Problem 1

The black king (bK) is on column-a row-1 and the white king (wK) is on column-d row-2. (We could also say that bK stands on the square a1 and the bK stands on the square d2). The white queen (wQ) stands on c2. All the pawns are on row-2. The white pawns are positioned on their initial places and they are ready to move upwards. The black pawn on square b2 (bPb2) is ready to be promoted on b1. White will find a way to prevent this, but he will need twelve moves to reach mate.

Composer : Samuel R. Barrett,

Publication Place, Year : Dubuque Chess Journal, 1874

Stipulation : #12 ( = White plays and mates in 12 moves)

Notation Forsyth : 8/8/8/8/8/8/ppQKPPP1/k7

Number of Pieces : (5 + 3) ( = 5 white + 3 black)

Solution :

Key: 1.Qc3! (pins the pawn b2 to inhibit its promotion, thus only the king can move)

1...Kb1 2.Qd3+ Ka1 3.Qd4 Kb1 4.Qe4+ Ka1 5.Qe5 Kb1 6.Qf5+ Ka1 7.Qf6 Kb1 8.Qg6+ Ka1 9.Qg7 Kb1 10.Qh7+ Ka1 11.Qh8 Kb1 12.Qh1#

It seems that the moves are many, but the mechanism is simple: pin-check-pin-check etc.

The climbing of the queen to the top of the (imaginary) ladder is quite impressive.