Chess Problem by Vladimir Nabokov

In my opinion Nabokov is one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. His elegant prose style and the enigmatic plots of his novels, full of riddles and references make his work unique. Of course he was also fascinated with chess (just read his novel "The Defense", also called "The Luzhin Defense") and he loved to compose chess problems. He published a collection of poems and problems (surprisingly called "Poems and Problems") in 1969.

"Problems are the poetry of chess. They demand from the composer the same virtues that characterize all worthwhile art: originality, invention, harmony, conciseness, complexity, and splendid insincerity."

The following problem was first published in 1968, Mate in 2 moves:

Man that was a good puzzle. Thanks for posting, you've inspired me to create a Nabokov thread, if you don't mind  

Very pinful for black! (no spelling error)

In another thread I said it's unusual for the key move to be a check, but Arisktotle told me that doesn't apply to studies. Would I be wrong to mention it again for this problem?

Here is the exception which confirms the (99.99%) rule. It is an intentionally ironic composition which directly targets the non-check policy itself. This theme could never be realized without a checking key except by delaying it to the 2nd move. But that would violate another (problem) composition principle which says that you shouldn't artificially prolong the demonstration of a theme - unless justified by additional content which would be unachievable here. 

The composition illustrates that the creativity of the human mind cannot be caught in a few 'reasonable' rules and conventions. It is always possible to find a place where a carefully designed policy is ineffective. That is the true lesson of Gödel's incompleteness theorems - and of the tax evaders of this world.

I like that answer. It makes sense. I will save it for use in case I'm ever accused of having broken a rule of problem composition.

I have a lawyer on retainer who specializes in Chess Problem Law. Knows the Codex backwards and forwards. Makes me sleep sounder at night.

But is your lawyer up on Arisktotle's as-yet unpublished theories relating to RS and PRA? He could be, if he follows this forum and the Endgame Study forum.

My lawyer doesn't concern himself with crazies like Arisktotle!

Find another lawyer. It's their main duty!

Good puzzle!😊

For the second move, wouldn't Ne7 also achieve the mate in 2?

After 1. Qa5+ Bb5, Ne7+ would be met by Bxe7.

I love Nabokov! We have so many shared interests, though he's much better at being interested. It's so cool to be able to get a look into his mind's capabilities through another mode other than his writing.