97-SOLUTION SELFMATE in 3 moves.

Solution: 1. Be6! [2. Sh8 [3. Bb3 ... Bxb3#]
2. ... Bf7 3. Bb3 ... Bxb3#
2. ... b4 3. Bb3 ... Bxb3#]
1. ... b4 2. Sd8 [3. Bb3 ... Bxb3#]
2. ... Bf7 3. Bb3 ... Bxb3#
2. ... Bxe6+ 3. Sxe6 ... b3#
2. ... b3+ 3. Bxb3 ... Bxb3#
1. ... b4 2. Sh8 [3. Bb3 ... Bxb3#]
2. ... Bf7 3. Bb3 ... Bxb3#
2. ... b3+ 3. Bxb3 ... Bxb3#

96-Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Kh6! waiting
1. ... Kg4 2. Be6#
In this composition, the theme is the flight giving key. White King movement gives Black King a flying key in g4 square. Flight giving keys are much appreciated by the orthodox problemists.

95-Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Bh5-e8! waiting

1. ... Sc8 ad lib 2. Rd7(x)e7#

1. ... Sc8xd6 [a] 2. Rd3xd6 [A] #

1. ... Sh8 ad lib 2. Be8(x)f7#

94-Problem Solution

Solution: 1. Qh2-e5! threat 2. Qe5-d5#

1. ... Ra7-d7 2. Qe5xa5 threat 3. Bd1-b3#

2. ... Sa8-b6+ 3. Sc8xb6#

2. ... Rd7-b7 3. Qa5-d5#

1. ... e7-e6 2. Qe5xe6+

2. ... Kc4-c5 3. Qe6-d5#

93-Chess Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Rh1-h6! threat
1. ... Ra7-d7 2. Rh6-e6
2. ... Rd7-e7 3. Re6-d6#

This is a Roman theme. In a Roman decoy, the decoyed piece can still defend against the initial try but such defense develops a weakening of the Black position.

92-Chess Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Rh1-h4! threat 2. Rh4-d4#
1. ... Bd8-f6/xh4 2. Sa8-c7#
1. ... Bd8xb6 2. Sa8xb6#

A very economic decoy maneuver. The threatening White Rook decoys the Black Bishop
And White Knight can mate in b6. We have also here a Mirror Mate setting, with all the squares surrounding the Black King are unoccupied.

91-Selfmate Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Sd2-f3! waiting
1. ... Sh8-f7 2. Sf3-e5 ... Sf7xe5#
1. ... Sh8-g6 2. Sf3-e5 ... Sg6xe5#

Again, a selfmate, this time in two moves. Enjoy.

90-Selfmate Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Bg1-f2! waiting
1. ... b6-b5 2. Bf2-e1+
2. ... b5-b4+ 3. Be1xb4 ... c5xb4#

In the self-mate problems, Black is forced to mate White.

89-Problem Solution

Set Play:
1. ... Bh8 ad lib 2. Bh2xe5#

Solution: 1. Sa4-c3! threat 2. Sc3-b5, Sc3-e2#
1. ... Rb8-e8 2. Sc3-b5#
1. ... Bh8-e5+ 2. Bh2xe5#
1. ... b6 ad lib 2. Sc3-e2#

We have here a Cross-check, in which White answers Black check with a new check.

88-Problem Solution.

Set Play:
1. ... Sd8 ad lib 2. Sa5(x)c6#
1. ... Bf5 ad lib [a] 2. Sa1(x)c2 [A] #

Solution: 1. Kb3-b2! threat 2. Sa1-b3#
1. ... Bf5-c2/e6 [b] 2. Sa1(x)c2 [A] #

Here we find a Mate transference: A white mate is thus ‘transferred’ from one black defense to another. See the new threats created by the white King key move.

87-Problem Solution.

Set Play:
1. ... Rd8 ad lib, Bc6-d5 2. Se1(x)d3#
1. ... Rd8-d5, Bc6 ad lib 2. Se1(x)g2#
1. ... Bc6-d7 2. Se1-d3/g2#

Solution: 1. Ra1-a5! threat 2. Bf6-g5#
1. ... Rd8-g8, Bc6-d5 2. Se1-d3#
1. ... Rd8-d5, Bc6-b5 2. Se1-g2#

This is the Grimshaw theme, in which the interference of the black pieces in the same square, (usually a Bishop and a Rook, doesn't require a white sacrifice.

