Final Award in Quick Composing TT-211 | Окончательные итоги блицконкурса TT-211

Auto-unpinning | Авторазвязывание

Theme | Тема

43 entries were received from 18 authors representing 9 countries | На конкурс поступило 43 композиции от 18 авторов из 9 стран

EN <-> RU

The required theme “auto-unpinning“ seemed to me rather new, because I could not find any example for the announcement. Although Hubert Gockel later informed me that he had constructed a problem with this theme some years ago (see replaced example No 1 in the announcement), such examples seem to be very rare. This means that the participants did not have to care much about the risk of anticipations and that they had just to pick the flowers of a blooming meadow. And they did! The quality of the problems was widespread. Although outstanding problems were rather rare, I was very pleased with the result, the quality of the problems in general was really good. Alexej sent me 43 problems in anonymized form - quite a lot for a rather difficult theme. Most of the entries were h#2, just 5 were h#2.5 and only 1 h#3. The most used fairy conditions were Anticirce (12x), Superguards (8x) and Patrol Chess (4x).
The theme “auto-unpinning“ (a pinned piece leaves the pinning line without closing it within the same move) may be separated into three different types, depending on what happens with the thematic piece after the move:
Type I: After the thematic move the thematic piece is still partially pinned. Most of the examples in the announcement showed this. For me this is the most interesting form, because tension and suspense are kept. The thematic piece could even return (= antiform).
Type II: After the thematic move the thematic piece is completely pinned = cannot move (see example No 2 e) of the announcement after 1.Sg5).
Type III: After the thematic move the thematic piece is completely unpinned. This can easily be reached by a pinned Pawn that promotes to K e.g. in “Royal Dynasty“ or “Extinction chess“. For me this is quite normal and not so interesting in connection with auto-unpinning. But there are also more interesting possibilities for this type.
All three types were shown in the tournament and - by chance - are present in the top three of the award.

But there were also seven problems that were not thematic:
- No 6 (Kb1-Kh1): There is no pinning along a pinning line. If you take away the white “pinning“ pieces (Y), the black pieces (X) are still pinned because of the fairy condition (not by Y as required).
- No 8 (Kc3-Kh5): Showing only the antiform is not thematic.
- No 11 (Ka7-Kc6): No thematic move in the setplays. Setplay is also a phase.
- No 14 (Ke4-Kf2): No thematic move. The only pinned pieces (wR, wB) never move, they are unpinned by Black, not by auto-unpinning.
- No 20 (Kh8-Kd4) & No 21 (Ka5-Kc5): The bK is guarded by two black officers, so none of them is pinned.
- No 27 (Kd7-Kh5): No thematic move. The only pinned piece (wS) never moves.
All these seven problems I had to exclude, although I must confess that two of them (No 8 & especially No 6) were rather good problems, but unfortunately not thematic.
So there were 36 problems left, more than 40% of them are in the award.

But before some hints to non-awarded problems:
- No 3 (Ke1-Ka1): Good idea, but the white play is not harmonious, model mates (not ideal mates as the author mentioned).
- No 29 (Ka1-Kh6): Good idea, but the construction should be improved. I know that it is possible.
- No 36 (Kd4-Kb6): The thematic (pinning) bR is only a weasel in the a)-solution!
- No 37 (Kh6-Kd6): The idea is good, but the solutions are too similar. Twice the same joke is not very interesting.
- No 39 (Kf6-Ke4): Similar to No 17 (see 2nd Commendation), but less contents (ODT is missing) and 4 men more.

Congratulations to all authors of the awarded problems and apologize that the award has not appeared earlier. Thank you for your patience. Last not least many thanks to Alexej for enabling this successful tournament. Non-awarded problems go back to the disposition of the authors.
And here is my ranking - thematic moves are underlined:

Award is the following | Отличия распределились следующим образом

1st Prize, 1st Place - No 10
Hubert Gockel
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
Br6/1q2r1BK/1p6/6p1/4Rn2/4nk2/p5R1/bb6
h#22.1..
Patrol Chess
(3+11)
2nd Prize, 2nd Place - No 32
Ivo Tominić
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
3q4/2Rpn2B/2b5/5r2/8/1p6/1Pk4K/3R4
h#22.1..
AntiCirce Calvet
Lortap
(5+7)
3rd Prize, 3rd Place - No 33
Michel Caillaud
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
1f4K1/3p1P1P/r3b1k1/5n2/1p1r4/3n4/4(n2)3/8
h#22.1..
Isardam Rex Inclusiv

e2: Nightrider (N)
b8: Rose (RO)
(3+10)

