Black Interference

In his book on Sam Loyd, Alain White said "...when black interferes with their own pieces they do so against their own will, because the enemy has in some way or other lured or forced them into a trap."  There are many kinds of black interference: Grimshaw, Novotny, Plachutta, etc.  Each of these specific topics will probably get their own post later.  Here we will look at general interference principles.

​

Moen , Kabe.
The Problemist Supplement 2015

#2

9 + 9

This is my first published problem.  Click on the diagram for the solution.

Mansfield, Comins
Milwaukee Journal 1947

#2

8 + 9

Of course the great Comins Mansfield had something to say about interference.   Here the capture key 1.bxa7 creates the threat of a double check 2.axb8=S.  Black may defend by moving bBb8, but this will interfere with bRe6 or bQf7 or unpin wRd3.  The five interferences are along the c7 to g3 diagonal
​

Loshinsky, Lev
The Problemist 1930

#2

6 + 7

Here is a great example of interference.  All five of the interferences take place on a single square: d4.  The key unpins bSd2.  

Golubev, Georij
Die Schwalbe 1931

#2

10 + 11

Here the bQ is interfered with five different times leading to five accurately separated mates.  
​

Mansfield, Comins
Olympia-Turnier 1936

#2

10 + 11

We end with a Mansfield problem.  In this problem, the moves of the bSe3 interfere in a special way.  What is special is that the interference allows the wQe4 to travel along the closed lines to mate.