Award in SuperProblem - 2019 Informal Tourney | Fairies
Итоги годового конкурса SuperProblem - 2019 | Сказки
Published: January 12, 2024
Опубликовано: 12 января 2024
My thanks to Alexey for inviting me. This is the first time I have judged a tourney in Russia! SuperProblem is possibly the most active online chess problem site, with regular informal tourneys, theme tourneys, and various other activities and reference material.
There were a total of 63 originals. In these, two were unsound: G230 (Shumeyko) Cook 1.GNd6+! and G259 (Shumeyko) Cook 1.Ra2 Bxa2 2.Kh8 Be1 3.Bc3 Ka1 4.Bd2 b1=B 5.Bc3+ Bxc3#.
I have split the award into Gravures and Others. Many problems, especially in the 1st section showed echoes and were possibly found by computer! Other than these there were the fashionable ODT and HOTF style help play problems. And a smaller proportion of series play and direct play problems.
Many of the problems would obviously have participated in the 2019-21 WCCI and Album cycle. The WCCI selection was available, but I have not referred to it!
My congratulations to the composers and best wishes to the editorial team – Grigory, Alexey, and Vitaly: May SuperProblem continue to thrive and flourish!
3rd Prize - G241 Viktor Zheglov SuperProblem, 31-08-2019
B7/6q1/8/2K5/5k2/8/1B6/8
hs#10*
2 sol. Functionary Chess PWC
(3+2)
1st Prize - G218 Sergey Smotrov (Kazakhstan)
With just 4 pieces, two of them neutral, no other fairy pieces, no twinning, and only one fairy condition, this problem shows 4 exact chameleon echo mates and with 11-ply move sequences. Quite remarkable!
1...Kg7 2.Ke6 nRf6 3.Kf5 nRf8 4.Kg6+ nRf5+ 5.Kh7 Kh6 6.nRh5+ Kg7#
1...nRc7+ 2.Ke5+ nQd4+ 3.Kf5+ Kg5 4.Kg6 nRf7+ 5.Kh5 Kh6 6.nRh7+ Kg5#
1...Kg6 2.nRf5 nRc5+ 3.Ke7 nQd4 4.nRg5 Kf7 5.Ke8 Kf8 6.nRg8+ Ke7#
1...nQd7 2.nRg7 nRg5 3.nQg4 nRd5 4.Ke7 Kf7 5.Kf8 Ke8 6.nRd8+ Kf7#
2nd Prize - G201 Dmitry Grinchenko (Ukraine)
The "WP Square" theme of TT-215 is here shown with chameleon echoes and ODT – a rare combination. 1.Kxd5 2.Kxe6 3.Rd5 4.Qf5 Re7#
1.Kxe5 2.Kxd6 3.Be5 4.Qc5 Rd7#
3rd Prize - G241 Viktor Zheglov (Russia)
The best of the composer’s 3 problems all showing triple chameleon echoes. This problem has set play and a 20-ply sequence.
*1...Qh8 2.Be4 Qb8 3.Be5+ Qxe5[+wBb8]+ 4.Kb6 Qb5+ 5.Kb7 Ke5 6.Bd5 Kd6 7.Ka8+ Kd7 8.Bc6+ Kc8 9.Bc7 Qa6 10.Bd7+ Kxc7[+wBc8]#
1.Bf6 Qg5+ 2.Kd6 Qd5+ 3.Ke7 Qe4+ 4.Kf8 Qxa8[+wBe4]+ 5.Kg7 Qb7+ 6.Kh8 Qe7 7.Be5+ Kg5 8.Bf6+ Kh6 9.Bg6 Qf8 10.Bg5+ Kxg6[+wBh6]#
1.Be5+ Ke3 2.Bc3! Qe5+ 3.Kb4 Qe4+! 4.Ka3 Qxa8[+wBe4]+ 5.Kb2 Qb7+ 6.Ka1 Qb4 7.Bd4+ Kd2 8.Bc3+ Kc1 9.Bc2 Qa3 10.Bd2+ Kxc2[+wBc1]#
1st Honourable Mention - G257 Daniel Novomesky SuperProblem, 12-12-2019
8/8/4q3/2R5/3R4/3K4/8/8
hs#3
2 sol. b) Rc5->c1 c) Rd4->a3 d) Kd3->b5
Maximummer KoeKo
(3+1)
2nd Honourable Mention - G242 János Csák SuperProblem, 18-09-2019
8/3p4/2pK4/3p3k/2B1p3/3p4/8/8
h=4.5
b) Bc4->d2
(2+6)
3rd Honourable Mention - G206 Eric Huber SuperProblem, 23-01-2019
2nd Honourable Mention - G242 János Csák (Hungary)
The sequence of 5 BP captures are reversed between the WB and WK. This is the Zalokotsky theme (A piece visits in succession two or more squares. In another solution another piece of the same colour visits the same squares but in reverse order). The BK makes a long march to opposite sides of the board.
