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]

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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