Awarded chess problems by Greek composers, 2015

Awarded Compositions GR, 2015

(Last Update : 03/01/2016)

In this post we have gathered the artistic chess compositions of the Greek composers, which have earned a distinction in composing tourneys of the year 2015.
There were more publications, but here we are limited only to awarded ones.
(A note by Alkinoos: If some award is omitted, which is possible since I do not read everything, the interested composer is kindly requested to send to me the necessary information to append it in this anniversary post. Thanks!).

In twelve (12) international composing tourneys there were seventeen (17) awarded compositions, atistic creations of five (5) Greek composers (sometimes with co-authors).

We stress here a fact, seldom happening in Greece : This year we had organized here in our country one (1) international composing tourney : JT Manolas-65.

The entries to the composing tourneys are judged by a Judge and they get distinctions (by descending order): Prize or Place, Honourable Mention, Commendation.
In some interesting cases the distinction might be preceded by the word 'Special'.
The distinctions may be numbered or not.

Argirakopoulos Themis

Problem-2015-10 Argyrakopoulos Themis 4th Place, Marianka 2015 Source: http://www.jurajlorinc.com/chess/ma15faaw.htm

2B5/3Pp3/2p4p/3R4/7k/2K4p/6p1/8  (4 + 6) hs+2,5 twins: a) diagram, b) wKc3 to d4, c) wKc3 to e1, d) wKc3 to h2 Messigny

a) wKc3 1…g1=Q 2.d8=Q Qd8↔Qg1 3.Qe1+ Qe1↔Qd8+ b) wKd4 1…g1=R 2.d8=R Rd8↔Rg1 3.Rg4+ Rg4↔Rd8+ c) wKe1 1…g1=B 2.d8=B Bd8↔Bg1 3.Bf2+ Bf2↔Bd8+ d) wKh2 1…g1=S 2.d8=S Sd8↔Sg1 3.Sf3+ Sf3↔Sd8+ Messigny = A piece (King included) can also swap places with an opposite piece of the same nature. Neither of the two pieces must have swap its place the previous move. Theme Babson, (AUW, promotions of the same type by White and Black).

Problem-2015-13 Argirakopoulos Themis 2nd Honourable Mention, 13° Tzuika, Ostroda, 2015 Source: http://www.wccc2015.com/docs/congress_bulletin.pdf

5(SL)Bk/2pp2pP/5p(EL)1/5p2/1p(LE)p2P1/PP6/K2P4/2q5 (8 + 11) hs#3 twins: a) diagram, b) bPb4 to a4 Sentinelles : (g6 Elan EL), (c4 Leo LE), (f8 Super-Leo SL)

a) bPb4 1.LEe2(+c4) SLd6 2.LEg2(+e2) SLh2(+d6) 3.LEh3(+g2)+ ELxh3(+g6)# b) bPa4 1.LEd5(+c4) SLe8 2.LEf7(+d5) SLe6 3.LEf8(+f7)+ ELxf8(+g6)# Sentinelles : When a piece (Pawn excluded) leaves a square outside the first and last rows, it leaves a Pawn of the color of the side that played unless 8 Pawns in this color are already on the board. The triple pin mate is achieved with the help of a fairy unit, the SuperLeo, which can capture over 2 hurdles. You certainly need an eagle eye and a sharp mind to anticipate the mate with three pinned units, of which two will be sentinels that will appear on the board during the solution. On the downside, the price paid by this ambitious achievement is the heavy position and the lack of interplay. Question: can anyone obtain a five-fold sentinel presentation of this splendid idea?

Argirakopoulos Themis, Prentos Kostas

  

Problem-2015-02 Argirakopoulos Themis, Prentos Kostas 1st Prize (1st - 3rd place)- TT 157 Superproblem Source: https://yadi.sk/i/Iho1AFq4mNeij

6K1/6b1/1sp1rp2/1b1k4/p1p1q3/2r1pp2/1p1P3p/Q1s5  (3 + 16) h#2, 1 solution per twin twins: a) diagram, b) wQa1 to a8, c) wQa1 to h8, d) wQa1 to h1

a) wQa1 1.Kc5 dxc3 2.Qd5 Qa3# b) wQa8 1.Kd6 d4 2.Sd5 Qd8# c) wQh8 1.Ke5 dxe3 2.Kf5 Qh5# d) wQh1 1.Kd4 d3 2.Kxd3 Qd1# Model mates. WP4 from wPd2, with bK cross and the wQ visiting the four corners.

