Disappearing Novotny

The disappearing Novotny or Romanian Novotny is one of my favorite ideas.  A piece stands at the intersection of bishop and rook lines threatening two mates.  However the captures of this piece, which usually allow only one of the mates, defeat both threats only to allow new mates. In the pure form the new mates must utilize the mutual interferences.  I would say that I am somewhat of an expert on the idea after writing a series of articles that appeared in the Problemist Supplement.

Moen, Kabe
The Problemist 2019

#2

6 + 5

Here is a light starter of my own to give an idea what the disappearing Novotny is about.  

1.Bg6! (>2.Bg7,Rh7)
   1...Bxg6 2.Qf8 (Bg7?)
   1...Rxg6 2.Qh8 (Rh7?)
   1...Rb1 2.Bg7
   1...Rxa1 2.Rh7

Simple but satisfying.  The self-blocks are a common mechanism. The "disappearing" part of the Novotny, i.e., the reason that the threatened mates do not work is because of the loss of guard on h7.  Two points that I would like to make about this problem.  First  the threats are separately forced.  Second the mates after the captures of the key piece depend on the mutual interferences of the rook and bishop.

Dombrovskis, Alfreds A.
Revista Română de Şah 1958

#2

11 + 10

On to the heavy hitters with one of my favorite Dombrovskis problems.  While this is not a Zagoruiko, it does have the feeling of one. Indeed, there is a set Grimshaw:

1...Bd6 2.Sh6
1...Rd6 2.Se5

Then the key, which is strong because it pins the bB, sets off some wonderful changes.

1.Bd6! (>2.Rf4,Bc8)
   1...Bxd6 2.Qd7
   1...Rxd6 2.Qg1
   1...Sexd6 2.g8=Q
   1...Sbxd6 2.Be2
   1...Qxd2 2.Bc8
   1...Qc4 2.Rf4

Notice how the bQ is used to make the mate 2.Bc8 "disappear" after 1...Bxd6.

Sydenham, Colin
British Chess Magazine 1979

#2

7 + 9

Here is another famous problem by one of the popularizers of the disappearing Novotny. This problem won first prize in the BCM tourney and is often cited as THE example of a disappearing Novotny.  The bK has a flight at c3 which is met by

1...Kc3 2.Bd2

The give and take key opens the lines of the wB and wR to threaten two wQ mates

1.Sb5! (>2.Qc5,Qxc4)
   1...Bxb5 2.Bc5
   1...Rxb5 2.Rxc4
   1...Kxb5 2.Qb6
   1...d5 2.Qc5
   1...d4 2.Qxc4

A lot going on in this wonderful problem, but I want to point out some of the things I like about it.  First there are several interactions of rooks and bishops. The key opens the wR and wB lines but closes the bR and bB lines.  Sydenham calls the opening of the two lines an anti-Novotny.  However, the move 1...Kxb5 also opens the lines of bBa3 and bBa4 giving kind of a Black anti Novotny.  So it has a true Novotny, a White anti-Novotny, and a Black anti-Novotny.  Several people have mentioned the role of wRh3.  It is used to provide for the set flight 1...Kc3, but it only has a minor role in one post-key variation to cover the square c3 after Bxb5.   

Moen, Kabe
SuperProblem 2019

#2

6 + 4

This is one of my favorites compositions. This problem actually sets the economy record for disappearing Novotny and does so in style with 10 pieces with no pawns!  Moreover, there is a nice changed mate from the set play, unique separation of the threats, a total defense, and a wonderful thematic withdrawal key.

1...Rf2 2.Sc5

1.Bf2! (>2.Rb6,Ra1)
  1...Bxf2 2.Qxf1
  1...Rxf2 2.Qc6
  1...Bb5 2.Bxb5
  1...Bc4 2.Rb6
  1...Rg6 2.Ra1

Unfortunately, as with many #2s, now a days the basic mechanisms were found to be partially anticipated by a Jac Haring problem (https://www.yacpdb.org/#468766).  I still managed to shave 3 pieces off to obtain the record.  

Aliovsadzade, Rauf
StrateGems 2002

#2

10 + 7

Here is one of my favorite problems and a little bit of a twist on the usual disappearing Novotny.  Notice the wP on c4 stands at the intersection of the bR and bB.  Moreover captures of this piece have set mates:

1...Rxc4 2.Rd6
1...Bxc4 2.Bb2
1...Kxc4 2.Qb4

The key changes all of these mates with a variety of effects.  It is worth close study to see why all of the mates are changed.  

