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#