a) diagram: 1...Bxd3 2.Kg6 Bxe4+ 3.Kf7 Bxd5+ 4.Ke8 Bxc6 5.Kd8 Bxd7= b) Bc4->d2: 1...Kxd7 2.Kg4 Kxc6 3.Kf3 Kxd5 4.Ke2 Kxe4 5.Kd1 Kxd3=
3rd Honourable Mention - G206 Eric Huber (Romania)
Reciprocally changed promotions to nQ/nR by nPs on d2/h8. The final mate in both twins depends on various effects of neutral pieces (self-check), partial paralysis (pieces can’t move), and leffie (moves are illegal).
a) diagram: 1.Ke4 h8=nR 2.d1=nQ+ nQc2# b) Kb3->c4: 1.d1=nR h8=nQ 2.nQc3 nRd4#
4th Honourable Mention - G240 Viktor Zheglov SuperProblem, 31-08-2019
3r4/8/8/3K4/8/5k2/8/3R1R2
hs#8.5
3 sol. Functionary Chess PWC
(3+2)
5th Honourable Mention - G256 Eric Huber SuperProblem, 05-12-2019
8/2(!p)5/2K5/5(!p)2/8/4k3/8/1(!q)6
hs#2
Billiard Chess Super Circe
(1+1+3)
6th Honourable Mention - G239 Viktor Zheglov SuperProblem, 31-08-2019
5th Honourable Mention - G256 Eric Huber (Romania)
Nice Super Circe and Billiard Chess effects. Promotion to nBg1 by different Ps. Consecutive cross checks on B1/W2. Royal battery mates.
1.Kc5 nQxf5(+nPb3)+ 2.nQxb3(+nPg1=nB)+ Kd2#
1.nQxf5(+nPf1=nR) nQxf1(+nRd6)+ 2.Kxc7(+nPg1=nB)+ Ke4#
1st Prize - G216 Vlaicu Crișan (Romania), Ofer Comay (Israel), & S. K. Balasubramanian (India)
Another extravaganza by the three ODT masters! The two bewildering 11-ply sequences show:
- In each solution, 10 effects of opening / closing / avoiding closure of the thematic lines g8-g1, b6-g1, g3-c7, e3-e7.
- Active play of the Hamster, a normally passive piece: Opens a line, closes a line, opens a line again, and blocks a critical square that enables the final selfmate.
- The Hamster paradoxically opens a line in the first move which is closed in the second move, and closes a line in the first move (unpin) which is opened several moves later.
- The wK is used 3 times as hurdle in each solution.
- Reciprocal batteries by the wCRL/wCBL and bRL/bBL.
- Selfblocks on f2/g2 by the bCBL/bCRL with exchange of B3/B5 moves.
- Selfblocks on the wK’s initial square (d7) by the wCRL/wCBL.
- 4-fold cycle of hopping piece and hurdle piece between the Chameleon pieces.
- RL/BL Grimshaw (e5) and switchback, and Four pairs of function exchanges: (d4/g4, b6/g8, e3/g3, e4/f4).
1...HAg5 2.cBLc8=cRL RLe5 3.Kc7 cBLf2=cRL (3....HAf5?) 4.cRLc5=cBL HAf5 5.Kd6 cRLg2=cBL 6.cRLd7=cBL+ RLe3# (6....cRLf5?)