Abdurahmanovic Fadil, Kalkavouras Ioannis

  

Πρόβλημα-2015-17 Abdurahmanovic Fadil, Kalkavouras Ioannis 1st Prize, Moskow Concours 2015 Source: http://www.selivanov.ru/download/Awards/Moscow/2015/%20mt2015-h.pdf

4s3/4s3/8/8/4k2p/1p1p2PP/bp1K1p2/qB6  (4 + 10) h#5, 2 solutions

1.Sf5 Bc2 2.b1=Q Bd1 3.Qe5 Be2 4.Qba1 Bf1 5.Qad4 Bg2# 1.Kf3 Kc3 2.Ke2 Bxd3+ 3.Kd1 Be4 4.Kc1 Kd3 5.Kb1 Kd2# Wb and Bk Platzweschel, wK triangular Rundlauf and wB zig zag from b1 to g2.

Problem-2015-03 Abdurahmanovic Fadil, Kalkavouras Ioannis 3rd Prize, ЮК «С.Билык-50» Bilyk-50 Source: http://sachmatija.puslapiai.lt/sites/default/files/Bilyk2015.pdf

RS6/Br6/8/6K1/8/8/P7/3k4  (5 + 2) h#2, 2 solutions

1.Rxa7 Sc6 2.Rxa2 Sd4 3.Rd2 Ra1# 1.Rxb8 Be3 2.Rb2 Rc8 3.Re2 Rc1# Bicolour Bristol, Annihilation of white pieces, Self-blockings, Model mates. Judge (Bilyk) :Аннигиляция белых фигур, правильные маты на краю доски, чередование функций белых коня и слона. Белая пешка вводит диссонанс: в одном решении она уничтожается чёрной ладьёй – двойная аннигиляция на вертикали ”a”, а во втором матовом финале участия не принимает, выполняя роль технической фигуры.

Manolas Emmanuel

Problem-2015-07 Manolas Emmanuel 6th Honourable Mention, Gennady Kozura-60 JT Source: http://www.chess-kopyl.com.ua/images/2015/12_2015/1_Козюра-60_2_оконч.pdf

R7/8/8/1kB5/8/8/1p4P1/1K1B4  (5 + 2) h#2, 2 solutions per twin twins: a) diagram, b) bKb5 to h1 (after Youness Benjelloun, 8/8/2pP4/2Bk4/5PR1/8/2p5/2KB4, (6+3), h#2, 2sols, Problem Paradise vol18 January-March 2015, problem H706)

a) bKb5 1.Kc4 Be2+ 2.Kb3 Ra3# 1.Kc6 Rc8+ 2.Kd7 Bg4# b) bKh1 1.Kh2 Bf3 2.Kh1 Rh8# 1.Kxg2 Rg8+ 2.Kf1 Rg1# Section h#2 HotF (Helpmate of the Future)

Problem-2015-08 Manolas Emmanuel Special Honourable Mention, Gennady Kozura-60 JT Source: http://www.chess-kopyl.com.ua/images/2015/12_2015/1_Козюра-60_2_оконч.pdf

3S4/8/3p2p1/2pkr2b/3P4/3K4/Pr4P1/8  (5 + 7) h#2, 4 solutions

1.Bf3 gxf3 2.Re4 fxe4# 1.Rb3+ axb3 2.c4+ bxc4# 1.Bg4 Sc6 2.Be6 Se7# 1.Rb6 Se6 2.Rc6 Sf4# Section h#2 HotF (Helpmate of the Future)

Pergialis Nikos

Problem-2015-01 Pergialis Nikos Commendation, Manolas-65 JT Source: http://chess-problems-gr.blogspot.gr/2015/08/award-for-manolas-65-jt.html

8/8/4P3/8/2qkp3/8/8/2Q1S2K  (4 + 3) h#2, 2 solutions per twin twins: a) diagram, b) wQc2 to g8

a) wQc1 1.Qd3 Qc6 2.e3 Sf3# 1.Qxe6 Sd3 2.Kd5 Qc5# b) wQg8 1.Ke3 Sc2+ 2.Kf2 Qg2# 1.Ke5 Sf3+ 2.Kf6 Qf7# Section Α, HotF (Helpmate of the Future). Judge (Kalkavouras Ioannisς) : "Preventive selfblocks and nice model mates; what else one might expect from a little precious stone?"

