Farewell to 2014

The year 2014 is almost over and we all postpone our hopes to 2015 for all the things we have dreamed and never achieved or never happened.
With wishes for making our lives better in any possible aspect, I give you two problems to solve.

Probblem-792 (original) Manolas Emmanuel (GRE)

5S2/8/1q6/5kP1/4rP2/2s1QK2/2S5/1B6 (6 + 10) #2, Two-mover

Select between the brackets to see the solution : [Tries : {1.Sd4+? Qxd4!}, {1.Qc5+? Qxc5!}, {1.Qxb6? Rxf4+!}, {1.Qxe4+? Sxe4!}. Key : 1.Qd4! [2.Se3#] 1...Sxb1 / Sd1 / Sd5 2.Qxe4#, 1...Rxf4+ 2.Qxf4#, 1...Qxb1 2.Qf6#, 1...Qxd4 2.Sxd4#]

The same piece makes two tries and the key (theme Option). Black's answer 1...Rf4+ opens road for the piece that gives mate (theme bicolour Bristol). Black corrects the move 1...Qxb1 with a better 1...Qxd4, without success. All the black pieces are used to defend the various tries (theme Elmgren). The threat 2.Se3# and the mating move 2.Sxd4# exploit the pinning of bRe4 which is done from another piece (the wBb1), (theme Boros).

Problem-793 (original) Manolas Emmanuel (GRE)

s2k2s1/S5S1/3K4/p1ppp1p1/3Q4/2rPr3/3B4/3q4 (6 + 11) #3, Three-mover

Select between the brackets to see the solution : [Tries : {1.Sc6+? Kc8!}, {1.Se6+? Ke8!}, {1.Qg4? Qxg4!}, {1.Qa4? Qxa4!}. Key : 1.Qxd5! [2.Qxa8# / Qxg8#] 1...Sc7 2.Qxg8+ Se8+ 3.Qxe8#,  1...Se7 2.Qxa8+ Sc8+ 3.Qxc8#,  1...Rcxd3 2.Bxa5+ Sb6 / Sc7 3.Bxb6# / Bxc7#,  1...Rexd3 2.Bxg5+ Sf6 / Se7 3.Bxf6# / Bxe7#, 1...Qb3 2.Qxa8+ Qb8+ 3.Qxb8#,  1...Qf3 2.Qxg8+ Qf8+ 3.Qxf8# ]

Symmetrical position with three pairs of symmeric variations in the solution. This is called Vertical Mirror Echo. The same piece makes two tries and the key (theme Option). There are crossed checks and grabbing of the black pieces. The bK is mated from six squares of his row and four squares of his diagonals.

