Some of my underrated problems

Here are some of my more underrated compositions that I feel were not given enough credit in there respective tournaments.  They either were not featured at all or did not place high enough in the awards. 

Moen, Kabe
SuperProblem 2021
Commendation

#2

9 + 7

I think this is one of my best executions of an original idea. Yet the problem was given a measly commendation in its tournament.  The problem shows for the first time a masked Bristol and a masked anti-Bristol with changed mates galore.   The play after the key is nice with two pin mates. To solve the problem notice that there are set mates for every Black move, except 1...Sb5 and 1...d6 and the wRs can do something about these defenses.

1.Ra5? (-)
   1...d6 2.Bxa7
   1...Sb5!

1.Ra1? (-) Bristol clearance
   1...Sb5 2.Qa2
   1...Bb7 2.Qg8
   1...f4 2.Rh5
   1...d6!

1.Rd8! (-) Anti-Bristol
   1...Sb5 2.Qxc6
   1...Bb7 2.Rxd7
​   1...f4 2.Be6
   1...d6 2.Rxd6
   1...e3,exd3 2.Bg2

Moen, Kabe
The Problemist Supplement 2018

#2

6 + 5

Here is an open lightweight with plenty of play. I think the position is elegant and shows some lovely battery play. The key is obvious, but it allows a two checks to the wK. Of course I did not expect for such a traditional single phase problem to place in the award. Never-the-less, the problem has some interesting ideas. For one it has a battery in which the wQ is the lead piece. Another attribute is that the shut-off battery play usually comes from multiple threats, however this problem only makes a single threat. Take a look for yourself.

1.Kxc7! (>2.Bc5)
  1...Rf3 2.Qxd5 (Queen Battery)
  1...Rc3 2.Bb4
  1...Re3 2.Be7
  1...Rg3 2.Bg7
  1...Rh3 2.Bh6
  1...Rxa7 2.Qxa7 (Queen Battery)
  1...Kxa7 2.Qxa3

Moen, Kabe
StrateGems 2018

#2

5 + 2

Probably my best miniature.  The problem was not featured in the award because the judge felt that the previous problem above was too close and expanded upon this matrix.  However, it was the opposite: I composed the miniature later! The problem shows the Karlstrom-Fleck theme with some nice battery play in a miniature.

1.Kc2! (1.Be2,Bd3,Bxc4)
  1...Bb3+ 2.axb3
  1...Bd5 2.Bg2
  1...Bxf1 2.Rf1
  1...Be2 2.Bxe2
  1...Bd3+ 2.Bxd3
  1...Ba6 2.Bc4

Moen, Kabe
The Problemist Supplement 2018

#2

(b) move d1 to a7

8 + 10

An original Nowotny twin idea with in which pieces clear the way for the wQ and play to a Nowotny square. We have changed Nowotny, an additional change after 1...e4, and extra defenses in each phase. Different pieces mate on the same squares and change of functions.

(a)
1.Bc4! (>2.Rxf7,Qg4)
  1...e4 2.Rc5
  1...Sxf2 2.Qf3
  1...Rxc4 2.Rxf7
  1...Bxc4 2.Qg4

(b)
​1.Rc4! (>2.Qxf7,Bg4)
  1...e4 2.Qc5
  1...f6 2.Qh7
  1...Rxc4 2.Qxf7
  1...Bxc4 2.Bg4  

Moen, Kabe
Problemas 2019

#2

(b) Rotate 90

8 + 8

Here we have an original half-battery Fleck with a board rotation. The problem shows an essential Fleck in which all of the Black moves either force a specific threat or allow all of the threats. The composition also shows four wK mates of a wK on its original square castling. Interestingly, the key pieces play to the same square after the rotation twin. Did the judge not like the flight taking key in (b)?

(a)
1.Bg4! (>2.Kd2,Ke2,Kf2,0-0)
    1...cxd4 2.Kd2
    1...Kc1 2.Ke2
    1...c3 2.Kf2
    1...Rh8 2.0-0

(b)
1.Kg4 (>2.Bg5,Bf6,Be7,Bd8)
   1...e2 2.Bg5
   1...b5 2.Bf6
   1...Ra7 2.Be7
   1...Ra8 2.Bd8

Moen, Kabe
The Problemist 2018

#2

b) Mirror a1 < > a8

13 + 10

Another original twinning mechanism to show some neat changes after cross-checks. I like the way the two black pawns control the wK battery.  The judge said the twinning was interesting but that the play was well-known.

(a)
    1...Sxf5+ 2.Kxe6
1.Bxe6! (>2.Kd7)
    1...Sxf5++ 2.Kxc6
    1...Sxe6+ 2.Kxe6
    1...Sf6 2.Ke7

(b)
   1...Sxf4+ 2.Kxc3
1.Bxc3! (>2.Kd4)
    1...Sxf4++ 2.Kxe3
    1...Sxc3+ 2.Kxc3
    1...Sf3 2.Ke2
​

Moen, Kabe
Problemas 2019

#2

14 + 6

This problem was nowhere to be found in the award. I think it is a really nice example of the Salazar theme with a masked half-battery. I acknowledge that the cage of wPs restricting the moves of the wB and wS is not ideal.  But the reversal of first move and variation, the changed mate after the self block, line play, refutation, and post-key play make this a winner.

1.Sf2? A (>2.Bd5)
  1...Kxd4 2.Bc6 B
  1...Rxd4 2.Qc8
  1...Sc3 2.Qxc3
  1...b4!

