Seventh rank magic

Maybe it's the novice in me, but I have always found problems that feature promotion play appealing. In this blog I will take a look at some of my favorite compositions with that seventh rank magic.  Recall that the usual convention in these settings is to ignore promotions to a R or B and only focus on Q or S. 

Moen, Kabe
The British Chess Magazine 2019

#2

7 + 4

Here I am up to my old tricks.  One of my favorite ideas is the changed check in which White gives up a set check by exploiting a pin. In this problem the idea is coupled with promotion play.  There are some nice tries  by unpinning the lead battery piece, but the key requires something more subtle.

1...Qxf7+ 2.Bxf7

1.Ka6? (K~) (>2.f8=S)
  1...Qf8!

1.Sb5? >2.Sc7
  1...Bf4!

1.Se8! (>2.Sc7)
  1...Qxf7+ 2.Sc7
  1...Qg3 2.f8=S
  1...Qe5 2.f8=Q
  1...Qxg8 2.fxg8=Q
  1...Bf4 2.Sxg7

Rice, John
L'Italia Scacchistica 1973

#2

10 + 6

Here is a perfect example with a half-battery by the master of the 7th rank.  

1.exf7? (>2.f8=Q)
  1...Bg6 2.g8=S
  1...Bg8 2.fxg8=S
  1...Qg4 2.dxe7
  1...Qd5!

1.dxe7! (>2.e8=S)
  1...Qd8+ 2.exd8Q
  1...Bxf5 2.g8=S
  1...Qg4 2.exf7
  1...Qd7 2.fxd7
  1...fxe6 2.Qxe6

Three different promotions in each phase, the best play saved for last with two battery mates, and reversal of key and variation after the defense 1...Qg4.  Yes please.

Bettman, Henry Wald
Good Companion 1923

#2

6 + 5

The famous Bettman task of 6 promotions.

1.Rd7! (>2.c8=Q,cxb8=S,cxd8=S)
   1...Kc8 2.cxd8=Q
   1...Kxa7 2.c8=S
   1...Sxc6 2.cxb8=Q
   1...Kxc6 2.cxb8=S
   1...Se6 2.c8=Q
​   1...Rc8 2.cxd8=S

Melinchenko, Viktor
Smena 1992

#2

4 + 3

Lovely promotion play in a miniature. Excellent changes from set play and a wonderful flight giving key. Doesn't get much better than this in a miniature. 

1...Rf8+ 2.gxf8=Q
1...Rxg7 2.Rh8

1.Rg6! (>2.Rh8)
   1...Rxg7 2.Rgxg7
   1...Rf8+ 2.gxf8=S
   1...Kxg7 2.g8=Q

Who doesn't love the promotion mate on the initial bK square!

Kapustin, Fedir
SuperProblem 2017

#2

11 + 11

Here is a problem that was in a recent tourney which I took part in.  I really thought it was excellent total change composition. The choice between a wQ or wS promotion with change of 4 mates.  It's nice that the weaker piece, the knight, wins out.

1.e8=Q (-)
  1...Rxc3 2.Rxd5
  1...Sh~ 2.Qf5
  1...g6 2.Qh8
  1...cxb6 2.Qb8
  1...Rd4 2.cxd4
  1...Bg1!

1.e8=S (-)
  1...Rxc3 2.Bxc3
  1...Sh~ 2.Qe4
  1...g6 2.Qf6
  1...cxb6 2.Bd6
  1...Rd4 2.cxd4
  1...Bg1 2.Qxg3

Szöghy, József
British Chess Magazine 1956

#2

9 + 3

Here is a light problem with the Fleck theme.

1.e7! (>2.exd8=Q,S,exf8=Q,S)
  1...Rd~ 2.exf8=Q
  1...Rf~ 2.exd8=Q
  1...Rxb8 2.exf8=S
  1...Rxg8 2.exd8=S
  1...Rc8+ 2.bxc8=Q

Leites, Samull
Shakhmaty vs SSSR 1946

#2

9 + 6

Finally we end with a masterpiece.  Analogous to the Bettman problem above it shows 6 promotions of a single pawn.  The motivations for the promotions are similar, but this one is so much better. Completely accurate with a flight giving zugzwang key, a changed mate, and an extra promotion mate for good measure.  

1...Kf8 Rxf7

1.exf7! (-)
  1...Kf8 2.fxg8=Q
  1...Kf6 2.fxe8=S
  1...Kxd7 2.f8=S
  1...d5 2.fxe8=Q
  1...Bh7 2.f8=Q
  1...Rf8 2.fxg8=S
  1...Rxd8+ 2.cxd8=Q
  1...S~ 2.Qxd6
​  1...Bxf7 2.Rxf7