Award of 17th TT Chess Composition Microweb C 30.6.2005

a)1.h4 bxc6(c7) 2.cxd5(d2) d6 3.d1Qn Qnxd6(d7)#
1.gxh5(h2) nKd8 2.h1nQ nQxd5(d7) 3.nQe5 bxc6(c7)#
1.cxd5(d2) d6 2.d1nQ nQxh5(h7) 3.nKf8 nQxg6(g7)#

b)1.gxf5(f2) f6 2.f1nQ nQxb5(b7) 3.nKd8 nQxc6(c7)#
1.cxb5(b2) nKf8 2.b1nQ nQxf5(f7) 3.nQe5 hxg6(g7)#
1.b4 hxg6(g7) 2.gxf5(f2) f6 3.f1nQ nQxf6(f7)#

A problem with great economy of means (only Pawns and Circe condition). The twin is superfluous because it has symmetrical solutions.

1.Bd6? th. 2.nRaxa5(nSb8)#
1...Rcb8!

1.Ba7? th. 2.nRaxa5(nSb8)#
1...Rab8!

1.Bc7! th. 2.nRaxa5(nSb8)#
1...Rcb8 2.nQxe6(nBc8)#
1...Rab8 2.nBxb5(nRa8)#
1...nRaxb4(b2) 2.nRxa5(nSb8)#

The mates are exemplary, but a minus is the presence of two neutral queens.

a) 1.nRd1 nQg2 2.f1nB+ Kxd1 3.nBxg2(nRe2) nRe6(nQg6)#, 3.nQe2(nRb1)#

b) 1.nQe7+ Kxf2 2.nRd4(nQf1)+ Kxf1 3.Kxd4(nQg2)+ nQd2(nRa4)#, 3.nRf4(nQh1)#

Two similar problems that feature four different mates in only two phases thanks to the obligation to mate both Kings.

(Remark by JL: This and the following problem.)

a) 1...Kxd2 2.Kd5(nRe1) c8nR 3.c1nQ+ nRcxc1 4.nRxc1(nQa1) nQe5(nRg5)#, 4.nRe2(nQc2)#

b) 1...c8nQ+ 2.Kb5 nQxc2 3.d1nQ(nQc1) nQdxc2 4.nQxc2(nQc3)+ nQa5(nQa4)#, 4.nQf4(nQf5)#

Two similar problems that feature four different mates in only two phases thanks to the obligation to mate both Kings.

(Remark by JL: This and the previous problem.)

1.nMd3 Kd4 2.Kg4 Ke4 3.nQh4 nMf4#

1.nMc4 Kd3 2.Kg4 nMe3+ 3.Kf3 nQg3#

1.Kg4 nQf5 2.Kf4 nMd3+ 3.Ke3 nQf3#

Three different echo mates with economy of means. The best baby of the tourney, but the problem was not ranked better because, in my opinion, köko is a too restrictive condition.

a) 1...Kf7 2.fxe4(nS) Ke6(d3) 3.g5 dxe4(nS) 4.Kh5(nSe5) Kf5 5.nSg3(Pn) nSg4(Pn)#

b) 1...e5 2.f4 fxe5(nS)+ 3.Kh5(f6) nSxg6(nB)+ 4.Kh6(g7) Ke7 5.gxf6(nS) Kxf6(g5)#

c) 1...exf5(nS) 2.Kxf5(f6) Ke7(nSe4) 3.Kxg6 Ke6(g5) 4.Kh7 Ke7 5.nSxf6(nB)+ Kf7(g6)#

The theme is here realized with two fine conditions: Einstein + ParrainCirce, an idea worked by M. Grushko with help of Popeye.

a) 1...b6 2.e4 b7 3.nLIxb7 Kd4(nQc8)+ 4.nQg4 Kd5 5.nLIxe4 nQc8(nRa8)#
1...Kb4 2.e4 Kxb5 3.Kc8(c5) Kxc5 4.Kd8(d5) Kd6 5.dxe4 nLId5(nRa8)#

b) 1...Kb3 2.Kb7 nLIa8 3.b4 Kxb4 4.nLId5(nQe1)+ nQe5 5.nLIxf5 nQb8(nQc8)#

Three long solutions that lead to three very different mates.

