Women composers

A good article about women composers you may find at the link :
https://chessbase.in/news/Women-in-the-world-of-chess-composition

Chess composition, a point of view by Miro Brada

To some chess players the art of the chess composition is unknown or just an oddity. But, based on chess, there are two worlds
(a) the world of the over-the-board chess, where the novelty in moves is desirable but seldom happens because the players usually copy and repeat the known good moves. If a played chess game is similar to or exactly the same as an older one, there is no blame and the game is accepted.
(b) the world of the artistic chess composition, where the novelty is the rule, because the art creations must be original and unique. If a composed problem is similar to an older one, it is considered anticipated and then discarded.

The composer Miro Brada in an extended presentation (in English) reveals to us details of his life, from the time he could not appreciate the specialities of the chess composition until recently when he has become a multi-awarded composer. :
http://mirobrada.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/chess-composition-as-art.html

Apart from his compositions, presented and explained, he describes similarities with other human activities, mental or athletic.
A point, which I found interesting, is this : In socialistic countries, where profit is not the goal and the opportunities are limited, the people develop their talents in other fields, one of which is chess composing.

Panagiotis Konidaris

Mr Panagiotis Konidaris has many talents. He is a solver and composer of chess problems, he is writer of successful novels, he is dear pharmacist in Meganissi island (near Lefkada island) where he is active in the local municipality. His journalistic texts are very graceful, having or not chess related background, as well as his numerous comments in various chosen blogs.
You may see some of his interesting texts (in Greek) in his blog konidaris.blogspot.com, which has as a subtitle [Life is a game of chess. The secret is not to learn how to win, but to learn how to handle the defeat].

We have seen a published and decorated problem by Panagiotis Konidaris (together with Kostas Prentos, see Problem 270).
In today's post we will see some original problems by Panagiotis Konidaris. It is an honour for this blog and we thank him for this first publication.

	(Problem 436) Panagiotis Konidaris, original α) Helpmate in 3. β) Twin Kg3-->Kc2. γ) Twin Kg3-->Kg6. a) h#3 b) twin Kg3-->c2 c) twin Kg3-->g6 (4 + 11)
[8/1K4p1/4p2/4psb1/2P4r/1P3pk1/1q1s2b1/7R]

a) diagramme
1.Rg4 Rg1 2.Kh4 Rxg2 3.Sg3 Rh2#
b) bKg3-->c2
1.Rxc4 Rh4 2.Kc2-c1 Re4 3.Rc2 Re1#
c) bKg3-->g6
1.Kg6-h6 Ra1 2.g6 Ra8 3.Sg7 Rh8#

	(Problem 437) Panagiotis Konidaris, original #2 retro (10 + 5)
[4R1sk/5R1p/5P1P/5KpP/7S/1P6/b1P5/1B6]

Key : 1.hxg6 e.p.! ( > 2.Rxh7# / g7# )
(The only last move of Black is g7-g5. That means White has the right to capture en passant).
1...hxg6+ 2.Sxg6#

	(Problem 438) Panagiotis Konidaris, original Mate in 3 moves. #3 (7 + 4)
[8/K3p3/2k1p3/1R2P3/1PB5/1pP5/1P6/8]

Tries [1.Kb8? / Rc5+? Kd7!]
Key : 1.Bxe6! ( > 2.Rc5# )
1...Kc7? 2.Rc5+ Kd8 3.Rc8# (or 2.Rd5 Kc6 3.Rc5# dual)
1...Kxb5 2.Kb7 Ka4 3.Bd7#

	(Problem 439) Panagiotis Konidaris, original Helpmate in 4 moves. h#4 (2 + 7)
[kb6/5p2/7s/8/2p3p1/3p4/6K1/7B]

It is obvious that wB must give mate, but how?

1.g3 Kf3 2.g2 Ke4 3.g1=B Kd5 4.Ba7 Kxc4#

	(Problem 440) Panagiotis Konidaris, original White plays and wins. + (5 + 5)
[q7/s2K2BR/pk6/1p6/1P6/P7/8/8]

In this study, the heavy pieces will settle their accounts and the remaining pawns will finish the game.

Key : 1.Bd4+ Kb7 2.Kd6+ Kb8 3.Bxa7+ Qxa7 4.Rxa7 Kxa7 5.Kc7 a5
6.a4 Ka6 7.Kc6 bxa4 8.b5+ Ka7 9.Kc7 a3 10.b6+ Ka6
11.b7 a2 12.b8=Q a1=Q 13.Qb6#
(also with 11...Kb5 12.b8=Q+ Black is surely lost).

Panagis Sklavounos

Panagis Sklavounos, born 1962, holds a Master of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence from Cranfield Univercity, is a Civil Engineer and a Surveyor Engineer from National Technical Univercity of Athens (NTUA) and has a title in Informatics from the Greek Center of Productivity (ELKEPA). He works in the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP SA).

He is president of the Sports Group “Zenon” in Glyfada Attica. He is a member of the Chess Composition Committee of the Greek Chess Federation (ESO). He has organised many chess tournaments and chess problem solving contests. He is a very strong solver.

For an extended period of time (1995-2000) he was editor of the chess column in the magazine of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) and also editor of the chess problem column in the daily newspaper “TA NEA”.

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Published problems by Panagis Sklavounos

	(Problem 382) Panagis Sklavounos, Newspaper “Eleftherotypia”, 08/10/1977 Mate in 2. #2 (5 + 5)
[8/3pp3/6p1/1Q3p2/4k3/5R2/5BP1/5K2]

This is the first published problem of (the 15 years old then) Panagis Sklavounos.

Tries : [1.Qe2+? / Qd3+? / Qc4+? / Qxd7? / Qb7+? Ke5!], [1.Qe5+? Kxe5!], [1.Qd5+? Kxd5!], [1.Rf4+? Kxf4!], [1.Qxf5+? gxf5!], [1.Qc5? f4!].

Key : 1.g3! ( > 2.Rf4# )
1...Kxf3 / d5 2.Qe2#
1...g5 2.Qxf5#
1...e5 2.Qd3#

	(Problem 383) Panagis Sklavounos, First Prize, Newspaper [Chess News 79], 1980 Mate in 3. #3 (9 + 3)
[8/2p2S2/2P4P/5k2/5pR1/2SR4/5B2/3B3K]

Tries : [1.Sd8? / Rd7? / Bh4? f3!], [1.Rxf4+? Kxf4!], [1.Rd6? Cxd6!].

Key : 1.Bc2! (zz)
1...f3 2.Rf4+ Kxf4 / Ke6 / Kg6 3.Rd4# / Re3# / Rd5#
1...Kf6 / Ke6 2.Rd7 ~ 3.Rg6#
1...Kxg4 2.Rh3 f3 / Kxh3 3.Rh4# / Bf5#

	(Problem 384) Panagis Sklavounos, British Chess Magazine, 1978 Mate in 3. #3 (4 + 3)
[8/8/8/3K1Q2/B4R2/6k1/6p1/4b3]

Tries : [1.Qg4+? / Qg5+? / Rf3+? / Rg4+? Kh2!].

