Selection from award of Praca 1999 - #2


Praca is Slovak newspaper with regular problem column, presented tourney was 47th year tourney for #2.
Judged by Juraj Brabec, 4 prizes, 4 HMs, 4 Comms of 39 competing problems.

Vasyl Dyachuk
1st-2nd Prize Praca 1999

1...Bd6 2.Sa3#

1.cxd6 e.p.? A th. 2.Rc7# B
1...Bxd6 2.Sb6# C
Refuted by the fact last move needn't be double step of d-pawn!

1.Rc7! B th. 2.Sb6# C
1...Bd6 2.cxd6# A

Judge: "Use of en passant trick for refutation of try isn't new, but for this type of change it is very suitable. Djurasevic cycle (cycle of key, threat and variation mate) is shown with use of interesting strategical motives. I appreciate the fact that in the set play is mate after thematical defence 1...Bd6 change once more."









#2 (10+9)

Stefan Sovik
1st-2nd Prize Praca 1999

1.Re6? A th. 2.Bf1# B
1...bxc5 2.Sxc3# C
1...Bc6!

1.Re5? D th. 2.Sxc3# C
1...bxc5 2.Bxf1# B
1...Sd5!

1.Bf1! B th. 2.Re6# A
1...bxc5 2.Re5# D

Judge: "In elegant position there is reciprocal change of functions of all three white moves - key, threat and variation mate. Mechanism of the change isn't new too, but surely there isn't more than 10 problem with combination of these reciprocal themes. Re2, that looks like out of play, plays the most important role of all pieces."









#2 (7+10)

Anatolij Slesarenko
Stanislav Vokal

3nd Prize Praca 1999

1...Be4, Se4 2.Qxb8#, Rf5#

1.Sc5? th. 2.Qxb8# (Rf5?)
1...Bd6, Se4, Kd6 2.Rf5#, Sd7#, Sd7#
1...Sf7!

1.Sd2? th. 2.Rf5# (Qxb8?)
1...Sxd5, Be4, Kxd5 2.Qxb8#, Sc4#, Qb5#

Judge: "Mechanism of flight-giving by white interferences was used many times for this type of change, here it is harmonically joined by consequent use of blocking in all variations. No prepared mate on initial flight, but in try and solution there are changed mates on king moves. Combination of new-strategical themes - Sushkov, Hannelius in the form of defences and 3-phase combined change."









#2 (12+7)

Gerhard Maleika
Comm Praca 1999

1.Rxf6! th. 2.Sxg5# A, 2.Qf5# B

1.Rf3! th. 2.Qf5# B, 2.Sf2# C

1.Rd3! th. 2.Sf2# C, 2.Bd5# D

1.Rxd6! th. 2.Bd5# D, 2.Sxc5# E

1.exd6! th. 2.Sxc5# E, 2.Qe6# F

1.exf6! th. 2.Qe6# F, 2.Sxg5# A

Judge: "Six thematical mates are cyclical threats in six solutions. Strategical motives used for reaching this effect are mostly very simple, but resulting impression of closing cyclical effect is interesting."









#2 (11+12)
6 solutions

Comments to Juraj Lörinc.
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