Le Grand theme

In general I don't compose a lot of pattern play problems.  In fact almost all of the pattern play problems I have composed have been by accident.  This is not to say that I do not appreciate such problems.  The Le Grand theme, named after the Le Grand brothers Piet and Henk is a basic example of a reversal pattern. The pattern is a simple reversal of threat and variation after the same defense.  In algebraic form

   1.Try? (>2.A)
      1...a 2.B
  1.Key! (>2.B)
     1...a 2.A

If the defense is not the same then the theme is said to be a pseudo Le Grand which is also a popular theme.

le Grand, Henk and le Grand, Pieter
Jaarboek van de Nederlandse Bond van Probleemvrienden 1958

#2

9 + 5

Here is what I believe is the first example of the le Grand theme by the brothers themselves. The mechanism is simple enough and revolves around the wQ placing extra guard on the squares c4 and c6 while at the same time cutting the bQ or bB lines. There is also has a nice black correction element to the problem.

1.Qe4? (>2.Rc4)
  1...Sf6 (any random move) 2.Rc6
  1...Qxe4 2.Sxe4
  1...Sb4 2.cxb4
  1...Se7!
1.Qe6! (>2.Rc6)
  1...Sf6 2.Rc4
  1...Bxe6 2.Sxe6
  1...Se3 2.Sxd3
  1...Sxb6 2.Bxb6

There are some flaws in the matrix. For one, the duals after 1...Sxb6 and 1...Se3 in the try and dual after 1...Sb4 after the key. I guess these are forgivable in this correction scheme though.

Pachl, Franz
Schach-Echo 1986

#2

9 + 5

Here is a classic le Grand featuring changed play. The mechanism uses a common means of a line opening of an ambushed piece.  Notice the wBc8 has a masked guard on f5 and g4: this is the essence of the mechanism.

1.Rg5? (>2.Qf5)
  1...Rxa7 2.Rg4
  1...Bg3 2.Qf2
  1...Sd4 2.Qc1
  1...Se3 2.Qxe3 
  1...Sxg5 2.Qxg5
  1...Bxe4!

1.Qh5 (>2.Rg4)
  1...Rxa7 2.Qf5
  1...Bg3 2.Rf3
  1...Sd4 2.e3
  1...Se3 2.Bxe3

The try has a little bit more play but four changed mates in addition to the le Grand is excellent!

Moen, Kabe
SuperProblem 2019

#2

7 + 10

Here is one of my more complex affairs.  The problem is pseudo le Grand, meaning the reciprocal change of threat/variation occurs after different defenses.  However, the point of this problem lies in the additional content of white correction, Barnes theme, and the threat avoidance.  

1.Sc2? (random move) 2.Qd4,Qxh1
  1...Qxf6!

1.Sf5? (>2.Qxh1 {Qd4?})
  1...Bf3 2.Qd4
  1...exf5 2.Qd5
  1...Qxf6 2.Sxd6
  1...Sxf5 2.Bb7
  1...Bg2!

​1.Sb5! (>2.Qd4 {Qxh1?})
  1...Sd3 2.Qxh1
  1...e5 2.Qd5
  1...Qxf6 2.Sxd6
  1...Sxb5 2.Bb7
  1...Sb3 2.Qc2
  1...Bb6 2.Sxc3

A random move of the wSd4 creates a double threat of Qd4,Qxh1. However, White must  compensate for the defense 1...Qxd6. To do so the wS must cut the line of either the wRf6 or the wBa6.  In turn, this reduces the double threat because the wQ must keep guard on d3 or f3 in her threatened mate.  The avoided threats reappear after self-blocks. Overall I was pleased with the matrix, but there are quite a few black duals (e.g. 1...Sb3,Se2 2.Qc2 and 1...Sxb5,Sf5 2.Bb7) which detract.  No white pawns!

Gvozdják, Peter
J.Hartong MT 1988

#2

10 + 5

The le Grand theme in-itself has little room for originality. This problem shows an exciting combination with two different reversals: the le Grand which is a reversal of threat and variation and the reversal 1 which is a reversal of first move/variation.  This is also known as the Lender combination.  Here we have a half-battery that makes things happen.  The pattern is the following:

1.A? (>2.X)
  1...a 2.Y
  1...b 2.B
1.B! (>2.Y)
  1...a 2.X
  1...b 2.A

1.Bxe4 A? (>2.Qa3 X)
   1...Kxb4 a 2.Qb2 Y
   1...Qxb4 b 2.Bc1 B
   1...a3 2.Qb3
   1...Qd5!

1.Bc1 B (>2.Qb2 Y)
  1...Kxb4 a 2.Qa3 Y
  1...Qxb4 b 2.Bxe4 A  
  1...a3 2.Qb3

This is known as a king's le Grand because the le Grand happens after a bK flight.

Kuzovkov, Aleksandr
Die Schwalbe 1984

#2

8 + 10

These last two problems are taken from David Shire's article on the le Grand in the March 2011 issue of the Problemist Supplement.  In this problem the out-of-play wRb6 makes two relevant tries showing the le Grand theme.

1.Rd6? (>2.Rc3)
  1...Sxd4 2.Ba6
  1...Rg8!
1.Re6? (>2.Ba6)
  1...Sxd4 2.Rc3
  1...Se5!

The author has put a new spin on the idea and now the threaten mates reappear as variations in the actual play with a beautiful flight giving key.

1.Se2! (>2.Sxf4)
  1...Sh3 2.Rc3
  1...Kxe2 2.Ba6
  1...Bxe2 2.Rxb3
  1...Rg4 2.Qxf3

​Excellent construction.

Dyachuk, Vasyl
The Problemist 2019

#2

10 + 11

Here is a recent le Grand by one of the top contemporary composers. There are some nice changes and battery play combined with the le Grand.  In addition the problem shows the Ellerman-Makihovi theme in which a set dual is separated between try and key.

1...Ke5 2.Sxd6,Sd3

1.Bc8? (>2.Sxd6)
  1...Ke5 2.Sd3
  1...Qe5 2.Sb7
  1...e5 2.Qd5
  1...Rc7!

1.c3! (>2.Sd3)
  1...Ke5 2.Sxd6
  1...Qe5 2.Se4
  1...e5 2.Qd5
  1...g5+ 2.Sd3 (threat)

The key shows a White Goethardt, in the sense that the bBd2 can be unpinned because of interference. 

Antonov, Yuri and Burminstrov, Sergei
Odessa 1985

#2

10 + 7

Finally we end with an excellent cyclic version of the theme.  The pattern is the following:

1.Try? (>2.A)
  1...a 2.B
1.Try? (>2.B)
  1...a 2.C
1.Key! (>2.C)
  1...a 2.A

1.Rf3? (>2.Rg5)
  1...Bxe4 2.Shg4
  1...Rxg7!
1.Qb3? (>2.Shg4)
  1...Bxe4 2.Sfg4
  1...Bd5!
1.Re3! (>2.Sfg4)
  1...Bxe4 2.Rg5
  1...Bd7 2.Sf7
  1...dxe3 2.Qb2