Find info about the famous Ikaros Chess Festival (here and here), an excellent opportunity for summer vacations combined with chess playing.
Read the very interesting Interview of the Tournament Director for 2009, Dimitris Skyrianoglou.
The official website for Ikaros Chess Festival is http://www.chess.gr/ikaros/ .
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Chess curiosities
The (Spanish speaking) blog [Ajedrez 32] (=chess 32), except the expected material about chess, publishes various curiosities which are very interesting.
Photos, strange chessboards and pieces, odd tattoos, videos. (Do not miss the Oscar 1997 winner by Pixar : here).
See the three pages with the [Curiosidades].
Photos, strange chessboards and pieces, odd tattoos, videos. (Do not miss the Oscar 1997 winner by Pixar : here).
See the three pages with the [Curiosidades].
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Solving contest 2009-04-12, 6th ESSNA, Ampelokipi
In the hall of the Ampelokipi Chess Club (in Athens) took place the sixth Solving Contest of the "Union of Chess Clubs in Attica" (ESSNA), in Sunday April 12 2009. The contest honors the memory of Byron Zappas, Greek Grand Master in Composition.
Selection of problems and Judgment by Mr. Garoufalidis Ioannis. The selected problems had several tries, which could lead solvers astray, but, as most of the present contestants admitted, were not as extremely difficult (with the possible exception of the four-mover and the study) as in previous contests. Let us see the press bulletin :
Here follow the six problems. The solutions are written at the end of this post and you may try to solve them without "peeking" unwillingly at the solution keys.
With bold numbers in brackets we denote the points of each problem.
Problem 343 (#2) : I. Storozhenko
Tries : [1. e6? Sg5!], [1. c5? Bb3!], [1. Qb4? Bc2!], [1. Rd3+? Qxd3!], [1. Re4+? Qxe4+!], [1. Se4? Qxc4!], [1. Sf5+? Kxc4!], [1. Qc5+? Kxc5!], [1. Qc3+? Kc5!].
Key : 1. Sd3! [5.0] ( > 2. Qc5#)
1...Qxd3 2. Rxd3#
1...Qxe3 2. Qc3#
1...Kxe3 2. Sf5#
Problem 344 (#3) : E. Plesnivy
Tries : [1. Rd3? / exf6!], [1. Rxc7? Rxc7!], [1. Rxe7+? Kxe7+!], [1. Sg4? Kxd7!], [1. Qe5+? Kxe5!], [1. Qd4? Bb7!], [1. Qb1? Kxf6!], [1. Qc2? Kxf6!].
Key : 1. Qa1! [1.0] ( > 2. Rd5 ( > 3. Qe5#) cxd5 / exf6 3. cxd5# / Qe1# [1.0])
1...exf6 2. Rf7 [1.0] ( > 3. Qxf6# / 3. Qe1#)
1...Bb7 2. Rd4 [1.0] ( > 3. Re4#) Kxf6 / exf6 3. Rd6# / Qe1#
1...Bxd7 2. Sh7 [1.0] ( > 3. Sg5# / Qe1#) Be8 / Bc8 / Rg8 3. Sf8# / Sf8# / Qe1#
Problem 345 (#4) : H. F. L. Meyer
Tries : [1. Qf3? Kf6!], [1. Qg4? / Qg5? / Kg2? Kxd5!], [1. d6? Kd5!], [1. Qf7? Kf4!].
Key : 1. Se6! [1.0]
1...Kxd5 2. Sd4+
___2...Ke4 3. Qb5 [1.0] Ke3 4. Qe2#
___2...Kd6 3. Qg5 [1.0] Kd7 4. Qd8#
___2...Kc4 3. Qf5 [1.0] Kc3 4. Qc2#
1...Ke4 2. Sfd4 (2...Ke3? 3. Qe2#) Kd3 3. Qe2+ [0.5] Kc3 4. Qc2#
1...Kf6 2. Qh7 Ke5 3. Se3 [0.5]
______3...Kd6 4. Qc7#
______3...Kf6 4. Qg7# / 4. Sg4#
Problem 346 (=) : Sergei Tkachenko
Key : 1. Rc8+! [1.0]
(1. Rxc2? A2 2. Rxa2 Bxa2 3. Sd2 h2 4. Be4 Bd5 -+)
1...Kxf7 2. Rxc2 a2 3. Rxa2 Bxa2 4. Sd2 [1.0]
(4. Sc3? Bc4+ 5. Bxc4 h2 -+)
4...h2 5. Be4 Bd5 6 Sf3! [1.0]
(6. Bh1? Bxh1 7 Sf1 Bb7 -+)
6...h1=Q 7. Sg5+ [1.0]
(7. Se5+? Kf6 8. Sg4+ Kg5 9. Bxh1 Kxg4 -+)
7...Kf6 8. Sh7+ Kg7 9. Bxh1 Kxh7 10. Bxd5 exd5 11. Kb5 [1.0] and the pawn can be captured (=)
Problem 347 (h#3) 2.1.1.1.1.1 : C. Feather
Key : 1. Kxe4! Rd8 2. Sd3 Be5 3. dxe5 exd3# [2.5]
Key : 1. Kc4! Kh7 2. Sc6 Bd4 3. cxd4 Rxc6# [2.5]
Problem 348 (s#3) : E. Ivanov
Tries : [1. Rd5+? Cxd5!], [1. Sb2? / Sd2? Bg4!].
