Favorite Loyd three movers

Sam Loyd said that three moves was the ideal number for a perfect chess problem.  He composed around 375 of them, many having brilliant new ideas.  Below are some of my favorites.   

Loyd, Samual
Illustrite Zeitung 1869

#3

4 + 5

​Here is a classic Loyd three mover.  I remember the first time I tried to solve it I thought it was a two move problem.  The interaction of the wQ and bB is beautiful.  The key is 1.Qf1 so that it has access to b1, d3 and f6.  The by-play 1...g3 is also nice.

Loyd, Samual
Chess Monthly 1857

#3

4 + 3

Another classic three mover with the checking key 1.Sg4+.  This gives the bK star-flights -- it can move to its four diagonal flights squares.  Each of these flights leads to different play.  1...Kf1 2.Ra8 (long rook move), 1...Kf3 2.Qb2 (waiting move) 1...Kh3 2.Sh2 (knight play), and my favorite 1...Kh1 2.Qh2+ (queen sacrifice and switchback).  

Loyd, Samual
The Saturday Courier 1855

#3

4 + 6

 
Here is an interesting problem.  According to Loyd it was one of the first problems he composed, but he composed it with a bS on b1.  After 15 years he realized that a bB would be better on b1.  The idea is that Ra2 defeats Qh2, so instead the key 1.Qb8! make a quadruple threat.  However 1...Ba2 defeats the threats but now obstructs the bR from playing to a2 so white responds with 2.Qh2.  

Loyd, Samual
The Saturday Courier 1856

#3

5 + 2

No post about Loyd's three movers would be complete without one of his indians.   He may not have invented the indian theme but he made some spectacular examples.  Here is a basic one liner that perfectly illustrates the theme.  

Loyd, Samual
Cleveland Voice 1879

#3

10 + 4

Here is one of Loyd's surprise keys.  The key tucks the queen in the corner for either a sacrifice on g2 or to guard the h file pawn.

Loyd, Samual
Seaforth Expositor 1868

#3

8 + 4

We also have to give an example of the grab theme.  The theme which can be loosely defined as the capture of a black piece on two or more squares is best illustrated in a three or more move problem in which black can hold tight by moving a free piece.  The key sets up the capture of this pieces thereby forcing black to relax its guard.  In this problem the key 1.Qh4 grabs the bQ on an open board.  Of course this problem has several flaws, like the unprovided checks.

Loyd, Samual
Checkmate 1903

#3

9 + 13

We end with a classic: The Steinitz Gambit.  Here the key 1.Ke2!! walks the king into a barrage of checks from black so that the king can cover e4 and d4 for the batteries to fire.