The 10th International Solving Contest, for 2014, is announced
http://www.wfcc.ch/competitions/solving/isc14inv/
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
2013 is almost past
The year 2013 has given me joy with international distinctions, as similarly happened to various Greek composers and I am happy for them when they achieve better awards than me!
There were also some cooperations, not yet published, which gave me great satisfaction with their beautiful results.
This same year I was disappointed when I tried to organize regular gatherings for friends of chess compositions in a place, for exchanging news and ideas.
There was no significant interest or maybe there was not enough publicity for this matter.
If someone is learning about this just now and is interested, he can contact me.
In the next year 2014 I suppose that things will become better.
There is a new move by Nikos Mendrinos, The Cup of Greece, solving contests happening simultaneously in many cities of Greece. I hope that this will give the needed push to increase of the number of the Chess Composition friends.
Let 2014 be a good year for everyone!
Manolas Emmanuel
There were also some cooperations, not yet published, which gave me great satisfaction with their beautiful results.
This same year I was disappointed when I tried to organize regular gatherings for friends of chess compositions in a place, for exchanging news and ideas.
There was no significant interest or maybe there was not enough publicity for this matter.
If someone is learning about this just now and is interested, he can contact me.
In the next year 2014 I suppose that things will become better.
There is a new move by Nikos Mendrinos, The Cup of Greece, solving contests happening simultaneously in many cities of Greece. I hope that this will give the needed push to increase of the number of the Chess Composition friends.
Let 2014 be a good year for everyone!
Manolas Emmanuel
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Season's greetings
Wishes for nice holidays for all!
Holiday problems you may find at the following:
A story with mate in various amounts of moves (relevant with which piece is stricken by the bullet)...
http://en.chessbase.com/post/chebase-puzzles-a-dangerous-game-171013
Christmas problems by very advanced composers...
http://kobulchess.com/en/news/7-2011-07-31-17-09-09/421-christmas-puzzles-2013.html
Holiday problems you may find at the following:
A story with mate in various amounts of moves (relevant with which piece is stricken by the bullet)...
http://en.chessbase.com/post/chebase-puzzles-a-dangerous-game-171013
Christmas problems by very advanced composers...
http://kobulchess.com/en/news/7-2011-07-31-17-09-09/421-christmas-puzzles-2013.html
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
A prized series composition
In "series" compositions, one side makes moves alone, alters the position in some fashion, and when its moves are completed, then the other side mates or stalemates, accordingly with the stipulation.
Today we will see a ser-s=198, that is a series inverse stalemate in 198 moves. The white plays 198 moves alone and in the last one the black plays and is forced to stalemate the wK. This composition was awarded with 1st prize in a ChessCafe.com tourney and is a world record in its category. (See the presentation with a Sherlock-Holmes-like story in page 5 of the document : http://www.chesscafe.com/text/puzzling54.pdf)
Four black Pawns have been promoted to bQ, bR, bR, bR. The wK has difficulty in moving around the chessboard with the assistance of the wB, but the wK is obstructive and the wB makes large rounds.
During the writing of the solution, we omit the moves which are easily deducted.
The composer, Arno Tüngler, is very succesful with very long compositions.
Today we will see a ser-s=198, that is a series inverse stalemate in 198 moves. The white plays 198 moves alone and in the last one the black plays and is forced to stalemate the wK. This composition was awarded with 1st prize in a ChessCafe.com tourney and is a world record in its category. (See the presentation with a Sherlock-Holmes-like story in page 5 of the document : http://www.chesscafe.com/text/puzzling54.pdf)
Four black Pawns have been promoted to bQ, bR, bR, bR. The wK has difficulty in moving around the chessboard with the assistance of the wB, but the wK is obstructive and the wB makes large rounds.
During the writing of the solution, we omit the moves which are easily deducted.
The composer, Arno Tüngler, is very succesful with very long compositions.
| Problem-748 Arno Tüngler 1st Prize, ChessCafe.com 2013 Puzzler's Cup |
 ser-s=198 |
| 1.Bd7 6.Bc2 8.Kc3 9.Bb3 11.Ka4 22.Bb5 26.Kc8 35.Bd7 37.Ke8 48.Bf7 50.Kg7 51.Bg6 53.Kh5 64.Bg4 65.Kxh4 66.Kh5 77.Bg6 79.Kg7 80.Bf7 82.Ke8 93.Bd7 95.Kc8 104.Bb5 108.Ka4 119.Bb3 121.Kc3 122.Bc2 125.Kxf2 128.Kc3 129.Bb3 131.Ka4 142.Bb5 146.Kc8 155.Bd7 157.Ke8 168.Bf7 170.Kg7 171.Bg6 173.Kh5 184.Bg4 185.Kxg5 187.Kh3 198.Bg2+ Rgxg2/Rbxg2/fxg2= |
Monday, November 25, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Award for Carlo deGrandi
From the Greek composer Carlo DeGrandi we received an e-mail about the Award of the composition tourney Mario G. Garcia-65 JT, where he has received 1st-2nd Honourable Mention in threemovers: Award
There was another recent distinction in Aleksandr Kuzovkov-60 jubilee tourney (pdf).
