The problem to the right is a fairly recent example, successful in the
World Chess Composing Tournament despite only a single
phase of play present. It is by
Å tefan SovÃk and is a reflexmate in two moves.
The key is 1.Qh5! and White threatens 2.Nbxc3, after which black is compelled by additional condition to mate by Rxc3#, with triple
pin of Rc4, Bd4 and Ne4.
There are three thematical variations with unpinnings of three pieces, but every time Black has to mate by
switchback
Switchback may refer to:
Transportation
* A hairpin turn on a road
* A horseshoe curve
* A zigzagging pedestrian or cycling ramp
* A roller coaster, or a roller coaster-like road
* A zig zag (railway)
* The Switchback, a former railway line in ...
after selfpin of unpinned piece on c3:
* 1...Qxa4 2.Rxc3 Qb5# (white move:
rook unpinned by
queen
Queen or QUEEN may refer to:
Monarchy
* Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom
** List of queens regnant
* Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king
* Queen dowager, the widow of a king
* Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mother ...
move selfpins)
* 1...Rxc8 2.Bxc3 Rd8# (white move:
bishop
A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution.
In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ...
unpinned by rook move selfpins)
* 1...Bxh5 2.Nexc3 Bg6# (white move:
knight
A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood finds origins in the G ...
unpinned by bishop move selfpins)
Another three variations result in unpinnings of white pieces, but the mates are not by switchback:
* 1...Qd7 2.Rc6 Qxd4# (white move: unpinned rook unguards d4 and unpins queen)
* 1...Nd5 2.Bxe3 Nf4# (white move: unpinned bishop opens d-
file and blocks e3)
* 1...Kd7 2.Bxc3 Kxc8# (white move: unpinned bishop opens d-file and selfpins on c3)
In the next three variations the black pieces are unpinned and mate:
* 1...Qc6 2.Bxb3 Qxe4# (white move: bishop unpins queen)
* 1...Nf5 2.Rxc7 Rxd4# (white move: rook unpins rook)
* 1...Bf7 2.Qf5 Bxc4# (white move: queen unpins bishop)
The last variation is just technical:
* 1...Rxb1 2.Bd1 Rxd1#
The example is putting emphasis on unpinning and pinning (see
motivation
Motivation is the reason for which humans and other animals initiate, continue, or terminate a behavior at a given time. Motivational states are commonly understood as forces acting within the agent that create a disposition to engage in goal-dire ...
) and illustrates one of the artistic advantages of reflexmate over selfmate, namely the presence of more varied mates (on average).
Chess problems
Fairy chess