Problem-2015-04 Pergialis Nikos Special Honourable Mention, Gennady Kozura-60 JT Source: http://www.chess-kopyl.com.ua/images/2015/12_2015/1_Козюра-60_2_оконч.pdf

8/4q3/1ps2B2/3PP1q1/p1BkP3/1r/3Ss3/5K2  (7 + 8) h#2, 4 solutions

1.Qgxe5 Bh4 2.Sc3 Bf2# 1.Qexe5 Bd8 2.Rc3 Bxb6# 1.Ke3 Bxe7 2.Sed4 Bxg5# 1.Kc5 Bxg5 2.Scd4 Bxe7# Section h#2 HotF (Helpmate of the Future). Judge (Valery Kopyl ) : Чёткий HOTF, замечательная игра полей, но… практически полная симметрия

Problem-2015-05 Pergialis Nikos 11th Honourable Mention, Gennady Kozura-60 JT Source: http://www.chess-kopyl.com.ua/images/2015/12_2015/1_Козюра-60_2_оконч.pdf

8/5P2/K2p2p1/3rS1p1/3k4/2p5/b7/R7  (4 + 7) h#2, 4 solutions

1.Bb1 Ra4+ 2.Kc5 Rc4# 1.Kc5 Rb1 2.Rd4 Rb5# 1.Ke3 f8=Q 2.Kd2 Qf2# 1.Kxe5 Re1+ 2.Kf6 f8=Q# Section h#2 HotF (Helpmate of the Future)

Problem-2015-06 Pergialis Nikos Special Honourable Mention, Gennady Kozura-60 JT Source: http://www.chess-kopyl.com.ua/images/2015/12_2015/1_Козюра-60_2_оконч.pdf

R2K4/5k2/8/8/5B2/4S3/8/8  (4 + 1) h#2, 2 solutions per twin twins: a) diagram, b) bKf7 to d2

a) bKf7 1.Kf6 Ke8 2.Ke6 Ra6# 1.Kg6 Ra6+ 2.Kh5 Rh6# b) bKd2 1.Kc1 Be5 2.Kb1 Ra1# 1.Ke2 Ra2+ 2.Ke1 Bg3# Section h#2 HotF (Helpmate of the Future)

Prentos Kostas

Problem-2015-09 Prentos Kostas 1st Place, 36° R.I.F.A.C.E. (St-Germain au Mont d'Or, 22-25 mai 2015) Source: http://phenix-echecs.fr/Messigny/RIFACE_2015_jugement_retros.pdf

1s1qkbsr/P1P1P3/2rPbPPP/8/6pp/1Qpp1pp1/1p2pB1P/RS2KBSR  (16 + 16) Proof game in 17,5 moves Anti-(Take and Make)

1.a4 b5 2.axb5(b4) a5 3.bxa6 e.p.(a4) Rxa6(a7) 4.c4 bxc3 e.p.(c5) 5.b4 axb3 e.p.(b5) 6.Qxb3(b2) d5 7.cxd6 e.p.(d4) c5 8.bxc6 e.p.(c4) Rxc6(c7) 9.e4 dxe3 e.p.(e5) 10.d4 cxd3 e.p.(d5) 11.Bxe3(e2) f5 12.exf6 e.p.(f4) e5 13.dxe6 e.p.(e4) Bxe6(e7) 14.g4 fxg3 e.p.(g5) 15.f4 exf3 e.p.(f5) 16.Bf2 h5 17.gxh6 e.p.(h4) g5 18.fxg6 e.p.(g4) Proof game : Find the unique moves, from the initial position of the pieces when starting a game, to the position of the given diagram.  Anti Take & Make : When a piece is "captured" (King excluded), it must move without capturing from its vanishing square. The capture is impossible if the captured piece can't be reborn. 13 en-passant captures.

Problem-2015-11 Prentos Kostas 7th Honourable Mention, 18° Sabra, Ostroda, 2015 Source: http://www.wccc2015.com/docs/congress_bulletin.pdf

6Q1/5pr1/4p1bp/3p1rBs/3pR2K/5k2/8/8  (4 + 10) h#2 twins: a) diagram, b) wQg8 to h7

a) wQg8 1.Bh7 Be3 2.Rg4+ Qxg4# b) wQh7 1.Rf6 Re2 2.Bd3 Qxd3# Bicolour Bristol, Orthogonal-Diagonal Transformation, Black line opening by White and by Black.