Key : 1.Rh4! ( > 2.Qf4# / Rh3# )
1...g1=Q / g1=B 2.Rh3+ Kg2 3.Qf3#
1...g1=S 2.Qf4+ Kg2 3.Rh2#
1...g1=R 2.Qf4+ / Rh3+ Kg2 3.Rh2#
1...Kxh4 2.Qf4+ Kh5 / Kh3 3.Be8# / Bd7#

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Note by Alkinoos :
Mr Sklavounos has contributed to the posts of this blog with interesting topics. I happen to know that he is a polyglot (he speaks Greek, English, French, German, Italian) and he has received two literature awards (one in a science fiction novel contest of the Greek General Secretariat for the New Generation, in 1987).

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]).

Demetrius N. Kapralos

Demetrius Kapralos was Golden Winner in Olympiad of chess problem composition.

He was born (March 05, 1927) in Panaitolio (district of Agrinio in Greece), same year with the first official chess Olympiad. He died (February 06, 1994) only days before the death of Triantafyllos Siaperas.

Child of a multi-membered family, learned the war in his youth and a lesion, in his leg, marked the remainder of his life. He learned about chess and chess problems, when he was hospitalized, from the newspapers that had just restarted circulating then, particularly from the column of Ioannis Koutalidis in the periodical [Helios], where the themes of the chess problems were explained and had become pole of attraction for the first generation of Greek problemists.

When he started composing, he contacted Spyros Bikos, who knew the problemists of Holland. Bikos recognized at once the talent of the young composer and helped him, proposing international contests and collaborating with him. In the first tourney with theme "Bikos" organized in Holland in 1948, Kapralos was awarded with First Prize. From that time on, in each tourney he participated he received exceptional distinctions. In 1950, in a thematic tourney, three problems by Kapralos received the three first prizes! (See below a catalog of distinctions and the Problem-357 which was the First Prize of this contest).

During the decade ’50 – ’60 he participated in many composition contests with continuous success.
His photo comes from the fron cover of the chess magazine [To Mat] (issue 57, September 1956) that was published by Spyros Bikos.

After 1960 he moved to Athens, was very active with over the board chess and had the local title of Candidate Master. He chose jobs allowing ample free time for his inventions, and he had the opportunity to participate (as supplementary player)with the Greek National Team in chess Olympiads (14th Olympiad – Leipzig 1960, 17th Olympiad – Havana 1966, details here).

In the end of decade, he comes back stronger in the composition of problems and he becomes head and soul of the Greek national team in the World Competitions of Composition, lasting four years each. In these competitions his personal and team successes are many. In those years where the otb chess in Greece still had not woken up, Kapralos continues to be distinguished in the Olympiad Chess Competitions. At the same time, he also scores successes in other competitions of composition. The fast comprehension of subject that was given for composition, and the speed with which he composed was admirable by all, and his talents justified his big successes in mainly thematic competitions.

The rewarded problems that were mentioned before, and many others from the 300+ problems he had composed, are published in various magazines and sites. We should try to assembled them in one collection, because there is a danger to lose many of them. He did not send his problems for evaluation and publication in the albums of FIDE, and the world Union of Problemists could not grant him the title of International Master in Composition (because publication in the albums is a prerequisite), but they granted him the honorary title of "International Judge in Problem Composition". His last occupation was Chess Trainer in the Greek Chess Federation.

The dreamer Demetrius Kapralos, despite he had a lot of health problems, he labored until his last moments for the composition of problems for the world championship of that season, as well as for the recognition of his pioneering invention with chemical base, that could find application in the industries and resolve the energy problem. We do not know what has happened to this invention.

We the problemists honor the unprecedented Demetrius Kapralos, and we remember him each time we touch the pieces in our chessboard because even the set of pieces of the Greek Chess Federation is drawn from his creative hand!


Indicative list of awards for Dimitrius Kapralos

1948 : First Place, Thematic Contest "Bikos", magazine Probleemblad, Holland
1950 : First Place [see Problem-357] and Second Place and Third Place, International Tourney, magazine Probleemblad, Holland
1951 : First Place in two-movers, British Chess Review
1952 : Fourth Place in three-movers [see Problem-355] and Third Honorary Mention in two-movers [see Problem-356], Olympiad in Helsinki
1955 : First place, Sao Paulo Contest
1956 : First Place, magazine Probleemblad, Holland
1956 : First Place, French tourney UPF
1956 : First Place and Third Place, Vida Rotaria Ty, Brazil
1972 : Golden Medal First Place in the live composition contest [see problem-353] and Golden Medal First Place in two-movers [see Problem-354], Olympiad in Skopje
1972 : Seventh Place for Greece, (Goussopoulos, Kapralos, Lyris, Bikos, Moutecidis, Skoulis), to the 2nd International Team-Matches for Chess Compositions 1967-1971, in Holland. Sixth Place in two-movers for Kapralos in this tourney.
1974 : Silver Medal Second Place (together with Spyros Bikos) in three-movers and Bronze Medal Third Place (together with Spyros Bikos) in two-movers, Olympiad in Nice.
1974 : First Place in two-movers, Sinfonie Scacchistiche, Italy
1974 : First Place in three-movers, Hlas l’udu, Czechoslovakia
1976 : Sixth Place (together with Spyros Bikos), Olympiad in Haifa.
1983 : First Place (tigether with Nikos Siotis), tourney for 1300 Years of Bulgaria. [see Problem-010]
1985 : Fifth Place for Greece in 2nd WCCT (World Chess Composition Tourney 1980-1983), organized by FRG
1985 : Third Place, 148 Thematic Contest Probleemblad, Holland [see Problem-234]
1989 : Fifth Place for Greece in 3rd WCCT (World Chess Composition Tourney 1984-1987), organized by PCCC.


Problems by Kapralos

	(Problem 353) Demetrius N. Kapralos, First Prize in live composition contest, Olympiad Skopje, 1972 Mate in 2 moves. #2 ( 12 + 12 )
[8/8/1p1S2b1/5pQ1/rpp1Pp2/R1Pk1PP1/R3p3/B1rBbSsK]

Set play : [1...fxg3 2. Qe3#], [1...fxe4 2. Qd5#]

Try : 1. Qf6? ( > 2. Qd4# )
1...Rxc3 2. Bc2#
1...Bxc3 2. Rd2#
but 1...bxc3!

Keyί : 1. Qd8! ( > 2. Sd~# )
1...Ra8 2. Sc8#
1...Ra7 2. Sb7#
1...Ra5 2. Sb5#
1...Be8 2. Sxe8#
1...Bf7 2. Sxf7#
1...exf1=~ 2. Sxf5#
(1...Bf2 2. Rd2#
1...Sxf3 2. Bxe2#)

Time given 3 hours, Judge Zvonimir Hernitz from Yugoslavia.
Theme : [Radical change of white and black play in three phases (set play, try, actual play). The thematic variations (moves B1 W2) must not be repeated together in any phase. If the first move of black, B1, is repeated, then the second move of white, W2, must be different.]

In the set play we have two variations with line openings for wQ, in try we see two self-pins of black pieces and, finally, after the key the theme free Fleck appears (separation of the threats, which are introduced with the key, after specific black defenses).

