Multiple-twin problem

The problem we present has a peculiarity. It is a multiple problem, but not exactly a twin, because the produced problems have different number of moves in their solutions.
The American Joseph Wainwright (1851 – 1921) is the composer, known for his tasks with two-mover problems.

Each problem is producing the next one just after the key-move is played, while the number of moves for the solution is increased by 1. To be exact...
...the initial position is Mate in 2 moves,
after the key is Mate in 3 moves,
after the key is Mate in 4 moves,
after the key is Mate in 5 moves.

	(Problem 388) J. C. J. Wainwright, American Chess Bulletin, 1910, Mate in 2 moves. (a) #2 (10 + 9), (b) after the key of (a) #3, (c) after the key of (b) #4, (d) after the key of (c) #5
[8/2p1p1p1/p1PkP1P1/B1p2K2/2P5/pPP4p/P6p/7B]

In the initial position Black is stalemated. The solutions are simple (with possible exception the five-mover) :

(a) 1.b4! (zugzwang) cxb4 2.Bxb4#

(b) 1.b5! (zz) axb5 2.cxb5 (zz) c4 3.Bb4#

(c) 1.b6! (zz) cxb6 2.Bxb6 a4 3.c7 a3 4.c8=S#

(d) 1.Kg5! cxb6 2.Bxb6 a5 3.c7
3...a4 4.c8=Q/B Ke5 5.Bc7#
3...Kxe6 4.c8=Q+ Kd6/Ke5 5.Bc7#
3...Ke5 4.c8=Q a4/Kd6 5.Bc7#

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27-11-2009 : The friend reader Alotan has posted a comment :
Nice problem. The mate in 5 had many variations and I had to set it on the chessboard. The reason for comment, however, is that it reminded me a nice helpmate problem by Caillaud, with similar twinning mechanism :

	(Problem 389) Michel Caillaud, First prize, Pitlochry TT 2003 (a) h#2 (5+2), (b) Position of (a) before the mating move and h#2, (c) Position of (b) before the mating move and h#2.
[8/4p3/3S4/8/SRBk3K/8/8/8]

It is not exceptional or difficult, but it belongs to those problems that remain carved in the memory of the solver.

Dear readers, send the solution.

Composers cooperating, (No.1)

Today's post is the first of a new series. We will present problems created by cooperating composers. Initially all composers will be Greek, later on only one composer will be Greek.

We believe that when two composers try to cooperate, the final result comes more quickly, because both composers work more intensely. The cooperation is a factor of motivation.

In problem-387 the composers are George Georgopoulos and Efthimios Papakonstantinou.

	(Problem 387) George Georgopoulos & Efthimios Papakonstantinou, First Prize, Die Schwalbe, 1990, Mate in 4 moves. #4 (9 + 12)
[q1s5/pb5s/1SP1Sp2/r5b1/r5p1/p1QB2Pk/5P2/5RK1]

If you try to move first the Rook to make room for the Bishop, ( 5 tries : [1.R~? Ba6!] ), the problem will not be solved. With your key-move you must sacrifice the white Queen! Anyway, the sacrifice threatens Mate in 3, and Black can not be indifferent.

Key : 1.Qxf6! ( > 2.Sxg5 Rxg5 3.Qh6+ Rh5 4.Qxh5# )

1...Bxf6 2.Re1 ( > 3.Bf1# )
___2...Ba6 3.Sc4 ( Novotny sacrifice on c4, > 4.Sf4# / Bf1# )
___2...Bxc6 3.Re4 ( Novotny sacrifice on e4, > 4.Sf4# / Bf1# )
1...Sxf6 2.Rb1 ( > 3.Bf1# )
___2...Ba6 3.Rb5 ( Novotny sacrifice on b5, > 4.Sxg5# / Bf1# )
___2...Bxc6 3.Sd5 ( Novotny sacrifice on d5, > 4.Sxg5# / Bf1# )

For the moves 2...Ba6/Bxc6 the White continues with Knight/Rook in one variation, and with Rook/Knight in the other.

(The problem is included in the edition "Selected Chess Compositions by Greek Composers", prepared for the 47_th World Congress of Chess Composition, Halkidiki, Greece, September 4-11, 2004. Editor : Harry Fougiaxis).

How does a machine think?

To be honest, I do not want to know.
I like the way I think (steepest descend method – and all the rest).

But there is a chess playing machine which lets you see, in an artistically interesting manner, the moves as they are calculated.

Click here to go to the thinking machine.

Start to play a game, in order to see the graphics, and continue playing, hoping that you will win (which is not sure...).

(Image copyright © Thinking Machine 4, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris)

Dedication for Manolas-60 (and Exercise)

Mr Ioannis Kalkavouras, internationally known composer, has composed a more-mover problem and has dedicated it to the Composition Contest Manolas-60, which was recently announced. We warmly thank him.

The readers may try to solve this problem (it has a main logical variation) and post their solution as comment.
We furthermore expect, from the more creative readers, to e-mail entries to the composition contest Manolas-60 (closing July-12-2010).

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	(Problem 386) Kalkavouras, Ioannis, (after W. Bar) Dedicated to "JT Manolas-60" Mate in 9 moves. #9 (7 + 8)
[3b1SK1/3p4/3P1kp1/4p2R/S3Pp2/5P2/2r4p/8]

The thematic try is [1.Rf5+? gxf5!].

Key : 1.Rh6! Kg5
2.Rh3 ( > 3.Sh7# ) Kf6
3.Sc5 ( > 4.Sxd7# ) Rxc5
4.Rh6, Kg5
5.Rxh2, Kf6
6.Rg2 g5
7.Rh2 g4
8.Rh5 ~
9.Rf5#

Best Study for 2008

We present today the study which was selected, in the World Chess Composition Congress of 2009 in Rio de Janeiro Brasil, as the best for the year 2008 by the Studies Subcommittee of the PCCC (Permanent Commission of Fide for Chess Composition).

[Study of the Year 2008] is a study by Velimir Kalandadze.

John Roycroft (from Great Britain) announcing the award, urges young players to see this study because it is very instructive.

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Study of the year 2008.

	(Problem 385) Velimir Kalandadze, First Special Prize, Nona JT, 2008, White plays and wins. + (4 + 3)
[8/1q1P3K/5k2/8/Q7/p7/P7/8]

The solution follows...

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Key : 1.Qf4+! Ke6(Ke7)
2. Qf7+ Kxf7 ( not 2...Kd8 3.Qe8+ Kc7 4.d8=Q#, neither 2...Kd6 3.d8=Q+ Kc6 4.Qxb7 +- )
3. d8=S+ Kf6+
4. Sxb7 Ke5
5. Kg6 ( the white King rushes to confine in column 1 the black, to inhibit the promotion of the black Pawn ) Kd4
6. Kf5 Kc3
7. Ke4 Kb2
8. Kd3 Kxa2
9. Kc2 Ka1 ( Will Black try the scheme “buried alive” with 10...a2 to draw? ...)
10. Sc5 Ka2 (... no, because there is 11.Sb3#)
11. Sd3 Ka1
12. Sc1 a2
13. Sb3#

20th Composition Contest MT-Birnov, C.2009-11-30

Twentieth contest in chess problem composition in memory of Volgograd master Birnov.
Sections : #2 (judge Vjacheslav Pilchenko), #3 (judge Aleksandr Sygurov), n# (n>3) (judge Aleksandr Kuzovkov), studies (judge Richard Becker), h#2 (judge Živko Janevski).
The results will be published, in 2010, in the newspaper : "Molodoj" (Volgograd, Russia) and on the site: http://www.efrosinin.t-k.ru .
Dispatch of results to foreign participants only by e-mail!
Compositions must be send up to 30.11.2009 to e-mail : rosini@t-k.ru .

World Champioship in Rio de Janeiro

The results from the 52 WCCC (world chess composition congress) and 33 WCSC (world chess solving championship), which were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for 2009, are given below.
We happily note here that the Greek athlete Kostas Prentos achieved a splendid standing despite the intense competition.

Open solving competition, October 12, 2009. You may see here the list of the 57 solvers.
First is the Russian Evseev, Georgy (RUS GM 2777) 51/60.
Second is the Russian Selivanov, Andrey (RUS GM 2565) 47.5/60.
Third is the Ukrainian Pogorelov, Vladimir (UKR IM 2498) 47/60.
Eleventh is the Greek Prentos, Kostas (GRE IM 2491) 39.5/60.

World individual Solving Championship (33 WCSC), October 14-15, 2009. You may see here the list of the 54 solvers.
World Champion is the Polish Murdzia, Piotr (POL GM 2797) 89/90.
Second is the Russian Evseev, Georgy (RUS GM 2777) 81/90.
Third is the German Zude, Arno (GER GM 2700) 78/90.
Eighth is the Greek Prentos, Kostas (GRE IM 2491) 68,5/90.

There were many more competitions and listings. In the World Team Solving Championship a country takes part with its three best solvers.
World Champion Team is Poland (Gorski, Piotr & Murdzia, Piotr & Piorun, Kacper) 155,5.
Second Country is Germany (Rein, Andreas & Tummes, Boris & Zude, Arno) 148.
Third Country is Russia (Evseev, Georgy & Selivanov, Andrey & Viktorov, Evgeny) 147.
Greece had not sent three solvers, thus Greece cannot be in this list.
The rest of the competing countries were : Serbia, France, Nederlands, Great Britain, Ukraine, Georgia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Japan, Romania, Belgium, Brazil, Esthonia.

The official site of the games is here. Results from composing competitions are already posted and the final bulletin of the event is here.

You may watch an interesting video from the games here.

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Problems to solve
The Greek champion Kostas Prentos updates us with some problems from the Rio competition.

See some problems from 33 WCSC here.

See the same problems with solutions here.

Care about climate

This is a reminder that the environment is in danger.
We should protect it, eventually protecting our lives, homes, cities, relatives.

Thousands of bloggers around the world are today united (think about that, too)
and are posting messages about climate change.

International Chess Composition Contest Manolas-60

After the chess problems and the solving contests, which were presented in this blog, we are in the happy position to announce an International Chess Composition Contest, organized by the Greek Chess Composition Committee, with the opportunity of the sixtieth birthday of this blogger Manolas Emmanuel. Here is the announcement :

International Chess Composition Contest : "Jubilee Tourney Manolas - 60", Closing date 2010-07-12. The Greek committee for Chess Composition announces the "Jubilee Tourney Manolas – 60". Theme free. Accepted are original three-mover chess problems in the following four sections: A. direct mate #3, with at least three variations. Judge Emmanuel Manolas. B. helpmate h#3, with exactly three solutions, no zero-positions, no twins. Judge Harry Fougiaxis. C. selfmate s#3, with at least three variations. Judge Ioannis Garoufalidis. D. fairy #3, with accepted elements : {one fairy condition} or {one fairy condition and one fairy piece type} or {one or two fairy piece types}. Judge Kostas Prentos. Computer-checked problems may be submitted by each composer to more than one section. For each problem, the following information is expected : Name & e-mail & country of the composer, diagram & FEN notation & stipulation & solution of the problem. Send e-mails, with subject "JT-Manolas-60", to manolas.emmanuel(AT)gmail.com . Closing day : 12-July-2010. The participants will receive a copy of the award by e-mail. The award will be published in blogs "http://chess-problems-gr.blogspot.com", "http://kallitexniko-skaki.blogspot.com".

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Notes :
In e-mail replace (AT) with the character @.
The FEN (Forsyth-Edwards) Notation is described here and here.

Panagis Sklavounos

Panagis Sklavounos, born 1962, holds a Master of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence from Cranfield Univercity, is a Civil Engineer and a Surveyor Engineer from National Technical Univercity of Athens (NTUA) and has a title in Informatics from the Greek Center of Productivity (ELKEPA). He works in the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP SA).

He is president of the Sports Group “Zenon” in Glyfada Attica. He is a member of the Chess Composition Committee of the Greek Chess Federation (ESO). He has organised many chess tournaments and chess problem solving contests. He is a very strong solver.

For an extended period of time (1995-2000) he was editor of the chess column in the magazine of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) and also editor of the chess problem column in the daily newspaper “TA NEA”.

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Published problems by Panagis Sklavounos

	(Problem 382) Panagis Sklavounos, Newspaper “Eleftherotypia”, 08/10/1977 Mate in 2. #2 (5 + 5)
[8/3pp3/6p1/1Q3p2/4k3/5R2/5BP1/5K2]

This is the first published problem of (the 15 years old then) Panagis Sklavounos.

Tries : [1.Qe2+? / Qd3+? / Qc4+? / Qxd7? / Qb7+? Ke5!], [1.Qe5+? Kxe5!], [1.Qd5+? Kxd5!], [1.Rf4+? Kxf4!], [1.Qxf5+? gxf5!], [1.Qc5? f4!].

Key : 1.g3! ( > 2.Rf4# )
1...Kxf3 / d5 2.Qe2#
1...g5 2.Qxf5#
1...e5 2.Qd3#

	(Problem 383) Panagis Sklavounos, First Prize, Newspaper [Chess News 79], 1980 Mate in 3. #3 (9 + 3)
[8/2p2S2/2P4P/5k2/5pR1/2SR4/5B2/3B3K]

Tries : [1.Sd8? / Rd7? / Bh4? f3!], [1.Rxf4+? Kxf4!], [1.Rd6? Cxd6!].

Key : 1.Bc2! (zz)
1...f3 2.Rf4+ Kxf4 / Ke6 / Kg6 3.Rd4# / Re3# / Rd5#
1...Kf6 / Ke6 2.Rd7 ~ 3.Rg6#
1...Kxg4 2.Rh3 f3 / Kxh3 3.Rh4# / Bf5#

	(Problem 384) Panagis Sklavounos, British Chess Magazine, 1978 Mate in 3. #3 (4 + 3)
[8/8/8/3K1Q2/B4R2/6k1/6p1/4b3]

Tries : [1.Qg4+? / Qg5+? / Rf3+? / Rg4+? Kh2!].

Key : 1.Rh4! ( > 2.Qf4# / Rh3# )
1...g1=Q / g1=B 2.Rh3+ Kg2 3.Qf3#
1...g1=S 2.Qf4+ Kg2 3.Rh2#
1...g1=R 2.Qf4+ / Rh3+ Kg2 3.Rh2#
1...Kxh4 2.Qf4+ Kh5 / Kh3 3.Be8# / Bd7#

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Note by Alkinoos :
Mr Sklavounos has contributed to the posts of this blog with interesting topics. I happen to know that he is a polyglot (he speaks Greek, English, French, German, Italian) and he has received two literature awards (one in a science fiction novel contest of the Greek General Secretariat for the New Generation, in 1987).

The Sword of Damocles

First, some historical details for the expression of the title.

The city of Syracuse, Sicily, was ruled in ancient times by the tyrant Dionyssios. Among his courtiers there was a flatterer named Damocles, who envied the wealth and the glory of his master.

In a circumstance, Dionyssios asked Damocles if he would like to try sit in the throne. Damocles gladly accepted the invitation and started to enjoy the comforts of his lord. Examining curiously everything around, Damocles noted that above his head a sword was hanging, restrained only by a few horse hairs. Naturally, the hair might be cut at any time...
Dionyssios had placed the sword above the throne, to remind him to take the right decisions, since he could die at any moment and he could not correct any misjudgments.
Damocles was terrified and immediately left the seat of the lord, which seemed not enviable any more.
The phrase [Sword of Damocles] specifies the deadly danger threatening us, and has passed from Greek language to other languages (for example, in French : L' epee de Damocles).

This title was given, in 1865, to the problem we present today. Since many dangers are threatening us, the problem has two solutions.
(In the era of this problem the element of economy in pieces was not very strict).

	(Problem 381) "L' epee de Damocles ", M. Schoumoff de Saint-Petersbourg, Journal des Echecs, 1865-6, (Vol.2, p.238), by Paul Journoud, Paris Mate in 3 moves. #3 (10 + 1)
[8/8/2S5/PPKBBRPP/2S5/8/8/6k1]

The solution follows ...

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A.
Key : 1.Rf3!
1...Kg2 2.Se3+ Kg1/Kh1 3.Rf1#
1...Kh1 2.Se3 Kg1 3.Rf1#

B.
Key : 1.Bh1! Kxh1 2.Se3 Kg1 3.Rf1#

It is quite obvious that the lonely King (theme : Rex solus) is condemned from the beginning.

The Esthetic Beauty is measured by computer

An article was published today in Chessbase about the doctoral thesis of Dr Mohammed Azlan Mohamed Iqbal, who is 31 years old and works in Malaysia.

The doctoral thesis [A discrete computational aesthetics model for a zero-sum perfect information game] examines the question if the beauty of the chess combinations is measurable by computers.

To people, some moves seem to be much prettier than others. Some combinations seem to be marvelous, while others seem indifferent. The computers play the chess game at the level of Grand Master and make combinations of all kinds, without giving weight or preference to beautiful moves. Could we teach the machines to “count” the esthetic beauty of their moves?

The researcher has studied, using special software for measuring esthetics [CHESTHETICA], many games and particularly three-mover problems, while at the same time, using specific questionnaires, has gathered the opinions of many persons whether some positions and combinations and solutions seemed to be beautiful.

By comparing the measuring-software results and the opinion-questionnaire results, an impressive conclusion arose, that the esthetics (at least for the limited researched area) is measurable!

Dr Mohammed Azlan Mohamed Iqbal hopes that his pioneering work and the software he developed could help the Judges in contests of chess compositions, or the persons giving Beauty prizes to chess games.

Best Study for 2005

Today we will see the study which was selected as best for the year 2005 from the PCCC, (Permanent Commission of Fide for Chess Composition).

[Study of the Year 2005] is a composition by Yuri Bazlov (who received this distinction the next year also).

The study has got some difficulty.
If the pawns and the white Knight are captured, no black piece must be lost.
If the Knights are captured, there is theoretical draw (K+B+P vs K+P) in some places.

The position should be very interesting for the Over-The-Board players.

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Study of the year 2005.

	(Problem 380) Yuri Bazlov, 5th Prize, Tourney for John Nunn's 50th birthday, 2005, White plays and draws. = (3 + 4)
[8/1k3s1K/6S1/6b1/6p1/8/6P1/8]

The solution follows...

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Key : 1.Sh8!
(The alternative is [1.Kg7? Sd6 2.Se5 g3] but Black can secure his pawn on g3 and gradually improve the position of his pieces. Of course, he must avoid the exchange of knights, which leads to a positional draw provided White’s king can reach f1. Although the win is not easy, it can be accomplished in the end; for example, [3.Kg6 Bd8!] stopping the white king reaching e6, after which it is very hard for Black to displace the centralized white pieces).

1...Se5
(the only winning chance is to prevent White’s king moving immediately to g6. After [1...Sxh8 2.Kxh8 Kc6 3.Kg7 Kd5 4.Kg6 Be3] Black cannot move his bishop to f4 or h4 without losing his pawn, so he loses another tempo later when White attacks the g3-pawn with his king [5.Kf5 g3 6.Kg4 Bf2 7.Kf3 Kd4 8.Ke2!]. The king reaches f1, with a standard positional draw).

2.Sf7!
(Already one piece down, White offers a second one!)

2...Sxf7
3.Kg6! Ne5+!
(The best try is to sacrifice the bishop, as [3...Kc6 4.Kxf7 Kd5 5.Kg6] draws as in the note to Black’s first move).

4.Kf5!
(Declining the offer. [4.Kxg5?] loses after [4...Kc6! 5.Kf4 Kd6!] gaining the opposition [6.Ke4 (6.Kf5 Kd5 wins) Ke6 7.Kf4 Kf6 8.g3 Ke6 9.Kg5 Kd5 10.Kf5 Kd4 11.Kf4 Kd3!] and the g3-pawn falls).

4...Sf7
(Amazing but true; Black cannot win despite being two clear minor pieces up. [4...Sf3 5.Kxg4] and [4...Bf6 5.Kxf6 Sf3 6.Kf5 Sh2 7.Kf4] are both clear draws).

5.Kg6 Se5+
6.Kf5! Draw.

(Notes by John Nunn).

Best Study for 2006

As we have said, the Permanent Commission of Fide for Chess Composition (PCCC), each year selects a study and gives to it the title [Study of the Year xxxx]. We will see today the study which was selected as Best for 2006.

[Study of the Year 2006] is a study by Yuri Bazlov (Russian, born in 1947), who composes remarkable problems for many years now. He had received this distinction also for the previous year.

The position has several pieces and is aristocratic (that means there are no pawns). It is difficult for someone to suppose that such a position can appear in an actual chess game, but they have searched through the computer held databases and have found similar positions at a percentage one to a million.

So the solvers could lose interest on a study with 'improbable' position. But since the image of a centered mate being delivered by the last remaining piece – the Knight – is impressive, try to solve this study. All the pieces move to their final positions and only white pieces are captured.

There is no try, only the main solution. Admire what can a man create!

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Study of the year 2006.

	(Problem 379) Yuri Bazlov, First Prize, Composition Tourney in memory of the British C. M. Bent, 2006, White plays and wins. + (4 + 5)
[4S3/5r2/7K/3kb3/r1s5/3BQ3/8/8]

For the solution, start with
Key : 1.Be4+! Ke6

The solution follows...

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(not 1.Qe4+? Kc5 2.Bxc4 Bf4+ 3.Kg6 Rxc4 4.Qa8 Re7 and we cannot see a winning plan for white)

Key : 1.Be4+! Ke6

2.Qc5!
(not 2.Qb3? Rf4 3.Qxa4 Rxe4 and the white is not winning)

2...Bf4+
(not 2...Rfa7 3.Bd5+ Kf5 4.Qf8+ Kg4 5.Qf3+ Kh4 6.Be6 and the white will mate)

3.Kg6 Se5+
4.Kh5 Rxe4
(not 4...Rd7 5.Bd5+ Rxd5 6.Sc7+ Kd7 7.Sxd5 and white will win)
(not 4...Rfa7 5.Bd5+ Kd7 6.Sf6+ Kd8 7.Be6 R4a5 8.Qb6+ Ke7 9.Sg8+ Kf8 10.Qd8+ Kg7 11.Qf6+ Kh7 12.Se7 and white can win)

5.Qd6+ Kf5
6.Qf6+ Rxf6
7.Sg7# 1-0

Vassilios D. Lyris

Vassilios D. Lyris was one of the best composers of chess problems in his time. He was born in 1914 and he died at 15/08/1994 (same year that Triantafyllos Siaperas and Demetrius Kapralos have left us too).



About Vassilios Lyris his friend Nikos Dambassis writes :

"Vassilios Lyris made his first appearance as a composer of chess problems with the publication of a problem (see next Problem-375) in the newspaper [Proia (=morning)] in 1938, in a special column about chess problems, written by J. Hatziargyris. Vassilios Lyris was the second, after J. Hatziargyris, Greek composer of chess problems appearing in the 20th century.

He first learned the art of chess composition in 1934, when he became subscriber of the German chess magazine [Deutsche Schachblatter]. When the first Greek chess magazine [To Skaki (=the chess)] was issued in 1943, he was one of the four members of the editing committee of the magazine together with Ioannis Koutalidis, Myron Konter and Nikos Dambassis. Since then Lyris continued composing chess problems, limited only by his work load (he was Civil engineer) and his failing health.

Vassilios Lyris has left for the future composers, as mental inheritance, 150 published compositions, mainly multimover problems, in Greek and foreign magazines. He has received many distinctions and has written articles about chess compositions in various magazines, as in [To Mat (=the checkmate)] (1956) and [Probleemblad] (1970). He was member of the Greek national team in the World Championships in Chess Composition."

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The Olympiad winner composer Stavros Iatridis writing in his column [Artistic Chess – The chess problems] in the magazine [O Skakistis (=the chessplayer)] (No.4, April 1967) recites verbatim what Vassilios Lyris has written in the magazine [To Mat] (No.51, March 1956) about the basis of problem evaluation :
The Five Basic Elements for Chess Problem Evaluation
1. Acceptability :
A composition is acceptable : (a) If it is original (it is not allowed to be repetition of a previous composition). (b) If it is correct (that is all the expressed by the composer elements must be correct and in accordance with the rules of Chess Composition).
2. Economy of material :
The natural law of making a work by the least effort gives the meaning of economy, which is “inviolable principle” for the composition. The economy is not limited in achieving the desired goal with minimum material force, but is extended in maximum usage of each piece.
3. Esthetics :
This refers to the beauty of the idea and to the way of expression of the “mechanism” (in which must be a “logic” and also a continuity), and even to the various combinations with their complexity and their richness.
4. Quality of the key :
The first move – Key must initially justify the term “problem”, that is it must be as difficult as possible. The difficulty and the beauty of the key are valuable elements of the problem.
5. Exploitation of the Chessboard space :
For every problem a unique placement of the pieces exists, by which the ideal presentation of the desired goal is achieved. The criterion here is the “spaciousness” of the position and the “mobility” and flexibility of the pieces.

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In this blog we have presented two problems of V. Lyris (see Problem-12 and Problem-319). He has published many problems in cooperation with Nikos Siotis or with Nikos Dambassis.

Panagis Sklavounos (who has provided material for this post) notes : "Vassilios Lyris continued to publish his compositions even in advanced age. This shows that the occupation of problem composition is independent of age. It depends only on the free time of the composer and his availability."