Problem-2015-12 Prentos Kostas 2nd Prize, 13° Tzuika, Ostroda, 2015 Source: http://www.wccc2015.com/docs/congress_bulletin.pdf

b3rrQ1/3p4/8/7B/s2K4/p7/S1k5/8  (4 + 7) hs#3,5 twins: a) diagram, b) -wSa2

a) with wSa2 1…Bh1 2.Qg2+ Kb3 3.Kd5 Rf1 4.Bd1+ Rxd1# b) without wSa2 1…Re1 2.Be2 Sb2 3.Ke3 Kc3 4.Qc4+ Sxc4#    The most economic achievement of the tourney. In this problem too all three different white and black pieces reach the pin line during the solutions. The epitome of elegance and refinement, in an unbelievable Meredith setting and long moves played by both sides. The slight mismatch in the motivation of black moves doesn’t detract at all the artistic impression.

Problem-2015-14 Prentos Kostas 3rd Recommendation, 3° Azemmour, Ostroda, 2015 Source: http://www.wccc2015.com/docs/congress_bulletin.pdf

q7/4s3/1p2B1bS/4k1pp/2KR2p1/4pPr1/5s2/b7  (5 + 12) h#2,5, two solutions

1…Rxg4 (A) 2.Sc6 f4+ 3.Ke4 Bd5# (B) 1…Bg8 (B) 2.Bf5 Sf7+ 3.Ke6 Rd6# (A)  The White is closing white lines. Critical squares f4 and f7. Pieces wB and wR are exchange their roles in the two solutions.

Problem-2015-15 Prentos Kostas 2nd Honourable Mention, 15° Sake, Ostroda, 2015 Source: http://www.wccc2015.com/docs/congress_bulletin.pdf

White : Kh1, Black : Kh3, Neutral : Qb4 Re4 Bf8  (1 + 1 + 3) h#2 twins: a) diagram, b) nQb4 to f4 Face to Face

a) nQb4 1.nRe6 nQb3+ 2.nBb4 nBe7# b) nQf4 1.nBa3 nQf5+ 2.nRg4 nRa4# Face-to-Face: When a white piece is just one rank below a black piece on the same file, they exchange their walk. Miniature. Reciprocal Anti-batteries. Orthogonal-Diagonal Transformation. There are several entries that tried to show ODT in a few pieces, but we think this one is the best and the most elegant in spite of the slight discrepancies between two solutions (FTF-specific battery in a) and ordinary battery in b)).

Problem-2015-16 Prentos Kostas 4th Prize, 4° FIDE Cup in Composing, 2015 Source: http://www.wfcc.ch/wp-content/uploads/E-4FIDECUP-fin.pdf

6b1/6sp/prP1B1p1/r1R5/pS2kPP1/2P1P3/1K6/5s2  (9 + 10) h#2.5 2 solutions

1…Bb3 2.Bc4 Bd1 3.Bb5 Re5# 1…Rh5 2.Rf5 Rh3 3.Rf7 Bd5# Reciprocal interception of the pair Ra5/Bg8 on two different squares. That is the novelty for this matrix. See pdb/P0579541 and yacpdb/383043. “Bicolor Bristol line opening and ODT. Although the white piece that opens the line will move again on the second move, the motivation for the Bristol is quite clear, as becomes evident by the "tries": {1...Bc4? (2…Be2) 3.??} and {1...Rd5? (2…Rd3) 3.??}” (author).

KoBulChess.com 2015

At the chess website KoBulChess.com you may find published very fine problems, with many constructive comments.
In the informal composition contest for the year 2015 some Greek compositions have appeared.
Enjoy :

Themistoclis Argirakopoulos : http://kobulchess.com/en/problems/originals-2015/822-themis-argirakopoulos-fairy.html

Ioannis Kalkavouras : http://kobulchess.com/en/problems/originals-2015/808-ioannis-kalkavouras-helpmate.html, and together with Fadil Abdurahmanovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina) http://kobulchess.com/en/problems/originals-2015/879-fadil-abdurahmanovic-ioannis-kalkavouras-helpmate.html

Emmanuel Manolas : http://kobulchess.com/en/problems/originals-2015/889-emmanuel-manolas-circle-snek.html

Kostas Prentos : http://kobulchess.com/en/problems/originals-2015/835-kostas-prentos-fairy.html

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Results from the World Congress

Results from the proceedings of the World Congress on Chess Composition have started to appear.