The problem was front cover of the chess magazine [Skakistis] No.58 October 1972.

	(Problem 354) Demetrius N. Kapralos, Golden Medal, Olympiad Skopje, 1972 Mate in 2 moves. #2 ( 9 + 11 )
[2B2RK1/2B5/2p1S1p1/r1R5/r1p1k3/s1PS2Q1/q4pb1/2b5]

Set play :
1...Bf3 2. Qxf3#
1...Be3 a 2. Qxg6# A
1...cxd3 b 2. Qe5# C

Try :
1. Bf4? ( > 2. Sg5# )
1...Bf3 c 2. Qxg6# A
1...Be3 2. Qxe3#
1...cxd3 b 2. Qxg2# B
(1...Bxf4 2. Rxf4#)
but 1...Rxc5!

Key : 1. Rd8! ( > 2. Rd4# )
1...Bf3 c 2. Qe5# C
1...Be3 a 2. Qxg2# B
1...cxd3 2. Qxd3#
1...Sc2 2. Sxf2#
1...Sb5 2. Re5#
1...Rxc5 2. Sexc5#

Theme Zagoruiko 3x3 with 3 changed mates in 3 phases, with all the mates being given by wQ, in a form of Lacny separated in three phases.

	(Problem 355) Demetrius N. Kapralos, First Honorable Mention, Olympiad Helsinki, 1952 Mate in 3 moves. #3 ( 10 + 10 )
[2qrRB1K/1p5b/1r6/1p5R/2P1pk2/1sS1p3/Q3BS1P/8]

Key : 1. Qa7! ( > 2. Qb8+
2...Rdd6, Rbd6 3. Bh6#, Sd5#
2...Qc7, Qxb8 3. Sh3# )
1...Rdd6 2. Bh6+ Rxh6 3. Sd5#
1...Rbd6 2. Sd3+ exd3 / Rxd3 3. Qxe3# / Bh6#
1...Bf5 2. Sh3+ Bxh3 3. Rxe4#
1...Qf5 2. Rxe4+ Qxe4 3. Sh3#
1...Qd7 2. Sd5+ Qxd5 3. Sh3#
1...Qe6, exf2 2. Bh6+ Qxh6 / Rxh6 3. Sh3# / Qxf2#

Wuerzburg – Plachutta intersections in squares d6 and f5, and Holzhausen intersections in squares d7 and e6.

	(Problem 356) Demetrius N. Kapralos, Third Honorary Mention, Olympiad Helsinki, 1952 Mate in 2 moves. #2 ( 10 + 9 )
[1s5r/R2BSp2/1Kpk4/1bS5/1P3P1B/3p3Q/4R3/4r1q1]

Set play :
1...Qg5 a 2. Sb7# A (Se4?)
1...Qg4 b 2. Se4# B (Sb7?)

Key : 1. Be6! ( > 2. Sf5# )
1...Qg5 a 2. Se4# B (Sb7?)
1...Qg4 b 2. Sb7# A (Se4?)
1...Qxc5+ 2. bxc5#
1...Qg6 2. Sb7#
1...fxe6 2. Qxe6#
1...Sd7+ 2. Rxd7#
1...Rh5 2. Sc8#

Reversal of mates after the same black defenses and theme Java (that is combination of dual avoidance with white-line closures by black and white).

Theme: Java : two squares adjacent to bK are controlled by two white pieces each. Black closes one line of control and white cannot close the other line of control, thus white selects the next move avoiding dual.

	(Problem 357) Demetrius N. Kapralos, First Prize, International tourney Holland, 1950 Mate in 2 moves. #2 ( 9 + 12 )
[b5QK/3R2Bp/8/1Sp1S2B/4kp2/2r1srp1/3Psb2/3qR3]

Set play :
1...S2~ / S3~ 2. Qxh7#
1...Sd4! 2. Sd6#
1...Sf5! 2. Qxa8#

Key : 1. Rf7! ( > 2. Bxf3# )
1...S2~ / S3~ 2. Qxa8#
1...Sd4! 2. Sxc3#
1...Sd5! 2. Qxh7#
1...Kd5 2. Rxf4#

Changes of mates between set play and actual play, in the general and the corrective defenses of the black Knights, which are placed in a half-pin formation.
The mechanism of the problem is based on the by turns check of the squares d5 and f5, which is very cleverly achieved with the give-and-take key, (gives to bK the flight d5 taking at the same time the flight f5).

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Comment by Alkinoos : This post became a reality with the valuable cooperations of Panagis Sklavounos and Harry Fougiaxis, whom I thank.

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.

Composition Contest 1979 : Theme Bikos

Spyros Bikos was born 1911-08-22 in Pyrgos of Ilia, Greece. He died in 1987.
In 1955, as newspaperman became member of the Union of the Owners of Periodical Press. He was editor and director of the magazine [To Mat] (January 1952 – December 1965).
In the period 1954 – 1968 he was member of the Greek Chess Federation, and he served there as General Secretary from 1961 thru 1965.
He was General Secretary of the Helioupolis Chess Club from 1974 thru 1975. To honour him, there is a Spyros Bikos street in Helioupolis (in Athens), there is the "Chess Club Spyros Bikos" and a yearly event between teams : the "Spyros Bikos Cup".
He was fond of Chess Composition and he had many distinctions in International Contests. In Olympiad of Nice, in 1974, he cooperated with Dimitris Kapralos and they were awarded with the silver and the bronze medal (second and third place). He has invented the Theme Bikos (In one phase, in one variation a self-block is exploited and in another variation the moving piece is captured. In another phase, the same two defenses have reciprocal continuation ). For this theme a composition contest was organized in Holland, in 1948, having as judge the Hollander G. Seilberger.

In Greece, an International Thematic Composition Contest with [Theme Bikos] was held in 1979. Among the organizers were Bikos, Lyris, Goussopoulos and judge was Pavlos Mutecidis, International FIDE judge. There were 75 entries from various countries.
The following distinctions were awarded :
01 First Prize : Hrvoje (Vojko) Bartolovic, (Yugoslavia)
02 Second Prize : J. Savournin (France)
03 Third Prize : R. Notaro (Italy)
04 Fourth Prize : Z. Janevski (Yugoslavia)
05 First Honourable Mention ex aequo : Byron Zappas (Greece)
06 First Honourable Mention ex aequo : Val. Lider (USSR)
07 Prize out of competition : Byron Zappas (Greece)
08 First Special Prize : Byron Zappas (Greece)
09 Second Honourable Mention : D. Joffart (France)
10 Third Honourable Mention : G. Doukhan (France)
11 Fourth Honourable Mention : R. Bedoni (France)
12 Fifth Honourable Mention : Y. Spiees (France)
13 Sixth Honourable Mention : J. Hartong (Holland)
14 Seventh Honourable Mention : R. Savarini (Italy)
15 Commendation : Dimitris Goussopoulos (Greece)
16 Commendation : An. Piatesi (Italy)
17 Commendation : Y. Spiees (France)
18 Commendation : J. C. Van Gool (Holland)
19 Commendation : Dimitris Goussopoulos (Greece)
20 Commendation : R. Bedoni (France)

	(Problem 324) Vojko Bartolovic, First Prize TT [Bikos], Athens, 1979 Version by Herbert Ahues Mate in 2. #2 ( 9 + 10 )
[1KBR4/2S4s/6p1/2P1p2S/R1s1k3/6Q1/1B3p1r/4rq1b]

First Phase, Try 1. Rf8? (oversees f5, > 2. Bb7# )
1...Re3 (a) (blocks e3) 2. Qxg6# (A)
1...Qd3 (b) (blocks d3) 2. Qxe5# (B)
1...Bf3 (c) 2. Qxf3# (C) (captures f3)
1...Sf6 / Sxf8 2. S(x)f6#
but 1...Rd1!

