Valentin Rudenko and Viktor Chepizhny
3rd-4th Prize e.a., Loshinsky MT, 1981-1982
A wonderfully unified problem, one of numerous masterpieces by the
famous composing partnership.
The c2 knight provides four tries – 1.Sa3? Sxd6!, 1.Se1? Se5!, 1.Sa1? Be6! and 1.Sxd4? Qxf6!
The key 1.Rb7! contains two threats, 2.Qb4+ Kc6 3.Rxc7 and 2.Sb4 threats 3.Sa6 and 3.Sd3; 2...Kc4 3.Rxc7. Black can defend by moving the e7 pawn, opening a rook
guard on c7, but each move blocks a square which was needed to defend against one of the tries, hence the tries return as continuations: 1...exd6 2.Sa3 threats 3.Qc4 and 3.Qb5;
1...e5 2.Se1 threat 3.Sd3; 1...e6 2.Sa1 threat 3.Sb3 and 1...exf6 2.Sxd4 threat 3.Sb3; 2...Be6 3.Sxe6.
The unnecessary second threat 2.Sb4 could be eliminated by simply adding a white pawn at a6, but perhaps the composers preferred to tolerate it rather than spoil the economy of the
position.
Dafydd Johnston: Tries with the Sc2 on move one reveal that the black defenders need access to the four squares available to the e7 pawn, which is forced to move by the
face-off between the two rooks along the rank. Clarity of focus makes for very satisfying solving.
Guy Meissonnier: What a beautiful pickaninny!