1st Prize, 1st Place - No 10, Hubert Gockel (Germany) Br6/1q2r1BK/1p6/6p1/4Rn2/4nk2/p5R1/bb6

1.Qa6 Bd4 (Be5? 2.Bd3?) 2.Bc2 Rxe3#
1.Qc8 Be5
(Bd4? 2.Bc2?) 2.Bd3 Rxf4#
In the key the bQ leaves the “battery line“ a8-f3 (in fact it is not a battery, because wBa8 has no guard) and the 7th rank in order to unpin wBg7 by unguarding bRe7. The bQ has only two squares (a6 and c8) to achieve this, but what happens afterwards is really fantastic. Both Bishops have to decide very carefully where to go, because the bQ guards d3 or c2 a second time. So the bB has to enter a square, where the wR can auto-unpin by capturing the only guard in the mating move (Type III). Excellent dual avoidance and subtle strategy. Notice that the mate is not a double check, the wBa8 just guards the wRg2 to take flights on the 2nd rank and the g-file. Moves of the pinning piece along the pinning line are something special and were shown several times in this tournament.
EN <-> RU

2nd Prize, 2nd Place - No 32, Ivo Tominić (Croatia) 3q4/2Rpn2B/2b5/5r2/8/1p6/1Pk4K/3R4

1.Rf1 Bd3! 2.Rf8 (Rf6/Rf7?) Bf5#
[1....Rd3? 2.Rb1/Rc1 Rd1+ 3.Sf5/Sg6!]

1.Bh1 Rc3! 2.Ba8 (Bb7?) Rc6#
[1...Rxh1(Rh1->h1)? 2.Qf8 Rd1+ 3.Sc6!]

1.Qc8/Qe8? Rxc6(c6->h1) 2.Kc1 Rh2??
1.d5/d6? Rd2+ 2.Kc1 Rxe7(Re7->a1)+ 3.Kxd2(Kd2->e8)!
What a brilliant mechanism! The critical square is left (B1 with auto-unpinning), crossed (W1 with auto-deactivation = unpinning the black piece), crossed again (B2 with auto-deactivation) and finally entered (W2 with mate). Only two actors in each solution, but what a wonderful “pas de deux“! The unsuccessful attempts should be more regarded as hints to the construction, otherwise they are disturbing the perfect harmony between the solutions. (Type I)
EN <-> RU

3rd Prize, 3rd Place - No 33, Michel Caillaud (France) 1f4K1/3p1P1P/r3b1k1/5n2/1p1r4/3n4/4(n2)3/8

1.Rf4 h8RO 2.Nd4 f8N# (1.Rd~? ... 3.Ne2!)
1.Rc6 h8N 2.ROa6 f8RO# (1.Ra~? ... 3.ROb8!)
The solutions may be described as follows: tricky key with square vacation and closing line in advance, white promotion that makes the bK immobile by Isardam, Black guards the bB on a line that leads to f8 in order to prepare the white mating move by auto-unpinning and promotion. Reciprocal change of promotion, good use of Isardam and everything is analogous. A problem with intellectual deepness. (Type II)
EN <-> RU
4th Prize - No 43
Petko Petkov
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
1(Q3)(Q3)(n2)nb1k/6p1/4p3/5p2/4(q1)3/2p5/2(Q1)5/2K5
h#23.1..
Anti-Andernach
Patrol Chess

c2, e4: Lion (LI)
d8: Nightrider (N)
c8, b8: Kangaroo Lion (KL)
(4+9)
1st Honorable mention - No 42
Petko Petkov
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
8/8/3K1b2/8/8/p7/2R5/R2(bn)3k
h#2b) Rc2->e2
Anti-Andernach
Functionary Chess
d1: Chameleon
(3+4)
2nd Honorable mention - No 38
Juraj Lörinc
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
2(q2)1(Q2)(q2)2/1(q1)6/(q1)1n4b/pp2(q1)3/kr5(q1)/1pK1Rrn1/1P6/8
h#2b) Kc3->c1
Patrol chess

f8, c8, e8: Grasshopper (G)
h4, e5, b7, a6: Lion (LI)
(4+15)

4th Prize - No 43, Petko Petkov (Bulgaria) 1(Q3)(Q3)(n2)nb1k/6p1/4p3/5p2/4(q1)3/2p5/2(Q1)5/2K5