Award for 2nd TT Kobulchess Christmas 2014

(25.12.2014) Here is the Award of the 2nd KoBulChess TT - Cristmas Tourney 2014! Many thanks to all participants and to the judge IM Krassimir Gandev for his quick work. The award remains open for 1 month period. 2nd KoBulChess TT – Christmas Tourney 2014 Theme: All type problems (#/=, H#/H=, S#/S=, HS#/HS= etc.) in 2-4 moves (up to 8 moves for Series and P-Series problems) with the fairy condition Circle SneK. Other fairy pieces and conditions are not allowed. Royal pieces can be used of course. Circle SneK: When a Queen is captured - a Rook (or Royal Rook) of the same color (if exists on the board) becoming Queen; When a Rook is captured – a Bishop (or Royal Bishop) of the same color (if exists on the board) becoming Rook; When a Bishop is captured - a Knight (or Royal Knight) of the same color (if exists on the board) becoming Bishop; When a Knight is captured – a Queen (or Royal Queen) of the same color (if exist on the board) becoming Knight. Only one piece may change its type after a capture. In case of option – the capturing side choose which piece will be transformed. The capture and the change of type is a single move. If this full move result a selfcheck - the capture is forbidden.  The capture of a pawn is normal. The capture is normal also in the case when there is no piece on the board which should be transformed. Castling with Royal piece is not allowed. Entries: 22  Participants: Pierre Tritten, Manfred Rittirsch, Mario Parrinello, Kostas Prentos, Emmanuel Manolas, Rainer Kuhn, Themis Argirakopoulos, Sebastien Luce, Ralf Kraetschmer, Alain Bienabe Countries: Greece, Italy, Germany, France AWARD It was pleasure for me to be a judge of this interesting tourney. I received from the director Diyan Kostadinov 22 entries (including 2 versions) in anonymous form. I propose the following ranking: 1st Prize – Manfred Rittirsch    a) 1....Rd2? ... 3. ... Qxg3(wRh8)+ 4.hxg3(bQh5)! 1...Sf2 [~? ... 4.Sxc3(bBh3)!] 2.Rf5+ [~? ... 3.h8Q+ Rd,Rhxh8(wQf7)!] gxf5 3.h8Q+ Bxc3(wSh8)# [4.Sxc3(bBf2)??, 4.Kxf2(bSg4)??]    b) 1...Sf2? ... 3. ... Bxc3(wSh8)+ 4.Kxf2(bSh5)! 1....Rd2 [~? ... 4.hxg3(bQd8)!] 2.Sd6 [~? ... 3.h8B+ Qxh8(wBb5)!] cxd6 3.h8B+ Qxg3(wRh8)# [4.hxg3(bQd2)??, 4.Kxd2(bRb2)??] This is my favourite. Very rich Circle SneK specific logical maneuvers with reciprocal correspondence of pieces, change of promotions, cross checks and Circle SneK mates. 2nd Prize – Mario Parrinello a) 1…rQh8 2.Sa6 Sf6 3.rQa1 Sxg8(rSa1)+ 4.hxg8Q(rSh8)+ Qxa6(wSg8)# b) 1...rQc8 2.Sh6 Sc6 3.rQc1 Sxb8(rSc1)+ 4.axb8Q(rSc8)+ Qxh6(wSb8)# Wonderful Echo mates, creation of black batteries with ODT, change of functions between wSs and nice fairy play! 3rd Prize – Emmanuel Manolas 1.Bg7 fxe8Q(bQh7) 2.Bxc3(wBg1) Qxe2(bSh7)# 1.Sxc3(wBg1) fxe8S(bQh7) 2.Qd3 Sxd6(bRf8)# Model mates, selfblocks, promotions, all types of SneK conversions and SneK mates. 4th Prize – Pierre Tritten 1.Be4 Bxb3(bSf4) 2.Se2 Rxd1(bRc3)# 1.Sd2 Rxf4(bQd1) 2.Qe2 Bxg6(bBd2)# Same motivation for white captures: first one allows black transformed piece to block on e2, second one avoids black defense, change of functions, all types Circle SneK transformations. 5th Prize – Themis Argirakopoulos 1.d1B 2.b1R 3.Rb2 4.Rg2 5.Bf3 6.Bc6 Kxg2(Rc6)= [7.Rxb6(Rd6)? 7.Rxc7(Se6)? 7.Rxd6(Bc7)?] 1.d1S 2.b1Q 3.Qa2 4.Se3 5.Sg2 6.Qa8 Kxg2(Sa8)= [7.Sxb6(Rd6)?  7.Sxc7(Se6)?] A wonderful problem with AUW where the stalemate positions are possible because of SneK protections.   6th Prize – Argirakopoulos, Luce, Tritten a) 1.c2 2.c1B 3.Bf4 4.Bh2 5.g1R+ Sxg1(bRh2)# b) 1.b1S 2.Sd2 3.Sf1 4.g1Q 5.Qg4 Bxf1(bSg4)# Interchange of function between the white pieces, AUW. Special Prize – Pierre Tritten 1.Bf4+ Kxf4(bBh3) 2.Rf3+ Kxf3(bRh3) 3.Qe3+ Kxe3(bQh3) 4.Se2+ Kxe2(bSh3) 5.Sf2 Kxf2= Funny idea – the black Knight h3 plays like a Knight again after a full Circle SneK cycle of transformations 1st Honorable mention – Argirakopoulos, Tritten a) 1.Kd5 2.Kxe4(wRf8) 3.Kd5 4.Kd6 Rd8# b) 1.Sd7 2.Sxf8(wBh3) 3.Sd7 4.Sc5 Rd4# c) 1.Rc3 2.Rxh3(wRf8) 3.Rc3 4.Rc5 Rd8# Double switchbacks by three black pieces (King, Knight, Rook), Zilahi and nice white/back Forsberg suit twins.    2nd Honorable mention – Kostas Prentos 1.Qe3 Sg6 2.Bd4 Bd3# 1.Qxe5 Bc4 2.Be3 Rf4# Two Circle SneK specific mates. 3rd Honorable mention – Kostas Prentos 1.Bb1 Bg7 2.Se4 Bxe5(wBe4) 3.Bec2 Kxf5(wRc2) 4.Rf2+ Sxf2(wRb1)# 1.Rf2+ Kf7 2.Sh7+ Ke8 3.Sg5 Bxe5(wBg5) 4.Bc6+ Sxf2(wRc6)# Problem type ANI: in the 1st solution is presented a hybrid of Bristol and Indian - the first white Bishop opens the line for the second white Bishop, which on the next move will transform into Rook, creating a battery. 2nd solution reach the same mate after different active play of the white pieces. Commendations (equal rank): Com – Themis Argirakopoulos a) 1…g8R 2.e1S Rg2 3.Sc2 Rxc2(bSd3)# b) 1…h8Q 2.h1B Qh6 3.Bc6 Qxc6(bBb3)# Com – Alain Bienabe 1.Kxd5(wRe7) Ra7 2.Kc5 Ra5# 1.Kxe7(wBc4) Sc6+ 2.Ke8 Rd8# Com – Rainer Kuhn 1.Sxa1(bRd1)! Rxa1 2.a8Q+ Qxa8(wQe1)# 1.rBa8! Qa4 2.Re8+ Qxe8(rRa8)# 1.rBb7! Bxc2 2.a8Q+ Qxa8(wQe1)# Com – Sebastien Luce 1…Ba7 2.Sxa7(wBe4)+ Bxg2(bBa7) 3.Bb8 Kb6# 1…Bb6 2.Sxb6(wBe4) Bxg2(bBb6) 3.Ba7 Kc7# Com – Emmanuel Manolas 1.Qxd5(bBc3)+! (bBe6?) Kxd5(wQh5) 2.Qxe6(bSh2)+ Kxe6 3.Qxf7(bRc3)+ Kxf7 4.g8Q# Com – Rainer Kuhn 1.rSc3 Kg4 2.Bxf5+ Kxf5(rBc3) 3.rBa1 Be5# 1.rSb4 Kh3 2.rSc6 Be5 3.rSxe5(wBe8) d4# I wish to all participants and the tourney director – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2015! Sofia 24.12.2014        Judge: IM Krassimir Gandev