Second Phase, Try 1. Sb5? ( > 2. Sc3# )
1...Re3 (a) (blocks e3) 2. Qg4# (D)
1...Qd3 (b) 2. Qxd3# (E) (captures d3)
1...Bf3 (c) (blocks f3) 2. Qxe5# (B)
but 1...Rc1!

Third Phase, Key : 1. Sd5! ( > 2. Sc3# )
1...Re3 (a) 2. Qxe3# (F) (captures e3)
1...Qd3 (b) (blocks d3) 2. Qg4# (D)
1...Bf3 (c) (blocks f3) 2. Qxg6# (A)
1...Rc1 2. Qe3#

We see that Bartolovic, the great Croatian composer (GM, 15-06-1932, 03-11-2005), has created a Zagoruyko frame 3x3. In three phases, the same three defenses (a, b, c) are answered with different mates (ADF, BED, CBA).
Furthermore, after the defenses (a, b, c) we see in the three phases cyclic change of theme Bikos, where in each phase two of the defenses selfblock one flight of the King while the third defense is answered with capture of the defending piece.

Notes :
1) The initial Bartolovic problem [2BR1b2/2S1p2s/K5p1/4p3/R1s1k3/6QS/1B3p1r/4rq1b ( 8 + 12 ) ] had small defects and needed the correction by Ahues, in order to be saved.
2) The correction by Ahues and other details were gathered by the IM Harry Fougiaxis.
3) The leaflet with the Judgement, was given to me by Mr. Takis Drepaniotis during a New Year 2009 festivity in Chess Club of Kallithea.

Six two-movers by Kostadinov

In the site of the World Chess Championship 2009 six problems were dedicated from the composer Diyan Kostadinov to the top players Topalov and Kamsky. Here follows part of the article.

Diyan Kostadinov is a well-known Bulgarian chess problem composer. He was born on 21.01.1982 in Burgas (Bulgaria) and is titled national Master of sport for chess composition. He has been playing chess since 1997 and was a Student vice-champion of his sity. Diyan began composing in 2000 and composed more than 200 problems of all genres - Twomovers, Threemovers, Moremovers, Selfmates, Helpmates, Studies, Proof Games and Fairies and won a large number of Prizes in the most prestigious chess composing tournaments in all over the world. He is winner of the super-tournaments organized by various chess magazines.

These six two-mover problems, which were composed by Kostadinov especially for this match, form the names of the players.
We copy them below (they are named TO, PA, LOV, KA, MS, KY) and we give their keys.

	TO : 1 Qe4! PA : 1 Bc4! LOV: 1 Sd7!
	KA : 1 Se1! MS : 1 Bf3! KY : 1 f5!

Harry Fougiaxis (1)

The International Master on Composition of chess problems Harry Fougiaxis writes about himself (from "Harry Fougiaxis 40 Jubilee Tourney" pamphlet edited by the Greek Chess Problem Committee, December 2006) :

"I was born on April 20th 1966 in Athens. I graduated as an electronic engineer from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and I am currently working as an instrument and industrial automation engineer in oil and gas applications. I am not married.
My father taught me the moves of chess at the age of 7 or so, and three years later I joined a local chess club. I was soon hooked and quite liked the friendly atmosphere there. So I started studying intensively, but after some time I realised that I could not really withstand the pressure of competitive OTB chess.
Meanwhile I was frequently finding that I was more and more thrilled by the chess problems that I encountered in Triantafyllos Siaperas's weekly newspaper columns, even if I was just average as a solver. My very first attempts to compose were when I was about 15. The Greek chess problemists' society had announced a national competition for beginners and I sent in a couple of entries. Thus I came to meet Byron Zappas, Dimitris Kapralos, Pantelis Martoudis and Nikos Siotis, who used to have regular meetings; they all helped me a lot with their comments and with chess literature. However, my first "true" teacher turned out to be living some 500 km away: it was Pavlos Moutecidis who influenced me the most. We exchanged letters continuously for more than 5 years and we eventually became close friends, despite the distance and the age difference. Strangely, I was not particularly attracted by selfmates (Pavlos's specialty), but by helpmates, which I have studied continuously for the past 25 years.
I have so far published about 150 problems, certainly not many, the vast majority being h#2s, some with orthodox and some with fairy units. I should admit that I have been rather lazy lately, composing only occasionally (during PCCC meetings, for instance), but my interest to chess problems has never faded. It was a great honour and pleasure to host the PCCC congresses in Greece in 2004 and 2005, with the support of the Greek Chess Federation and of the few, but hard-working Greek problemists. I was awarded the title of International Master in 2001 and I have acted as a FIDE Album judge four times".

The untired Harry Fougiaxis continues supporting various events, as you may see in the recent Solving Contest in Patras, doing his best for the Greek Chess.

	(Problem 271) Harry Fougiaxis, First Prize, Rex Multiplex, 1985 Helpmate in 2 moves. Two solutions. h#2, 2111, (9 + 5)
[r5Q1/4KRP1/S2Pb3/8/2k2rBR/7P/8/6b1]

Key : 1.Rf4-f2! Rf7-f3 (A) 2.Be6-d5 Bg4-d7# (B)
Key : 1.Be6-c8! Bg4-d7 (B) 2.Rf4-d4 Rf7-f3# (A)

Masked white batteries. Bi-colour Bristol manoeuvres. Black interferences. Black moves along the pin-lines. Diagonal / Orthogonal echo.

	(Problem 272) Harry Fougiaxis, Second Prize, U S Problem Bulletin, 1988 Helpmate in 3 moves. Two solutions. h#3, 211111, (4 + 6)
[b7/8/1b1s4/S2k4/8/1Sr5/P3K3/3r4]

Key : 1.Bb6-c5! Sa5-c6 2.Kd5-c4 a2-a4 3.Rd1-d5 Sb3-a5#
Key : 1.Rc3-c4! Sb3-d4 2.Kd5-c5 a2-a3 3.Ba8-d5 Sa5-b3#

Changed self-blocks on bK initial square. White pawn 1-2 step moves. Diagonal / Orthogonal echo. Model mates.