We publish here four problems by Lyris, selected by Nikos Dambassis.

	(Problem 375) Lyris, Vassilios D. newspaper 'Proia', 1938, Mate in 4 moves. #4 (12 + 11)
[3BR3/1pPP2p1/1p1PPsPb/1p4kr/1Pp4p/4P2P/6p1/1B4K1]

This is the first published problem of V. Lyris.

Ties : [1.Rh8?/Rg8?/Rf8?/Be7?/c8=Q?/c8=S?/c8=B?/e7?/Kxg2?/Be4?/Bc2? c3!]
Key : 1.c8=R! (zz) c3
2.Rc7 (zz) c2
3.Rxc2 ( > 4.Rxg2#) Kf5
4.Rc5#
Indian theme on row and file.

	(Problem 376) Lyris, Vassilios D. Prize, Thematic Tourney 'Martin', 1949, Mate in 2 moves. #2 (9 + 13)
[3s1B2/p2SPp1K/p2R4/rk2b2R/p1b1Q3/p2r4/3p4/1q1S1B2]

There exist some set mates : [1...Rd4 2.Qxb1#], [1...Ba2/Bb3/Be6 2.Sc3#], [1...Sb7/Se6 2.Q(x)b7#].
Tries : [1.Rb6+? Axb6!], [1.Rxe5+? Kb4!], [1.Qb7+? Sxb7!], [1.Qxc4+? Kxc4!].
Key : 1.exd8=S! ( > 2.Qb7# )
1...Kb4 2.Rb6#
1...Rd3-~3 2.Rd5#
1...Rxd6/Rd4 2.Qxb1#
1...Rd5 (black correction) 2.Rxd5#
1...Bc4-~ 2.Sc3#
1...Bd5 (black correction) 2.Rxd5#

Theme Martin I : Two black pieces are half-pinned. Each piece attempts corrective defense. The primary and secondary mates are relevant with the other half-pinned piece which is now pinned.

Theme Martin II : The corrective defenses are exploiting the unpin of a third black piece.

Lyris was awarded with a prize using theme Martin in 1949 and many years later, in 1985, he received 3rd prize in a composition of the German magazine 'Die Schwalbe' perfecting the same evergreen theme.

	(Problem 377) Lyris, Vassilios D. First Prize, Hlas L`udu, 1969, Mate in 3 moves. #3 (14 + 9)
[8/8/1P1S1p2/3R1P2/pRBP2Kp/P3kp1P/2prPrP1/2Q1b1B1]

Tries : [1.Sb5? Ke4!], [1.Re5+? Fxe5!], [1.Bd3? Fxe2!], [1.Bb5? Fxg2!], [1.Rb3+? Axb3!], [1.Qxe1? Rxd4+!].
Key : 1.Ba6! ( > 2.Rc5 and 3.Rc3# )
1...fxe2 2.Rb4-b5 (zz) Kd3 3.Rb3#
1...fxg2 2.Rd5-b5 (zz) Kxe2 3.Re5#
Indian theme in two relative variations.

	(Problem 378) Lyris, Vassilios D. First Prize, Probleemblad, 05/1974, Helpmate in 4 moves. h#4 (9 + 14)
[K4b2/5R2/8/6p1/Rp3pPp/q1p1pP2/rpPpPk1P/1s1s1B2]

Key : 1.b3! Ra4-a7 2.Qa6 Rxf4 3.Qxe2 Rf4-a4 4.Kxf3 Rf7#
Exchange of positions of the two white Rooks. The white Rook annihilates a black Pawn and the black Queen annihilates a white Pawn, in order to create the final picture of mate.


More problems are contained in the Internet bases of problems
[http://dt.dewia.com/yacpdb/?rcpp=50&rcp=1#SearchHelp] (you write [Lyris] and click on [SEARCH]) and
[http://www.softdecc.com/pdb/index.pdb] (you write [a='Lyris'] and click on [Search]) and
[http://www.bstephen.me.uk/NonX5/problemsv1.html] (in the field Composer you write [Lyris] and click on [Submit]).

Emmanuel Manolas (3)

Today's post is relevant with the theme Rex solus (=King alone), in which the black King is alone on the chess board. The white forces threatening him will eventually win and the solvers must find the way.

Below we present eight original compositions of the Greek composer Manolas (the owner of this blog).
The Problems 367 – 373 are two-movers and the Problem 374 is a three-mover.

Their solutions will not be difficult to find. Please try to solve them, and then send a comment with the eight keys.

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Problems for solving. (The solutions have been appended to the end of this post).

	(Problem 367) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (4 + 1)
[8/8/8/8/6S1/3k4/Q5B1/4K3]

	(Problem 368) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (5 + 1)
[7Q/8/5P2/8/2Sk4/4S3/4K3/8]

	(Problem 369) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (7 + 1)
[6QR/8/1K1SS3/4k3/7P/8/5P2/8]

	(Problem 370) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (6 + 1)
[R6S/K2P2k1/6P1/6P1/8/8/8/8]

	(Problem 371) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (7 + 1)
[2R5/3B4/8/8/P2kP1P1/3S4/3K4/8]

	(Problem 372) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (6 + 1)
[3QK3/8/SS6/Pk6/8/8/2P5/8]

	(Problem 373) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (7 + 1)
[RB4S1/8/2k5/2P2P2/8/2K5/2B5/8]

	(Problem 374) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 3. #3 (7 + 1)
[8/5S2/1S6/BPk5/K7/R7/2P5/8]

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20090729 : update : The solutions of the problems

Problem 367
Tries : [1.Qc4+? Kxc4!], [1.Qd2+?/Qb2? Kc4!], [1.Qa4? Kc3!], [1.Qb3+? Kd4!].
Key : 1.Bd5!

Problem 368
Tries : [1.Qh5?/Qc8? Kc3!], [1.f7+? Kc5!].
Key : 1.Qb8!

Problem 369
Tries : [1.Rh5+? Kxd6!], [1.Sc5?/Sf8?/Sd8?/Sc7? Kd4!], [1.Sd4? Kxd4!], [1.Kc5?/Kc6?/Kc7? Kf6!].
Key : 1.Sf4!

Problem 370
Tries : [1.Sf7? Kxg6!], [1.Rg8+? Kxg8!], [1.Rf8? Kxf8!], [1.d8=S? Kf8!].
Key : 1.d8=B!

Problem 371
Tries : [1.Re8?/Bc6? Kc4!], [1.Rc4+? Kxc4!], [1.Rc1?/Rc2?/Rc3?/Rc5?/Rc6?/Rc7? Kxe4!], [1.Bb5?/Be6?/Be8? Kxd4!], [Sf2? Ke5!].
Key : 1.Rd8!

Problem 372
Tries : [1.Qg5+?/Qd2?/Qd5+? Kxa6!], [1.Qd3+?/Qa8?/Qc8?/c4+? Kxa5!], [1.Sc8?/Sa8? Ka4!], [1.Sa4? Kxa4!].
Key : 1.Sc4!

Problem 373
Key : 1.Bd6!

Problem 374
Tries : [1.Bd2?/Bc3? Kxb6!], [1.Ra1?/Ra2?/Rh3?/Rg3?/Re3?/Rc3+?/Rb3?/c4? Kd4!].
Key : 1.Rf3!

Best Study for 2007

The International Committee for Chess Problems selects one study each year and gives it the title [Study of the Year xxxx]. It is generally supposed that the best study of the year takes the title. The reality is slightly different, (that is there may be excellent studies for some year, not winning this title), but in some years the selected study is really beautiful.

In Jurmala of Latvia in 2008 as [Best study of the Year 2007] was selected a prized study of the Czech problemist Mario Matous, and we present it here.

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Study of the year 2007.

	(Problem 366) Mario Matous, First Prize, Polasek and Vlasak 50 J Ty 2007, White plays and wins. + (4 + 4)
[8/q7/8/2pp4/5K2/8/2RS1B1k/8]

To solve this study, you may begin with
Key : 1.Sf3+! Kh1! (why not 1...Kh3? )
and you discover the continuation (which is consisted from two 'symmetrical' variations).

The solution is written below...

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Key : 1.Sf3! Kh1!
(not 1...Kh3? 2.Sg5+ Kg2 3.Bxc5+ and the black Queen is lost)

2.Bd4!! ( > 3. Rh2# )
(not 2.Bxc5? Qa4+ 3.Sd4 Qxd4+! 4.Bxd4 = stalemate )

2...Qf7+!
(not 2...Qb8+? 3.Be5 Qf8+ 4.Ke3 Qh6+ 5.Kf2 c4 6.Ra2 Qb6+ 7.Bd4 Qb1 8.Ra1 1-0)
(not 2...Qc7+? with possible continuations [3.Se5 Qb8 4.Rb2! Qf8+ 5.Kg3 Qg7+ 6.Sg4 Qc7+ 7.Be5 Qh7 8.Rd2 Qb1 9.Rd1+ Qxd1 10.Sf2+ 1-0] or [3.Se5 Qc8 4.Kg3 Qg8+ 5.Sg4 Qb8+ 6.Kh3 Qb3+ 7.Rc3 Qb1 8.Sf2+ Kg1 9.Se4+ cxd4 10.Rg3+ Kf1 11.Sd2+ 1-0])

3.Ke3!!
(not 3.Kg3? Qg6+ losing the Rook)

3...cxd4+
4.Kf2! Qf4
5.Rc6!!
(not 5.Rc8? Qe3+ 6.Kg3 Qh6 7.Kf2 Qe3+ 8.Kg3 Qh6 = draw by triple repetition
nor 5.Re2? Qe3+ = draw
nor 5.Ra2? Qc1 6.Kg3!? Qc7+ 7.Kf2 Qc1 = draw by triple repetition
which cannot be avoided by 6.Ra8 Qc2+ 7.Kg3 Qg6+ 8.Kf2 Qc2+ =)

Black is in zugzwang situation.

First variation, where the pawn moves and blocks the diagonal b1-h7.
5...d3
6.Rc8! Qh6
7.Rb8! (avoiding Qb6+) 1-0

Second variation, 'symmetrical' to the main diagonal a8-h1.
5...Qe3+
6.Kg3 d3
7.Ra6! Qc1
8.Ra7! (avoiding Qc7+) 1-0

Solving contest 2009-05-31, 8 ESO, category2

We present the problems (of both rounds) of the second category (for junior solvers, easier problems, four per round), from the eighth Solving Contest for Chess Problems organized by the Greek Chess Federation (E.S.O. Elliniki Skakistiki Omospondia), and hosted by the Chess Club of Aegaleo in 31/05/2009.

The problems were selected by Ioannis Garoufalidis.

An award was given for his participation to the young player of C.C. Aegaleo John Katopodis (with 7,5 points in 40 possible).

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Problems for solving. (The solutions are at the end of this post).

	(Problem 358) A. Kramer, Deutsche Tageszeitung, 1922, Mate in 2. #2 (6 + 1)
[8/8/8/7K/8/2R3P1/3R2Pk/2Q5]

	(Problem 359) M. Bosch, Mate in 3. #3 (4 + 2)
[8/8/8/8/1R3p2/5k2/3k1B2/4S3]

	(Problem 360) V. Nikitin, Ural Problemist, 2008, White plays and wins. + (2 + 3)
[8/8/7K/1kp4p/4P3/8/8/8]

	(Problem 361) S. Jurisek, Zadachi Etudi, 2005, Helpmate in 2 moves. Two solutions. h#2 2111 (5 + 2)
[3b4/1P2k1SP/8/B7/7K/8/8/8]

	(Problem 362) V. Shumarin, Zadachi I Etudi, 2005, Mate in 2. #2 (5 + 2)
[8/8/Q1p1S3/3k4/3B4/7B/2K5/8]

	(Problem 363) Koblov, Rostislav, Zadachi I Etudi, 2005, Mate in 3 moves. #3 (5 + 2)
[8/8/8/5p2/1Q1K4/8/3SBS2/4k3]

	(Problem 364) Galitsky, Alexander, Mate in 4 moves. #4 (4 + 3)
[8/8/4p2p/3kS2K/1Q1P4/8/8/8]

	(Problem 365) A. Zickermann, (version) Feenschach, 1951, Selfmate in 3 moves. s#3 (4 + 3)
[s7/8/3S4/8/7Q/k7/1pB5/1K6]

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The solutions of the problems
The points of the solution are shown with bold numbers, a total of five for each correct solution.


(Problem 358) A. Kramer, 1922, #2

We must give a flight to the black King. There are many tries, and the theme is Bristol line opening (the parasitic piece that opens the line is not taking part to the mate).

Tries : [1.Qh1+? Kxh1!], [1.Qg1+? Kxg1!]
Tries : [1.Rd1? / Rd3? / Rd4? / Rd5? / Rd6? / Rd7? / Rd8 Kxg2!]
Tries : [1.Rc2? / Rc4? / Rc5? / Rc6? / Rc7? Kxg3!]

Key : 1.Rc8! (5)
1...Kxg3 2.Qc7#


(Problem 359) M. Bosch, #3

We make a Rook-Bishop battery, we allow the black King to move around, but not for very much...

Tries : [1.Rb1? Kc3!], [1.Rc4? Kd1!]

Key : 1.Bb6! (1)
1...Kxe1 2.Rd4 (1) Kf1 3.Rd1#
1...Kd1 2.Rb1+ (1) Kd2 3.Ba5#
1...Kc3 2.Ba5 (1) Kd2 3.Rb1#
1...Kc1 2.Ba5 (1) Kd1 / Kd2 3.Rb1#


(Problem 360) V. Nikitin, +

If the White is going to win, then obviously the wP must be promoted.

(not 1.Kg6? h4 2.e5 h3 3.e6 h2 4.e7 h1=Q 5.e8=Q Qc6 6.Qxc6 Kxc6 7.Kf5 Kd5 -+)
(not 1.Kxh5? c4 2.e5 c3 3.e6 Kc6 4.Kg6 Kd6 5.Kf6 c2 6.e7 c1=Q 7.e8=Q =)

Key : 1.e5! (1)
1...Kc6 2.Kg6 Kd5 3.Kf5 (1) and now two equivalent variations
3...h4 4.e6 Kd6 5.Kf6 h3 6.e7 h2 7.e8=Q h1=Q 8.Qd8+ Kc6 9.Qa8+ (1.5) +-
3...c4 4.e6 Kd6 5.Kf6 c3 6.e7 c2 7.e8=Q c1=Q 8.Qd8+ Kc6 9.Qc8+ (1.5) +-


(Problem 361) S. Jurisek, h#2 2111

Black plays first and helps White to mate. The solver should imagine where all the pieces must go in order to create the mating net inside the limit of the moves.

Key : 1.Kf6! h8=S 2.Be7 Bc3# (2.5)
Key : 1.Bc7! b8=Q 2.Kd7 Qxc7# (2.5)


(Problem 362) V. Shumarin, #2

Tries : [1.Qd3? / Qa5+? / Qb6? C5!], [1.Qa8? Kc4!], [1.Qxc6+? Kxc6!], [1.Qb7? / Ba1? / Bb2? / Bc3? / Bh8? / Bg7? / Bg4? / Kd2? / Kc3? / Kd3? Kd6!]

Key : 1.Bf6! (5) ( > 2.Qd3# )
1...c5 2.Bg2#


(Problem 363) R. Koblov, #3

Tries : [1.Ke3? F4+!], [1.Qd6? Kxd2!], [1.Kd3? / Qb1+? / Qb3? / Qb5? / Qc4? / Bf1? / Bh5? / Bg4? / Bf3? / Ba6? / Bb5? / Bc4? / Bd3? Kxf2!], [1.Sd1? / Sh1? / Sh3? / Sg4? / Sd3+? / Se4+? Kxe2!]

Key : 1.Qb8! (1) ( > 2.Q(x)f4 K~ 3. Qe3# (1) )
1...Kxd2 2.Qb2+ (1.5) Ke1 3.Sd3#
1...Kxf2 2.Qh2+ (1.5) Ke1 3.Sf3#


(Problem 364) A. Galitsky, #4

Tries : [1.Kxh6? / Kg4? / Qc3? / Qc5+? / Qa4? / Qb6? / Qc4+? Ke4!], [1.Qe1? / Qf8? / Qb7+? Kxd4!], [1.Qb2? Kd6!]

Key : 1.Qd2! (1) (zugzwang situation)
1...Kd6 2.Qa5 Ke7 3.Qa8 (2) Kf6 / Kd6 4.Qf8# / 4.Qd8#
1...Ke4 2.Qf2 Kd5 3.Qh4 (2) Kd6 4.Qd8#


(Problem 365) A. Zickermann, s#3

White plays first and forces Black to achieve mate, leading the black Knight from a8 to c3.

Tries : [1.Sc4+? / Qg3+? / Qh3+? / Qb4+? K(x)b4!], [1.Qc4? / Qd4? Sb6!]

Key : 1.Qe1! (1) (zugzwang situation)
1...Sb6 2.Qa5+ Sa4 3.Qc3+ (2) Sxc3#
1...Sc7 2.Sb5+ Sxb5 3.Qc3+ (2) Sxc3#

Solving Contest 2009-05-31, 8th ESO, Aegaleo

Aegaleo, 31/05/2009

Mr Kostas Prentos from Salonica is for the eighth time Champion of Greece in Solving chess problems, being the winner of the 8th Solving Contest organized by the Greek Chess Federation (“Elliniki Skakistiki Omospondia”, “E.S.O.”)!
Bravo Kostas Prentos, eight in eight!!

Second was Harry Fougiaxis, third was Andreas Papastavropoulos.

The awards were twins! The three first solvers received cups from the athletic division of the Municipality of Aegaleo (it is in Athens, Greece), and also money prizes from the known Greek solver Panagiotis Konidaris who was celebrating the birth of his twin babies. We wish health for all!

The final ranking is as follows : (1) Prentos 42 4:00, (2) Fougiaxis 23 3:55, (3) Papastavropoulos 22 4:00, (4) Sklavounos 21.5 4:00 (5) Manolas 20 3:58 (6) Ilandzis 20 4:00 (7) Anemodouras 19.5 4:00 (8) Skyrianoglou 18.5 3:56, (9) Mendrinos 17 4:00 (10) Alexandrou 16.5 3:46 (11) Tsolakos 15 3:52 (12) Vlahos 13 4:00 (13) Tassopoulos 11 3:50 (14) Mihaloudis 10 4:00 (15) Anastasiou 5 3:58 (16) Blazos 5 4:00.

Mr Ioannis Garoufalidis was the judge.

See here the problems and try to solve them...but you can see the solutions here.

Comments by Alkinoos :
The photo of the winners shows (left-to-right) :
G Karahalios vice-mayor of Aegaleo. Harry Fougiaxis (2nd). Kostas Prentos (1st). Andreas Papastavropoulos (3rd). Panagis Sklavounos (4th). Emmanuel Manolas (5th). Spyros Ilandzis (6th).

The message of the Egyptian T-shirt of the fifth winner is 'play more chess' not 'smoke various substances'...

You may see more photos at the site of Chess Club of Patras.

Demetrius N. Kapralos

Demetrius Kapralos was Golden Winner in Olympiad of chess problem composition.

He was born (March 05, 1927) in Panaitolio (district of Agrinio in Greece), same year with the first official chess Olympiad. He died (February 06, 1994) only days before the death of Triantafyllos Siaperas.

Child of a multi-membered family, learned the war in his youth and a lesion, in his leg, marked the remainder of his life. He learned about chess and chess problems, when he was hospitalized, from the newspapers that had just restarted circulating then, particularly from the column of Ioannis Koutalidis in the periodical [Helios], where the themes of the chess problems were explained and had become pole of attraction for the first generation of Greek problemists.

When he started composing, he contacted Spyros Bikos, who knew the problemists of Holland. Bikos recognized at once the talent of the young composer and helped him, proposing international contests and collaborating with him. In the first tourney with theme "Bikos" organized in Holland in 1948, Kapralos was awarded with First Prize. From that time on, in each tourney he participated he received exceptional distinctions. In 1950, in a thematic tourney, three problems by Kapralos received the three first prizes! (See below a catalog of distinctions and the Problem-357 which was the First Prize of this contest).

During the decade ’50 – ’60 he participated in many composition contests with continuous success.
His photo comes from the fron cover of the chess magazine [To Mat] (issue 57, September 1956) that was published by Spyros Bikos.

After 1960 he moved to Athens, was very active with over the board chess and had the local title of Candidate Master. He chose jobs allowing ample free time for his inventions, and he had the opportunity to participate (as supplementary player)with the Greek National Team in chess Olympiads (14th Olympiad – Leipzig 1960, 17th Olympiad – Havana 1966, details here).

In the end of decade, he comes back stronger in the composition of problems and he becomes head and soul of the Greek national team in the World Competitions of Composition, lasting four years each. In these competitions his personal and team successes are many. In those years where the otb chess in Greece still had not woken up, Kapralos continues to be distinguished in the Olympiad Chess Competitions. At the same time, he also scores successes in other competitions of composition. The fast comprehension of subject that was given for composition, and the speed with which he composed was admirable by all, and his talents justified his big successes in mainly thematic competitions.

The rewarded problems that were mentioned before, and many others from the 300+ problems he had composed, are published in various magazines and sites. We should try to assembled them in one collection, because there is a danger to lose many of them. He did not send his problems for evaluation and publication in the albums of FIDE, and the world Union of Problemists could not grant him the title of International Master in Composition (because publication in the albums is a prerequisite), but they granted him the honorary title of "International Judge in Problem Composition". His last occupation was Chess Trainer in the Greek Chess Federation.

The dreamer Demetrius Kapralos, despite he had a lot of health problems, he labored until his last moments for the composition of problems for the world championship of that season, as well as for the recognition of his pioneering invention with chemical base, that could find application in the industries and resolve the energy problem. We do not know what has happened to this invention.

We the problemists honor the unprecedented Demetrius Kapralos, and we remember him each time we touch the pieces in our chessboard because even the set of pieces of the Greek Chess Federation is drawn from his creative hand!


Indicative list of awards for Dimitrius Kapralos

1948 : First Place, Thematic Contest "Bikos", magazine Probleemblad, Holland
1950 : First Place [see Problem-357] and Second Place and Third Place, International Tourney, magazine Probleemblad, Holland
1951 : First Place in two-movers, British Chess Review
1952 : Fourth Place in three-movers [see Problem-355] and Third Honorary Mention in two-movers [see Problem-356], Olympiad in Helsinki
1955 : First place, Sao Paulo Contest
1956 : First Place, magazine Probleemblad, Holland
1956 : First Place, French tourney UPF
1956 : First Place and Third Place, Vida Rotaria Ty, Brazil
1972 : Golden Medal First Place in the live composition contest [see problem-353] and Golden Medal First Place in two-movers [see Problem-354], Olympiad in Skopje
1972 : Seventh Place for Greece, (Goussopoulos, Kapralos, Lyris, Bikos, Moutecidis, Skoulis), to the 2nd International Team-Matches for Chess Compositions 1967-1971, in Holland. Sixth Place in two-movers for Kapralos in this tourney.
1974 : Silver Medal Second Place (together with Spyros Bikos) in three-movers and Bronze Medal Third Place (together with Spyros Bikos) in two-movers, Olympiad in Nice.
1974 : First Place in two-movers, Sinfonie Scacchistiche, Italy
1974 : First Place in three-movers, Hlas l’udu, Czechoslovakia
1976 : Sixth Place (together with Spyros Bikos), Olympiad in Haifa.
1983 : First Place (tigether with Nikos Siotis), tourney for 1300 Years of Bulgaria. [see Problem-010]
1985 : Fifth Place for Greece in 2nd WCCT (World Chess Composition Tourney 1980-1983), organized by FRG
1985 : Third Place, 148 Thematic Contest Probleemblad, Holland [see Problem-234]
1989 : Fifth Place for Greece in 3rd WCCT (World Chess Composition Tourney 1984-1987), organized by PCCC.


Problems by Kapralos

	(Problem 353) Demetrius N. Kapralos, First Prize in live composition contest, Olympiad Skopje, 1972 Mate in 2 moves. #2 ( 12 + 12 )
[8/8/1p1S2b1/5pQ1/rpp1Pp2/R1Pk1PP1/R3p3/B1rBbSsK]

Set play : [1...fxg3 2. Qe3#], [1...fxe4 2. Qd5#]

Try : 1. Qf6? ( > 2. Qd4# )
1...Rxc3 2. Bc2#
1...Bxc3 2. Rd2#
but 1...bxc3!

Keyί : 1. Qd8! ( > 2. Sd~# )
1...Ra8 2. Sc8#
1...Ra7 2. Sb7#
1...Ra5 2. Sb5#
1...Be8 2. Sxe8#
1...Bf7 2. Sxf7#
1...exf1=~ 2. Sxf5#
(1...Bf2 2. Rd2#
1...Sxf3 2. Bxe2#)

Time given 3 hours, Judge Zvonimir Hernitz from Yugoslavia.
Theme : [Radical change of white and black play in three phases (set play, try, actual play). The thematic variations (moves B1 W2) must not be repeated together in any phase. If the first move of black, B1, is repeated, then the second move of white, W2, must be different.]

In the set play we have two variations with line openings for wQ, in try we see two self-pins of black pieces and, finally, after the key the theme free Fleck appears (separation of the threats, which are introduced with the key, after specific black defenses).