Key : 1. Sb6! [1.0] ( > 2. Rc4+ Rxc4+ 3. Qb4+ Rxb4# [1.0])
1...Sg4 2. Qf1 ~ 3. Qb5+ [1.0] cxb5#
1...g4 2. Rb4 ~ 3. Rb5+ [1.0] cxb5#
1...Bg4 2. Rd5+ cxd5 3. Sd7+ [1.0] Bxd7#
Selection of problems and Judgment by Mr. Garoufalidis Ioannis. The selected problems had several tries, which could lead solvers astray, but, as most of the present contestants admitted, were not as extremely difficult (with the possible exception of the four-mover and the study) as in previous contests. Let us see the press bulletin :
| Press Bulletin With satisfactory number of contestants, the sixth contest of ESSNA took place in Ampelokipi Chess Club. Champion of Attica is now Mendrinos Nikos who, despite his absence in recent contests, managed to gather 17,5 points solving the difficult three-mover but failing to solve the more-mover and the difficult study. Second is the experienced Fougiaxis Harry gathered easily 15 points solving the heterodox problems, and third with equal points is Skyrianoglou Dimitris. A "false step" of Papastavropoulos Andreas deprived him from a place with a medal, ranking him fourth with 15 points also but with more time than Fougiaxis and Skyrianoglou. Ilantzis Spyros is in fifth place with 13 points, while a pleasant surprise is the placement of Vlahos Elissaios with 12,5 points and sixth place. |
| Place | Name | #2 | #3 | #4 | = | h#3 | s#3 | points | time | place |
| 1 | Mendrinos Nikos | 5 | 5 | - | - | 2.5 | 5 | 17.5 | 2:28 | 1 |
| 2 | Fougiaxis Harry | 5 | - | - | - | 5 | 5 | 15 | 2:22 | 2 |
| 3 | Skyrianoglou Dimitris | 5 | 5 | - | - | - | 5 | 15 | 2:27 | 3 |
| 4 | Papastavropoulos Andreas | 5 | - | - | - | 5 | 5 | 15 | 2:30 | 4 |
| 5 | Ilantzis Spyros | 5 | 3 | - | - | - | 5 | 13 | 2:30 | 5 |
| 6 | Vlahos Elissaios | 5 | - | - | - | 2.5 | 5 | 12.5 | 2:30 | 6 |
| 7 | Kalkavouras Ioannis | 5 | - | - | - | 2.5 | 4 | 11.5 | 2:29 | 7 |
| 8 | Manolas Emmanuel | 5 | - | 4 | - | 2.5 | - | 11.5 | 2:30 | 8 |
| 9 | Sklavounos Panagis | 5 | - | - | 1 | - | 5 | 11 | 2:30 | 9 |
| 10 | Konidaris Panagiotis | 5 | - | - | - | 5 | - | 10 | 2:30 | 10 |
| 11 | Markessinis L. | 5 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 8 | 2:30 | 11 |
| 12 | Anemodouras L. | 5 | - | - | - | 2.5 | - | 7.5 | 2:30 | 12 |
| 13 | Mihaloudis G. | 5 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 7 | 2:30 | 13 |
| 14 | Anastassiou M. | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 2:26 | 14 |
| 15 | Georgakis I. | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 2:06 | 15 |
| 16-17 | Magiati E. | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 2:30 | 16-17 |
| 16-17 | Barous Th. | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 2:30 | 16-17 |
In the photo, left to right : Papastavropoulos Andreas, Ilantzis Spyros, Skyrianoglou Dimitris, Mendrinos Nikos, Fougiaxis Harry. In the back : Vlahos Elissaios.
