One of the most famous two-movers ever composed, combining varied
strategy with perfect construction.
Solution: 1.Rd7, threatening 2.Qf4. The two leading variations
feature unpin of the knight with selfblock allowing white
self-interference - 1...Qd4 2.Sd6 and 1...Qe5 2.Sc5.
There is a further unpin with cross-check, 1...Qh8+ 2.Sd8, and
two interferences on the black queen, 1...Rd4 2.Re7
and 1...Bf2 2.Qxh1. The remaining variations are
1...Bf3 2.Qd3, 1...Qxb7+ 2.Bxb7 and 1...Qf2 2.Sd8.
This final variation determines why the white rook must move to d7
and not d8.
Jacob Hoover notes further tries 1.Rd1? Qd2!, cutting the rook's guard of
d3, and 1.Rd6? Qd4! when again the rook blocks the knight’s potential
mating square.
Peter Niehoff: One of the most significant problems by the two-move king.
Theme: Avoidance of self-injury.