Congratulations to mr. DeGrandi!
There was another recent distinction in Aleksandr Kuzovkov-60 jubilee tourney (pdf).
Congratulations to mr. DeGrandi!
SmartPhone App for Chess Composers!
Diyan Kostadinov - Project manager
The first app for chess composing on smartphone is here!
http://kobulchess.com/en/news/
Well done!
The first app for chess composing on smartphone is here!
http://kobulchess.com/en/news/
Well done!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Greek selfmate from 1946
Mr Panagis Sklabounos discovered and sent to me a selfmate by Ioannis V. Koutalidis, which was published in the Greek magazine "Helios" in 28 Aug. 1946.
As I have mentioned elsewere, mr I. Koutalidis, editor of the chess column of the magazine, motivated and decidedly cultivated the talent of young composers (Vyron Zappas, Nikos Siotis, Dimitris Kapralos) of that time
In a selfmate, White plays first and forces Black (who is resisting) to give mate.
As I have mentioned elsewere, mr I. Koutalidis, editor of the chess column of the magazine, motivated and decidedly cultivated the talent of young composers (Vyron Zappas, Nikos Siotis, Dimitris Kapralos) of that time
In a selfmate, White plays first and forces Black (who is resisting) to give mate.
| Problem-747 Ioannis Koutalidis "Helios", 28-VIII-1946 |
 rks2R2/pb6/P1pP4/2P3p1/1R4p1/8/5pPB/5K2 (8 + 9) s#3, selfmate threemover |
Key: 1.Be5! 1... g3 2.Rb1 g4 3.Bb2 Bxa6# It uses a white interference. |
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
Is it not chess?
Arkas :
-I remember a crossword, which tormented me! I was trying to solve it for days, but it was impossible! ... Finally I understood what was the catch!
-It was chess!
xkcd : http://xkcd.com/1287/
Daryl Cagle : http://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/usnews/cartoons-daryl-cagle-looks-back-at-the-decade-34481082/36/
Jan Tomaschoff : http://www.toonpool.com/cartoons/Chess_50401
ericallie : https://www.ijreview.com/2013/09/78874-cartoon-obama-winning-bingo-checker-playing-chess-putin/
-It was chess!
xkcd : http://xkcd.com/1287/
Daryl Cagle : http://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/usnews/cartoons-daryl-cagle-looks-back-at-the-decade-34481082/36/
Jan Tomaschoff : http://www.toonpool.com/cartoons/Chess_50401
ericallie : https://www.ijreview.com/2013/09/78874-cartoon-obama-winning-bingo-checker-playing-chess-putin/
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
George Makropoulos, an interesting interview
Mr George Makropoulos is the head of Greek Chess Federation. He is also a high ranked person of FIDE.
In this interview he says very interesting things, that it is useful for anyone to know.
Enjoy the reading.
http://chess-news.ru/en/node/13774
In this interview he says very interesting things, that it is useful for anyone to know.
Enjoy the reading.
http://chess-news.ru/en/node/13774
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Three studies by Kyriakos Fragoulis
Kyriakos Fragoulis (1935 - 1997), from Leykada island in Greece, became well known in composing circles with his studies. There were other Greeks also creating chess problems of various types, but Kyriakos Fragoulis was composing exclusively studies.
Study is a position with stipulation "White plays and wins" or "White plays and draws" without specifying in how many moves we must achieve it. The study is like an endgame, but it is a composition, it is not coming from a game.
The players of over the board chess are solving studies as an exercice.
These studies were sent to me by Panagiotis Konidaris from Meganissi (an island near Leykada), who had actually met Kyriakos Fragoulis. Panagiotis says that he found them in some old and turned yellow pieces of paper (thanks Panagiotis!), and they are unpublished, as far as I know.
Their solutions are visible only if you select the text between the square brackets [...].
