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MatPlus.Net Forum Competitions Award, Christmas Tourney 2009, Non-retro problems
 
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(1) Posted by Guy Sobrecases [Sunday, Jan 24, 2010 21:26]

Award, Christmas Tourney 2009, Non-retro problems


The theme for this year was the fairy condition "IMMUN Chess":
A capture is possible only if the Circe rebirth square of the captured unit is empty (after the capture).

Ninety-one entries were sent to me in an anonymous form by the controller, Eric Pichouron, whom I thank for his great help.
Twenty-five authors from twelve countries entered this tourney, making it a great success again this year.
Most of the problems are helpmates (60), but all stipulations are present, from direct mates (13) to series-problems (11), including selfmates and help-selfmates (7).

Mixtures of conditions were not very much used, nor were fairy units; the authors presumably preferred this approach as the best way of revealing the characteristic features of this hitherto little-worked condition.
That was a good choice, as the overall level of the problems seemed very good to me, each one developing a particular idea, with more or less constructional precision and wealth of strategy.

All the problems in the award have been computer-tested, thanks to the Winchloe and Popeye programs. I have also looked for forerunners, thanks to the indispensable Winchloe problem database created by Christian Poisson.
As I see it, there are no anticipations, not even partial ones.

Here or there I found specific rebirth-square blocking mechanisms, frequently used in Anticircé for example, but the authors had the discretion to exploit them quite differently for this tourney.
Some #2s in the award show a rebirth-square blocking mechanism, specific to Immun or Strict Circé, which had already been used before (see App. I and II). Here again the authors were fortunate enough to be sufficiently distant from their great predecessors to avoid the risk of anticipation.

The main criteria which I have chosen are the central idea of the work, its originality, the development of related themes, and (since it is a thematic fairy tourney), the Immun-chess- specific features. That is what I believe will appeal to solvers and create some surprise, perhaps even admiration. Finally, I modestly tried to assess the quality of construction, taking into consideration the very short time available to the composers in which to achieve their projects.

Furthermore I really must thank the twenty-five contributing authors: none of their problems is trivial, even if it does not appear in this award.

There are five Prizes, ten Honourable Mentions, and nine Commendations.







1° Prize
Miodrag MLADENOVIC
(= 12+10 )

8/5P2/1rb5/8/1pPPPp2/1P1ksR2/RprSSs1P/1B2K1b1

‡3 (12+10)
Immun

1.Ra1? [2.R×e3‡]
but 1…Rb8!

1.Sf1? [2.B×c2‡]
but 1…Ba8!

1.f8=B! [2.Sc1+ Kc3 3.B×b4‡]
1…Bb7 2.Ra1 [3.R×e3‡]
1…Rb7 2.Sf1 [3.B×c2‡]

A superb logical #3 with a WB underpromotion key, motivated by its hope of immunity.
Both the white play and the black defences are very specific.
The positive effect of the self-block of rebirth squares by White (very specific to this condition) is well used here. The damage to Black after Bb7 & Rb7 is also specific, pointing to the thematical units’ reciprocal interferences –Grimshaw-.

A magnificent work!



2° Prize
Michel CAILLAUD
(= 11+9 )

rr1b2Q1/p1P1p3/Bks1R3/2S2b2/K7/6B1/P1R3PP/7q

‡2 (11+9)
Immun Rex Inclusiv

1.R×c6??
1.Q~? threats 2.R×c6‡
but 1...Bg6! 2.R×c6+ Be8! immunising the BK

1.Qf7! threats 2.R×c6‡ (2...K×c6??)
(1...Q~! 2.R×c6+? K×c6!)

1...Qd1 2.c×b8=Q‡ (2...R×b8??) (2.c×d8=Q+? Q×d8!)
1...Qc1 2.c×d8=B‡ (2...R×d8??)
1...Qb1 2.c8=S‡ (2...R×c8??)
1...Qa1 2.c×b8=R‡ (2...R×b8??)
1...Qg1 2.Rb2‡ (2...K×c5??)
1...Qf1 2.Sd7‡ (2...K×a6??)
1...Qe1 2.Kb5‡ (2...K×b5??) (2.Ka5?? (Q×a5!))

An excellent AUW problem showing subtle try play and dynamic actual play. No fewer than than 7 specific mates! The key is clever and offers a real bonus. The high quality of construction allows some variations which enhance the whole by enriching the play.



3° Prize
Éric HUBER & Vlaicu CRISAN
(= 5+8 )

1Q1B3r/3b1K2/k2p1S2/4pn2/2n3q1/2N5/8/8

hs‡2,5 (5+8)
Immun Rex Inclusiv
Nightriders

2 solutions

1…Qd1! 2.Kg6 Rh5 3.Qc8+ Be8‡
1…Nd1! 2.Ke7 Be6 3.Qa8+ Re8‡

Beautiful specific play and diagonal-orthogonal correspondence, dual avoidance, and switch of BB/BR functions.
The interplay is also motivated by the stipulation which is very well used here.



