squares
stalemate ! (d5, c6, d7 & e6) in the form of a
i) 1. g 8 = B ? plus ( + ) and one more flight square
l....Kg6 2. Bh7x X. c5.
But l....Kg4 ! escapes. l . . . . K x d 5 2. Q c 4 x X. Model
I . g 8 = N ! waiting. mate.
18-
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
I. ...Kc6 2. Q b 5 x X. No. 219
1....Kd7 2. c 8 = Q x X. R. K O F M A N
l....Ke6 2. Q f 5 x x. Shows the '64', 1976
only use of the White K.
l....Kc5 2. Q c 4 x X.

No. 218
MIKLOSCH S. LOCKER
'Deutsche Schachzeitung', 1970

Mate in two
i) Diagram. ii) Omit N(d7).
iii) In ii), remove N(d4).
iv) In iii), remove B(d2).

No. 219

Mate in two i) 1. f 8 = Q Kh7 2. Ne5 x X.

ii) l . f 8 = Q or R ? stalemate !
i) Diagram, (ii) P(c3)->c4.
1. f 8 = B ! Kf6 2. Q g 7 x X.
iii) l . f 8 = N + ! Kf6 2. Bc3 X X.
No. 218 iv) l . f 8 = R ! waiting. l....Kh6
2. R f 6 x X. Ideal mate.
i) 1. Bh6 ? l....Kf6 2. Q g 5 x X. In this 'Allumwandlung', the
But l . . . . K x e 5 ! defeats. maximum force unexpectedly shows
The key is 1. Bf8 ! waiting. the strongest promotion !
l . . . . K x e 5 2. Q g 5 x X. Model
mate.
No. 220
1....KJ6 2. Qf4 x X.
ii) Here 1. Bf8 ? l....Kf6 2. The surprising key 1. N f 4 !
Q f 4 x X . J But l . . . . K x e 5 ! again (waiting) gives rise to the 'Star-
defeats. flight' theme :
This time the key is 1. Bh6 ! l . . . . K x f 4 2. Q e 4 x X.
l . . . . K x e 5 2. Q f 4 x X. l . . . . K x d 6 2. Q c 7 x X. Pure
l....Kf6 2. Q g 5 x X. mate.
The tries and the keys are l....Kd4 2. Q d 5 x X.
switched, so also are the mates. l....Kf6 2. Q g 7 x X.

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 220 No. 222
N. DOUKAS BO L I N D G R E N
'To Mat', December, 1958 'The Problemist', 1967

Mate in two
Mate in two
No. 221 i) N (f4)->e8. ii) B(fl)-*e2. iii) R(hl)
FRANZ SACKMANN ->b5. iv) Q(b4)-»c2.
'Deutsche Arbeiter-Schachzeitung',
1909 No. 222
1. h 8 = Q ? stalemate !
1. h 8 = R ? l....Kg7 2. Qf8 x X.
But l....Kf6 ! defeats.
l . h 8 = B ? l....Kg8 2. Bc4x X.
But 1.... Ke8 !
l . h 8 = N + ? l....Ke8 2 . B b 5 x X .
But l....Kg7 or -f6 or -g8 !
In fact, there is no mate in two
in the set position.
i) 1. h 8 = N + !
l....Kg8 2. B c 4 x X. l . . . . K x e 8
2. B b 5 x X. l....Ke6 2. Q e 4 x x .
This last is a pure mate.
Mate in two
Any other promotion is defeated
No. 221 by l....Ke6.
The surprising line-clearance key ii) 1. h 8 = Q ? stalemate ! I.h8 =
1. Ra3 ! adds two more flight squares R ? Kf6 !
to the existing two, but puts Black l . h 8 = B ! waiting.
into zugzwang.
l....Kf6 2. Qc3 x X. Pure l....Kg8 2. B c 4 x X. l....Ke8
mate. 2. B h 5 x X.
1....K in 4th rank 2. Q e 3 x x . Both are pure mates.
18-
SEVEN IS THE LIMIT
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
iii) 1. h 8 = R ! Kg7 or -f6 2. l . . . . K x e 4 2. Q f 3 x X.
Qf8 X X. Here positioning the R l....Kc4 2. Q f 7 x X.
at, say, a5 would not do, for then
l.Qb7+cooks. l....Kc6 2. Q d 6 x X.
iv) 1. h8 = Q ! Ke7 2. Q c 7 x X. l....Ke6 2. Q f 7 x X.
This shows the rare double It is difficult to combine 'Star-
'Allumwandlung'—one in try-play flight' and 'Allumwandlung', let alone
and the other in the four Twins. in a Miniature !
Note also that the shifting of a
chessman results in the promotion to
the same chessman !
No. 224
Dr. SAMUEL GOLD
1896
No. 223
F. ABDURAHMANOVIC