Study is a position with stipulation "White plays and wins" or "White plays and draws" without specifying in how many moves we must achieve it. The study is like an endgame, but it is a composition, it is not coming from a game.
The players of over the board chess are solving studies as an exercice.
These studies were sent to me by Panagiotis Konidaris from Meganissi (an island near Leykada), who had actually met Kyriakos Fragoulis. Panagiotis says that he found them in some old and turned yellow pieces of paper (thanks Panagiotis!), and they are unpublished, as far as I know.
Their solutions are visible only if you select the text between the square brackets [...].
Problem-744 Kyriakos Fragoulis, Greece original |
 = White plays and draws |
Solution : [1.g8=Q! (1.a7? Be4+! 2.K~ Rg2 -+) Bxg8 2.a7! Bh7 3.Kd5! Rh4 (3...Bg8+ 4.Kc6 Bh7 5.Kd5) 4.f4! Rxf4 5.a8=Q! Be4+ 6.Ke5 Bxa8 7.Kxf4=] |
Problem-745 Kyriakos Fragoulis, Greece original |
 + White plays and wins |
Solution : [1.Sc4! Rb5+ (1…Rb4 2.Se3! Kxg3 3.Sd5! Rxg4 4.Rg1+, +-), (1…Rb7 2. Sd6 Rh7+ 3.Kg6 Rd7 4. Se4! Kxg4 5.Sxf6+, +-) 2.Kg6 Rg5+ (2…Kxg3 3.Se3 Rg5+ 4.Kxf6 Rg8 5.Rg1+ Kf3 6.g5 +-) 3.Kxf6 Rxg4 4.Se3! Rxg3 (4…R~ 5.g4 +-) (4…Rg8 5.Rh1+ Kxg3 6.Rg1+ K~ 7.Rxg8 +-) 5.Rh1# The chess program Fritz prefers other continuation, without surprises and with many moves 1.Sd3 Rb5+ 2.Kh6 Kxg4 3.Re3 Rf5 4.Sf4 Re5 5.Rd3 f5 6.Sd5 Re6+ 7.Kg7 +- ] |
Problem-746 Kyriakos Fragoulis, Greece original |
 + White plays and wins |
Solution : [1.h4! b4 2.Sc6! (2.Sb5? b3 3.Sd4 b2 4.Se2 Kg6 5.Sc3 h5 =) b3 3.Se5! b2 4.Sd3 b1=Q 5.Sf4#] |
Monday, October 14, 2013
Nikos Pergialis, an evergreen composer
As we have already mentioned, Nikos Pergialis is a special kind of composer.
He is composer and singer of rebetiko songs, the last rebetis of our time. Here you can listen him singing a song written by the great Markos Vamvakaris : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DQ8Ad55KXw
He is also a composer of chess problems, favoring beautiful and frugal positions.
Today we will see two direct-mate two-movers and two helpmates, a three-mover and a four-mover.
He is composer and singer of rebetiko songs, the last rebetis of our time. Here you can listen him singing a song written by the great Markos Vamvakaris : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DQ8Ad55KXw
He is also a composer of chess problems, favoring beautiful and frugal positions.
Today we will see two direct-mate two-movers and two helpmates, a three-mover and a four-mover.
Problem_740 Nikos Pergialis, Greece original |
 #2 |
| Set play: {1…e5 2.fxe5# [A]}, {1…g5 2.fxg5# [B]} Tries: {1.Rh3+? / Rg4? K(x)g4!} Key: 1.f5! [2.Rf4#] 1…e5 2.fxe6 e.p.# [C] 1…g5 2.fxg6 e.p.# [D] Two mates by en passant capture. Two changed mates, between set play and post-key play. From 8 up to 12 pieces, it is a Meredith. The composer says: I am not going to reach old and new chessplayers and all the problem-makers, because it happened to me to lose all my prolific years. |
Problem_741 Nikos Pergialis, Greece original |
 #2 |
| Tries: {1.Qd2+? [A] Rxd2!}, {1.Qxd5+? [B] Rxd5!}, {1.Qd8+? [C] Rxd8!}
Key: 1.Sb8! [2.Sc6#]
1…Sd4 2.Qd2# [A]
1…Rh6 2.Qxd5# [B]
1…Bd7 2.Qd8# [C]
1…Rb5 2.Rxb5#
Theme Gamage (White can unpin a black piece, because Black has just interfered with it).
Black correction (Black plays 1...Rd5-b5 to correct the inherent error of the move 1...Bh3-d7).
Move Pelle (the pinned Rd5 moves, remaining pinned).
