1

Editor

Paz Einat, 45a Moshe Levi St., Nes Ziona 74207 paz@pazeinat.com

Original problems

Regular: Ofer Comay ofercomay@gmail.com

Studies: Gady Costeff costeff@gmail.com

Fairy: Michael Grushko, P.O.Box 363, Kiryat Beyalik 27019 bargrushko@bezeqint.net

In this issue:

Some disadvantages of composing

with chess-software - Avni

To make a draw I don’t need you -

Costeff

IRT Fairies 2018 - Tritten

IRT Fairies 2019 - Gruber

Pre-annual meeting comp. Ty - Comay

2-4

4-5

6-9

9-12

13-15

Israeli Successes Abroad - Navon

Originals

Domino theme update – Einat

Annual meeting 2020 (cancelled) –

Quick Composing Tourneys

Retter 85 JT – Retter

Editorial

Lipton correction

16-17

18-23

23-24

25-26

26

27

27

Subscription to the printed magazine is €20/year – please contact the editor

מפגש חודשי והרמת כוסית לכבוד הגעתו של עמנואל נבון למכסת הנקודות הדרושה לקבלת תואר אמן בין לאומי. משמאל

לימין: מנחם ויצטום, עמנואל נבון, שאול שמיר, עופר קומאי, פז עינת ואהוד גולדברג.

Monthly meeting and a toast celebrating Emanuel Navon’s arrival at the International Master points

norm. Left to right: Menachem Witztum, Emanuel Navon, Shaul Shamir, Ofer Comay, Paz Einat and

Ehud Goldberg.

V A R I A N T I M Bulletin of

The Israel Chess Composition Society P.O. Box 2078 Petach-Tikva 4912002 Israel

www.variantim.org

No. 81 - August 2020

2

Some disadvantages of composing with chess-software

Amatzia Avni

All composers, at least the vast majority of them, are assisted by chess software in their composing

practice. Some compose in the old style, with board and pieces, and only at certain junctures check

their findings with the computer. Others, like me, sit in front of a screen and examine the software's

evaluations, while also getting insights from some lines suggested by the machine. Still others use

their expertise in the field of computers, to devise ways to mine specific positions or solutions

containing specific moves.

The benefits derived by chess software in the creative process of composing are evident. But there

are some disadvantages, about which I'd like to elaborate here. Naturally, the software in itself is

neither good nor bad, and any problem pointed here lies in the interface between man and machine.

1) Laziness

Sometimes I put a position on the screen and the evaluation jumps to plus billion, or mate in two. I

add a pawn here, move a file there and check the evaluation once again. Now it reads "mate in one".

This is embarrassing; years ago, as an active player, I was quite strong. At my peak I was rated at

2400 Elo. I should spot a mate in one or two in a split of a second, and I do. However, the very

existence of the software turns me into a lazy observer. This is a universal phenomenon – whenever

there is an available technology, people tend to let it do the work for them, instead of making the

effort themselves. Ask a teenager how much is 14 times 7 and he will pull out his calculator. Watch

drivers on the road: if the car contains a smart device which alerts them if they are driving too fast

or are too close to a vehicle, their vigilance level drops, believing that if anything will go wrong,

they will be notified in time.

A lazy composer is a negative thing; it makes the composer less

involved emotionally and the composing process becomes more

technical.

2) Loss of confidence

Admittedly, my confidence level is not high, to begin with; as someone

who is married for many years, I am used to my wife telling me each

morning "do not think, just do what I tell you to do". I suppose that this

is a common experience of many married men: "Do not use your brain,

you are not supposed to, just follow my instructions". So, I'm not very

sure of myself. Still, when I sit in front of a computer, I do not trust

myself at all.

In the past, if I had a position like the following (A), I need not have

to consult with anyone. Q vs. R, no fortress; obviously it is a black win.

But nowadays I am in such an awe of the computer, that even with

three extra queens (B), I will still check the silicon stand on every

position.

Because, if it is black's move, it might not win (…) and if it is white's

turn, then… excuse me, I'll have to consult with the almighty chess

software.

Composing with no confidence is bad. The composer is never sure of

himself, does not dare to form his views about the position, always

dependent on his software.

3) Missing important stuff

This might seem paradoxical: isn't the very thing the software is

supposed to ensure, is that we don't miss anything?

I composed the following study (C) some years ago, and published it

on 2019 in "Sinfonie Scacchistiche". We shall skip the first few move

and ponder on the next diagram (D).

A

B

C

'd'd'1'd d'4'0kdP 'd'd'd'd d'd')KdN 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd dRdBd'd'

'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

'dKd'd'd d'd'd'd' kd'd'd'd dpd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'!Q!'

'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' '1'dkd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'dPd'd d'dRd'd' 'dKd'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'dcd'd

'

3

1.Rb6 e6+ 2.R:e6 Qh8 3.Nf6 White intends 4.Bh5+ Kg7 5.Re8, winning the Q and the game. How should black proceed?

My first thought was the defence 3…Qc8, pinning the rook. This is indeed the computer's first choice. Now, diverting the queen with

4.h8=Q springs to mind, as 4…Q:h8 5.Bh5+ Kg7 6.Re8 wins (6…Qh6? 7.Rg8#). However, black is not obliged to capture the WQ and avoids defeat with 4…Q:e6+! 5.Kf4 Rc4+ 6.Ne4 R:e4+! 7.K:e4 Qc4+ with perpetual check.

The correct way, is therefore to make a minor promotion - 4.h8=N+! when 4…Q:h8 5.Bh5+ or 4…Kg7 5.Ng6 Rf7 6.Nf4 are winning for white.

D

At this point I reverted to real board and pieces and tried to examine the position with a fresh look.

The defence 3…Re7 appears natural. How is white going to react? At the time I started to deal with this scheme, I used Fritz10 (later on I switched to the more advanced

Fritz16). The option 3…Re7 was not easy to find; only when you scrolled down, it appeared on the 9th line (!). After some seconds it raised to the 7th line, still a very low preference, which was

evaluated as +7, (quickly developed to +49 in modern Stockfish) meaning an overwhelming,

decisive victory for white. Still, it is a very human and natural candidate move.

The software gave 4.Bh5+ Kf8 5.R:e7 K:e7 6.Ng8+ Kd8 7.Bg6. Now we realize that indeed white is easily winning, as his e-pawn is unstoppable. Glancing once again at the physical board, I was stunned to discover

the stalemate defence 4.Bh5+ Kf8 5.R:e7 Q:f6+! (E)

When the first line of the software claims a straightforward convincing

win, you are not likely to examine the second line, are you? Yet it is

an important line (6.Kg4! wins; actually mate in 8), which eventually became the study's main line. I could have easily missed it, had I just

looked at the computer's screen instead of the real board.

I frequently notice studies, even by good composers, where important

lines are missing. I suppose that in these cases the composers

concentrated on the computer's printout, instead of using their brain.

4) Losing the joy of composing

I have published study F this year in "Magyar Sakkvilag".

After the first two moves 1.Kg1 Rh2 2.Nd2 R:d2 we arrive at the diagram G.

I wondered what happens after the exchange of rooks, and if the rooks'

placement is important in asserting the result.

3.R:d2 Q:d2 turns out to be lost for white. However, my idea of 3.Rb8!! saves the day, as after 3…Qc3 4.R:d2 Q:d2 it is (computer-confirmed) a draw. Why?

With the WR on b8, white can achieve fortress, by positioning his rook

on b5 or b3. With his rook still on c8, he cannot do this (3.R:d2 Q:d2 4.Rc5?? Qe3+) and black gradually advances his king and pawn. Let us examine the position after 3.Rb8!! Q:b8 4.R:d2 (diagram H).

E

F

G

'd'd'd'1 d'4'dkdP 'd'dRH'd d'd')Kd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'dBd'd'

'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'dcd'd

'

'dRd'd'd d'dRdpd' 'd'd'i'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' '1'4'd'd d'd'dBI'

'd'd'd'

'dRd'd'd d'dRdpd' 'd'd'i'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd dNd'd'd' '1'd'4'd d'd'dBdK

'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

'd'd'i'd d'd'$'dP 'd'd'1'd d'd')KdB 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'dcd'd

'

4

At first, I thought it was an easy draw; a draw it is indeed, but the

software reveals that white has to make a long series of "only moves"

to save the day:

4…Qg3+ 5.Rg2 Qe3+ 6.Kh2 Qe1 7.Kg1 Kf5 8.Rf2+ Kg4 9.Re2! each of white's moves is the only path for a draw 9…Qc3 10.Rg2+ Kh4 11.Rh2+ Kg5 12.Rg2+ Kf4 13.Rf2+ 1/2 : 1/2

I must say I'm ambivalent about this study. On one hand, it is a nice

find. On the other hand, it's mainly a computer study; not much of a

composed work, is it? The composer's soul is absent…

I'm still searching for the optimal way to exploit the many benefits of

chess software, while minimizing the disadvantages demonstrated in

this article. Feedback from readers, regarding their use of chess

software, is welcomed.

H

To make a draw I don’t need you – Gady Costeff

Moshe Czerniak’s (1910-1984) flowery commentary was often as interesting as his games. On one

occasion, responding to his young opponent’s draw offer, Czerniak said “To make a draw I don’t

need you”. In context, this meant, presumably, that he was so much the better player, that he could

draw the game as he pleased.

This saying appealed to me so much, that when someone asked whether the study I was showing

was a draw or a win, I gleefully replied “to make a draw I don’t need you”, implying that anyone

could draw this position, the challenge was to win it.

The choice of draw or win is also encountered by composers. In fact, the difference between a win

and a draw in chess is so small, that the choice of stipulation sometimes is a matter of taste.

E. Somov-Nasimovich

hm 64, 1938

(after 7.Kc3)

B draw

A

B win

In the Somov-Nasimovich study, the pieces other than the kings mutually paralyze each other and

the white king must block his opposite from leaving the first rank. In fact, the diagram position is

mutual zugzwang when white to move loses.

Diagram A is a slight modification that retains the mutual zugzwang, but transforms it into a win.

With white to move, 1.Ka3 Qc6 draws as white is short one tempo compared with the black to move

version: 1..Qc6 2.Rxc6 Nxc6 3.Kc4 wins. Somov-Nasimovich would have no trouble finding A, so his decision was presumably a conscious choice.

'1'd'd'd d'd'dpd' 'd'd'i'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'$'d'd d'd'dBI'

'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'd'd'd

' 'd'd'd'

d d'dcd'd

'

qh'$'d'd 0'd'd'd' Pd'd'd'd d'dPd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'I'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'i'd'd'

qhRd'd'd 0'd'd'd' Pd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'dPd'd dKd'dPd' 'd'd'd'd dkd'd'd'

5

Y. Hoch & H. Aloni 3rd HM Magyar

Sakkélet, 1978 (after 7.Kxc6)

B draw

B

B win

The study by Hoch and Aloni shows an original and pretty domination with the king battery firing

eight(!) times. The slight alteration B turns it into a win. According to Hoch, he chose a draw setting

because he preferred minimal white force and the added paradox with the strong black force.

D. Gurgenidze 1st HM Akaki 150 JT 1991

(after 5.Kb7)

B win

A. Avni & Y. Afek 4th HM EG 1998

(after 9.h5 mirrored)

B draw

The Gurgenidze win study and the draw study by Avni & Afek, use essentially the same matrix

shifted one rank higher. The extra Ph2 is the difference between a win and a draw.

Sometimes a small change in the target position will require modifying the preceding play.

Therefore, composers do not just choose between two critical positions, but sometimes also between

different introductory play. If the preceding play is important to the composer, it may influence

their choice in favor of a stipulation that enables it.

L. Mitrofanov 1st prize Rustaveli MT, 1967

(after 5..Qxh5+)

Win

6.Qg5!! Qxg5+ 7.Ka6 Bxa7 8.c7!! wins

C

Draw

6.Qg5!! Qxg5+ 7.Ka6 Bxa7 8.c7!! Qa5+

9.Kxa5 Bxb6+! 10.Kxb6 stalemate

In the Mitrofanov fairytale above, the composer clearly started from the setting C, where black has

a stalemate defense. He must have been ecstatic to find that adding black material changes the

position from a draw to a white win, without requiring any real changes to the preceding play.

