Composers cooperating, (No.2)

Today we choose to remember Nikos Siotis, (this was his name-day). He was very good composer, specialized in helpmates, and cared for the new problemists. We have published a problem by Nikos Siotis in this blog (see here, in cooperation with Demetrius Kapralos).

In today's post we will see two of Siotis problems, one in cooperation with the Grand Maitre Byron Zappas and another in cooperation with Vassilios D. Lyris.

Not one of them is with us anymore, and we remember them with admiration for their work.

	(Problem 390) Nikos Siotis and Byron Zappas, First Prize, The Problemist, 1994 Helpmate in 3 moves. Two solutions. h#3 2.1.1... (10 + 12)
[6bq/b1Bp3p/rp1P4/1s1Pp3/1R1Ppk1P/1P6/1K1Pr3/7B]

Line clearances with annihilations, followed by self-blockings and black interferences. Diagonal / Orthogonal transformation.

	(Problem 391) Basil Lyris and Nikos Siotis, First Honourable Mention, Sredba na Solidarnosta, 1986-9, Helpmate in 2 moves. Three solutions. h#2 3.1.1.1 (5 + 16)
[2Q5/3bps1/1p4p1/p2pk1s1/3Sp2b/1p3r1r/1P5p/2q1B2K]

The black Queen unpins and then is pinned, so that white Queen can take action.


I will be waiting (for a few days) for you to send solutions.

(The problems are included in the edition "Selected Chess Compositions by Greek Composers", prepared for the 47_th World Congress of Chess Composition, Halkidiki, Greece, September 4-11, 2004. Editor : Harry Fougiaxis).

Vassilios D. Lyris

Vassilios D. Lyris was one of the best composers of chess problems in his time. He was born in 1914 and he died at 15/08/1994 (same year that Triantafyllos Siaperas and Demetrius Kapralos have left us too).



About Vassilios Lyris his friend Nikos Dambassis writes :

"Vassilios Lyris made his first appearance as a composer of chess problems with the publication of a problem (see next Problem-375) in the newspaper [Proia (=morning)] in 1938, in a special column about chess problems, written by J. Hatziargyris. Vassilios Lyris was the second, after J. Hatziargyris, Greek composer of chess problems appearing in the 20th century.

He first learned the art of chess composition in 1934, when he became subscriber of the German chess magazine [Deutsche Schachblatter]. When the first Greek chess magazine [To Skaki (=the chess)] was issued in 1943, he was one of the four members of the editing committee of the magazine together with Ioannis Koutalidis, Myron Konter and Nikos Dambassis. Since then Lyris continued composing chess problems, limited only by his work load (he was Civil engineer) and his failing health.

Vassilios Lyris has left for the future composers, as mental inheritance, 150 published compositions, mainly multimover problems, in Greek and foreign magazines. He has received many distinctions and has written articles about chess compositions in various magazines, as in [To Mat (=the checkmate)] (1956) and [Probleemblad] (1970). He was member of the Greek national team in the World Championships in Chess Composition."

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The Olympiad winner composer Stavros Iatridis writing in his column [Artistic Chess – The chess problems] in the magazine [O Skakistis (=the chessplayer)] (No.4, April 1967) recites verbatim what Vassilios Lyris has written in the magazine [To Mat] (No.51, March 1956) about the basis of problem evaluation :
The Five Basic Elements for Chess Problem Evaluation
1. Acceptability :
A composition is acceptable : (a) If it is original (it is not allowed to be repetition of a previous composition). (b) If it is correct (that is all the expressed by the composer elements must be correct and in accordance with the rules of Chess Composition).
2. Economy of material :
The natural law of making a work by the least effort gives the meaning of economy, which is “inviolable principle” for the composition. The economy is not limited in achieving the desired goal with minimum material force, but is extended in maximum usage of each piece.
3. Esthetics :
This refers to the beauty of the idea and to the way of expression of the “mechanism” (in which must be a “logic” and also a continuity), and even to the various combinations with their complexity and their richness.
4. Quality of the key :
The first move – Key must initially justify the term “problem”, that is it must be as difficult as possible. The difficulty and the beauty of the key are valuable elements of the problem.
5. Exploitation of the Chessboard space :
For every problem a unique placement of the pieces exists, by which the ideal presentation of the desired goal is achieved. The criterion here is the “spaciousness” of the position and the “mobility” and flexibility of the pieces.

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In this blog we have presented two problems of V. Lyris (see Problem-12 and Problem-319). He has published many problems in cooperation with Nikos Siotis or with Nikos Dambassis.

Panagis Sklavounos (who has provided material for this post) notes : "Vassilios Lyris continued to publish his compositions even in advanced age. This shows that the occupation of problem composition is independent of age. It depends only on the free time of the composer and his availability."

We publish here four problems by Lyris, selected by Nikos Dambassis.

	(Problem 375) Lyris, Vassilios D. newspaper 'Proia', 1938, Mate in 4 moves. #4 (12 + 11)
[3BR3/1pPP2p1/1p1PPsPb/1p4kr/1Pp4p/4P2P/6p1/1B4K1]

This is the first published problem of V. Lyris.