1...nRe3 2.Kd6 nBxe3(»nRe3) 3.Ke7 nBc5(g of nRe3)#

1...nRh6 2.Kc5 nBxh6(»nRh6) 3.Kb6 nBe3(g of nRh6)#

1...nBa3 2.Ke6 nRxa3(»nBa3) 3.Ke7 nRe3(g of nBa3)#

1...nBe3 2.Kc6 nRxe3(»nBe3) 3.Kb6 nRe6(g of nBe3)#

An ambitious idea: two reciprocal batteries with a condition overexcited by Quartz - les Echecs Fantomes. But the author(s) were unfortunately forced to utilize too many conditions: locuste + Bicolore + Pion impuissant + Fantomes...

a) 1.c2 nGxe4 2.c1B(nGe3) nGd4+ 3.Bxe3 nGxb4(nGc3)#
1.b3 nGc6 2.nGb4 nGxb4 3.Kxb4(nGa3) nGaxc3(nGd4)#

b) 1.nGd4 nGxd4 2.nGc6(nGb6) nGxd4 3.Kxd4(nGe3) nGexc3(nGb4)#

Specific mates in Parraincirce (the King can’t escape because a Pawn rises again) a very pleasant idea realized three times!

1.Sc4 nBxe5 2.Kd5(d4) nBxd4 3.Kxd4(d3) nLId1(nBa1)#

1.Sd5 Kxg4 2.nBc3(nLIh5) nBxe5 3.Kxe5(e4) nLIe2(nBb2)#

1.Kd5 nLIe2 2.Se6 nBxe5 3.Kxe5(f5) nLIh5(nBh8)#

A very good problem with three model echo mates.

1.nBxa4 nQe4 2.nRc2+ Kd1 3.nRa5 nQxa4#, 3.nQxc2#

1.nQd5 nRb3+ 2.Kxa4 nRe1 3.nRe5 nQxb3#, 3.nQxd1#

Magnificent echo mates with reversal colors of Kings, an original idea.

1.Rcxf5(Re8)+!
1...hxg5(e7) 2.exd8nR(nRh6)#
1...gxh3(e7) 2.exd8nB(nBg4)#
1...dxe3(e7) 2.exd8nS(nSd4)#
1...cxd3(e7) 2.exd8nQ(nQc4)#
1...Rxh3(Re7) 2.Sxc6(Sc5)#
1...exd3(e7) 2.Sxc6(Sc5)#
1...Bxb4(Be7) 2.Sxe7(Sc7)#

A very original idea: a self-pinned Pawn promotes in four different units. And more: the promoted piece returns to the square which the Pawn just left. The promotions are subtly motivated:

1...hxg5(e7) 2.exd8=nQ(nQh6)? self-check !
1...gxh3(e7) 2.exd8=nQ(nQg4)? self-check !
1...cxd3(e7) 2.exd8=nB(nBc4)? nBxa6(nBe7)!

All is possible thanks to the recent innovation of P. Petkov - AntiSuperCirce. One remark: the bSd8 can be a bP.

Also the author used the rules of AntiSuperCirce type Cheylan, which is a restrictive type, to hinder the cook 1.Rxa5(Re8)+.

1.Rxf5(Rd2)! th. 2.exd3(nBh8)#
1...e1nQ 2.nQxe3(nQg4)#
1...e1nR 2.nRxe3(nRb4)#
1...e1nB 2.nBxg3(nBh8)#
1...e1nS 2.nSxd3(nSc6)#
1...Bd6+ 2.Sxd6(Sb5)#
1...Be5 2.Bxe3(Bg1)#
1...Be1 2.Rxe2(Rd6)#

AUW in a #2 again. This is better classified than No. 8 thanks to the key. It is remarkable how the author avoided the duals.

1.nSf3 nBf4+ 2.Sxf4 nSe5(nBe6) 3.Sfxe6 nSf7(nBf8)#

1.nBd4 nSe4+ 2.fxe4 nBc3(nSd3) 3.cxd3 nBb4(nSc4)#

1.Sc5+ Ka3 2.S7e6 nSe4+ 3.fxe4 nBf4(nSf5)#

1.Sf8 nBxg5 2.Kc5(nSf4) nSg6 3.Sxg6 nBe3(nSe4)#

An extraordinary performance: four echo mates without twins and only with two neutral units - a Knight and a Bishop. An admirable technique!

a) 1.nNc3 nLIb4 2.dxc3 nBd4 3.Rb6 cxd4#

b) 1.nLIf2 nBh4 2.exf2 nNe3 3.LIg5 fxe3#

c) 1.nBg5 nNh7 2.hxg5 nLIh6 3.Rf6 gxh6#

An incredible problem: three phases with similar play - creation of a battery at first and second moves, capture of the front piece by nP in the third move, the occupancy of the square that the nP has just left by the third thematic unit, the capture of this unit by the nP with checkmate. In all phases the thematic pieces - neutral Lion, Nightrider and Bishop - exchanged the roles. Bonus: 3 X switchback by neutral Pawn.