Friendly presents for namedays

We use to give presents for the namedays.
In this post the presents are dedications.

Mr Ioannis Garoufalidis dedicates an original problem (selfmate in eight moves) to Mr Emmanuel Manolas who has his nameday on 26/12.
In return Mr Emmanuel Manolas dedicates an original problem (helpmate in 2.5 moves) to Mr Ioannis Garoufalidis who has his nameday on 7/1.

Wishes for happy holidays to everyone!

Problem-790 (original) Ioannis Garoufalidis, GR dedicated to Emmanuel Manolas

k2K4/p2p4/S3Q3/2P5/8/3PP3/1p6/bR1B4 (8 + 5) s#8

1.Bf3+ d5 2.Ke7 Kb7 3.Kf6 Ka8 4.Ke5 Kb7 5.Kd4 Ka8 6.Bg4 Kb7 7.Qc6+ Kxc6 8.Rxb2 Bxb2#

The white King must go to d4 to get mated. The pawn d7 is needed to guard e4, but the black King must go to c6 to guard this pawn. White sacrifices two strong pieces to achieve his goal.

Problem-791 (original) Emmanuel Manolas, GR dedicated to Ioannis Garoufalidis

1b6/8/3R4/B7/2kP4/1r3BK1/8/1r6 (5 + 4) h#2.5, 2 solutions

(In helpmates with fractional part 0.5 in number of moves, White moves first). 1…Bc7 2.Kb5 Rd5+ 3.Ka6 Ra5# 1…Bc3 2.Ba7 Ra6 3.Kb5 Be2#

The wRd6 is pinned by the bBb8 and the wBf3 is pinned by the bRb3. In the two solutions the wBa5 unpins one of the pinned pieces, which eventually mates the black King.

Circle SneK condition - Christmas 2014

In fairy chess, various conditions are introduced each year. Some of them attract the interest of the composers, some stay as curiosities.
The Bulgarian composer Diyan Kostadinov likes to invent new conditions (KoBul Kings, SneK Chess) and recently has announced a tourney for Christmas 2014 with the new condition Circle Snek.

Circle Snek : When a Queen is captured, a Rook of the same side becomes a Queen. When a Rook is captured, a Bishop of the same side becomes a Rook. When a Bishop is captured, a Knight of the same side becomes a Bishop. When a Knight is captured, a Queen of the same side becomes a Knight. Only one piece may change its type after a capture. In case of option – the capturing side chooses which piece will be transformed. The capture and the change of type is a single move. If this full move results in a selfcheck - the capture is forbidden. The capture of a pawn is normal. The capture is normal also in the case when there is no piece on the board which might be transformed. Castling with Royal piece is not allowed.

You will find the announcement of the 2nd KoBulChess Thematic Tourney (Christmas Tourney 2014) here : http://kobulchess.com/en/tournaments/announcements/676-kobulchess-2nd-tt-christmas-tourney-2014.html

Theme: All type problems (#/=, H#/H=, S#/S=, HS#/HS= etc.) in 2-4 moves with the fairy condition Circle SneK. Other fairy pieces and conditions are not allowed. Royal pieces can be used of course.

The deadline is 20-Dec-2014.

Wishing you happy holidays, I present an original miniature with the Circle SneK condition, designed in a way to be easily solved. My computer (using WinChloe v3.31) could not see the solution instantly and spent 4 hours and 12 minutes to finish.

Problem_289 Manolas Emmanuel (GRE) original

Ks3r2/8/8/k5b1/8/7b/7P/8 (2 + 5) h#5, Circle SneK

Select inside the brackets to see the solution [1.Bd7 h4 2.Kb6 hxg5(Bb8) 3.Kc7 g6 4.Kd8 g7 5.Bc7 gxf8=Q(Rd7)#].

Since the moves are only 5, the wPh2 must start with a double step and give mate when it reaches the 8th row and be promoted. (Theme Excelsior). So, the bBh3 must make the first half-move (move B1), (and surely prepare the blocking of bK). The wP will possibly capture one or two black pieces while marching to promotion and it will mate the bK when he is blocked in the eighth row. The bK needs 3 moves to reach the eighth row. The remaining black half-move is needed to complete the block. I believe that some solvers do not really need to see the hidden solution!