July 22nd

Théodore Adrien Louis Herlin (22-07-1817 - 02-11-1889) French composer

[Problemiste.fr]

Théodore Herlin published his first problem in 1845 and until 1860 all his originals were published under the name of "L'Anonyme de Lille". He was noticed and is still remembered for his strategic problems and especially for the Herlin ambush.

Herlin, Théodore Adrien Louis
Le Palamède, 15^th Apr 1845 (39)

#4

5 + 2

Show Solution

1.Kd6-c7 ! ZZ
1...Ka6-a5 2.Bd4-f6 Ka5-a6 3.Bf6-d8 Ka6-a5 4.Kc7-b7#
The Herlin manoeuvre: the Bishop places itself behind the fore piece of the battery (pericritical move).

Another example:

Herlin, Théodore Adrien Louis
La Régence, 1849

#5

7 + 3

Show Solution

1.Ba4-e8 ! ZZ
1...Kd5-c5 2.Be8-g6 Kc5-d5 3.Bg6-b1 Kd5-c5 4.Bb1-a2 Kc5-d5 5.Kb3-b4#
In this example, the white King is already placed on the diagonal.

Something rather different:

Herlin, Théodore Adrien Louis
La Régence, 1860
2^nd Prize

#5

10 + 7

Show Solution

1.Ka1-b2 ! ZZ
1...Ba7-b8 2.a6-a7 Bb8xa7 3.Rh1-a1 Ba7-b8 4.Ra1-a8 Bb8-a7 5.Ra8-h8#
First achievement of this task (4 corners by the white Rook).