Here follow the six problems. The solutions are written at the end of this post and you may try to solve them without "peeking" unwillingly at the solution keys.
 | (Problem 343) I. Storozhenko, First-Second Prize, Sahmatni Kompozitsia, 2003, Mate in 2. #2 ( 11 + 10 ) |
| [8/pB5s/p2S4/4P2R/2Pk3K/Q3RpPp/1P1pqS2/3br3] | |
 | (Problem 344) E. Plesnivy, First Prize, Chocholous Memorial, 1931 Mate in 3. #3 ( 11 + 11 ) |
| [r1b5/r1pRp3/2p1kS1S/p1P5/2P2p1P/1P3p1K/1Q1P1P1b/8] | |
 | (Problem 345) H. F. L. Meyer, Deutsches Wochenschach, 1896 Mate in 4. #4 ( 6 + 1 ) |
| [8/8/8/2SPkS1Q/8/P7/8/7K] | |
 | (Problem 346) Sergei Tkachenko, Third Prize, Moscow, 2003 White plays and draws. = ( 5 + 6 ) |
| [5k2/5P2/K1R1p3/3b4/8/p2B3p/2p5/1S7] | |
 | (Problem 347) C. Feather, Broodings, 2008 Helpmate in 3. Two solutions. h#3 2.1.1.1.1.1 ( 5 + 14 ) |
| [rqR3K1/4p1B1/3p4/1pp1ss2/1r1kPp2/1p2bp2/4P3/8] | |
 | (Problem 348) E. Ivanov, Zadachi I Etudi, 2005 Selfmate in 3. s#3 ( 10 + 10 ) |
| [8/4Sp2/2p5/P1k1B1pb/K1SR3r/RP2Pppp/7s/4Q3] | |
With bold numbers in brackets we denote the points of each problem.
Problem 343 (#2) : I. Storozhenko
Tries : [1. e6? Sg5!], [1. c5? Bb3!], [1. Qb4? Bc2!], [1. Rd3+? Qxd3!], [1. Re4+? Qxe4+!], [1. Se4? Qxc4!], [1. Sf5+? Kxc4!], [1. Qc5+? Kxc5!], [1. Qc3+? Kc5!].
Key : 1. Sd3! [5.0] ( > 2. Qc5#)
1...Qxd3 2. Rxd3#
1...Qxe3 2. Qc3#
1...Kxe3 2. Sf5#
Problem 344 (#3) : E. Plesnivy
Tries : [1. Rd3? / exf6!], [1. Rxc7? Rxc7!], [1. Rxe7+? Kxe7+!], [1. Sg4? Kxd7!], [1. Qe5+? Kxe5!], [1. Qd4? Bb7!], [1. Qb1? Kxf6!], [1. Qc2? Kxf6!].
Key : 1. Qa1! [1.0] ( > 2. Rd5 ( > 3. Qe5#) cxd5 / exf6 3. cxd5# / Qe1# [1.0])
1...exf6 2. Rf7 [1.0] ( > 3. Qxf6# / 3. Qe1#)
1...Bb7 2. Rd4 [1.0] ( > 3. Re4#) Kxf6 / exf6 3. Rd6# / Qe1#
1...Bxd7 2. Sh7 [1.0] ( > 3. Sg5# / Qe1#) Be8 / Bc8 / Rg8 3. Sf8# / Sf8# / Qe1#
Problem 345 (#4) : H. F. L. Meyer
Tries : [1. Qf3? Kf6!], [1. Qg4? / Qg5? / Kg2? Kxd5!], [1. d6? Kd5!], [1. Qf7? Kf4!].
Key : 1. Se6! [1.0]
1...Kxd5 2. Sd4+
___2...Ke4 3. Qb5 [1.0] Ke3 4. Qe2#
___2...Kd6 3. Qg5 [1.0] Kd7 4. Qd8#
___2...Kc4 3. Qf5 [1.0] Kc3 4. Qc2#
1...Ke4 2. Sfd4 (2...Ke3? 3. Qe2#) Kd3 3. Qe2+ [0.5] Kc3 4. Qc2#
1...Kf6 2. Qh7 Ke5 3. Se3 [0.5]
______3...Kd6 4. Qc7#
______3...Kf6 4. Qg7# / 4. Sg4#
Problem 346 (=) : Sergei Tkachenko
Key : 1. Rc8+! [1.0]
(1. Rxc2? A2 2. Rxa2 Bxa2 3. Sd2 h2 4. Be4 Bd5 -+)
1...Kxf7 2. Rxc2 a2 3. Rxa2 Bxa2 4. Sd2 [1.0]
(4. Sc3? Bc4+ 5. Bxc4 h2 -+)
4...h2 5. Be4 Bd5 6 Sf3! [1.0]
(6. Bh1? Bxh1 7 Sf1 Bb7 -+)
6...h1=Q 7. Sg5+ [1.0]
(7. Se5+? Kf6 8. Sg4+ Kg5 9. Bxh1 Kxg4 -+)
7...Kf6 8. Sh7+ Kg7 9. Bxh1 Kxh7 10. Bxd5 exd5 11. Kb5 [1.0] and the pawn can be captured (=)
Problem 347 (h#3) 2.1.1.1.1.1 : C. Feather
Key : 1. Kxe4! Rd8 2. Sd3 Be5 3. dxe5 exd3# [2.5]
Key : 1. Kc4! Kh7 2. Sc6 Bd4 3. cxd4 Rxc6# [2.5]
Problem 348 (s#3) : E. Ivanov
Tries : [1. Rd5+? Cxd5!], [1. Sb2? / Sd2? Bg4!].