4° Prize
Abdelaziz ONKOUD
(= 3+5 )

8/5P2/3b1r2/4ks2/2B5/3K1s2/8/8

h‡2 (3+5)
Immun

4 solutions

1.Sd2 f8=S 2.Sb1 Sg6‡
1.Se3 f8=Q 2.Sd1 Q×f6‡
1.Rh6 f8=R 2.Rh1 R×f5‡
1.Ba3 f8=B 2.Bc1 Bd6‡

A very economic AUW showing very clear strategy. Orthogonal-orthogonal correspondence in the BS play, and diagonal-orthogonal correspondence in the BB/BR play. The BSf3 is obviously somewhat isolated, but it seems difficult to make any criticism of it, given the incredible overall economy.



5° Prize
Miodrag MLADENOVIC
(= 15+15 )

3bBR2/Q1P1k2S/P2p1p1r/K1PP1PPr/s1R2S1p/2p2bpP/1pP1p1p1/4q3

‡2 (15+15)
Immun

1.Rg8! blocus

1…Qa1 2.c×d8=R‡ / 1…Qc1 2.c×d8=B‡ / 1…Qd1 2.c×d8=Q‡
1…Qg1 2.c×d8=S‡

1…Qb1 2.Sg6‡ / 1…Qf1 2.Rg7‡ / 1…Qh1 2.Re4‡

1…Qd2 2.c×d6‡ / 1…Qf2 2.g×f6‡

1…Rh6~ 2.S(×)g6‡ / 1…Bf3~ 2.R(×)e4‡ / 1…B×d5 2.S×d5‡
1…Sb6 2.c8=S‡ / 1…g1=~2.c×d8=S‡ / 1…b1=~2.Sg6‡


A beautiful block problem showing 9 specific mates and AUW. The means are certainly on a grand scale, but the task is undoubtedly worth its ranking.




1° HM
Pascal WASSONG
(= 12+9 )

1sRK4/1pB1P1p1/1rk3B1/PpS1p3/1P3R2/2S5/2QP2b1/6r1

‡2 (12+9)
Immun Rex Inclusiv

1.e8=Q/B/Be8+?
but 1…K×c7+!

1.Qc1? [2.Bd6‡]
1…Bh3 2.Be4‡
but 1…Sa6!

1.Sb3! [2.Sd4‡]
1…Ra1 2.Rf6‡ / 1…Rb1 2.Sd5‡ / 1…Rc1 2.Bd6‡ / 1…Rd1 2.Qe4‡
1…Re1 2.Kd7‡ / 1…Rf1 2.Be4‡ / 1…Rh1 2.Rc4‡

Specific motivation with vacation of the attacking white piece’s rebirth square by Black. 7 specific mates. The use of batteries is clever. The tries are varied, but can also be regarded as trivial (1.e8=Q/B+? / 1.Be8 +? offering flight squares to the then immunised BK).



2° HM
Jean-Christian GALLI
(= 8+6 )

5bk1/2p1p1P1/4P2p/2P4P/8/3K4/2pP2P1/2B5

‡9 (8+6)
Immun

1.Ke4!
1.Kh7 2.Kf5 Kg8 3.Kg6! c6 4.Kf5 Kh7 5.Ke4 Kg8 6.Kd3 Kh7 7.K×c2 Kg8 8.Kd1 Kh7 9.g8=Q‡

An amusing manoeuvre first to force the move c6, then to allow the capture of c2, permitting access to the d1 rebirth square of the Q. Simple and tasteful!
An anecdote: It seems that the author wanted to test my sagacity, as he did not inform the controller of the short try which, although somewhat imprecise, is worth a look:
1.Ke2? Kh7 2.Kf1 Kg8 3.Bb2 c6 4.d3! c1=~ 5.B×c1 Kh7 6.Bb2 Kg8 7. ~ Kh7 8.g8=B‡
but 3…c1=B!! ( 4.B×c1??)



3° HM
Éric HUBER & Vlaicu CRISAN
(= 5+6 )

5Kb1/6P1/2B2B2/7q/2k2p2/8/1Q1b4/4r3

hs‡2 (5+6)
Immun Rex Inclusiv

2 solutions

1.Bd8 Rd1 2.Qc3+ Qe8‡
1.Ba8 Qd1 2.Qb5+ Re8‡

Diagonal-orthogonal correspondence, and a switch of place and function of the black thematic units. The unguarding of b5 by the BQ, and less importantly the useless BBd2 in one line, are acceptable given the good economy.



4° HM
Pierre TRITTEN
(= 4+10 )

3K1s2/7p/7B/5prk/B6S/6rp/8/1bq3b1

h‡2 (4+10)
Immun

2 solutions

1.Be3 Bd1+ 2.K×h4 B×g5‡
1.Qc2 Be8+ 2.K×h6 S×f5‡

A Zilahi showing original line strategy and paradoxical white rebirth-square vacation by Black. Specific models mates as a bonus.



5° HM
Pierre TRITTEN
(= 2+6 )

8/5K2/8/8/3k4/3rs3/2q1p1p1/3Q4

h‡2 (2+6)
Immun

3 solutions

1.Sc4! Q×e2 2.Qd1! Qe5‡
1.Qc3! Qb3 2.Rd1! Qd5‡
1.Kc3! Qb1 2.Sd1! Qb4‡

3 specific moves to d1 with triple avoidance, and diagonal-orthogonal correspondence in the WQ play. An active self-block by the BR, rather than 1.Kc3, would probably have been worth a better ranking. Models mates and echo.



