September 17th

Johannes Seeberger (17-09-1843 - 11-11-1879) Austrian composer

Johannes Seeberger was one of the best composers of direct mates in three and more moves of his time.
He gave his name to a moremover theme:
Seeberger theme : Black Cheney-Loyd where the intercepted piece can't move. Then White plays a waiting move to oblige the intercepting piece to move.

Seeberger, Johannes
Illustrirtes Familien-Journal, 1860

#4

8 + 6

Show Solution

1. Ra8! (2.Rf8+ Bf7 3.Rxf7#)
1...Bxa8 2. Ba3 (3.Bxc5 ~ 4.Bd6#)
2...Sb7 3. Be7 ! h5 4. Bg5#
Seeberger with the black Bishop as the intercepted piece and the black Knight as the interceptor.

April 13th

Otto von Oppen (13-04-1783 - 13-04-1860) German composer

Otto von Oppen was the editor of the Deutsche Schachzeitung between 1849-1858 (as was Johann Berger between 1899-1916).

Von Oppen, Otto
Schachzeitung, 1848

#4

6 + 9

Show Solution

1.b7-b8=S + !
1...Re8xb8 2.Bd5-e6+ Kd7-c7 3.Qb5xb8+ Kc7xc6 4.Qb8-b6# or 2...Kd7-e8 3.Qb5xb8+ Sf7-d8 4.Qb8xd8# or 2...Kd7xe6 3.Qb5-f5+ Ke6xf5 4.Sc6-d4#
(1...Kd7-c7? 2.Qb5-b6+ Kc7-c8 3.Sc6-a7# or 1...Kd7-c8? 2.Sc6-a7+ Kc8-d8, Kc8-c7 3.Qb5-d7, Qb5-b6# are shorter).