Two fairy #2 from Probleemblad 5/1999

(I was thinking about twin with pc4 moved to c3... so it means I really overlooked something in this problem, fortunately, its author sent me an e-mail...)

Ruud Beugelsdijk wrote me:

"Omitting the moves of the I, we get:
a) 1.d4? th. 2.Kg5#, 1...c5 2.Kh5#, but 1...cxb5!
1.f4! th. 2.Kh5#, 1...c5 2.Kg5#
Le Grand
There are several other variantions.

b) 1.d4? th. 2.Kg5#, but 1...cxb5!
1.f4? th. 2.Kh5#, but 1...c5!
1.Sa8! zz 1...cxb5, c5 2.Kg5#, Kh5#
Dombrovskis

A very strange key! The meaning of pawn a3 is shown by: 1...cxb5 2.Kg5 when imitator is at b4, a3 preventing selfcheck by white.

My intention was to produce a lightweight Le Grand plus Dombrovskis in a twin. In view of this, the construction in the upper right corner is highly regrettable.

Last evening, I played through the solution once more and again I got the feeling that it is a curious composition."

In a) position there is le Grand theme with typical imitator effects - a playground for imitator is changed by the try and the key. You can compare that to my own #3, but well, threemover offers much wider possibilities.

a)

1.Kxb4! zz
1...Kd8 2.b8Q#
1...Kf8 2.b8R#

b)

1.Bf4! th. 2.Sc7#
1...Kd8 2.b8R#
1...Kf8 2.b8Q#

c)

1.b8B! zz
1...Kd8 2.Bc7#
1...Kf8 2.Bh6#

Zagorujko including reciprocal change of two very similar promotions. The mechanism isn't as simple as it may seem, e.g. I like alternating zugzwang and threat in reciprocal change as it adds some interest and allows different motivation of keys.