L.A. Times Problem No. 11 by J.F. Tracy, Ontario, California. First publication. White mates in three.
FEN 7n/2pK1p2/2Pp1ppQ/3N1kN1/6p1/8/4P3/6R1 w - - 0 1
Key: 1. Q-R2. If KxN; 2. Q-B4ch, K any; 3. R mates. If PxN; 2. RxP any; 3. N-K3 mate. If P-N6; 2. P-K4ch (K-K4; 3. Q-QN2 mate.) K-N5 or KxN; 3. RxP mate. 1. Q-N7 defeated by P-N6. 1. R-Q defeated by PxN. 1. N-K6? PxN of course. 1. P-K4ch defeated by K-K4. 1. N-KB3 defeated by P-N4. 1. N-K7ch K-K4. 2. RxP P-B4; 3. No mate.
L.A. Times Problem No. 12 by W.A. Shinkman. Chess Player's Chronicle, 1881. White self-mates in two. The symmetrical setting from Alain C. White's 1927 Christmas Series 'Echo' is reprinted here to find out if our solvers like lightweight self-mates.
FEN 8/3Q4/8/3b4/1R3R2/3k4/3p4/3K4
Key: Q-Q6/Qd6