Reflexmate


A reflexmate is a chess problem in which White, moving first, must force Black to deliver checkmate within a specified number of moves against their will – with the added condition that if either player can give checkmate, they must. If this condition applies only to Black, it is a semi-reflexmate.

Example

The problem illustrated is a fairly recent example, successful in the World [Chess Composing Tournament] despite only a single phase of play present. It is by Štefan Sovík and is a reflexmate in two moves.
The is 1.Qh5 and White threatens 2.Nbxc3, after which Black is compelled by additional condition to mate by Rxc3, with triple pin of Rc4, Bd4 and Ne4.
There are three thematical variations with unpinnings of three pieces, but every time Black has to mate by after selfpin of unpinned piece on c3:
Another three variations result in unpinnings of [white pieces, but the mates are not by switchback:
  • 1...Qd7 2.Rc6 Qxd4#
  • 1...Nd5 2.Bxe3 Nf4#
  • 1...Kd7 2.Bxc3 Kxc8#
In the next three variations the black pieces are unpinned and mate:
  • 1...Qc6 2.Bxb3 Qxe4#
  • 1...Nf5 2.Rxc7 Rxd4#
  • 1...Bf7 2.Qf5 Bxc4#
The last variation is just technical:
  • 1...Rxb1 2.Bd1 Rxd1#
The example is putting emphasis on unpinning and pinning and illustrates one of the artistic advantages of reflexmate over selfmate, namely the presence of more varied mates.
Category:Chess problems
Category:Fairy chess