	(Problem 273) Harry Fougiaxis, Second Prize, U S Problem Bulletin, 1989 Helpmate in 2. Grasshoppers a8, g4, g8. Nightriders b3, b4, c1, h6, h7. Twin with wGa8 => wGa7. a) h#2, (4 + 6), Grasshoppers (3 + 0), Nightriders (3 + 2) b) wGa8 => wGa7
[G2K2G1/4p2N/2P3pN/2p1P2p/1nk3Gp/1n3P2/8/2N5]

The Grasshopper is a hopper (moves on a row or file or diagonal and goes exactly behind a hurdle). (Explanation here together with another problem by Harry Fougiaxis).
The Nightrider is a rider (linear piece moving with multiple Knight-steps).
The problem (a) is shown on the diagram.
To create problem (b), the white Grasshopper of a8 is placed on a7.

(a) Key : 1.Nb3-f5! Nh7-d5+ 2.Kc4-d4 Gg4-g7#
(b) Key : 1.Nb4-f6! Nh6-d4+ 2.Kc4-d5 Gg8-g5#

Interesting geometrical play including Nightrider moves with opposite vectors. Note that in b) the pin of bNf6 by the wNh7 plays no active role in mate!


(This post in Greek language).

Ioannis Kalkavouras (1)

“I was born in Kallithea (Attica Greece), in 1961, where I live.
I graduated, in Economics, from the Athens University and I work as an employee of Alpha Bank.
I started as a solver of chess problems, being influenced by the columns of Triantafyllos Siaperas in various newspapers of the eighties, and later I turned to composing, mainly as a means to express my creativity.
Now I have enough publications abroad, giving emphasis to Helpmates and Selfmates.”

Ioannis (John) Kalkavouras is a modest man with many prizes for his compositions. In the following, we will see three problems of his, having also his commentary.

	(Problem 242) Kalkavouras Ioannis, Second Prize, Variantim (Israel), 2006 Helpmate in 2.5 moves. Two solutions. h#2.5 21111 (4+12)
[1B6/8/3K1p2/1b6/3b3p/3r1qk1/Q2prp1s/3B2s1]

In helpmates having integer number of moves, the Black plays first. Here the moves are 2.5, thus we start with a move by White.

a) Key : 1...Qa2-d5! 2.Re2-e6+ Kd6xe6+ 3.Kg3-g4 Qd5-f5#
b) Key : 1...Qa2-e6! 2.Qf3-d5+ Kd6xd5+ 3.Kg3-f3 Qe6-e4#

I.K. comment : “Extended two-mover with exchange of places between wK and wQ on the squares d5/e6, interchange of sacrifices by half-pinned black pieces on the above squares and final pictures of mates with a pinned black piece.”

	(Problem 243) Kalkavouras Ioannis, First Honourable Mention, Orbit (F.Y.R.O.M.), 2006 Helpmate in 3 moves. a) Diagramme, b) Twin -bPg2 +bPg3 h#3 (6+10) a) diagram b) bPg2 --> g3
[2R5/4p3/2b5/q5b1/2pP3r/1r3k1P/B1P2pp1/3K4]

a) Key : 1.Rb3-b4! (1.Bb5?) Ba2xc4 2.Bc6-e4 Bc4-d5 3.Rh4-f4 (Bf4?) Rc8-c3#
b) bPg2-->g3
Key : 1.Bc6-b5! (1.Rb4?) Rc8xc4 2.Rb3-e3 Rc4-c3 3.Bg5-f4 (Rf4?) Ba2-d5#

I.K. comment : “Line interferences of bQ with dual avoidance, elimination captures on c4, focal play, black Grimshaw with dual avoidance on f4”.

When there is a pair of answers but in every variation only one answer is valid we have dual avoidance.
We observe the similar strategy of the solutions : The Pawn c4 is captured by the wB, which continues his stride in order to pin a bB opening a line for the wR, which gives mate. The Pawn c4 is captured by the wR, which continues his stride in order to pin a bR opening a line for the wB, which gives mate.
Let us see the focal play : The bBc6, which stops Rc8-c3+ and guards Ba2-d5+, goes to e4 continuing to defend these, but unfortunately is pinned there allowing Rc8-c3+. The bRb3, which stops Ba2-d5+ and guards Rc8-c3+, goes to e3 continuing to defend these, but unfortunately is pinned there allowing Ba2-d5+.

Theme Focal play : A black linear piece (Queen, Rook, Bishop) focuses on two squares in two different directions, but when it moves it is forced to lose focus and abandon the guarding of one of the squares.

For the Grimshaw intersection, between linear pieces of unsimilar way of movement, we have already given many examples.

	(Problem 244) Kalkavouras Ioannis, Die Schwalbe (Germany), 2005 Selfmate in 9 moves. There is set play. There are tries. * s#9 (6+11)
[4R3/8/1p4B1/brR5/pp3p2/r2p1k1K/p1Pp4/6Q1]

Phase of the set play (*) : 1...b3? 2.Be4+ Ke2 3.Bxd3+ Kf3 4.Be4+ Ke2 5.Bg6+ Kf3 6.Rc3+ Bxc3 7.Bh5+ Rxh5#

Phases of tries : {1.Rc~? [2.Bh5+ Rxh5#] R(x)h5! 2.Bxh5# (of course it is completely wrong for a selfmate, the white to give mate, theme Berlin)},
{1.Be4+? Ke2! 2.Bxd3+ Kf3 3.Be4+ Ke2+}.

Phase of the actual game : Key : 1.Rd5! [2.Rxd3 Rxd3 3.Bh5+ Rxh5#] b3
2.Be4+ Ke2 3.Bxd3+ Kf3 4.Be4+ Ke2 5.Bg6+ Kf3
6.Qd1+ Kf2 7.Rxd2+ Bxd2 8.Re2+ Kf3 9.Bh5+ Rxh5#

I.K. comment : “Problem of Neo-German school (Logical) in combination with theme Berlin”.

The problems of the Neo-German school have a Preliminary plan (Vorplan), (which is needed for the General plan (Hauptplan) to be succesfully applied), which has appeared in the tries, but has failed. These problems are also called Logical problems. See the themes Roman, Hamburg and Dresden.
The move 2.Bxh5# of the try becomes 9.Bh5+ in the actual play. (Theme Berlin).

Theme Berlin : A move, which gives mate in a try, becomes a simple check in the actual play.

(This post in Greek language).

Emmanuel Manolas (1)

Mr Emmanuel Manolas (a.k.a. Alkinoos) writes :

"I learned chess in my fourteens (rather late) when a known detergent here in Greece gave as a promotional gift a plastic chess and a leaflet of playing rules.
My first chess book, bought in 1964, was [To Alphavitario tou Skakisti (=The Alphabet book of the Chess-player)] by Eftyhis Vardoulakis, (Athens, 1958).

In 1969, when I entered the Polytechnic School of the University of Patras (Greece), I participated in the chess championship of the university and I won without a defeat. (I have never received my prize, a cup sent to me by the Chess Union of Students (based in Athens)).

In 1970, I won the Youth Cup of Western Greece, in a tourney held by [Fysiolatrikos Patron]. In the championship of the university, where I was responsible for carrying out the games, many better players participated (Hatzithomas, Tsourinakis, et al.). I noticed then that my academic grades were lowering, because my occupation with chess matters was too intense. I discontinued playing chess, I dealed for a while with postal chess and finally I turned to chess problems. I was solving problems in newspapers and magazines, I took part in solving contests and also I tried to compose chess problems.