The problem was front cover of the chess magazine [Skakistis] No.58 October 1972.

	(Problem 354) Demetrius N. Kapralos, Golden Medal, Olympiad Skopje, 1972 Mate in 2 moves. #2 ( 9 + 11 )
[2B2RK1/2B5/2p1S1p1/r1R5/r1p1k3/s1PS2Q1/q4pb1/2b5]

Set play :
1...Bf3 2. Qxf3#
1...Be3 a 2. Qxg6# A
1...cxd3 b 2. Qe5# C

Try :
1. Bf4? ( > 2. Sg5# )
1...Bf3 c 2. Qxg6# A
1...Be3 2. Qxe3#
1...cxd3 b 2. Qxg2# B
(1...Bxf4 2. Rxf4#)
but 1...Rxc5!

Key : 1. Rd8! ( > 2. Rd4# )
1...Bf3 c 2. Qe5# C
1...Be3 a 2. Qxg2# B
1...cxd3 2. Qxd3#
1...Sc2 2. Sxf2#
1...Sb5 2. Re5#
1...Rxc5 2. Sexc5#

Theme Zagoruiko 3x3 with 3 changed mates in 3 phases, with all the mates being given by wQ, in a form of Lacny separated in three phases.

	(Problem 355) Demetrius N. Kapralos, First Honorable Mention, Olympiad Helsinki, 1952 Mate in 3 moves. #3 ( 10 + 10 )
[2qrRB1K/1p5b/1r6/1p5R/2P1pk2/1sS1p3/Q3BS1P/8]

Key : 1. Qa7! ( > 2. Qb8+
2...Rdd6, Rbd6 3. Bh6#, Sd5#
2...Qc7, Qxb8 3. Sh3# )
1...Rdd6 2. Bh6+ Rxh6 3. Sd5#
1...Rbd6 2. Sd3+ exd3 / Rxd3 3. Qxe3# / Bh6#
1...Bf5 2. Sh3+ Bxh3 3. Rxe4#
1...Qf5 2. Rxe4+ Qxe4 3. Sh3#
1...Qd7 2. Sd5+ Qxd5 3. Sh3#
1...Qe6, exf2 2. Bh6+ Qxh6 / Rxh6 3. Sh3# / Qxf2#

Wuerzburg – Plachutta intersections in squares d6 and f5, and Holzhausen intersections in squares d7 and e6.

	(Problem 356) Demetrius N. Kapralos, Third Honorary Mention, Olympiad Helsinki, 1952 Mate in 2 moves. #2 ( 10 + 9 )
[1s5r/R2BSp2/1Kpk4/1bS5/1P3P1B/3p3Q/4R3/4r1q1]

Set play :
1...Qg5 a 2. Sb7# A (Se4?)
1...Qg4 b 2. Se4# B (Sb7?)

Key : 1. Be6! ( > 2. Sf5# )
1...Qg5 a 2. Se4# B (Sb7?)
1...Qg4 b 2. Sb7# A (Se4?)
1...Qxc5+ 2. bxc5#
1...Qg6 2. Sb7#
1...fxe6 2. Qxe6#
1...Sd7+ 2. Rxd7#
1...Rh5 2. Sc8#

Reversal of mates after the same black defenses and theme Java (that is combination of dual avoidance with white-line closures by black and white).

Theme: Java : two squares adjacent to bK are controlled by two white pieces each. Black closes one line of control and white cannot close the other line of control, thus white selects the next move avoiding dual.

	(Problem 357) Demetrius N. Kapralos, First Prize, International tourney Holland, 1950 Mate in 2 moves. #2 ( 9 + 12 )
[b5QK/3R2Bp/8/1Sp1S2B/4kp2/2r1srp1/3Psb2/3qR3]

Set play :
1...S2~ / S3~ 2. Qxh7#
1...Sd4! 2. Sd6#
1...Sf5! 2. Qxa8#

Key : 1. Rf7! ( > 2. Bxf3# )
1...S2~ / S3~ 2. Qxa8#
1...Sd4! 2. Sxc3#
1...Sd5! 2. Qxh7#
1...Kd5 2. Rxf4#

Changes of mates between set play and actual play, in the general and the corrective defenses of the black Knights, which are placed in a half-pin formation.
The mechanism of the problem is based on the by turns check of the squares d5 and f5, which is very cleverly achieved with the give-and-take key, (gives to bK the flight d5 taking at the same time the flight f5).

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Comment by Alkinoos : This post became a reality with the valuable cooperations of Panagis Sklavounos and Harry Fougiaxis, whom I thank.

May 07 – 10 in Subotica

Three Greek International Masters in chess composition are in Subotica (it is in northern Serbia near the borders with Hungary) participating in the 5th European Chess Solving Competition (5 ECSC 2009) :

Pavlos Moutecidis,
Harry Fougiaxis,
Kostas Prentos.

We send our warmest wishes for their success.

You may find details from the competitions here.

08-May-2009 : The problems from the Open Solving Contest are published here. (In problem 10 there is a black pawn in e7).

In the five-mover to the right, the under-promotion key creates a threat, which can be parred by one of the black rooks. There follow two nice variations (with threats Bc2-d1-f3, Sf2-d1-e3), where the bB and the bS want to go to g5, then the rook runs to save the situation and... Try to solve this problem or see the solution at the end of this post!

09-05-2009 : Results from the Open Solving Contest, 82 solvers
12 problems were given. Points per problem 5. Maximum points 60.

1. Dolf Wissman NLD (Rating 2551.86) 60.0 points
2. Marjan Kovacevic SRB (2586.67) 57.5
3. Georgy Evseev RUS (2804.69) 55.0
4. Piotr Murdzia POL (2772.25) 53.0
5. Vlaicu Crisan ROU (2378.03) 53.0
6. Michal Dragoun CZE (2572.65) 52.5
--------------------------
18. Kostas Prentos GRC (2482.62) 46.5
--------------------------
60. Harry Fougiaxis GRC (2123.41) 25.0

09-05-2009 : The problems from the first round of the 5th European Chess Solving Competition are published here.

10-05-2009 : 5 ECSC 2009, Results for Solvers and National Teams :
1. GM Piotr Murdzia, POL, points 87.5, time 317 minutes, rating 2772.25
2. GM Georgy Evseev, RUS, 83.0, 332, 2804.69
3. IM Michal Dragoun, CZE, 77.5, 317, 2572.65
4. Bojan Vuckovic, SRB, 75.5, 318, 2623.10
5. Kacper Piorun, POL, 73.5, 351, 2340.96
6. Dolf Wissmann, NED, 73.0, 339, 2551.86
--------------------------
12. Kostas Prentos, GRE, 67.5, 360, 2482.62

We are very glad about the successful results of our Kostas Prentos, who remains steadily among the top solvers of the world.

In the team results only countries with 3 solvers are shown
(1) Poland 231.5 (2) Russia 226.5 (3) Serbia A 222.0 (4) Finland 204.0 (5) Ukraine 194.5 (6) Czech Republic 183.0 (7) Israel 175.0 (8) Romania 173.5 (9) Slovakia 169.5 (10) Croatia 161.0 (11) Lithuania 160.0 (12) Slovenia 159.0 (13) Belarus 154.0 (14) Great Britain 146.5 (15) Serbia B 146.0 (16) Serbia junior 109.0

11-05-2009 : Let us have a look at problem composition...
The texts about the composition contests in Subotica are extremely interesting. They are elucidating the way the Judges are thinking when they give prizes to the problems. You have the opportunity to admire some excellent creations of the composers.

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Solution for the five-mover problem :
Key 1. e8=S! ( > 2. Sc7#)
1...Ra7 2. Bd1 ( > 3. Bf3#) Sg5 3. Bd3+ axb3 4. Sd1 ( > 5. Se3#) Ra1 5. Sc7#
1...Rb7 2. Sd1 ( > 3. Se3#) Bg5 3. Sc3+ bxc3 4. Bd1 ( > 5. Bf3#) Rb1 5. Sc7#

Find the themes

Michel Caillaud (1957 - ) is a famous French problemist, with great ease on composing remarkable problems of every genre, whose problems we have already presented in this blog (241 341). He was repeatedly the winner of the World Contest of Solving Problems and the Judge of many Composition Contests, for example in Rhodes, Greece, in 2007.
He likes to combine themes in his problems.

In this exercise, where the problem contains few pieces (it is a Miniature), there are two themes.

Solve the problem (it is necessary to find the tries also) and write in the comments the key and the two themes.

I will write the solution at the end of this post after a few days.

	(Problem 352) Michel Caillaud, Second Prize, 148 Thematic Tourney Probleemblad 1985 Mate in 2 moves. #2 ( 6 + 1 )
[4S2R/3P4/8/2K5/Q7/8/8/2B4K]

A note by Alkinoos :
Mr Ioannis Garoufalidis proposed this nice problem.

We have received (30-04-2009) the following complete solution from reader I. K. :

Tries: [1. d8=Q? stalemate], [1. d8=B? ( > 2. Rh5 [A]) Kd5! [a]], [1. d8=R? ( > 2. Be3 [B]) Kb6! [b]]

Key : 1. d8=S! (waiting)
1...Kd5 [a] 2. Rh5# [A]
1...Kb6 [b] 2. Be3# [B]
Themes: (1) The four promotions (AUW), and (2) Dombrovskis.

Demetrio Gussopulo

Demetrio Gussopulo (Demetrios Ghoussopoulos, 1900 – 1980) was a composer of chess problems. He was member of the Greek composition team (Moutecidis, Kapralos, Bikos, Gussopulo, Skoulis) in the 2nd World Competition in Composition (1967-1970), which team took 7th place among 27 teams.
We present facts from his life, that were included in an obituary written by Pavlos Moutecidis in 1980 :

In memory of Demetrio Gussopulo.

The ever memorable, Demetrio Gussopulo, was born in Alexandria, Egypt, circa 1900.
He was educated in the Catholic School of Freres (French monks). He could speak and write French (his mother language), Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, and Arabic. English and German wrote with the help of a small dictionary.
He interrupted his studies in France, when his uncle died, who was paying the fees for tuition and feeding.
He worked before the war in Maltsiniotis factory as lathe handler - fitter. After the war he went to France, where there were living two of his children. From France he migrated to Brazil.
He first contacted chess problems in France, but not systematically. In Brazil he was found in the circle of Santiago, Faria, Novis, Figueiredo etc. He was occupied there systematically with the problem, mainly the helpmate two-mover. He has also invented there the [System Gussopulo], which is the most complete system for expressing thematic ideas in helpmate problems.
I have made the acquaintance of D. Gussopulo in 1966. He was then embarked as third engineer in ships. He was my teacher for years. He checked my problems, he wrote notes and remarks. I owe to him almost everything I know about helpmates. He had such an intense influence on me, that nowadays I am occupied and I publish more helpmates than any other kind.
To the people that did not know him well, he gave the impression that lonely people give : of a difficult person. But really, if you accepted him as he was, if you kept your word with responsibility, then he was an amazing debater. We kept our friendship and continuous correspondence for 10 years, and I believe that I have profited from this acquaintance because I had the opportunity to know a "very full cup".
In helpmates he started to compete after 1966. In the period through 1974, that is in 7-8 years, he won about thirty prizes, half of them First Prizes.
I give here two of his compositions, which were selected for publication in FIDE Albums. From the first problem it seems that in 1960 he represented Brazil with his problems, since he was working there at that time.
Engineer Pavlos Moutecidis

	(Problem 350) Demetrio Gussopulo, 4th place "Brazil - Italy", 1960 Mate in 2 moves. #2 ( 10 + 10 )
[3R4/1qPKP2B/2Q1p2r/1p5b/3k1Pp1/2p1S3/S5r1/2B1b3]

Tries : [1. Bg6? Rh8!], [1. e8=Q? Rxh7+!], [1. Qxc3+? Bxc3!], [1. Qc4+? Bxc4!], [1. Qc5+? Kxc5!], [1. Qb6+? Qxb6!], [1. Qd6+? Qd5!], [1. Sc2+? Rxc2!].

Key : 1. Bd2! ( > 2. Qxc3# / Sc2#, the square d2 is a Nowotny intersection)
1...Bxd2 2. Sc2#
1...Rxd2 2. Qxc3#
There is Grimsaw intersection at g6
1...Bg6 2. Kxe6#
1...Rg6 2. Ke8#
There follow variations where the Royal battery is active
1...Be8+ 2. Kxe8#
1...Qxc6+ 2. Kxc6#
1...Qc8+ 2. Kxc8#
1...Qxc7+ 2. Kxc7#
1...Rxh7 2. Kxe6#

	(Problem 351) Demetrio Gussopulo, 3rd Honorable Mention, "Stella Polaris" 1967 Helpmate in 2 moves. Two solutions. h#2, 2111 ( 3 + 3)
[1b1K4/3B4/8/8/8/R6r/8/7k]

Key : 1. Bh2! Rg3 2. Rh7 Bc6#
Key : 1. Rh2! Bh3 2. Bd6 Ra1#
(Homo-strategic play : 1. One black piece self-blocks – one white piece closes a flight 2. the other black piece is de-located at a unique square – the other white piece mates)


Notes by Alkinoos :
The multi-awarded Pavlos Moutecidis is International Master in Composition of Chess Problems. He is famous for his selfmate many-movers.
D. Goussopoulos has published three articles with general title [The Artistic Chess, Genesis and Evolution of the problem] in the magazine Skakistis (issues 26 02/1970, 27 03/1970, 28 04/1970), where he presented his views about the creation of good chess compositions.

Easy win in four moves

The following diagram is a problem by Lord Dunsany (Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany, 1878-1957), who was English man of literature and theatrical writer and good chess player with draws in games against Jose Raoul Capablanca.

A specimen of the poetic expression of Lord Dunsany :
"One art they say is of no use;
The mellow evenings spent at chess,
The thrill, the triumph, and the truce
To every care, are valueless.
"And yet, if all whose hopes were set
On harming man played chess instead,
We should have cities standing yet
Which now are dust upon the dead."

	(Problem 349) Lord Dunsany, "Week-end Problems Book" by Hubert Phillips, 1932 Mate in 4 moves. Two solutions. #4 retro ( 8 + 16 )
[RSBKQBSR/8/8/8/8/8/pppppppp/rsbqkbsr]

The diagram is accompanied by a story : Someone enters in a chess club and sees the pieces arranged this way on a chess board. They inform him "two eccentric gents were playing a game and when the White, who were ready to make a move, announced [Mate in 4 moves, with two ways!] the Black left angry and after him the White left also. Can you discover the continuation?"

While the hero of the story is thinking, can you dear readers find the two solutions of the problem?
If I do not receive comments with the solution, I will publish it soon at the end of this post.

Ikaros Chess Festival 2009

Find info about the famous Ikaros Chess Festival (here and here), an excellent opportunity for summer vacations combined with chess playing.

Read the very interesting Interview of the Tournament Director for 2009, Dimitris Skyrianoglou.

The official website for Ikaros Chess Festival is http://www.chess.gr/ikaros/ .

Chess curiosities

The (Spanish speaking) blog [Ajedrez 32] (=chess 32), except the expected material about chess, publishes various curiosities which are very interesting.
Photos, strange chessboards and pieces, odd tattoos, videos. (Do not miss the Oscar 1997 winner by Pixar : here).
See the three pages with the [Curiosidades].

Solving contest 2009-04-12, 6th ESSNA, Ampelokipi

In the hall of the Ampelokipi Chess Club (in Athens) took place the sixth Solving Contest of the "Union of Chess Clubs in Attica" (ESSNA), in Sunday April 12 2009. The contest honors the memory of Byron Zappas, Greek Grand Master in Composition.

Selection of problems and Judgment by Mr. Garoufalidis Ioannis. The selected problems had several tries, which could lead solvers astray, but, as most of the present contestants admitted, were not as extremely difficult (with the possible exception of the four-mover and the study) as in previous contests. Let us see the press bulletin :

Press Bulletin With satisfactory number of contestants, the sixth contest of ESSNA took place in Ampelokipi Chess Club. Champion of Attica is now Mendrinos Nikos who, despite his absence in recent contests, managed to gather 17,5 points solving the difficult three-mover but failing to solve the more-mover and the difficult study. Second is the experienced Fougiaxis Harry gathered easily 15 points solving the heterodox problems, and third with equal points is Skyrianoglou Dimitris. A "false step" of Papastavropoulos Andreas deprived him from a place with a medal, ranking him fourth with 15 points also but with more time than Fougiaxis and Skyrianoglou. Ilantzis Spyros is in fifth place with 13 points, while a pleasant surprise is the placement of Vlahos Elissaios with 12,5 points and sixth place.

Place	Name	#2	#3	#4	=	h#3	s#3	points	time	place
1	Mendrinos Nikos	5	5	-	-	2.5	5	17.5	2:28	1
2	Fougiaxis Harry	5	-	-	-	5	5	15	2:22	2
3	Skyrianoglou Dimitris	5	5	-	-	-	5	15	2:27	3
4	Papastavropoulos Andreas	5	-	-	-	5	5	15	2:30	4
5	Ilantzis Spyros	5	3	-	-	-	5	13	2:30	5
6	Vlahos Elissaios	5	-	-	-	2.5	5	12.5	2:30	6
7	Kalkavouras Ioannis	5	-	-	-	2.5	4	11.5	2:29	7
8	Manolas Emmanuel	5	-	4	-	2.5	-	11.5	2:30	8
9	Sklavounos Panagis	5	-	-	1	-	5	11	2:30	9
10	Konidaris Panagiotis	5	-	-	-	5	-	10	2:30	10
11	Markessinis L.	5	-	-	-	-	3	8	2:30	11
12	Anemodouras L.	5	-	-	-	2.5	-	7.5	2:30	12
13	Mihaloudis G.	5	2	-	-	-	-	7	2:30	13
14	Anastassiou M.	5	-	-	-	-	-	5	2:26	14
15	Georgakis I.	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	2:06	15
16-17	Magiati E.	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	2:30	16-17
16-17	Barous Th.	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	2:30	16-17

In the photo, left to right : Papastavropoulos Andreas, Ilantzis Spyros, Skyrianoglou Dimitris, Mendrinos Nikos, Fougiaxis Harry. In the back : Vlahos Elissaios.

Here follow the six problems. The solutions are written at the end of this post and you may try to solve them without "peeking" unwillingly at the solution keys.

	(Problem 343) I. Storozhenko, First-Second Prize, Sahmatni Kompozitsia, 2003, Mate in 2. #2 ( 11 + 10 )
[8/pB5s/p2S4/4P2R/2Pk3K/Q3RpPp/1P1pqS2/3br3]

	(Problem 344) E. Plesnivy, First Prize, Chocholous Memorial, 1931 Mate in 3. #3 ( 11 + 11 )
[r1b5/r1pRp3/2p1kS1S/p1P5/2P2p1P/1P3p1K/1Q1P1P1b/8]

	(Problem 345) H. F. L. Meyer, Deutsches Wochenschach, 1896 Mate in 4. #4 ( 6 + 1 )
[8/8/8/2SPkS1Q/8/P7/8/7K]

	(Problem 346) Sergei Tkachenko, Third Prize, Moscow, 2003 White plays and draws. = ( 5 + 6 )
[5k2/5P2/K1R1p3/3b4/8/p2B3p/2p5/1S7]

	(Problem 347) C. Feather, Broodings, 2008 Helpmate in 3. Two solutions. h#3 2.1.1.1.1.1 ( 5 + 14 )
[rqR3K1/4p1B1/3p4/1pp1ss2/1r1kPp2/1p2bp2/4P3/8]

	(Problem 348) E. Ivanov, Zadachi I Etudi, 2005 Selfmate in 3. s#3 ( 10 + 10 )
[8/4Sp2/2p5/P1k1B1pb/K1SR3r/RP2Pppp/7s/4Q3]

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With bold numbers in brackets we denote the points of each problem.


Problem 343 (#2) : I. Storozhenko

Tries : [1. e6? Sg5!], [1. c5? Bb3!], [1. Qb4? Bc2!], [1. Rd3+? Qxd3!], [1. Re4+? Qxe4+!], [1. Se4? Qxc4!], [1. Sf5+? Kxc4!], [1. Qc5+? Kxc5!], [1. Qc3+? Kc5!].

Key : 1. Sd3! [5.0] ( > 2. Qc5#)
1...Qxd3 2. Rxd3#
1...Qxe3 2. Qc3#
1...Kxe3 2. Sf5#


Problem 344 (#3) : E. Plesnivy

Tries : [1. Rd3? / exf6!], [1. Rxc7? Rxc7!], [1. Rxe7+? Kxe7+!], [1. Sg4? Kxd7!], [1. Qe5+? Kxe5!], [1. Qd4? Bb7!], [1. Qb1? Kxf6!], [1. Qc2? Kxf6!].

Key : 1. Qa1! [1.0] ( > 2. Rd5 ( > 3. Qe5#) cxd5 / exf6 3. cxd5# / Qe1# [1.0])
1...exf6 2. Rf7 [1.0] ( > 3. Qxf6# / 3. Qe1#)
1...Bb7 2. Rd4 [1.0] ( > 3. Re4#) Kxf6 / exf6 3. Rd6# / Qe1#
1...Bxd7 2. Sh7 [1.0] ( > 3. Sg5# / Qe1#) Be8 / Bc8 / Rg8 3. Sf8# / Sf8# / Qe1#


Problem 345 (#4) : H. F. L. Meyer

Tries : [1. Qf3? Kf6!], [1. Qg4? / Qg5? / Kg2? Kxd5!], [1. d6? Kd5!], [1. Qf7? Kf4!].

Key : 1. Se6! [1.0]
1...Kxd5 2. Sd4+
___2...Ke4 3. Qb5 [1.0] Ke3 4. Qe2#
___2...Kd6 3. Qg5 [1.0] Kd7 4. Qd8#
___2...Kc4 3. Qf5 [1.0] Kc3 4. Qc2#
1...Ke4 2. Sfd4 (2...Ke3? 3. Qe2#) Kd3 3. Qe2+ [0.5] Kc3 4. Qc2#
1...Kf6 2. Qh7 Ke5 3. Se3 [0.5]
______3...Kd6 4. Qc7#
______3...Kf6 4. Qg7# / 4. Sg4#


Problem 346 (=) : Sergei Tkachenko

Key : 1. Rc8+! [1.0]
(1. Rxc2? A2 2. Rxa2 Bxa2 3. Sd2 h2 4. Be4 Bd5 -+)
1...Kxf7 2. Rxc2 a2 3. Rxa2 Bxa2 4. Sd2 [1.0]
(4. Sc3? Bc4+ 5. Bxc4 h2 -+)
4...h2 5. Be4 Bd5 6 Sf3! [1.0]
(6. Bh1? Bxh1 7 Sf1 Bb7 -+)
6...h1=Q 7. Sg5+ [1.0]
(7. Se5+? Kf6 8. Sg4+ Kg5 9. Bxh1 Kxg4 -+)
7...Kf6 8. Sh7+ Kg7 9. Bxh1 Kxh7 10. Bxd5 exd5 11. Kb5 [1.0] and the pawn can be captured (=)


Problem 347 (h#3) 2.1.1.1.1.1 : C. Feather

Key : 1. Kxe4! Rd8 2. Sd3 Be5 3. dxe5 exd3# [2.5]
Key : 1. Kc4! Kh7 2. Sc6 Bd4 3. cxd4 Rxc6# [2.5]


Problem 348 (s#3) : E. Ivanov

Tries : [1. Rd5+? Cxd5!], [1. Sb2? / Sd2? Bg4!].

Key : 1. Sb6! [1.0] ( > 2. Rc4+ Rxc4+ 3. Qb4+ Rxb4# [1.0])
1...Sg4 2. Qf1 ~ 3. Qb5+ [1.0] cxb5#
1...g4 2. Rb4 ~ 3. Rb5+ [1.0] cxb5#
1...Bg4 2. Rd5+ cxd5 3. Sd7+ [1.0] Bxd7#

Solving contest 2006-06-18, Herakleion Attica, round2

About the Fifth National Solving contest of Greece, which was held on Sunday June 18 2006, we wrote in our previous post, where we presented the problems of the first round.

Today we show the problems of the second round. The solutions are written at the end of this post.

	(Problem 337) Pierre Monreal, Mondes, 1946, Mate in 2. #2 ( 11 + 4 )
[3QB3/6KP/3R1S2/2R2Pk1/8/4S1P1/2q5/b1B2r2]

	(Problem 338) Arthur Madsen, First Prize, 65 TT British Chess Federation, 1950-51 Mate in 3. #3 ( 8 + 8 )
[2RK3s/5p1p/1BR2P2/3kp3/1P1p4/2p5/4PS2/1b6]

	(Problem 339) Yakov Vladimirov, First Prize, Moscow Tourney, 1999 Mate in 4. #4 ( 7 + 8 )
[4s3/4s3/1R2P3/2p5/p1k1B3/2P2K2/p2B2p1/6Qb]

	(Problem 340) Yohanan Afek, Second Prize, Tidskrift foer Schack, 1972 White plays and wins. + ( 6 + 6 )
[5r2/8/1R6/ppk3p/2S3P1/P4b2/1K6/5B2]

	(Problem 341) Michel Caillaud, First Commendation, J. P. Moyer MT, 1988 Selfmate in 3. s#3 ( 9 + 6 )
[4B3/1p6/bP1PP3/rs6/k1KR4/P4Q2/1R6/3S4]

	(Problem 342) Yuri Belokon & Aleksei Stelman, 4th-5th Commendation, The Problemist, 1989 Helpmate in 4 moves. Four solutions. h#4 4.1.1.1... ( 3 + 9 )
[4r3/8/7p/3k3p/2b5/1p1SPK2/5p2/2s3b1]

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With bold numbers in brackets we denote the points for each variation.


