Best Study for 2006

As we have said, the Permanent Commission of Fide for Chess Composition (PCCC), each year selects a study and gives to it the title [Study of the Year xxxx]. We will see today the study which was selected as Best for 2006.

[Study of the Year 2006] is a study by Yuri Bazlov (Russian, born in 1947), who composes remarkable problems for many years now. He had received this distinction also for the previous year.

The position has several pieces and is aristocratic (that means there are no pawns). It is difficult for someone to suppose that such a position can appear in an actual chess game, but they have searched through the computer held databases and have found similar positions at a percentage one to a million.

So the solvers could lose interest on a study with 'improbable' position. But since the image of a centered mate being delivered by the last remaining piece – the Knight – is impressive, try to solve this study. All the pieces move to their final positions and only white pieces are captured.

There is no try, only the main solution. Admire what can a man create!

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Study of the year 2006.

	(Problem 379) Yuri Bazlov, First Prize, Composition Tourney in memory of the British C. M. Bent, 2006, White plays and wins. + (4 + 5)
[4S3/5r2/7K/3kb3/r1s5/3BQ3/8/8]

For the solution, start with
Key : 1.Be4+! Ke6

The solution follows...

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(not 1.Qe4+? Kc5 2.Bxc4 Bf4+ 3.Kg6 Rxc4 4.Qa8 Re7 and we cannot see a winning plan for white)

Key : 1.Be4+! Ke6

2.Qc5!
(not 2.Qb3? Rf4 3.Qxa4 Rxe4 and the white is not winning)

2...Bf4+
(not 2...Rfa7 3.Bd5+ Kf5 4.Qf8+ Kg4 5.Qf3+ Kh4 6.Be6 and the white will mate)

3.Kg6 Se5+
4.Kh5 Rxe4
(not 4...Rd7 5.Bd5+ Rxd5 6.Sc7+ Kd7 7.Sxd5 and white will win)
(not 4...Rfa7 5.Bd5+ Kd7 6.Sf6+ Kd8 7.Be6 R4a5 8.Qb6+ Ke7 9.Sg8+ Kf8 10.Qd8+ Kg7 11.Qf6+ Kh7 12.Se7 and white can win)

5.Qd6+ Kf5
6.Qf6+ Rxf6
7.Sg7# 1-0

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]).

Emmanuel Manolas (3)

Today's post is relevant with the theme Rex solus (=King alone), in which the black King is alone on the chess board. The white forces threatening him will eventually win and the solvers must find the way.

Below we present eight original compositions of the Greek composer Manolas (the owner of this blog).
The Problems 367 – 373 are two-movers and the Problem 374 is a three-mover.

Their solutions will not be difficult to find. Please try to solve them, and then send a comment with the eight keys.

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Problems for solving. (The solutions have been appended to the end of this post).

	(Problem 367) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (4 + 1)
[8/8/8/8/6S1/3k4/Q5B1/4K3]

	(Problem 368) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (5 + 1)
[7Q/8/5P2/8/2Sk4/4S3/4K3/8]

	(Problem 369) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (7 + 1)
[6QR/8/1K1SS3/4k3/7P/8/5P2/8]

	(Problem 370) Emmanuel Manolas sketch, Mate in 2. #2 (6 + 1)
[R6S/K2P2k1/6P1/6P1/8/8/8/8]

	(Problem 371) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (7 + 1)
[2R5/3B4/8/8/P2kP1P1/3S4/3K4/8]

	(Problem 372) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (6 + 1)
[3QK3/8/SS6/Pk6/8/8/2P5/8]

	(Problem 373) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 2. #2 (7 + 1)
[RB4S1/8/2k5/2P2P2/8/2K5/2B5/8]

	(Problem 374) Emmanuel Manolas original, Mate in 3. #3 (7 + 1)
[8/5S2/1S6/BPk5/K7/R7/2P5/8]

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20090729 : update : The solutions of the problems

Problem 367
Tries : [1.Qc4+? Kxc4!], [1.Qd2+?/Qb2? Kc4!], [1.Qa4? Kc3!], [1.Qb3+? Kd4!].
Key : 1.Bd5!