Consequently, after 8.c7!! we have one of the prettiest and paradoxical wins in chess. As a result of

the enhanced paradox, and that both stipulations can accommodate the same spectacular play, there

is likely a near consensus about the composer’s choice of a win stipulation.

kd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'dKd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'drd'd d'd'dBd' 'd'd'dN4 d'd'd'd'

kd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'dKd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'drd'd d'd'dBd' Pd'd'dNd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd dKd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd i'd'H'd' Pd'd'd'd dPd'd'd' 'd'd'd') d'1'd'd'

'I'd'd'd d'd'd'd' kd'd'd'd )'dNd'd' ')'d'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd dqd'd'd'

kg'd'dQd )'d'd'd' ')Pd'd'd I'd'd'dq 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'h'd'

kg'd'dQd )'d'd'd' ')Pd'd'd I'd'd'dq 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd'

6

Israel Ring Tourney: Fairies 2018

Judge: Pierre Tritten, Pézilla la Rivière – February 2020 Forty five problems were published by 20 authors in three issues: V.74 (n.3089-3106), V.75 (n.3136-

3150), V.76 (n.3191-3202). With n.3193 being removed, 44 problems remained to be judged.

I favored problems with use of the fairy elements in all the solutions, and a satisfying economy. For

example, I would have rewarded the 3196 if the white king was in c2 – and then the Sb2 may be

removed.

Of course the harmony between the different solutions remains for me a major criterion.

I think help-selfmates and series helpmates should not be competing with fairy problems, so I

divided this judgement in two distinct sections.

1. Problems without fairy pieces & conditions

1st Prize: Var. 3090 Alexandre Semenenko A magnificent achievement in help-selfmate showing rectangular round trips of the mating pieces.

The white play is superb with a placing of the white king on his mating square, an under-promotion

of the pawn c7 and a sacrifice of the white queen. The harmony between the solutions is perfect and

the twining subtle. Exchange of functions of the black thematic pieces, bicolored Bristol, delayed

Umnov, Peri-critic maneuvers.

a) 1...Rxc4 2.Kg8 Rc2 3.e8=R Rg2 4.Qg4+ Rxg4# b) 1...Bxc5 2.Kf8 Bg1 3.e8=B Bh2 4.Qd6+ Bxd6#

2nd Prize: Var. 3089 Valery Semenenko Another very harmonious help-selfmate with two exchanges of functions, one white between rook

and bishop, one being captured and the other blocking b6 and the other black between rook and

bishop one crossing the board for a critical/anti-critical move, and the other intercepting. The

Grimshaw on e5 allows the king-bishop battery to work after a sacrifice of the white queen. A slight

difference between the solutions: on b6 the bishop controls a square of the black king, but the rook

does not. 1...Bxg3 2.Rb5 Bb8 3.Rxb6 Re5 4.Qf4+ Kxf4# 1...Rxg5 2.Bc7 Ra5 3.Bxb6 Be5 4.Qf5+ Kxf5#

Honourable Mention: Var. 3093 Raffi Ruppin Nice work showing black Turton with exchange of functions of the black thematic rook and

bishop, and a sacrifice of the promoted white pawn.

1.h8=Q Ba2 2.Qg8 Qb3 3.Qe6 + Qxe6 # 1.h8=S Ra5 2.Sf7 Qb5 3.Se5 + Qxe5 #

Commendation: Var. 3146 Gyorgy Bakcsi & Paz Einat The promoted bishop makes a long round trip in order to remove the pawn c4. A problem that is

both simple and very pleasant. 1.b1=B 2.Bc2 3.Bd1 4.Be2 5.Bf1 6.Bh3 7.Bg4 8.Bh5 9.Be8 10.Bd7 11.Bc8 12.Ba6 13.Bxc4 14.Ba6 15.Bc8 16.Bd7 17.Be8 18.Bh5 19.Bg4 20.Bh3 21.Bf1 22.Be2 23.Bd1 24.Bc2 25.Bb1 c4#

Alexandre Semenenko

1st Prize

IRT 2018

HS#3.5 b) –e5 11+10

Valery Semenenko

2nd Prize

IRT 2018

HS#3.5 2.1.1… 6+7

Raffi Ruppin

HM

IRT 2018

HS#3 2.1.1.. 7+5

G. Bakcsi & P. Einat

Com.

IRT 2018

Ser-H#25 8+3

'dRd'd'$ 4'd')Kd' 'd'gp)'d 0p)')'d' 'iPd'dr0 d'd'dp!p ')'d'd'd d'dBd'd'

'd'd'!'d d'dPd'd' '0Kd'd'd d'd'd'$r '0'dkd'd d'd'0'G' 'd'dPd'g d'd'd'db

'd'd'Gbd d'd'd'$P '0kd'IPd d'd'd'dr Pd'dPd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd dqd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'dPdpd'd d'd'G'd' 'dPdKd'd dB)PdPd' '0'd'd'd i'd'd'd'

7

Commendation: Var. 3100 Gyorgy Bakcsi & Janos Csak The black knight must paradoxically capture the white queen – who mates in

the set play – and then a big part of the remaining white forces and finally

sacrifices himself. Nice visual effect with 9 men on their departure square –

homebase. Set:1...Qh5# 1.Sxd1 2.Se3 3.Sxf1 4.Sd2 5.Sxb1 6.Sd2 7.Sb3 8.Sxc1 9.Se2 10.Sxg1 11.Sh3 12.Sxf2 Kxf2#

2. Problems with fairy pieces & conditions

1st Prize: 3192 Armin Geister & Daniel Papack In each solution the white final check is given by the queen/knight battery. To

prepare the mate the squares b8, b4, and e1 will be cyclically blocked by

G. Bakcsi & J. Csak

Com. IRT 2018

Ser-H#12* 11+5

the white queen, rook, and bishop d6 (b8 to avoid Sf8-b8xa6, b4 to block the square, e1 to avoid

Ka6-e1xf2). The 1st white move blocks b8, the 1st black move opens a line to allow the 2nd white

block and in the same time to have the mating piece on the right color of square for the mate. The

2nd black move intercepts on a7 or b7 in order to select the right mating piece. The 3rd white block

is given by the queen with check by the knight a6. The mate is given by a black battery knight/bishop

or rook/rook! Interesting is to study why there is only one 1st black move.

This problem offers a breathtaking mix of originality, complexity, and logic with an intensive use

of Marscirce. 1.Bb8 Rb6! (Rd6?, Rf6?) 2.Re1 Qb7 3.Qb4+ Rh7-a8xa6# 1.Rb8 Se4! (S~?) 2.Bb4 Qa7 3.Qe1+ Bg8-c8xa6#

2nd Prize: 3091 Jacques Rotenberg Specific unpinning of black queen or knight to allow a capture on e6 (with effect of no return). The

black rooks leave the rebirth square and sacrifice to allow the promoted white pawn to occupy a

rebirth square of the pinning white piece and prepare a new "external" battery queen/rook or

rook/queen. A superb achievement, making the best use of AntiCircé.

1.Rge8 dxe8=R[wRe8->h1] 2.Sxe6 [bSe6->g8] Rc1# 1.Rde8 dxe8=Q[wQe8->d1] 2.Qxe6 [bQe6->d8] Qc2#

Special Prize: Var. 3149 Sebastien Luce Ideal mates with chameleon echo in the 4 corners with only 4 pieces showing well unified final

maneuvers. a) 1.Ke7 Nd2 2.Re2 Nf2 3.Kf7 Nf8 4.Re7 Nf6 5.Rg7 Nd6+ 6.Kg8 Nf6+ 7.Kh8 Ng6# b) 1.Ke5 Nc1 2.Ke4 Ne3 3.Kf3 Nc3 4.Kf2 Nf3 5.Rg2 Nd3+ 6.Kg1 Nf3+ 7.Kh1 Ng3# c) 1.Kd6 Nc6 2.Kc5 Nc4 3.Kb4 Ne2 4.Kb3 Nc2 5.Rb2 Nc5+ 6.Ka2 Nc3+ 7.Ka1 Nc2# d) 1.Kd5 Nc5 2.Kc6 Ne1 3.Kb6 Nc1 4.Rb1 Nc6 5.Rb7 Nc4+ 6.Ka7 Nc6+ 7.Ka8 Nc7#

1st Honorable Mention: Var. 3102 Hubert Gockel Original use of AMU to show a cyclic antidual. In AMU a mating move can be done only by a piece

that is attacked exactly once before this move. 1.Rxb6#?? illegal because Ra6 is observed twice 1.Sb4#?? illegal because Sd3 is observed twice 1.Sd4#?? illegal because Sf5 isn`t observed at all 1.Qd6#?? illegal because Qf8 isn`t observed at all 1.exd7! [2.d8=S#] 1...Bxa4 2.Rxb6# (2.Sb4+? Kb5!) 1...Sxe4 2.Sb4# (2.Sd4+? Kd5!) 1...Qxf6 2.Sd4# (2.Qd6+? Qxd6!) 1...Se6 2.Qd6# (2.Rxb6+? Kc7!)

A. Geister & D. Papack

1st Prize IRT 2018

HS#3 2.1.1.. 6+9

Marscirce

Jacques Rotenberg

2nd Prize IRT 2018

H#2 2.1.1.1 7+7

AntiCirce

Sebastien Luce

Sp. Prize IRT 2018

H#7 b)Na2c3 2+2

Hubert Gockel

1st HM IRT 2018

#2 AMU 11+10

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' pdpd'd'd )'0'd'd' 'hPd')Rd $NGQIBHk

'd'dRhbd d'd'dqgr Nd'Grd'I d'h'd'dB 'd'd'd'd d'i'd'd' 'd'd'0'd dQd'd'd'

'dB4'drd d'dPd'd' 'd'0Pd'd d'dkd'dK 'd'hq)'d dbdRdQd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'iNd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' Ndrd'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'!'d I'hpd'$' R0kdP)'d dbd')Nd' Pd'dPdp1 d'dNd'd' 'd'd'h'd d'4'drd'

c) shift a8-b8 d) shift a8-b7

Tireur N R-G.Hopper r

8

2nd Honorable Mention : Var. 3191 Armin Geister. To achieve the goal, black must lie down the battery from "a" to the 1st rank.

A funny idea, perfectly done.

Logical try 1.Bxb6+ as a (selfmate-attack) fails: 1...Bc5+ but 2.Kb2! the obstacle (the free square b2) has to be removed (safeguarding plan), in this

special case with a systemic alteration, i.e. the basic plan is realized

analogously: 1.Rg1! Rh5! (1...Rf5?) 2.Ra1 Bb3+ 3.Kb1 Bc1 4.Ra7 Rah1; now the analogously executed basic plan 5.Bg5+ Bxd2# (bPc3 not paralyzed anymore, 6.Kb2??) Special Honorable Mention: Var. 3098 Vaclav Kotesovec Chameleon echo in three corners. Great unity in the play and in the final

positions, with some repetitions of moves however.

Armin Geister

2nd HM IRT 2018

Ded. Daniel Papack

HS#5 Madrasi 7+7

1.Kg2 Ke4 2.Qb8 Qf3 3.Rf2 Kd3 4.Rh2 Qc3 5.Kh1 Ke2 6.Re1 Kf2 7.Qb2+ Kf1 8.Rg1 Qa1 9.Qf2+ Kxf2# 1.Qg2 Kf6 2.Kg4 Kg7 3.Rh7 Kf8 4.Rg8 Kg7 5.Kf5+ Kh6 6.Kf6 Kh5 7.Kg7 Qh1 8.Kh8 Kh6 9.Qg6+ Kxg6# 1.Ra7 Kf6 2.Ke4 Qf3 3.Kd5 Kf5 4.Kc6 Qf6 5.Kb7 Ke6 6.Ka8 Kd7 7.Qg7+ Kc8 8.Rb8 Qh8 9.Qc7+ Kxc7# Commendation: Var. 3147 Semion Shifrin Popandopoulo battery in threat and two variations. 1.d'dRd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'dkd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'dK!' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd'

'4RG'dBd d'dpdRd' 'I'd'dp4 !R)'d'dr 'd'i'd'd g'H'0'd' PG'dPd'd d'dNd'd<

bd'd'd'! d'g'd'd' nd'd'd'd d'dpd'd' 'd'Indkd d'dpd'd' '0'drd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' '1kd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'dNG'd'd d'd'd'd'

Lion Q Grasshopper <

Rook/Bishop-hopper R/B EquipollentsCirce

b,c,d) shift a1a5,a3,d2

Grasshopper Q

NR knight Royal

R

9

Special Commendation: Var. 3148 Semion Shifrin Three variations with defenses by capture of the bishop f2 that prepare the final

batteries.