Key : 1. Sb6! [1.0] ( > 2. Rc4+ Rxc4+ 3. Qb4+ Rxb4# [1.0])
1...Sg4 2. Qf1 ~ 3. Qb5+ [1.0] cxb5#
1...g4 2. Rb4 ~ 3. Rb5+ [1.0] cxb5#
1...Bg4 2. Rd5+ cxd5 3. Sd7+ [1.0] Bxd7#
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Solving contest 2006-06-18, Herakleion Attica, round2
About the Fifth National Solving contest of Greece, which was held on Sunday June 18 2006, we wrote in our previous post, where we presented the problems of the first round.
Today we show the problems of the second round. The solutions are written at the end of this post.
With bold numbers in brackets we denote the points for each variation.
Problem 337 (#2) : Pierre Monreal
Tries : [1. Rd4? Bxd4!], [1. Sxc2+? Rxc1!], [1. Sxf1+? Qxc1!].
Key : 1. Kf8! [5.0]( > 2. Se4#)
1...Bxf6 2. Qxf6#
1...Rxf5 2. Sxc2#
1...Qxf5 2. Sxf1#
1...Kh6 2. Sg4#
Problem 338 (#3) : Arthur Madsen
Tries : [1. Kd7? Bf5+!], [1. Ke7? Sg6+!], [1. Kc7? e4!], [1. Rc5+? Ke6!], [1. Rd6+? Kxd6!].
Key : 1. Ba7! [1.0] ( > 2. Ra6 [1.0] ( > 3. Rc5#) d3 3. e4#) )
1...Bg6 2. Ke7 [0.5] ( > 3. Rc5# / Rd6#)
___2...d3 3. Rd6#
___2...e4 3. Rc5#
1...Bf5 2. Rc5+ [0.5] Kd6 / Ke6 3. Rc8-c6#
1...Be4 2. Bb8 [0.5] ( > 3. Rd6#)
1...Bd3 2. Rb6 [0.5] ( > 3. Rc5#)
1...c2 2. Kd7 [0.5] ( > 3. Rc5# / Rd6#)
___2...c1=Q / c1=R 3. Rd6#
___2...d3 3. Rd6# / e4#
___2...e4 3. Rc5#
1...e4 2. Rc5+ [0.5] Kd6 / Ke6 3. Rc8-c6#
Problem 339 (#4) : Yakov Vladimirov
Tries : [1. Rb5? Kxb5!], [1. Bd3+? Kxd3!], [1. Qxc5+? Kxc5!], [1. Qd4+? / Rb4+? cxb4!].
Key : 1. Ke2! [0.5] ( > 2. Bd3+ Kd5 3. c4+ [1.5] Ke5 4. Qa1#)
1...Sf5 / Sc6 2. Qxc5+ Kxc5 3. R(x)c6+ [1.5] Kb5 4. c4#
1...Sd6 2. Qd4+ cxd4 3.Rb4+ [1.5] Kc5 4. cxd4#
Problem 340 (+) : Yohanan Afek
Key : 1. Rxb5+! [1.5] Kxb5
2. Se5+ Ka4
3. Sd7 Be2
4. Bxe2 (4. Bg2? Rf2!) Rb8+
5. Bb5! [2.0] Rxb5+
6. Ka2! [1.5] (+), wins because there is Domination over the Rook, (1-0).
Problem 341 (s#3) : Michel Caillaud
Tries : [1. Qe2? / Qh1? / Qg2? / Qh5? / Qg4? / Qe4? / Qf1? / Qf2? / Qf4? / Qf7? / Qf6? / Qf5? / Se3? aχb2!], [1. Rb1? / Rb3? / Rh2? / Rg2? / Rf2? / Re2? / Rb2-d2? / Rc2? a2!], [1. Qxa3+? Kxa3!].
Key : 1. Qf8! [1.0] (zz)
1...axb2 2. Sc3+ Ka3 3. d7+ [2.0] Sd6#
1...a2 2. Kd5+ Ka3 3. Qf3+ [2.0] Sc3#
Problem 342 (h#4) 4.1.1.1... : Yuri Belokon & Aleksei Stelman
Key : 1. Re5! Sxc1 2. Bd3 Sa2 3. Bf5 Ke2 4. Ke4 Sc3# [1.25]
Key : 1. Kd6! e4 2. Bf7 e5+ 3. Ke6 Ke4 4. Re7 Sc5# [1.25]
Key : 1. Bh2! Sc5 2. Bd6 e4+ 3. Ke5 Ke3 4. Re6 Sd7# [1.25]
Key : 1. Rc8! Kg3 2. Rc5 Kf4 3. Bh2+ Kf5 4. Bd6 Sb4# [1.25]
Today we show the problems of the second round. The solutions are written at the end of this post.