1.Bc5=w? Ba7=b+??; 1.LIh7=w LIa7=b 2.Bc5=w! Bxa7#
1.Sc7=w? Sa6=b+??; 1.LIg6=w LIa6=b 2.Sc7=w! Sxa6#
1.Nc6=w? Ne2=b+??; 1.LIe7=w LIe2=b 2.Nc6=w! Nxe2#
In the diagram the three black officers on the 8th rank are pinned, because wLIc2 guards wKLc8. If one of them closes the c-file, the two others are unpinned. By opening the c-file and guarding wKLb8 White could give mate with wKLc8 while wKLb8 pins the remaining two black officers. In the logical tries this fails, because the guard of b8 has the wrong color. Therefore the mating move must be a capture, and the black Lion is in all solutions the victim. If you see one of the solutions, the two others are very clear. Then it might be a simple mechanism, but in any case simply perfect, also the construction without any cookstopper, and the use of the fairy elements. I don't agree with the comment of the author (Bivalve is already part of auto-unpinning, if conditions like Patrol or Functionary Chess are used; the mentioned cycle is something self-evident, if one of three pinned pieces is leaving the pinning line), but idea and construction of the problem are wonderful.
EN <-> RU

1st Honorable mention - No 42, Petko Petkov (Bulgaria) 8/8/3K1b2/8/8/p7/2R5/R2(bn)3k

a) diagram:
1.cSb2=cB=w? cBc1=cR=b 2.cRc3=cQ=w?
1.cSc3=cB=w cBe1=cR=b 2.cRe5=cQ=w cQe3=cS=b#

b) Rc2→e2:
1.cSc3=cB=w? cBe1=cR=b 2.cRe5=cQ=w?
1.cSb2=cB=w cBc1=cR=b 2.cRc3=cQ=w cQg3=cS=b#
The combination of Anti-Andernach, Functionary Chess and Chameleon is not very familiar. The setplay 1...Rxd1== would lead to double stalemate, whereas just shifting the bcSd1 to b4 or e3 would be already a mating position. So the Chameleon switches between the 1st rank and the diagonal a1-f6 to reach a square, where it observes the wRc2 or wRe2 respectively, changing color and figure in every move, i.e. a full transformation starting and ending as cS. A wonderful miniature with a lot of analogy between a) and b). Only the twinning is in my eyes not very subtle, more a deep cut to switch between - reciprocal - try and solution.
EN <-> RU

2nd Honorable mention - No 38, Juraj Lörinc (Slovakia) 2(q2)1(Q2)(q2)2/1(q1)6/(q1)1n4b/pp2(q1)3/kr5(q1)/1pK1Rrn1/1P6/8

a) diagram: 1.LIh2 Re4 2.Se5+ Rxe5#
b) Kc3->c1: 1.LIa1 Re6 2.Se7+ Rxe7#
In the diagram the wR is pinned. After the key bSc6 is pinned as well, nevertheless both continue with auto-unpinning moves by closing the patrol line. The wR finally captures the bS, and the wG is guarded to give mate by an ecto battery. A wonderful mechanism, 2x2 thematic moves by analogy presented, but the heavy construction with fairy pieces as cookstoppers prevents a higher award.
EN <-> RU
3rd Honorable mention - No 15
Jakob Leck
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
2(Q2)1q1bK/4bk2/4r1r1/5p(!p)1/1(Q2)6/8/8/5(!n2)2
h#2b) nPg5->e5
Annan Chess

b4, c8: Grasshopper (G)
f1: Neutral Nightrider (nN)
(3+7+2)
4th Honorable mention - No 18
Balasubramanian S. K.
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
3R4/3b4/8/3k2P1/5K2/1r2P3/B7/8
h#22.1..
SuperGuards
(5+3)
5th Honorable mention - No 9
Hubert Gockel
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
K7/1R6/1pN5/B7/p7/pk2r2p/6PQ/n4rqb
h#22.1..
Eiffel Chess
(6+9)