1...HAc5 2.cRLd8=cBL BLe5 3.Ke7 cRLg2=cBL (3....HAd5?) 4.cBLg5=cRL HAd5 5.Ke6 cBLf2=cRL 6.cBLd7=cRL+ BLg3# (6....cBLd5?)
2nd Prize - G258 Michal Dragoun (Czech Republic)
A 2+2+2 HOTF with ODT, showing:
- Reciprocal exchange of black moves with selfblocks and Zilahi (I, II).
- Interferences of black rook, anticipatory stopping of a black hurdle, black-black Umnov moves, compared with the first pair reciprocal captures of two pairs of lions (III, IV).
- Distant selfblocks, creation of white anti-batteries, white-black Umnov moves (V, VI).
I: 1.BLxd4 LIb1 2.RLf5 LIb8# II: 1.RLxf5 LIh4 2.BLd4 LIe7# III: 1.Sb1 LIc2 2.c3 LIxa1# IV: 1.Sh3 LIg4 2.g5 LIxh5# V: 1.g6 LIc5 2.Kf5 Nd5# VI: 1.c5 LIxg7 2.Kd4 Nf6#
3rd Prize - G221 Bosko Miloseski (North Macedonia)
W Grimshaw d6, Black double castling, Banny theme, and Mate by the BR after castling. The WK square (after the 4th move) and the BR mating squares are exchanged (d4/f4).
The Kontrawechsel theme (1.A? b 2.C 1...A!, 1.B? a 2.C 1...B!, 1.C! a/b 2.A/B) is also seen, but unfortunately has duals after 1.Bd6? Sf7 2.Sxe3/Bg3.
1.Rd6? (A) Sf7! (a); 1.Bd6? (B) Sd7! (b)
1.Sxe3! zz
1...Sf7 (a) 2.Bd6 (B) 0-0-0 3.Bg3 Rxd2 4.Kf4 Rd8 5.Qd4 Rxd4#
1...Sd7 (b) 2.Rd6 (A) 0-0 3.Rd3 Rf1 4.Kd4 Rf8 5.Sf4 Rxf4#
4th Prize - G247 Michal Dragoun SuperProblem, 29-10-2019
4th Prize - G247 Michal Dragoun (Czech Republic)
A 2+2 HOTF with ODT, showing:
- Anti-battery mates.
- Function exchange of the white lions.
- In the first pair unguard of a mating line and selfblocks by the black lion a7.
- In the second pair activation of the white lions by creation of a hurdle after moves of the black king.
- Moves of the black lion a7 to four adjacent squares.
1.LId7 LIg3 2.LId5 Sc6#
1.LIe7 LIh3 2.LIb4 Se6#
1.Kc5 LIc1 2.LIf7 Sc2#
1.Kd5 LIa2 2.LIc7 Sb3#
1st Honourable Mention - G211 Ivo Tominic (Croatia) & Borislav Gadjanski (Serbia)
This problem shows the theme of TT-206 (Switchback after T&M) on the last two moves in each solution, in addition to:
- An unusual Grimshaw on b6 between the Normal Pb7 and Berolina Pc7.
- Line opening + Umnov move.
- Annihilations and Selfpins.
- Dual avoidance.
- ODT.
The Vao on c8 is needed for soundness.
1.b6 BPb7 2.BPxc6-c7 Rxa5-a7# (2...Bxb5-d7? b5!)
1.BPb6 c7 2.bxa6-b7 Bxb5-d7# (2... Rxa5-a7? BPa5!)
2nd Honourable Mention - G231 Hubert Gockel (Germany)
The WP can capture on c6 with 5 different WP disappearances. These form the 4 tries and key showing:
- WP/BR duel in the tries.
- Barnes theme.
- Doubled Pseudo Le Grand.
- Anti-Novotny and Grimshaw on e5.
- Threat correction and mate transference.
*1...Qxg7[-bSd3]#?? (Illegal due to selfcheck!)
1.dxc6[-wPc6]? ~ 2.Qd5#(A)/Qd4#(B), but 1...Rxd6[-bQg5]!