Problem 337 (#2) : Pierre Monreal

Tries : [1. Rd4? Bxd4!], [1. Sxc2+? Rxc1!], [1. Sxf1+? Qxc1!].

Key : 1. Kf8! [5.0]( > 2. Se4#)
1...Bxf6 2. Qxf6#
1...Rxf5 2. Sxc2#
1...Qxf5 2. Sxf1#
1...Kh6 2. Sg4#


Problem 338 (#3) : Arthur Madsen

Tries : [1. Kd7? Bf5+!], [1. Ke7? Sg6+!], [1. Kc7? e4!], [1. Rc5+? Ke6!], [1. Rd6+? Kxd6!].

Key : 1. Ba7! [1.0] ( > 2. Ra6 [1.0] ( > 3. Rc5#) d3 3. e4#) )
1...Bg6 2. Ke7 [0.5] ( > 3. Rc5# / Rd6#)
___2...d3 3. Rd6#
___2...e4 3. Rc5#
1...Bf5 2. Rc5+ [0.5] Kd6 / Ke6 3. Rc8-c6#
1...Be4 2. Bb8 [0.5] ( > 3. Rd6#)
1...Bd3 2. Rb6 [0.5] ( > 3. Rc5#)
1...c2 2. Kd7 [0.5] ( > 3. Rc5# / Rd6#)
___2...c1=Q / c1=R 3. Rd6#
___2...d3 3. Rd6# / e4#
___2...e4 3. Rc5#
1...e4 2. Rc5+ [0.5] Kd6 / Ke6 3. Rc8-c6#


Problem 339 (#4) : Yakov Vladimirov

Tries : [1. Rb5? Kxb5!], [1. Bd3+? Kxd3!], [1. Qxc5+? Kxc5!], [1. Qd4+? / Rb4+? cxb4!].

Key : 1. Ke2! [0.5] ( > 2. Bd3+ Kd5 3. c4+ [1.5] Ke5 4. Qa1#)
1...Sf5 / Sc6 2. Qxc5+ Kxc5 3. R(x)c6+ [1.5] Kb5 4. c4#
1...Sd6 2. Qd4+ cxd4 3.Rb4+ [1.5] Kc5 4. cxd4#


Problem 340 (+) : Yohanan Afek

Key : 1. Rxb5+! [1.5] Kxb5
2. Se5+ Ka4
3. Sd7 Be2
4. Bxe2 (4. Bg2? Rf2!) Rb8+
5. Bb5! [2.0] Rxb5+
6. Ka2! [1.5] (+), wins because there is Domination over the Rook, (1-0).


Problem 341 (s#3) : Michel Caillaud

Tries : [1. Qe2? / Qh1? / Qg2? / Qh5? / Qg4? / Qe4? / Qf1? / Qf2? / Qf4? / Qf7? / Qf6? / Qf5? / Se3? aχb2!], [1. Rb1? / Rb3? / Rh2? / Rg2? / Rf2? / Re2? / Rb2-d2? / Rc2? a2!], [1. Qxa3+? Kxa3!].

Key : 1. Qf8! [1.0] (zz)
1...axb2 2. Sc3+ Ka3 3. d7+ [2.0] Sd6#
1...a2 2. Kd5+ Ka3 3. Qf3+ [2.0] Sc3#


Problem 342 (h#4) 4.1.1.1... : Yuri Belokon & Aleksei Stelman

Key : 1. Re5! Sxc1 2. Bd3 Sa2 3. Bf5 Ke2 4. Ke4 Sc3# [1.25]

Key : 1. Kd6! e4 2. Bf7 e5+ 3. Ke6 Ke4 4. Re7 Sc5# [1.25]

Key : 1. Bh2! Sc5 2. Bd6 e4+ 3. Ke5 Ke3 4. Re6 Sd7# [1.25]

Key : 1. Rc8! Kg3 2. Rc5 Kf4 3. Bh2+ Kf5 4. Bd6 Sb4# [1.25]

Solving Contest 2006-06-18, Herakleion Attica, round1

The Fifth National Solving Contest in Greece, was held in the hospitable hall of the Cultural Poly-Centre of the Municipality of Herakleion Attica, (Sunday, June 18, 2006). It was organised by the Greek Chess Federation (ESO), with the care of the Chess Problems Committee and the support of the Chess Club [Epikinonia] and the Municipality of Herakleion.
Harry Fougiaxis was Arbiter – Judge, who was helped by G. Galanis, N. Mendrinos, D. Skyrianoglou.
There were two rounds, with thinking time 2 hours per round. The contestants were asked to solve a total of 12 problems, with 6 problems from six different categories per round, that is 2 two-movers, 2 three-movers, 2 more-movers (one four-mover and one five-mover), 2 studies (one stalemate and one win), 2 selfmate three-movers, 2 helpmates (one three-mover and one four-mover). As usually, first criterion is the correctness and completeness of the solution and second criterion is the time used by the solver.
The problems seemed to be easier than the previous years, but their solutions demanded knowledge, fantasy, and creativity from the solvers!
The final ranking (20 contestants) :
1) Prentos Kostas, 57,75 (237’), from Thessaloniki (Salonica), International Master in problems solving, was for fifth consecutive time Champion of Greece in problem solving.
2) Papastavropoulos Andreas, 47 (211’),
3) Mendrinos Nikos, 34,25 (240’),
4) Konidaris Panagiotis, 33,75 (240’),
5) Garoufalidis Ioannis, 27,75 (240’),
6) Manolas Emmanuel, 26,5 (240’).
In the first twelve places were also the solvers : Anemodouras Leokratis 24,75 , Sklavounos Panagis 24 , Skyrianoglou Dimitris 21 , Kostouros Al. 19,50 (he was present only in the second round), Mitsakis K.. 14 β., Barous Th.. 5 .
Together with the National Contest there was held a Solving contest for new solvers. It lasted two hours and contained six easier problems. The ranking : 1) Karaoulanis D. 24 , 2) Lymperopoulos F. (nine years old!) 12 , 3) Zissis M. 8 , 4) Zissis G. 5 , 5) Magiati Helen. 5 .

Today we present the problems of the first round of the national solving contest of 2006. The solutions are at the end of this post. In the next post we will present the problems of the second round.

	(Problem 331) Oskar Wielgos, Schach-Echo, 1980, Mate in 2. #2 ( 7 + 5 )
[8/8/B4R2/2pRS1s1/3pks2/8/Q7/3S1K2]

	(Problem 332) Ivan Storozhenko, First Prize, Nabokov MT, Sahovska Kompozicija 1994, Mate in 3. #3 ( 7 + 8 )
[5s2/1B3K2/8/1sPR1S2/1p2kp2/rr6/5Q1P/2b5]

	(Problem 333) Ralf Kroetschmer, Phoenix, 1989, Mate in 5. #5 ( 8 + 7 )
[4BKb1/s4p2/3k1P2/3P1p2/2RP4/rpS1P3/8/8]

	(Problem 334) Leonid Kubbel, First Prize, Shakhmaty, 1925, White plays and wins. + ( 4 + 5 )
[6s1/8/2p4P/8/8/r1p3K1/B7/4B1k1]

	(Problem 335) Petko A. Petkov, First Prize, Revista de Sah, 1970, Selfmate in 3. s#3 ( 10 + 8 )
[6B1/PQp5/2p5/2prpP2/2k1K3/5PS1/p1s1P3/2RS4]

	(Problem 336) Chris Feather, First Prize, Diagrammes, 2000, Helpmate in 3. Three solutions. h#3 3.1.1.1.1.1 ( 5 + 10 )
[8/1p1s4/1P2p3/1pSR4/b2Pp3/2k5/1qr5/5K1s]

---

With bold numbers in brackets we denote the points for each variation.

Problem 331 (#2) : Oskar Wielgos

Tries : [1. Rf6xf4+? Ke4xf4!], [1. Ba6-d3+? Sf4xd3!], [1. Qa2-g2+? Sf4xg2!], [1. Qa2-e2+? Sf4xe2!], [1. Sd1-f2+? Ke4-e3!], [1. Sd1-c3+? D4xc3!].

Key : 1. Sc4! [5.0] ( > 2. Sd2#)
1...Kd3 2. Qb1#,
1...Kf3 2. Qg2#,
1...Kxd5 2. Bb7#,
1...Sxd5 2. Sf2#,
1...Sf3 2. Sd6#


Problem 332 (#3) : Ivan Storozhenko

Virtual play : 1...Be3 2. Sg3+ fxg3 3. Qf5#
1...Re3 2. Rd4+ Ke5 / Kxf5 3. Qxf4#
(1...Sd6+? 2. Sxd6#)

Tries : [1. Kf7-f6? Sf8-h7+!], [1. Sf5-g3+? Rb3xg3!], [1. Sf5-h4? Rb3-e3!], [1. Sf5-d6+? Sb5xd6+!], [1. Qf2-c2+? Rb3-d3!], [1. Qf2-e2+? Bc1-e3!].

Key : 1. Sh6! [0.5] ( > 2. Rd4+ [0.5] Ke5 3. Re4#)
1...Be3 2. Qf3+ [1.0] Kxf3 3. Rd2#
1...Re3 2. Qxf4+ [1.0] Kxf4 3. Rf5#
1...Sd6+ 2. Rxd6+ [1.0] Ke5 3. Qd4#
1...Sc3 2. Qc2+ [1.0] Ke3 / Kf3 3. Rd3#


Problem 333 (#5) : Ralf Kraetschmer

Tries : [1. Rc4-c7? Kd6xc7!], [1. Rc4-c6+? Sa7xc6!], [1. Rc4-c5? Ra3-a5!].

Key : 1. e4! [1.5] ( > 2. e5#)
1...fxe4 2. Rc5! [1.5] ( > 3. Sxe4#)
2...Bh7 3. Rc6+ [1.0]
3...Sxc6 4. Sb5+ [1.0]
4...Kxd5 5. Bxf7#


Problem 334 (=) : Leonid Kubbel

Key : 1. Bf2+! Kh1
2. h7 c2+
3. Be3 [1.5] Rxe3+
4. Kf2 Rh3
5. Bd5+ [2.0] cxd5
6. hxg8=Q Rh2+
7. Kf3 c1=Q
8. Qg2+ [1.5] Rxg2 =


Problem 335 (s#3) : Petko A. Petkov

Tries : [1. Bg8xd5+? c6xd5+!], [1. Bg8-e6? / Bg8-f7? / Qb7-b8? / a7-a8=S? / Sg3-f1? / e2-e3? a2-a1=R!], [1. Qb7-b3+? Kc4xb3!], [1. a7-a8=Q? a2-a1=B!], [1. Sd1-e3+? / Sd1-b2+? Kc4-c3!].

Key : 1. a8=R! [1.0] (zugzwang)
1...a1=Q 2. Rxc2+ Qc3 3. e3 [1.0] Qxc2#
1...a1=R 2. Ra4+ Rxa4 3. Qb3+ [1.0] Kxb3#
1...a1=B 2. Qb8 ~ 3. Bxd5+ [1.0] cxd5#
1...a1=S 2. Sf1 Sb3 3. Sd2+ [1.0] Sxd2#
It is an AUW (allumwandlung) problem.


Problem 336 (h#3) : Chris Feather

Key : 1. Kd2! Sxe6 2. Qxd4 Sxd4 3. e3 Se2#
Key : 1. b4! Sxa4+ 2. Kb3 Ra5 3. Ka3 Sc5#
Key : 1. Se5! Rd8 2. Kc4 Sd7 3. Kd5 Sxe5#
One solution = 2.0, two solutions = 4.0, three solutions = 5.0

Theme Stavrinides

The composer Alkis Stavrinides was born in Cyprus in 1947 and lives in the United Kingdom since 1967.
Byron Zappas writes in his book that he has cooperated with mr Stavrinides.
I have found in the Internet some problems by Stavrinides, which have presented the Theme Stavrinides around 1968.

Theme Stavrinides : The (compact algebraic) notation of white and black moves shows circular transposition. Theme shown in one phase : 1. K!, 1...Aaa 2. Bbb#, 1...Bbb 2. Ccc#, 1...Ccc 2. Aaa# Theme shown in tries : 1. Aaa? Bbb!, 1. Bbb? Ccc!, 1. Ccc? Aaa!

Let us see now some problems presenting the Theme Stavrinides.

	(Problem 325) A. Stavrinides, British Chess Problemists Society (BCPS), 1968 Mate in 2. #2 ( 8 + 7 )
[1SRB4/p2KP3/Q1S5/2kp4/2p5/2qP4/s2b4/8]

Tries : [1. Bb6+? / Qb6+ axb6!], [1. Sd4+? Kxd4!], [1. Qb5+? Kxb5!], [1. Qxa7+? Kb5!], [1. Qa5+? Qxa5!], [1. d4+? Qxd4!].

Key : 1. Qa4! ( > 2. Sa6#)
Watch now the cyclic transposition in the three variations :
1...Sb4 2. Qa5#
1...Qa5 2. d4#
1...d4 2. Sb4#

	(Problem 326) A. Stavrinides, Probleemblad, 1969 Mate in 2. #2 ( 6 + 5 )
[4Q3/8/3p2K1/5S2/4pkp1/8/4PqP1/B7]

A nice Meredith with cyclic transposition of the theme in four variations :

Tries : [1. Qxe4+? Kxe4!], [1. Qe5+? dxe5!], [1. Be5+? dxe5!], [1. Qe6? / Bg7? / Bf6? g3!], [1. Qe7? e3!], [1. g3+? / e3+? Qxe3!].

Key : 1. Qh8! ( > 2. Qh6#)
1...Qh4 2. e3#
1...e3 2. Qd4#
1...Qd4 2. g3#
1...g3 2. Qh4#

	(Problem 327) M. Stosic, Arbeijder Skak, 1970, Mate in 2. #2 ( 13 + 9 )
[1S2K3/3R4/Bp2PP1P/1pkp2BR/b7/P2P4/1P1bS1s1/2q2r2]

Tries : [1. Rxd5+? Kxd5!], [1. Rc7+? Kd6!], [1. Bb7? b4!], [1. Bxd2? Qc4!], [1. Be3+? Sxe3!], [1. Bf4? Sxf4!], [1. d4+? Kc4!], [1. b4+? Bxb4!].

Key : 1. Ke7! ( > 2. Rc7#)
1...b4 2. d4
1...d4 2. Bf4
1...Bf4 2. b4

	(Problem 328) Josef Taraba, Europe Echecs, 1975, Mate in 2. #2 ( 9 + 6 )
[8/2Bp1R2/5S1K/Q1S1pkp1/1Rb5/2s3P1/1p2P3/8]

Tries : [1. Sd5+? / Sh5+? / Sh7+? / Sg8+? / Se8+? / Sxd7+? Kg4!], [1. Se6? Kxe6!], [1. Rxc4? Se4!], [1. e4+? Sxe4!], [1. g4+? Kf4!], [1. e3? Bxf7!].

Key : 1. Qa8! ( > 2. Qf3#)
1...Sxe2 2. Qe4#
1...Se4 2. Qxe4#
1...Bxe2 2. Sf6-d5,g4,h5,h7,g8,e8,d7#
1...Bd5 2. Sxd5# / 2. g4# (dual)
1...d5 2. Qc8#
and the three thematic variations...
1...Sd5 2. e4#
1...e4 2. g4#
1...g4 2. Sd5#

	(Problem 329) W. Piltschenko, Themes 64, Jan-March 1981, Mate in 2. #2 ( 12 + 4 )
[8/1K6/6P1/1Sk2B2/P2RPr2/2S2P2/2b2sQ1/2R3B1]

Tries : [1. Rc4+? Kxc4!], [1. Rxc2? Rxf3!].

Key : 1. Qg5! ( > 2. Qe7#)
Here the three thematic variations show black and white captures on the same square.
1...Bxe4+ 2. Sxe4#
1...Sxe4 2. Rxe4#
1...Rxe4 2. Bxe4#

	(Problem 330) Vaclav Kotesovec, First Honourable Mention, Probleemblad, 2002-3, Mate in 2. #2 ( 7 + 9 ) Grasshoppers ( 4 + 5 )
[gK6/8/3p2q1/3pg3/G2p3g/R2G4/Gg5R/k1G5]

Tries : [1. Ga2-c2+? Ga8xa3!], [1. Kb8xa8? Ka1-b1!].

Key : 1. Rh1! (zugzwang).
1...Ga8xa3 2. Gc1xa3#
1...Ga8-e4 2. Ga2-c2#
1...Ka1-b1 2. Gc1-a1#
And now we see the Theme Stavrinides with circular transposition in seven variations.
1...Gg6-c2 (Gc2) 2. Gc1-c3# (Gc3)
1...Ge5-c3 (Gc3) 2. Gc1-c4# (Gc4)
1...Gh4-c4 (Gc4) 2. Gc1-c5# (Gc5)
1...Ge5-c5 (Gc5) 2. Gc1-c6# (Gc6)
1...Gg6-c6 (Gc6) 2. Gc1-c7# (Gc7)
1...Ge5-c7 (Gc7) 2. Gc1-c8# (Gc8)
1...Ga8-c8 (Gc8) 2. Ga2-c2# (Gc2)

Composition Contest 1979, Bikos

Spyros Bikos was born 1911-08-22 in Pyrgos of Ilia, Greece. He died in 1987.
In 1955, as newspaperman became member of the Union of the Owners of Periodical Press. He was editor and director of the magazine [To Mat] (January 1952 – December 1965).
In the period 1954 – 1968 he was member of the Greek Chess Federation, and he served there as General Secretary from 1961 thru 1965.
He was General Secretary of the Helioupolis Chess Club from 1974 thru 1975. To honour him, there is a Spyros Bikos street in Helioupolis (in Athens), there is the "Chess Club Spyros Bikos" and a yearly event between teams : the "Spyros Bikos Cup".
He was fond of Chess Composition and he had many distinctions in International Contests. In Olympiad of Nice, in 1974, he cooperated with Dimitris Kapralos and they were awarded with the silver and the bronze medal (second and third place). He has invented the Theme Bikos (In one phase, in one variation a self-block is exploited and in another variation the moving piece is captured. In another phase, the same two defenses have reciprocal continuation ). For this theme a composition contest was organized in Holland, in 1948, having as judge the Hollander G. Seilberger.

In Greece, an International Thematic Composition Contest with [Theme Bikos] was held in 1979. Among the organizers were Bikos, Lyris, Goussopoulos and judge was Pavlos Mutecidis, International FIDE judge. There were 75 entries from various countries.
The following distinctions were awarded :
01 First Prize : Hrvoje (Vojko) Bartolovic, (Yugoslavia)
02 Second Prize : J. Savournin (France)
03 Third Prize : R. Notaro (Italy)
04 Fourth Prize : Z. Janevski (Yugoslavia)
05 First Honourable Mention ex aequo : Byron Zappas (Greece)
06 First Honourable Mention ex aequo : Val. Lider (USSR)
07 Prize out of competition : Byron Zappas (Greece)
08 First Special Prize : Byron Zappas (Greece)
09 Second Honourable Mention : D. Joffart (France)
10 Third Honourable Mention : G. Doukhan (France)
11 Fourth Honourable Mention : R. Bedoni (France)
12 Fifth Honourable Mention : Y. Spiees (France)
13 Sixth Honourable Mention : J. Hartong (Holland)
14 Seventh Honourable Mention : R. Savarini (Italy)
15 Commendation : Dimitris Goussopoulos (Greece)
16 Commendation : An. Piatesi (Italy)
17 Commendation : Y. Spiees (France)
18 Commendation : J. C. Van Gool (Holland)
19 Commendation : Dimitris Goussopoulos (Greece)
20 Commendation : R. Bedoni (France)

	(Problem 324) Volgo Bartolovic, First Prize TT [Bikos], Athens, 1979 Version by Herbert Ahues Mate in 2. #2 ( 9 + 10 )
[1KBR4/2S4s/6p1/2P1p2S/R1s1k3/6Q1/1B3p1r/4rq1b]

First Phase, Try 1. Rf8? (oversees f5, > 2. Bb7# )
1...Re3 (a) (blocks e3) 2. Qxg6# (A)
1...Qd3 (b) (blocks d3) 2. Qxe5# (B)
1...Bf3 (c) 2. Qxf3# (C) (captures f3)
1...Sf6 / Sxf8 2. S(x)f6#
but 1...Rd1!

Second Phase, Try 1. Sb5? ( > 2. Sc3# )
1...Re3 (a) (blocks e3) 2. Qg4# (D)
1...Qd3 (b) 2. Qxd3# (E) (captures d3)
1...Bf3 (c) (blocks f3) 2. Qxe5# (B)
but 1...Rc1!

Third Phase, Key : 1. Sd5! ( > 2. Sc3# )
1...Re3 (a) 2. Qxe3# (F) (captures e3)
1...Qd3 (b) (blocks d3) 2. Qg4# (D)
1...Bf3 (c) (blocks f3) 2. Qxg6# (A)
1...Rc1 2. Qe3#

We see that Bartolovic, the great Croatian composer (GM, 15-06-1932, 03-11-2005), has created a Zagoruyko frame 3x3. In three phases, the same three defenses (a, b, c) are answered with different mates (ADF, BED, CBA).
Furthermore, after the defenses (a, b, c) we see in the three phases cyclic change of theme Bikos, where in each phase two of the defenses selfblock one flight of the King while the third defense is answered with capture of the defending piece.

Notes :
1) The initial Bartolovic problem [2BR1b2/2S1p2s/K5p1/4p3/R1s1k3/6QS/1B3p1r/4rq1b ( 8 + 12 ) ] had small defects and needed the correction by Ahues, in order to be saved.
2) The correction by Ahues and other details were gathered by the IM Harry Fougiaxis.
3) The leaflet with the Judgement, was given to me by Mr. Takis Drepaniotis during a New Year 2009 festivity in Chess Club of Kallithea.

Special dedication

Nikos Pergialis, the last rembetis (popular song composer and performer), writes :

I dedicate one of my best problems to the friend of Rembetiko song Manolas Manolis, excellent composer and analyst, together with some verses...

Ston kafene' tou Manola' // ka'pnize o Ma'vros ton loula' // ki e'kane fassari'a //
ke o Mano'lis Manolas' // tsi'likos ke palikaras' // ton e'kopse sta tri'a.
(In the coffee-house of Manolas // the Black was smoking houkah // and was making fuss //
so Mano'lis Manolas' // fresh from the mint and brave // cut him in three).

Notes : Cut him in three, because the problem has three solutions!
Some of the words remind me a song by Markos Vamvakaris, back in 1936.

	(Problem 323) Nikos Pergialis, original, 2007,(dedicated to Manolas), Helpmate in 2. Three solutions. h#2 3.1.1.1 ( 4 + 2 )
[8/8/2S5/8/k7/2R5/2p5/KB6]

Key : 1. cxb1=R+! Ka2 2. Rb5 Ra3#
Key : 1. cxb1=S! Rb3 2. Sa3 Rb4#
Key : 1. c1=B! Rc5 2. Ba3 Bc2#

A three-mover as a problem for Arbiters

The problem of this post has a postulation [White plays and mates in 3 moves].
The composer Nikita Plaksin has produced more than 50 similar works of art with retroanalysis.
The solution is published in many places of the web, but please refrain from searching for it right away.

Suppose that you observe the position of a chess game.
Someone has whispered to you that White can mate in three moves.
By simple examination you see that there is an easy mate in two moves :
first the Queen checks and then the Rook gives the final blow (let say [1. Qf1+ Kxh2 2. Rh3#] ).

1) Why can not the Queen give check in the first move, and drive the White to an easy win?
2) What will the Black ask from the Arbiter after the check by the Queen in the first move?
3) Which are the correct three moves for the solution of this problem?

	(Problem 322) Nikita Plaksin, 1st and 2nd prize, Die Schwalbe, 1971 Dedicated to Dr K. Fabel Mate in 3. #3 retro ( 15 + 14 )
[1b1K3s/2pppprp/1p4p1/1p6/b1P2B2/RP2P1R1/r1PPQPPP/SB5k]

The solution follows. If you can solve the problem without seeing the solution, send a comment stating your solution.