86-Problem Solution

Set Play:
1. ... Ba8-d5, Rd8 ad lib 2. Se1(x)d3#
1. ... Ba8 ad lib, Rd8-d5 2. Se1(x)g2#

Solution: 1. Bh1-d5! threat 2. Se1-d3, Se1-g2#
1. ... Ba8xd5, Rd8-g8 2. Se1-d3#
1. ... Rd8xd5 2. Se1-g2#

Here we have another Novotny. In this theme, the Bishop is sacrificed.
The presentation with less than 12 men and more than 7, is called Meredith

85-Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Ree5! [2. Se3, Sb2#]
1. ... Rb8, Bxe5 2. Se3#
1. ... Rxe5 2. Sb2#

Here we have a Novotny Interference. The White Sacrifice in e5 creates alternative interferences to Black Bishop and Black Rook.

84-Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Kg4-h4! waiting
1. ... Bc6 ad lib [a] 2. Ba2(x)d5 [A] #
1. ... Sb5 ad lib 2. Rd1(x)d4#

Black king's surrounding squares are unoccupied, and the monarch is far from the board's edges, so we have here a position called mirror mate.

83-Problem Solution.

Set Play:
1. ... f5 2. Be5#
1. ... Kc3 [a] 2. Rxd3 [A] #
1. ... d2 2. Sb3/c2#

Solution: 1. Bf5! [2. Rxd3 [A] #]
1. ... Kd5 [b] /c3 [a] 2. Rxd3 [A] #

Again the theme of this problem is a transfered mate.

82-Problem Solution.

Set Play:

1. ... Bh7 [a] 2. Qc8 [A] #

1. ... fxg6 [b] 2. Qxg8 [B] #

1. ... f5 2. Se5#

Solution: 1. Kd2! waiting

1. ... Bh7 [a] 2. Qc8 [A] #

1. ... fxg6 [b] 2. Qxg8 [B] #

1. ... f5 2. Se5#

1. ... d3 2. Se3#

Here we have a mutate or changed mate. White has set replies provided for all of Black’s moves in the initial position, but a waiting key changes the white response to at least one of these black moves.

81-Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Be6! waiting
1. ... Ra7/a8/a5 2. Bxb6#
1. ... Sc8 [a] /e8/b7/f7/f5/c4 [b] /e4 2. Sxb5 [A] #
1. ... e4 2. Bf6#
Here we have a Mate Transference type of changed play seen in direct mates, where the same white mating move occurs over two phases of play, but is induced by different black moves. A white mate is thus ‘transferred’ from one black defense to another.

80-Problem Solution

Solution: 1. Bb8-g3! threat 2. Bg3-e1#
1. ... d4-d3 2. Bg3-e5+
2. ... Rd7-d4 3. Rg7-c7#

Basically this is a decoy theme with some strategy.

79-Problem Solution (Mate in Two)

Solution: 1. Bg2! waiting
1. ... Ra7/a8/a5 2. Bxb6#
1. ... Sc8/e8/b7/f7/f5/c4/e4 2. Sxb5#
1. ... e4 2. Bf6#

Black is in a position of zugzwang, where every move leads to a mate. White must do a WAITING move.

78-Problem Solution (Mate in 3)

Solution: 1. Qf4! [2. Qc4, Qb4, Qxe3#]
1. ... Bd4 2. Qxd2 [3. Qb4#]
2. ... Bc3+ 3. Qxc3#
1. ... Bxf4 2. Bf2+
2. ... Be3 3. Bxe3#

White Queen sacrifice will defeat Black defenses.

77-Chess Problem Solution

Solution: 1. Sg5-e4! threat 2. Rb6-d6#
1. ... Rf5-f6 2. Se4xf6#
1. ... Rf5xf4+ 2. Sh3xf4#
1. ... Sg3xe4 2. d3xe4#

This problem includes a cross-check.

76-Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Be7! [2. Qe4#]
1. ... Rxe7 2. Rg5+
2. ... Kf4 3. Qg3#
2. ... Kf6 3. Qg6#
1. ... Rf4 2. Rg5+
2. ... Rf5 3. Qe4#

The three mover usually allows strategic moves and variations.

75-Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Bf8-h6! threat 2. Bh6-e3#
1. ... Re7-d7 2. Bh6-e3+
2. ... Rd7-d4+ 3. Be3xd4#

In this problem, the theme is the unpinning and self-pinning of the same black piece.

76-Problem Solution

Solution: 1. Qh2-d6! threat 2. Qd6xe6, Qd6-d5, Qd6-d3#
1. ... Re6xd6 2. Rd7-e7+
2. ... Rd6-e6 3. Re7xe6#

The theme of this problem is a Roman decoy in which the decoyed piece have defenses from the original White threat but Black position is weakened.

74-Problem Solution

Solution: 1. Kb3! [2. Sb4#]
1. ... Rxg7/c4 2. B(x)c4#
1. ... Rc3+ 2. Sxc3#
The Black defense KxS gives the black King a flying square.

72-Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Bc7! [2. Bxb6#]
1. ... Rxc7 2. Sd3#
1. ... Rd6 2. Bxd6#
1. ... Sc3+ 2. Qxc3#

The Bishop threatening move is a decoy theme.

