Selection from award of Praca 1999 - #3

1.Rb4! th. 2.Sd3+ Bxd3 3.Bc7# A, f4# B, Qe6# C
1...Rc5 2.Bc7+ A Kd4 3.Qd2#
1...Ra3 2.f4+ B Ke4 3.Bxd5#
1...Sxf3 2.Qe6+ C Kf4 3.Se2#
1...Sxb4 2.Be3 hr. 3.Qe6#, 2...d4, Bf6 3.Bf4#, Qf4#

Judge: "The highest distinction without any doubts. Author makes for a longer time interesting researches in #3 genre. It can be said he looks for new direction and it is successful research. Here he trial of 3rd threat move is moved to the 2nd white moves in 3 variations. Moreover, every variation is finished by mate with pin of Bc4 and bK is mated on 3 themtical squares d4, e4, f4. I honour also by-variation 1...Sxb4 having dominating black error of block. In fact, this variation gives evaluation of key. Extraordinary, finished and original work."

1.Be1! th. 2.b3+ axb3 Rd4#
1...Sb5 2.Sc7+ Bd5 3.Rxc6#
1...f5 2.Sg7+ Bd5 3.Se5#
1...c5 2.Sg5+ Bd5 3.Bxd5#

Judge: "Inexhaustible resources of battery were used by author for creation of this beautiful threemover with combination, in which every halfmove, white as well as black ones, is exceptionally full of motives. Original penetration of 'analogy' theme from helpmates to #3 genre. Again finished and original. Seeing this diagram I deeply regret we will never again meet similar new precious works by Joe Taraba. His death is big loss for Slovak chess composition!"

1.Kg1! th 2.Rhf4 ~ 3.Sg2#
1...Rbc3 2.Bc1+ A Rxc1 3.Rd3# B
1...Rcc3 2.Rd3+ B Rxd3 3.Sc4# C
1...Ba6 2.Sc4+ C Bxc4, Rxc4 3.Bc1# A, Sg2#

Judge: "Rotation of 2nd 3rd white moves in 3 variations. Author's beloved theme isn't anything special today without valuable additions. Here I appreciate original paradoxal use of Plachutta (with little change allowing AB-BC-CA) and polyfunctional Nowotny theme (or only half-Nowotny?). Mechanical quick run through solution would be big mistake."

1.Qd7? th. 2.Sb4+ A Kxb3 3.Bd5#
1...Rxa4 2.Sc3+ B Kxb3 3.Qxa4#
1...Rc2 2.Ra1+ C Kxb3 3.Qb5#
1...Kxb3!

1.Qf5? th. 2.Sc3+ B Kxb3 3.Bd5#
1...Rxa4 2.Ra1+ C Kxb3 3.Qd3#
1...Rc2 2.Sb4+ A Kxb3 3.Qxc2#
(1...e6 2.Qd3! Rxb2 3.Ra1#)

Judge: "Shedey cycle. Paradoxically with help of diagonal symmetry what makes this problem a bit mysterious. Pity, author didn't finish the construction well, it was possible to make wQ more free and save something (Re1>h1, -pe3, pd4>d3, wQg4>f5, Rf2>e2, pf3>e3, bBh2>bph2, 1.d4!)."