1.c8=± ! [2.Bd4 + Sxd4 3.±a7 + Sc6#] 1...Sxf2 2.

10

Finally, there is a change of 2nd and 3rd black moves in a wonderfully fairy specific orthogonal-

diagonal transference, full of strategy in each of the twelve single moves. Fairy chess at its best –

the outstanding winner of this tournament!

1.Qh1 Rf3 2.g5-g2xf3 Bh7-cxb7 3.Rg2+ Bf6-f8xb4# 1.Bf2 Qg3 2.h5-h2xg3 Bf6-fxb4 3.Rd2+ Bh7-c8xb7# 2nd Prize: Var. 3287 Hubert Gockel A simple pattern, but ingeniously worked out: three black pieces guard the black king, so the unit

e2 has to find a hide-away, and White has to capture both knights (White has to capture with the

same piece, first promoting the pawn e7, then capturing with the promoted unit). But where to hide?

And in which order to capture the knights? And which promotion is the right one, rook or queen? In

four phases, both promotions and both move orders are combinatorily connected, and the respective

correct choice is determined by (and determines) the black hide-away strategy. So the black and

white play are wonderfully interwoven. In a), the rook can hide only by capturing a white piece

which guards a flight. This flight has to be taken in the mating move, which therefore lands on square

f8 if Black captures on h4, and it lands on d8 when Black captures on c5. In both cases, a promotion

to queen in the first move would protect the piece to be captured, thus White has to promote

to rook. In b), the queen checks either in the first or in the second move. So White has to protect the

king in the respective first or second move, thus White has to promote to queen. What a deep pattern

in an open position, with excellent twinning.

a) 1.Rc2 e7xf8=R 2.Rc2xc5 Rf8xd8 # 1.Rh2 e7xd8=R 2.Rh2xh4 Rd8xf8 # b) 1.Qe2xa2+ e7xd8=Q 2.Qa2xb3 Qd8xf8# 1.Qb2 e7xf8=Q 2.Qb2-a3+ Qf8xd8#

3rd Prize: Var. 3291 Václav Kotěsovec Wow – computer find or not: such a big and large echo in diagonally opposite corners without

twinning is really great. Of course, the individual moves do not show much strategy, but the overall

impression is entertaining and miraculous at the same time.

1...Kf3 2.Kb1 Ke2 3.Kc2 Bb3+ 4.Kc3 Kd1 5.Kd4 Be5 6.Kd5 Be4 7.Kd4 Bc3 8.Kd3 Bec2 9.Kc4 Bd5 10.Kb4 Ba5 11.Kc3 Bd2 12.Kb3 Kc1 13.Ka2 Bd1 14.Ka1 Bb3= 1...Bh5 2.Ka2 Bf3 3.Kb3 Bc2 4.Kc4 Kh5 5.Kd5 Bc6+ 6.Ke5 Bf6 7.Kf5 Bg6 8.Ke6 Bd5 9.Kd7 Be8 10.Ke7 Bd8 11.Kf6 Bg5 12.Kf7 Kh6 13.Kg8 Bh5 14.Kh8 Bf7=

1st Honorable Mention: Var. 3298 Sven Trommler & Franz Pachl Both white pieces are pinned. They are replaced by like black pieces (after a switchback of the white

king which enables the white piece to leave the line). The pin thus is transformed into a battery, and

this battery is provoked to fire by a check of the previously pinned white piece. The knight and the

fifth black officer take flights of the white king. The excellent twinning leads to a perfect

Orthogonal-Diagonal Transformation, in which all rooks and all bishops change their functions. It

is a pity that the scheme does not allow to make use of the remaining pin in the mate. The perfect

harmony leaves a strong aesthetic impression despite the many pawns.

a) 1.Kf4 Sd2 2.Be4 Bf5 3.Ke5 Rf1 4.Bc6 + Bd7# b) 1.Ke4 Se2 2.Rxb4 Rd4 + 3.Ke5 Bf3 4.Rb8 + Rd8#

Geister & D. Papack

1st Prize IRT 2019

HS#3 2.1.1.. 10+9

Marscirce

Hubert Gockel

2nd Prize IRT 2019

H#2 b) e2=q 13+7

Superguards

Václav Kotěsovec

3rd Prize IRT 2019

HS=13.5 2.1.1.. 1+5

BishopHopper b

S. Trommler F. Pachl

1st HM IRT 2019

HS#4 b)ne4f4 5+14

'd'dBd'd dPd'dP0b 'd'd'gpd d'd'd')P ')'0'dpI d'i'4QGq '$'d'd'd d'd'd'd'

'dNh'h'd d'd')'d' 'dPdkdP4 Ip$PdPd' 'd'd'dpH dPdPd'd' Pd'drd'd G'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd dbd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' bd'd'dkd d'd'd'd' 'g'd'd'd I'dbd'd'

'd'dkd'd d'0'dp)' 'd'd')'d d'd'IBdr '0'$ndb0 d'g'0'0p 'd'd'dpd d'drd'd'

11

2nd Honorable Mention: Var. 3358 Hubert Gockel A modern pattern-play two-mover which has the merit to explore the affordances offered by the new

invention Breton. This is an easy-to-understand condition with considerable potential. Captures of

officers get a new interpretation here, they are not necessarily coarse as the capturing side loses a

strong piece as well. The themes Dombrovskis, threat correction and threat return are presented in a

fresh manner with plenty of fairy effects. 1.b3? [2.Re5 A#] 1...Sxf7[-ba7] 2.Sb6# but 1...fxe3[-ba7] a! 1.b4 ? [2.Rd4 B #] but 1...Bxc5[-nd8] b ! 1.Qxd7[-Pb2] ? [2.Qxd6[-Rg4] C #] 1...fxe3[-ba7] a 2.Re5 A # 1...Bxc5[-nd8] b 2.Rd4 B # 1...Bb8 2.Sb6# 1...Sb7 2.Bxe6[-Pg5] # 1...Sxf7[-ba7] 2.Sb6# but 1...Rxd7[-qg3] ! 1.Qxd7[-Pg5] ! [2.Rg5#] 1...fxe3[-ba7] a 2.Re5 A # 1...Bxc5[-nd8] 2.Rd4 B # 1...Qh3 2.Qxd6[-Rg4] # 1...Sxf7[-ba7] 2.Sb6#

3rd Honorable Mention: Var. 3290 Mikhail Khramtsevich & Aleksandr Bulavka Ambitious and original: a black lion hops over the black king to provide a hurdle for a white lion,

which then enters the line, landing between the black king and the black lion. In the second white

move, the lion hops over the black lion and at the same time uses it as a hurdle to check and mate

the king. The black bishop enters the square left by the lion, a neighbor square of the king. The

purpose of the bishop move is to provide a block – however, it does not block the king, but the lion!

This is absolutely harmonious in each of the four twins, and all white lions play a role in each of the

mates. A wonderful idea, but it is a deplorable drawback that the twinning is inhomogeneous and

that thematic black pieces are moved in each twinning. a) 1.Qg2 Qf3 2.Bd5 Qh1# b) 1.Qg6 Qf5 2.Bd3 Qh7# c) 1.Qe7 Qe5 2.Be3 Qe8# d) 1.Qb4 Qd4 2.Bf4 Qa4# 4th Honorable Mention: Var. 3242 Václav Kotěsovec Many years ago, the author published a booklet in which he presented a collection of several

hundreds of perfect three-fold echoes (without twinning). Nevertheless, this one is remarkable,

because it uses a difficult stipulation and gets along without fairy condition. The final constellation

is complex, and every piece moves in each of the solutions.

1.Kb2 Kd3 2.Kb1 Qd2 3.Qd4 Ke2 4.Rc2 Rc3 5.Qb2 Kd1 6.Rc1+ Rxc1# 1.Kd1 Re3 2.Rc2+ Qf2 3.Qf4 Kf3 4.Re2 Kg2 5.Qd2 Kf1 6.Re1+ Rxe1# 1.Rc3+ Kd5 2.Rb3 Kc4 3.Qb2 Qb4 4.Kb1 Kb5 5.Ka2 Ka4 6.Ra3+ Rxa3#

5th Honorable Mention: Var. 3375 Jaroslav Štúň This problem is an intellectual challenge on the one hand (very complicate conditions and pieces: it

is difficult not to mix the just captured piece and the to-be-reborn one, as in most cases they are of

the same nature), but one the other hand it shows a six fold echo which is a big achievement. a) 1.Ng5xe5 Nd5-e4[+Qf4] 2.Ne5xf6 Qf4xf6[+Nf8] 3.Nf8-g6 [+Qg4][+bKh5]+ Nf5-f3[+wKf5]# 1.. Nf5-e6[+Qd6] 2.Ne5xf6 Qd6xf6[+Nh6] 3.Nh6-f7[+Nd7] [+bKe8] + Ne6-c6[+wKe6] # b) 1.Qh5xf5 Nd5-f4[+Nh4] 2.Nh4xf4 Ng5xf4[+Ne3] 3.Nf6-g5[+Qg3] [+bKh4]+ Nf4-f2[+wKf4] # 1... Qg5-g7[+Nf7] 2.Nf6-e7 Qf7-g5 3.Nd5-f6[+bKh6] + Nf6-f8[+wKf6] # c) 1.Qe5-c5 Nd5-d3 2.Nf5-c6 Ng5xc4 3.Nc6-b5[+Nb3][+bKa4] + Nc4-c2[+wKc4] # 1.Nf5-e4 Ng5xe4 2.Qe5-e3 [+Ne2] Ne4xc4 3.Nd5-d3[+Nc2] [+bKd1] + Nd3b3[+wKd3] #

Hubert Gockel

2nd HM IRT 2019

#2vvv Breton 10+10

3rd HM IRT 2019

H#2 b) d3=q 5+9 c)bc4a7 d)bc4b8

Lion Qq

Václav Kotěsovec

4th HM IRT 2019

HS#6 3.1.1.. 3+3

Grasshopper Q

Jaroslav Štúň

5th HM IRT 2019

HS#3 5+0 b)Qe5h5 c)Nf6c4 Republican ParrainCirce

Neutral Eagle N

'd'hQd'd g'dpdBI' 'dp4pd'd d'Hkd')' 'dNdR0Rd d'd'Gp1' ')'d'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'!'d d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'dqd'd' 'dbdk1'0 d'dp1'dp pd'd'd'! I'd'dQ!'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' '=R?kd'd d'd'd'dr 'd'd'd'd d'I'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'H'd d'dN!NH' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd'

M. Khramtsevich A. Bulavka

Neutral Grasshopper Q

12

1st Commendation: Var. 3193v Ofer Comay A funny position in which remarkable use is made of the limited space on light

squares on the whole board. Three corner moves by the kings, the black ones

are tempo losing manoeuvres on light squares! The mating move utilizes the

fourth corner with a nice fairy promotion.

1...Ka1!! 2.Kb6 Bcb1 3.Ka7 B3c2 4.Ka8!! Bd3 5.Kb8 Bc6b5 6.Kc7 B7c6 7.Kd8 Be6d7 8.Ke7 B5e6 9.Kf6 B4f5 10.Kg5 B3g4 11.Kh4 h3 12.Kg3 h4 13.Kh2 Bh3 14.Kh1!! Bh5g4 15.Kg1 h5 16.Kf2 h6 17.Ke1 B6h5 18.Kd2 Bh7g6 19.Kc3 h7 20.Kd4 h8=B#!

2nd Commendation: Var. 3371 Eric Huber A tricky fairy condition (or should we call that “fairy pieces“?). The solutions

remind of retro problems. The two solutions are not overly harmonious, but

Ofer Comay

1st Com. IRT 2019

H#19.5 31+7

Bishop-Lion B

rather play with the effects the total invisibles offer. This is presented in an attractive style, however.

a) 1...Qf1 2.fxg3 Qf4 3.gxh2 + TI~*h2# 2 white invisibles are captured on g3-h2 1 invisible is on g2. If it is white, it is still pinned after g3xh2. 1 white invisible captures h2 -> this invisible

could only be wQh1/wRh1 (the existence of Sf1/Sf3 is excluded by move wQf1-f3).

b) 1...Qc6 2.fxe3 TI~*g4 3.exd2 Qe4# 2 white invisibles are captured on e3-d2 1 black invisible e4 is captured by Qc6xe4. 1 invisible g2/g3 captures bRg4-> this invisible must be a wRg2

3rd Commendation: Var. 3356 MenachemWitztum Harmonious Orthogonal-Diagonal Transformation play with coarse moves in a rather clumsy

setting. The moves by the queen are remarkable, first self-pinning, then moving along the pin line

and provoking mates which are making use of the pin.

a) 1.Qxd4 Rhxh6 2.Qe3 + Se4# b) 1.Qxg5 Bxa6 2.Qg4 + Sf5#

4th Commendation: Var. 3234 Anatoly Stepochkin Four-fold echo using two fairy conditions which strongly limit the pieces’ mobility. Nevertheless

the queens are quite active. Obviously, the combination of the conditions is interpreted in the way

that Koeko contact can be realized within a 2_2 grid cell. A pity that there are several repeated

moves, some even at the same move in different solutions (1.– Qe5, 1.– Qe5, 2.– Qe5; 2.Kd4,

3.Kd4; 2.Qd6, 2.Qd6).