Preliminary results of the OPEN solving contest [http://www.wccc2015.com/?open-results].

Greek solvers : Nikos Mendrinos is in place 38 and Nikos Sidiropoulos is in place 69.

Preliminary results from the World Championship on solution WCSC http://www.wccc2015.com/?wcsc-results-first-day
Greek solvers : Nikos Mendrinos is in place 52 and Nikos Sidiropoulos is in place 54. Greece is in place 16.

During the final second day, the Greek solvers tried harder : Nikos Mendrinos is ranked in place 43 from 85 and Nikos Sidiropoulos in place 46. Greece is in place 16 from 19.
http://www.wccc2015.com/?wcsc-results-final

The bulletin of the event is published here : http://www.wccc2015.com/docs/congress_bulletin.pdf

It contains results from composing tourneys, in which the Greek composers Kostas Prentos and Themis Argyrakopoulos have got distinctions.

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

Greek compositions in WCCC 2014, Bern

This blog has special interest in Greek composers.
In this post we will see compositions that received distinctions in the composing tourneys of WCCC 2014, in Bern. In a previous post we saw that Argirakopoulos Themis, Manolas Emmanuel and Prentos Kostas had 1, 3 and 11 distinctions respectively. It so happens, that we had published a picture of these Greek composers together, in WCCC 2010.

Problem-775 Argirakopoulos Themis (GRE) 2nd Prize, Juica Ty Fairy Section, WCCC 2014 Bern

White : Kh6 Qf3, Black : Kg8 Rf2 Be1 Pd5c3, Neutral : Ra6 Bf6, (2 + 5 + 2) hs#2.5, Circe Kamikaze a) diagram, b) f6 = fairy bishop

A: 1...Rh2+ 2.Qh5 Beh4 3.Qe8+ Bxf6(Bf8;nBc1)# B: 1...Bd2+ 2.Qe3 Rf4 3.Qe8+ Rxf6(Rh8;nfBf8)#

Neutral pieces take the color of the playing side. Circe Kamikaze : When a capture occurs, the capturing piece and the captured piece in this order (King excluded, unless otherwise stated) must be replaced on their rebirth square if it is empty, otherwise, the piece vanishes. The Judge said : "The solutions of this problem culminate in a fabulous quadruple check, which is already a highly noticeable record with only 9 units on the board. Besides, the diagonal-orthogonal correspondence is perfectly realized and we find, as in many problems, the traditional reciprocal battery creation with Rook and Bishop. The wQ arrives on the same square e8 at W3, but since the routes the wQ takes are different, it is not a defect. One defect however would be the passive nRa6".

Problem-776 Manolas Emmanuel (GRE) and Prentos Kostas (GRE) Commendation, Quick Composing Ty, WCCC 2014 Bern

2Sk4/3p4/8/3K4/8/8/1Y2r3/8 (3 + 3) h#2, two solutions b2 = hurdle-color changing Lion (hL)

1.Rf2 hLg2(wRf2) 2.Ke8 hLa8# 1.Re5+ hLg7(wRe5) 2.Kxc8 Re8#

Lion : Moving in Queen lines, it jumps over a hurdle and lands / captures in any free square immediately after the hurdle. The hurdle-color changing Lion, changes the color of the hurdle (except King or neutral piece) when jumping over it.  The Judge said : "Nice miniature. The white rook and Lion exchange functions in the mate".

Problem-777 Manolas Emmanuel (GRE) Commendation, Japanese Sake Ty, WCCC 2014 Bern

8/8/8/7r/3k4/8/1PKb2p1/5srq (2 + 7) h#2, Back-To-Back a) diagram, b) = a) -Rh5 c) = b) -Fd2 d) = c) -Cf1 e) = d) -Tg1

a) 1.Kc4 b4 2.Rc5 bxc5# b) 1.Bc3 b3 2.Bb2 d5# c) 1.Sd2 b4 2.Sb3+ d5# d) 1.Rb1 b5 2.Rb4 d5# e) 1.Ke4 Kd2 2.Qb1 e5#

