Zepler doubling

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
Erich Zepler
Hamburgischer Correspondent, 1929
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 kd b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 bd g8 h8 Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7
a6 pd b6 c6 d6 pl e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 pl b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 pd d4 e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 pl d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 rl h2
a1 kl b1 rl c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Mate in three.


Zepler doubling is a manoeuvre in chess in which a piece moves along a certain line (rank, file or diagonal), then another friendly piece moves onto that same line, then the first piece moves again in the same direction as before. The term is effectively limited to the field of chess problems.

The first problem to show the idea (shown to the right), by Erich Zepler himself, is a simple and clear demonstration of the manoeuvre. The straightforward doubling 1.Rgb2, threatening 2.Rb8#, fails to 1...Bxd6, so the more roundabout Zepler doubling is required: 1.Rb4 Bg7 (now 1...Bxd6 is no good because of 2.Rg8+) 2.Rgb2 any 3.Rb8#.

Zepler doubling can be contrasted with another doubling manoeuvre, Turton doubling.

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