Ties : [1.Rh8?/Rg8?/Rf8?/Be7?/c8=Q?/c8=S?/c8=B?/e7?/Kxg2?/Be4?/Bc2? c3!]
Key : 1.c8=R! (zz) c3
2.Rc7 (zz) c2
3.Rxc2 ( > 4.Rxg2#) Kf5
4.Rc5#
Indian theme on row and file.

	(Problem 376) Lyris, Vassilios D. Prize, Thematic Tourney 'Martin', 1949, Mate in 2 moves. #2 (9 + 13)
[3s1B2/p2SPp1K/p2R4/rk2b2R/p1b1Q3/p2r4/3p4/1q1S1B2]

There exist some set mates : [1...Rd4 2.Qxb1#], [1...Ba2/Bb3/Be6 2.Sc3#], [1...Sb7/Se6 2.Q(x)b7#].
Tries : [1.Rb6+? Axb6!], [1.Rxe5+? Kb4!], [1.Qb7+? Sxb7!], [1.Qxc4+? Kxc4!].
Key : 1.exd8=S! ( > 2.Qb7# )
1...Kb4 2.Rb6#
1...Rd3-~3 2.Rd5#
1...Rxd6/Rd4 2.Qxb1#
1...Rd5 (black correction) 2.Rxd5#
1...Bc4-~ 2.Sc3#
1...Bd5 (black correction) 2.Rxd5#

Theme Martin I : Two black pieces are half-pinned. Each piece attempts corrective defense. The primary and secondary mates are relevant with the other half-pinned piece which is now pinned.

Theme Martin II : The corrective defenses are exploiting the unpin of a third black piece.

Lyris was awarded with a prize using theme Martin in 1949 and many years later, in 1985, he received 3rd prize in a composition of the German magazine 'Die Schwalbe' perfecting the same evergreen theme.

	(Problem 377) Lyris, Vassilios D. First Prize, Hlas L`udu, 1969, Mate in 3 moves. #3 (14 + 9)
[8/8/1P1S1p2/3R1P2/pRBP2Kp/P3kp1P/2prPrP1/2Q1b1B1]

Tries : [1.Sb5? Ke4!], [1.Re5+? Fxe5!], [1.Bd3? Fxe2!], [1.Bb5? Fxg2!], [1.Rb3+? Axb3!], [1.Qxe1? Rxd4+!].
Key : 1.Ba6! ( > 2.Rc5 and 3.Rc3# )
1...fxe2 2.Rb4-b5 (zz) Kd3 3.Rb3#
1...fxg2 2.Rd5-b5 (zz) Kxe2 3.Re5#
Indian theme in two relative variations.

	(Problem 378) Lyris, Vassilios D. First Prize, Probleemblad, 05/1974, Helpmate in 4 moves. h#4 (9 + 14)
[K4b2/5R2/8/6p1/Rp3pPp/q1p1pP2/rpPpPk1P/1s1s1B2]

Key : 1.b3! Ra4-a7 2.Qa6 Rxf4 3.Qxe2 Rf4-a4 4.Kxf3 Rf7#
Exchange of positions of the two white Rooks. The white Rook annihilates a black Pawn and the black Queen annihilates a white Pawn, in order to create the final picture of mate.


More problems are contained in the Internet bases of problems
[http://dt.dewia.com/yacpdb/?rcpp=50&rcp=1#SearchHelp] (you write [Lyris] and click on [SEARCH]) and
[http://www.softdecc.com/pdb/index.pdb] (you write [a='Lyris'] and click on [Search]) and
[http://www.bstephen.me.uk/NonX5/problemsv1.html] (in the field Composer you write [Lyris] and click on [Submit]).

Problems by Greek composers

Today we present problems by Greek composers. Problems several decades old.

	(Problem 317) Spyros Bikos, Commendation, International Tourney Holland 1946, Mate in 2. #2 ( 11 + 5 )
[2K4s/5p1R/5P2/4Sk2/Q4P1P/1BB1p2p/4P2P/8]

The problem-317 by the journalist Spyros Bikos is the first Greek problem that had got a distinction in an international contest, back in 1946. Today the name of the composer is given to a street in Helioupolis Athens Greece, and also to a yearly contest of OTB chess.

Tries : [1. Rh5+? / Rxh8? / Bc2+? Kxf6!], [1. Sg4? Kxg4!], [1. Qe4+? Kxe4!], [1. Rh6? / Qc6? / Sd3? Sg6!], [1. Sxf7? Sxf7!].

Key : 1. Sc4! (zugzwang). The key removes a flight and offers five flights!
1...Ke6 2. Qd7#
1...Kg6 2. Bc2#
1...Kg4 / Sg6 2. Sxe3#
1...Kxf4 / Ke4 2. Sd6#

	(Problem 318) Emmanuel Emmanouilidis, magazine "Skakistis", 02/1970, Mate in 4. #4 ( 8 + 4 )
[8/8/5S2/4P3/7k/r2R3B/2p3PP/b1B3K1]

The problem-318 by mr Emmanouilidis was published in the chess magazine [Skakistis] (= chess player), February 1970.

