Two-movers (2)

If it is not accompanied by any characteristic, the expression two-mover means orthodox two-mover.

	(Problem 11) Moutecidis Pavlos, Chess magazine "O Skakistis", No.6, May 1968 (Set play), White plays and mates in 2 moves * #2 (4+5)
[8/3b2p1/6Qb/8/2pK1k1S/8/5S2/8]

The engineer Moutecidis Pavlos is a composer specialized in many-mover (langzüger) selfmates. He has composed thousands of problems and holds the title of International Master. Here we see an orthodox two-mover of his, which contains Bikos theme. (This theme was proposed by the Greek composer Bikos Spyros).

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.

Here follows the solution of the problem:
First Phase : (*)
1...Bg5 2.Qd6# (self-block at g5)
1...Bg4 2.Qxg4# (capture at g4)

Intermediate Phase : Try 1.Sh1? [2.Qg3#] Bg4!

Last Phase : Key 1 Se4! [2.Qg3#]
1...Bg5 2.Qxg5# (capture at g5)
1...Bg4 2.Qd6# (self-block at g4)

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We present here some terms about the appearance of a problem:

Miniature : A problem with 1-7 pieces in its initial position.
Meredith : A problem with 8-12 pieces in its initial position.

Light : Problem with relatively little material compared with the richness of the play. This is a desirable situation from the aspect of economy.
Heavy : Problem with relatively many pieces compared with presented play. This is a situation to be avoided, in order to have positions with economy.
Grotesque : A problem having very un-natural position, especially the one having many pieces or big difference of power between the opponents.

Aristocratic : Problem without pawns in its initial position.

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We understand that the composer has created problem-11 as a [two-mover Meredith with theme Bikos].

17/02/2008 : The International Master Fougiaxis Harry informs us that, using the same mechanism, the composer Moutecidis had presented the theme Bikos in miniature form a few years earlier:

	(Problem 126) Moutecidis Pavlos, (dedicated to Bikos Spyros) 61, "To Mat", 11 November 1952 White plays and mate in 2 moves. (There is set play) * #2 (4+3)
[3S2s1/7Q/5k2/5P2/5K2/8/b7/8]

The solution of problem-126 is as follows:

(Set play) First Phase : (*)
1...Se7 2.Qh8#
1...Bf7 2.Qxf7#

(Trial play) Note that there are seven tries:
{1.Se6? Bxe6!}, {1.Qg6+? Ke7!}, {1.Qh4+? Kg7!}, {1.Qc7? Be6!}, {1.Qf7+? Bxf7!}, {1.Qg7+? Kxg7!}, {1.Qh8+? Ke7!}.

(Actual play) Last Phase : Key 1.Sc6! [2.Qg6#]
1...Se7 2.Qxe7#
1...Bf7 2.Qh8#

[This post in Greek language].