Problem 368
Tries : [1.Qh5?/Qc8? Kc3!], [1.f7+? Kc5!].
Key : 1.Qb8!

Problem 369
Tries : [1.Rh5+? Kxd6!], [1.Sc5?/Sf8?/Sd8?/Sc7? Kd4!], [1.Sd4? Kxd4!], [1.Kc5?/Kc6?/Kc7? Kf6!].
Key : 1.Sf4!

Problem 370
Tries : [1.Sf7? Kxg6!], [1.Rg8+? Kxg8!], [1.Rf8? Kxf8!], [1.d8=S? Kf8!].
Key : 1.d8=B!

Problem 371
Tries : [1.Re8?/Bc6? Kc4!], [1.Rc4+? Kxc4!], [1.Rc1?/Rc2?/Rc3?/Rc5?/Rc6?/Rc7? Kxe4!], [1.Bb5?/Be6?/Be8? Kxd4!], [Sf2? Ke5!].
Key : 1.Rd8!

Problem 372
Tries : [1.Qg5+?/Qd2?/Qd5+? Kxa6!], [1.Qd3+?/Qa8?/Qc8?/c4+? Kxa5!], [1.Sc8?/Sa8? Ka4!], [1.Sa4? Kxa4!].
Key : 1.Sc4!

Problem 373
Key : 1.Bd6!

Problem 374
Tries : [1.Bd2?/Bc3? Kxb6!], [1.Ra1?/Ra2?/Rh3?/Rg3?/Re3?/Rc3+?/Rb3?/c4? Kd4!].
Key : 1.Rf3!

Best Study for 2007

The International Committee for Chess Problems selects one study each year and gives it the title [Study of the Year xxxx]. It is generally supposed that the best study of the year takes the title. The reality is slightly different, (that is there may be excellent studies for some year, not winning this title), but in some years the selected study is really beautiful.

In Jurmala of Latvia in 2008 as [Best study of the Year 2007] was selected a prized study of the Czech problemist Mario Matous, and we present it here.

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Study of the year 2007.

	(Problem 366) Mario Matous, First Prize, Polasek and Vlasak 50 J Ty 2007, White plays and wins. + (4 + 4)
[8/q7/8/2pp4/5K2/8/2RS1B1k/8]

To solve this study, you may begin with
Key : 1.Sf3+! Kh1! (why not 1...Kh3? )
and you discover the continuation (which is consisted from two 'symmetrical' variations).

The solution is written below...

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Key : 1.Sf3! Kh1!
(not 1...Kh3? 2.Sg5+ Kg2 3.Bxc5+ and the black Queen is lost)

2.Bd4!! ( > 3. Rh2# )
(not 2.Bxc5? Qa4+ 3.Sd4 Qxd4+! 4.Bxd4 = stalemate )

2...Qf7+!
(not 2...Qb8+? 3.Be5 Qf8+ 4.Ke3 Qh6+ 5.Kf2 c4 6.Ra2 Qb6+ 7.Bd4 Qb1 8.Ra1 1-0)
(not 2...Qc7+? with possible continuations [3.Se5 Qb8 4.Rb2! Qf8+ 5.Kg3 Qg7+ 6.Sg4 Qc7+ 7.Be5 Qh7 8.Rd2 Qb1 9.Rd1+ Qxd1 10.Sf2+ 1-0] or [3.Se5 Qc8 4.Kg3 Qg8+ 5.Sg4 Qb8+ 6.Kh3 Qb3+ 7.Rc3 Qb1 8.Sf2+ Kg1 9.Se4+ cxd4 10.Rg3+ Kf1 11.Sd2+ 1-0])

3.Ke3!!
(not 3.Kg3? Qg6+ losing the Rook)

3...cxd4+
4.Kf2! Qf4
5.Rc6!!
(not 5.Rc8? Qe3+ 6.Kg3 Qh6 7.Kf2 Qe3+ 8.Kg3 Qh6 = draw by triple repetition
nor 5.Re2? Qe3+ = draw
nor 5.Ra2? Qc1 6.Kg3!? Qc7+ 7.Kf2 Qc1 = draw by triple repetition
which cannot be avoided by 6.Ra8 Qc2+ 7.Kg3 Qg6+ 8.Kf2 Qc2+ =)

Black is in zugzwang situation.