 | (Problem 337) Pierre Monreal, Mondes, 1946, Mate in 2. #2 ( 11 + 4 ) |
| [3QB3/6KP/3R1S2/2R2Pk1/8/4S1P1/2q5/b1B2r2] | |
 | (Problem 338) Arthur Madsen, First Prize, 65 TT British Chess Federation, 1950-51 Mate in 3. #3 ( 8 + 8 ) |
| [2RK3s/5p1p/1BR2P2/3kp3/1P1p4/2p5/4PS2/1b6] | |
 | (Problem 339) Yakov Vladimirov, First Prize, Moscow Tourney, 1999 Mate in 4. #4 ( 7 + 8 ) |
| [4s3/4s3/1R2P3/2p5/p1k1B3/2P2K2/p2B2p1/6Qb] | |
 | (Problem 340) Yohanan Afek, Second Prize, Tidskrift foer Schack, 1972 White plays and wins. + ( 6 + 6 ) |
| [5r2/8/1R6/ppk3p/2S3P1/P4b2/1K6/5B2] | |
 | (Problem 341) Michel Caillaud, First Commendation, J. P. Moyer MT, 1988 Selfmate in 3. s#3 ( 9 + 6 ) |
| [4B3/1p6/bP1PP3/rs6/k1KR4/P4Q2/1R6/3S4] | |
 | (Problem 342) Yuri Belokon & Aleksei Stelman, 4th-5th Commendation, The Problemist, 1989 Helpmate in 4 moves. Four solutions. h#4 4.1.1.1... ( 3 + 9 ) |
| [4r3/8/7p/3k3p/2b5/1p1SPK2/5p2/2s3b1] | |
With bold numbers in brackets we denote the points for each variation.
Problem 337 (#2) : Pierre Monreal
Tries : [1. Rd4? Bxd4!], [1. Sxc2+? Rxc1!], [1. Sxf1+? Qxc1!].
Key : 1. Kf8! [5.0]( > 2. Se4#)
1...Bxf6 2. Qxf6#
1...Rxf5 2. Sxc2#
1...Qxf5 2. Sxf1#
1...Kh6 2. Sg4#
Problem 338 (#3) : Arthur Madsen
Tries : [1. Kd7? Bf5+!], [1. Ke7? Sg6+!], [1. Kc7? e4!], [1. Rc5+? Ke6!], [1. Rd6+? Kxd6!].
Key : 1. Ba7! [1.0] ( > 2. Ra6 [1.0] ( > 3. Rc5#) d3 3. e4#) )
1...Bg6 2. Ke7 [0.5] ( > 3. Rc5# / Rd6#)
___2...d3 3. Rd6#
___2...e4 3. Rc5#
1...Bf5 2. Rc5+ [0.5] Kd6 / Ke6 3. Rc8-c6#
1...Be4 2. Bb8 [0.5] ( > 3. Rd6#)
1...Bd3 2. Rb6 [0.5] ( > 3. Rc5#)
1...c2 2. Kd7 [0.5] ( > 3. Rc5# / Rd6#)
___2...c1=Q / c1=R 3. Rd6#
___2...d3 3. Rd6# / e4#
___2...e4 3. Rc5#
1...e4 2. Rc5+ [0.5] Kd6 / Ke6 3. Rc8-c6#
Problem 339 (#4) : Yakov Vladimirov
Tries : [1. Rb5? Kxb5!], [1. Bd3+? Kxd3!], [1. Qxc5+? Kxc5!], [1. Qd4+? / Rb4+? cxb4!].
Key : 1. Ke2! [0.5] ( > 2. Bd3+ Kd5 3. c4+ [1.5] Ke5 4. Qa1#)
1...Sf5 / Sc6 2. Qxc5+ Kxc5 3. R(x)c6+ [1.5] Kb5 4. c4#
1...Sd6 2. Qd4+ cxd4 3.Rb4+ [1.5] Kc5 4. cxd4#
Problem 340 (+) : Yohanan Afek
Key : 1. Rxb5+! [1.5] Kxb5
2. Se5+ Ka4
3. Sd7 Be2
4. Bxe2 (4. Bg2? Rf2!) Rb8+
5. Bb5! [2.0] Rxb5+
6. Ka2! [1.5] (+), wins because there is Domination over the Rook, (1-0).
Problem 341 (s#3) : Michel Caillaud
Tries : [1. Qe2? / Qh1? / Qg2? / Qh5? / Qg4? / Qe4? / Qf1? / Qf2? / Qf4? / Qf7? / Qf6? / Qf5? / Se3? aχb2!], [1. Rb1? / Rb3? / Rh2? / Rg2? / Rf2? / Re2? / Rb2-d2? / Rc2? a2!], [1. Qxa3+? Kxa3!].