It is Imperial, having no pawns.From 8 up to 12 pieces, it is a Meredith. |
Problem_742 Nikos Pergialis, Greece original |
 h#3, a) diagram 2 solutions, b) wPa6 goes to e6 |
| a) 1.Qb7 axb7 2.Kc7 Ke6 3.Kd8 b8=Q# 1.Qc8 a7 2.Kd7 a8=Q 3.Ke8 Qxc8# b) with wPe6 1.Qd7 Kg6 2.Ke7 exd7 3.Kf8 d8=Q# The pieces make 18 moves, all different. Three ideal mates are formed (all the pieces take part), all similar. Chameleon mates (bK is mated on squares of different colour). Up to 4 pieces, it is a Weningsteiner. |
Problem_743 Nikos Pergialis, Greece original |
 h#4, 2 solutions |
1.Kd6 Kd8 2.Kc6 Kc8 3.Kb6 Kb8 4.Ka6 c5# 1.Kf6 Be2 2.Kg6 Kf8 3.Kh6 Kg8 4.g6 g5# Model mates (bK and every flight are observed or blocked by only one piece). Theme Indian. The White battery is direct (threatening the bK), or indirect (observing a flight). From 8 up to 12 pieces, it is a Meredith. The composers says: Let us take a walk hand in hand, my foolish Black King, and if I am preparing your funeral, blame the anomaly. |
Thursday, October 03, 2013
Mate with two Knights on the edge of the chessboard
There is a beautiful problem by the French poet and novelist Alfred deMusset since 1849, which shows a mate with two Knights on the edge of the chessboard. In order to achieve such a mate, one must have another black piece on board, which may disappear in the final picture of mate, or a pawn not too advanced (see Troitsky line).
I like this problem and I have composed, for a recent composition tourney, a helpmate two-mover twin.
On the first of the twins, White manages easily to force a mate on the cooperating Black with two Knights on the edge of the chessboard, (making two simple moves and two captures).
But on the second problem a black Rook is placed on board and inhibits the mate of the first twin! White, more difficult now (with four captures, pins, unpinnings and removals of guards), manages again to achieve the mate with two knights, but in another edge of the chessboard!
For a two-mover, I consider it nice, (and it is irrelevant that the judge saw the two solutions unsimilar and gave no distinction). Of course, the two fairy conditions were very helpful TakeAndMake (the capturing piece makes one move with the way of the captured piece. Example: if a Rook captures a Knight, the Rook must make one more step as Knight) and Anti-TakeAndMake (the captured piece is not removed from the game but it makes one move without capturing anything on the arrival square.
Final result, with the two fairy conditions combined, is a situation described recently as Bulgarian billiard.
Example: (1) if a Rook captures a Knight, the Rook must make one more step as Knight, and the Knight stays on the board and makes a move itself as a Knight. (2) if a Knight captures a Bishop, the Knight must make one move as Bishop, and the Bishop stays on the board and makes a move itself).
We have composed, together with the Italian Vito Rallo, problems with similar final mates, but using another fairy condition, Andernach (the capturing piece, changes colour).
| Problem-737 Alfred deMusset La Regence, 1849 | |
 | #3, Mate in three moves 1.Rd7! [2.Sf6#] Sxd7 2.Sc6 Sf6+ 3.Sxf6# |
 | |
I like this problem and I have composed, for a recent composition tourney, a helpmate two-mover twin.
On the first of the twins, White manages easily to force a mate on the cooperating Black with two Knights on the edge of the chessboard, (making two simple moves and two captures).
But on the second problem a black Rook is placed on board and inhibits the mate of the first twin! White, more difficult now (with four captures, pins, unpinnings and removals of guards), manages again to achieve the mate with two knights, but in another edge of the chessboard!
For a two-mover, I consider it nice, (and it is irrelevant that the judge saw the two solutions unsimilar and gave no distinction). Of course, the two fairy conditions were very helpful TakeAndMake (the capturing piece makes one move with the way of the captured piece. Example: if a Rook captures a Knight, the Rook must make one more step as Knight) and Anti-TakeAndMake (the captured piece is not removed from the game but it makes one move without capturing anything on the arrival square.
Final result, with the two fairy conditions combined, is a situation described recently as Bulgarian billiard.