1.Qc4 Qe5 + 2.Kb4 Qd5 3.Qb3 Ke4 4.Kc5 Qf5 5.Kd4 + Qc5# 1.Qe6 Qf4 2.Qd6 Ke4 3.Qb6 Kd4 + 4.Kc4 + Ke5 5.Kd5 + Qc4# 1.Qg2 Qe5 2.Kd4 Qe3 3.Qe2 Qe6 4.Ke5 Qg6 5.Kf4 + Qg3# 1.Qg6 Kg5 2.Qd6 Qe5 + 3.Kd4 Qf4 4.Ke4 Qh4 5.Kf5 + Qe4#

5th Commendation: Var. 3294 Adrian Storisteanu Nice RR-QQ play using an entertaining (once you get acquainted with it) condition, in particular if

retractions are to be considered. Surprisingly, both twins end in orthodox pin stalemates. a) - 1.Rh1xNb1[+nb1,-Rb1] Ka8xRb7 [+Rh1,-Rh1] & 1.Nc3 Rb7-a7+ 2.Nc3xa7[+Ra1,-na1] Rh1-b1= b) - 1.Qd1xNb1[+nb1,-Qb1] Ne7xQb1 [+Qd1,-Qd1] & 1.Ne3 Qg6 2.Ne3xd1[+Qd1,-nd1] Qd1-d6=

Eric Huber

2nd Com. IRT 2019

H#2.5 b)kh3f3 2+3

Total Invisible 4

Menachem Witztum

3rd Com. IRT 2019

HS#2 b)pf5e5

8+13

Anatoly Stepochkin

4th Com. IRT 2019

HS#5 4.1.1.. 2+2

KoeKo GridChess

Adrian Storisteanu

Canada

-1(w,b) & h=2 0+3

Circe assassin

b)kb7f8

'dBdBdBd dBdBdBdB BdB0BdBd iB0P0BdB B0PdP0Bd dPdB0PdB BdBdPdB) dKdBdBd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'0rd d'd'd'dk 'd'd'd'd d'!'d'I'

'd'dNdBd d'dp0PdP Rg'dkdr$ d'dpdph' 'd'h'd'd dpd'dpdr 'd'!bd'd d'd'd'I'

'd'd'dQd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'I'dkd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'1 d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd dkd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd .,d'd'd'

13

Pre-Annual Meeting 2020 Composing Tourney

Judge: Ofer Comay

Theme: Helpmate in 2-4 moves with anticipatory interferences by both black and white.

The theme I chose for this tourney was rather difficult. Still, I received a good number of problems

(15) including some excellent works. When choosing the theme I had a feeling I will receive good

problem for judging but, somehow, during the last month I thought I exaggerated with the theme

choice. I am glad the challenging theme resulted in good problems.

Some words on the criteria that guided me in judging. In a thematic tourney, as compared to a regular

one, it is not enough for me that the problem will be thematic, I expect the theme to be meaningful

during the solution. When the theme appears accidentally, it lowers the problem’s value in a thematic

tourney. Thus, the grading here might have been different if this was a theme-less tourney.

How can an anticipatory interference be meaningful? One possibility is that the sole aim of the move

is to close a line. Another option is that the interference move is chosen from several possible moves

(dual avoidance), and further dual avoidance can be achieved by having a different move order

without the interference move.

The theme asked for “anticipatory” interference. This request turns the interference move into an

intriguing and non-trivial one. But even in this respect, in some problems the anticipatory

interference was evident while in others it was more sophisticated.

Problem No.1 was not thematic since some of the interferences were not anticipatory. I was

responsible for the lack of clarity regarding this problem and I apologize for this.

I thank Omer Friedland who directed the tourney, helped in clarifying and sharpening the theme

definition, and edited the problems and sent them to me without the author names.

This is the award according to my taste:

1st Prize: No. 8 Shaul Shamir & Jean Haymann A highly sophisticated problem. Two black lines, e1-e7 & a8-g2 are blocked

in both solutions. The lines must be blocked since black knight e4 will move

to enable the defense of f4 by the white rook, and with this movement both

lines are opened. The presence of Sc6 on the diagonal makes the need to block

it into even more hidden. The interference by the 2nd black move (a kind of

Umnov) adds an aesthetic element and strengthens the other interferences in

the problem. A certain lack of unity exists in white’s 2nd move as in the second

solution e7 is guarded before the move Be3, but this was minor in light of what

the problem achieves.

1.Sf3 (Sd~?) Se5 (S~?) 2.Sed2 Bc8# 1.Be3 (B~?) Bb7 (B~?) 2.Sc5 Se7#

2nd Prize: No. 11 Paz Einat Black’s 1st move blocked the battery aiming at the white king, and the author

added dual avoidance and separation between the two possibilities of blocking

the diagonal. White’s 1st move choice with the bishop (Bf4 or Bf6?) becomes

clear only after black’s 2nd move: white must make an anticipatory interference

of the black rook as it will arrive at a square that can interfere with the mate.

The fact that the interference by Rd5 does not work in both solutions adds

interest. Rich content in an especially elegant construction.

a) 1.Rc6 (Sc6?, Rg4?) Bf4 (Bf6?) 2.Rg4 Sd4# b) 1.Sc6 (Rc6?,Rg6?) Bf6 (Bf4?) 2.Rg6 Bd7#

Shaul Shamir

Jean Haymann

1st Prize

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2 2.1.1.1 6+10

Paz Einat

2nd Prize

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2 b) -Se6 6+5

Kd'dBd'd h'd'd'd' 'd'dNd'd d'4'GkdN 'd'd'd'd d'dPd'd' 'd'd'drd d'd'd'db

bd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' B$Nd'd'd d'g'dkd' '1Rdn)pd d'd'd'0' 'd'h'dKd d'dr4'd'

14

3rd Prize: No. 14 Menachem Witztum The move order change attempts in this problem are instructive. White cannot

start with 1...Rf3 as black cannot play 2.Qg7 and the pin of Bf5 prevent 2.Bd7.

Analogously, in the 2nd solution white cannot start with 1...Bb2. The

exploitation of the pieces is also excellent: all the pieces with thematic roles

in one solution have a role also in the other, the black bishop and knight

exchange roles as are the white bishop and rook.

1...Bf4 (Rd3?) 2.Bd7 Rf3 3.Qg7 Bxg5# 1...Rc3 (Bb2?) 2.Sd7 Bb2 3.Qe7 Rxc6#

1st Honorable mention: No. 9 Paz Einat Black moves a knight to evacuate a square for the black king, and the 1st move

is carefully chosen to block a line that will be opened after the BK move.

Seemingly, only one line works in each solution, but the composer added tries

justifying the play of the 2nd line: in the 1st solution 1.Scd6 Bf6+ 2.Kc4 Sb6#?

doesn’t work due to 3.Bxb6! and in the 2nd solution 1.Se~? Be5+? 2.Ke4

Sxf6#? doesn’t work as the knight is pinned. The attempt 1.Sed6? Be5+?

completes the tries. The tries are not unified and seem rather incidental, but

they are valuable in the integration between the two solution and in providing

roles for the two thematic lines in both solutions.

a) 1.Scd6 (Sc~,Se3?) Bf2+ (Bxf6+?) 2.Kc4 Sb6# b) 1.Sf2 (Sef6?) Rd3+ 2.Ke4 2.Ke4 Sc5# 1.Se~? Be5 2.Ke4 Sxf6??

2nd Honorable mention: No. 15 Mark Erenburg A nice problem presenting an idea similar to that of the 3rd prize. The main

Menachem Witztum

3rd Prize

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2.5 2.1.1.1 5+12

Paz Einat

1st HM

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2 b)Bh4b8 7+10

difference is that here the d6-b4 diagonal works only in one solution, and the black queen works

only in the other. 1...Re6 2.Sc3 Bxd7 3.Qf3 Re4# 1...Bg6 2.Sc5 Rg7 3.Rxf4 Be4#

3rd Honorable mention: No. 3 Shaul Shamir & Jean Haymann During the solution there are anticipatory interferences of two thematic lines, h7-c2 & g4-a4, once

by white and once by black. Why is it ranked after No.9 which presents a similar idea? It would

have received a prize if the interference by white would not have been incidental, namely, the 1st

solution works also without Bh7 and the 2nd solution without Rg4. This is an example of a problem

I would rank higher if it was not a thematic tourney with this specific theme. 1...Bxe6 2.S3c4 (S3~?,S5c4?) Bf5+ 3.Ke3 Sc2# 1...Rf2 2.Sg6 (S3~?,Sd3?,Sf5?) Rf4+ 3.Ke5 Sd3#

4-6th Honorable mention: No. 2 Menachem Witztum In each solution there are three black pieces without a role, otherwise the problem would receive a

prize. 1...Se3 2.Sa5 f4 3.Sc3 Sc2# 1...Re3 2.Bd8 f3 3.Bxd5 Re4#

4-6th Honorable mention: No. 12b Shaul Shamir & Jean Haymann The black knight moves to block a checking line created afterwards. Elegant construction.

a) 1.Sd6 Se4 (S~?) 2.Qe5 f3# b) 1.Sc5 Bd3 (Bd5?) 2.Rxc3 f4#

Mark Erenburg

2nd HM

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2.5 2.1.1.1 4+11

S. Shamir J. Haymann

3rd HM

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2.5 2.1.1.1 8+10

Menachem Witztum

4-6th HM

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2.5 2.1.1.1 8+11

S. Shamir J. Haymann

4-6th HM

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2 b)Pb3e4 7+5

'd'I'd'd d'dNd'd' 'd'd'0'd dpd'dpd' ')nin)'G dRd'd'd' Pdb4'd'd d'drd'g'

'd'H'1'd dKd'd'd' 'dpd'ir0 d'dphb0' 'd'dpd') 0'dRd'd' 'd'd'd'd g'G'd'd'

'd'dBd'd d'dp$'d' 'dqg'd'd d'd'd'dp '4'dn)k4 I'd'd'0p 'd'd'd'd dbd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'db '1'dpd'g d')'h'0' KH'dkdrd )'d'h')' Bd'0PdRd d'd'd'd'

Kd'd'db4 dnd'd'dp 'd'0'd'd d'dP$Pg' nd'i'd'd 4Pdqd'd' 'd'd')'0 d'dNd'G'

'd'd'd'g dnI'd'd' 'd'd'1'd d'd'd'd' 'dBi'd'd dPH'd'd' 'drdP)'d d'd'd'G'

15

4-6th Honorable mention: No. 10 Paz Einat & Beni Priel Another elegant problem presenting black batteries blocked to prevent a check

and an interference due to a direct check. A pity only one black battery is active

in each solution.

a) 1.d5 Se6 (Se2?) 2.Be4 Bd4# 1.Be4+? Se2,Se6? b) 1.e6 Bg2 (Bf5?) 2.Rf6 Bc7# 1.Rf6+? Bf5?

1st Commendation: No. 4 Raffi Ruppin The white line interference determines white’s move order.

1.Rc6 Rb5 2.Ke2 Ba6 3.Kf1 Rb1# 1.e4 Rf5+ 2.Kg4 Bc8 3.Kh3 Rh5#

2nd Commendation: No. 13 Raffi Ruppin Here, as in problems No.9 & 3, the black king will move and open two lines.

a) 1.d5 Bd4+ 2.Kf4 Rf8# b) 1.Sc3 Rb5+ 2.Ke6 Bxg4#

3rd Commendation: No. 7 Misha Shapiro There are four anticipatory interferences, three by black and one by white.