1.dxc6[-wPa7]? ~ 2.Qd5#(A)/Qd4#(B), but 1...Ra8+!
1.dxc6[-wPc3]? ~ 2.Qd5#(A), 1...Rxe5[-bPe3](x) 2.Sf2#(C), but 1...Ra5!
1.dxc6[-wPc4]? ~ 2.Qd4#(B), 1...Bxe5[-bPe3](y) 2.Sf2#(C), but 1...Ra4!
1.dxc6[-wPe5]! ~ 2.Sf2#(C)
1...Re5(x) 2.Qd4# (B)
1...Be5(y) 2.Qd5# (A)
1...Qxg2[-bPe3] 2.Sg5#
5th Honourable Mention - G228 János Csák SuperProblem, 26-06-2019
8/p5pp/4p3/8/b2r4/5p1K/8/5Bqk
ser-s#33
(2+9)
3rd Honourable Mention - G232 Anatoly Stepochkin (Russia)
BB-BR/WQ voidance, with BP Promotion, BP annihilation, Line clearance, and ODT.
a) diagram: 1...Bh1 2.Qg2 e1B 3.Qxb7 Bg3 4.Qf3+ Bxf3# b) Pe2->g2: 1...Ra1 2.Qa2 g1Q 3.Qxa7 Qg3 4.Qa3+ Rxa3#
4th Honourable Mention - G226 Yevhen Trakhtman (Ukraine)
A shuffling exercise, on a board restricted by holes, to promote the 3 Berolina Ps to Ss and move the BK to g5. Reminiscent of T.R.Dawson's famous Revolver Practice!
1.Kh1 2.Rgh2 3.Kg2 4.Rh1 5.R3h2 6.Kh3 7.Rg2 8.Bh2 9.BPg1=S 10.Rf2 11.Kg2 12.Sh3 13.Bg1 14.Kh2 15.Rg2 16.BPf2 17.BPe3 18.Bf4 19.Sg5 20.Kh3 21.Bh2 22.BPg1=S 23.Rf2 24.Kg2 25.Sgh3 26.Bg1 27.Kh2 28.Rg2 29.BPf2 30.Be3 31.Sf4 32.Kh3 33.Bh2 34.BPg1=S 35.Rf2 36.Kg2 37.S1h3 38.Kg1 39.Rg2 40.Kf2 41.Bg1 42.Rgh2 43.Sg2 44.Shf4 45.Rh3 46.Bh2 47.Kg1 48.Bf2 49.Se3 50.Kg2 51.Bfg1 52.Kf2 53.Seg2 54.Ke3 55.Bf2 56.Bhg1 57.R3h2 58.Sfh3 59.Kf4 60.Be3 61.Sf2 62.Sgh3 63.Kg5 Qxh6#
5th Honourable Mention - G228 János Csák (Hungary)
After capturing the BPf3, the WK cannot retrace his steps back to h3 and is forced to make a round trip around the BR till d8 to get back. Both the WB and WK execute lengthy Rundlaufs. A fine sequence with 7 shielding moves by the WB.
1.Bg2+? fxg2!
1.Bc4 2.Bxe6 3.Bg4 4.Kh4 5.Kg5 6.Kf5 7.Ke5 8.Bf5 9.Be4 10.Kf4 11.Kxf3 12.Bd3 13.Ke2 14.Kd2 15.Kc3 16.Bc4 17.Kb4 18.Kc5 19.Bb5 20.Kc6 21.Kc7 22.Bd7 23.Kd8 24.Ke7 25.Bg4 26.Ke6 27.Kf5 28.Kg5 29.Kh4 30.Kh3 31.Be2 32.Bf1 33.Bg2+ Qxg2#
6th Honourable Mention - G215 Boris Shorokhov SuperProblem, 09-04-2019
8/4p3/4r3/2nB4/R1K2P2/2n1p3/2(bq)5/1b6
h#2
2.1.. Protean Chess
c2: Royal Queen
(4+7)
1st Commendation - G235 Alexander Tyunin SuperProblem, 26-07-2019
6th Honourable Mention - G215 Boris Shorokhov (Russia)
3 protean power changes in each solution: R/B to B/R, rQ to rB/rR and wK to wS mating the black royal piece. And with ODT and Model mates.