Example: (1) if a Rook captures a Knight, the Rook must make one more step as Knight, and the Knight stays on the board and makes a move itself as a Knight. (2) if a Knight captures a Bishop, the Knight must make one move as Bishop, and the Bishop stays on the board and makes a move itself).
| Problem-738 Manolas Emmanuel original | |
 | h#2, helpmate in 2 conditions TakeAndMake, Anti-TakeAndMake Twin a) Diagram, b) +bRc6, addition of a black Rook a) 1.Bg6 Sg3 2.Kxg3(Kh5;Se4) Sexg5(Sf6;Bh6)# b) bRc6 1.Kxf3(Ke1;Sd2) Kxc6(Kc1;Rh6) 2.Rxh5(Rf4;Sg3) Sxb1(Sd3;Ba2)# |
 |  |
We have composed, together with the Italian Vito Rallo, problems with similar final mates, but using another fairy condition, Andernach (the capturing piece, changes colour).
| Problem-713 Manolas Emmanuel and Rallo Vito Variantim, April 2013 | |
 | #3 condition Andernach 1.Sxf3(=wSf3) Sd4+ 2.Kd2 Ka2 3.Kc1 Sb3# 1.Kd2 Sd5 2.Kd1 Kb2 3.Sxf3(=wSf3) Sc3# Ideal Mates, Chameleon. |
 |  |
Problem-739 Manolas Emmanuel and Rallo Vito Julia's Fairies Νο.248, February 07, 2013 | |
 (Grasshoppers: f5 + 0) | #3 condition Andernach Grasshopper on g5 1.Kf8 Kd7 2.Sxf5(=wSf5) Sh6 3.Sxg5(=wSg5) Se6# 1.Ke8 Ge5 2.Sxe5(=wSe5) Sg6 3.Sxf5(=wSf5) Sd6# |
 |  |
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Awards from WCCC, Batumi
Here are some Awards from the composition Tourneys in WCCC, Batumi 2013.
The president of WFCC mr Harry Fougiaxis has compiled (22 Oct 2013) a bulletin file with all the proceedings in Batumi.
The president of WFCC mr Harry Fougiaxis has compiled (22 Oct 2013) a bulletin file with all the proceedings in Batumi.
| D.Gurgenidze 60 JT | Announcement | jt_gurgenidze-60_2013_congress-batumi.pdf |
| G.Mosiashvili 65 JT | Announcement | ... |
| G.Nadareishvili MT | Announcement | mt_nadareishvili_eg_2013_congress-batumi.pdf |
| SPIŠSKÁ BOROVIČKA | Announcement | many thanks to all participants! this year i have received 23 entries by 17 authors from 11 countries. as there will be some time needed to publish the whole award, and the authors are surely waiting on it, here i give just the list of awarded problems with position of kings. once the award is ready, i will post here the new link, too. peter 2° Recommandé (h4/d4) 1° Recommandé (e2/e4) 5° Mention d'Honneur (f3/d5) 4° Mention d'Honneur (b2/f5) 3° Mention d'Honneur (f7/a5) 2° Mention d'Honneur (g8/d8) 1° Mention d'Honneur (/d1) 4° Prix (g6/a4) 3° Prix (d1/c4) 2° Prix (a4/e4) 1° Prix (h4/f6) |
| 4th Bulgarian Wine Tourney 2013 | Announcement | 4th-bulgarian-wine-tourney.html |
| 1° Azemmour | Announcement | Award_1o_Azemmour.pdf |
| 11th Romanian Tzuica Tourney | Announcement | Tzuica-2013-Award.pdf |
| 2013 13th Sake | Announcement | ... |
| 2th Azerbaijan Study tourney, Batumi 2013 | Announcement | ... |
| Jenever Ty 2013 | Announcement | ... |
| Sabra 16 | Announcement | Sabra 16 Award revised |
| VODKA 2013 | Announcement? | VODKA TOURNEY-awards.pdf |
| Champagne 2013 | Announcement? | Notes of award |
Saturday, September 28, 2013
World Championship in Solving, for Teams and Individuals
For the world championship of solving chess problems WCSC, which is organized during WCCC, the full results are published here : http://www.wfcc.ch/competitions/solving/wcsc13/
Team results :
1) Poland, 178,5 points in 600 minutes.
2) Germany, 162.5 in 635.
3) Serbia, 159.25 in609.
The Greece (71st Konidaris with 30 points, 44th Mendrinos with 56.5, 75th Fougiaxis with 26) is ranked 18th (in 19 teams) with 98.5 in 680 (the two best results are included).