Mate in two
Mate in two

No. 224
No. 223
With a surfeit of White chessmen
1. c 8 = Q ? stalemate ! it is not easy to find the solution.
1. c 8 = R ? Ke6 ! l.Rh5 ? K e 2 !
1. c 8 = B ? Kc6 ! But not 1....
Kc4 2. Be6 x X. l.Qd5 ? Kg3 !
l . c 8 = N ? Kc4 ! But not 1.... The surprising key is l.Qd8 !!
Kc6 2. Q d 6 x X, nor l....Ke6 (waiting), permitting an extra flight
2. Q f 5 x X. square to the Black K.
Shows 'Allumwandlung'. But l....Ke2 2. Bg4x X. Pure mate.
after the key 1. Ne4 ! waiting, the
P has no use. In fact, the theme is l....Kg3 2. R b 3 x X.
now transformed into 'Star-flight'. l . . . . K x e 4 2. Bc6x X.

SEVEN IS THE LIMIT 85

www.ebook777.com
 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
No. 225 No. 225
ALES A N D R PAVLOVICH
GULAYEV The spectacular waiting key
"Selected Chess Problems & Studies", l . Q f l !! leaves a piece en prise.
1956
l . . . . K x c 6 2. Q a 6 x X. Switch-
back.
l....Ke7 2. Bc5x X.
l....Ke5 2. Bg3x X. The B(c6)
looks after e4, which is why a White
P at c6 (instead of the B) will not do.
l . Q a 3 + ? Ke5 ! defeats.
l.Qal ? Ke7 ! defeats.

N.B. The only function of the

White K is to cover d7 after 1....
Mate in two Kxc6.

86 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

 free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com

INDEX

( Problem numbers are indicated against respective

names of authors. )

Abdurahmanovic, F.—223 Giobel, B.—194

Abragam, D.—52 Gold, Dr. Samuel—40, 224
Alekseev, Eu.—43, 120 Gottschall, Dr. Hermann von—173
Amirov, T —165 Green, A. P.—74
Anderssen, J.—94 Greenwood, William W.—57
Arzhusin, A.—141 Grigoriev, N.—59
Averbakh, Yuri—9 Gulayev, Alesandr Pavlovich—225
Baird, Edith—145 Hannemann, Knud—15, 144
Baja, V.—204 Harth, A.—39, 153
Bakke, N.—143, 212 Hassberg, E. M.—140
Basilaya, G.—208 Havel, Dr. Miroslav—179
Beilin, Mikhail—9 Hermanson, Halvar—130
Bettmann, Dr. Henry Wald—188, Hernitz, Z.—42
202 Hoeg, Dr. Niels—24
Bogdanov, E.—197 Holzhausen, Freiherr Walther von—
Bondarenko, F.S.—89 192
Burbach, Johannes J.—14 Jespersen, Karl Lorenz Jesper—18
Bwee, Touw Hian—146 Juhe, H.—131
Campbell, Joseph Graham—21 Kalin, Vasily Manuelovich—29
Chebanov, N.—55, 90 Karge, Fritz—86
Chernyavski, N.—178 Karlsson, B. V.—115
Cheron, Andre—174 Kikoin, Isaac Konstantinovich—63
Cook, Eugene Beauharnais—155 Kirillov, S.—151, 201
Cumpe, Josef—93 Kisis, I.—195
Dasni, Sh.—186 Knuppert, H.—168
Dawson, Thomas Rayner—159 Kofman, R.—54, 219
Dehler, Otto—4, 11, 16, 17, 102 Korenev, V.—177
Dijk, Nils G.G. van—126, 217 Korolkov, V.—147
Dobrescu, Emil—193 Korponai, J.—170
Dombrovskis, A.—19 Kotlyar, V.—113
Dorokhov, G.—37 Kubbel, Leonid Ivanovich—139
Doukas, N.—220 Kuznetsov, A.—99
Efron, A.—25 Kvyatkovski, V.—162
Eudovich, M.—3, 12 Latzel, Gerhard—118
Fadeev, N.—47 Lester, William Edward—41
Fedorovich, R.—119 L' Hermet, Rudolf—5
Froberg, Hilding—76 Lindgren, Bo—222
Garai, Ing. T.—123 Ling, J. F.—138

18- SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

www.ebook777.com
free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com
Liskovets, V.—23 Shuryakov, A.—46
Lobusov, A.—205 Sikdar, Niharendu—16, 30, 65, 110,
Locker, Miklosch S.—36, 84, 95, 117, 161, 180, 184, 198, 209
136, 199, 213, 216,218 Solovyev, Pyotr Elyanovich—133
Loyd, Sam—6, 8, 112, Speckmann, Dr. Werner—7, 10, 13,
Mach, Dr. Zdenek—135 28, 32, 51, 68, 72, 75, 91, 103,
Madsen, Artur—27 108, 132,211,215
Malieka, Gerhard—26 Staudte, H.—142
Marandeuk, M.—124, 137, 185 Steinweg, Richard—107
Marble, Murray—188 Stocchi, Ottavio—122, 190
Marin, Dr. Valentino—-31 Stzhala, K.—181
Massmann, Dr. Wilhelm—78 Subramaniam, V.—154
Matthews, H.G.—214 Szilagyi, L.—34
Mees, Wouter J.G.—210 Tauber, A.—69
Melnichenko, V—128 Tomlinson, C.—1
Mendes de Moraes, F.—48 Tkeshelashvili, I.—106
Mikhailov, A.—200 Tuxen, Harry V.—27, 111, 183
Miskolczy, Dr. Antal—148 Umnov, G.—187
Mitushin, A—119 Ursegov, Ya.—166
Morgan, D. J.—2 Valuska, Jan—116
Morice, J.—152 Vaughan, Colin—156, 169
Morphy, Paul—33 Veders, V . - 4 4
Mott-Smith, Geoffrey—67, 80, 88,
Wardener, Friedrich Freiherr von—
96, 175, 182 127
Moykin, V.—206 Weenink, Henry Gerard Maria—70,
Muthuswami, N. S.—105, 196 97, 100
Neuhaus, Eugene—77 Weinheimer, Rudolf—172
Nix, John Gilbert—56 Wenman, P.—58
Omenel, R.—157 Wester, Anders E.—85
Oudot, Jean—191 Wielgos, Oskar—66
Parkhomenko, N.—134 Williams, Philip Hamilton—82
Pattersen, O.—87 Winterer, K.—104
Pavlov, M.—125 Wurzburg, Otto—81
Petkow, Petko A.—35 Yan, Tan Hien—176
Petrusenko, A.—203 Zernow, Thomas—149
Planck, Charles—114
Pradignat, F,.—49
Puig y Puig, Dr. Esteban—61
Raman Menon, V. K.—38, 64 It has not been possible to trace
Razumenko, V.—60 author's names in the following cases
Riczu, L.—101, 164 —20, 22, 45, 53, 62*, 71, 73, 79,
Russ, Colin A. H.—158 83, 92, 98, 109, 121, 163, 171, 189,
Sackmann, Franz—221 207.
Scheel, Johann—129
Seneca, Camil—160
Shenberger, T.—50
Shinkman, William Anthony—150, * This is the same as Problem N o . 61 but
167 differently oriented-

88 SEVEN IS THE LIMIT

free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com

www.ebook777.com
free ebooks ==> www.ebook777.com

The Miniature in chess parlance is a setting where the

maximum number of chessmen has to be seven.
In a chess problem the desired conclusion has to be
reached in the stipulated number of moves, the rules
being similar to the over-the-board play,
unless otherwise stated.
This collection contains 225 Miniatures—all two movers.
Other categories are intended to be covered
in subsequent volumes.
The overall order followed in presenting problems is that
of increasing number of white pieces. When t w o problems
have exactly the same material, the older one comes first.
The chess terms used in this collection have been defined
as exhaustively as possible, some after the introduction
and others in the body of the text where they first appear.
There is also an index at the end, alphabetically giving
authors' names with problem numbers.

ISBN 81-85109-90-7

NAYA PROKASH
206 Bidhan Sarani
Calcutta 700 006