	(Sketch for Problem 322)
[rb5s/2pppp1p/1p4p1/1p5Q/bkP3K1/4P1R1/BPPP1PPP/SrB4R]

We start from a position (see the sketch exactly above and the source here) which can be reached from the initial placement of the pieces without special difficulty. The black Rook can go to b1, the black King can come out in the middle, the black Knight can leave from g8 allowing the other Rook to move to a8, then the black Bishop returns to b8 and the Pawn moves b7-b6, and the Knight goes to h8 and the Pawn moves g7-g6. Similarly with the white pieces, the white Rook goes from a1 to g3 and then the black Rook can reach b1, etc..
Now we show the moves from the last move of a Pawn (allowing the passage of the black King) and on :

1. b3 Ra7 2. Bb2 Rf1 3. Be5 Ka3 4. Bd6+ Kb2 5. Rg1 Kc1
6. Rh1 Kd1 7. Rg1 Ke2 8. Rh1 Rb1 9. Rg1 Rb2 10. Bb1 Ra2
11. Rh1 Ra3 12. Ba2 Ra8 13. Rb1 Ra7 14. Rb2 Kf1 15. Kf3 Kg1
16. Ke2 Kh1 17. Kf1 Ra8 18. Rb1 Ra7 19. Re1 Ra8 20. Re2 Ra7
21. Ke1 Ra8 22. Kd1 Ra7 23. Kc1 Ra8 24. Kb2 Ra7 25. Bb1 Ra2+
26. Kc3 Rb2 27. Ba2 Rb1 28. Kd3 Rf1 29. Ke4 Ra8 30. Kf4 Ra7
31. Kg5 Ra8 32. Kh6 Ra7 33. Kg7 Ra8 34. Kf8 Ra7 35. Ke8 Ra6
36. Kd8 Ra8 37. Kc8 Ba7+ 38. Kb7 Rg8 39. Re1 Rg7 40. Rb1 Rg1
41. Rb2 Rf1 42. Bb1 Re1 43. Ra2 Bb8 44. Ra3 Kg1 45. Ba2 Rb1
46. Kc8 Rb2 47. Bb1 Ra2 48. Kd8 Rb2 49. Qe2 Ra2 50. Bf4 Kh1

So, the last move of a pawn (or a capture) was the move [1. b3], at least 49.5 moves ago. Black is ready to use the 50-moves rule! (See FIDE rules, articles 5(e), 9.2).

The correct solution to the Problem-322 by Plaksin is :

Key : 1. Rxg6! (the capture interrupts the series of the 50 moves) Rg8+
2. Rxg8 ~
3. Qe1#

A study by Gallischek

The study that we present today (which can also be found elsewhere) is a composition by Otto Gallischek. The German composer (03.Feb.1925 - 09.May.1967) is not with us anymore, but his artistic work still remains.

	(Problem 321) Otto Gallischek, White plays and wins. + ( 10 + 3 )
[k7/1pP5/1P6/8/8/K4rSQ/1SRRBB2/8 ]

Notice that the white King is in check. The solution is very amusing.

Key : 1. Bd3! Rxd3+
2. Rc3 Rxc3+
3. Ka2 Ra3+
4. Kb1 Ra1+
5. Kc2 Rc1+
6. Kd3 Rc3+
7. Ke2 Re3+
8. Kf1 Re1+
9. Kg2 Rg1+
10. Kf3 Rxg3+ (the Knight has left the third row...)
11. Ke2 Re3+
12. Kd1 Re1+
13. Kc2 Rc1+
14. Kb3 Rc3+ (if 14...Rxc7 15. Rd8+ Rc8 16. Rxc8#)
15. Ka2 Ra3+ (exactly as in the third move, but...)
16. Qxa3#

Problems by Greek composers

Today we present problems by Greek composers. Problems several decades old.

	(Problem 317) Spyros Bikos, Commendation, International Tourney Holland 1946, Mate in 2. #2 ( 11 + 5 )
[2K4s/5p1R/5P2/4Sk2/Q4P1P/1BB1p2p/4P2P/8]

The problem-317 by the journalist Spyros Bikos is the first Greek problem that had got a distinction in an international contest, back in 1946. Today the name of the composer is given to a street in Helioupolis Athens Greece, and also to a yearly contest of OTB chess.

Tries : [1. Rh5+? / Rxh8? / Bc2+? Kxf6!], [1. Sg4? Kxg4!], [1. Qe4+? Kxe4!], [1. Rh6? / Qc6? / Sd3? Sg6!], [1. Sxf7? Sxf7!].

Key : 1. Sc4! (zugzwang). The key removes a flight and offers five flights!
1...Ke6 2. Qd7#
1...Kg6 2. Bc2#
1...Kg4 / Sg6 2. Sxe3#
1...Kxf4 / Ke4 2. Sd6#

	(Problem 318) Emmanuel Emmanouilidis, magazine "Skakistis", 02/1970, Mate in 4. #4 ( 8 + 4 )
[8/8/5S2/4P3/7k/r2R3B/2p3PP/b1B3K1]

The problem-318 by mr Emmanouilidis was published in the chess magazine [Skakistis] (= chess player), February 1970.

Tries : [1. Bh3-c8,d7,e6,f5,g4? Rxd3!], [1. Rd7? Ra7!], [1. Rxa3? / Rd4+? B(x)d4+!], [1. g3+? Kxh3!], [1. Bg5+? Kxg5!].

Key : 1. Rd8! ( > 2. Rh8#)
1...Ra8 2. Bc8 ( > 3. Rh8# / g3#) (The black Rook is forced to change file and then block the black Bishop)
__2...Rxc8 3. Rd3 ( > 4. Rh3#)
____3...Bd4+ 4. Rxd4# (This was always possible...)
____3...Rc3 4. Rd4# (...but this is brand new).
1...Re3 2. Bxe3 ( > 3. Rh8#)
__2...c1=Q/Ρ+ 3. Bxc1 ( > 4. Rh8#)
____3...Bd4+ 4. Rxd4#

	(Problem 319) Vassilios Lyris, 6th place 2nd Commendation, Thematic Tourney Budapest, 1970 Helpmate in 2. Two solutions. h#2 2.1.1.1 ( 4 + 12 )
[8/p4p2/k7/3b3R/pr3pB1/8/p2R4/1r2bKsq]

The problem-319 by the engineer Vassilios Lyris was awarded with second Commendation in the Thematic Tourney of Budapest, 1970. In the initial position four black line-pieces are focusing on b7.
The theme is the exchange of roles for two white pieces and two black pieces, in the two solutions. The pairs here are (black Rb4 and Bd5), (white Rd2 and Bg4).

Key : 1. Rb4-b2! (The bRb4 goes near the bRb1).
1...Bf3 (The wBg4 (which gives mate in the other solution) blocks the bQ)
__2. Bb3 (The bBd5 blocks the bR which had just moved).
__2...Rd6# (The wRd2 mates).

Key : 1. Bf3! (The bBd5 goes near the bQh1).
1...Rb2 (The wRd2 (which gives mate in the other solution) blocks the bR).
__2. Re4 (The bRb4 blocks the bB which had just moved).
__2...Bc8# (The wΒg4 mates).

	(Problem 320) Ioannis Giampanis, "Skakistis", 04/1972 Mat in 2 #2 ( 7 + 4 )
[6B1/6K1/2p2Rp1/2P1k1p1/6P1/5P2/5B2/8]

The problem-320 by the police officer Ioannis Giampanis was published in the chess magazine [Skakistis] in April 1972.

Tries : [1. Bh7? / Kf7? Kd5!], [1. Be1? / Bg3+? / Bd4+? K(x)d4!], [1. Rxc6? / Rd6? / Rxg6? / Re6+? Kf4!], [1. Rf7? Ke6!], [1. Kh8? / Kh7? / Kh6? Kxf6!], [1. Rf5+? Gxf5!].

Key : 1. Kf8! (zugzwang).
1...Kxf6 2. Bd4#

ISC 2009 Final Results

The final results of the International Solving Contest (5th ISC 2009) were published. There were simultaneously 34 local solving contests in 27 countries and 375 solvers took part from 32 countries (234 solvers in the first category, 141 solvers in the second category).

We have published the problems and their solutions (category-round 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2).

In the photo the World Champion Piotr Murdzia (see his web site, from where we have copied the final results of the first category).

ISC 2009, the 10 first in the world	country	grades	time	rank
Murdzia, Piotr	Poland	59	240	1
Mukoseev, Anatoly	Russia	54	223	2
Nunn, John	Great Britain	52	203	3
Kozyrev, Aleksandr	Russia	51	231	4
Tummes, Boris	Germany	51	236	5
Vuckovic, Bojan	Serbia	51	240	6
Yamada, Kohey	Japan	50	211	7
Podinic, Vladimir	Serbia	50	212	8
Comay, Ofer	Israel	50	215	9
Van Beers, Eddy	Belgium	50	234	10

ISC 2009, solvers from Greece	grades	time	rank
Prentos, Kostas	49,5	237	13
Sklavounos, Panagis	26,5	238	102
Papastavropoulos, Andreas	26	240	104
Konidaris, Panagiotis	25	240	113
Skyrianoglou, Dimitris	22,5	219	126
Markesinis, Lefteris	21	238	132
Spyropoulos, Georgios	20	240	139
Manolas, Emmanuel	16	140	159
Finokaliotis, Georgios	13	145	184
Spiliadis, Athanassios	12,5	240	192
Garoufalidis, Ioannis	11,5	240	198
Lykouriotis, Pantelis	11	208	202
Terzis, Filippos	11	240	204
Mavromati, Aggeliki	10	233	212
Georgakis, Elias	10	240	215
Sboukis, Konstantinos	10	240	215
Petridis, Evaggelos	10	240	215
Mouroutis, Konstantinos	6	178	225
Georgopoulos, Dimitrios	5	240	228

Deadline for Subotica

We had posted a note about the Fifth European Chess Solving Championship, which will be held in Subotica in Serbia.
We note that the deadline for applications is 15-03-2009.

Six two-movers by Kostadinov

In the site of the World Chess Championship 2009 six problems were dedicated from the composer Diyan Kostadinov to the top players Topalov and Kamsky. Here follows part of the article.

Diyan Kostadinov is a well-known Bulgarian chess problem composer. He was born on 21.01.1982 in Burgas (Bulgaria) and is titled national Master of sport for chess composition. He has been playing chess since 1997 and was a Student vice-champion of his sity. Diyan began composing in 2000 and composed more than 200 problems of all genres - Twomovers, Threemovers, Moremovers, Selfmates, Helpmates, Studies, Proof Games and Fairies and won a large number of Prizes in the most prestigious chess composing tournaments in all over the world. He is winner of the super-tournaments organized by various chess magazines.

These six two-mover problems, which were composed by Kostadinov especially for this match, form the names of the players.
We copy them below (they are named TO, PA, LOV, KA, MS, KY) and we give their keys.

	TO : 1 Qe4! PA : 1 Bc4! LOV: 1 Sd7!
	KA : 1 Se1! MS : 1 Bf3! KY : 1 f5!

Nikos Pergialis (4)

In this post we present two direct-mate problems by "the last rembetis" Nikos Pergialis, and a prized helpmate problem by Harry Fougiaxis.

	(Problem 314) Nikos Pergialis, original, 2001, Mate in 2. #2 ( 6 + 6 )
[5b1K/5R2/5B1k/4R2r/4bS2/6s1/6r1/6Q1]

Comment by the composer : "I feel pleasure when I sacrifice powerful pieces. This is an Aristocratic (without pawns) problem showing double valve”.

Tries : [1 Rh7+? Bxh7!], [1 Bg5+? Rxg5!], [1 Bg7+? Bxg7+!], [1 Rxe4? Bg7+!], [1 Rxh5+? Sxh5!], [1 Rf5? Bxf5!].

Key : 1 Qc5! ( > 2 Qxf8#)
1...Rg5 2 Bxg5#
1...Se2 / Sf1 / Sh1 2 Rxh5#
1...Sf5 (corrects the abandonment of the bRh5) 2 Rh7#
1...Bxc5 / Bd6 / Be7 2 Bg7#
1...Bg7+ (corrects the abandonment of g7) 2 Bxg7#

	(Problem 315) Nikos Pergialis, original, 2008, Mate in 2. #2 ( 5 + 7 )
[8/2p5/K5p1/1BkpQs2/8/Ps1r4/1P6/8]

Set play : (*) 1...Sfd4 2 Qe7#

Try : [1 Qxc7+? Kd4!]

Key : 1 Qf4! ( > 2 Qb4#)
1...d4 2 Qe5# (switchback)
1...Sfd4 2 Qf8# (changed mate)
1...Sbd4 2 b4#
1...Rd4 2 Qxc7#

The square d4 is four-ways self-blocked.

	(Problem 316) Harry Fougiaxis, First Prize, Israel Ring Tourney, 1985, Helpmate in 2. a) diagram, b) twin with bPd6-->b5 h#2 a) Diagram, b) bPd6-->b5 ( 10 + 11 )
[8/7r/PPkp4/2SSr1p1/pq2s3/bPs5/2Q2PB1/2R1Kb2]

Relevant verses by Nikos Pergialis, the last rembetis :
Yia'ssou re Ha'rry Fougiaxi' / me ta voithitika' sou, / ta magika' kopsi'mata / ke ta karfo'mata' sou!
(Hello Harry Fougiaxis) / (with your helpmates), / (the magical capturings) / (and your pinnings)!.

a)
Key : 1 Qb4xc5! (unpins Sb3, bQ will be pinned at the arrival square)
1...Qc2xe4 (pins itself)
2 Sc3-e2 (unpins wQ, pins the previously moved bQ, does not guard a4 anymore)
2...Qe4xa4# (wQ went initially to a square of the file where bK lies, and then delivered mate from the perpendicular row).

b) bPd6-->b5
Key : 1 Re5xd5! (unpins Se4, bR will be pinned at the arrival square)
1...Qc2xc3 (pins itself)
2 Se4-d2 (unpins wQ, pins the previously moved bR, does not guard f6 anymore)
2...Qc3-f6# (wQ went initially to a square of the diagonal where bK lies, and then delivered mate from the perpendicular diagonal).

Nine Studies in Corus 2009

This is an extract from an article by Yochanan Afek (IM) which appeared in Chessbase.

A Chess Studies Solving Contest was organized in 13-02-2009 (Study Day), during a Wijk aan Zee Tourney.
The solvers have tried to solve nine studies in three hours. The studies were difficult enough, created especially for this contest by the composers Jan Timman, Yochanan Afek, Piotr Murdzia, Andjey Jasic, Gady Costeff, Ilham Aliev and Siegfried Hornecker.

Surprising everybody, the first place were conquered (with 36/45) by the eighteen years old Twan Burg, from the small town Schijndel, in Brabant of Holland, leaving the next places for ...
2. John Nunn, 32/45, (English GM, twice world champion in solving),
3. Eddy van Beers, 28/45, (Belgian champion),
4. Dolf Wissmann, 22/45, (GM, champion of Holland),
5. Martin van Essen, 22/45.

The first three solvers have received money prizes, and a special book with studies from Corus-1970 contest was given to everyone.
In the photos of the article you will see the collector Harold van der Heijden giving his collection with 70,000 studies as a prize to Dolf Wissmann.

In the article you will find one of the studies (by Gady Costeff, White plays and draws) of the contest, without its solution, for you to solve.

(Update from ChessBase: The solution is published here, with two more studies). Some more studies and problems from the British solution contest here

Mr Gady Costeff has created special software (Chess Query Language, CQL) allowing searching of themes inside files with games or with studies (as is the collection of Harold van der Heijden mentioned before).

Solving Contest only for skiers

There are sports combining two or more different athletic activities (examples : Biathlon, Pentathlon, Decathlon).
Mr Panagis Sklavounos turned our attention to some alternative possibilities for chess players.

Some tries have been made to combine chess (having mainly mental activity) with other sports (having mainly physical activity), such as "Chess and Boxing" !
(See chess boxing and World Chess Boxing Organization).

The following news announcement describes how was combined (09-02-2009) a two kilometers running through snow in Jefferson County New York, with a Solving Chess Problems Contest.
You start skiing, you stop and solve. After some runnings you reach finish and you have an arrival time. For every correct solution this arrival time is decreased. For each wrong solution this arrival time is increased. If you miss some problem this arrival time is doubly increased.
(See the article of John Kunz in chessbase).

It seems interesting enough. You try to have a healthy mind in a healthy body.

We might replace skiing with running...
	-He is training for the Chess Olympiad! (by Rudolf Sauer from Mannheim)
...and we will put the chessboards every 400 meters
	These boards were actually used in a outdoors solving/running contest in Koropi near Athens.

Blog birthday (1)

Dear readers, dear friends of this blog,
today one year has passed since I have started the blog http://kallitexniko-skaki.blogspot.com (in Greek language), aiming to cover subjects about chess problems, about composers, about solvers, about solving or composing contests, about Greek problemists gatherings, about circulation of relevant books or magazines.

It is true that such a blog (or a book, as a matter of fact), dedicated to chess problems, was missing from Greece. That means I ought to write posts for all subjects, from very simple to very advanced. So, I have presented solved problems from various solving contests, and I wrote many posts explaining the various Themes. (To add more workload, I have translated the posts to English language in the blog http://chess-problems-gr.blogspot.com, and now these two blogs are synchronized).

If you like to estimate the spread of the published subjects, and how many work hours were spent, please see the reference post "Terminology for Problemists". The terminology contains links to posts relevant to the examined term.

Also, there is a reference post "Composers and their Chess Problems" with links to published-in-this-blog problems for each composer. The solutions of 313 problems were presented, problems created by 24 Greek and 178 foreign composers. Many thanks to composers who have published some of their original problems in this blog, (Emmanuel Pantavos, Nikos Pergialis, and others).

Fourteen biographies were presented for the following chess problem composers : Milan Vukcevich, Byron Zappas, Stavros Iatridis, Ioannis Kalkavouras, Genrikh Kasparyan, Sam Loyd, Lorenzo Mabillis, Emmanuel Manolas, Pavlos Mοutecidis, Carlo deGrandi, Nikos Pergialis, Kostas Prentos, Triantafyllos Siaperas, Harry Fougiaxis.

The content of some posts was enhanced with remarks or cooperations by the following persons : Themis Argyrakopoulos, Ioannis Garoufalidis, Spyros Ilandzis, Kostas Prentos, Panagis Sklavounos, Harry Fougiaxis. Thank you all!

This blog is read by many persons each day, but there are very few comments, mainly praising ones. It is nice that I do not receive irrelevant comments, since I have already said that I will remove them, in order to have in the blog material suitable to be read by children.

I believe that I have done remarkable infrastructure work and I thank all who have recognized it publicly (Schroendinger's Cat, Elias Economopoulos, Panagis Sklavounos, and others). I also thank all who have proposed me and have elected me “Member of the Chess Problem Committee” of the Greek Chess Federation.

For 2009, additionally to the usual material, I will try to promote the easy subjects "Problem Composing", "Publication of Problem", and also the very difficult subject "Chess Lessons in Schools".

I wish to you all : health, joy and success!
Manolas Emmanuel (a.k.a. Alkinoos)

Solving Contest 2009-01-25, ISC Categ2 Round2

From ISC 2009 we present the problems of the 2nd Round of the 2nd Category (easy problems, four per round) for you to practice. No Greek solver chose this category. It is always worthwhile to put your abilities to the test.

---

Problems for solving. (The solutions are at the end of this post).

	(Problem 310) A. C. White, Good Companions, 1923 Mate in 2. #2 (7 + 3)
[3R3K/8/5Q2/8/5S2/1B6/2PB4/1qbk4]

	(Problem 311) H. Ahues, Second Prize, Die Schwalbe, 1977 Mate in 2. #2 (8 + 10)
[2q2QB1/4p1R1/2p1S1r1/4pb2/2S5/B1Kp4/P3R3/rk5s]

	(Problem 312) O. Wurzburg, British Chess Magazine, 1896 Mate in 3. #3 (3 + 4)
[8/pk1B4/p7/2K1p3/8/8/4Q3/8]

	(Problem 313) S. Eberle, First Prize, problem, 1960 Helpmate in 2. h#2 (4 + 10)
[B5Rb/8/8/1r6/8/1r1p4/1Q1p2qs/1Ks2b1k]

---

The solutions of the problems
With bold writing we include the Points, 5 points for each complete solution.


(Problem 310) A. C. White, (Good Companions, 1923), #2

Tries : [1 Bxc1+? Ke1!], [1 Ba5+? / Bb4+? / Bc3+? Bd2!].

Key : 1 Qf6-a1! (5) (zz) (The wQ half-pins the black pieces and allows the functioning of the two batteries, Pawn-Bishop and Bishop-Rook).
1...Qxa1+ / Bb2+ 2 c3#
1...Qb2+ 2 Bc3#
1...Qxb3 2 Qxc1#
1...Bxd2 2 Qxb1#


(Problem 311) H. Ahues, (Second Prize, Die Schwalbe, 1977), #2

Tries : [1 Qxf5? Sf2!], [1 Sd4? Exd4+!], [1 Sd2+? / Re1+? Kxa2!], [1 Rb2+? Kc1!].
In the next tries White opens the diagonal a2-g8 by lifting Se6, aiming to protect the Pawn in a2 when the Sc4 is also relocated, but Black closes the diagonal putting various pieces on e6. See these defenses after the Key, too.
[1 Sd8? (blocks 2 Qb8) Qe6!],
[1 Sg5? (blocks 2 Rg1) Re6!],
[1 Sf4? (blocks 2 Qf1) Be6!],
[1 Sc5? (blocks 2 Qb4) e6!].

Key : 1 Sc7! (5) ( > 2 Sd2#)
1...Qe6 / Re6 / Be6 / e6 2 Qb8# / Rg1# / Qf1# / Qb4#
1...Rxa2 2 Re1#


(Problem 312) O. Wurzburg, (British Chess Magazine, 1896), #3

Tries : [1 Kd6? Kb6!], [1 Qf1? / Qf3+? / Qc4? / Qb2+? / Qe4+? / Qg2+? Kc7!], [1 Qh5? / Qxe5? A5!], [1 Qxa6+? Kxa6!].

Key : 1 Bh3! (1) ( > 2 Qg4 (1) and 3 Qc8#)
1...a5 2 Qa6+ (3) (sacrifice, for guidance of bK)
___2...Kc7, Kb8, Ka8 3 Qc8#
___2...Kxa6 3 Bc8#


(Problem 313) S. Eberle, (First Prize, problem, 1960), h#2

Key : 1 Kg1! (Changes the diagonal pin to column pin)
1...Ka1 (Changes the column pin to diagonal pin)
___2 Qg7 (the bQ moves on the pin line and pins the wQ)
___2...Qd4# (5) (the wQ moves on the pin line and gives checkmate, despite of being observed by the pinned bQ).

Solving Contest 2009-01-25, ISC categ2 round1

From ISC 2009 we present the problems of the 1st Round of the 2nd Category (easy problems, four per round) for you to practise. (No Greek solver chose this category). It is always worthwhile to put your abilities to the test.

---

Problems for solving. (The solutions are at the end of this post).

	(Problem 306) W. A. Shinkman, 1885, Mate in 2. #2 (10 + 2)
[R1B4k/8/3P3S/5K2/3R3P/3P4/2P5/Q6q]

	(Problem 307) H. W. Bettmann, Good Companions, 1923 Mate in 2. #2 (6 + 5)
[br1s4/BkP2s2/2R5/3R4/8/K2B4/8/8]

	(Problem 308) F. Sackmann, 1913, White plays and wins. + (5 + 6)
[7k/8/5PpK/Pp1P2pp/3P4/8/5p2/8]

	(Problem 309) B. Larsson, Second Prize ex aequo, Problem 5. TT 1954, Selfmate in 2. s#2 (5 + 4)
[5Q2/8/8/3S3S/4pBp1/5k2/5p2/5K2]

---

The solutions of the problems
With bold writing we include the Points, 5 points for each complete solution.


(Problem 306) W. A. Shinkman, (1885), #2

Try : [1 Rd4-g4+? Qxa1!]

There are two batteries (Rook-Queen and Bishop-Rook) and the black Queen oversees the pieces that can threaten her King, but this overloads her. Meanwhile the white King, since there are unprovided checks (like 1...Qf3+) in the initial position, closes the flights of the bK.

Key : 1 Kg6! (5) ( > 2 Bb7#)
1...Qxa8 2 Rd4-a4#
1...Qc6 2 Rd4-c4#
1...Qd5 2 Rxd5#
1...Qe4+ 2 Rxe4#
1...Qf3 2 Rf4#
1...Qg2+ 2 Rg4#
1...Qxa1 2 Ba6#
1...Qe1 2 Be6#
1...Qf1 2 Bf5#
1...Qg1+ 2 Bg4#
1...Qxh4 2 Rxh4#
1...Qh3? 2 Bxh3,g4,f5,e6,d7# / Rd4-~#


(Problem 307) H. W. Bettmann, (Good Companions, 1923), #2

Tries : [1 c8=Q+? Rxc8!], [1 cxb8=Q+? Kxc6!], [1 Rb6+? Kxc7!].

Key : 1 Rd7! (5) ( > 2 c8=Q# / c8=R# / cxd8=S# / cxb8=S#)
1...Kc8 2 cxd8=Q# / cxd8=R#
1...Rc8 2 cxd8=S#
1...Sxc6 2 cxb8=Q# / cxb8=R#
1...Kxc6 2 cxb8=S#
1...Se6 2 c8=Q#
1...Kxa7 2 c8=S#
1...Se5 2 c8=Q# / cxd8=S#


(Problem 308) F. Sackmann, (1913), +

Black is the first to queen a pawn, but the situation is very difficult.