Individual results :
1) Murdzia, Piotr, POL, GM, 85.75 points in 332 minutes
2) Zude, Arno, GER, GM, 84.5 in 281
3) Piorun, Kacper, POL, GM, 83.0 in 302
4) Mista, Aleksander, POL, FM, 82.25 in 306
5) Paavilainen, Jorma, FIN, GM, 80.0 in 360
6) Kovacevic, Marjan, SRB, GM, 79.75 in 319
Team results :
1) Poland, 178,5 points in 600 minutes.
2) Germany, 162.5 in 635.
3) Serbia, 159.25 in609.
The Greece (71st Konidaris with 30 points, 44th Mendrinos with 56.5, 75th Fougiaxis with 26) is ranked 18th (in 19 teams) with 98.5 in 680 (the two best results are included).
Individual results :
1) Murdzia, Piotr, POL, GM, 85.75 points in 332 minutes
2) Zude, Arno, GER, GM, 84.5 in 281
3) Piorun, Kacper, POL, GM, 83.0 in 302
4) Mista, Aleksander, POL, FM, 82.25 in 306
5) Paavilainen, Jorma, FIN, GM, 80.0 in 360
6) Kovacevic, Marjan, SRB, GM, 79.75 in 319
Friday, September 27, 2013
Next WCCC in Bern, Switzerland
Next year, in August 2014, the WCCC (World Congress on Chess Composition) will be held in Bern, Switzerland.
The voted proposal : http://www.franziska-iseli.ch/WCCC2014.pdf
The voted proposal : http://www.franziska-iseli.ch/WCCC2014.pdf
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Results from Open Solving, Batumi 2013
The results were published in the page http://www.wfcc.ch/competitions/solving/open-solving-batumi-2013/
The three first are
1) Comay, Ofer, ISR, 50/60
1) Zude, Arno, GER, 50/60
3) Vuckovic, Bojan, SRB, 49/60
7) Selivanov, Andrey, RUS, 39.5/60, the only one who solved the selfmate-in-6!
Greek participants:
23) Mendrinos, Nikos, GRE, 32/60
73) Konidaris, Panagiotis, GRE, 16/60
Congratulations!
You can see the problems with solutions here :
http://www.wfcc.ch/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_WCCC-OPEN-56_solutions.pdf
The three first are
1) Comay, Ofer, ISR, 50/60
1) Zude, Arno, GER, 50/60
3) Vuckovic, Bojan, SRB, 49/60
7) Selivanov, Andrey, RUS, 39.5/60, the only one who solved the selfmate-in-6!
Greek participants:
23) Mendrinos, Nikos, GRE, 32/60
73) Konidaris, Panagiotis, GRE, 16/60
Congratulations!
You can see the problems with solutions here :
http://www.wfcc.ch/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_WCCC-OPEN-56_solutions.pdf
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Today World Congress of Chess Composition is starting
Today, in Batumi of Georgia : http://wccc2013batumi.ge/schedule.html
Participants : http://wccc2013batumi.ge/Participants.pdf
Wishes for success!
Participants : http://wccc2013batumi.ge/Participants.pdf
Wishes for success!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Michel Caillaud, Composing in computer times
A presentation by the great French composer Michel Caillaud, (August 01, 2013, Marianka, Slovakia).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh3wXcrlWB4
When there is good disposition and interesting subject, the language problems are set aside.
Here the French (who is wearing the t-shirt of the Italian problemists) speaks English and there is translation to Slovakian.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh3wXcrlWB4
When there is good disposition and interesting subject, the language problems are set aside.
Here the French (who is wearing the t-shirt of the Italian problemists) speaks English and there is translation to Slovakian.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
12th Greek Championship in Solving Chess Problems
It is the 12th Championship in Solving Chess Problems in Greece.
Winners : (1) Nikos Mendrinos, (2) Panagiotis Konidaris, (3) Stamatis Kourkoulos-Arditis
Try to solve these 12 problems. The solutions will be shown if you select the text between the brackets [ ].
