July 16th

August Alexander Johann von Cywinski de Puchala (16-07-1829 - 01-01-1905) Austrian composer

August von Cywinski de Puchala composed direct mates. Ralf Krätschmer quotes Kohtz & Kockelkorn, who wrote in their book "Das indische Problem" in 1903: "Wir halten ihn für einen der größten Schachstrategen" [We consider him as one of the greatest chess strategist] while Walther von Holzhausen thought he was the most significant foreplan master of the early period ("als den bedeutendsten Vorplan-Meister der Frühzeit").

Ralf Krätschmer provides more details on his site berlinthema.de.

Von Cywinski De Puchala, August Alexander Johann
Illustrirtes Familien-Journal, 1858

#4

8 + 10

Show Solution

1. Sf3! (2.Qxd4#)
1...Bxf3 2. Be4
       2...Bxe4 3. Qc3 (4.Qxb4#) bxc3, Rd1 4. b4, Qxc4#
       2...cxb3 3. Qxb3 Rxe4 4. Qd5#
Secondary variation:
1...Qxf3 2.Sd7+ Kd5 3.Qxf3+ Re4 4.Qxe4#
After 2...Bxe4 the black Rook is obstructed and can no longer guard c4 and in the same time free the flight square d4 for the black King.