Albino Theme

  
We have already examined the Albino theme in the September 2015 post entitled Pawn Moves.  Let's take a closer look.  We also urge you to check out David Shire's article in the March 2015 Supplement www.theproblemist.org/2015.  ​ We kick things off with my own.

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Moen, Kabe
The Problemist 2016
Dedicated to John Rice

#2

8 + 5

 
Here is my best problem to date and just my second problem published in the prestigious The Problemist.  The problem has three tries and shows several interesting modern themes.  In addition it is very economical (near Meredith) and open. The solution will be available in six months.  Until then, enjoy. 

Rice, John, (after H.van Beek)
2012 Starter for WCBCSC

#2

8 + 5

Here is a starter problem for the Winston British Chess Solving Championships in 2012.  The problem has a beautiful try showing the Albino theme:

1.Re3? (-)
    1...Ba5 2.b4
    1...Bxc5 2.b3
    1...Ba3 2.bxa3
    1...Bc3 2.bxc3

Notice that if this were the key then the wQ could be replaced by a wB.  The try succumbs to 1...Bd2!  The real key sets up wonderful masked battery play:

1.Qa4! (-)
    1...Ba5 2.Sxa4
    1...Bxc5 2.Bg7
    1...Ba3 2.Sxa3
    1...Bc3 2.bxc3
    1...Bd2 2.Sxd2
​

Degenkolbe, Mirko
Freie Presse 1980

#2

9 + 7

Here is a traditional problem that I stumbled upon while searching databases for Albinos.  The sacrificial key 1.Sh4! threatens 2.Sg6 and allows four checks on the wK, 3 from the bQ which succumb to Albino moves.  

Hume, George
Pen and Pencil 1889

#2

11 + 6

Here is a nice dual free double Albino.  I'll leave it to you to solve it.

Bartolovic, Hrvoje
Shakhmaty vs SSSR 1970

#2

10 + 5

Here is a masterpiece.  The bK has a star flights: access to each neighboring diagonal square.  Moreover, each of these moves has a set mate:

1...Ka4 2.Sxc3
1...Kxa6 2.Bd3
1...Kc6 2.Sd4
1...Kc4 2.Sxe3

However, there are not mates set for the captures of wPd2.  So let's move it.

1.dxc3? 1...Ka4! (2.Sc3?)
1.dxe3? 1...Kc4! (2.Se3?)
1.d3? 1...Kxa6! (2.Bd3?)

All of these tries fail to self obstruction.  What remains is the key 1.d4! but this self-obstructs too! Thus 1...Kc6 is changed to 2.b5 because now the square c5 is covered.  Amazing!

Kuzovkov, Aleksandr
Leiss 1995-96

#2

10 + 9

If one removes the wP on c2  then there are three threats: 2.Qa4 A, Sc3 B, Bxb3 C.  However, three of the tries obstruct one of the threats: 1.cxb3? threatens A and B but not C because it obstructs the wB.  This try is defeated by 1...Sxb5!  1.c4? blocks the wQ so only threats B and C but is defeated by 1...Rxb5.  1.c3? threatens C and A (not B) but is defeated by 1...Qxb5!  Notice the defenses are all on the same square.  Finally the key 1.cxd3! does not make any errors and now the black defenses 1...Sxb5,Rxb5,Qxb5 separate the three threats A, B, and C.  Excellent!