1.Sg6 Ke6 2.Se4 Kd5 3.Bb4 Be6 4.Qa4 Kd4#

4th Commendation: No. 5 Raffi Ruppin The interference of the black line, here, is actually a preparation for the pin of a

black piece blocking a flight square. In the solution’s text I added the tries

showing the significance of the interferences of the h6-e3 & a4-e8 lines.

a) 1.Qf5 Rg5 2.f3 Re3# b) 1.Sd5 Rb5 2.Sb8 Re8#

5th Commendation: No. 6 Misha Shapiro Nice exchange of batteries, a pity the composer used zero-position instead of the

version shown next to it.

a) 1...Ba3 2.Se7 Bb1 3.Qb7 Bc5# b) 1...Bb1 2.Sh4 Bb2 3.Qh2 Be4# Version:

a) 1...Ba2 (Bc5?) 2.Se7 (Rb7+?) Bc5 3.Rb7 Bc4# b) 1...Bc1 (Be4?) 2.Sh6 (Rh2+?) Be4 3.Rh2 Be3#

P. Einat & Beni Priel

4-6th HM

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2 b)pd6e7 5+6

Raffi Ruppin

1st Com.

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#3 2.1.1.1 3+12

Raffi Ruppin

2nd Com.

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2 b)Be3e2 3+13

Misha Shapiro

3rd Com.

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#4 2+12

Raffi Ruppin

4th Com.

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2 b)pd5f5 4+12

Misha Shapiro

5th Com.

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2.5 Zeroposition 7+6

a) -Pa3 b) ka7h1

Version

5th Com.

Pre-meeting Ty 2020

H#2.5 b)ka6g1 4+13

'$'d'd'd 4'd'0'I' pd'0'd'd 4'd'i'0' pd'dpdpd d'd'G'0' nd'd'd'd g'd'd'd'

Kd'd'd'd dBd'd'0' 'd'h'dpd d'4R0'd' 'd'0'd'd d'h'dk1' 'd'0'gbd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'GK0'db4 d'd'i'd' 'd'H'd'd d')'drdB 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'dq

'd'd'd'd 1'0'dKd' 'd'd'h'4 g'd'd'd' 'd'd'hB4 0kd'd'd' '0pdpd'd d'd'd'd'

rd'd'dRd d'd'dpd' 'dn0'0qg d'dpi'd' bh'd'0'd dRd'd'd' 'd'dNd'd I'd'd'd'

rh'd'd'd i'd'd'dK 'd'd'dnd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd )Pd'd'd' Bd')pdqd $'G'd'd'

'd'd'dnd 0'd'd'dK kd'0pd'd drdp0'd' 'd'1'd'd G'h'd'd' 'd'dp4'd $Bd'd'db

16

Israeli Successes Abroad – Emanuel Navon

עמנואל נבון –ישראלים מצטיינים בחו"ל emanuel.navon@gmail.com המחברים מתבקשים לשלוח את הצלחותיהם האחרונות אל

A. Leonid Makaronez

Viktor Volchek

1st Prize

T. Salamanca MT 2020

#4 5+13

B. Menachem Witztum

Prize

Componist 2012

H#2 b)kg5c6 6+11

C. Menachem Witztum

Ricardo Vieira

2nd Prize

1st TT FRME 2019

H#2 b)Pg2g4 8+8

D. Menachem Witztum

Ricardo Vieira

Sp. Prize

9th Maroc Echecs 2019

H#2 b)+ Sd4 7+8

The top honored A shows a nice variety of variations following a good key.

There is an interesting Dombrovskis element: In the set play 1...c3 is answered

by 2.Sd2+ etc. This line becomes the solution’s threat, with 1...c3 defending

and followed by a different reply (2.Sxg5 +) Set: 1...c3 a 2.Sd2+ A Kg4 3.Sf6+ Kf5 4.Bd3# 3...Kh4 4.Sf3# 1.Qc5 ! [2.Sd2+ A Kg4 3.Sf6+ Kh4 4.Sf3#] 1...c3 a 2.Sxg5+ Kg4 3.Sf6+ 3...Kh4 4.Sf3# 2...Sxg5 3.Se5+ Ke4 4.Bd3# 1...Kg4 2.Sf6+ Kf3 3.Qd5+ 3...Ke3 4.Sg4# 2...Kh4 3.Qf5 [4.Qh3,Qg4#] 3...Se5 4.Qh3# 4.Qh7# 3...Sh6 4.Qh3# 1...Kxe4 2.Sf6+ Kf3 3.Qd5+ Ke3 4.Sg4# 1...g2 2.Be2+ 2...Kxe2 3.Qxf2+ Kd1 4.Qd2# 3...Kd3 4.Sc5#

B: “Good interplay represented by anti-critical pinning moves (W1) followed

by unpinning of the mating piece (B2) with dual avoidance due to line closing"

(Judge, Ricardo de Mattos Vieira)

a) 1.Rh6 Rb5 2.Sb3 Qe7# b) 1.Rd7 Be4 2.Sd3 Qxb6#

The judge wrote on C “In its basic idea closely related to the 1st prize (the same

author?). However, a knight with a bishop took over the functions of the pair of

knights, and the white king mates by jumping from the battery to a different

pair of squares as the threats. Compared to the first prize, here is a non-

homogeneous twin added, which pushes the problem a little bit lower.

a) 1.g4 Sxe4 (2.Kd7#) 2.Bc5+ Kxc5# b) 1.fxg4 Bxe4 (2.Kd5#) 2.Sc6 Kxc6#

D: “A non-standard twin and a non-standard concept: black and white change

their functions in either The change of color of Sd4 is responsible for change the role of the battery and for bicolor effects: - wBb7 line is opened: by

E. Mark Erenburg

5th HM

Abdurahmanovic &

Prcic 80 JT 2020

H#2 2.1.1.1 6+4

F. Emanuel Navon

5th HM BIT 2018

H#2 4.1.1.1 5+13

Black (a- 1.Sxc6+ / 2.Sb4) and by White (b- 1...c7); check to the wK is parried / avoided: by White (a-1...Bd4) and by Black (b- 2.Bf4). Umnov (B1/W1) and dual avoidance (interference at f3) complement

the idea” Judge, Valery Gurov a) 1.Sxc6+ Bd4 2.Sb4 f4# b) 1.Bf4 c7 2.Rc4 Sxe2# In E an elegant contrasting play: pin-unpin of the black queen by the bishop.

1.Ke4! Bb3! 2.Qe3 Bd5# 1.Kc6! Ba4+! 2.Qb5 Se5#

F’s tourney required two pairs of solutions presenting some kind of opposite tactical effects. F present 3

opposite elements: battery exploitation (1st pair) vs battery destruction (2nd pair); white knight mates (1st

pair) vs its capture (2nd pair); Black pieces Close Black lines (1st pair) vs opening of black lines (2nd pair).

The mates in the second pair of solutions are on the squares entered by the black king in the first pair.

1.Sd3 Re2 (Re3?) 2.Ke5 Sxc3 (Sxf6?)# 1.d3 Rf4 (Rg4?) 2.Kd4 Sxf6 (Sxc3?)# 1.fxe4 Rexe4(Rhxe4?) 2.Re6 Rxd4# 1.Bxe4 Rhxe4 (Rexe4?) 2.Ke6 Rxe5#

'1'h'd'd dp0N!nd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'0' '0pdN0'd d'd'dk0' bd'd'0'd I'd'dBd'

qd'd'd'd d'd'd'dr '0'0'dPd d'hnd'i' 'dpd'0Pd 4'd'!Kd' '$Bd'd'd d'g'd'd'

'd'h'd'd g'G')pd' 'dBIP)'d d'H'dp0' 'd'dpi'd d'd'h'd' 'd'd'dPd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd dBg'd'd' bGPd'd'd d'd'd'd' rd'h'dK0 d'd'd'dP 'd'Hp)'0 d'd'd'i'

'd'd'd'g dNdpdpd' 'dpd'4'd d'dkhpdr 'd'0Nd'$ d'0'd'd' 'd'd'd'd 1bd'$'I'

Kd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' '4')'dNd d'dkdpd' ')'d'd'd d'dqd'd' 'dB$'d'd d'd'd'd'

mailto:emanuel.navon@gmail.com

17

G. Emanuel Navon

2nd Place 7th Curierul

Problemistic 2019

H#2.5 6+6

b)rd5Rf3

H. Menachem Witztum

3rd Place 7th Curierul

Problemistic 2019

H#2.5 6+15

b)Rd6rf6

I. Menachem Witztum

4th Prize Victory 75

Russia

H#3 b)nf5e5 5+16

J. Mark Erenburg

2-3rd Prize Vladimirov

80- JT 2015

S#4 13+10

The tourney in which G & H participated asked for twin with change color of

a piece. Both show doubling the theme by exchanging a black and a white rook

with exchange of batteries to pin-lines. In both problems the batteries and pin-

lines all break up.

G’s solutions are remarkably harmonious, though the nature of the lines change

dramatically by the twinning, with elegant construction and nice model mates.

a) 1...Rf6+ 2.Kd3 Re6 3.Rd4 Be2# b) 1...Bg6 2.Rb3 Bd3+ 3.Kf3 Rf5#

The less unified but rich H has in its core idea the reappearance of the white

R/B battery also in the second solution.

a) 1...Rd3+ 2.Kg4 Be5 3.Rf5 Rg3# b) 1...Se1 2.Sg7 Rf4 3.Rd2 Rd4#

The judge wrote on I: The rich tactical content (opening lines, headway) is

decorated with double weak transformations - a fresh moment! Change the

functions of White`s moves. The technical white pawn looks lonely, but the

author did not have enough black pieces - the plan required the whole set. But

maybe he’ll twist it - turn it and take it away ?! In my opinion, the best H#3

tournament.

a) 1.c1=B Bb3 2.d1=B Rxf2 3.Sb2 Bxc3# b) 1.c1=R Bg4 2.d1=R Bxc3 3.Re1 Rxf2#

J presents two active set R/B & Q/R batteries. The first is active in the threat

and one variation and the second in the other two variations. The heart of the

problem is the creation of reciprocal batteries by the white rook and bishop,

which are the front pieces of the set batteries.

1.d6 ! [2.Sh4+ R,Pxh4 3.Bg5+ Kxg5 4.Qxc5+ Bxc5#] 1...Rh8 2.Bd4+ Rxf8 3.Re5+ Kf6 4.Rxc5+ Bxd4# 1...Sb6 2.Re3+ Sd7,Sxc8 3.Be5+ Ke6 4.Bxf4+ Bxe3# 1...Sc7 2.Re7+ Se6 3.Rc7 ~ 4.Rxc5+ Bxc5#

The next two problems aim at stalemates: the theme asked for a diagram

position where Black (White) is stalemated, but White (Black) begins and play

and, due to absence of waiting moves, he is forced to destroy this stalemate.

