Baruch Lender

Baruch Lender (09-01-1913 - 25-02-1994) Israeli chess composer

Biographical information about Baruch Lender can be found in "Lender combination: Baruch Lender and His Chess Problems" written by a trio of Israeli composers: Uri Avner, Paz Einat and Yoel Aloni and also on this webpage dedicated to Baruch Lender, the Lender combination and the book itself.

 The great mind behind the Lender Combinations:

One of the most interesting combinations in chess composition is the one with reversed key.

 The idea of reversing a key is simple: instead of moving a piece to attack or to cover a square, we can move it away from the square.

The novelty was introduced by the now famous Israeli chess composer Baruch Lender, (1913-1994). It was published in1979 as a two-mover showing, for the first time, a combination of exchanged key and threat with mates in both passes.

According to the definition this is actually the combination of themes: Reversal and le Grand.

Despite the originality of thematic paradox, his composition was not adequately rewarded in tourney, and therefore this new combination remained unnoticed for a while.   

The only consolation for the inventor is if the invention becomes recognizable by his or her name as was the case with the “Reversal+le Grand” blend which is nowadays known as the Lender Combinations.

The recognition and the glory came many years later by many other chess problems.