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).
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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.
Problems to be solved. (The solutions are at the end of this post).
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#
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.
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] | |
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#
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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.
Problems to be solved. (The solutions are at the end of this post).
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#
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.
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] | |
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#
Monday, January 12, 2009
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.
Problems to be solved. (The solutions are at the end of this post).
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)
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.
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] | |
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)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
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.
Problems to be solved. (The solutions are at the end of this post).
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#
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.
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] | |
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#
Thursday, January 08, 2009
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 :
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 :
There are some more Greek solvers with Halfrating.
| 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 |
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 |
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
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.
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
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
(This post in Greek language).
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
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.
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
(This post in Greek language).
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
(This post in Greek language).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)