Favorite Supplement Problems

The disappearing Nowotny is one of my favorite themes and here the impossible is done: a Nowotny between a bP and bB. See for yourself.

1.Sd6! (>2.Bc4,Qe5)
1…Bxd6 2.Qc4
1…exd6 2.Qe4
1…Rf5 2.Bxf5
1…Qh8 2.Bc4
1…Rf3 2.Qe5

Unfortunately, this problem had a misprinted wP on f2 ruining the Meredith position.

Speaking of David Shire, here is a problem that you won’t soon forget. The problem is traditional and the White force severely outmans the Black force, but the line play is exquisite. It’s amazing that White cannot mount a threat with all of that wood.

1.Sc3 (-)
1…e3 2.Sc5
1…exd3 2.Re1
1…dxc3 2.Sg4
1…cxd3 2.Ba2
1…f5 2.Ra6

​Beautiful.

Another lovely setting with a striking change from the set play. An unpin of the wSe4 is exchanged for a Gamage unpin of the bB. Not a ton of play, but pretty none-the-less.

1…Sc2 2.Sd2
1…Rxg2 2.Re1

1.Rd2 (>2.Re1)
1…Sc2 2.Qa6
1…Rxg2 2.Rd1
1…Sf2 2.Rxf2

This is an interesting problem that features thematic duals, by the late Australian composer. The key makes multiple threats and the Black moves separate all possible combinations of these moves: Combinative Separation. Here it is nicely combined with AUW.

1.Bh5! (>2.Qxe3,Qg4,Qf3 ABC)
1…Ke4 2.Qxe3 A
1…Kg3 2.Qg4 B
1…g1=Q 2.Qf3 C
1…g1=S 2.Qxe3,Qg4 AB
1…g1=R 2.Qxe3,Qf3 AC
1…g1=B 2.Qg4,Qf3 BC
1…Rh1 2.Qxf3,Qg4,Qf3 ABC

Here is a nice little Bristol clearance maneuver.

1…Qxd7 2.Qxd7

1.Rh8! (>2.d8=S)
1…Qxd7 2.Qg7
1…Qxc8 2.dxc8=Q
1…Qe5 2.d8=Q
1…Qd8 2.Qc6

Bob Lincoln is an American miniaturist who composed thousands of miniatures. I always liked his heavier problems and here is a nice little flight giving problem with lots of attractive play.

1…Rf8 2.Qg3

1.Bg1! (>2.Qf2)
1…Kxg1 2.Qf1
1…hxg1=S 2.Bf1
1…hxg1=Q 2.Bxb7
1…Rf8 2.Qg4
1…Qf3 2.Qxg2

This problem shows an interesting task from the master of tasks himself. See if you can spot the idea from the solution.

1.Rc4! (>2.cxb8=S)
1…Rb7 2.c8=Q
1…Rd8 2.cxd8=Q
1…Re8 2.fxe8=Q
1…Be7 2.exf7
1…Rxe6 2.Qxe6
1…Bxd6 2.Qxd6
1…Rc8 2.Qc6
1…Sxc7 2.Rxc7
1…Kc8 2.d7

The mating moves occur on the 9 bK squares, i.e., the surrounding squares of the BK and his initial square.

Here is nice miniature with battery play from the British grandmaster. Five defenses from the bQ.

1…Qa7,Qd6 2.Q(x)a7

1.Qc6 (>2.b7)
1…Qa7 2.bxa7
1…Qd6 2.Qa8
1…Qb7 2.Qb5
1…Qc7 2.bxc7
​ 1…Qxc8 2.Qxc8

Here is a very recent problem (the solution just appeared in January 2022) from Barry Barnes. A flight giving key sets off some nice play and I enjoyed the changes from the set mates.

1…exd6 2.Bxd6
1…dxe6 2.Sxe6

1.Rf4! (>2.Rxf5)
1…exd6 2.Qa5
1…dxe6 2.Qxc6
1…Sf3 2.Rxc4
1…Sd4 2.Qxd4
​ 1…Sb4 2.Qxb4

The Supplement features lots of quality problems of other genres besides the #2. This one is a simple miniature helpmate that made an impression on me because of the way the bK clears for the bB and bR to show a Grimshaw on his initial square. Pretty chess.

1.Kh5 Sf2 2.Rh6 Sg4 3.Bg6 Sf6
1.Kh6 g4 2.Bh7 Sg3 3.Rg6 Sf5

Finally we end with something different. A helpselfmate  is technically in the realm of fairy chess, but it is really a combination of a helpmate and a selfmate so it is close to orthodox.  White moving first works with Black until the last move in which Black must be forced to mate White.  Beautiful interplay of the bishops. I don’t think this is featured in the award, but it should have been.

1.Ba1 Bg8 2.Bf7 Bf2 3.Be8 Bc1 4.Bg7 Ba2 5.Sa3+ Bxa3