a b c d e f g h
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| | | | | | | | | Ralph Betza
8 | *k | | | | | | K | | March, 1997
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| | | | | | | | | "Yo Yo"
7 | | *n | | | | | | |
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6 | | | NB | | | | | |
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5 | | | | WA | | | | |
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4 | | | | | | | | |
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3 | | | | | | | | |
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2 | | | | | | | | |
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1 | | | | B | | | | |
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k5K1/1n6/2(NB)5/3(WA)4/8/8/8/3b4
2#
This problem is a simple mate in two (White must find the best move,
and then give checkmate with his second move).
White has only a King on g8, a NB on c6, and a WA on d5; Black has only a K on a8, a N on b7, and a B on d1.
As you can see, White is playing with the Colorbound Clobberers army and Black has the Fabulous FIDEs.
Because it's considered impolite to tell you the answer before you've had a chance to try, but on the other hand I don't want to have a separate page for the solution, you'll need to scroll down a while here:
1. (WA)d5:b7 Bd1-b3+ 2. (WA)b7-d5 mate
Bd1-a4 2. (WA)b7-a7 mate
Bd1-f3 2. (WA)b7-d5 mate or 2. (WA)b7-a7 mate
I am not a good composer, and I know that this miniature has several
technical flaws. Even so, there are a few things about it that I
like.
First of all, the switchback theme (the WA moves, and then returns to its original position) has always amused me. I think that you are almost forced to start with a capture if you are doing a two-move switchback, so one of the technical flaws is excused.
Then, a two-move switchback with a crosscheck (main variation) isn't bad, especially when the crosscheck is a discovered check of unusual shape.
Add to that a secondary variation that forces a different mate, and things are looking good.
Unfortunately, White has both 2.(WA)b7-a7 mate and 2.(WA)b7-b8 mate. This minor flaw could be fixed by adding a White Pa7, but that would be worse -- the Pawn would serve no other purpose and it would be ugly.
Finally, the variation 1...Bd1-f3 2.(WA)b7-d5 mate would really make this a winner if only (WA)b7-d5 were forced. Unfortunately, the double check is available, and there really isn't any way to fix this, though it would certainly be worthwhile adding a piece or two to fix it.
By changing the starting position so White's K is on g2 and Black's B is on b3, I could have 2 clean variations without the tantalizing near-miss of the third one.