3rd Honorable mention - No 15, Jakob Leck (Germany) 2(Q2)1q1bK/4bk2/4r1r1/5p(!p)1/1(Q2)6/8/8/5(!n2)2

a) diagram: 1.nNb3 Ga2 2.nNa1 nNg4#
b) nPg5->e5: 1.nNc7 Ga7 2.nNa6 nNe4#
It's not a secret that I like Annan Chess very much, because it is full of surprise. In the diagram position there is no pinned piece at all. The first black and white move build a pin of the nN by the wG. Giving mate with a neutral piece normally means that you have to give a double check. The auto-unpinning move opens the pinning line and gives White the possibility for a double check in the mating move by the wG and the nP with the power of a N. It's paradox that for White the neutral Pawn is stronger than a white one. But a white Pawn would give Black the chance to take the mating move back! Here you have the “Beine 60 theme“ (see https://dieschwalbe.de/preisberichte/WEB_PB_AB60JT.pdf). The nP has an effect for White (giving mate) and - at the same time - an effect for Black (preventing switchback of the nN). Has everybody seen, what the bPf5 is good for? In b) he is useless, but in a) he prevents not only 3.Rxg4! (with power of a B), but also 3.nPg5-d5!! (with power of a R). Such moves parrying a double check make Annan Chess so interesting. Both solutions are full of Annan Chess effects and very harmonious with a change of function by the white Grasshoppers (guarding f8 and mating). The bQ (a bB would be enough) is still acceptable, but the touch of symmetry in position and twinning prevents an even higher ranking.
EN <-> RU

4th Honorable mention - No 18, Balasubramanian S. K. (India) 3R4/3b4/8/3k2P1/5K2/1r2P3/B7/8

1.Rb5 Rxd7 2.Ke5 Bd5# (Rd5?)
1.Bc6 Bxb3 2.Ke4 Rd5# (Bd5?)
Very harmonious with quite a lot of contents in a position with only 8 men: exchange of function on both sides, ODT and a subtle dual avoidance in the mating move, where the wK (!) gives the mate.
EN <-> RU

5th Honorable mention - No 9, Hubert Gockel (Germany) K7/1R6/1pN5/B7/p7/pk2r2p/6PQ/n4rqb

1.Qxg2 Se5 2.Qc6 Rxb6#
1.Bxg2 Rc7 2.Bf3 Sd4#
The bQ must not (shield against the bB), the bB cannot leave the pinning line, so they have to hide within the pinning line! Good idea, wR and wS exchange function (mating and guarding c4). A wRh2 instead of wQ would prevent the first solution by paralyzing bQ after 1.Qxg2.
EN <-> RU
6th Honorable mention - No 30
Solaiappan Manikumar
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
k3b1R1/8/6p1/3r4/8/4B3/K5B1/7q
h#24.1..
SuperGuards
(4+5)
1st Commendation - No 4
Hubert Gockel
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
q1B5/p7/8/7p/6nP/5RPk/7P/7K
h#23.1..
Eiffel Chess
(6+5)
2nd Commendation - No 17
Balasubramanian S. K. & Phani Bhushan
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
3K4/8/2Pkp3/2r1p3/1B1bP3/3R4/8/8
h#22.1..
AntiCirce
(5+5)

6th Honorable mention - No 30, Solaiappan Manikumar (India) k3b1R1/8/6p1/3r4/8/4B3/K5B1/7q

1.Qg1 Bxd5+ 2.Bc6 Bxc6# (1.Qh6? ... 3.Qf8!)
1.Qh6 Rxe8+ 2.Rd8 Rxd8# (1.Qg1? ... 3.Qxg2!)
1.Bc6 Rc8 2.Rd1 Bxc6#
1.Rd8 Bd5 2.Bf7 Rxd8#
In the first pair of solutions the bQ has to find a place, where she does not disturb the mate by guarding her own King, whereas the white solo entertainer captures the other black officers for a mate by double check. In the second pair of solution the bQ keeps calm. This forces Black to hideaway one of the two other officers, whereas the white officers share their work. The wR has to guard the wB, otherwise Black would parry the mate by 3.QxB!. A HOTF in a very economic position, but the repeated moves I regard as a weakness.
EN <-> RU

1st Commendation - No 4, Hubert Gockel (Germany) q1B5/p7/8/7p/6nP/5RPk/7P/7K

1.Qc6 Bd7 2.Sf6 Rxf6# 1.Qe4 Bf5 2.Se3 Rxe3# 1.Qd5 Rf5 2.Se5+ Rxe5#
Not 1.Qb8? Bd7,Bf5 2.Sf6,Se3 R:f6+,R:e3+ 3.K:h4! because bQ paralyzes wPg3
The first two solutions are very good, two thematic moves in a very harmonious way. But the third solution is disturbing. Here less would be more. I would have prefered, if the author had dropped the last solution somehow, e.g. by adding a bRh8.
EN <-> RU