Tries : [1. Bh3-c8,d7,e6,f5,g4? Rxd3!], [1. Rd7? Ra7!], [1. Rxa3? / Rd4+? B(x)d4+!], [1. g3+? Kxh3!], [1. Bg5+? Kxg5!].

Key : 1. Rd8! ( > 2. Rh8#)
1...Ra8 2. Bc8 ( > 3. Rh8# / g3#) (The black Rook is forced to change file and then block the black Bishop)
__2...Rxc8 3. Rd3 ( > 4. Rh3#)
____3...Bd4+ 4. Rxd4# (This was always possible...)
____3...Rc3 4. Rd4# (...but this is brand new).
1...Re3 2. Bxe3 ( > 3. Rh8#)
__2...c1=Q/Ρ+ 3. Bxc1 ( > 4. Rh8#)
____3...Bd4+ 4. Rxd4#

	(Problem 319) Vassilios Lyris, 6th place 2nd Commendation, Thematic Tourney Budapest, 1970 Helpmate in 2. Two solutions. h#2 2.1.1.1 ( 4 + 12 )
[8/p4p2/k7/3b3R/pr3pB1/8/p2R4/1r2bKsq]

The problem-319 by the engineer Vassilios Lyris was awarded with second Commendation in the Thematic Tourney of Budapest, 1970. In the initial position four black line-pieces are focusing on b7.
The theme is the exchange of roles for two white pieces and two black pieces, in the two solutions. The pairs here are (black Rb4 and Bd5), (white Rd2 and Bg4).

Key : 1. Rb4-b2! (The bRb4 goes near the bRb1).
1...Bf3 (The wBg4 (which gives mate in the other solution) blocks the bQ)
__2. Bb3 (The bBd5 blocks the bR which had just moved).
__2...Rd6# (The wRd2 mates).

Key : 1. Bf3! (The bBd5 goes near the bQh1).
1...Rb2 (The wRd2 (which gives mate in the other solution) blocks the bR).
__2. Re4 (The bRb4 blocks the bB which had just moved).
__2...Bc8# (The wΒg4 mates).

	(Problem 320) Ioannis Giampanis, "Skakistis", 04/1972 Mat in 2 #2 ( 7 + 4 )
[6B1/6K1/2p2Rp1/2P1k1p1/6P1/5P2/5B2/8]

The problem-320 by the police officer Ioannis Giampanis was published in the chess magazine [Skakistis] in April 1972.

Tries : [1. Bh7? / Kf7? Kd5!], [1. Be1? / Bg3+? / Bd4+? K(x)d4!], [1. Rxc6? / Rd6? / Rxg6? / Re6+? Kf4!], [1. Rf7? Ke6!], [1. Kh8? / Kh7? / Kh6? Kxf6!], [1. Rf5+? Gxf5!].

Key : 1. Kf8! (zugzwang).
1...Kxf6 2. Bd4#

Three-movers

We call three-movers the problems which have three-move-solution.

In orthodox three-movers the series of moves is W – B – W – B – W (white plays the key – black plays defense – white continues attack – black continues defense – white gives mate). Another way to denote moves : W1 first white move, B1 first black move, W2 second white move, B2 second black move, etc..

In heterodox helpmate three-movers the series of moves is B – W – B – W – B – W (in helpmates black plays first).

In heterodox selfmate three-movers the series of moves is W – B – W – B – W – B.

If it is not accompanied by any characteristic, the expression three-mover means orthodox three-mover.


The problem of the engineer Lyris Basil seems to be quite simple, since the black king is already pushed in the corner h8 and with a checking the mate is done. For example, if the bishop leaves g6, the knight with move Sg6 gives check and maybe mate.

	(Problem 12) Lyris D. Basil, "To Skaki", December 1943 White plays and mates in 3 moves #3 (5+2)
[7k/7P/6BK/8/7S/8/6R1/6r1]

This solution teaches us that, looking for it, we must use all the area of the chessboard.
Try {1.Bh5? [2.Sg6#] Rxg2!}
Try {1.Rf2? Rf1! (We have tried to move to the left Rg2 to square f2 in order to threaten with 2.Rf8 mate in the eighth row, and the black has replied 1...Rf1 stopping this threat. If now we move the bishop to threat mate with the knight, let us say 2.Be4, the black replies with switchback of the rook, 2...Rg1!, and mate cannot be done in the third move. The other tries have similar continuation)}.
Try {1.Re2? Re1!}
Try {1.Rd2? Rd1!}
Try {1.Rc2? Rc1!}
Try {1.Rb2? Rb1!}

Key 1.Ra2! Ra1 (and here the question arises : in what aspect does this move differ from the five previous moves?)
2.Βb1 (It traps the black rook)
2...Rx~ (The symbol x means captures a piece. The symbol ~ means any piece, any square. The trapped R in the corner a1 may capture any piece it chooses, Ra2 or Bb1, but it cannot stop mate at the opposite corner of the board)
3.Sg6#


The three-movers can have complex themes, (Roman, Plachutta, etc), which will be presented in next posts.

[This post in Greek language].