Reflexmate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
A reflexmate is a chess problem in which white, moving first, must force black to deliver checkmate within a specified number of moves against his will. Moreover, there is added condition that if either player can give checkmate, they must. If this condition applies only to Black, it is a semi-reflexmate. (Without this condition the problem is just ordinary selfmate.)
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The problem to the right is a fairly recent example successful in World Chess Composing Tournament despite single phase present. It is by Štefan Sovík and is a reflexmate in two moves.
The key is 1.Qh5! and white threats 2.Nbxc3, after which black is compelled by additional condition to mate by Rxc3#, with triple pin of Rc4, Bd4 and Ne4.
There are three thematical variations with upins of three pieces, but every time Black has to mate by switchback after selfpin of unpinned piece on c3:
- 1...Qxa4 2.Rxc3 Qb5# (white move: rook unpinned by queen move selfpins)
- 1...Rxc8 2.Bxc3 Rd8# (white move: bishop unpinned by rook move selfpins)
- 1...Bxh5 2.Nxc3 Bg6# (white move: knight unpinned by bishop move selfpins)
Further three variations result in upins of white pieces, but the mates are not by switchback:
- 1...Qd7 2.Rc6 Qxd4# (white move: unpinned rook unguards d4 and unpins queen)
- 1...Nd5 2.Bxe3 Nf4# (white move: unpinned bishop opens d-file and blocks e3)
- 1...Kd7 2.Bxc3 Kxc8# (white move: unpinned bishop opens d-file and selfpins on c3)
In next three variations the black pieces are unpinned and mate:
- 1...Qc6 2.Bxb3 Qxe4# (white move: bishop unpins queen)
- 1...Nf5 2.Rxc7 Rxd4# (white move: rook unpins rook)
- 1...Bf7 2.Qf5 Bxc4# (white move: queen unpins bishop)
The last variation is just technical:
- 1...Rxb1 2.Bd1 Rxd1#
The example is putting emphasis on unpinning and pinning (see motivation) and illustrates one of the artistic advantages of reflexmate over selfmate, namely the presence of more varied mates (on average).