1.Re4+ Bxe4=R 2.rQxe4=rR+ Kxc5=rS#
1.Ba2+ Rxa2=B 2.rQxa2=rB+ Kxc3=rS#
1st Commendation - G235 Alexander Tyunin (Russia)
After the try 1.PAe3?, there is dual separation of 3 Anti-battery mates by the WSs on the f-file. After the key, there is a Pao/Vao Grimshaw on e3 with double arrival correction by BS and royal Anti-battery mates on the f-file. All defences also carry the motive of closing the line PAe2-e7 and allowing WK to vacate the same line.
1.b8S? - 2.Sd7#, 1...PAxb8 2.e8S#, 1...PAd3!
1.PAe3? - 2.Sf3/Sf4/Sf5#, 1...PAxh3 2.Sf3#, 1...VAxh4 2.Sf4#, 1...Sxe3 2.Sf5#, 1...PAxh4 2.e8S#, 1...Sd4!
1.Sg5! - 2.Sh7#
1...PAe3 2.Kf3#
1...VAe3 2.Kf4#
1...Se3! 2.Sf5#
1...PAxh4 2.e8S#
2nd Commendation - G234 Igor Kochulov (Russia)
Reciprocal pin line formation and function exchange between the Neutral Lions, with Selfblocks and function exchange between BR/BB, Double Pin-mates, Dual avoidance, and ODT.
1.Re1 nLIf8 2.Rg1 (2.LIg1? ... 3.nLIc5!) 2...nLIxf5#
1.Be2 nLIb6 2.Bf1 (2.LIf1? ... 3.nLIf6!) 2...nLIxd4#
3rd Commendation - G203 Anton Bidlen SuperProblem, 11-01-2019
5th Commendation - G254 Gábor Tar SuperProblem, 20-11-2019
3n2k1/3Ppp1p/7P/4p1pP/1r2n2K/2p3r1/5Q2/4bb1q
hs=2
b) Sd8->h3 c) Pe7->f5 AntiCirce
(5+14)
3rd Commendation - G203 Anton Bidlen (Slovakia)
Two BK marches on the edge of the board, anti-clockwise and clockwise, with a changed mating position, and mates on the same square.
a) diagram: 1.Kh6 2.Kh7 3.Kg8 4.Kf8 5.Ke8 6.Kd8 7.Kc8 8.Kb7 9.Kxa6 10.Ka5 11.a6 Sxc6# b) Kh5->h4: 1.Kh3 2.Kh2 3.Kg1 4.Kf1 5.Ke1 6.Kd2 7.Kc2 8.Kb3 9.Kb4 10.Kxc5 11.Kd6 Rxc6#
4th Commendation - G260 Sergey Shumeyko (Russia)
In try and key, the wLeo unpins the BQ. The BQ again selfpins itself on two different lines to defend against the threat. This is the Nietvelt theme, with the additional element of an initial unpin by the thematic pinning piece.
1.LIe1? - 2.LIh4#, 1...Qxe2 2.d3# (2...Qxd3??), 1...Qxd4 2.exd4#, 1...PRd8 2.Sd6#, 1...Bf3 2.exf3#, 1...Sh6 2.Sf6#, 1...PRxe5!
1.LIe7! - 2.LIh7#
1...Qxe6 2.dxc5# (2...Qe4??)
1...PRxe5 2.Sd6#
1...Qxd4 2.Rxd4#
1...f6 2.LIh4#
1...fxe6 2.LIg6#
1...Sxe7 2.Sf6#
5th Commendation - G254 Gábor Tar (Hungary)
3 selfpins on different squares by the WQ, followed by block of d1 by the battery firing Black piece.
a) diagram: 1.Qf6 Sf2+ 2.Qh8+ Sd1= b) Sd8->h3: 1.Qb6 Shf2+ 2.Qd8+ Sd1= c) Pe7->f5: 1.Qc5 Rd3+ 2.Qf8+ Rd1=