12th Greek Championship, 15 IX 2013
Round 1
- Problems, Time 2 hours
(725) 1
 R7/1Q2pbKp/3Bk1P1/3R4/2pps2r/s5S1/6B1/3r2b1 (8 + 11) Anatoly Slesarenko & Valery Shansin 1. Prize, The Problemist, 2000 [Key : 1.Rg5! (5) [2.Qxe7#] 1...Sxd6 2.Bd5#, 1...Kxd6 2.Ra6#, 1...exd6 2.Qxf7# Changed mates, Themes Rudenko, Option, Chernet, etc] |
(726) 2
 8/2p1Sp2/2p5/1p1Bp2K/Qb2pkP1/5pS1/r1P2PsP/8 (9 + 11) Michael Keller & Thornsten Zirkwitz 1-2. Prize, Sachsische Zeitung, 2001 [Tries : {1.Bxf7? [2.Sg6#] Sh4!}, {1.Bxc6? [2.Sd5#] Se3!} Key : 1.h3! [2.Kh6 ~ 3.Sh5# (1)] 1...Rxc2 2.Qxc2 (1) 2...cxd5/ f5 3.Sxd5# / 3.Sg6# 1...Sh4 2.Bxc6 (1) Bxe7 3.Qxe4# 1...Se3 2.Bxf7 (1) Bxe7 3.Qxe4# 1...e3 2.Qxb4+ (1) e4 3.Qxe4# Logical, Themes Banny, Pseudo Le Grand]. |
(727) 3
 qr6/pp2Pb1B/rP6/p1R1SS1k/R4P2/2pPP2p/5p2/5K2 (11 + 11) Olivier Schmitt Diagrammes, 2011 [Tries : {1.Bg6? Bxg6!}, {1.Sd7? Rxb6!} Key : 1.Rc6! (1) 1...bxc6 2.Sd7 Kg4 3.Sf6+ Kf3 4.Ra2 Bxa2 5.Sd7 Kg4 6.Se5+ (3) Kh5 7.Bg6# 1...Rxb6 2.Sg7+ Kh4 3.Rxb6 [4.Sf5+ Kh5 5.Rh6#] axb6 4.Kxf2 [5.Sf3+ Kg4 6.Bf5#] Be6 5.Sf3+ Kg4 6.f5+ (1) Bc4 7.Rxc4# Switchback of wSe5, sacrifice of wR. Two foreplans for the deflection of bBf7]. |
(728) 4
 1b6/5b2/3p1B1k/8/6Kp/1P1S2S1/8/8 (5 + 5) Sergeo Nikolaevich Tkachenko 2nd Commendation, Israel-Chess-Composition-Society-50 JT, 1998 [1.Sf5+ Kg6 2.Bd8! (1) Bxb3 3.Se7+ Kf7 4.Sc6! Ke8 5.Ba5! (1) (5.Bb6? Kd7! 6.Sxb8+ Kc8 7.Sc6 Ld1+ 8.Kxh4 Kb7 9.Sd4 Kxb6! 10.Sb2 Kc5 11.Se6+ Kd5 12.Sf4+ Ke4) 5...Bc7! 6.Bxc7 Kd7 7.Sd4! (1) Bd1+ 8.Kxh4(1) (8.Kg5? Kxc7 9.Sb2 h3 10.Sxd1 h2 11.Sf2 Kb6 12.Kg4 Kc5 13.Se6+ Kc4) 8...Kxc7 9.Sb2! (1) +- Domination to ensure win (according Troitzky)]. |
(729) 5
 2R5/3S4/1pr4s/3p1kq1/2rs4/4p3/1K6/1b6 (3 + 10) Christer Jonsson 1.Prize, Schach, 1988 [1.Kg6 Rc7 2.Sh6-f5 Sf8+ 3.Kh6 Rh7# (2.5) 1.Ke4 Rd8 2.Sd4-f5 Sf6+ 3.Kd4 Rxd5# (2.5) Exchange of positions between bK and each bS, Model mates.] |
(730) 6
 2b4R/1p1p1S2/1P1Q1RSb/P1p4k/1B6/2P2KP1/ 3P1P2/5B2 (14 + 6) Bohuslav Mikyska Sachove Listy, 1901 [Key : 1.Sh4! zugzwang (1) 1...c4 2.Bd3 cxd3 3.a6 bxa6 4.Ba5 Bb7+5.Qd5+ (2) Bxd5# 1...cxb4 2.Bh3 ~ 3.Sg2 ~ 4.Qc5+ d5 5.Bg4+ (2) Bxg4#] |
2#: Write the key.
3# and 7#: Write the key, possible threats and all the variations until the last-but-one white move
Study: Write all the moves until a visible win.
H#: Write the full solution
S#: Write the key, possible threats and all the variations until the last-but-one white move.