Back-to-Back : When a white piece is just one rank above a black piece on the same file, they exchange their way of moving / capturing. White loses pieces one after another. We see Echo mates, Chameleon mates, Model mates. Some readers might remember a similar problem by Sam Loyd, accompanied by a tale, where bullets strike off the board the pieces one by one : http://en.chessbase.com/post/chebase-puzzles-a-dangerous-game-171013

Problem-778 Manolas Emmanuel (GRE) Commendation, Bulgarian Wine Ty, WCCC 2014 Bern

8/4K3/8/1r4S1/1k6/bP6/PB6/8 (5 + 3) h#2, two solutions SneK chess

1.Rxg5(SKe7) Bd4 2.Rb5 SKc6# 1.Bxb2(wBg5) Kd6 2.Ba3 Bd2#

SneK chess : 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, the King (but not another royal piece) of the same side becomes a royal Knight. When a Pawn is captured, the royal piece of the same side becomes a King. The Judge said : "Switchbacks of the bR and bB for re-blocking, Ideal mates. A little but lovely problem".

Problem-779 Prentos Kostas (GRE) 1st Prize, Champagne Ty Section A, WCCC 2014 Bern

q5sr/2pppp1p/1psr3b/p1k4R/P5p1/1P1BRP1P/1BPKP2S/1SQ4b (14 + 16) SPG 18.5

1.a4 a5 2.Ra3 Ra6 3.Rc3 Rd6 4.b3 b6 5.Bb2 Bb7 6.Qc1 Bxg2 7.Sf3 Sc6 8.Rg1 Bh1 9.Rg5 Qa8 10.Rh5 g5 11.Bh3 Bh6 12.Bf5 Kf8 13.h3 Kg7 14.Sh2 Kf6 15.f3 Ke5 16.d4+ Kxd4 17.Kd2 g4+ 18.Re3+ Kc5+ 19.Bd3+

SPG : Given a game position, find all the moves since the start of the game. There is an upper limit on the number of the moves. The Judge said : "« Only » 4 thematical checks but of the same nature : they are all battery checks without capture, the most sophisticated nature of thematical moves. Very « professional » realization.".

Problem-780 Prentos Kostas (GRE) 3rd Honourable Mention, Champagne Ty Section A, WCCC 2014 Bern

r2k1bsr/pp1s1ppp/5P2/P7/1K1q3p/p3Qp2/bPP1PPPP/RSB2BSR (16 + 16) SPG 9, Circe Perrain

1.d4 c5 2.dxc5 Qb6(a3) 3.Kd2 d5 4.cxd6 e.p. Be6(f3) 5.Kc3 Sd7 6.dxe7 Qe3(h4)+ 7.Kb4 Bxa2 8.Qd4(a5) Kxe7 9.Qxe3(f6)+ Kd8(Qd4)+

SPG : Given a game position, find all the moves since the start of the game. There is an upper limit on the number of the moves. Circe Parrain : In the next move following a capture, the captured unit (except a King) accomplish (from its capture square) an exact copy of that next move. If the arrival square is occupied or if the journey brings it out of the board, the captured unit vanishes. The Judge said : "Cross-double check is clearly impossible in orthodox chess. Possibly other fairy conditions than Circe Parrain allow to do it, but this problem will be a pioneer".

Problem-781 Prentos Kostas (GRE) Commendation, 17th Sabra Ty, WCCC 2014 Bern

8/3r4/1pp2p2/1s3K2/1p2Bp2/1Pk2b2/2Pqp1P1/bR3rBQ (8 + 13) h#2, two solutions

1.Bxg2 Bxc6 2.Bxc6 Qxc6# 1.Rxg1 Rxa1 2.Rxa1 Qxa1#

Orthogonal-Diagonal transformation. Bicolored Bristol. Pseudo white-Sacrifices. Quasi black-sacrifices.

Problem-782 Prentos Kostas (GRE) 4th Prize, 14th Sake Ty, WCCC 2014 Bern

3K4/8/7R/3k3b/8/1S4B1/6r1/8 (4 + 3) h#2, two solutions, Back-to-Back

1.Kc6 Bg6 2.Bb5 Be4# 1.Kd6 Rf4 2.Rd5 Rf6#

Back-to-Back : When a white piece is just one rank above a black piece on the same file, they exchange their way of moving / capturing. Orthogonal-Diagonal transformation. Reciprocal white batteries with Anderssen moves (A white piece wA intercepts another white piece, Black moves, then wA moves again giving an indirect check). Auto-blocking. Indirect Pinning and Unpinning. The Judge said : "A highly polished ODT with reversal of roles between wR/B and also bR/B. It’s a pity the final positions are orthodox doublechecks".