Key : 1 a6! (1) f1=Q 2 a7
2...Qa1 3 f7 Qa3 4 d6 (1) Qf3 5 d5 Qxf7 6 a8=Q+ Qg8 7 Qa1+ (1) Qg7 8 Qxg7#
2...Kg8 3 a8=Q+ Kf7 4 Qa7,b7+ (1) Kxf6 5 Qg7+ Kf5 6 Qf7+ (1) Ke4 7 Qxf1 +- (or, with reversal of moves, 1 a6! Kg8 2 a7 f1=Q 3 a8=Q+ etc).


(Problem 309) B. Larsson, (Problem 5. TT 1954, Second Prize ex aequo), s#2

Tries : [1 Qa3+? / Qa8? / Qc8? / Sg3? / Sh5-f6? e3!], [1 Qb4? / Se3? g3!].

Key : 1 Sd5-f6! (zz)
1...g3 2 Qa8 (2.5) g2#
1...e3 2 Bg3 (2.5) e2#

Symmetric position with asymmetric solution.

Solving Contest 2009-01-25, ISC Categ1 Round2

The Fifth International Solving Contest (ISC) took place simultaneously in many countries (see announcement and the preliminary results of the Greek solvers).

From ISC 2009 we present the problems of the 2nd Round of the 1st Category (more difficult problems, with international ranking for the solvers) for you to practise.
These problems are really difficult, with many tries to lead you astray, but is always worthwhile to put your abilities to the test.

---

Problems for solving. (The solutions are at the end of this post).

	(Problem 300) O. Wielgos, Die Schwalbe 1962 Mate in 2. #2 (10 + 9)
[1rs5/5Q2/2p3pb/2p1P3/3SkP2/5SpP/s1PP4/3B2K1]

	(Problem 301) V. Sichev, Memorial Nabokova 1994, e.E., Mate in 3. #3 (11 + 3)
[7K/1pp3B1/6P1/4R2P/3ppk1P/RS3p1P/2r2P2/b4S1s]

	(Problem 302) V. Pachman, Second Prize, Schach 1959, Mate in 4. #4 (7 + 7)
[5q2/p1B3p1/k1S1B1P1/S7/P5K1/4pp2/1s6/8]

	(Problem 303) S. Hornecker & M. Minski, Original, Problem-Forum 2009, White plays and wins. + (7 + 6)
[8/8/3s2r1/p2Pkr2/7K/4SRp1/7P/6SR]

	(Problem 304) R. Arnold, Original, Helpmate in 5. h#5 (5 + 7)
[1s6/8/1Kp5/4q3/5p2/3p1P2/P1bP4/S3k3]

	(Problem 305) W. A. Shinkman, Pittsburgh Post, 1924, Selfmate in 3. s#3 (7 + 8)
[K1Ss2s1/p1k1P2R/4pB2/2bQ4/8/q7/2R3b1/8]

---

The solutions of the problems
With bold writing we include the Points, 5 points for each complete solution.

(Problem 300) O. Wielgos, (Die Schwalbe 1962), #2

Tries : [1 Qf7xg6+? Ke4-d5!], [1 d2-d3+? Ke4-e3!], [1 Sd4-e2? Bh6xf4!], [1 Sd4-e6? Rb8-b5!].

Key : 1 Sd4-f5! (5) ( > 2 Sf5xg3#)
1...g6xf5 2 Qf7-c4#
1...Bh6xf4 2 d2-d3#
1...Ke4xf4 2 Sf5-d6#


(Problem 301) V. Sichev, (Memorial Nabokova 1994, e.E.), #3

Tries : [1 Bg7-h6+? Kf4xe5!], [1 Re5-f5+? Kf4xf5!], [1 Sb3xd4? Ba1xd4!], [1 Sb3-c5? Rc2xc5!], [1 Ra3-a8? Rc2-c6!], [1 Ra3-a5? b7-b5!].

Key : 1 Sb3-d2! ( > 2 Re5xe4+ (0.5) Kf4-f5 3 Ra3xf3#)
1...d4-d3 2 Re5xe4+ (0.5) Kf5 3 Sf1-e3#
1...Ba1-c3 2 Sd2-c4 (1) ( > 3 Bg7-h6#)
1...Rc2-c3 2 Re5-d5 (1) ( > 3 Bg7-h6#)
1...Rc2xd2 2 Ra3-a8 (1) ( > 3 Ra8-f8#)
___2...Sh1-g3 3 f2xg3#
1...e4-e3 2 Ra3xe3 (1) ( > 3 Bg7-h6# / Re3-e4# / Re3xf3#)
___2...Sh1-g3 3 Bg7-h6# / Re3xf3# / f2xg3#
___2...Sh1xf2 3 Bg7-h6# / Re3xf3#
___2...Rc2-c3, Rc2xd2 3 Bg7-h6# / Re3-e4#
___2...d4xe3 3 f2xe3#


(Problem 302) V. Pachman, (Schach 1959, Second Prize), #4

Tries : [1 Bc7-d8? Qf8xd8!], [1 Be6-c4+? Sb2xc4!], [1 Be6-c8+? Qf8xc8+!], [1 Sc6-b4+? Qf8xb4+!], [1 Sc6-d8? Qf8-b4+!], [1 Sc6-b8+? Qf8xb8!], [1 Kg4-h4? Qf8-f4+!], [1 Kg4-g5? Qf8-c5+!], [1 Kg4-g3? Qf8-d6+!].

Key : 1 Kg4-h3! ( > 2 Sc6-b4+ Qf8xb4 3 Be6-c8+ (2) Qb4-b7 4 Bc8xb7#) (the bQ is overloaded, because must focus her attention on b4, b8 and c8)
1...Qf8-h8+
___2 Kh3-g3 ( > 3 Sc6-b4#)
___2...Qh8-b8? 3 Sc6xb8#
___2...Sb2-d3 / Sb2xa4 3 Be6-c4#
___2...Qh8-h2+
______3 Kg3xh2 ( > 4 Be6-c8# / Sc6-b4# / Sc6-b8#)
______3...Sb2-d3 4 Be6-c4# / Be6-c8# / Sc6-b8#
______3...Sb2xa4 4 Be6-c4#
___2...Qh8-h3+
______3 Kg3xh3 ( > 4 Be6-c8# / Sc6-b4# / Sc6-b8#)
______3...Sb2-d3 4 Be6-c4# / Be6-c8# / Sc6-b8#
______3...Sb2xa4 4 Be6-c4#
___2...Qh8-h4+
______3 Kg3xh4 ( > 4 Be6-c8# / Sc6-b4# / Sc6-b8#)
______3...Sb2-d3 4 Be6-c4# / Be6-c8# / Sc6-b8#
______3...Sb2xa4 4 Be6-c4#
___2...Qh8-f8 3 Be6-c8+ (3) Qf8xc8 4 Sc6-b4#


(Problem 303) S. Hornecker & M. Minski, (Original, Problem-Forum 2009), +

Key : 1 Sg4+! (1) (not 1 Rxf5? Sxf5+! 2 Sxf5 Kxf5 3 Sf3 gxh2 4 Sxh2 Ke4 5 Rd1 Rd6 6 Sg4 a4 7 Kg3 a3 8 Kf2 a2 = ,
nor 1 hxg3? Rxf3 2 Sxf3+ Ke4 = ,
nor 1 Rxg3? Rh6+! 2 Kg4 Rf4+ 3 Kg5 Sf7#)
1...Rxg4+
2 Kxg4 Rg5+
3 Kxg5 (1) Se4+
4 Kg4 g2
5 Rf1 (2) gxh1=Q
6 Sf3+ Kxd5
7 Rxh1 Sf2+
8 Kg3 Sxh1+
9 Kg2 Kc4
(not 9...a4 10 Sd2 a3 11 Sb1 a2 12 Se3+ +- )
10 Sd2+ (1) Kc3
11 h4 +-


(Problem 304) R. Arnold, (Original), h#5

Key : 1 c5! (makes room for the bS in the fifth move) Kb5
2 Qb2+ (the bQ has passed over the critical square c3) Kxc5
3 Kxd2 (this must happen before the movement of the wS) Sb3+
4 Kc3 (opens the d2 for the wS) Sd2
5 Sc6 (unique waiting move) Se4# (5)


(Problem 305) W. A. Shinkman, (Pittsburgh Post, 1924), s#3

Tries : [1 e8=Q+? / e8=S+? / e8=R+? / exd8=B+? / exd8=S+? / Be5+? Kxc8!], [1 exd8=R+? Se7!], [1 Qb7+? Sxb7!].

Key : 1 Rh8! ( > 2 exd8=B+ Kxc8 3 Qc6+ / Qb7+ (0.5) Bxc6# / Bxb7#)
1...exd5 2 exd8=Q+ Kc6 3 Sxa7+ (1) Qxa7#
1...Kxc8 2 exd8=R+ Kc7 3 Qb7+ (1) Bxb7#
1...Sc6 2 e8=S+ Kxc8 3 Qxc6+ (1) Bxc6#
(the problem is an Allumwandlung, since it shows the four promotions)
1...Sxe7 2 Be5+ Kxc8 3 Qb7+ (1) Bxb7#
1...Bf1, Bh3 2 Qxd8+ Kc6 3 Sxa7+ (0.5) Qxa7#

Solving Contest 2009-01-25, ISC categ1 round1

The Fifth International Solving Contest (ISC) took place simultaneously in many countries (see announcement and the preliminary results of the Greek solvers).

From ISC 2009 we present the problems of the 1st Round of the 1st Category (more difficult problems, with international ranking for the solvers) for you to try your hand.
These problems are really difficult, with many tries to lead you astray, but is always worthwhile to put your abilities to the test.

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Problems for solving. (The solutions are at the end of this post).

	(Problem 294) A. Makanzie, First Prize, Mirror of American sports, 1886 Mate in 2. #2 (12 + 10)
[q6B/2sPS2b/1P3Rp1/2S1k1p1/1P4B1/3Prr2/4pP2/b1Q1K3]

	(Problem 295) J. Popsipil, Humoristicke listy, 1887 Mate in 3. #3 (6 + 6)
[K7/2B5/p2p4/1Pk1s3/Q7/p3S3/2B5/1s6]

	(Problem 296) G. Bluhm, Fifth Prize, Foerderungsturnier des DSV, 1961 Mate in 6. #6 (7 + 7)
[8/sS3p2/2p5/8/2pk1P2/P1Sp3R/3B1b2/7K]

	(Problem 297) W. A. Bron, Shakmatny listok 1928, Lob White plays and draws. = (3 + 5)
[3b4/8/2b5/6B1/2p3R1/8/p2K3k/8]

	(Problem 298) P. A. Petkov, feenschach, 2003 Helpmate in 3 moves. Three solutions. h#3 3.1.1.1.1.1 (6 + 7)
[K7/3p4/3P2p1/6pB/5k2/3p2S1/3Ppp1B/8]

	(Problem 299) V. Nikoletic, Sahovski Glasnik 1989, Lob Selfmate in 5 moves. s#5 (14 + 10)
[b3B2B/4pS2/1Rs1k3/PQ3SpP/1p2spP1/2p2K2/r2PRPP1/8]

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The solutions of the problems
With bold writing we include the Points, 5 points for each complete solution.

(Problem 294) A. Makanzie, (First Prize, Mirror of American sports, 1886), #2

Tries : [1 Se7-c6+? Qa8xc6!], [1 Se7xg6+? Bh7xg6!], [1 Rf6-f5+? Ke5-d6!], [1 Rf6-e6+? Ke5-f4!], [1 d3-d4+? Ba1xd4!], [1 Qc1xe3+? Rf3xe3!], [1 Qc1-b2+? Ba1xb2!], [1 Qc1xa1+? Qa8xa1+!], [1 Qc1-c3+? Ba1xc3+!].

Key : 1 Sc5-b7! (zz) (5)
1...Sc7-b5 / Sc7-e8 2 Qc1-c5#
1...Sc7-a6 / Qa8xb7 / Qa8-~8 2 Qc1xa1#
1...Sc7-d5 2 Se7-c6#
1...Sc7-e6 2 Rf6-f5#
1...Ba1-d4 2 Qc1xc7#
1...Ba1-c3+ 2 Qc1xc3#
1...Ba1-b2 2 Qc1xb2#
1...Re3xd3 / Re3-e4 / Rf3-f4 2 Rf6-e6#
1...Rf3xf2 / Rf3xf6 / Rf3-f5 2 Qc1xe3#
1...Rf3-h3 / Rf3-g3 2 Rf6-f8#
1...Ke5-d4 2 Rf6-d6#
1...Bh7-g8 / Qa8-a~ 2 Rf6xf3#

Nine tries, and after the key we see twelve different mating nets.


(Problem 295) J. Popsipil, (Humoristicke listy, 1887), #3

Tries : [1 Ka8-b7? d6-d5!], [1 Bc7-a5? a6xb5!], [1 Bc7-b6+? Kc5xb6!], [1 Bc7xd6+? Kc5xd6!], [1 b5xa6? Sb1-c3!], [1 Qa4xa3+? Sb1xa3!], [1 Qa4-d4+? Kc5xd4!], [1 Qa4-c4+? Se5xc4!], [1 Qa4-b4+? Kc5xb4!].

Key : 1 Bc7-d8! ( > 2 Ka8-b7 (1) and 3 Bd8-b6#, and if 2...Se5-c4 / Se5-d7 / d6-d5 3 Qa4xc4# / Qa4-c4# / Bd8-e7#)
1...Sb1-d2 2 Qa4xa3+ (1) Kc5xb5 / Kc5-d4 3 Bc2-a4# / Bd8-b6#
1...Sb1-c3 2 Qa4-d4+ (1) Kc5xb5 / Kc5xd4 3 Qd4-b6# / Bd8-b6#
1...a6xb5 2 Qa4-a7+ (1) Kc5-c6 / Kc5-b4 3 Qa7-c7# / Bd8-a5#
1...d6-d5 2 Bd8-e7+ (1) Kc5-b6 3 Se3xd5#


(Problem 296) G. Bluhm, (First Prize, Foerderungsturnier des DSV, 1961), #6

Try : [1 Rh3-e3? Bf2xe3!].

Key : 1 Rh3-h8! ( > 2 Rh8-d8#)
1...Sa7-b5 / Sa7-c8 2 Rh8-d8+ Sb5-d6 / Sc8-d6 3 Rd8xd6#
1...Bf2-h4 2 Rh8-e8 ( > 3 Re8-e4#)
___2...Bh4-e7 3 Re8xe7 ( > 4 Re7-e4# / Re7-d7#)
______3...Sa7-b5 / Sa7-c8 4.Re7-e4#
______3...f7-f5 4.Re7-d7#
___2...f7-f5 3 Re8-e6 ( > 4 Re6-d6#)
______3...Bh4-e7 4 Re6xe7 ( > 5 Re7-d7#)
_________4...Sa7-b5 / Sa7-c8 5 Re7-d7+ (1) Sb5-d6 / Sc8-d6 6 Rd7xd6#
______3...Sa7-b5 / Sa7-c8 4 Re6-d6+ Sb5xd6 / Sc8xd6 5 Sb7-c5 (4) ( > 6 Sc5-e6#)
____________5...Kd4xc5 6 Bd2-e3#


(Problem 297) W. A. Bron, (Shakmatny listok 1928, Lob), =

Key : 1 Bf4+! Kh1 (not 1...Kh3? 2 Rg3+ Kh4 3 Ra3 =)
2 Be5 (1) c3+ (not 2 Ba5+ 3 Ke2! c3 4 Rh4+ Kg2 5 Rg4+ Kh3 6 Rg3+ Kh4 7 Rxc3 a1=Q 8 Rc4+ K~ 9 Bxa1 =)
3 Bxc3 Ba5
4 Rh4+ Kg2 (check until bK goes on black square, else draw with triple repetition of the position)
5 Rg4+ (1) Kf1 (not 5 Rxa4? Bxa4 6 Kc1 Bb4! 7 B~ Ba3+ -+)
(There are points for this continuation : 5 Rg4+ (1) Kh2 6 Ra4 (1) ... 9 Kb2 (1) =)
6 Rf4+ Kg2
7 Rg4+ Kh2
8 Ra4 (1) Bxa4
9 Kc1 (1) Bb4
10 Be5+ K~
11 Kb2 (1) =


(Problem 298) P. A. Petkov, (feenschach, 2003), h#3 3.1.1.1.1.1

Key : 1 g4! Sf5+ 2 Ke4 Bxg6 3 Kf3 Sh4#
Key : 1 e1=S! Bd1 2 Sg2 Se2+ 3 Kf3 Sc3#
Key : 1 e1=R! Bg1 2 Re4 Sf5 3 gxf5 Bh2#

(1 solution = 1,5 points / 2 solutions = 3 points / 3 solutions = 5 points).


(Problem 299) V. Nikoletic, (Sahovski Glasnik 1989, Lob), s#5

Set play : 1...Ra4
2 Qc5 ( > 3 Qxe7+ Kd5 4 Qxe4+ Kc5 5 Qd4+ Sxd4#)
2...b3 3 Rxc6+ Bxc6 4 Sg7+ Kf6 5 Qxg5+ Sxg5#

Tries : [1 Rxc6+? / Qxc6+? Bxc6!], [1 Sg7+? Kf6!], [1 Qxb4? / Qc5? Rxd2!], [1 Qd5+? Kxd5!].

Key : 1 Qd3! ( > 2 Sg7+ Kf6 3 Qd4+ e5 4 Sf5+ Ke6 5 Sxg5+ (1) Sxg5#)
1...Rxa5 2 Rxe4+ Re5 3 Qd5+ Kxd5 4 Rb5+ Ke6 5 Sd4+ (2) Sxd4#
1...Rxd2 2 Sd4+ Kd5 3 Rb5+ Sc5 4 Rxc5+ Kxc5 5 Re5+ (2) Sxe5#

2009-01-25, ISC 2009, Greek Solvers

Harry Fougiaxis, International Master, after organizing the Fifth International Solving Contest (ISC 2009) in Greece, has announced the preliminary results for Greek solvers, where all the contestants took part in the First Category of (more difficult) chess problems :

01 Prentos, Kostas : 49,5 points in 237 minutes.
02 Sklavounos, Panagis : 26 p, 238 m.
03 Papastavropoulos, Andreas : 25,5 p, 240 min.
04 Konidaris, Panagiotis : 25 p, 240 min.
05 Skyrianoglou, Dimitris : 22,5 p, 219 min.
06 Markesinis, Lefteris : 21 p, 238 min.
07 Spyropoulos, Georgios : 19 p, 240 min.
08 Manolas, Emmanuel : 15,5 p, 240 min.
09 Finokaliotis, Georgios : 12,5 p, 145 min.
10 Spiliadis, Athanasios : 12 p, 240 min.
11 Garoufalidis, Ioannis : 11,5 p, 240 min.
12 Lykouriotis, Pantelis : 11 p, 208 min.
13 Terzis, Philippos : 11 p, 240 min.
14 (miss) Mavromati, Angeliki : 10 p, 233 min.
15 Georgakis, Ilias : 10 p, 240 min.
15 Sboukis, Konstantinos : 10 p, 240 min.
17 Petridis, Evaggelos : 9,5 p, 240 min.
18 Mouroutis, Konstantinos : 5 p, 178 min.
19 Georgopoulos, Dimitrios : 5 p, 240 min.

Gongratulations to all participants!

(Posts with problems and solutions will follow).

Solving Contest 2008-01-27, ISC categ1 round2

The Fifth ISC (International Solving Contest) for 2009 is approaching, which takes place parallely in many countries at the same time.

We present, from the Fourth ISC (2008-01-27), the problems of the Second Round of the First Category (difficult problems, with international rating) for you to practise.

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Problems to be solved. (The solutions are at the end of this post).

	(Problem 288) H. Ahues, Second Prize, Problemisten, 1977, Mate in 2. #2 (8 + 9)
[1b1R4/6sS/r4pS1/2Q5/r3kp2/2Pp4/b2P1R2/7K]

	(Problem 289) V. Sichev, Third Prize, 8. kom. perveistvo SSSR, 1972-73, Mate in 3. #3 (9 + 10)
[1b6/1s6/7Q/1pprp3/4S1p1/P1SkP3/B1s3P1/2K2bB1]

	(Problem 290) E. Grosdemange, Regence, 1860 Mate in 5. #5 (9 + 9)
[6s1/1b5S/2p4p/b1B1k3/K1PSrpB1/p4P2/3P4/1R6]

	(Problem 291) L. Falk, First Prize ex aequo, Reti Memorial Tourney, 1989, White plays and wins. = (4 + 5)
[3k4/B7/3P4/1R6/p7/r3s3/7b/2K5]

	(Problem 292) A. Beine, Problemforum, 2008 Helpmate in 6 moves. h#6 (5 + 8)
[8/8/6p1/4p3/3p3p/3Pp2p/2BkP2P/3s1K2]

	(Problem 293) J. Arefjev, Die Schwalbe, 1996 Selfmate in 3 moves. s#3 (8 + 13)
[7B/Q4PPk/1p4pr/1p1B4/7b/2pPpP1K/4p1rs/5b1q]

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Solutions of the problems

(Problem 288) H. Ahues, Problemisten 1977, Second Prize

Tries : [1 Rd4+? Rxd4!], [1 Re8+? Sxe8!], [1 Sxf6+? Rxf6!], [1 Sg5+? fxg5!], [1 Qd5+? Bxd5!], [1 Rxf4+? Bxf4!], [1 Rd6? (if 1...Rxd6 / Bxd6 2 Rxf4 / Sxf6#) Sh5!], [1 c4? (if 1…Rxc4 / Bxc4 2 Qd5 / Td4#) Be5!].

Key : 1 Qb5! (5)


(Problem 289) V. Sichev, 8. kom. perveistvo SSSR, 1972-73, Third Prize

Tries : [1 Qf8? / Qf6? Be2!], [1 Qc6? Rd4!], [1 Sf2+? Kxc3!].

Key : 1 Qe6! ( > 2 Qxd5+ (0,5) )
1...Rd7,d8 2 Bb1 (1) Rd5 3 Qxd5#
1...Rd6 2 Sf2+ (1) Kxc3/Kxe3 3 Qb3# / Qxe5#
1...Rd4 2 Qb3 (1) Sc~ / Sxe3 3 Qd1 / Sf2#
1...Sxe3 2 Qh6 (0,5) S~ / Sc4 3 Qd2 / Bb1#
1...Sb4 2 axb4 (0,5) R~ 3 Bb1#

A second threat, discovered later (special thanks to Harry Fougiaxis and Zoltan Laborczi), was graded as follows : 1 Qe6! ( > 2 Bb1 (1) Sb~ 3 Qxd5+ (0,5)).

(Problem 290) E. Grosdemange, Regence, 1860

Tries : [1 Sxc6+? Bxc6+!], [1 Kxa5? a2!], [1 Rxb7? Rxd4!], [1 Re1? Rxe1! 2 Se2 Bxd2!].

Key : 1 Rh1! Bd8 (αν 1...Sf6? 2 Sf8 and 3 Sd7/Sg6#)
2 Re1 Rxe1
3 Se2 Rd1 (if 2...Re3? 3 Sb3 and 4 d4#)
4 Sxf4 (5) Kxf4
5 Bd6#

(Problem 291) L. Falk, Reti Memorial Tourney, 1989, First Prize ex aequo

Key : 1 Rb8+! (1) Kd7 (if 1 Rb4? Bxd6 -+)
2 Rb7+ Kc6 (now, if 3 d7? Rd3 4 Rb4 Rd1+ 5 Kb2 Be5+ -+)
3 Rb6+ (1) Kd7 (if 3...Kd5 4 d7 Bc7 5 Rb8 Ra1+ 6 Kd2 Sc4+ 7 Kc2 Sa3+ 8 Kc3 Be5+ 9 Kb4 Bd6+ 10 Kxa4 Sc4+ 11 Kb3 =)
4 Rb7+ Kxd6
5 Rb4 (1) Ra1+ (if 5...Rc3+ 6 Kd2 Rc4 7 Rb6+ Kc7 8 Kxe3 Bg1+ 9 Kd3 Bxb6 10 Kxc4 Bxa7 11 Kb4 =)
6 Kb2 (1) Be5+
7 Bd4 a3+
8 Kxa1 Sc2+ (now, if 9 Ka2? Sxb4 10 Kxa3 Sc2+ -+)
9 Kb1 Sxb4
10 Bb2 (1) =

(Problem 292) A. Beine, Problemforum, 2008

Key : 1 e4! Kg1 2 Kxe2 dxe4 3 Kf3 Kf1 4 Kg4 Ke2 5 g5 Bxd1 6 d3+ Kxe3#

(Problem 293) J. Arefjev, Die Schwalbe, 1996

Tries : [1 g8=Q/R? / Qxb6? g5!], [1 g8=B+? Kxh8!]

Key : 1 Be4! ( > 2 g8=R ( > 3 f8=R+ (0,5) Be7#) Rh5 3 f8=Q+ (0,5) Be7#)
1...e1=Q/R/B 2 f8=S+ Kg8 3 Qa2+ (1,5) Rxa2#
1...c2 2 g8=B+ Kxh8 3 Qa1+ (1,5) Bf6#
1...Rh5 2 g8=Q+ Kh6 3 Qxg6+ (1) Rxg6#

Solving Contest 2008-01-27, ISC categ1 round1

The Fifth ISC (International Solving Contest) for 2009 is approaching, which takes place parallely in many countries at the same time.