When I was General Secretary of the [S. O. Patron (=Chess Club of Patras)], I started teaching lessons of 'artistic chess' to children. (See problem-233 composed in 1983 by the young chess-players Maroulis and Skoularikis, after these lessons).

The magazine [To Mat] (issue 26, 15-01-1984), edited by Triantafyllos Siaperas, honoured me by dedicating the problems column to my compositions. (You may see them below).
After the Chess Olympiad 1984 in Thessaloniki, I abandoned chess.

In 2006, I started to write some articles about chess problems in the Internet Wikipedia (Greek language). In order to write for contemporary matters, I tried to find old friends and so I met again with Harry Fougiaxis, who had become in the meantime an international maitre (IM) in composition.
He motivated me and I participated in our national solving contest 2007. I observed there that the solvers were only 20 from all over Greece, very few in comparison with a local chess tourney, planned to start in the same place after the solving contest, with 160 small players.
I enhanced then my old chess problem notes, and I asked from various chess clubs to make one of their rooms available for chess problems lessons. Only [Panionios of New Smirni] gave permission, but the participation was minimal.

In 2007 I gave book-form to my notes, and I started to give away copies to friends, but I was sure that something better should be done.

In 2008 I started to publish the blog [http://kallitexniko-skaki.blogspot.com]. It seems now that it was a good move. After six months I count more than 5000 discrete visitors from all over the world, and many of them repeat their visits more than 200 times. (You read the english language version [http://chess-problems-gr.blogspot.com] of this blog).

I hope that the young problemists will find these posts useful and that better days for the 'artistic chess' will come."

---

Exercise 6. The solutions are written after the problems.

	(Problem 230) Emmanuel Manolas, chess magazine [To Mat], 1984 Mate in 3 moves. #3 ( 11 + 8 )
[r7/2PqS3/3p3b/1b3P2/s2k1B2/1BpS1P2/QPP5/7K]

From which diagonal does the Queen give mate?

	(Problem 231) Emmanuel Manolas, chess magazine [To Mat], 1984 Mate in 3 moves. #3 ( 3 + 8 )
[8/1Q5b/5Kpk/8/2B2p1r/6p1/1p6/2b5]

Square e2 is just promising, but d5 is critical.

	(Problem 232) Emmanuel Manolas, chess magazine [To Mat], 1984 Mate in 3 moves. #3 ( 8 + 7 )
[8/K1S5/p3p2B/2k1S3/2P5/4pP2/1p1pP3/1s1Q4]

Interesting mate pictures from all the pieces.

	(Problem 233) Emmanuel Manolas, George Maroulis, Fotis Skoularikis original, 29-10-1983 Mate in 3 moves. #3 ( 7 + 4 )
[1Kb5/3Rr3/1k4rB/1P1R4/1P3S2/8/8/8]

The problem is a Meredith with a Plachutta key.
Mr George Maroulis (born 17-08-1971) was 12 years old then. The Greek Chess Federation gives for him 'ELO 2105'.
Mr Fotis Skoularikis (born 15-02-1970) was 13 years old then. The Greek Chess Federation gives for him 'ELO 2115'.
They have learned chess earlier, they became better players.

---

Solutions of the problems

(Problem 230) Emmanuel Manolas, chess magazine [To Mat], 1984, Mate in 3 moves.
Before we make a move we observe that if the Knight goes north [1...Sc5 / Sb6], then the wQ can mate from the diagonal a1-d4 (2.bxc3+ Kxc3 3.Qb2#).

There are two tries : {1.bxc3+? Sxc3!}, {1.Qb1? [2.Qg1#] Rg8!}.

Key : 1.Qa1! [2.Qg1#]
1...Qe6 / Qxe7 2.Qg1+ Qe3 3.Qxe3# (The wQ mates from the diagonal g1-d4)
1...Bxf4 2.Qg1+ Be3 3.Qg7# (The wQ mates from the diagonal h8-d4)
1...Rg8 2.bxc3+ Sxc3 3.Qa7# (The wQ mates from the diagonal a7-d4)
1...cxb2 2.Qg1+ Kc3 3.Sd5#


(Problem 231) Emmanuel Manolas, chess magazine [To Mat], 1984, Mate in 3 moves.

Tries : {1.Qxh7+? Kxh7!}, {1.Qg7+? Kh5!}, {1.Be2? / Be6? f3!}.

Key : 1.Bg8! [2.Qxh7#]
If 1...Bxg8 2.Qg7+ Kh5 3.Qxg6#
If 1...Kh5 2.Qd5+ (The wQ has moved to d5 and the wB should be able to move to e6).
____2...Kh6 / g5 3.Q(x)g5#
____2...Kg4 3.Be6#


(Problem 232) Emmanuel Manolas, chess magazine [To Mat], 1984, Mate in 3 moves.

Tries : {1.Sb5? axb5!}, {1.Bf8+? Kd4!}, {1.Qb3? Kd6!}.

Key : 1.Qa4! [2.Qa5+ Kd4 / Kd6 3.Sxe6# / Bf8#]
If 1...Sc3 2.Bf8+ Kd4 3.Sc6#
If 1...Sa3 2.Qa3+ Kd4 3.Qxe3#
If 1...Kd6 2.c5+ Kxc7 / Ke7 / Kxe5 / Kxc5 3.Qd7# / Qh4# / Qf4# / Bf8#
Theme X-flights of the bK. All the white pieces give mate.


(Problem 233) Emmanuel Manolas & George Maroulis & Fotis Skoularikis, original, 29-10-1983, Mate in 3.

Tries : {1.Rd6+? Rxd6!}, {1.Sxg6? [2.Rd6#] Bxd7!}.

Key : 1.Se6! [2.Rd6# / Be3#, Plachutta intersection]
If 1...Rg6xe6 2.Be3+ Rxe3 3.Rd6#
If 1...Re7xe6 2.Rd6+ Rxd6 3.Be3#


(This post in Greek language).

Nikos Pergialis (1)

Mr Nikos Pergialis (28.02.1931 - 04.12.2019) was a creator – performer of rebetiko songs, with great history in this kind of music. He was also good chess player and very good chess problem composer.

I remember him walking around the tables and watching the games back then (end of sixties), when the Greek Chess Federation (E.S.O.) was on Akadimias street, opposite the church [Zoodohou Pigis].

Various persons have written about Nikos Pergialis, the very richly talented "rebetis", and this is easily ascertained with an internet stroll...

_Panos Geramanis in the newspaper [Ta Nea (=the news)] (07-07-2003),
...Nikos Pergialis is an artist with a double capacity. He composes and sings rebetiko songs but parallely makes problems and exercises for chess (Mate in two or three moves, etc). He is considered one of the few authentic and pure "rebetes" and he has deep knowledge of the artistic...

_the chess column of the newspaper [Rizospastis (=root-breaker)] (10-10-2004),
...one very beautiful and strategic problem based on theme WP4, by the known composer of chess problems and artist of rebetiko songs Nikos Pergialis. Well, white plays and...

