January 30th

Samuel Loyd (30-01-1841 - 10-04-1911) American composer

Samuel Loyd [Wikipedia]

Does Sam Loyd need any introduction? Please refer to the Wikipedia webpage which also quotes the famous Excelsior problem that is reproduced below.

Loyd, Samuel
The Era (London) 13^th Jan 1861 (337)
2^nd Prize

#5

8 + 10

Show Solution

1.b4 ! (threatens 2.Rf5 [3.Rf1#] Rc5 3.bxc5 ~ 4.Rf1#)
1...Rc5 2.bxc5 (3.Rb1#)
2....a2 3.c6 (4.Rf5 ~ 5.Rf1#)
4...Bc7 4.cxb7 ~ 5.bxa8=B/Q#
Excelsior.