2nd Commendation - No 17, Balasubramanian S. K. & Phani Bhushan (India) 3K4/8/2Pkp3/2r1p3/1B1bP3/3R4/8/8

1.Ba1 Bxc5[wBc5->c1] 2.Bd4 (antiform) Ba3#
1.Rc1 Rxd4[wRd4->a1] 2.Rc5
(antiform) Rd1#
At the first sight this problem seems to be perfect: Thematic key with switchback (= antiform - but not thematic as the author mentioned), ODT, exchange of functions on both sides, excellent harmony and economy. But something is disturbing. The black (thematic!) moves are only a cheat package, just fulfilling the duty to move. The solutions work as well, if you drop the black moves (i.e. ser-#2) or if you change the move order, e.g. W1B1B2W2. This is a sign of missing interplay and a simple strategy. Nevertheless it is a charming problem that should be part of the award.
EN <-> RU
3rd Commendation - No 19
Ravi Shankar S. N. & Solaiappan Manikumar
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
3B4/8/5r2/3pp3/2p4k/3nKP2/7b/3N3R
h#2b) Sd1->f1
SuperGuards
(5+7)
4th Commendation - No 41
Rainer Kuhn
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
8/8/4p1p1/5p1p/1K1N3r/7p/7p/6nk
h#2b) Sd4->f4
Back To Back
(2+9)
Special Commendation - No 1
Hubert Gockel
TT-211, SuperProblem, 14-12-2018
8/8/8/8/6K1/8/R5bk/1R6
h#2*
Eiffel Chess
(3+2)

3rd Commendation - No 19, Ravi Shankar S. N. & Solaiappan Manikumar (India) 3B4/8/5r2/3pp3/2p4k/3nKP2/7b/3N3R

a) diagram: 1.Bg3 Bxf6 2.Be1 Kf2#
b) Sd1->f1: 1.Rf4 Rxh2 2.Rd4 Ke4#
At the first sight the solutions seem to be very analogous, but the wK does not only interfere, in a) he also guards the flight g3. The twinning, which guards g3 for b), is not one of the best, and the missing interplay (the solutions would also work with the stipulation ser-h#2/2) is also a weakness.
EN <-> RU

4th Commendation - No 41, Rainer Kuhn (Germany) 8/8/4p1p1/5p1p/1K1N3r/7p/7p/6nk

a) diagram: 1.Rf4! Sxf5 2.Rd5 Sf5-g3#
b) Sd4->f4: 1.g5! Sxh5 2.Rg6 Sh5-g3#
If the wS were not pinned, the solution in both phases would be easy: 1.~ Se2 2.~ Sg3# with a specific mate (3.Kg2?). In the diagram position the wS is completely pinned. The key in the a)-solution gives White the possibility for an auto-unpinning move that leads again to a complete pinning (Type II)! So Black has to unpin the wS another time, but has carefully to decide, where to move its Rook: e.g. 2.Re2? Sg3+ 3.Rg2!. Everything is very good so far. But unfortunately the b)-solution is much weaker: No analogy in the key, and repetition of the mating position. The mating moves may be regarded as different, because the wS is coming from different squares, but for me it is still a weakness.
EN <-> RU

Special Commendation - No 1, Hubert Gockel (Germany) 8/8/8/8/6K1/8/R5bk/1R6

*1...Re2 2.Bf1 Rxf1#
1.Bd5 Rg1 2.Bg2 Raxg2#
Rather simple, but a very instructive example as introduction into the theme in a very economic form (Tanagra).
EN <-> RU


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Sections | Разделы

F# (fairies | сказки)

Participants | Участники

Balasubramanian S. K. – No 17*, 18
Barth M. – No 34, 35, 36
Bhushan P. – No 17*, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
Caillaud M. – No 33
Dietrich S. – No 27, 28, 29
Giakatis T. – No 31
Gockel H. – No 1, 2*, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12*
Kochulov I. – No 14
Kuhn R. – No 41
Leck J. – No 15, 16
Lind I. – No 39, 40
Lörinc J. – No 37, 38
Manikumar S. – No 19*, 30
Müller D. – No 12*, 13
Pachl F. – No 2*
Petkov P. – No 42, 43
Ravi Shankar S. N. – No 19*
Tominić I. – No 32

The Winner | Победитель

Hubert Gockel
Congrats! | Поздравляем!

Judge | Арбитр

Arnold Beine

Director and editor
Директор и редактор

Aleksey Oganesjan
alexeioganesyan@gmail.com

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