First variation, where the pawn moves and blocks the diagonal b1-h7.
5...d3
6.Rc8! Qh6
7.Rb8! (avoiding Qb6+) 1-0

Second variation, 'symmetrical' to the main diagonal a8-h1.
5...Qe3+
6.Kg3 d3
7.Ra6! Qc1
8.Ra7! (avoiding Qc7+) 1-0

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Sad info : mario matous 1947 - 2013

Solving contest 2009-05-31, 8 ESO, category2

We present the problems (of both rounds) of the second category (for junior solvers, easier problems, four per round), from the eighth Solving Contest for Chess Problems organized by the Greek Chess Federation (E.S.O. Elliniki Skakistiki Omospondia), and hosted by the Chess Club of Aegaleo in 31/05/2009.

The problems were selected by Ioannis Garoufalidis.

An award was given for his participation to the young player of C.C. Aegaleo John Katopodis (with 7,5 points in 40 possible).

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Problems for solving. (The solutions are at the end of this post).

	(Problem 358) A. Kramer, Deutsche Tageszeitung, 1922, Mate in 2. #2 (6 + 1)
[8/8/8/7K/8/2R3P1/3R2Pk/2Q5]

	(Problem 359) M. Bosch, Mate in 3. #3 (4 + 2)
[8/8/8/8/1R3p2/5k2/3k1B2/4S3]

	(Problem 360) V. Nikitin, Ural Problemist, 2008, White plays and wins. + (2 + 3)
[8/8/7K/1kp4p/4P3/8/8/8]

	(Problem 361) S. Jurisek, Zadachi Etudi, 2005, Helpmate in 2 moves. Two solutions. h#2 2111 (5 + 2)
[3b4/1P2k1SP/8/B7/7K/8/8/8]

	(Problem 362) V. Shumarin, Zadachi I Etudi, 2005, Mate in 2. #2 (5 + 2)
[8/8/Q1p1S3/3k4/3B4/7B/2K5/8]

	(Problem 363) Koblov, Rostislav, Zadachi I Etudi, 2005, Mate in 3 moves. #3 (5 + 2)
[8/8/8/5p2/1Q1K4/8/3SBS2/4k3]

	(Problem 364) Galitsky, Alexander, Mate in 4 moves. #4 (4 + 3)
[8/8/4p2p/3kS2K/1Q1P4/8/8/8]

	(Problem 365) A. Zickermann, (version) Feenschach, 1951, Selfmate in 3 moves. s#3 (4 + 3)
[s7/8/3S4/8/7Q/k7/1pB5/1K6]

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The solutions of the problems
The points of the solution are shown with bold numbers, a total of five for each correct solution.


(Problem 358) A. Kramer, 1922, #2

We must give a flight to the black King. There are many tries, and the theme is Bristol line opening (the parasitic piece that opens the line is not taking part to the mate).

Tries : [1.Qh1+? Kxh1!], [1.Qg1+? Kxg1!]
Tries : [1.Rd1? / Rd3? / Rd4? / Rd5? / Rd6? / Rd7? / Rd8 Kxg2!]
Tries : [1.Rc2? / Rc4? / Rc5? / Rc6? / Rc7? Kxg3!]

Key : 1.Rc8! (5)
1...Kxg3 2.Qc7#


(Problem 359) M. Bosch, #3

We make a Rook-Bishop battery, we allow the black King to move around, but not for very much...

Tries : [1.Rb1? Kc3!], [1.Rc4? Kd1!]

