The venue for Society meetings has changed and the directions to it given on p. 126 of the July 2017 issue are incorrect. Meetings are held at the Hall of St. Botolph’s Church, Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3TL. The Hall is set in a small garden behind the church, less than 2 minutes’ walk from Liverpool St. mainline and underground stations.
This week's problem takes us back to orthodox two-movers, with a brilliant
exploitation of the star-flight theme.
White has three tries:
1. Sc5+? Kd6/Kf6/Kf4/Kd4 2.Sb7/Qc6/Qb8/Sb3#, but 1...Be4!
1. Sxg3+? Kd6/Kf6/Kd4 2.Sf5/Sh5/Bf2#, but 1...Kf4!
1.Sxc3+? Kd6/Kf6/Kf4 2.Qxd5/Sxd5/Bxd2# but 1...Kd4!
Finally, there is the key, which changes all the mates yet again! 1.Sxg5+ Kd6/Kf6/Kf4/Be4 2.Sxf7/Sh7/Sh3/Sf3/Rxe4#
A Zagoruiko, with a total of 14 (!) changed mates! The fact that the key and
tries all involve checks probably explains why the problem received only a
commendation, but it remains a splendid achievement.
Any comments or questions on this problem should be addressed to
Steve Giddins (our Librarian and Archivist) using the 'Contact'
item in the menu on the left.