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Knight-wheel
Peter's Problem World with FIDE Master of Chess
Composition
Peter Wong
New terms introduced here
are also added to Peter's
Glossary of Chess Problem Terms.
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Chess problems are sometimes
constructed with the aim of achieving certain tasks or maximum
effects. A well-known example of such tasks is the
knight-wheel.
When placed near the centre of the
board, a knight is capable of making the maximum eight moves. If that piece
makes all eight possible moves in turn during the course of a problem’s
solution, the knight-wheel
theme is produced.
The term knight-wheel usually
refers to instances where a black knight acts as the thematic piece. Where
a white knight plays the maximum eight moves, we call that task a
knight-tour. |
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79. Harry
Tuxen
Deutsche Schachzeitung
1919
1st Prize
   
 
  
  
  
Mate in 2 |
Problem 79, composed nearly a century ago, remains one of the
best renditions of a knight-wheel.
White starts with 1.Nf3!, to threaten 2.Nd2. This mate cuts
off the queen’s guard along the d-file, enabling Black to subtly
defend by shifting the knight away from d4, to create a potential
flight
on that square.
The eight knight moves all bring about distinct white replies, as
required by the theme:
1…Nc2 2.Qd3,
1…Nb3 2.Qxb1,
1…Nb5 2.Bxb7,
1…Nc6 2.Qd5,
1…Ne6 2.Re5,
1…Nf5 2.Rg4,
1…Nf3 2.exf3,
1…Nxe2 2.Qxe2.
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The first five
variations
are based on self-interferences – the knight closes a vital defensive line
of another black piece – a type of error with more strategic interest. In
spite of the wealth of good play shown, the position is pleasantly open and
economical.
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The knight-wheel moves in
Problem 80 serve a double function. In addition to working as
defences that compel different white
mates, the knight moves also act as
refutations of eight white
tries. First note that
set mates are already provided for the
knight’s play:
1…Nxc3 2.Rb3,
1…Nb4 2.Rxb4,
1…Nb6 2.Rxb6,
1…Nc7 2.Rxc7, |
1…Ne7 2.Rxe7,
1…Nxf6 2.Rf7,
1…Nf4 2.Nd4,
1…Ne3 2.Rf2. |
Most of the eight thematic tries
generate threats, while a couple attempt to maintain the
block position. 1.Qa7? (threats: 2.Qf2,
2.Rf2) Nb6!, 1.Qb8? (2.Qg3, 2.Nd4) Nc7!, 1.Qa5? (2.Qxd5) Ne7!, 1.Qd8?
(2.Qxd5) Nb4!, 1.Qa1? (2.Qf1) Nxc3!, 1.Bd4? (2.Rf2) Ne3!, 1.f7? (waiting)
Nf6!, and 1.Kg5? (waiting) Nf4! |
80. Gustav
Jonsson
Schackvarlden
1939
Mate in 2 |
The
key is the sole effective waiting move,
1.g5!, which leaves the set play unchanged.
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81. Antonio
Bottachi
Eighth American Chess Congress 1921
1st Hon. Mention
Mate in 2 |
A white knight-tour typically
appears as eight different mating moves delivered by the knight, an
effect that requires a
battery set-up.
Problem 81 demonstrates
this idea with a bishop + knight battery, working against a busy black
queen that sets off all the variations.
The key 1.Rg4! threatens
2.Rg8, and to stop this mate the queen has to unpin the knight. The
released knight then fires the battery in eight different ways, the
selection of which depends on where Black places the queen:
1…Qxd6 2.Nxd6,
1…Qxf6 2.Nxf6,
1…Qc5 2.Nxc5,
1…Qg5 2.Nxg5, |
1…Qc3 2.Nxc3,
1…Qg3 2.Nxg3,
1…Qb2+ 2.Nd2,
1…Qh2+ 2.Nf2. |
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Problem 82 poses an
alternative of rook + knight batteries to achieve two complete
knight-tours.
After the try, 1.Rc8?, White’s
threats are any move by the c6-knight. Each of the eight possible
knight mates has to be individually forced, for the theme to be
realized. 1…Ra8 2.Nb8, 1…Ra7 2.Nxa7, 1…Ra5 2.Nxa5, 1…Rxa4 2.Nb4, 1…Bd4
2.Nxd4, 1…Be5 2.Nxe5, 1…Be7 2.Nxe7, 1…Bd8 2.Nxd8, but 1…b5! refutes the
try.
The key 1.Rh3!,
threatening 2.Nf-any, leads to similar play:
1…Rh1 2.Nh2,
1…Rg1 2.Nxg1,
1…Re1 2.Nxe1,
1…Rd1 2.Nd2 |
1…Bd4 2.Nxd4,
1…Be5 2.Nxe5,
1…Bg5 2.Nxg5,
1…Bh4 2.Nxh4. |
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82. Michael
Lipton
American Chess Bulletin
1957
1st Hon. Mention
 
Mate in 2 |
Finally, the non-hindering 1.Nc7! solves:
1…Bg2 2.Rxd3, 1…Rd7 2.Rh4, 1…Rh5 2.Bg7, 1…Nb6 2.Bc5,
1…Nb4 2.Qa1, 1…Nc3 2.Qxc3, 1…Ne7 2.Qxa7.
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Have a go at solving Problem
84, a gem which shows a task similar to the previous example. Only
seven pieces are used to accomplish this, though of course the play here
is less involved.
The solution will appear next month. |
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84. Gerhard Latzel
Die Schwalbe
1956
5th Hon. Mention
Mate in 2 |
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78.
Michel Caillaud
British Chess Problem Society,
Kingston 1999
Prize
Mate in 2 |
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Solution to Problem 78 in
the previous column:
Set play: 1…Nd-any 2.Qxf4,
1…Ne-any 2.Qxf5, (and 1…Kxe5 2.Re6).
Try: 1.Qg1? (waiting), 1… Nd-any
2.Qxe3, 1…Ne-any 2.Qd4, but 1…Nc2! refutes.
Key: 1.Qd8! (waiting),
1…Nd-any 2.Qd4, 1…Ne-any 2.Qxd5. |
Return to Peter's Problem World
Tactics, Tactics,
Tactics...
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