Award of 8th TT Chess Composition Microweb
C 15.1.2002

Judged by Georgij Jevsejev.

I am not very fond of proposed theme. While it is possible, that it was never proposed in fairy competitions, the theme is extremely well known and all the orthodox possibilities are not original. So the authors had to do something highly non-orthodox and this, probably, explains the small number of problems - only 9. Moreover, three problems (Nos, 6, 7, 8) were cooked or their authors failed to mark some exotic fairy condition. No. 9 is not thematic. There is no interception in it (which is necessary for Grimshaw), but only obstruction. I also decided not to award No. 4, in which Grimshaw is not balanced (triple Grimshaw with two marine pieces and nightrider). Remaining problems are all included in award.

Prize: No. 3, Reto Aschwanden & Juraj Lörinc, Switzerland & Slovakia
Grimshaw on four different squares with the same rook and bishop. As far as I know, in orthodox composition two such Grimshaws already represent a task. Four Grimshaws (with eight different mates) is a serious achievement which includes many antiduals. The construction is adequate, where Roses and Camels are inherent for this matrix. Elans look like necessary evil. I think that it is possible to avoid grasshoppers, though they are often used as a kind of "fairy pawn" so this is not a serious drawback.

HM: No. 2, Juraj Lörinc & Reto Aschwanden, Slovakia & Switzerland
Two three-piece Grimshaws with Chinese pieces. The Grimshaws are specific, because they use the difference between the movement and capture. All play is centered on the access of pieces to squares b6, c6, and d6 and very homogeneous. Nevertheless, I think that this problem is technically worse than No. 3 because of use of Kangaroo. I think, that it is a clumsy piece which is never to be used for technical reasons only. If the author were able to use Pao instead of Kangaroo (as it is obviously fit for this matrix) the problem would have rated higher.

1st Comm: No. 1, Reto Aschwanden, Switzerland
This is another very interesting problem with significant technical drawback. Every Grimshaw move closes two black lines, but only one of them is significant for mate. The matrix is very uniform, but unfortunately the author used the board of increased size. While I think that this can be allowed for very difficult ideas which simply not fit into orthodox board, here this is not the case. The main matrix does not need extra files and ranks. That is, 1st rank and I-file here are added only as a means of overcoming technical difficulties - and I do not like it.

2nd Comm: No. 5, Frantisek Sabol, Czechia
Very interesting and specific Grimshaw: Line of movement differs from the line of action of piece. This, of course, only possible under specific fairy condition (Mars Circe in this case). Unfortunately, except from Grimshaw, the play is not very interesting - it only concerns removing several guards from the mating line. The role of white Knight and Bishop in alternate solutions is also quite insufficient.

Reto Aschwanden
Juraj Lörinc
Prize 8th TT CCM C 15.1.2002
No. 3

1.Mh4! hr. 2.CAed5#
1...Bc7 2.CAxb7# (Zxc3?, Zxh8?)
1...Bd6 2.Sd4# (CAaxd3?, Zxc3?, Zxh8?)
1...Bd4 2.CAaxd3#
1...Bg7 2.CAexh7#
1...Rc7 2.axb8Z#
1...Rd6 2.Sc7# (axb8Z?, CAxb7?, CAexh7?)
1...Rd4 2.Zxc3# (CAxb7?, CAexh7?)
1...Rg7 2.Zxh8#
(1...Rxe8 2.Rxe8#)

Grimshaw on four different squares with the same rook and bishop. As far as I know, in orthodox composition two such Grimshaws already represent a task. Four Grimshaws (with eight different mates) is a serious achievement which includes many antiduals. The construction is adequate, where Roses and Camels are inherent for this matrix. Elans look like necessary evil. I think that it is possible to avoid grasshoppers, though they are often used as a kind of "fairy pawn" so this is not a serious drawback.









#2 (15+14)
3+1 grasshopper, 2+1 moose
3+0 camel, 1+0 zebra
Juraj Lörinc
Reto Aschwanden
HM 8th TT CCM C 15.1.2002
No. 2

1.PAb4 NAd1 2.NAd7+ Kb6#

1.NAb4 PAg1 2.VAd7+ Kc6#

1.VAb4 NAc1 2.PA8d7+ Kd6#

Two three-piece Grimshaws with Chinese pieces. The Grimshaws are specific, because they use the difference between the movement and capture. All play is centered on the access of pieces to squares b6, c6, and d6 and very homogeneous. Nevertheless, I think that this problem is technically worse than No. 3 because of use of Kangaroo. I think, that it is a clumsy piece which is never to be used for technical reasons only. If the author were able to use Pao instead of Kangaroo (as it is obviously fit for this matrix) the problem would have rated higher.









(5+16)
1+0 kangaroo, 2+2 nao
1+4 pao, 0+4 vao
3.1.1.1
Reto Aschwanden
1st Comm 8th TT CCM C 15.1.2002
No. 1

1.f6? th. 2.RLh7#
1...ROe4 2.LIh7#
1...Be4 2.Be8#
1...Re4 2.LIa4#
1...ROg8!

1.c5! th. 2.RLa4#
1...ROe4 2.LIa4#
1...Be4 2.LIh7#
1...Re4 2.Be8#
(1...ROe8 2.Bxe8#)

This is another very interesting problem with significant technical drawback. Every Grimshaw move closes two black lines, but only one of them is significant for mate. The matrix is very uniform, but unfortunately the author used the board of increased size. While I think that this can be allowed for very difficult ideas which simply not fit into orthodox board, here this is not the case. The main matrix does not need extra files and ranks. That is, 1st rank and I-file here are added only as a means of overcoming technical difficulties - and I do not like it.










#2 (12+15)
0+2 rose, 3+1 rose lion, 2+0 lion
board 9x9
Frantisek Sabol
2nd Comm 8th TT CCM C 15.1.2002
No. 5

1.Bd6 Rc8 2.Rxc8 Bxd2#

1.Qd6 Rf5 2.Bxf5 Sxd2#

Very interesting and specific Grimshaw: Line of movement differs from the line of action of piece. This, of course, only possible under specific fairy condition (Mars Circe in this case). Unfortunately, except from Grimshaw, the play is not very interesting - it only concerns removing several guards from the mating line. The role of white Knight and Bishop in alternate solutions is also quite insufficient.









h#2 (5+9)
Mars Circe
2.1.1.1

Comments to Juraj Lörinc.
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