The elegant Cross-check

Narayanan's Problem corner

The elegant Cross-check

The cross-check by ancient definition has two components, a check by black given by discovery and the resultant white mate not involving the capture of the checking black piece. Whether the first part is complied with or not the second part must be met. When white replies by capturing the checking piece it is styled a direct check and so for convenience the cross-check is restricted to those checks to which white replies by interposition i.e. by 'crossing' the line of check. When white moves his king in reply without capturing the checking piece it is termed a Royal check.

Of all the forms of check which black can give, cross-checks are by far the most elegant. When cumulative effects of such cross-checks are required the operation of black batteries for discovering the checks is invariably resorted to. If the frontal piece of the black battery is black king which opens up check from the rear piece, then such checks are more often than not met by white batteries. Cross-checks as a main theme combine well with other themes such as unpins, half-pins, self-pins and self-blocks with facility. The first problem by two of the greatest composers of the last century combines cross-checks with three self-blocks by a single black pawn.

White: Ka3, Qd5, Rb3, Rf4, Bd1, Bh4, Nf2, Pd2, Ph5 (9)
L.I.Loshinski & E.Umnov
Third Prize, Konkurs Krasnago sportinterna 1931

Solution: 1.Rb1 !! (threat 2.Bg4) If,1...exd2+ or 1... e2+ or 1... exf2+ 2.Nd3/2.Bb3/2. Bf3
The key here is said to be thematic as this invites all the checks to the White King and the threat being not one of the above three mates adds value to the composition.

The resourcefulness of the black knight is fully utilised in cross-checks than any other piece and the knight gets a variety of treatment, both orthogonal and diagonal, than his compatriots. The problem below is a meredith (problem having between 8 and 12 pieces) showing three cross-checks with a thematic key. The absence of byplay i.e. other incidental variations, greatly enhances the quality of the problem.

Mate in two moves

Solution:
1. Bc5!! Waiting.
1...Nf5+ 2.Bd5. 1...Nb5+ 2.Bd3 and on any other Black Knight move with check, 2.Nd4

The two prize-winners given for solving below add variety to the theme.The
first one adds self pin element to the self-block we have already seen in
the first problem above and the second cross-checker features direct unpin of white by black but has some surprise in store

White: Kd1, Qc8, Re1, Bd4, Be4, Nc6, Ng4, Pc4, Pg6 (9) Black: Ke6, Rd7, Nd6 (3)
A.C.White, Good Companions 1918

Mate in two moves

White: Ka2, Qb8, Rg5, Bg1, Nf2, Ne5, Pa5, Pe4(8) Black: Kc5, Rc6, Rh3, Be3 (4)

Barry Barnes, Second Prize
BCPS 1959 Brian Harley Award

White: Kd7, Qf2, Rb8, Bh8, Bf1, Nd4, Ne7, Pe4 (8) Black: Kc5, Qd3, Bb1, Pa6 (4)
M.Segers, First Prize
Schachpelaren, 1933

Solution to the problem in Black promotion in two-movers :
1.Nf4!!
Half-pin mates 2.Qxc3 and 2.Nd3 after black promotions 1...f1=Q and 1... f1=N. There is a further half-pin mate 2.Rg1 after 1...Rh3.

Do send in your opinion and suggestions on this column to C G S Narayanan

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Glossary

Symbol	Meaning
+	Check
#	Checkmate
x	Capture
!	Good Move
!!	Excellent Move
?	Bad move
??	Blunder
!?	Interesting Move
?!	Dubious Move
1-0	White Wins
0-1	Black Wins
1/2	Draw
Twoer	Mate in Two Moves

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About the author

C.G.S.Narayanan, an international composer of repute, has been composing Chess C G S Narayanan problems for the past thirty years. He has won several awards for his compositions in International composing tourneys and he has an output of over 300 problems to his credit. He is the second Indian to win the prestigious Brian Harley Award for the best two-mover composed by a subject of British Commonwealth twice in 1977 and 1991. He has been editing THE HINDU Chess problem column from 1982 onwards, after S.K.Narasimhan. He has captained the Indian team in the World Chess Compositions Tournaments held by FIDE.

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