Problem-783 Prentos Kostas (GRE) 2nd Honourable Mention, 14th Sake Ty, WCCC 2014 Bern

7s/2R2P1P/P2k2BK/1p1P4/2p2pb1/5p1b/6p1/r2r4 (7 + 11) h#2, four solutions, Back-to-Back

1.Bd7 f8=R 2.Ke7 Re8# 1.Re1 f8=S 2.Re6 Sd7# 1.Rxd5 f8=B+ 2.Ke6 Be7# 1.Kxd5 f8=Q 2.Ra5 Qd6#

Back-to-Back : When a white piece is just one rank above a black piece on the same file, they exchange their way of moving / capturing. Orthogonal-Diagonal transformation. Auto-Pinning. Pin mate. Allumwandlung (AUW). The Judge said : "A task: AUW with specific BTB mates in all solutions. The setting is rather heavy".

Problem-784 Prentos Kostas (GRE) 3rd Honourable Mention, 14th Sake Ty, WCCC 2014 Bern

6s1/5K2/4p1S1/5k2/2r3p1/Pbs5/7B/2b5 (4 + 8) h#2, two solutions, Back-to-Back

1.Sa2 c2+ 2.Re4 Se5# 1.Ba2 c5+ 2.Sd5 Bd6#

Back-to-Back : When a white piece is just one rank above a black piece on the same file, they exchange their way of moving / capturing. Direct Self-Pinning. Pin mate. The Judge said : "Pinning of BTB black piece by another BTB white piece. Nicely done".

Problem-785 Prentos Kostas (GRE) 4rd Honourable Mention, 14th Sake Ty, WCCC 2014 Bern

6b1/1p6/1R4s1/P1k1qS2/2b2P2/5s2/8/3K4 (5 + 7) h#2, two solutions, Back-to-Back

1.Qe4 Se7 2.Se5 e6# 1.Bd3 Sd6 2.Qd4 d5#

Back-to-Back : When a white piece is just one rank above a black piece on the same file, they exchange their way of moving / capturing. The Judge said : "Anticipatory selfblock of the BTB black piece. Please note that in both solutions, black cannot capture the mating wP by B because it turns wS into B.".

Problem-786 Prentos Kostas (GRE) Commendation, 14th Sake Ty, WCCC 2014 Bern

s3r3/5P2/P3P3/3k4/K1p2p2/5pS1/4p3/8 (5 + 7) h#2, Back-to-Back a) diagram, b) bKd5 to d6

a) 1.e1=R f8=Q 2.Re5 Qd6# b) 1.e1=B f8=S 2.Ba5 Sd7#

Back-to-Back : When a white piece is just one rank above a black piece on the same file, they exchange their way of moving / capturing. Allumwandlung (AUW).

Problem-787 Prentos Kostas (GRE) 6th Prize, 5th Bulgarian Wine Ty, WCCC 2014 Bern

8/1R6/8/1pp4p/2PB1K2/8/p1b2s2/1S3k1s (5 + 8) h#2, two solutions, SneK chess

1.cxd4(Bb1) Bxc2(Bh1) 2.Bxb7(Rc2) Rxf2(SKf1)# 1.bxc4 Bxf2(SKf1) 2.Bxb1(SKf4) Rxb1(BKf1)#

SneK chess : 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, the King (but not another royal piece) of the same side becomes a royal Knight. When a Pawn is captured, the royal piece of the same side becomes a King. The Judge said : "Complicated combination of transformations to reach the final mating positions, each time by a different white Rook forming a Zilahi. Mutual captures by the wSb1/bBc2.".

Problem-788 Prentos Kostas (GRE) 2nd Honourable Mention, 5th Bulgarian Wine Ty, WCCC 2014 Bern

2Kbk3/4S3/2sP4/1r2p3/8/8/8/8 (3 + 5) h#2, two solutions, SneK chess

1.Bxe7(SKc8) dxe7(Bc6) 2.Bd7+ SKd6# 1.Rb7 Sxc6(SKe8) 2.Rf7 Kxd8(BKe8)#

SneK chess : 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, the King (but not another royal piece) of the same side becomes a royal Knight. When a Pawn is captured, the royal piece of the same side becomes a King. The Judge said : "Specific fairy mates and selfblocks".