PROBLEM 1272.

Otago Witness, Issue 2199, 23 April 1896, Page 38

PROBLEM 1272.

By Mr Thos. Sexton, Woodvflle. (Not a tourney problem.)

White to play and mate in two moves. 5 B 2, 4 Xt 3, IP p 1 Xt 3, 4 k 3. 6 P K. 5p2,8P3P2,8.

[Instructions. — Begin, to reckon from upper lefthand corner. Numerals indicate vacant squares, capitals white, and small letters black men.]

Solution ov Problem 1265. Key move— l Kt-Q4. Solution op Problem 1266. Key move— l Xt Q R2.

In the diagram of this problem a white pawn at X 4 was omitted. [Mr J. C. Andersen points out that Problem 1263 is* solved by 1 Q-K Xt 3, but the composer* solution is K-Q B 4, and this appears.-to be the only solution. , Mr Andersen sends correct solutions of 1264 and 1265. Ab to 1261 ho Bays :— " Although the key take 3 away a night, it ia hard to see, not because of the sacrifice of the Q, which is indeed the easiest variation, as sacrifices usually are, but because of the fine variations made by the R. The problem has many pretty positions, but it rather overbuidened with pieces. Of Problem 1265 he says: — " The beauty of this problem is the key; as the position stands there is only one mate to be seen, which in itself speaks volumes. The mates are not many, but most are double working, so to speak— Black moving into a square guarded by one white man and allowing a second to interpose with mate, as when p-q 3, 3 Kt-B 6 and Kt-B 5, and Kt-B 3. This 2 pleases more on examination."]