We present, from the Fourth ISC (2008-01-27), the problems of the First Round of the First Category (difficult problems, with international rating) for you to practise.

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Problems to be solved. (The solutions are at the end of this post).

	(Problem 282) M. Keller, Second Prize, Saechsische Zeitung, 1985 Mate in 2. #2 (13 + 6)
[8/1KQpp3/3P4/3RSP1S/2p1k1P1/2B5/BPs1PP2/3r4]

	(Problem 283) M. Feigl, First Prize, Tourney KNSB, 1904, Mate in 3. #3 (8 + 9)
[KS5s/1Q6/1p1pk1Pp/2pR3S/5p2/1P4r1/4sP2/8]

	(Problem 284) H. Haefele, Sixth Prize, Deutsche Schachzeitung, 1974, Mate in 4. #4 (10 + 9)
[4S1Ks/1r2p2p/1pSP1P2/1P1P1p2/2B1kp2/5p2/2P2B2/8]

	(Problem 285) O. J. Carlson, Second Prize, Ajedrez, 1970, White plays and stalemates. = (3 + 4)
[8/8/2P5/8/2K5/2s5/6k1/rB4s]

	(Problem 286) R. Arnold, harmonie, 2008 Helpmate in 3 moves. Two solutions. h#3 2.1.1.1.1.1 (7 + 15)
[R7/8/2Pq3r/3ppsS1/p1s3P1/bp1Sk1pp/5pP1/Kb5r]

	(Problem 287) C. Gamnitzer, First Prize ex aequo, feenschach, 2000, Selfmate in 6 moves. s#6 (9 + 9)
[1RK1kr2/1P3p1P/S2Q1pp1/1s3p2/BB2p3/7b/8/2R5]

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The solutions of the problems

(Problem 282) M. Keller, Saechsische Zeitung, 1985, Second Prize

Tries : [1 Sd3? / f3+? Kxd5! / Ke3!],
[1 Sxd7? (if 1...Kxd5 (a) / exd6 (b) 2 Qc6# (A) / Sdf6# (B) ) Rxd5!],
[1 Sg6? (if 1...exd6 (b) / Rxd5 (c) 2 Shf6# (C) / Sg3# (D)) Kxd5!].
[1 Sf7? (if 1...Rxd5 (c) / Kxd5(a) 2 Sg5# (E) / Qxc4# (F)) exd6!],

Key : 1 Sxc4! (5) Kxd5 (a) / exd6 (b) / Rxd5 (c) 2 Sd2# (G) / f3# (H) / Sxd6# (I)


(Problem 283) M. Feigl, Tourney KNSB, 1904, First Prize

Tries : [1 Sc6? / Qc8+? / Qd7+? Kxd5!], [1 Re5+? Kxe5!], [1 Rd4? / Rf5? K(x)f5!], [1 Sg7+? Kf6!], [1 Sd7? Sxg6!], [1 Qf7+? Sxf7!], [1 Rxc5? dxc5!], [1 Rg5? Rxg5!], [1 fxg3? Sxg3!].

Key : 1 f3! ( > 2 Re5+ (1) dxe5 / Kxe5 3 Qd7# / Qe4#)
1...Sc3 2 Sc6 (1) Kxd5 / Sxd5 3 Sxf4# / Qc8#
1...Rxf3 2 Rg5 (1) hxg5 3 Qe4#
1...Rg5 2 Rxg5 (1) hxg5 3 Qe4#
1...Sxg6 2 Sg7+ (1) Kf6 3 Rf5#


(Problem 284) H. Haefele, Deutsche Schachzeitung, 1974, Sixth Prize.

Tries : [1 Sc7? Rxc7!], [1 fxe7? / d7? / dxe7? Rb8!], [1 Bd3+? Kxd5!], [1 fxe7? Rb8!].

Key : 1 Kg7! ( > 2 fxe7 Rxe7+ 3 dxe7 (0,5)
1...exf6+ 2 Kh6 Sf7+ / Rf7 3 Kh5 (0,5) / d7 (0,5)
1...exd6+ 2 f7 Rxf7+ 3 Kh6 (1)
1...e6+ 2 Kxh8 ( > 3 Bd3+ (0,5)) e5 3 Sb4 (0,5)
1...e5+ 2 Se7 Rxe7+ 3 fxe7 (1)
1...Rb8 2 Sc7 Rg8+ 3 Kxg8 (0,5)


(Problem 285) O. J. Carlson, Ajedrez, 1970, Second Prize

Key : 1 c7! Sa4 (not 1...Ra8? 2 Be4+ K~ 3 Bxa8 +-)
2 Be4+ (1) Sf3
3 Kb5 Rc1
4 Bc6 (1) Rc5+
5 Ka6 Rxc6+
6 Kb7 (1) Se5
7 c8=Q Sc5+
8 Kb8 Sed7+
9 Ka7 (1) Rg6
10 Qg8 = (1)


(Problem 286) R. Arnold, harmonie, 2008

Key : 1 Qb4! Se6 2 Ke4 Rxa4 3 Sce3 Sdc5# (2,5)

Key : 1 Qf6! Sxf2 2 Kf4 Rf8 3 Sfe3 Se6# (2,5)


(Problem 287) C. Gamnitzer, feenschach, 2000, First Prize ex aequo

Tries : [1 h8=S? Rxh8!], [1 Qe5+? fxe5!], [1 Qe6+? fxe6!], [1 Be1? / Bd2? / Bc3? / Rc5? Rg8!]

Key : 1 Rc4! ( > 2 Rxe4+ fxe4+ 3 Qd7+) Bg2,f1 (the bB leaves from the diagonal c8-h3)
2 Rc5 (interferes with wBb4 and > 3 Qe7+) Rg8 (the bR must become vulnerable)
3 h8=S ( > 4 Qe7+) Rg7 (now is evident why bPg6 was placed there)
4 Re5+ fxe5
5 Qe6+ fxe6
6 Sc7+ (5) Rc7#

Solving Contest 2008-01-27, ISC categ2 round2

The Fifth ISC (International Solving Contest) for 2009 is approaching, which takes place parallely in many countries at the same time.

We present, from the Fourth ISC (2008-01-27), the problems of the Second Round of the Second Category (easier problems, without international rating) for you to practise.

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Problems to be solved. (The solutions are at the end of this post).

	(Problem 278) W. Pauly, Second Prize ex aequo, Good Companions, 1921, Mate in 2. #2 (8 + 7)
[4S3/8/1pr5/1P1k1Pp1/S5R1/2p2s2/2p1RB2/2K5]

	(Problem 279) H. G. Matthaeus, Deutsche Schachzeitung, 1981 Mate in 2. #2 (8 + 4)
[6K1/8/R3p2k/5P2/6PB/6R1/3brP2/3B4]

	(Problem 280) W. Pauly, La Strategie, 1911 Mate in 3. #3 (6 + 5)
[8/6p1/6P1/5R1K/1S3B2/1pP5/pp6/1k6]

	(Problem 281) A. Gschwend, Third Place, Bayern-Oesterreich, 1972/73, Helpmate in 2. Two solutions. h#2 2.1.1.1 (5 + 9)
[8/8/8/2Spkp2/pp1p1q2/RQ1ps3/B7/2K5]

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The solutions of the problems

(Problem 278) W. Pauly, (Good Companions, 1921), Second Prize ex aequo.

Virtual play (*) 1...Rc8 / Rh6 / S~ 2 Sxb6# / Sxc3# / Rd4#

Try : [1 Bg3? (αν 1...Rc8 / Rh6 / S~ 2 Sf6# / Sc7# / Re5#) Sd4!].

Key : 1 Bc5! (5)
1...Rc8 / Rh6 / S~ / Rxc5 / bxc5 2 Sf6# / Sc7# / Rd4# / Sxb6# / Sxc3#


(Problem 279) H. G. Matthaeus, (Deutsche Schachzeitung, 1981)

Tries : [1 Re3? (if 1...Rxe3 / Bxe3 2 g5# / Rxe6#) Bc3!], [1 Bf6? Exf5!].

Key : 1 Be7! (5) ( > 2 Rh3#)
1...Re3 / Bg5 2 g5# / Bf8#


(Problem 280) W. Pauly, (La Strategie, 1911)

Tries : [1 Kh5-h4? / Kh5-g4? / Rf5-d5? / Rf5-e5? / Rf5-g5? / Bf4-d2? / Bf4-e3? / Bf4-h6? / Bf4-g5? Kb1-a1!], [1 Bf4-e5? Kb1-c1!]

Key : 1 c4! (1) (zz)
1...Ka1 2 Be5 (1) Kb1 3 Rf1#
1...a1=Q,R 2 Bg5 (1) ~ 3 Rf1#
1...a1=S 2 Rd5 (1) Sc2 3 Rd1#
1...a1=B 2 Bh6 (1) gxh6 3 Rf1 #


(Problem 281) A. Gschwend, (Bayern-Oesterreich, 1972/73), Third Place

Key : 1 axb3! Ra6 2 bxa2 Re6# (2,5)

Key : 1 bxa3! Se4 2 dxe4 Qe6# (2,5)

Solving Contest 2008-01-27, ISC categ2 round1

The Fifth ISC (International Solving Contest) for 2009 is approaching, which takes place parallely in many countries at the same time.

We present, from the Fourth ISC (2008-01-27), the problems of the First Round of the Second Category (easier problems, without international rating) for you to practise.

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Problems to be solved. (The solutions are at the end of this post).

	(Problem 274) F. Bachl, Third Prize, Jubilee Tourney H. Roemming, 1954 Mate in 2. #2 (10 + 7)
[3Q4/p2p1rb1/3S2B1/8/4rP1p/R1P1k2S/4P3/B2K4]

	(Problem 275) H. Bartolovic, Second Prize, Die Schwalbe, 1961 Mate in 2. #2 (8 + 15)
[6B1/R3p3/6Q1/2S2R2/bp2R1p1/p1p2pqP/2kp4/KsrsbS2]

	(Problem 276) F. Richter, Second Prize, Revista de Sah, 1948 White plays and wins. + (4 + 5)
[6k1/3R4/8/1pK5/pp6/P2B4/p7/8]

	(Problem 277) W. Shinkman, Turf, Field and Farm, 1877 Selfmate in 2 moves. s#2 (6 + 7)
[3r2bK/r2p4/7k/3B1QS1/5S2/3p4/7q/6R1]

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The solutions of the problems

(Problem 274) F. Bachl, (H. Roemming Jubilee Turnier, 1954), Third Prize

Tries : [1 Qe7? Be5!], [1 Qf6? (if 1...Rxf6 / Bxf6 2 c4# / Sf5#) Ra4!]

Key : 1 Qg5! (5) ( > 2 Qg1#)
1...Rexf4 / Rfxf4 / Rd4+ 2 Sc4# / Sf5# / cxd4#


(Problem 275) H. Bertolovic, (Die Schwalbe, 1961), Second Prize

Tries : [1 Rf6? / Rd5? / Re6? exf6! / Be8! / Bb5!], [1 Rff4? / Rfe5? / Ref4? / Ree5? gxh3! / Ra6! / f2! / Rd7!]

Key : 1 Rd4! (5) ( > 2 Rf5~#)


(Problem 276) F. Richter, (Revista de Sah, 1948), Second Prize

Key : 1 Bh7+! (1) Kh8 (if 1… Kf8? 2 Rd1 b3 3 Ra1 +-)
2 Rd1 b3
3 Kb4 (1) b2
4 Bb1 (2) a1=Q
5 Rg1 (1) +-


(Problem 277) W. Shinkman (Turf, Field and Farm, 1877)

Try : [1 Bh1? Rda8!]

Key : 1 Ba8! ( > 2 Qh7+ (1) Bxh7#)
1...d6, d5 2 Qe6+ (1) Bxe6#
1...Qxg1, Qg2, Qg3 2 Sf7+ (1) Bxf7#
1...Qb2+ 2 Qf6+ (1) Qxf6#
1...Be6, Ba2, Bh7+ 2 Qf8+ (1) Rxf8#

Greek Solvers, 2009

The catalog of the PCCC (Permanent Committee for Chess Composition) of FIDE with 509 solvers from all over the world includes, in edition 01-April-2009, several Greeks with full Rating :

Series	Name	Country	Rating	Highest rating
33.	Prentos, Kostas (title IM)	GRE	2482,62	2517
87.	Mendrinos, Nikos	GRE	2320,11	2340
107.	Papastavropoulos, Andreas	GRE	2280,93	2318
176.	Fougiaxis, Harry	GRE	2123,41	2123
226.	Kostouros, Alexis	GRE	2046,66	2047
297.	Konidaris, Panagiotis	GRE	1990,96	2012
273.	Sklavounos, Panagis	GRE	1976,57	1992
286.	Ilantzis, Spyridon	GRE	1963,35	2040
287.	Skyrianoglou, Dimitris	GRE	1959,87	1972
323.	Garoufalidis, Ioannis	GRE	1897,49	1922
325.	Anemodouras, Leokratis	GRE	1889,58	1896
350.	Markesinis, Lefteris	GRE	1842,85	1843
383.	Manolas, Emmanouel	GRE	1796,59	1811
395.	Argirakopoulos, Themistoklis	GRE	1775,27	1775
401.	Alexandrou, Anastasios	GRE	1768,35	1768
436.	Mitsakis, Kostats	GRE	1687,44	1687

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The list of the PCCC (Permanent Committee for Chess Composition) of the FIDE (Federation International Des Eshecs) with 473 solvers from all the world includes, in the 01-01-2009 edition, several Greek solvers with full Rating :

Rank	Name	Country	Rating	Max rating
34.	Prentos, Kostas (title IM)	GRE	2476	2517
87.	Mendrinos, Nikos	GRE	2320	2340
95.	Papastavropoulos, Andreas	GRE	2298	2318
172.	Fougiaxis, Harry	GRE	2123	2123
219.	Kostouros, Alexis	GRE	2046	2047
251.	Konidaris, Panagiotis	GRE	1990	2012
269.	Sklavounos, Panagis	GRE	1972	1992
277.	Ilandzis, Spyridon	GRE	1963	2040
278.	Skyrianoglou, Dimitris	GRE	1960	1972
300.	Garoufalidis, Ioannis	GRE	1911	1922
314.	Anemodouras, Leokratis	GRE	1889	1896
360.	Manolas, Emmanouel	GRE	1796	1811
373.	Argirakopoulos, Themistoklis	GRE	1775	1775
377.	Alexandrou, Anastasios	GRE	1768	1768
412.	Mitsakis, Kostats	GRE	1687	1687

There are some more Greek solvers with Halfrating.

	Kalkavouras, Ioannis	GRE	1859
	Markesinis, Lefteris	GRE	1775
	Pountzas, Chrisanthos	GRE	1775
	Mitsakis, I.	GRE	1600

5 ECSC 2009, Subotica

The President of the PCCC (Permanent Commission of the FIDE for Chess Compositions) Uri Avner send a note about the Fifth ECSC (European Chess Solving Championship) of 2009, which will take place in Subotica (su-bo'-ti-tsa) of Serbia, from Wednesday 06-05-2009 thru Sunday 10-05-2009.
Last date to send application for participation : 27-02-2009

Here follows the note from PCCC and the invitation from Marjan Kovacevic.

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Dear PCCC Delegates,
Attached please find the Invitation to the European Problem Chess Festival and the 5th European Chess Solving championship (ECSC) in Subotica (Serbia) 2009.
On behalf of all of us, I should like to thank the Serbian Delegate, Marjan Kovacevic, and the Serbian organizers for the invitation and rich program, hopefully denoting a good start of the New Year 2009!
With best wishes for a successful and enjoyable event,
Uri Avner, PCCC President

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European Problem Chess Festival
Fifth European Chess Solving Championship
Patria hotel, Subotica, 6-10 May 2009

INVITATION

The Serbian Problem Chess Society, the Chess Club Beograd Beopublikum and the Chess Club Spartak Subotica, with the support of the Serbian Chess Federation, have the honour to invite you to the European Problem Chess Festival and the Fifth European Chess Solving Championship.
The Festival will be held from Wednesday May 6th (arrival) to Sunday May 10th 2009 (departure) in the Patria hotel in Subotica, with ECSC on Friday and Saturday, 8th and 9th May, afternoon.
This is the very first PCCC event ever held in Serbia, and the Serbian problemists, the reigning three-times-in-row European team champions in solving, are very enthusiastic about hosting composers and solvers from all over the Europe, and from the rest of the world.
The EPCF will include many events: two Internet composing tourneys, two quick (24 h) composing tourneys, Open solving championship, standard ECSC program, solving show, quick solving (“Machine Gun”), mini-lectures, etc.
Out of the chess events, participants will be offered an excursion, including visit to the Palic Lake and to the “Wine Castle”, where the quick solving is to be combined with degustation of the home-made wine!
Subotica is a quiet town with 100.000 inhabitants, in the northern part of Serbia, 10 km from the Hungarian border. It is located about 200 km from the Budapest Airport (with a good choice of the low-cost companies), and about 180 km from the Belgrade Airport. Guests from the Central Europe could use very good train connections and railroad connection E-75.
The Patria hotel is in the heart of the town, by the pedestrian zone.
This is a well-known chess town. Many important tourneys were played in Subotica, including Interzonal tournaments of the World Championship. The Patria hotel has recently been renovated and re-opened ceremonially on August 15th 2008. The same month it hosted participants of the Team Chess Championship of Serbia, who were more than satisfied with the conditions and the hospitality found there. In July 2009, the Patria hotel will host the U-18 European Youth Festival, whose Program includes Solving Championship, too.
The pride of Subotica is the Chess Club Spartak, founded in 1930. Some respected chess masters from the past played in Spartak, including IM Andrija Fuderer and WGM Tereza Stadler. Today, Spartak is one of the very best and the youngest team in the Serbian First League. It is the current winner of the Serbian Chess Cup, and it develops its own chess school, successfully run by the GM Nikola Sedlak.

ACCOMMODATION
Prices for the participants in the Patria (4 **** hotel) are as follows:
Single Room: 60 EUR (per person per day, buffet breakfast and buffet dinner).
Double Room: 48 EUR (per person per day, buffet breakfast and buffet dinner).
All rooms have air-conditioning, satellite TV, high-speed Internet access, direct dial phone, and mini-bar.
These prices remain the same 3 days before the Festival for the participants only. Tourist tax and VAT included.
All payments should be made to the organizers, upon arrival, in cash (EUR). The participation fee for those not staying in the hotel is 50 EUR and includes registration, the festival material and participating in solving and composing
tournaments.
The hotel has a fully equipped Congress Hall with 280 seats, the Media Centre with 50 seats, the Vitraz Banquet Hall with 40 seats, hotel restaurant with 220 seats, the Makarena Cafe Bar and Patisserie with 60 seats, cafe bar in front of the Congress Hall with 30 seats, Wellness centre with sauna and hydro-massage pool, parking space with 50 parking places, newsstand, souvenir shop, hairdresser, bank with exchange office, laundry, and room service.

CONTACT
Please send your application before February 28th 2009 to Mr. Dusan Kojic:
E-mail: koda@ptt.rs

The festival schedule and further details will be announced by the end of January 2009.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Subotica. Happy New Year!
Belgrade, December 31st 2008
Marjan Kovacevic, PCCC delegate

5 ISC 2009

It has been announced that the Fifth ISC (International Solving Contest) will take place on Sunday 25-01-2009 at the same time (Greenwich Mean Time 11:00) in all the participating countries. Here follows the directive to local organizers.

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5th INTERNATIONAL SOLVING CONTEST (ISC)
SUNDAY JANUARY 25th 2009

The International Solving Contest next year will take place on Sunday January 25th 2009. The event is happening simultaneously in all participating countries.
There will be two sections: one for the experienced solvers. In this section solvers can obtain rating points. The second section is intended for weaker, inexperienced solvers and for youth.
As delegate you have to appoint a local controller who can be trusted on the responsible task of organizing this contest in your country. If you find it appropriate this contest may be organized in more than one location in your country. But
for each location a local controller must take the responsibility. It is absolutely required that the local controller must dispose of an e-mail address. The delegate will thus indicate this e-mail-address.
The contest will consist of two rounds with six problems each, i.e. for each round a 2#, 3#, n#, EG, h# and s#.
For each round, the solving time is two hours.
To prevent possible irregularities it is essential that the start of the contest must be at the same time in each country.
This means CET (Central European Time) at 11 hr. Local time must meet this CET. Between the two rounds a break is foreseen of minimum 0,5 hr and max 1,5 hr, at the option of the local controller.

The local controller will receive between 16th and 19th January 2009 the following Word-format documents by e-mail:
For each round, a sheet with the problems.
For each round, a sheet for writing the solutions.
For each round, a sheet with the solutions and their marking.
A form for summarizing the results.

The task of the local controller is:
The organizing of the local contest. Note: It is allowed that countries have a combined organization.
Participants may also be of a different country.
The announcement in local magazines.
The invitation of the local participants.
The reproduction of the various sheets for the solvers.
The checking of the solutions and point-giving.
Announcing the provisional results to the solvers, ultimately on January 29th 2009.
The handling of possible claims, which should reach him by January 31st 2009.
The e-mailing of the results. This must reach the central controller by e-mail not later than on February 2nd 2009.
The mailing of the original solving sheets to the central controller, no later than the February 3rd 2009 (postmarked).
The solving sheets may also be scanned and sent to the central controller by e-mail. This is recommended to save time (and money for you).
The local controller should keep a photocopy of the original solving sheets to ensure a back-up.

The post-address is: Axel Steinbrink, Rotdornstr. 67, D-47269 Duisburg, Germany
The e-mail address is: axel.steinbrink@gmx.de (This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it).
The delegate and the local controller will send a copy of all e-mails to Peter Bakker and Ward Stoffelen.
Their e-mail-addresses are: pabchess@cs.com (This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it)
and ward.stoffelen@versatel.be (This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it).

The central controller checks the markings and distributes the final result to the various local controllers and to the delegates not later than February 27th 2009. Appeals to be sent to the central controller not later than March 13th 2009.
After handling possible appeals, the central controller will present the results and his report to the subcommittee (Chairman Uri Avner) by March 30th 2009. After review the results will be presented on the PCCC-website by April
30th 2009.
The final results of this contest will take the form of individual ranking. No ranking per country will be provided by the central committee (although any country may do this for itself).
The name of the locally appointed controller must reach the central controller by e-mail no later than December 15th 2008.

Thank you for your cooperation,
Axel Steinbrink
Central controller ISC 2009

Puzzles of the season

Best Wishes for all!

As is customary this time of the year, riddles and problems have started to appear (one per day from 25-12-2008 to 01-01-2009) at the web address Chessbase Puzzles.

Problems for year 2008 :
25-12-2008 : Play Santa-giving-presents. Read biographical details of John Nunn, who selects and annotates this year's problems. Solve the direct-mate moremover. Do not hesitate to give Knight (easy) and Queen (where?) in order to achieve eventually mate with subpromotion of c7.
26-12-2008 : In the five-mover helpmate (where black plays first) close for a while the Bishop, which will go finally to g8.
27-12-2008 : The study can start with a checking-key, (since Black can mate in 3 moves), let us say with the Bishop on h4.
28-12-2008 : In the six-mover selfmate, (White plays and forces Black to win with mate,) two knights are sacrificed first.
29-12-2008 : To avoid the diabolical trap of stalemate in this study, give the Rook on the fourth move and the Queen on the tenth.
30-12-2008 : Eleven Black moves (begin with Re5, end with Be8) and then one White move (dxe8=Q) stalemate! It is very interesting to discover the intermediate moves.
31-12-2008 : For the five-mover selfmate, the Bishop makes a big clockwise round to d2 and the Queen is sacrificed on the other side.
01-01-2009 : Starting from the initial placing of the pieces for playing a game, we reach the position of the diagram after the ninth move of the White. The Shortest Proof Game is a nice problem with Retroanalysis. (The page that shows this problem contains a form on the upper left corner for everyone wanting to send solutions and comments to John Nunn).

Happy New Year!

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009
You may read the solutions with comments here or you may replay the solutions here.

Harry Fougiaxis (1)

The International Master on Composition of chess problems Harry Fougiaxis writes about himself (from [Harry Fougiaxis 40 Jubilee Tourney] pamphlet edited by the Greek Chess Problem Committee, December 2006) :

"I was born on April 20th 1966 in Athens. I graduated as an electronic engineer from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and I am currently working as an instrument and industrial automation engineer in oil and gas applications. I am not married.
My father taught me the moves of chess at the age of 7 or so, and three years later I joined a local chess club. I was soon hooked and quite liked the friendly atmosphere there. So I started studying intensively, but after some time I realised that I could not really withstand the pressure of competitive OTB chess.
Meanwhile I was frequently finding that I was more and more thrilled by the chess problems that I encountered in Triantafyllos Siaperas's weekly newspaper columns, even if I was just average as a solver. My very first attempts to compose were when I was about 15. The Greek chess problemists' society had announced a national competition for beginners and I sent in a couple of entries. Thus I came to meet Byron Zappas, Dimitris Kapralos, Pantelis Martoudis and Nikos Siotis, who used to have regular meetings; they all helped me a lot with their comments and with chess literature. However, my first "true" teacher turned out to be living some 500 km away: it was Pavlos Moutecidis who influenced me the most. We exchanged letters continuously for more than 5 years and we eventually became close friends, despite the distance and the age difference. Strangely, I was not particularly attracted by selfmates (Pavlos's specialty), but by helpmates, which I have studied continuously for the past 25 years.
I have so far published about 150 problems, certainly not many, the vast majority being h#2s, some with orthodox and some with fairy units. I should admit that I have been rather lazy lately, composing only occasionally (during PCCC meetings, for instance), but my interest to chess problems has never faded. It was a great honour and pleasure to host the PCCC congresses in Greece in 2004 and 2005, with the support of the Greek Chess Federation and of the few, but hard-working Greek problemists. I was awarded the title of International Master in 2001 and I have acted as a FIDE Album judge four times".