Key : 1. Qf8! [1.0] (zz)
1...axb2 2. Sc3+ Ka3 3. d7+ [2.0] Sd6#
1...a2 2. Kd5+ Ka3 3. Qf3+ [2.0] Sc3#
Problem 342 (h#4) 4.1.1.1... : Yuri Belokon & Aleksei Stelman
Key : 1. Re5! Sxc1 2. Bd3 Sa2 3. Bf5 Ke2 4. Ke4 Sc3# [1.25]
Key : 1. Kd6! e4 2. Bf7 e5+ 3. Ke6 Ke4 4. Re7 Sc5# [1.25]
Key : 1. Bh2! Sc5 2. Bd6 e4+ 3. Ke5 Ke3 4. Re6 Sd7# [1.25]
Key : 1. Rc8! Kg3 2. Rc5 Kf4 3. Bh2+ Kf5 4. Bd6 Sb4# [1.25]
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Solving Contest 2006-06-18, Herakleion Attica, round1
The Fifth National Solving Contest in Greece, was held in the hospitable hall of the Cultural Poly-Centre of the Municipality of Herakleion Attica, (Sunday, June 18, 2006). It was organised by the Greek Chess Federation (ESO), with the care of the Chess Problems Committee and the support of the Chess Club [Epikinonia] and the Municipality of Herakleion.
Harry Fougiaxis was Arbiter – Judge, who was helped by G. Galanis, N. Mendrinos, D. Skyrianoglou.
There were two rounds, with thinking time 2 hours per round. The contestants were asked to solve a total of 12 problems, with 6 problems from six different categories per round, that is 2 two-movers, 2 three-movers, 2 more-movers (one four-mover and one five-mover), 2 studies (one stalemate and one win), 2 selfmate three-movers, 2 helpmates (one three-mover and one four-mover). As usually, first criterion is the correctness and completeness of the solution and second criterion is the time used by the solver.
The problems seemed to be easier than the previous years, but their solutions demanded knowledge, fantasy, and creativity from the solvers!
The final ranking (20 contestants) :
1) Prentos Kostas, 57,75 (237’), from Thessaloniki (Salonica), International Master in problems solving, was for fifth consecutive time Champion of Greece in problem solving.
2) Papastavropoulos Andreas, 47 (211’),
3) Mendrinos Nikos, 34,25 (240’),
4) Konidaris Panagiotis, 33,75 (240’),
5) Garoufalidis Ioannis, 27,75 (240’),
6) Manolas Emmanuel, 26,5 (240’).
In the first twelve places were also the solvers : Anemodouras Leokratis 24,75 , Sklavounos Panagis 24 , Skyrianoglou Dimitris 21 , Kostouros Al. 19,50 (he was present only in the second round), Mitsakis K.. 14 β., Barous Th.. 5 .
Together with the National Contest there was held a Solving contest for new solvers. It lasted two hours and contained six easier problems. The ranking : 1) Karaoulanis D. 24 , 2) Lymperopoulos F. (nine years old!) 12 , 3) Zissis M. 8 , 4) Zissis G. 5 , 5) Magiati Helen. 5 .
Today we present the problems of the first round of the national solving contest of 2006. The solutions are at the end of this post. In the next post we will present the problems of the second round.
With bold numbers in brackets we denote the points for each variation.
Problem 331 (#2) : Oskar Wielgos
Tries : [1. Rf6xf4+? Ke4xf4!], [1. Ba6-d3+? Sf4xd3!], [1. Qa2-g2+? Sf4xg2!], [1. Qa2-e2+? Sf4xe2!], [1. Sd1-f2+? Ke4-e3!], [1. Sd1-c3+? D4xc3!].
Key : 1. Sc4! [5.0] ( > 2. Sd2#)
1...Kd3 2. Qb1#,
1...Kf3 2. Qg2#,
1...Kxd5 2. Bb7#,
1...Sxd5 2. Sf2#,
1...Sf3 2. Sd6#
Problem 332 (#3) : Ivan Storozhenko
Virtual play : 1...Be3 2. Sg3+ fxg3 3. Qf5#
1...Re3 2. Rd4+ Ke5 / Kxf5 3. Qxf4#
(1...Sd6+? 2. Sxd6#)
Tries : [1. Kf7-f6? Sf8-h7+!], [1. Sf5-g3+? Rb3xg3!], [1. Sf5-h4? Rb3-e3!], [1. Sf5-d6+? Sb5xd6+!], [1. Qf2-c2+? Rb3-d3!], [1. Qf2-e2+? Bc1-e3!].
Key : 1. Sh6! [0.5] ( > 2. Rd4+ [0.5] Ke5 3. Re4#)
1...Be3 2. Qf3+ [1.0] Kxf3 3. Rd2#
1...Re3 2. Qxf4+ [1.0] Kxf4 3. Rf5#
1...Sd6+ 2. Rxd6+ [1.0] Ke5 3. Qd4#
1...Sc3 2. Qc2+ [1.0] Ke3 / Kf3 3. Rd3#
Problem 333 (#5) : Ralf Kraetschmer
Tries : [1. Rc4-c7? Kd6xc7!], [1. Rc4-c6+? Sa7xc6!], [1. Rc4-c5? Ra3-a5!].
