The BDS Website

BDS

Problemesis, 2005

S#3
LEO e5:
PAOs f7, g1; h2:
VAOs e3,g3; g2:
MAO e1

1.LEf5! (2.PAh1 c4 3.LEb5   hxg3#)

1...VAh1 2.PAg2 &  3.PAxf3+ VAxf3#
1...PAh1 2.VAh2 &  3.LExh3+ PAxh3#
1...c3   2.PAh1 c3 3.LEc2   hxg3#

Probably my ugliest problem! After the key there is a threat, but it is virtual, in that it is never forced. In the first two variations, the black pieces vacate squares which White immediately occupies to, at Black's next move, act as a hurdle for Black to make the mating move. The third variation is similar to the threat, but the black c-pawn is stopped by blocking rather than by pinning.