Lender Combinations, named after Israeli composer Baruch Lender, is a chess concept where the key move involves a piece moving away from a square, integrating Reversal and le Grand themes. It innovated chess problems despite initially lacking recognition.

I tested Grok3 on the day of its public release. I asked Grok3 to define Lender Combinations. Grok3 – was on spot. On first try! It came up with the best description I can think of.  Here it goes:

 DEFINITION: Lender Combinations refers to a specific concept in chess composition, named after the Israeli chess composer Baruch Lender (1913-1994).

Who is the author of Lender Combinations?

– Baruch Lender: He was an Israeli prolific chess composer who introduced a novel idea in chess problems known as “Lender Combinations.” In 1979, he published a two-mover that for the first time combined the themes of Reversal and le Grand, showcasing a unique blend of chess problem themes where a key move was reversed from the typical approach of attacking or covering a square to moving a piece away from it.

What is Lender Combinations?

– A Concept in Chess Composition: Lender Combinations is the name given to a chess problem theme where the key move involves moving a piece away from a square instead of towards it, thereby combining the themes of Reversal (where a move is done in an opposite manner to what’s expected) and le Grand (which involves a thematic paradox). This combination was innovative because it introduced a new way to construct chess problems by exchanging the key and threat with mates in both passes.

Despite its originality, this composition didn’t gain immediate recognition in chess problem tournaments, but over time, the concept became known and named after Baruch Lender.

Note: The term “Lender Combinations” does not relate to any financial or lending practices but is strictly within the domain of chess problem composition.

Original diagram of Lender Combinations:

The Lender Combinations book (Variantim 1996)

www.lendercombinations.com  www.mandylender.net   www.mandylender.com

Tags: #Chess #LenderCombinations #chessproblems  #theproblemistIsrael  #VariantimIsrael