Key : 1. e4! [1.5] ( > 2. e5#)
1...fxe4 2. Rc5! [1.5] ( > 3. Sxe4#)
2...Bh7 3. Rc6+ [1.0]
3...Sxc6 4. Sb5+ [1.0]
4...Kxd5 5. Bxf7#
Problem 334 (=) : Leonid Kubbel
Key : 1. Bf2+! Kh1
2. h7 c2+
3. Be3 [1.5] Rxe3+
4. Kf2 Rh3
5. Bd5+ [2.0] cxd5
6. hxg8=Q Rh2+
7. Kf3 c1=Q
8. Qg2+ [1.5] Rxg2 =
Problem 335 (s#3) : Petko A. Petkov
Tries : [1. Bg8xd5+? c6xd5+!], [1. Bg8-e6? / Bg8-f7? / Qb7-b8? / a7-a8=S? / Sg3-f1? / e2-e3? a2-a1=R!], [1. Qb7-b3+? Kc4xb3!], [1. a7-a8=Q? a2-a1=B!], [1. Sd1-e3+? / Sd1-b2+? Kc4-c3!].
Key : 1. a8=R! [1.0] (zugzwang)
1...a1=Q 2. Rxc2+ Qc3 3. e3 [1.0] Qxc2#
1...a1=R 2. Ra4+ Rxa4 3. Qb3+ [1.0] Kxb3#
1...a1=B 2. Qb8 ~ 3. Bxd5+ [1.0] cxd5#
1...a1=S 2. Sf1 Sb3 3. Sd2+ [1.0] Sxd2#
It is an AUW (allumwandlung) problem.
Problem 336 (h#3) : Chris Feather
Key : 1. Kd2! Sxe6 2. Qxd4 Sxd4 3. e3 Se2#
Key : 1. b4! Sxa4+ 2. Kb3 Ra5 3. Ka3 Sc5#
Key : 1. Se5! Rd8 2. Kc4 Sd7 3. Kd5 Sxe5#
One solution = 2.0, two solutions = 4.0, three solutions = 5.0
Harry Fougiaxis was Arbiter – Judge, who was helped by G. Galanis, N. Mendrinos, D. Skyrianoglou.
There were two rounds, with thinking time 2 hours per round. The contestants were asked to solve a total of 12 problems, with 6 problems from six different categories per round, that is 2 two-movers, 2 three-movers, 2 more-movers (one four-mover and one five-mover), 2 studies (one stalemate and one win), 2 selfmate three-movers, 2 helpmates (one three-mover and one four-mover). As usually, first criterion is the correctness and completeness of the solution and second criterion is the time used by the solver.
The problems seemed to be easier than the previous years, but their solutions demanded knowledge, fantasy, and creativity from the solvers!
The final ranking (20 contestants) :
1) Prentos Kostas, 57,75 (237’), from Thessaloniki (Salonica), International Master in problems solving, was for fifth consecutive time Champion of Greece in problem solving.
2) Papastavropoulos Andreas, 47 (211’),
3) Mendrinos Nikos, 34,25 (240’),
4) Konidaris Panagiotis, 33,75 (240’),
5) Garoufalidis Ioannis, 27,75 (240’),
6) Manolas Emmanuel, 26,5 (240’).
In the first twelve places were also the solvers : Anemodouras Leokratis 24,75 , Sklavounos Panagis 24 , Skyrianoglou Dimitris 21 , Kostouros Al. 19,50 (he was present only in the second round), Mitsakis K.. 14 β., Barous Th.. 5 .
Together with the National Contest there was held a Solving contest for new solvers. It lasted two hours and contained six easier problems. The ranking : 1) Karaoulanis D. 24 , 2) Lymperopoulos F. (nine years old!) 12 , 3) Zissis M. 8 , 4) Zissis G. 5 , 5) Magiati Helen. 5 .
Today we present the problems of the first round of the national solving contest of 2006. The solutions are at the end of this post. In the next post we will present the problems of the second round.