Key : 1.Bb6! (1)
1...Kxe1 2.Rd4 (1) Kf1 3.Rd1#
1...Kd1 2.Rb1+ (1) Kd2 3.Ba5#
1...Kc3 2.Ba5 (1) Kd2 3.Rb1#
1...Kc1 2.Ba5 (1) Kd1 / Kd2 3.Rb1#


(Problem 360) V. Nikitin, +

If the White is going to win, then obviously the wP must be promoted.

(not 1.Kg6? h4 2.e5 h3 3.e6 h2 4.e7 h1=Q 5.e8=Q Qc6 6.Qxc6 Kxc6 7.Kf5 Kd5 -+)
(not 1.Kxh5? c4 2.e5 c3 3.e6 Kc6 4.Kg6 Kd6 5.Kf6 c2 6.e7 c1=Q 7.e8=Q =)

Key : 1.e5! (1)
1...Kc6 2.Kg6 Kd5 3.Kf5 (1) and now two equivalent variations
3...h4 4.e6 Kd6 5.Kf6 h3 6.e7 h2 7.e8=Q h1=Q 8.Qd8+ Kc6 9.Qa8+ (1.5) +-
3...c4 4.e6 Kd6 5.Kf6 c3 6.e7 c2 7.e8=Q c1=Q 8.Qd8+ Kc6 9.Qc8+ (1.5) +-


(Problem 361) S. Jurisek, h#2 2111

Black plays first and helps White to mate. The solver should imagine where all the pieces must go in order to create the mating net inside the limit of the moves.

Key : 1.Kf6! h8=S 2.Be7 Bc3# (2.5)
Key : 1.Bc7! b8=Q 2.Kd7 Qxc7# (2.5)


(Problem 362) V. Shumarin, #2

Tries : [1.Qd3? / Qa5+? / Qb6? C5!], [1.Qa8? Kc4!], [1.Qxc6+? Kxc6!], [1.Qb7? / Ba1? / Bb2? / Bc3? / Bh8? / Bg7? / Bg4? / Kd2? / Kc3? / Kd3? Kd6!]

Key : 1.Bf6! (5) ( > 2.Qd3# )
1...c5 2.Bg2#


(Problem 363) R. Koblov, #3

Tries : [1.Ke3? F4+!], [1.Qd6? Kxd2!], [1.Kd3? / Qb1+? / Qb3? / Qb5? / Qc4? / Bf1? / Bh5? / Bg4? / Bf3? / Ba6? / Bb5? / Bc4? / Bd3? Kxf2!], [1.Sd1? / Sh1? / Sh3? / Sg4? / Sd3+? / Se4+? Kxe2!]

Key : 1.Qb8! (1) ( > 2.Q(x)f4 K~ 3. Qe3# (1) )
1...Kxd2 2.Qb2+ (1.5) Ke1 3.Sd3#
1...Kxf2 2.Qh2+ (1.5) Ke1 3.Sf3#


(Problem 364) A. Galitsky, #4

Tries : [1.Kxh6? / Kg4? / Qc3? / Qc5+? / Qa4? / Qb6? / Qc4+? Ke4!], [1.Qe1? / Qf8? / Qb7+? Kxd4!], [1.Qb2? Kd6!]

Key : 1.Qd2! (1) (zugzwang situation)
1...Kd6 2.Qa5 Ke7 3.Qa8 (2) Kf6 / Kd6 4.Qf8# / 4.Qd8#
1...Ke4 2.Qf2 Kd5 3.Qh4 (2) Kd6 4.Qd8#


(Problem 365) A. Zickermann, s#3

White plays first and forces Black to achieve mate, leading the black Knight from a8 to c3.

Tries : [1.Sc4+? / Qg3+? / Qh3+? / Qb4+? K(x)b4!], [1.Qc4? / Qd4? Sb6!]

Key : 1.Qe1! (1) (zugzwang situation)
1...Sb6 2.Qa5+ Sa4 3.Qc3+ (2) Sxc3#
1...Sc7 2.Sb5+ Sxb5 3.Qc3+ (2) Sxc3#