Harry Fougiaxis continues untiring to support various events, as you may see in the recent Solving Contest in Patras, doing his best for the Greek Chess.

	(Problem 271) Harry Fougiaxis, First Prize, Rex Multiplex, 1985 Helpmate in 2 moves. Two solutions. h#2 2.1.1.1 (9 + 5)
[r5Q1/4KRP1/S2Pb3/8/2k2rBR/7P/8/6b1]

Key : 1 Rf4-f2! Rf7-f3 (A) 2 Be6-d5 Bg4-d7# (B)
Key : 1 Be6-c8! Bg4-d7 (B) 2 Rf4-d4 Rf7-f3# (A)

Masked white batteries. Bi-colour Bristol manoeuvres. Black interferences. Black moves along the pin-lines. Diagonal / Orthogonal echo.

	(Problem 272) Harry Fougiaxis, Second Prize, U S Problem Bulletin, 1988 Helpmate in 3 moves. Two solutions. h#3 2.1.1... (4 + 6)
[b7/8/1b1s4/S2k4/8/1Sr5/P3K3/3r4]

Key : 1 Bb6-c5! Sa5-c6 2 Kd5-c4 a2-a4 3 Rd1-d5 Sb3-a5#
Key : 1 Rc3-c4! Sb3-d4 2 Kd5-c5 a2-a3 3 Ba8-d5 Sa5-b3#

Changed self-blocks on bK initial square. White pawn 1-2 step moves. Diagonal / Orthogonal echo. Model mates.

	(Problem 273) Harry Fougiaxis, Second Prize, U S Problem Bulletin, 1989 Helpmate in 2. Grasshoppers a8, g4, g8. Nightriders b3, b4, c1, h6, h7. Twin with wGa8 => wGa7. a) h#2 (4 + 6) Grasshoppers (3 + 0) Nightriders (3 + 2) b) wGa8 => wGa7
[G2K2G1/4p2N/2P3pN/2p1P2p/1nk3Gp/1n3P2/8/2N5]

The Grasshopper is a hopper (moves on a row or file or diagonal and goes exactly behind a hurdle). (Explanation here together with another problem by Harry Fougiaxis).
The Nightrider is a rider (linear piece moving with multiple Knight-steps).
The problem (a) is shown on the diagram.
To create problem (b), the white Grasshopper of a8 is placed on a7.

(a) Key : 1 Nb3-f5! Nh7-d5+ 2 Kc4-d4 Gg4-g7#
(b) Key : 1 Nb4-f6! Nh6-d4+ 2 Kc4-d5 Gg8-g5#

Interesting geometrical play including Nightrider moves with opposite vectors. Note that in b) the pin of bNf6 by the wNh7 plays no active role in mate!

White - Black

I can not write about chess and chess problems, when a certain fact presented to us without proper study as isolated, keeps running in my thoughts.
Perhaps a composer would decide to transcribe the tragic theme into a slow-playing music, but he should not be surprised is this music actually sounds as a march.
The key-word these days is anger and it will be a task if they can manage to repress the reaction - already growing as if touched by a fairy - without significant changes.
Even with the help of a perverter of justice they can not present the facts with reverse meaning, saying that the victim itself was guilty and the shooter was innocent.
The uniqueness of a boy has a fabulous value, that no economy can estimate.
It has a beauty, that even the art can not easily describe.
Since I have a special interest for Greece, I find it very difficult to function as solver or as problemist using the grey cells of my brain.
What I see is white - black.
White coffin – black future.

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2008-12-06, Athens Greece, a peaceful Saturday afternoon :
A 15-year old boy was deadly wounded in the middle of the street with a bullet in the heart, when a cursing policeman fired at it three times.
Many by-standers have testified that this happened without any provocation from the boy.
The reaction is in the news.

Greek Compositions in the World Congress 2008, Jurmala

The 51st World Congress of Chess Composition (WCCC) took place in Jurmala of Latvia, 30 August - 06 September 2008.
The Greek colors in the area of composition were represented by the composers mr Kostas Prentos from Salonica and mr Panagiotis Konidaris from Meganissi Lefkadas.

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Champagne Tourney (Champagne is a beverage from France)
Judge : the French Michel Caillaud, GM in composition and GM in Solving, who has specified the following theme:

Theme : Retroanalytic problem where a piece is pinned in two different lines.
Group A : Shortest Proof Games (SPG).
Group B : Any other kind of Retro problem.
Mythical conditions are allowed (at most two in any phase of the problem).

In Group A, Second Prize was awarded to a composition by Kostas Prentos, who is champion of Greece in Solving chess problems, for a long series of years.
In Group B, a Prize was awarded to a composition by four composers, the Romanians Vlaicu Crisan and Eric Huber and Paul Raican and the Greek Kostas Prentos.

	(Problem 266) Kostas Prentos, Second Prize, Champagne tourney group A, Jurmala 2008 Position after the 19th move of the Black. Which were the moves of the game? SPG 19 (13 + 16)
[rsbq1bs1/1pppp1p1/6r1/6BB/P1P1Q1Pp/1S3R2/1p1p1PKP/1RSk4]

[SPG 19] means [Shortest Proof Game in 19 full moves (white and black)]. We must start the chess game from the initial position of the 32 pieces and reach the position of the diagram in 19 moves.

1 Key : e4! h5
2 Be2 h4
3 Bh5 (pin line 1 : h5-f7-e8) a5
4 Qg4 a4
5 Se2 a3
6 0-0 axb2
7 a4 Rh6
8 Ra3 Rg6
9 Rf3 f5
10 d3 Kf7 (pin line 2 : f3-f5-f7)
11 Bg5 Ke6 (pin line 3 : g4-f5-e6)
12 Sd2 Ke5
13 Rb1 fxe4
14 Sc1 Kd4 (pin line 4 : g4-e4-d4)
15 c4 Kc3
16 Sdb3 exd3 (pin line 5 : f3-d3-c3)
17 Qe4 Kc2 (pin line 6 : e4-d3-c2)
18 g4 Kd1
19 Kg2 d2

Judge's comment : [A record presentation of 6 different pin-lines for the thematical Pf7 cannot be ignored by the judge. The first pin shows some strategical play with unpinning; the following are of the shielding type, accompanying black king in its walk, some of them being hardly exploited (f3-f5-f7 is of little use as King has to escape g4-f5-e6 before fxe4 is played).]

	(Problem 267) Vlaicu Crisan, Eric Huber, Paul Raican (Romania) & Kostas Prentos (Greece) Prize, Champagne Tourney group B, Jurmala 2008 We retract 7 moves and then Mate in 1 move. Condition [Circe assassin]. -7 Proca Retractor, #1 Circe assassin (5 + 8)
[8/1P5k/4PP2/1r6/1p6/1S4pp/bb2K1s1/8]

Here are some needed explanations :

-n Proca Retractor : White takes back n legal moves. Black is not helping, but selects moves that will bring difficulties to the plan of the White. After the retraction of the moves, the solution proceeds forward.
This specification took its name from the composer Zeno Proca (1906-1936).
(A different type of retractor is Hoeg Retractor, where a helpful Black decides if the black move was a capture and chooses the type of the white piece that were captured. This specification took its name from the composer Dr. Niels Hοeg (1876-1951)).

Circe assassin : The captured piece appears on its square of regeneration even if the square was occupied. The piece that had occupied the rebirth square is lost. If the occupier before the capture is a King, he is in check. (See here and here for the condition Circe).

The solution starts with moves backwards :

-1 Sc5-b3 Bb1-a2+ (The Sb3, which were pinned on b3 closing the threat of Ba2, returns to c5. The Ba2, which was checking since Ba2xe6(+wPe2) assassinates the white King, returns to b1)

-2 e5-e6 Bc1-b2+ / Ba3-b2+ (The Pawn e6 returns to e5. The Bb2, checking from there since Bb2xe5(+wPe2) assassinates the white King, returns (let us say) to c1)

-3 Se6-c5 Rb6-b5+ (The Sc5, which were pinned on c5 closing the threat of Rb5, returns to e6. The Rb5, which was checking since Rb5xe5(+wPe2) assassinates the white King, returns to b6)

-4 Kf2-e2 g4-g3+ (The Ke2 returns to f2. The pawn from g3 (from where was checking) returns to g4)

-5 Sd8-e6 Rb5-b6+ (The Se6, which were pinned on e6 closing the threat of Rb6, returns to d8. The Rb6, which was checking since Rb6xf6(+wPf2) assassinates the white King, returns to b5)

-6 f5-f6 Ba2-b1+ / b2-b1=B+ (The Pawn f6 returns to f5. The Bb1, which was checking since Bb1xf5(+wPf2) assassinates the white King, could be a Pb2 promoted to Bishop on b1, but let us say that is a black Bishop which come from a2)

-7 Sf7-d8 (The Sd8 returns to f7).

And now the solution proceeds with forward moves for [Mate in 1 move] :

1 Key : Kg3!# ( > 2 Kg3xh3(+bPh7) with instant assassination of the bK)
The black King is mated! The squares h6, h8 are guarded by the wSf7 and the square g6 is observed by the wPf5. Also [1...Kg7 2 Kxg4(+bPg7)] and [1...Kg8 2 KxSg2(+bSg8)].

Judge's comment : [Nice use of Circe Assassin condition with typical pins and mating move. White Knight is pinned on 3 different lines.]

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Sixth Tzuica Tourney (Tzuica is a beverage from Romania)
Judges : the Romanians Vlaicu Crisan and Eric Huber, who proposed the following theme :

Theme : Helpselfmates (hs#n) or Helpselfstalemates (hs=n) with Orthogonal / Diagonal Transformation (ODT).
All fairy conditions and pieces are allowed.

	(Problem 268) Kostas Prentos, Second prize, Tzuica Tourney, Jurmala 2008 Helpselfmate in 4 moves. hs#4 2.1.1.1.. (6 + 7)
[b1r5/2pK3p/1p5k/2Q2P1p/2B2P2/8/4R3/8]

Notes :
Helpself - problem is a help-problem in the initial n-1 moves (Black plays first and helps), which becomes self-problem in the last move (Black is forced to play). The final goal is mate (for hs#n problems) or stalemate (for hs=n problems).
ODT : Orthogonal / Diagonal Transformation : That which happens on rows and columns, happens again on diagonals.

Key : 1 Re7! (blocks a future flight) Rh8 (prepares a Rook – Bishop battery)
2 Bg8 (covers, to allow the King to take position) Bd5
3 Ke8 Bxg8 (the battery is complete, with annihilation of the white piece)
4 Qc6+ (the Queen gives check) Be6# (the battery is activated)

Key : 1 Bb5! (blocks a future flight) Bh1 (prepares a Bishop - Rook battery)
2 Rg2 (covers, to allow the King to take position) Rg8
3 Kc6 Rxg2 (the battery is complete, with annihilation of the white piece)
4 Qf8+ (the Queen gives check) Rg7# (the battery is activated)

Judge's comment : [Reciprocal black batteries obtained in a very economical setting. In each solution the white piece shielding the wK is captured by its black counterpart, creating a battery. The black battery is activated by wQ checks. Mates are model and are achieved by simple (not double) check. An amazing achievement by the Greek composer for his first helpselfmate problem!]

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8th Sake Tourney (Sake is a beverage from Japan)
The Japanese Sake Tourney this year is dedicated to the memory of Masazumi Hanazawa
(1944-2007), who was one of the pioneering composers in Japan.
Judge : Tadashi Wakashima from Japan, who proposed the following theme :

Theme : Fairy Helpmate#n (n <= 4). Exact Echo. Zeroposition is not allowed.

Note : Zeroposition is an initial position, from which (with small changes) twin problems are produced.

	(Problem 269) Kostas Prentos, First Prize, Sake Tourney, Jurmala 2008 Helpmate in 3 moves. Transmuted Kings. Four solutions. H#3 4.1.1.1.1.1 Transmuted Kings (2 + 2)
[K3R3/8/8/8/8/2r5/8/7k]

Note : When the Transmuted Kings are threatened by a piece, move in a way similar with the movement of the threatening piece. (If the wK is threatened by a bR leaves his square moving like a wR).

1 Key : Rc3-c1! Re8-e7 2 Rc1-a1+ Ka8-h8 3 Ra1-g1 Re7-h7#
1 Key : Rc3-b3! Re8-h8+ 2 Kh1-a1 Rh8-h7 3 Rb3-b1 Rh7-a7#
1 Key : Rc3-c7! Re8-e1+ 2 Kh1-h8 Re1-b1 3 Rc7-h7 Rb1-b8#
1 Key : Rc3-c8+! Ka8-a1 2 Rc8-c2 Re8-b8 3 Rc2-h2 Rb8-b1#

Judge's comment : [Most suited to the spirit of the tourney. What is the most surprising is the fact that this could be done without any artificial twinning. I just love it!]

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Quick Composing Tourney, Helpmates section
Judge : The Greek Harry Fougiaxis, who proposed the following theme :

Theme : In a helpmate two-mover, with W1 (=first white move) a black piece is unpinned. Fairy conditions and pieces are allowed.

	(Problem 270) Kostas Prentos & Panagiotis Konidaris, First-Second Honourable Mention, Quick Composing Tourney, Jurmala 2008 Helpmate in 2 moves. Two solutions. h#2 2.1.1.1. (6 + 9)
[8/4B3/2K1Pr1p/3S2kp/r7/5ssP/6R1/bb6]

1 Key : Sf3-h4! (blocks a flight) Be7-b4 (unpins bRf6, covers bRa4)
2 Rf6-f5 (the unpinned piece blocks a flight) Rg2xg3# (captures the pinned bSf3)

1 Key : Bb1-g6! (blocks a flight) Rg2-b2 (unpins bSf3, covers bBa1)
2 Sg3-f5 (the unpinned piece blocks a flight) Be7xf6# (captures the pinned bRf6)

Judge's comment : [Surprising and aesthetically very pleasing shut-offs in the W1 moves, but the black play (comprising of square blocks only) even if accurate is less sophisticated.]

Solving Contest 2008-11-23, Chess Club of Patras

Sunday 23/11/2008, from [Chess Club of Patras Greece] site

Mr Pountzas is the winner
The Solving Contest of Patras was succesful. First winner was mr. Pountzas Chryssanthos, second winner was mr. Manolas Emmanuel, third winner was the 14-years(!) old Konstantinos Smpoukis. Very promising was also the fifth place for miss Antzela Mavromati (the only woman among contestants). The always faultless organizer Harry Fougiaxis gave prestige to the contest, while new horizons were opened for Fairy Chess by mr. Manolas Emmanuel.
(photo: Left to write, the arbitre Harry Fougiaxis, Manolas, Pountzas, Smpoukis)

More photos and the problems can be found here.

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Saturday 01-11-2008

After 20 years, the Chess Problem Solving reappears in Patras, which has seen great solvers in the past. A Solving Contest will be held in the Chess Club of Patras : Sunday 23-11-2008, 11:00 pm. See details (in Greek) at the site of the Chess Club.

Incoming links : 2008-02-07 to 2008-10-31

I would like to thank all the persons, who have honoured me by putting a link from their blog or their site pointing to my blog [kallitexniko-skaki.blogspot.com] .

The links were not equally effective, and this was expected of course. Some visitors follow the link, take a peek and never see these pages again. Hundreds of others study systematically, re-entering over 250 times, and staying several minutes in the pages of this blog.

In the period of operation of this blog, from 07-02-2008 to 31-10-2008, 2454 persistent visitors came from the following addresses. (In front of each address we write the present ranking and in parentheses the ranking of the address three months ago).

01 (01) From http://www.zinonchess.gr (Chess Club Zenon Glyfada) came 675 visitors.
02 (02) From http://skakistiko.blogspot.com (Chess blog, Cat of Schroendinger) came 303 visitors.
03 (03) From http://konidaris.blogspot.com (Writer – Solver Panagiotis Konidaris) came 212 visitors.
04 (06) From http://chess-problems-gr.blogspot.com (english speaking version of this blog) came 186 visitors.
05 (04) From http://4lyk-kallith.att.sch.gr (school, 4th General Lykeio of Kallithea) came 161 visitors.
06 (05) From http://www.sopatron.gr (Chess Club of Patras) came 129 visitors.
07 (11) From http://so-aigaleo.blogspot.com (Chess Club of Aegaleo) came 72 visitors.
08 (10) From http://alef-gr.blogspot.com (Science Fiction Club of Athens) came 69 visitors.
09 (07) From http://www.murdzia.com (Piotr Murdzia, Solver from Poland) came 54 visitors.
10 (09) From http://skakistasholeia.blogspot.com (Chess in schools, Ilias Economopoulos) came 45 visitors.

The following sources brought less visitors :

11 (18) http://neospalamedes.blogspot.com (New Palamede, Club Avax and Pessi)
12 (08) http://lykeio6o.blogspot.com (school, 6th General Lykeio of Kallithea)
13 (12) http://anyfantischess.blogspot.com (Zatrikion, mr. Anyfantis)
14 (--) http://skaki-thesprotia.blogspot.com (Chess Club of Thesprotia)
15 (15) http://alice-mirrorland.blogspot.com (Alice Montez)
16 (--) http://www.athenschess.gr (Chess Club SOP - SMAOK)
17 (30) http://www.skakistis.gr (Chess player – The official page of Chess Union of Salonika and ESK)
18 (--) http://www.sms-elefsinas.gr (Chess Educational Club of Elefsina)
19 (28) http://anoixichess.blogspot.com (Chess Springtime)
20 (14) http://freeskaki.blogspot.com (Free Chess, Herakleion Attica)
21 (22) http://www.greekbase.gr (Greekbase - Your Online Chess Supporter)
22 (16) http://anyfantis.blogspot.com (Weaver, mr Anyfantis)
23 (17) http://bstephen.me.uk (mr Brian Stephenson, British Chess Problem Society)
24 (21) http://edessa-chess.blogspot.com (Edessa – Chess Update)
25 (--) http://dimiourgiakaidiaskedasi.blogspot.com (Creation and Entertainment)
26 (--) http://el.wikipedia.org (Greek Wikipedia)
27 (20) http://www.essnachess.gr (Union of Chess Clubs of Attica)
28 (--) http://stelling.cc/xadrez (Problemas de Xadrez - Roberto Stelling from Brazil)
29 (24) http://adiple.blogspot.com (Navigating up-stream I search for Hope, Alexandra)
30 (--) http://alta-zor.blogspot.com (Altathor)
31 (25) http://greekchess.wordpress.com (Greek Chess Weblog)
32 (34) http://naftilos.blogspot.com (ANemos)
33 (13) http://www.pirgoschess.gr (Chess Club of Pyrgos Greece)
34 (19) http://psifiakiellada.blogspot.com (Digital Greece, Broadcasting with Nikos Vassilakos)

From the following addresses the visitors came only once.

35 (23) http://pitselischess.blogspot.com (Greg's page, Pitselos)
36 (26) http://www.patrachess.gr (Patra Chess - Makis Loukeris)
37 (27) http://angela-lucy.blogspot.com (Swimming Around - Angela Lucy)
38 (29) http://keipi.blogspot.com (Tales of a Crazy World - Panagiotis Koustas)
39 (31) http://sukumus.blogspot.com (Sukumus Fabulus Est - Dimitris Arvanitis)
40 (32) http://foufoutos.wordpress.com (Foufoutos)
41 (33) http://mor-fe-as.blogspot.com (Staying awake...)
42 (35) http://s.e.volou.googlepages.com (Chess Union of Volos Greece)
42 (--) http://www.chessvibes.com (ChessVibes)
43 (--) http://chesspellets.blogspot.com (Chess Pellets - Joaquim Crusats from Spain)

If someone is not included by mistake, please leave me a message to correct the omission. Thank you again.

Emmanuel Manolas (2)

The problems we see here belong to Fairy Chess, because they all have the condition Madrasi, which is my favourite.

Madrasi : Opponent pieces of the same type are paralysed when they threaten one another. Each piece loses all other properties and keeps only the power of paralysing the opponent similar piece. Each piece regains all its properties at the moment the threat is interrupted.

The condition took its name from the city Madras of India, from which came the famous composer Abdul Jabbar Karwatkar. We will see first an excellent problem of his.

	(Problem 261) Abdul Jabbar Karwatkar, First Prize, The Problemist 1983, Mate in 2. Madrasi condition. #2 Madrasi ( 11 + 10 )
[6Rr/bR1P3k/1Ps1BP1b/qrB1SPp1/1p1KS3/p7/8/8]

Key : 1 Bc5-f8! (bBh6 is paralyzed, the threat is [2 Se4xg5#], but the wK is exposed to four checks)
1...Qa5xb6+ 2 d7-d8=Q#
1...Rb5xe5+ 2 d7-d8=S#
1...Rb5-d5+ 2 d7-d8=R#
1...Ba7xb6+ 2 d7-d8=B#

The problem shows the four promotions, it is an Allumwandlung (AUW) problem.


We see next original Madrasi problems by Manolas Emmanuel, (you may also see a Retro Madrasi 5-mover already presented here).

	(Problem 262) Manolas Emmanuel, original, Mate in 2. Madrasi condition. #2 Madrasi ( 5 + 3 )
[1K1krb2/8/5S2/3S4/1B6/8/8/4R3]

Tries : [1 Kb8-a8? / Kb8-a7? Kd8-c8!], [1 Sf6-g4? / Sf6-h5? / Sf6-h7? / Sf6-g8? / Sf6xe8? Kd8-d7!], [1 Sf6-d7? Kd8xd7!].

Key : 1 Sd5-e7! ( > 2 Se7-c6# / Bb4-a5# / Re1-d1#)
1...Bf8-h6 2 Se7-c6#
1...Re8xe7 2 Bb4-a5#
1...Bf8xe7 2 Re1-d1#

With the key three threats are introduced but later they are separated.

	(Problem 263) Manolas Emmanuel, original, Mate in 2. Madrasi condition. #2 Madrasi ( 6 + 5 )
[5krb/3K4/2S4S/7p/R6r/8/1B6/6R1]

Tries : [1 Kd7-c7? (zz) / Kd7-d6? (zz) / Kd7-c8? (zz) / Kd7-e6? (zz) Kf8-e8!], [1 Sh6-f5? (zz) / Sh6xg8? (zz) Kf8-f7!], [1 Sh6-f7? (zz) Kf8xf7!].

Key : 1 Sc6-d4! ( > 2 Sd4-e6# / Ra4-a8# / Bb2-a3#)
1...Rh4 ~ 2 Sd4-e6#
1...Rh4xd4 2 Bb2-a3#
1...Bh8 ~ 2 Sd4-e6#
1...Bh8xd4 2 Ra4-a8#

The key cuts two lines of paralysis with triple threat, but in the variations only one of the threats is valid.

	(Problem 264) Manolas Emmanuel, original, Mate in 18. Madrasi condition. #18 Madrasi ( 10 + 11 )
[krQR2rb/2p4p/q1b4P/K1p2p2/2P2P2/1R2p3/4P3/B6B]

In this more-mover problem the bK has minimum mobility and the wK has the ease to go and free its piece which will give the mate.
We show only the moves of the White.

Key : 1 Ka5-a4! 2 Ka4-a3 3 Ka3-a2 4 Ka2-b1 5 Kb1-c2
6 Kc2-d3 7 Kd3xe3 8 Ke3-f2 9 Kf2-g3 10 Kg3-h4
11 Kh4-g5 12 Kg5xf5 13 Kf5-e6 14 Ke6-f7 15 Kf7xg8
16 Rd8-d2 17 Rd2-a2 18 Ra2xa6#

	(Problem 265) Manolas Emmanuel, original, Mate in 3. Madrasi condition. #3 Madrasi ( 7 + 5 )
[3k4/1p1P2p1/P2K1P1b/3R4/8/3R4/2B4/3r4]

The plan seems to be simple : One wR will sidestep to threat mate, the bR will stop it and then the other wR will be interposed... Let us see :

Try : [1 Rd5-c5? Rd1-c1!].
Try : [1 Rd3-c3? Rd1-c1!].
Try : [1 Rd3-e3? Bh6xe3!].

Key : 1 Rd5-e5! ( > 2 Re5-e8+ Rd1-e1 3 Rd3-e3#)
1...Rd1-e1 2 Rd3-e3 ( > 3 Re5-e8# / Bd2-a5#)
___2...Bh6xe3 3 Re5-e8#
___2...Bh6-f4 3 Bd2-a5#