 | (Problem 331) Oskar Wielgos, Schach-Echo, 1980, Mate in 2. #2 ( 7 + 5 ) |
| [8/8/B4R2/2pRS1s1/3pks2/8/Q7/3S1K2] | |
 | (Problem 332) Ivan Storozhenko, First Prize, Nabokov MT, Sahovska Kompozicija 1994, Mate in 3. #3 ( 7 + 8 ) |
| [5s2/1B3K2/8/1sPR1S2/1p2kp2/rr6/5Q1P/2b5] | |
 | (Problem 333) Ralf Kroetschmer, Phoenix, 1989, Mate in 5. #5 ( 8 + 7 ) |
| [4BKb1/s4p2/3k1P2/3P1p2/2RP4/rpS1P3/8/8] | |
 | (Problem 334) Leonid Kubbel, First Prize, Shakhmaty, 1925, White plays and wins. + ( 4 + 5 ) |
| [6s1/8/2p4P/8/8/r1p3K1/B7/4B1k1] | |
 | (Problem 335) Petko A. Petkov, First Prize, Revista de Sah, 1970, Selfmate in 3. s#3 ( 10 + 8 ) |
| [6B1/PQp5/2p5/2prpP2/2k1K3/5PS1/p1s1P3/2RS4] | |
 | (Problem 336) Chris Feather, First Prize, Diagrammes, 2000, Helpmate in 3. Three solutions. h#3 3.1.1.1.1.1 ( 5 + 10 ) |
| [8/1p1s4/1P2p3/1pSR4/b2Pp3/2k5/1qr5/5K1s] | |
With bold numbers in brackets we denote the points for each variation.
Problem 331 (#2) : Oskar Wielgos
Tries : [1. Rf6xf4+? Ke4xf4!], [1. Ba6-d3+? Sf4xd3!], [1. Qa2-g2+? Sf4xg2!], [1. Qa2-e2+? Sf4xe2!], [1. Sd1-f2+? Ke4-e3!], [1. Sd1-c3+? D4xc3!].
Key : 1. Sc4! [5.0] ( > 2. Sd2#)
1...Kd3 2. Qb1#,
1...Kf3 2. Qg2#,
1...Kxd5 2. Bb7#,
1...Sxd5 2. Sf2#,
1...Sf3 2. Sd6#
Problem 332 (#3) : Ivan Storozhenko
Virtual play : 1...Be3 2. Sg3+ fxg3 3. Qf5#
1...Re3 2. Rd4+ Ke5 / Kxf5 3. Qxf4#
(1...Sd6+? 2. Sxd6#)
Tries : [1. Kf7-f6? Sf8-h7+!], [1. Sf5-g3+? Rb3xg3!], [1. Sf5-h4? Rb3-e3!], [1. Sf5-d6+? Sb5xd6+!], [1. Qf2-c2+? Rb3-d3!], [1. Qf2-e2+? Bc1-e3!].
Key : 1. Sh6! [0.5] ( > 2. Rd4+ [0.5] Ke5 3. Re4#)
1...Be3 2. Qf3+ [1.0] Kxf3 3. Rd2#
1...Re3 2. Qxf4+ [1.0] Kxf4 3. Rf5#
1...Sd6+ 2. Rxd6+ [1.0] Ke5 3. Qd4#
1...Sc3 2. Qc2+ [1.0] Ke3 / Kf3 3. Rd3#
Problem 333 (#5) : Ralf Kraetschmer
Tries : [1. Rc4-c7? Kd6xc7!], [1. Rc4-c6+? Sa7xc6!], [1. Rc4-c5? Ra3-a5!].
Key : 1. e4! [1.5] ( > 2. e5#)
1...fxe4 2. Rc5! [1.5] ( > 3. Sxe4#)
2...Bh7 3. Rc6+ [1.0]
3...Sxc6 4. Sb5+ [1.0]
4...Kxd5 5. Bxf7#
Problem 334 (=) : Leonid Kubbel
Key : 1. Bf2+! Kh1
2. h7 c2+
3. Be3 [1.5] Rxe3+
4. Kf2 Rh3
5. Bd5+ [2.0] cxd5
6. hxg8=Q Rh2+
7. Kf3 c1=Q
8. Qg2+ [1.5] Rxg2 =
Problem 335 (s#3) : Petko A. Petkov
Tries : [1. Bg8xd5+? c6xd5+!], [1. Bg8-e6? / Bg8-f7? / Qb7-b8? / a7-a8=S? / Sg3-f1? / e2-e3? a2-a1=R!], [1. Qb7-b3+? Kc4xb3!], [1. a7-a8=Q? a2-a1=B!], [1. Sd1-e3+? / Sd1-b2+? Kc4-c3!].
Key : 1. a8=R! [1.0] (zugzwang)
1...a1=Q 2. Rxc2+ Qc3 3. e3 [1.0] Qxc2#
1...a1=R 2. Ra4+ Rxa4 3. Qb3+ [1.0] Kxb3#
1...a1=B 2. Qb8 ~ 3. Bxd5+ [1.0] cxd5#
1...a1=S 2. Sf1 Sb3 3. Sd2+ [1.0] Sxd2#
It is an AUW (allumwandlung) problem.
Problem 336 (h#3) : Chris Feather
Key : 1. Kd2! Sxe6 2. Qxd4 Sxd4 3. e3 Se2#
Key : 1. b4! Sxa4+ 2. Kb3 Ra5 3. Ka3 Sc5#
Key : 1. Se5! Rd8 2. Kc4 Sd7 3. Kd5 Sxe5#
One solution = 2.0, two solutions = 4.0, three solutions = 5.0
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)