An early success. The rook does fine work, pinning on two ranks. There is a reciprocal change of functions between the black bishops, while each white bishop is sacrificed in turn.
While he won a number of awards for his three-movers, Westbury was primarily a two-move
composer. One example of the former will suffice. The Bohemian 2 was disqualified from its
tourney because some of the content was anticipated by a problem by Pospisil; however
Westbury’s version was viewed as a great advance on the earlier problem and entitled
to a separate existence. There are two threats, but the only dual occurs after 1...d3.
Widely considered to be Westbury’s best problem. At the time of first publication
Heathcote described it as “the finest two-mover of recent years”. Each of the
five interferences also unguards the mating square. The underused a8 bishop is a slight
pity, but unity is a strong feature.
A nice blend of strategies follows a key which gives a flight and permits a check. I find
it difficult to figure out the starting point for the composition of this problem.
An unusual Albino. The star variation 1...d3+ 2.e4 features a selfblock allowing a
cross-check mate with self-interference. 1...Qxg5 puts the queen out of range,
allowing an interference, while the captures on d3 and f3 meet correction moves by the e5
knight. It was perhaps fortunate to win a prize, as the judges (V. de Barbieri and P. H.
Williams) were aware of the following problem by Rudolf L’Hermet.
(7b) Rudolf L'Hermet
1st Prize, New York Staats-Zeitung, 1894
Mate in 2
1.Bh6 ()
1...B random 2.e4 (Pin-model after 1...Bxc6)
1...Qg5, Qxh6 2.e3
1...Bd3 2.exd3
1...Bf3 2.exf3
1...S~ 2.Bxf4
1...Qe3 2.Bxe3
One of Westbury’s most artistic half-pins. The pair of reciprocal interferences plus
shut-offs are particularly fine. The modern composer would probably move the Bg8 to h7 and
remove f7, ignoring the dual after 1...Bg6.
5 half-pin variations from a light setting. All of the play is set, the key simply
providing a threat. Good quality for an “ordinary“ contribution. The following
month Ellerman won a prize with a version of the same matrix. Westbury’s setting is
dual-free, while some moves in Ellerman’s allow the major dual 2.Bf4.
An original half-pin, with four variations from two pawns. Each pawn by departing its
square allows two mates, which are separated by arrival effects. The white economy could be
improved by moving f2 to h3, and replacing the pawns at b2 and c2 with a BPc2 and BRc1. The
play is then completely accurate.
E. E. Westbury 