_Kosmas Kefalos in the magazine [Skaki gia Olous (=chess for all)] (issue 11, May 2005),
four pages interview (...one easy problem has no value. The solver must try hard... and ...there were four loves in my life (1) my Mother (2) the Woman (3) the Rebetiko (4) the Chess...) with photos and nine orthodox problems by Pergialis.

_the column [Diktio (=net)] in the newspaper [Ta Nea] (14-4-2008),
[Anadromi Nota (=reverse musical note)] - nights with rebetiko songs, (for the oldtimers - to remember, for the youth - to know, for the memory of the rebetiko pioneers - to be honoured, for those who wrote and sung while the establishment of that era prosecuted them and disdained them), are organised today and tomorrow by the "ultimate rebetis" Nikos Pergialis, in the [Mezedopolio (=delicacy shop) Nota (=musical note)] (Varnava square, Pagrati, tel. 210-7015169). Pergialis is a living part of the history of rebetiko in our land. He first listened to Markos Vamvakaris, Stratos, Batis and the rest pioneers of the genre, while he was still a baby in the arms of his father, who has died during [Katohi (=occupation of Greece by the Germans 1941-1945)]. Pergialis later has sung at the side of Markos Vambakaris, and also of Papaioannou, of Pagioumtzis, of Bagianteras, and of several others. In today's and tomorrow's performance together with Pergialis will appear Maro Lytra, Nikos Tagas, and the great hand of the bouzouki stroke Kostas Vamvoukos. This is actually the culmination of the musical performances, which have kept company to the friends of the genre all this winter and will be repeated next winter. In the summer Nikos Pergialis will be in Ikaria to entertain the local people and the summer travellers of this Aegean island, while he will hold an active role at the international chess tourney [Ikaros], since the multi-talented artist, besides being a composer and performer of songs, is also a composer of chess problems and strong chess player! ,

_the web page of [ΑΕΚ] about the formation of its chess team (28-2-2008),
...It is a notable fact that in the roster of our association belong chess-players, who are recognisable in areas beyond chess. Specificly, in our team belong the actor Takis Papamattheou, the "rebetis" Nikos Pegialis, the painter Nicolas Sfikas...,

_Dionyssis Anninos in the newspaper [Eleftheros Typos (=free press)] (4-6-2008) a problem by Pergialis.


I met Nikos Pergialis (on Sunday 10-08-2008) in the area (President hotel) of tourney [Acropolis] by his request. He thanked me for the post (Symmetry, 22-05-2008) presenting one of his problems. He told me about his life and about some great persons of the chess composition, as is Dimitris Kapralos, who are not widely known. He showed to me a nice Duplex problem (see it below) and he promised that he will give me soon a set of his problems for publication. When I receive the problems, I will post them. He also wrote down some verses he composed about chess :

(Ine to kathe provlima tou pnevmatos pegnidi (=every problem is a play of the mind).
Kathe idea zografia, kathe pessos stolidi! (=every idea is a picture, every piece is an ornament))

In the meanwhile, I have noticed in another blog [Neos Palamidis (=new Palamedes)], 14-08-2008, a nice presentation of Nikos Pergialis, with cellphone photos and an orthodox problem.

It is a good thing that the splendid work of the artist (in song and in chess) Nikos Pergialis is recognised from more persons.

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	(Problem 229) Nikos Pergialis, 2007, original, Duplex in 2. h#2 duplex ( 3 + 3 )
[8/q1p5/8/1S1k4/8/1K2R3/8/8]

The Duplex problem has a difficulty in construction, because is a two-directions helpmate.
(1) Black plays and helps White to mate.
(2) White plays and helps Black to mate.

In Pergialis's miniature all the pieces on board have an active role. The two solutions are :

(1) Key : 1.Qd4! Re6 2.c5 Sc7#
(2) Key : 1.Kb4! Qa1 2.Rb3 c5#


(This post in Greek language).

Carlo de Grandi

Mr. Carlo de Grandi was born (1948) in Venice, Italy. He studied Accounting and Informatics in Athens.
He has written the following books (in Greek)
(1) "About the origin and spreading of Zatrikion (Chess) through the centuries", (Istorical report). Athens, 1985 (1st edition), 1989 (2nd edition)
(2) "Istorical report for Magic Squares and Magic Stars", Athens, 1999
and he is preparing his third book "The Mathematics of the Party".

He learned to play chess when he was 10 years old. Later he limited this activity to chess by post only.

He is a composer and a solver of chess problems.
Since he started composing, in 1989, he has created more than 120 problems.

He has organised 26 Contests of Solving Chess Problems.

He has cooperated with many chess magazines : [Gambit], [Skakistiki Kinissi (= Chess Move)], [Elliniko Skaki (= Greek Chess)], [Eleftheres Ores (= Free Hours)], [Deltio T.E.S.S.K (a Regional Bulletin)], [To Sah (= The Checking], [L’ Italia Scacchistica (= The Chess Italy)], [Black and White (an Indian magazine)], [Sah Mat (= check mate)], [Skaki gia Olous (= Chess for all)].

In problem-208, by Carlo DeGrandi, there is an interesting continuation with sacrifices of white pieces and guidance of black pieces. But the bK has always very restricted mobility, and there is only one series of moves.

	(Problem 208) Carlo DeGrandi, L`Italia Scacchistica No.1156/2002, Mate in 5 moves. #5 (8+8)
[6B1/4p3/6p1/4K1P1/3S4/1Pp1kP2/2P5/4B3]

Tries : {1.Bc4? / Bf7? / Bh7? / f4? / b4? e6!}, {1.Ke6? Kf4!}.

Key : 1.Bd5! (zz) e6
2.f4 (zz) e6xd5
3.f5 (zz) g6xf5
4.Ke5xf5 (zz) Ke3xd4
5.Bf2#

	(Problem 209) Carlo DeGrandi, Original, Mate in 3 moves. (Twin with wBb8 => h6) #3 (A) diagram, (B) -wBb8 +wBh6, (6+3)
[1B6/8/4S3/6p1/4P1k1/4K1p1/6P1/7R]

In this twin problem-209, by DeGrandi, the key changes together with the piece that guards g5, but the mechanism of mate is the same.

(A) wBb8
Tries : {1.Bxg3? (zz) Kxg3!}, {1.Sf4? (zz) gxf4+!}, {1.Sxg5? (zz) Kxg5!}, {1.e5? (zz) Kf5!}, {1.Rh5? Kxh5!}, {1.Rh2? (zz) gxh2!}.
Key : 1.Bf4! (zz) gxf4+ 2.Ke2 (zz) f3+ 3.gxf3#

(B) wBh6
Tries : {1.e5? Kf5!}, {1.Rh5? Kxh5!}, {1.Rh2? gxh2!}.
Key : 1.Sf4! (zz) gxf4+ 2.Ke2 (zz) f3+ 3.gxf3#


(This post in Greek language).

Kostas Prentos

The biography you are about to read was written by Kostas Prentos in 2006, (and published in the edition "Kostas Prentos 40 Jubilee Tourney 2006" of the Greek Chess Composition Committee, December 2006)

"I was born 28/08/1966 in Thessaloniki. I graduated from the Economic University of Thessaloniki and I am currently working as an accountant. I am not married.