12th Greek Championship, 15 IX 2013
Round 2
- Problems, Time 2 hours
(731) 1
 sr6/3QS1bb/qB1S4/1R5r/p1P2R2/PPk1p2s/2B1P3/2K5 (12 + 10) Carel J. R. Sammelius 1-2 Prize, JT Nederlandse-Bond-van-Probleemvrienden-35, 1966 [Tries : {1.Se7-f5? Re8!}, {1.Sd6-f5? Sh3xf4!}, {1.Qf5? Sxb6!}, {1.Rf4-f5? Qb7!}, {1.Bf5? Qxb5!} Key: 1.Rb5-f5! (5) [2.Sd5# / Se4#] Sacrifice Novotni, where only one from six moves is right!] |
(732) 2
 3S1b2/Q4B2/5pp1/1kpSpR2/8/p7/2b5/K7 (6 + 8) Cenek Kainer Casopis Sach 1921 [Key: 1.Sc6! [2.Sd5-b4 [3.Qa5/Qa6] cxb4 3.Sd4# (1) 1...Bxf5/Be4 2.Qa4+ (1) Kxa4 3.Sd5-c3# 1...gxf5 2.Sa5 (1) ~ 3.Be8# 1...Kxc6 2.Qb6+ (1) Kd7 3.Qc7# 1...Kc4 2.Qa6+(1) Kb3 3.Qb5# Sacrificial key, Model mates, Theme Cyclic Zilahi (the mating piece is captured in another variation)] |
(733) 3
 2s5/3s1Q2/2R4B/qP1ppB2/S1pk2P1/Ppb1p3/4P3/5K2 (10 + 10) Igor A. Agapov (after Anatoly Styopochkin) Special Prize, 1st FIDE World Cup 2010 [Key: 1.Qe6! (1) [2.Bxe3+ Kxe3 3.Qh6+ Kd4 4.e3# (1) 1...Sf6 2.Qxe5+ Kxe5 3.Re6+ (1) Kd4 4.Bxe3# 1...Qd8 2.Rxc4+ Kxc4 3.Qc6+ (0.5) Kd4 4.Qxc3#, 3...Sc5 4.Qxc5#, 2...dxc4 3.Qc6 (0.5) Sc5 4.Qxc5#, 3...Sd6 4.Qxd6# 1...Bd2 2.Qxd5+ Kxd5 3.Be6+ (1) Kd4/Κe4 4.Rxc4# Changed mates, Switchback of bK, Themes Zilahi, Kniest, Bristol, Chumakov, ODT]. |
(734) 4
 6r1/2R3pk/q1s1p3/4S2K/b3P3/4P3/2Q5/8 (6 + 7) Amazia Avni Chess in Israel, 1999 [1.Qh2 (1) (1.Sf7? Qa5+ 2.e5+ g6+ (2...Βxc2? 3.Sg5+ Kh8 4.Sf7+ Kh7 5.Sg5+) 3.Kg4 (3.Kg5 Βxc2) 3...Qxc7 4.Sg5+ Kg7 5.Sxe6+ Kf7] 1...Rh8! (1...Re8? 2.Kg5+ Kg8 3.Rxg7+) 2.Sf7 (2.Kg5+? Kg8 3.Qf4 Sxe5) 2...Kg8+! 3.Sxh8 Qa5+ (3...Bd1+ 4.Kh4! Kxh8? 5.Kg3+) 4.Kg6! (1) (4.Kg4? Se5+) 4...Se5+ 5.Qxe5! Be8+! (5...Qxe5 6.Rc8+) 6.Rf7! Qxe5 = (3) Stalemate by self-pin.] |
(735) 5
 8/1s2k3/qp6/rB6/8/8/8/5K2 (2 + 5) Frantiek Korostenski Prize, Sachove Umeni 2001 [1.Kd6 Bd3 2.Qc4 Ke2 3.Qc7 Ba6 4.Kc6 Kd3 5.Rd5+ Kc4 6.Rd6 Bb5# (5) Circuit of wB and Pelle move (while it is pinned), Bicolour Bristol]. |
(736) 6
 4b3/2S1p3/2p1p3/P1k1P2p/K4P1P/PR1R4/3S4/Q7 (11 + 5) Leonid Kubbel Jas 1935 , 1st Prize [Set play : 1…Bd7 2.Sxe6+ Bxe6 3.Rb5+ cxb5# Key: 1.Rd8! zugzwang (1) 1...Bd7 2.Qd4+ Kxd4 3.Kb4 (2) c5# 1...Bxg6 2.Qc1+ Bc2 3.Sb5 (1) cxb5# 1...Bf7 2.Sxe6+ Bxe6 3.Rb5+ (1) cxb5# Critical move of wR, Model mates]. |
2#: Write the key.
3# and 4#: Write the key, possible threats and all the variations until the last-but-one white move
Study: Write all the moves until a visible draw.
H#: Write the full solution
S#: Write the key, possible threats and all the variations until the last-but-one white move.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)