Selection from award of The Problemist 1997 - fairies

1.CAc5! zz
1...axb1S 2.Se2+ Kd5 3.Sc3+ Sxc3#
1...axb1B 2.Sh6+ Ke3 3.Sf5+ Bxf5#
1...axb1N 2.Sf6+ Ke3 3.S6d5+ Nxd5#
1...axb1LI 2.Sd3+ Kd5 3.Sb4+ LIxb4#
1...axb1Z 2.Sg2+ Kd5 3.S2e3+ Zxe3#
1...axb1CA 2.Se5+ Ke3 3.Sc4+ CAxc4#

The Zoo turns out to be an ecosystem, with everything interacting... Sechsumwandlung, with delightful thematic play by two knights (3 variations each, all reguarding square from elsewhere). S/N differentiation a bonus. Did Zebra, Camel simply arise by saying "which other square could the wS end up on?" Well, these are the simplest Fairy pieces (apart) from Grasshopper), so let that pass. 18 units represent excellent economy.

1.Be5+ Kf3 2.Bf6+ Kf4 3.Nb6+ Kf3 4.Qf5+ Ke2 5.Na4+ Kd2 6.Bc3+ Ke2 7.Be1+ Kd1 8.Bxh4+ Kd2 9.Be1+ Kd1 10.Bc3+ Ke2 11.Bb2+ Kd2 12.Nb6+ Ke2 13.Qc2+ Kf3 14.Nd7+ Kf4 15.Be5+ Kf3 16.Bg7+ Kf4 17.Qf5+ Qxf5#

wB moves to block on f6 on the outward journey, b2 on the return. N/B battery opens and closes four times. Superb. Would this score highly in PSV column if N were an orthodox piece? It would.

1.Kf1 4.Kxc1 6.Kxb3 7.Ka2 10.b1B 11.Bxe4 12.Bxf5 13.Bb1 17.fxg2 18.g1B 20.Ba3 Ke8#

1.Kg2 3.Kxe4 4.Kxf5 5.Ke4 10.f1B 13.Bxb3 14.Ba2 17.bxc1B 20.Kb1 Bh7#

Two phases give twice as much to solver while asking ten times as much of the composer! This must be the future for the seriesmover. Promotion to same piece on 4 different squares - Anti-AUW? And echo mates. But mostly what I like is the two long solutions.

1...Qxc7, S~c3, cxd5 2.Qe4#, Qe6#, Qe5#
1.Qxe3! th. 2.Se7#
1...Qxc7, S~c3, cxd5 2.Qe6#, Qe5#, Qe4#

Pattern play with a logical structure and interesting fairy motivations. wQ can mate on e4, e5 and e6 - which is too many mates under XCL. In set play Black destroys two mates, legalising the third. Key destroys all three by allowing a Black countermat: the Black mistake is to provide himself with a second counter-mate. XCL offers formidable constructional difficulties if (as here) we are to get the full splendour of the counter-mates, and I'm quite prepared to forgive the bBs and the inactive units.

1.Se2!
1...dxc2 2.Sc3 c1B 3.Sa2! zz
1...dxe2 2.Sd4 e1B 3.Se6! zz

Keymove clearly signalled by the name above the diagram. Se2 is so splendid a first move that we can't imagine JDB being satisfied with anything less! There are two positions where B-promotion fails to defeat same-colour-square knight, and they are combined here with grace and elegance.