Battery Play

A battery is where a front piece is blocking a rear line piece so that when the front piece moves it opens guard of the rear piece.  In its simplest form battery play can be dull and boring, but when done just right the effects can be scintillating.  I love battery play and most of my problems have some form of it.  Here are some of my favorites starting with a modest composition by myself.

Moen, Kabe
The Problemist Supplement 2017

#2

8 + 7

We begin with one of my own.  While this is not my most original problem, I do feel that execution is well done.  Here there is battery play from both White and Black.  A flight granting key and four unique openings from a single battery with cross-checks and shut-offs.   

1.Qe7! (>2.Qh7)
      1...Kg6+ 2.Sf4
      1...Ke4+ 2.Sf2
      1...Qa3/Qxg5 2.Sb2
      1...Ra6 2.Sxc1

Mansfield, Comins
The Argonaut 1953

#2

7 + 7

This time we have eight openings from the B+R battery to fend off the pesky bQ.  Outstanding as usual from the great composer.   

1.Qa8! (>2.Qe4)
    1...Qxb8 2.Rd8
    1...Qb7 2.Rd5
    1...Qb6 2.Rd6
    1...Qb4 2.Rd4
    1...Qb3+ 2.Rxb3
    1...Qh1 2.Rf3
    1...Qg1 2.Rg3
    1...Qe1 2.Re3
    1...Sc3 2.Rh8

Bwee, Touw Hian
The Observer 1962

#2

9 + 5

​Here is a beautiful example of indirect batteries.  An indirect battery is one that points at a flight square of the bK.  Not much play but the idea is well presented.  

1...Se7! (>2.Qe3)
    1...Kxd4 2.Bc6
    1...Kxf4 2.Sd6 
    1...cxd4 2.Sxg5
    1...gxf4 2.Bf5

Bwee, Touw Hian
British Chess Federation 133rd tourney 1966

#2

8 + 11

Here is a triple knight battery.  The wSe6 has three (!) different rear pieces behind it.  The excellent key gives two flight squares.

1.Qa5! (>2.Qc7)
    1...Kc6 2.Sd8
    1...Kd7 2.Sc7
    1...Ke5 2.Sf8
    1...d4 2.Sg5
    1...Qc4 2.Sd4

Sydenham, Colin
Problem Observer 1986

#2

10 + 8

Here is a classic battery play problem.  The key gives three flights and pin-mates galore!  

​1...Se6! (>2.Sg5)
    1..Kxe5 2.Sd8 
    1...Kd5 2.Sc3
    1...Kf5 2.Sc5
    1...Qxe8 2.Sd6
    1...Sh7 2.Qf3

Rukhlis, Efim
Shakhmaty v SSSR 1945

#2

11 + 9

Here is a doubling of my problem above.  I achieved 4 openings from a single battery with a lead knight whereas the composer presents 8 openings from two batteries with lead knights.  Where as I used flight squares met by double checks, the composer here uses self-blocks and double checks.  What a wonderful problem!

1.Qb6! (>2.Qxd6)
    1...Sc7 2.Sb7
    1...Rxd8 2.Sxa6
    1...Be4 2.Sce6
    1...Bc4 2.Sc3
    1...Rxb6 2.Sh5
    1...Qf3 2.Se8
    1...Se3 2.Sge6
    1...Qxf5 2.Sxf5
    1...d5 2.Qf6

Loshinsky, Lev
Olympia-Turnier 1964

#2

6 + 15

 
Five distinct openings from one battery with beautiful strategy.  The white economy is perfect: six pieces and no pawns.  My favorite are the self blocks on g2 permitting the white interference mates.

1...Sg6! (>2.Sf4)
    1...Sc4+ 2.Re5
    1...Rc4 2.Rf4
    1...d5 2.Rf2
    1...Sg2 2.Rd5
    1...g2 2.Rf3
​    1...h1=Q 2.Qxh1

Shire, David
British Chess Magazine 1976

#2

7 + 7

We end with a couple more modern problems with battery play.  Both try and key  offer two flights and cross checks.  Clear idea and execution and well matched play between try and key.

1...Bxe7? (>2.Qd6)
    1...Kc7+ 2.Scd5
    1...Kb6 2.Sfd5
    1...Bc5 2.Qxc5 
    but 1...Qd5!

1.Qa5! (>2.Qc7)
   1...Kc5 2.Sce4
   1...Kd6 2.Sfe4
   1...Bb6 2.Qxb6

Kovachevic, Marjan
Olimpijski T. 2010

#2

10 + 9

Here is something beautiful by the great modern two move composer.  A battery begs to be formed on e4, but which piece should be the lead piece the wB or wS?  Try and key have nice play and changes between the two.

1.Bxe4? (>2.Bxd3)
1...Kd4 2.Bf3 (switchback)
1...Kb5 2.Bc6
1...Bxe4 2.Qe2
1...Rd5 2.Qxd5
but 1...Rf4!

1.Sx4! (>2.Sd6)
1...Kd4 2.Sf6 (switchback)
1...Kb5 2.Nc3
1...Bxe4 2.Be2
1...Bxh4 2.Qxc4

also notice the set check 1...Rd5+ is changed and met by the threat.  Poetry on a chessboard