Robin Matthews (1927-2010) was Britain’s finest composer of strategic three-movers. This problem employs the
arrangement of black rooks and bishops known as the Organ Pipes to show four highly unified variations.
Solution: 1.Qb5 threatens 2.Rf3+ Ke4 3.d3. Black
can defend with an anticipatory shut-off of the white queen's
guard of e5, but each defence removes a guard of either c4 or
d4, allowing the white battery to close the second guard. If
1...Bd5 2.Rb6+ Qxh7 (Rxh7, Sxh7, Sg6) 3.Rxd4, also
2...Be4 3.Bxe4 or Rf3. If 1...Rd5 2.Rc6+ any
3.Qxc4; If 1...Rc5 2.Rd6+ any 3.Rfxd4 and finally if
1...Bc5 2.Re6+ any 3.Qxc4. The battery opens again in the
by-play variation 1...Qf6 2.Rh6+ any 3.Rh3 (dual 3.Bxf5
after 2...Qf5) and after 1...Qxe5 the threat leads to a
new pin-mate 2.Rf3+ Qe3 3.Qf5. The judge of the tourney,
Vincent Eaton, (another top class composer of strategic
three-movers) pointed out that a small saving of material can be
made if the a1 bishop replaces the e5 pawn.
David Friedgood: There is an intricate and delightful
relationship between the two Grimshaws making up the organ pipes.
Each interference allows the g6-rook to check and shut off the
other ‘pipe’ guarding c4 or d4 to force mate on one
of these two squares. The exceptional unity is conveyed by the
geometric play of the Grimshaws as well as the arrival of the
white rook on the consecutive squares between b6 and e6. A work
evoking the same kind of emotion as a piece of the finest
classical music.