K. Menachem Witztum

4-5th HM TT-240

SuperProblem 2020

H=4.5 9+4

L. Menachem Witztum

Emanuel Navon

5th Prize TT-240

SuperProblem 2020

HS=2.5 b) wRe6 4+15

Judge, Aleksey Oganesjan, wrote on K: “Solutions are united by switchback of White Knight (initial or

promoted) and White promotions. bK walk out from the corner is quite unexpected”

1...Sc6 2.bxc6 b7 3.c5 b8=S 4.cxb4 Sc6 5.bxc3 Se7= 1...Sf5 2.Kg8 Sxg7 3.Kf8 Sf5 4.Ke8 g7 5.Kd7 g8=Q=

On L the judge wrote: “The beginning of this problem is similar to No 93, but the final is completely

different from both No 93 and 63 – here we see a sacrifice of second White piece. On the whole, all is

made quite clearly and with elegant twin but all this is somewhat simpler than in two pointed problems”.

a) 1…Bh5 2.Sd4 Bf7 3.Sc4+ Bxc4= b) 1…Rh2 2.Sf5 Rh6 3.Rxc6+ Rxc6=

'd'd'dKd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'drd'dB 'd'd'd'd d'd'dRdP b)p0k)pd d'd'd'd'

bG'dndn1 d'd'0'dp '0'$P4'd d'd'd'dp 'd'd'd') dpd'd'ip 'dpd'0Nd I'g'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'g'0' '1'd'ipd dP0'dn0' nd'd'd'd d'0'd'db K$p0'0'd d'dBGr4'

ndQdB$'d d'd'd')' 'd'dRGNd d'0Pdk0r 'dPd'0'd d'0'dPd' 'dPdPd'0 d'dKd'gr

'1'd'dnd gr0Kd'd' pipHNd'd 0'0'd'd' Pd'dpdbd d'0'dpd' 'd'4'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'i dpd'H'0' ')'d'dPd IPd'd'd' P)pd'd'd d')'d'd' 'dPd'd'd d'd'd'd'

18

Originals מקוריות

IRT judges: #2: Paz Einat (2020) #3: Sergey Bilyk (2020-21) #n: Gerhard E. Schoen (2018-20)

Studies: Amatzia Avni (2020); H# Nikola Stolev (2020) Abdelaziz Onkoud (2021); S#: Genady

Kozyura (2019-20) Fairies: Narayan Shankar Ram (2020), Sven Trommler (2021), Michal Dragoun (2022), James Quah (2023)

Editors: :עורכים Orthodox: Ofer Comay

Studies: Gady Costeff (Please send originals in pgn format)

Fairies: Michael Grushko

ofercomay@gmail.com

costeff@gmail.com

bargrushko@bezeqint.net

עופר קומאיבעיות רגילות:

די קוסטףג סיומים: (pgn)נא לשלוח מקוריות בפורמט

מיכאל גרושקובעיות אגדתיות:

3427

David Shtern

Petach-Tikva

#2vv 8+5

3428

Mykola Chernyavskyi

Pavel Murashev

Ukraine/Russia

#2*vv 9+10

3429

Fedir Kapustin

Ukraine

#2v 9+8

3430

Gerard Doukhan

France

#2vv 10+9

3431

Mark Basisty

Petro Novitsky

Ukraine

#2*v.. 6+9

3432

David Shtern

Petach-Tikva

#2v.. 9+6

3433

David Shtern

Petach-Tikva

#2v.. 8+4

3434

Leonid Lyubashevsky

Leonid Makaronez

Rishon Lezion/Haifa

#3* 12+11

3435

Yuri Gorbatenko

Russia

#3 6+10

3436

Valery Shavyrin

Russia

#4 12+10

3437

Steven B.Dowd

USA

#5 7+8

3438

Itay Richardson

Petach-Tikva

Draw 8+6

'dBd'd'd d'dpdKd' Rd'd'd'd !'dPd'0k 'dRdpd'0 d'd'd'd' 'd'd'GPd d'd'd'd'

'd'h'4'd dRdQd'd' Bd'd'0N0 d'd'd'dK '0'dkdpd $'g'd'dP 'h'0'G'd d'dNd'd'

'I'H'dnd d'dk)Ph' 'dpd'dNd dp)')'d' 'dPdrd'd d'd'dQd' 'd'd'd'd dbd'drd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'H'dB 'd'$')'h d'0'Hbd' 'dr)k0pd dRgpd'd' 'd'd'!'d dKd'd'G'

'd'd'd'h d'h'd'd' pd'd'd'd Hpd'd'dQ pd'dkd'0 d'$pG'g' 'd'd'd'd d'dNdKd'

'd'd'd'd G'dPdpH' 'd'$p)'d d'd'ipd' 'd'dNd'd d'dpdpd' 'I'd'd'd d'd'd'!B

'd'dKd'd G'dpd'H' 'dP$pd'd dPd'ipd' 'd'dNd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'!'

qdn4RdNI h'd'0'dp 'H')Pd') d'0pdkd' bd'dR0'd d'd')'d' 'd')'dQd d'G'd'd'

'd'd'dbd d'd'0'h' 'dpdp0'd dpd'iPd' 'd'H'dp0 d'dQH'd' 'd'd'd'd I'd'd'dB

'4'4bd'd d'G'H'dK BhPh'$pd d'd'i')' 'd'd'd'd g'0R0Pd' 'dPd'dP) d'd'd'd'

Rd'dQd'd d'dBd'd' '0'dpd'd 4'd')'H' 'd'd'0'd 0'$'d'd' 'db0'I'd d'dkd'd'

kd'd'drd d'd'db)' 'd'd')'d d'dpd'd' 'd'd'd'1 HKdP$QdP 'd'd'd'd g'd'd'd'

All fairy definitions can be found here: http://www.variantim.org/FairyDefinitions.pdf

mailto:ofercomay@gmail.comhttp://www.variantim.org/FairyDefinitions.pdf

19

3439

Itay Richardson

Petach-Tikva

Draw 4+7

3440

Yehuda Hoch

Itay Richardson

Petach-Tikva

Win 7+6

3441

Steffen S. Nielsen

Martin Minski

Denmark/Germany

Win 6+6

3442

Vladimir Samilo

Ukraine

Draw 5+7

3443

Yochanan Afek

Netherlands

Draw 3+4

3444

Sergiy Didukh

Ukraine

Win 7+8

3445

Okan Pandar

Turkey

H#2 2.1.1.1 3+4

3446

Emanuel Navon

Holon

H#2 b)Pd5e4 10+6

3447

Emanuel Navon

Holon

H#2 3.1.1.1 10+8

3448

Emanuel Navon

Holon

H#2 2.1.1.1 7+12

3449

Vitaly Medintsev

Russia

H#2 2.1.1.1 6+13

3450

Vitaly Medintsev

Russia

H#2 2.1.1.1 8+7

3451

Jean Haymann

Shaul Shamir

S. Eliahu/R. Lezion

H#2 b)rc4d6 5+10

3452

Yuri Gorbatenko

Vladislav Nefyodov

Russia

H#2 4.1.1.1 4+8

3453

Valery Kopyl

Gennady Koziura

Ukraine

H#2 3.1.1.1 7+8

3454

Y. Ben Jelloun

M. Uris MJ Elbaz

Morocco/Spain

H#2 3.1.1.1 5+9

'dNd'd'd d')'d'dp 'd'd'd'd d'dpd'dp 'dpdBd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'0pdKd d'd'i'd'

'i'H'd'd dpd'0nd' 'dPd')'d d'd'd'd' Kd'g'd'd dP1'G'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'dQd'

'd'dkd'G I'd'd'd' ')'d'd'd d'd'dN0' 'dpd'd'd d')'d'd' Rd'g'dr0 d'd'd'd'

'dNg'dkd d'd'd'0' 'dRI'd'0 0'dPd'dP '0'd'd'd 0'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd'

'i'dKd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd dpd'd'g' 'd'dRd'd d'd'd'd' p)'d'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'drd'd 0'0kd'd' bd'd'0'd h'd'd'd' 'd'dpdP) G'd'd'd' 'dPH'd'd $'d'I'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'$'d'd d'd'd'd' '0k1'd'd d'4'd'd' 'd'$'d'd d'd'I'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'dp)'dqd dp)PdRd' '0'$'d'd dPiPdPd' Pd'd'g'd d'I'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'gqdb 'd')'d'd d'dPI'dp 'd'dB)'d d'0PiPd' 'dPhPh'd d'd'$'d'

'd'd'd'I d'0r0'dp '0P$'d'd d'i')'h' '0P0'd'd H'd'd'd' 'dpdrdRd d'd'd'db

'd'd'd'd 0pd'H'd' r4pdKd'd $'d'dp0p 'd'd'0qd dkG'd'$b 'd'd'dpd d'd'dBd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' Pd'd'd'd d'GPd'dK p)kd'g'd d'dR0'd' 'd'0Pd'd d'dbdQh'

'd'd'd'd d'd'0'd' 'd'dpg'0 I'i'0'$' 'drh'H'd d'0rdBd' 'd'd'G'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'drd d'd'd'd' '0'h'd'd d'iBd'd' pd'd'H'd d'Hpd'dK 'd'grd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'H' '0')'ipd )'4'd'0' ')'I'd'd d'db4qd' 'd'd')'d G'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'G g'd'd'$' 'd'0'd'd )'dkdrd' '0'd'h'd )'dph'd' 'd'd'dpd d'd'd'I'

20

3455

Abdelaziz Onkoud

France

H#2.5 4.1.1.1 11+9

3456

Abdelaziz Onkoud

France

H#2.5* 9+8

3457

Udo Degener

Mirko Degenkolbe

Germany

H#2.5 2.1.1.1 4+6

3458

Udo Degener

Mirko Degenkolbe

Germany

H#2.5 2.1.1.1 4+6

3459

Mikail Gershinsky

Alexandr Pankratiev

Russia

H#3 3.1.1.1 5+7

3460

Alexandr Pankratiev

Aleksey Ivunin

Russia

H#3 4.1.1.1 3+7

3461

Valery Kopyl

Gennady Koziura

Ukraine

H#3 b)Pf4b4 4+7

3462

Aleksey Ivunin

Russia

H#3* 3.1.1.1 3+4

3463

Shaul Shamir

Rishon Lezion

H#3 b)Kd8Sb7 5+5

3464

Christopher Jones

UK

H#3 b)pg4h4 7+11

3465

Kivanc Cefle

Turkey

H#3v 2+4

3466

Mikail Gershinsky

Alexandr Pankratiev

Russia

H#3.5 b)rc1d1 3+10

3467

Zlatko Mihajlovski

Macedonia

H#3.5 2.1.1.1 2+6

3468

Miroslav Bilyý

Czech Republic

H#3.5 b)bb1g1 4+4

3469

Aleksey Ivunin

Alexandr Pankratiev

Russia

H#4.5 2+7 b) mate position + g2e1

3470

Udo Degener

Mirko Degenkolbe

Germany

H#5 b)kd7g5 5+5

'd'g'dKd d'd'd'dR '1'd'0Pd dPdPHnd' 'd'dk)'d dPdb0rd' PdndPd') d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'4 d'd'0'dB 'dpdPdrd d')'d'dK ')kd'd') d')'gRd' Pdpd'd'd d'dbd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'dB 'd'd'd'd d'd'0'ir 'd'd'0ph d'd'd'd' 'd'I'dPd d'd'dNd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' '0'dnd'd dpd'd'd' b)kd'd'4 d'dNI'dR

'dKd'd'd d'dpd'd' '0'd'd'd d'$q0'd' ')B4kd'd d'd'd'd' ')'d'd'd d'd'h'd'

'd'd'd'd I'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'0b0'd' 'd'dkdpd d'd'g'd' 'd'd'G'd d'd'dRh'

Kd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' bd'd'd'd dnd'd'dp 'd'i')n4 d'dpd'd' 'd')'d'd d'd'd'dR

'd'd'd'd d'd'$'d' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'4n 'd'd'i'd d'd'd'0' 'd'd'd'd I'd'd'H'

'd'I'd'd dNd'd'd' '0'd'd'd dPdkG'd' 'd'4'dqd d'd'dbd' 'd'd')'d d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'dpd'd' 'dB)'d'd 4pdnh'0' '$'gkdpd 0'd')')' p)'d'd'd I'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'4'd'd' 'dnd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'1'd d'i'd'd' 'd'd'd'd $'d'I'd'

'd'd'd'd d'dbd'd' '0'iqd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'0'd d'0'dpdp 'GRd'd'I g'4'd'd'

'd'd'dr4 d'in0'd' 'd'd'0'd d'd')'d' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'I'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'I' 'd'd'd'd d'dkd'd' Nd'dpd'd d'd'dqd' 'H'd')'d dbd'd'd'

'd'd'd'4 d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'0qd d'd'd'hB 'd'drd'd d'dkdbI'

'd'dbd'd d'dkd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' '0'd'd'd dP0'drd' 'dPd'd'd HBd'I'd'

21

3471

Janos Mikitovics

Hungary

H#5 2.1.1.1 3+4

3472

F. Abdurahmanovic

Marko Klasinc

B.Herzeg./Slovenia

H#5 2+10

3473

Mykola Kolesnik

Ukraine

H#5 b)Kg8g4 2+8

3474

Torsten Linss

Germany

H#6.5 2+5

3475

Andrey Selivanov

Russia

S#3v 15+7

3476

Frank Richter

Germany

S#3 8+9

3477

Andrey Selivanov

Russia

S#6*vv 12+4

3478

Anatoly Stepochkin

Russia

S#9 5+2

3479

Frank Richter

Germany

S#9 b)rf3b7 5+2

3480

Anatoly Stepochkin

Russia

S#11v 8+11

3481

Ivan Bryukhanov

Ukraine

S#8 Circe 4+2

3482

Hubert Gockel

Germany

#2v 11+14

BretonAdverse

3483

Hubert Gockel

Germany

#2 BretonAdverse 10+8

3484

János Mikitovics

Hungary

HS#6 b)qh5f7 2+5

3485

Karol Mlynka

Slovakia

HS#4.5 Senora Q 3+3 CirceClone

2 sol.