72-Chess Problem Solution

Solution: 1. Bb8-f4! threat 2. Bf4xg5#
1. ... g5xf4 2. g4-g5+
2. ... Kf6-f5 3. Sg6-h4#
White Bishop sacrifice gives Black King a flight square.

71-Chess Problem Solution

Solution: 1. Bh8-a1! waiting
1. ... Sc7 ad lib 2. Bh1(x)d5#
1. ... e7 ad lib 2. Sf7-d6#
1. ... Sg4 ad lib 2. Sf7(x)e5#
The key of this problem is an elegant Waiting move

70-Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Kf6-g5! waiting
1. ... Kd4-e5 2. Be1-c3#

Kings fight the battle here. White king gives black Monarch a flying square (e5,)and after Black King moves there, Bishop can mate in c3.

69-Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Rh6-h3! threat 2. Sb5xd6#
1. ... Rf5-d5 2. Ka3-a4 threat 3. Sb5-a3#
2. ... Rd5-d3 3. e2xd3#
1. ... Rf5-f6 2. Ka3-a4 ad lib 3. Sb5-a3#

This setting is called roman. The black piece is decoyed, but still can stop the attack, however black position results weakened.

68-Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Se7-f5! threat 2. Rd5-e5, Sf5-d6#
1. ... Ba7-c5 2. Rd5-e5#
1. ... Ba7-d4 2. Sf5-d6#
1. ... Ba7-b8 2. Sh1-f2#
Problems which include settings of 7 to 12 pieces are called Meredith for the famous American composer William Meredith. (1835-1903)

67- The Solution

Solution: 1. Qh8-h1! threat 2. Bg2xd5, Qh1-c1#
1. ... Bc8-e6/b7, Rd5 ad lib 2. Qh1-c1#
1. ... b3-b2 2. Bg2xd5#
When a piece moves behind the first one forming a battery, we call this movement an ambush.

66-Solution SELFMATE in 2.

Solution: 1. Qh4-d8! waiting
1. ... Ba8xb7 2. Qd8-d5 ... Bb7xd5, e6xd5#

White Queen's move will force Black the selfmate in two moves. Black chooses between two different mates.

65- Mate in 3 Problem Solution

Solution: 1. Kf2! waiting
1. ... Ke4 2. Be6 waiting
2. ... d5 3. Bf5#
2. ... f3 3. Qe3#
1. ... f3 2. Ke3 ad lib 3. Qd4#


In this miniature, White gives Black a flight square. The experts think this concession is meritorious.

64-Problem SolutionSolution

Solution: 1. Qa4-e8! threat 2. Qe8-e4#
1. ... Bc8-e6 2. Qe8xe6#
1. ... Bd8-e7 2. Qe8xc8#
1. ... Sc4-d6/e5/d2 2. Qe8(x)e5#

The Queen is powerful indeed. Five Black defenses cannot stop the White's Mate.

63-Problem solution

Solution: 1. Qh1-h8! threat 2. Qh8-d4#
1. ... Sg3-e2 [a] , Rf2-d2 2. Sf1(x)d2 [A] #
In this problem, black defenses show a decoy and an interference.

62-Problem Solution

Solution: 1. Qa8! [2. Qe4#]
1. ... Re2 2. Sxe2#
A long shot of the Queen threatening Qe4 creates the "decoy" theme.

61- Problem Solution

Solution: 1. Sa3-c4! threat 2. Se8-f6#
1. ... Bf4-e5 2. Sc4-b6#
1. ... Bf4-g5 2. Se8-c7#

60-Problem's Solution.

The theme of the problem is mutual interference, forced by a white sacrifice in D6.
Solution: 1. Bh2-d6! threat 2. Sb3-c5, Bb1-d3#
1. ... Rd8-b8/xd6 2. Sb3-c5#
1. ... Bf8xd6 2. Bb1-d3#

59-Solution

White plays Sb5-Sb6, a waiting move that will force the self-mate .

Solution: 1. Sb5-d6! waiting
1. ... e7xd6 2. a4-a5 ... d6-d5#

58-Problem Solution.

Solution: 1. Bg2-h1! waiting
1. ... Sh8-f7 2. Sg4-e5 ... Sf7xe5#
1. ... Sh8-g6 2. Sg4-e5 ... Sg6xe5#

57-Problem Solution.

This is a selfmate, and the Key is Qh1-Qg2 !

56-Problem Solution

The white key is Qe8-Qe2, forming what is called a battery composed by Queen and Bishop.
Enjoy.

55-Selfmate Solution.

The key is Bd8!

54-Problem Solution.

A waiting move. Ka8-kb8 !

Problem 53

The solution: Qh1-Qa8.