More Battery Play

Battery play is one of my favorite ideas.  While it does not constitute a theme by itself it can make for striking effects.  Here are some more of my favorite battery problems along with some of my recent problems. Let's start with the master of batteries.

Mansfield, Comins
TT British Chess Federation 1966

#2

9 + 11

Here is a problem that I was recently made aware of in David Shire's recent article in the Problemist Supplement on the Albino theme.  This is an absolute masterpiece in my mind.  There are two important set mates 1...Qxc5 2.c4 and 1...Sd2 2.Rxe3.  The capture key sets up three batteries and changes these mates.  Sit back and enjoy the show.

1.Sxe3! (2.Qxc4)
   1...Qxc5 2.c3 (c4?)
   1...Qd3 2.cxd3
   1...Qb3 2.cxb3
   1...Qb5 2.c4

a complete Albino theme at this point of the solution

   1...Sd2 2.Sxc4
   1...Qa2 2.Sxf1
   1...Sf3 2.Bg5
   1...Rd8 2.Bxh2

Beautiful battery couplets.

   1...Qd4 2.Qf5 (self-block)
   1...Qd5 2.Qxd5
   1...Rc6 2.Qe5

An absolutely stunning problem.

Barnes, Barry
Evening News 1959

#2

8 + 4

I have always admired Barry's problems and this is one of my favorites.  It is on the cover of his must read autobiographical book: Barnes about chess problems.  A beautiful cross checker in Meredith with a key that puts the wK on the firing line.  

1.Kc3! (2.Qc4)
   1...Bxf2+ 2.Sf3
   1...Bd4+ 2.Sed3
   1...Bf4+ (else) 2.Sfe3
   1...Rb6+ 2.Qxb6
   1...Kd4 2.Nxc6
  

Barnes, Barry
Arguelles MT 2000

#2

8 + 7

Here is another beauty from the British octogenarian.  The problem has 5 battery mates including the Arguelles theme: passive and active interference this time between the bQ and bP.

1.Qa4! (2.Sf4)
   1...Qh4 2.Bf4
   1...e5 2.Bf8
   1...Kd2 2.Bb4
   1...Qxh2+ 2.Bxh2
   1...Qe5 2.Bxe5
   1...Qh6 2.Qd4
   1...Rb4 2.Qc2
​

Zappas, Byron
US Problem Bulletin 1966

#2

8 + 9

More battery mates with some fun horseplay and line openings.

1.Sd2! (2.Sxf3)
    1...Sg1 2.Bh6
    1...Sxd2 2.Bxd2
    1...Sg5 2.Bg3
    1...Sd4 2.Bh2
    1...Sxd6+ 2.Bxd6
    1...Sh2 2.Rxh3
​    1...Se5 2.Qd8

Shire, David
The Problemist 1987

#2

5 + 4

​Here is a light weight problem with some battery play.  It looks like it might be a half-battery problem but it turns out to be a block set up by a nice flight giving key.  The wK acts a backstop

1.Be6!
   1...Kb5 2.Bd7
   1...b5 2.Rxa3
   1...a5 2.Bxa3
   1...Bb2 2.Bc3
   1...Bc1 2.Bd2
   1...Bxb4 2.Qxb4

Moen, Kabe
Die Schwalbe 2018

#2

9 + 10

Here is a recent problem of mine which features a feast of double checks kicked off by a flight giving key.

1.Sxd5! (2.Sexc3)
   1...Kd3 2.Qf1
   1...Kb5 2.Sdxc3
   1...Qc5 2.Sd6
   1...Sb5 2.Sd2
   1...Sd3 2.Sxb6

Moen, Kabe
Phénix 2017

#2

8 + 4

Here is an attractive open position with a mirrored bK and no pawns.  All of the variations are set but I like the wQ sacrifice, threat, and the three battery mates that each unpin the wB.  

1.Qb7! (2.Qh7)
   1...Qxb7 2.Bxb7
   1...Qe8+ 2.Bf7
   1...Qb4 2.Be4
   1...Qxd5+ 2.Qxd5
   1...Rb4 2.Rc3

Moen, Kabe
The Problemist Supplement 2018

#2

7 + 5

Here's another open Meredith position.  This has ended up being one of my favorite compositions despite the dual after 1...Qg4 (luckily it is  minor dual because these two mates are separated).  The key unpins the bQ and allows her to do some damage with 3 checking variations.  The cross-checks and active wQ were pleasing to me as well.

1.Qh5! (2.Qe2)
   1...Qb6+ 2.Sc5
   1...Qh3+ 2.Sg3
   1...Qd7 2.Sd6
   1...Qxe4+ 2.Rxe4
   1...Qd5 2.Qxd5
   1...Sc5 2.Qxc5
   1...Bd1 2.Qb5