3486

Karol Mlynka

Slovakia

HS=3 b) hs#3 1+1+3 Royal neutral bishop B AntiAndernachChess

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'i'I d'd'dqdP 'G'0'd'd d'd'd'4'

'd'd'd'd d'd'0kd' Bd'0'dpd d'db0'h' 'dpd'd'd d'd'dpd' Kd'd'd'd d'd'drd'

'd'd'dKd 1'd'd'hn 'd'd'd'd d'd'0'd' pd')'d'd dkd'd'd' bg'd'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'dpd'd'd d'd'd'd' KG'd'd'd d'd'd'd' '4'g'd'd drdkd'd'

KG'd'd'd )p)'d'd' NdRdRd'd d'dk)pdB p!'db)'d H'dp)pd' 'd')')'d d'd'd'd'

'd'dNdBd d'0')'dp bd'd'd') 4'd'dkdK pd'dRdp) d'd'dpd' 'd'd'd'h d'd'!'d'

'd'$'!'d )Rd'd'd' KHkd'd'd )'dN0'd' 'dpdBd'd d'G')'d' b)'d'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'I d'dPd')' 'd'd'dkd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'!'d d'drd'd' 'dBd'd'd d'd'd'd'

kd'd'd'd d'd')Pd' Kd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'drd' 'd'd'dB! d'd'd'd'

'd'$'d'd d'd'dpdq 'd'd'0rh d'dQd'd' Pd'h'd'd dpdkdB0' b)pG')'d d'I'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'dPd'd' 'd'0'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd dQ)'I'd' 'd'd'd'd i'd'd'd'

rd'dNd'd d'd'$pgQ Pd'h'drd $p0PdkGP 'H'0')'d dbd'h'dK q0pd'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'I'd'd d'dQ)pdp bGBdpd'd d'dp)'$n 'd'dkd'd d'drd'd' 'H')'d'd d'd'dRd'

'd'd'd'I d'd'd'db 'd'd'dk4 d'd'd'dq 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'0' 'd'd'd') d'd'd'd'

qd'd'd'd d'dp!'d' 'd'I'd'd i'd'd'd' Pd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'Gpd d'd'd'0' 'd'd'dB0 d'd'd'd'

R

R

EinsteinChess

ChameleonChess

22

3487

Ľuboš Kekely

Slovakia

Pser-H=14 1+4

Bicolores, Fers b

3488

Alberto Armeni

Italy

H#2 4.1.1.1 10+6

Orphan ²

3489

Pierre Tritten

France

H#2 3.1.1.1 4+10

Take&Make

3490

Sébastien Luce

France

Ser-H#7 2.1.1.. 1+2+1 Neutral G.hopperBul Q

3491

Sébastien Luce

France

H=3 b)Qa2pb2 2+3

GrasshopperBul Q

3492

Sébastien Luce

France

Ser-H=8 2.1.1.. 1+3

GrasshopperBul q

3493

Sébastien Luce

France

H#3 Antipod Circe 3+4

Einstein w/promotions

3494

Igor Kochulov

Russia

HS#3.5 2.1.1.. 7+8

Leo Q Pao r Vao B 3495

Sébastien Luce

Borislav Gadjanski

France/Serbia

H=3.5 PWC 2.1... 2+3 G.hopper > Neut. RB

3496

M. Barth

S. Trommler F. Pachl

Germany

HS#2.5 b)Ne3 5+11+3 AnnanChess zebraN Neutral NR camel N

3497

Michael McDowell

Brian Stephenson

UK

2#v 9+5

Pao R Vao B

3498

Armin Geister

Daniel Papack

Germany

HS#2.5 duplex 4+5+1

AntiCirce

Neutral king K 3499

Sébastien Luce

France

Ser-H#22 Bl-ABC 2+4

3500

Adrian Storisteanu

Canada

-4w & !=1 2 sol. 3+0

3501

Paz Einat

Nes Ziona

Ser-H=11 4+7

3502

James Quah

Singapore

#2 10+10

'd'd'd'g d'd'd'dp 'd'd'd'i d'd'dbd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'I'd'd'

'd'd'd'd g'd'd'd' 'd'd'dNd d'(P0KH' 'd')Pd'd 0'd'd'i' r(p)'d'd d'd'd'('

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'HBd'd 0'0'i'dp pd'$bd'4 d'0'd'dq 'd'dKdpd d'd'd'd'

'!'dkd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'dPd'd d'd'0'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'dpdk Q0'd'd'd d'd'dKd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'dqdkd'1 d'd'd'd' 'dKd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'dkd'd dp0'd'dp 'd'd'd'd dPdKd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' Bd'd'd'd d'd'd'd'

rdB!'d'I 1'1'dkd' 'dPdbd'g d'd'd'0P 'd'!'d'd d')'d'd' 'd'd'd'd 1'd'd'd'

'd'd'd>d ?'d'd'?' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'dBd d'$'d'd'

'I'd'd'd dPd'0pd' 'd'dbH'd d'dp)'$' pd'dkg'd H'0'Hp)' 'd'd'd'd d'dr0'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'dB 'd'h'dBd d'd'0'd' 'd'dPdRd d'd'dPdk 'dpdRdnd d'I'$'G'

'd'hbd'd d'd'd'0' 'd'd'd'd 1'g'I'd' 'd'd'H'd d'd'GPd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'$'d'

Qd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'?>d'd' 'i'd'd'd d'd>d'd' 'dKd'd'd d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd Lion Q

23

3503

Semion Shifrin

Nesher

#2v 9+7 G.hopper > N.rider ± N.rider-hopper N

3504

Semion Shifrin

Nesher

S#3 16+9 G.hopper > N.rider ± N.rider-hopper N Bishop hopper B

3505

Michael Grushko

Kiryat Bialik

Ser-H#17 2 sol. 5+0 ChameleonCirce EinsteinChess

ABC Take&Make

3506

Michael Grushko

Kiryat Bialik

Ser-h#14 4+0

b) Ser-hS#15 ABC Circe Take&Make

EinsteinChess

RepublicanChess

Israel Ring Tourney award: Studies 2019 No claims have been made regarding the 2019 Variantim study award, thus the award is now final

Domino Theme Update: Moving into Helpmates - Paz Einat

Since my article on the Domino theme in issue 59 of Variantim (April 2013) I composed several

more problems and looked for ways to further develop the theme. My hopes that other composers

will join in such developments have not materialized yet. The main aim of this article is to show that

the theme can be shown in interesting ways also in helpmates. Maybe entering the theme into this

popular genre will do the trick.

Let’s start with a twomover that includes a new Domino feature: the nature of the mate.

Paz Einat

2nd Prize M. Velimirovic-64 MT

#2 12+8

1.Re4 ! [2.Se3#]

1...Rxg3 2.Ra7# Direct guard - a Battery-interference mate - A 1...Bxd4 2.Rb5# Direct guard - a Battery double-check mate - B

1...dxe5 2.Rd7# Flight provision - b Battery double-check mate - B 1...exf5 2.Qxg8# Flight provision - b Mate by rear battery piece - C

1...bxc2 2.Qxa2# Capture of thr. piece – c Mate by rear battery piece - C 1...Rxc2 2.Rb8# Capture of threat piece - c Battery-interference mate - A

Battery mates are ideal for such an idea as there are various types of such mates. Battery square

guards, battery captures, battery pin mates, as well as ordinary pin mates can also be used.

The adaptation to helpmates involves two different elements in each of the solutions. The first two

problems fortuitously contain such an idea.

Evgeni Bourd & Arieh Grinblat

3rd Prize Pre-Annual Ty, 2017

H#2 4.1.1.1 4+7

1.Kb5 Bf1+ 2.Ka4 Ra3# Black: Double BK move - a; White: Both battery pieces move - A

1.Kd5 Ke2 2.Ke4 Rf4# Black: Double BK move- a; White: Double-check mate - B

1.Kb7 Bb8 2.Qa6 Rb3# Black: One BK move + self-block - b; White: Double-check mate - B

1.Kd7 Rf6 2.Rc6 Bh3# Black: One BK move + self-block - b; White: Both battery pieces move – A

b?'dBd'd d'd±d'd' 'd'dpd'I d'd'dPd' 'dpdkd'd d'dRG'd' 'dNd'd>d d'dQd±?'

'd'd'd'd G'd'dNd, 'Gpd'0'd d'd'd'GN

'd'd'd'd d'dPd'd' 'd'd')'d d'd')Pd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd'

Qd'd'drd dRd'd'dp 'd'0pd'd d'gkHPd' ')')'d'd dpdPd')' rdNdR)'I d'd'd'd'

'drgnd'd d'd'd'd' 'dkG'd'1 0'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'0 d'd'dRd' 'd'd'dBd d'dKd'd'

24

In the problem by Evgeni and Arieh in the first two solutions black makes two consecutive king

moves while in the other two solutions there is one king move and a selfblock move. White either

uses the battery for mate or destroys it. The fact that the black & white elements are done in a

staggered way along the four solutions causes a “Reciprocal Domino” to appear.

Viktor Syzonenko 1st Prize e.a. Rimkus 75-JT 2017

H#2 4.1.1.1 6+10

1.Rxh5 Re5 + 2.Kf4 dxe3# Black: Capture of WSh5 - a White: Mate by WPd2 - A

1.Qxh5 dxe3 2.Qg6 Rf4# Black: Capture of WSh5 - a; White: Mate by WRe4 - B

1.Bxf7 d4 2.Bg6 Re5# Black: Capture of WSf7 - b; White: Mate by WRe4 - B

1.Sxf7 Rf4 + 2.Ke5 d4# Black: Capture of WSf7 - b; White: Mate by WPd2 - A

The excellent problem by Syzonenko contains many elements. Looking only at the captures of Sh5

or Sf7 by black and the mating pieces reveals a clear Reciprocal Domino. Notably, the author’s main

idea is the four-fold cycle of white moves (exchange the 3rd & 4th solutions to see this).

Paz Einat Variantim 2018

H#2 b)pb4d3 6+12

b)pd6a4 b)pc3e4

a) 1.Rd4 Rf4 2.d5 Be2# Black: no BK move - a White: pin after Black piece move - A

b) 1.Rb5 Bf7 2.Bb3 Rf4# Black: no BK move - a; White: pin of static Black piece - B

c) 1.Kb5 Be8 2.c4 Rxd5# Black: BK move - b; White: pin of static Black piece - B

d) 1.Re5 fxe3 2.Kd5 Bf7# Black: BK move - b; White: pin after Black piece move - A

My first, somewhat clumsy, effort aimed at pin-mates shown in different ways. In the first two

solutions the black king remains on c4 while in the other solutions it moves to b5 or d5. The white

element consists of the pinning moves: either pinning a stationary black piece or pinning on a square

it just moved into. The use of “Black Umnov” in all 4 solutions adds needed unity to a blurry idea.

Paz Einat Variantim 2018

H#2 6.1.1.1 10+11

Black element White element 1.e6 Se8 2.exd5 Sd6 # Self-block by BPe7 – a Mate by WSc7 – A

1.e5 Ra8 2.exd4 Re8 # Self-block by BPe7 – a Mate by WRa5 – B

1.Rd2 Rxa1 2.Rxd4 Re1 # Self-block by BRe2 – b Mate by WRa5 – B

1.Re3 Bxh5 2.Rf3 Bg6 # Self-block by BRe2 – b Mate by WBg4 – C

1.Sg5 Bxe2 2.Sf3 Bd3 # Self-block by BSh7 – c Mate by WBg4 – C

1.Sf6 Se6 2.Sxd5 Sg5 # Self-block by BSh7 – c Mate by WSc7 – A

The ultimate goal is to show the Domino Cycle in helpmates, requiring (at least) six solutions. In

the above problem each of the three thematic black pieces can make selfblocks on two different

squares. As the selfblocks are made on d5, d4 or f3 this in itself creates a cycle and the mating piece,

able to abandon the blocked square, becomes the white element. My main effort was to ensure that

each thematic piece will make two moves in all solutions.

The theme was offered for WCCT11 but not chosen. I thought that moving back into H#2 will be

attractive, and that the theme was clear enough as presented. I hope that additional exploration of

the theme will enable its selection next time.