1.Bc6! B (>2.Se5)
  1...Kxd4 2.Sf2 A
  1...Rxd4(Bxd4) 2.Bxb5
  1...Re1 2.Qd3
  1...Sxc3 2.Qd3
  1...Bxh2 2.Se3

Moen, Kabe
Problemas 2021

#2

5 + 5

From the uneconomic to the extremely economic.  This is an ideal example the wP half-battery versus 2 bBs with a doubling of the Banny theme and spoof half-battery.  You can't beat 10 pieces for a doubling of the Banny theme.  

1.d3? A (>2.f3 & f4 CD)
   1...Bh6 c 2.f4 C
   1...Bh5 d 2.f3 D
   1...Bg7! a 

1.d4? B (>2.f3 & f4 CD)
   1...Bh6 c 2.f4 C
   1...Bh5 d 2.f3 D
   1...Bg6! b

1.f3? C (>2.d3 & d4 AB)
   1...Bg7 a 2.d4 B
   1...Bg6 b 2.d3 A
   1...Bh6! c

1.f3? D (>2.d3 & d4 AB)
   1...Bg7 a 2.d4 B
   1...Bg6 b 2.d3 A
   1...Bh5! d

1.Rh1! (>2.Qa1 & Qb1)
   1...Bg7 a 2.Qb1 
   1...Bg6 b 2.Qa1

Moen, Kabe (v)
Die Schwalbe 2019

#2

9 + 7

In this problem I attempted to combine the Finnish Nowotny with an Albino theme. Even though I only got 3/4 of the Albino, I think the composition is wonderful. This version appeared in The Problemist and maybe was better than the original that was not featured in the 2019 Die Schwalbe award. To solve the problem, notice that an extra guard on f4 will threaten Sg3 & Sg7.

1...e3 2.Qc2
1...Qxd8 2.Sd4

1.Bxg5? (>2.Sg3 & Sg7)
  1...cxd2 2.Qc8
  1...c2!

1.d3? (>2.Sg3 & Sg7)
  1...Qxd8 2.Sd4
  1...c2 2.Sg3
  1...d3! (2.Qc2?)

1.d4? (>2.Sg3 & Sg7)
  1...d3 2.Qc2
  1...c2 2.Sg7
  1...Qxd8! (2.Sd4?)

1.dxc3! (>2.Sg3 & Sg7)
  1...d3 2.Qc2
  1...Qxd8 2.Sd4
​  1...gxf4 2.Qxf4
  1....Bxc3 2.Sg3
  1...Rxc3 2.Sg7

Moen, Kabe
British Chess Magazine 2019
Commendation

#2

7 + 7

I think this is an excellent masked half-battery and Barnes theme with changed mates. I was excited to submit  it to the Burmistrov Memorial Tourney in 2019, because I had never taken part in a MT. To my absolute surprise the problem was not even mentioned in the award! I guess problems by Russian authors were given preference. In particular problems showing the Burmistrov combination (a double threat theme that is similar to the Le Grand theme) were placed high in the award, even though the tourney was not supposed to be thematic.  I did not like this, but it was a good learning experience. I won't be submitting problems to this type of tourney again. Luckily, I submitted the problem to the BCM where it was appreciated.  Problems which participate in the BCM compete not only against two-movers but also against three-movers, more-movers, and even helpmates. So in the end the composition was valued and I was quite pleased with its distinction. Besides, the BCM is one of the most read chess magazines in the entire world.

1.Rg1? (>2.Qg5,Qg6)
   1...Qxf5 2.Qxg7
   1...Kxf5!

1.Sh3? (>2.Qg5)
  1...Kxf5 2.Be2
  1...Qxf5 2.Qxg7
  1...e5!

1.Bh5! (>2.Qg6)
  1...Kxf5 2.Sd3
  1...Se5 2.Se4
  1...g5 2.Sg4
  1...Qxf5 2.Qxg7 

Moen, Kabe (v)
The Problemist 2020

#2

8 + 4

Here is one of my most attractive matrices. Of course the line of pieces pointing at the bK is peculiar, but we have an aristocrat Meredith (the original was not a Meredith, but I figured out how to get rid of an extra bS). The problem was probably not featured in the award because of the symmetric play.  The matrix features changed mates and the Ellerman-Makihovi theme in which a set dual is separated between try and key. I also think the dual avoidance after 1...Bc3 and 1...Bb2 is nice.

1...Kxd5 2.Qb3,Qa2
1...Bc3 2.Sb6,Se3

1.Rb6? (>2.Qb3)
   1...Kxd5 2.Rf5
   1...Bc3(Bb2) 2.Se3
   1...Bxb6 2.Sxb6
   1...Sb5 2.Qxb5
   1...Rf3!

1.Re3! (>2.Qb3)
   1...Kxd5 2.Rf6
   1...Bc3 2.Sb6
   1...Bb2 2.Qd3
​   1...Bxe3 2.Sxe3

Moen, Kabe
StrateGems 2016

#2

9 + 7

This problem is near to my heart, because it represented a breakthrough in complexity for me. It was my first published problem in StrateGems. I still think it is stellar with its double flight gift and cross-checking variations.

1...Qc4 2.Qxc4
1...Qd4 2.Rxd4

1.Be7,Bf8? (>2.Qc5)
1...Bg1!

1.Ba7? (>2.Qc5,Qc6)
1...Qc4!

1.Bd4! (>2.Qc5)
1...Kxd4,Kd6+ 2.Bf5
1...Qxd4 2.Qc6
1...Qd6 2.Qb3
​1...Se6 2.Bc6