1.Se4! (>2.Qc3,Qd4)
  1...Rxc4 2.Qd8
  1...Bxc4 2.Sc2
  1...Kxc4 2.Rb4
  1...Qxe4 2.Rxe4

This problem is actually a combination of two Novotny ideas: the Norwegian Novotny where the white piece already stands in the intersection and the disappearing Novotny. Such a combination is referred to as an Azerbaijani Novotny. I would opt to put a bR on h3 to force the threat 2.Qd4 with 1...Rxf3, of course this is a matter of taste.  

Zarubin, Edouard
Tihookeanski Komsomolets 1976

#2

7 + 7

In my opinion this is a classic problem that deserves more recognition.  The use of the wQ as a Novotny piece is rare and this is an excellent rendering.  Here the Novotny captures are coupled perfectly with abandonment of rear guard, letting the wQ march in along the line to mate.

1.Qe3! (>2.Ra5,Sg3)
   1...Rxe3 2.Rc5
   1...Bxc3 2.Rh2
   1...Rxc4 2.Qh3
   1...Bxe1 2.Qxh6
   1...Bg4 2.Bf7
   1...Bc2 2.Ra5
   1...Ba4 2.Sg3

I like how the threat 2.Ra5 is forced by the bBd1. Outstanding!

Marandyuk, Mikhail
Revista de Sah 1971

#2

8 + 4

An excellent little Meredith demonstrating the idea with pin-mates.

1.d4! (>2.Qe5,Sc4)
   1...Rxd4 2.Bf4
   1...Bxd4 2.Bb4
   1...Be6 2.Qf8

​Unfortunately the Qe5 threat goes unforced and I cannot see how to make it happen without breaking the Meredith economy.

Sazhin, Vyacheslav
Selskaya zhizn 1973

#2

7 + 6

Another delight with a regular Novotny try and a disappearing Novotny.

1.Se6? (>2.Qe5,Qd7)
   1...Bxe6 2.Qe5
   1...Rxe6 2.Qd7
   1...Sf6!

1.Be6! (>2.Qe5,Qd7)
   1...Bxe6 2.Sxe4
   1...Rxe6 2.c8=S
   1...Rb8+ 2.cxb8=Q
   1...Sf6 2.c5

Sydenham, Colin
Schweizerisch Schach. 1985

#2

8 + 9

Another Sydenham problem that I like.  The formation of the ambushed wQ is very common in disappearing Novotny problems, but what really makes this problem stand out is the the anti-cricitcal and critical play.  There two different pairs of threats but the disappearing mates remain the same.

1.Bf7? (>2.Sc4,Be7)
   1...Rxf7 2.Qd4
   1...Bxf7 2.Qd8
   1...c5 2.Be7
   1...g5 2.Sc4
   1...Rxh4!

1.Rf7! (>2.Sb7,Rd6)
    1...Rxf7 2.Qd4
    1...Bxf7 2.Qd8
    1...Bg3+ 2.Bxg3
    1...c5 2.Re6
    1...g5 2.Sb7

Batchelor, Roy
The Problemist 1989

#2

(b)Rd1>b8

11 + 5

This problem is the famous changed disappearing Novotny. One of two problems to show the idea and the other problem has an unprovided checkmate! (see here)  It does have a flight taking key in part (b), but none-the-less a milestone.

(a) 1.Sdf3 (>2.Rc6,Rc1)
        1...Rxf3 2.Qxc7
        1...Bxf3 2.Qc2

(b) 1.Sgf3 (>2.Qh5,Qg1)
        1...Rxf3 2.Qe5
        1...Bxf3 2.Qf2

Moen, Kabe
StrateGems 2018

#2

9 + 9

Finally a problem which is in the running for my best two mover.  There is relevant set play:

1...Bc6 2.Sc2
1...e1=S,B 2.Sf1

1.Sc6! (>2.Sc4,Ra3,Re6,Rf3)
   1...Bxc6 2.Qxb6
   1...Rxc6 2.Qe5
   1...bxa5 2.Sc4
   1...exf6 2.Ra3
   1...e1=any 2.Re6
   1...Sxc6 2.Rf3

That's right, a combination of the Fleck and disappearing Novotny theme with changes. Overall this came together splendidly.