'd'd'd'd d'0'dNdp 'dKdbd') d'd'dkhN 'd'dRdqd d'd'0p0' 'd')'d'4 d'd'd'd'

'd'd'dKd d'd'd'd' pdp0'd'd )'0rdRdB '0kd'd'd dr0'0')' bd'd')'1 d'd'd'd'

'd'd'd'I d'H'0'0n '0'd'd'd dPdPd'dp Rd')k0B4 dPd'd'0' 'dPdr)'d g'd'd'd'

25

2020הכנס השנתי שבוטל –תחרויות חיבור מהירות

Quick composing tourneys – the cancelled annual meeting 2020

Paz Einat – פז עינת

The annual meeting was cancelled but we decided

to carry out the quick composing tourneys through

email. The judges sent me the themes before

10AM and after quick editing I emailed them to all

society members. Participants had five hours to

compose. Twomovers were sent to the helpmate

judge (Evgeni Bourd) and helpmates to the

twomovers judge (Mark Erenburg). Thus, the

problems were given anonymously to the judges.

כנס הפרובלמאים השנתי אמנם בוטל השנה, אבל החלטנו

. לערוך את תחרויות החיבור המהירות במתכונת אימייל

ביום 10השופטים שלחו את הנושאים אלי מעט לפני השעה

התחרות ואחרי עריכה קצרה הם הועברו באימייל אל כל חברי

ו חמש שעות לחיבור, והם שלחו את יהאיגוד. למשתתפים ה

שחיברו אל שופט מטי העזר )יבגני בורד( ואת 2-בעיות המט ב

אופן זה )מרק ארנבורג(. ב 2-בעיות מט העזר אל שופט המט ב

הבעיות הועברו לשופט בעילום שם. הדוחות הם באנגלית

"ל. ולטובת קוראינו מח

A. Mate in 2 moves. Judge: Mark Erenburg

The Bernard theme was set: black is almost in zugzwang in the diagram position,

only black’s move A has no set mate ready. A try prepares mate X to move A

but introduces a weakness exploited by the refutation. In the solution the mate

on A is changed (Y). All phases must be zugzwang (no threat). Results: The theme was probably too challenging, especially taking in account

the simultaneous H#2 tourney. I received only one but very good problem,

which deservedly receives a Prize! The content speaks for itself, including two

changed and one transferred mates. 1...dxe4 a 2.Rxc4 Z # 1...Sf~ 2.Qxe5# 1...c3 2.dxc3# 1...cxb3 2.Sxb3# 1...g5 2.Sf5# 1...Sa~ 2.Sxc6# but 1...Sd3 A ! 1.bxc4 ? zz. 1...Sd3 A 2.Sb3 X # 1...dxc4 2.Rxc4 Z# but 1...dxe4 a ! 1.Kxf3 ! zz. 1...Sd3 A 2.Se2 Y # 1...dxe4 + a 2.Rxe4 # 1...Sf~ 2.Qxe5# 1...c3 2.dxc3# 1...cxb3 2.Sxb3# 1...g5 2.Sf5# 1...Sa~ 2.Sxc6#

Paz Einat

Prize

Quick Comp. Ty 2020

#2*v 12+9

B. Helpmate in 2 moves. Judge: Evgeni Bourd

Theme: Black piece X leaves square Y in B1 or B2. W1 guards Y directly, or

indirectly through an indirect battery. Y is adjacent to the BK in the mating

position and the mating piece does not guard Y. Piece X does not make another

selfblock during the solution.

I received 7 anonymous problems. The problems were interesting and those in

which the thematic content was not incidental were ranked in higher places.

1-2nd Place: Mark Erenburg

A light position with very interesting line play. In each phase there are two

similar motives of blocking lines and pawns. The try 1.Bc5? is weaker as it is

the bishop, and not the rook, trying to get to b6. Still, the visual unity between

the phases and the try play are impressive.

a) 1.Be1 c3 2.R8b6 Qa2# 1.Bc3? pawn obstruction 1.Bd2? line interference 1.Bc5? check b) 1.Rf5 c4 2.d5 Qc7# 1.Rd5? pawn obstruction 1.Re5? line interference 1.Rg5? check

1-2nd Place: Ofer Comay

A beautiful problem in which the black queen sacrifices itself through the white

pieces. It is interesting that the captures are the only moves that work. The

thematic tries to guard only e1 and d3 by Bg3 and Ra3 add much value. A light

and pretty position!

1.Qxd6 (Qe3? Qd5? Qa2?) Rd5! (Ra3?) 2.Qxe6 Qxe6# 1.Qxa5 (Qd3?) Bb4! (Bg3?) 2.Qxa6 Qxa6#

Mark Erenburg

1-2nd Place

Quick Comp. Ty 2020

H#2 b) -rb8 4+9

Ofer Comay

1-2nd Place

Quick Comp. Ty 2020

H#2 2.1.1.1 9+6

'd'd'd'd h'd'H'd' BdpG'dpd d'$p0'd' 'dpiPhKd dPd'dpd' 'd')')'! d'H'$'d'

'dQd'g'd d'd'd'd' PdPGP0'd $'d'd'd' 'd'd'dNd d'd'd'dK 'd'1kdPd d'dbdrd'

'4'd'1'd d'd'd'd' pd'0'd'd ird'd'dp 'g'dpd'd dPd'd'd' 'dPd'd'! d'd'd'I'

26

3rd Place: Menachem Witztum. The highest challenge in the competition. Black wants to block its

rooks by Sb4 & Sf3. During the solution squares e5 & d5 are unguarded and re-guarded by white.

A try in which these squares are not guarded is expected, e.g. Se3 and not Sb2 or Sg4 and not Sd1.

It seems difficult to add this content, but the more I looked at the problem the more certain I am that

the composer can avoid a few significant shortcomings.

a) 1.Bxd7 Sb6 2.Sb4 Rxc4# b) 1.Qxf6 Sg4 2.Sf3 fxe3# 4th Place: Shaul Shamir & Jean Haymann. A nice doubling of the theme with unpin on B1.

However, white’s play is somewhat too direct without actual tries emphasizing black’s unguards.

a) 1.Rb7 Rxc5 2.Sc6 Sxa6# b) 1.Sb7 Rxa6 2.Sb2 Sd5# 5th Place: Mark Erenburg. Two Umnovs in each solution! Despite the relative symmetry the result

with the clean mates is amusing. 1.Rxd5 Rd1 2.Be1 d4# 1.Sxd5 Rf1 2.Qe1 f4# 6th Place: Raffi Ruppin. Pawn mates as in the 5th place. Here black needs to maneuver and release

the square from double guard. WBe3 can be a WP. 1.Sc1 Rd1 2.Sb3 d3# 1.Bh5 Rf1 2.Rg4 f3# Menachem Witztum 3rd Place QCT 2020

H#2 b) Sa8h6 9+15

Shamir & Haymann 4th Place QCT 2020

H#2 b)pa3c4 3+13

Mark Erenburg 5th Place QCT 2020

H#2 2.1.1.1 8+8

Raffi Ruppin 6th Place QCT 2020

H#2 2.1.1.1 5+9

Yosi Retter 85 Jubilee Tourney Award – Judge: Yosi Retter

Orthodox three-movers were requested showing the Dombrovskis theme with

quiet thematic threats in the tries and quiet thematic continuations in the

variations. Schematically, the requirement was as follows: Tries: 1.T1? [2.A

(non-checking)] but: 1...a! 1.T2? [2.B (non-checking)] but: 1...b! Solution: 1.S!

[2.N or zugzwang] 1...a 2.A (non-checking) 1...b 2.B (non-checking).

I received only four problems in anonymous form, much less than I had expected.

Apparently the theme was too difficult to implement. One problem was not

thematic, so there remained only three problem to be ranked.

1st Prize: Alexander Kuzovkov

I do not recall seeing a threefold presentation of the theme. The heavy setting is

well justified. 1.c5 ? [2.Bb2 A ~ 3.Bxd4# but 1...d6 a ! 1.Bf8 ? [2.c5 B ~ 3.Bd6# 1...d6 2.Bg7 3.Bxf6# but 1...d3 b ! 1.h3 ? [2.Se7 C ~ 3.Sg6# 1...d3 2.c5 3.Bb2# but 1...g4 c ! 1.Kh6 ! zz 1...d6 a 2.Bb2 A ~ 3.Bxd4# 1...d3 b 2.c5 B ~ 3.Bb2# 1...g4 c 2.Se7 C ~ 3.Sg6# 2nd Prize: Alexander Kuzovkov An aesthetic and unpretentious presentation of

the theme. 1.Bb2 ? [2.Bd7 A 3.Be6#] but 1...c4 a ! 1.f5 ? [2.Rg1 B 3.Rd1#] but 1...e6 b ! 1.a4 ! zugzwang. 1...c4 2.Bd7 threat: 3.Be6# 1...e6 2.Rg1 ~ 3.Rd1#

Alexander Kuzovkov 1st Prize Retter 85JT 2020

#3 13+10

Alexander Kuzovkov 2nd Prize Retter 85JT 2020

#3 8+8

Nd'd'd'g d'$R)'d' 'd'dpGBd 0bdnh'd' rdpi'1'0 0'0'0'dr 'd'd')') d'd'd'dK

bg'd'd'd d'H'd'd' pdRd'dq4 hr0'd'd' ni'd'd'0 0pd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'dK

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'dpdbd $'dPi'd' '0'4NhPd d'gPdP1' 'd'd'd'd d'd'$'dK

'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 'd'dKdpd dpd'd'd' '0'dkd'd 4'dnGbd' 'dp)')rd d'd'$'d'

'd'd'g'd dpd'0'0' 'I'd'dRd dB0k)'d' 'd'dp)'d )'G'0'd' 'd'dPd'd d'd'd'd'

'dbdRd'd dpdpd'dK ')'dp0'd 0'dNiP0' PdP0Pd'd G'd'dpd' 'dNd')') d'd'$'d'

'd'd'!'d d'd'dnd' '0'dpipd d'd'0p0' 'dPd'0'd dBdNd'dN 'dKd'd'd d'dRd'dR

3rd Prize: Eugene Fomichev

Some interesting content, but the play is totally

symmetrical and the key is poor. 1.Re1 ? [2.Sxe5 A 3.Qxf7# 3.Sd7#] but 1...e4 a ! 1.Rg1 ? [2.Sxg5 B 3.Qxf7#] but 1...g4 b! 1.Ba4 ! [2.Be8 threat: 3.Qxf7#] 1...e4 a 2.Se5 A ~ 3.Sd7# 2...Kxe5 3.Qg7# 1...g4 b 2.Sg5 B ~ 3.Sh7# 2...Kxg5 3.Qe7# 1...b5 2.Sc5 ~ 3.Sd7#

Eugene Fomichev 3rd Prize Retter 85JT 2020

#3 8+9

27

דבר המערכת

שמגפת נגיף הקורונה השנתי למועד אחר השנה, בתקווה הכנס אופטימיות שנוכל לדחות את גילינובחוברת הקודמת

תסתיים תוך חודשים בודדים. המציאות היא שאחרי תקופה קצרה, בה מספר הנדבקים החדשים כל יום היה נמוך ביותר

מצב זה אינו מאפשר לקיים את )עשרות נדבקים(, חזרנו להתפשטות גדולה בהרבה של אלפי נדבקים חדשים בכל יום.

את המפגשים החודשיים חזרנו לקיים, ועד כה ן. תרון בעיות, בזמן הנראה לעירץ בפהכנס השנתי, כמו גם את אליפות הא

הם נערכו בביתו של מנחם ויצטום )ראו תמונת כריכה(.

( עוסק בחיבור סיומים הנעזר בתוכנות שחמט. בזמן שרבים מאתנו נחשפים בעיקר לצד 2מאמרו של אמציה אבני )עמ'

חינת התקינות של הסיום או הבעיה, אמציה מאיר דווקא את הצד השלילי הטמון החיובי של השימוש בתוכנות ככלי עזר לב

שרלוונטית יותר למחברי סיומים, וראוי לעיין בה לעומק. בכך. זו נקודת מבט מעניינת וחשובה

, אותה אמר ליריב צעיר משה צ'רניאק ,נקודת הפתיחה למאמרו של גדי היא אמרה של שחקן השחמט והמחנך המפורסם

תיקו אני לא צריך אותך". בהתייחסות לחיבור סיומים גדי מראה כיצד שינויים קטנים בשביל" בתגובה להצעת תיקו:

. או להיפך ה לתיקויבעמדות יכולות לשנות את הדרישה מזכי

ה( )בשיפוטו של האנס גרובר, גרמני 2019 -)בשיפוטו של פייר טריטן, צרפת( ו 2018הדוחות לבעיות אגדתיות לשנים

מתפרסמים בחוברת זה אחרי זה. ראוי לציון הישגם של המחברים הגרמנים ארמין גייסטר ודניאל פאפאק שזכו בפרסים

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