It will be of additional interest to viewers who have liked this study to note two further twists in its solution: after the key 1.Kh2 (a) 1....e2; 2.Nd5 Qc1 (stopping 3.Qf4#); 3.Nc3#! (b) 1....d2; 2.Bd5 (it is played with success here) Qc2 (to prevent 3.Qe4#); 3.Bc4#! I found the key in minutes, but, unfortunately, rushed the solution & missed these two & a third (see another comment from me on that one) during video commentary. However, in one's defence, one may invariably rely on finding the key as having solved the entire problem (Judges refer). Nevertheless, it's good to know the 'lot'; so, there it is! I reiterate, a great problem & worthy of 2nd prize.
This type of problem shows that we are all human! After the key 1.Kh2! some of you may have spotted 1....Bf6! Now, if 2.Kg3 then 2....Bh4+! & White is undone. However, all is not lost, for after 1....Bf6; 2.Qg3+! Kf5 (forced); 3.Nd6# (Black's Queen is pinned). Note that an immediate 1.Qg3+ wouldn't work because of 1...Kf5; 2.Nd6+ Kf6. In the line 1....Bf6, Black again self-blocks to his detriment. So, three, & not two, self-blocks are present within this study. Remarkable.
It will be of additional interest to viewers who have liked this study to note two further twists in its solution:
after the key 1.Kh2
(a) 1....e2; 2.Nd5 Qc1 (stopping 3.Qf4#); 3.Nc3#!
(b) 1....d2; 2.Bd5 (it is played with success here) Qc2 (to prevent 3.Qe4#); 3.Bc4#!
I found the key in minutes, but, unfortunately, rushed the solution & missed these two & a third (see another comment from me on that one) during video commentary. However, in one's defence, one may invariably rely on finding the key as having solved the entire problem (Judges refer). Nevertheless, it's good to know the 'lot'; so, there it is! I reiterate, a great problem & worthy of 2nd prize.
This type of problem shows that we are all human! After the key 1.Kh2! some of you may have spotted 1....Bf6! Now, if 2.Kg3 then 2....Bh4+! & White is undone. However, all is not lost, for after 1....Bf6; 2.Qg3+! Kf5 (forced); 3.Nd6# (Black's Queen is pinned). Note that an immediate 1.Qg3+ wouldn't work because of 1...Kf5; 2.Nd6+ Kf6. In the line 1....Bf6, Black again self-blocks to his detriment. So, three, & not two, self-blocks are present within this study. Remarkable.