I learned the moves of chess at the late age of 12 but I was immediately hooked. Triantafyllos Siaperas, a chess author and journalist, influenced me in my early chess steps. His weekly newspaper columns, and the chess problems featured in them, somehow sparked my interest for chess problems long before my first club games. Before the age of 15, I composed my first problems, as puzzles for my friends to solve. I joined a chess club in 1982 and began playing tournament chess, but my strong interest for chess problems and studies remained.

During the 1984 Chess Olympiad in Thessaloniki, I had the opportunity to participate in my first solving tourney and enjoyed the experience very much. Later I successfully participated in further solving tourneys, and became a regular solver.

The friendship and frequent correspondence with the skilled composer Harry Fougiaxis taught me a great deal about helpmates and fairy problems and especially how to appreciate a chess problem aesthetically. As a result, I was involved in composing more seriously and between 1987 and 1991 I composed a few chess problems and published a dozen of them, mostly fairy helpmates and proof games. I lost interest in composing and solving after 1991, for almost 10 years. At the same time, I was playing a lot of tournament chess; I became Candidate Master in 1987, Master in 1990 and FIDE Master in 1995.

The Internet revolution changed the world in general but in particular, it gave chess a boost. I started playing chess online, and especially enjoyed playing losing chess and progressive chess. It was a small group of problemists formed in the Internet Chess Club which reinstated my lost interest in chess problems, around 2001. I started composing again and I have published more than 100 problems in the last few years, the majority of them being proof games.

In 2002, the organization of the 1st Greek Solving Championship triggered my involvement in solving again. I have participated in all World Solving Championships since then and I was awarded the title of International Solving Master in 2004."

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The continuation of the text is written by Alkinoos :

The situation now, 08/2008, is almost the same...
Kostas Prentos repeatedly takes the First Prize in every local Solving Contest he participates and he is seven times (in seven contests) Champion of Greece in Solving Chess Problems.
In the 50th WCCC, held in Rhodes Greece (October 2007), he was honoured as composer and he also (together with Nikos Kalessis) took First place in bughouse chess contest. In order for you to judge if this was a notable result, we present here the final list of the players (in parenthesis [Solver ELO if the player is a solver] and [Country]) coming from various countries :

50th World Congress of Chess Composition, Bughouse Chess Tournament, Rhodes, Wednesday 17 October 2007

01) 11 points: Nikos Kalessis (Greece) & Kostas Prentos (2492 Greece)
02-03) 10p. : Piotr Gorski (2166 Poland) & Ryszard Krolikowski (1989 Poland), Ivan Denkovski (1566 F.Y.R.O.M.) & Vladimir Podinic (2598 Serbia)
04-06) 09p. : Eric Huber (2464 Romania) & Ion Murarasu (2081 Romania), Ofer Comay (2761 Israel) & Gady Costeff (Israel), Eddy van Beers (2584 Belgium) & Andy Ooms (1904 Belgium)
07) 08p. : Noam Elkies (2605 Israel) & Yedael Stepak (~2250 Israel)
08) 06p. : David Friedgood (2358 Great Britain) & John Nunn (2860 Great Britain)
09-11) 04p. : Milan Petras (2053 Czech Republic) & Miroslav Voracek (2273 Czech Republic), Indrek Aunver (1566 Estonia) & Margus Soot (2237 Estonia), B. Piliczewski (2457 Poland) & Michal Wysocki (~1989Poland)
12) 03p. : Al. Azhusin (2450 Russia) & Andrey Selivanov (2620 Russia)
13-14) 02p. : Vlaicu Crisan (2273 Romania) & Masaki Yoshioka (2138 Japan), Mark Erenburg (2379 Israel) & Josef Retter (1968 Israel).

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Problems by Kostas Prentos

Mr Kostas Prentos, besides being an excellent solver, is an exceptional composer. Here follow some of his prized problems, which are published in the FIDE Albums 1986-88 and 2001-2003.

	(Problem 203) Kostas Prentos, Honourable Mention, feenschach, 1988 Proof Game, 18 moves. PG 18.0 (14+13)
[2krbKr1/ppp1s1pp/2pb3s/8/1B6/SP6/P2PPPPP/2R2BSR]

In a Proof Game the solver must specify the history of moves, starting from initial arrangement of the pieces for a chess game, and ending with the given position.
The solution follows :
Key : 1.c4 Sc6 2.c5 Se5 3.c6 dxc6 4.Qb3 Bh3 5.Kd1 Sg4
6.Kc2 Qd3+ 7.Kxd3 0-0-0+ 8.Ke4 f5+ 9.Kxf5 e6+ 10.Kxe6 Bc5
11.Kf7 Rd6 12.Kf8 Se7+ 13.Qg8 Sh6 14.b3 Bd7 15.Ba3 Be8
16.Bb4 Rd8 17.Sa3 Bd6 18.Rc1 Rxg8


The next Problem-204, is an example of another category of help-problems, named helpstalemate. Black plays and helps White to make a draw.

	(Problem 204) Kostas Prentos & Dan Meinking, Third Prize, StrateGems, 2001 Helpstalemate in 6.5 moves, h=6.5 (3+11)
[4b3/7r/8/8/4p1p1/1K3prp/5Rqk/5Bss]

This is a help-problem, where normally Black plays first, but the moves are 6.5 so White plays first. Furthermore, the goal is not the win, but the draw.
The stipulation could be "White plays and with the help of Black draws in 6.5 moves".

During the solution we see, twice, opening of a line by a white piece, reverse move of a black piece on this line, and switchback of the white piece only to be annihilated. The solution is :

Key : 1...Ba6!
2.Bb5 Kc2
3.Bf1 Be2
4.fxe2 Rf8!
5.Rf7 Kd2
6.Rf2 Rf3
7.exf3 Ke1 = (black is stalemated).

	(Problem 205) Kostas Prentos & Kevin Begley, First Prize, StrateGems 5th Anniversary Tourney, 2003 Helpmate in 5 κινήσεις. (2 solutions). h#5 2111... (4+14)
[8/3K1b2/2p3r1/2p1p3/1Ppbrp2/1ppPkp2/2Pq4/8]

The way that bK makes his triangle, f2-e2-e3 or e2-f2-e3, specifies the file of promotion of the Pawn b4. Behind the King are hiding two linear pieces with mutual roles : the one must not support the Pawn to be captured, the other must block a flight. The solution follow :
Key : 1.Kf2 b5 2.Re1! b6 3.Ke2 b7 4.Bf2 b8=Q 5.Ke3 Qxe5#
Key : 1.Ke2 b5 2.Bg1! bxc6 3.Kf2 c7 4.Re2 c8=Q 5.Ke3 Qxc5#

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The 36th issue of the Greek magazine "Skaki gia Olous" (=Chess for everybody) is in circulation, since 19-06-2008, from the editions Kedros. The front page of the issue contains a photo of Kostas Prentos, who was nominated Champion of Greece for seventh consecutive year in the Seventh Contest of Solving Chess Problems! The column of artistic chess of this issue is dedicated to the contest of this year and to the success of the multi-champion from Thessaloniki.

(This post in Greek language).