We welcome in the New Year with a superb three-mover by possibly the greatest master
of the genre, Lev Loshinsky. No clues, except to say that this problem shows what
the late Robin Matthews described as “the astonishing task of three triple-pin
models”.
The key is 1.Sc2 (threat 2.Sd6 mate), with three thematic variations:
1...Qc5 2.Sd6+ Kxd5 3.Sb4#;
1...Rxb5 2.gxf3+ Kxd5 3.Sb4#;
1...Kxd5 2.Qb7+ Qc6 3.Sd6#;
In each case, we have a model mate, with three black units pinned. There is also some
by-play, such as 1...Qxc2 2.Qd4# etc. The short threat is perhaps a minor blemish,
but this is still a superb problems by any standards.