6° HM
Jean-Christian GALLI
(= 14+6 )

R7/p7/k7/p7/P1pP1Pp1/KRpSB1S1/R1B3P1/QS6

s‡5 (14+6)
Immun

b)WBa1
c)WSa1

a)
1.Sh1!
1…g3 2.Sb2 c×b2 3.Bd1! c3 4.Bc2 b×a1=Q 5.Rd8! Qb2‡
4…b×a1=R 5.S×g3 R×a2‡
4…b×a1=B 5.Rf8 Bb2‡
4…b×a1=S 5.Rg8 S×c2‡

b)
…3.Bc1! c3 4.Be3…
c)
…3.Bg1! c3 4.Be3…

Specific and original strategy. The twins are nice with the three switchbacks motivated by the condition. Finally, the promoted WR in the diagram did not bother me: the author may have been short of time to perfect his intention.



7° HM
Jacques ROTENBERG
(= 12+11 )

1b1s4/1R1P4/S1PBPK2/3k1pR1/Q2PS3/1rpp1p2/B7/s2q3b

‡2 (12+11)
Immun Rex Inclusiv

1.Sac5? [2.R×f5‡]
1…S×c6 2.Qc4‡
1…B×d6 2.S×c3‡
but 1…Sf7!

1.Bb1? [2.R×f5‡; 2.Qc4‡]
but 1…Rb4!

1.K×f5! [2.Qc4‡]
1…Qb1 2.Kf6‡ / 1…Qc1 2.Sf6‡ / 1…Qg1 2.Sc7‡ / 1…Qf1 2.B×b3‡ / 1…Qe1 2.Ke5‡ / 1…Qd2 2.Qb5‡ / 1…Qc2 2.Rb5‡ / 1…Qe2 2.Kf4‡

Beautiful play motivated by the condition, and showing a specific mate after each of the 8 BQ moves. Of course, the key is strong, but still acceptable though taking flights, because it creates a thematic battery in the actual play. This is a great achievement in the short time available, and therefore deserves this distinction.



8° HM
Bojan BASIC
(= 0+0+1N )

h‡4 (0+0+1)
Immun & Maximummer & Sentinelles en Pion neutre
Royal neutral Nightrider
b)b6>d8

a)
1.NnRh3(+b6) NnRf4(+h3) 2.NnRb2(+f4) NnRd6(+b2) 3.NnRh8(+d6) d7 4.NnRb5 NnRa7(+b5)‡
b)
1.NnRg2 NnRc4(+g2) 2.NnRg6(+c4) NnRe7(+g6) 3.NnRb1(+e7) NnRc3 4.NnRg5(+c3) NnRh7(+g5)‡

Chameleon echoes, and good specificity. An inspired find!



9° HM
Abdelaziz ONKOUD
(= 6+6 )

2B5/8/8/2Bsk2s/P3p3/2p5/1Sp5/Q1K5

h‡2 (6+6)
Immun

2 solutions, set play

1…Be3 2.Shf6 Sc4‡
1…Sd1 2.Shf4 Q×c3‡
1…Qb1 2.Shf6 Sd3‡
1…Qa3 2.Shf4 Bd4‡

1.Shf4 Sd1 2.c×d1=B Q×c3‡
1.Shf6 Qb1 2.c×b1=S Sd3‡

A Zilahi showing immunising tempo-promotions.



10° HM
Bernard DELOBEL
(= 2+6 )

K5bk/3P2bp/4r3/4p3/8/8/8/8

h‡2 (2+6)
Immun

4 solutions

1.Bh6 d8=B 2.Bc1 Bf6‡
1.Rb6 d8=S 2.Rb1 Sf7‡
1.Rd6 d8=Q 2.Rd1 Q×g8‡
1.Rh6 d8=R 2.Rh1 R×g8‡

Beautiful and economical AUW motivated by the condition. The two mates on g8 are a flaw, but the overall impression is excellent.





1° Commendation
Luis Miguel MARTIN
(= 4+5 )

6K1/r7/qk6/2R5/3B4/8/1G2bb2/8

h‡2 (4+5)
Immun
Grasshopper

2 solutions

1.Qb7 G×f2 2.Ba6 Ba1‡
1.Rb7 Ge5 2.Bb5 Rc1‡

A nice idea with impossible captures of the white hurdle and of the mating unit, immunised by White. Battery mates.



2° Commendation
Pierre TRITTEN
(= 4+1 )

7K/8/8/8/3k4/2S5/3S4/3R4

h‡2,5 (4+1)
Immun

2 solutions

1…Sc4+ 2.Kc5 Sa4+ 3.Kb4 Rb1‡
1…Scb1 2.Kd3 Sb3+ 3.Kc2 Rd2‡

Epaulette and Gueridon mates showing specific "attacking" self-blocks of the rebirth squares by White. A fine setting.



3° Commendation
Bas DE HAAS
(= 11+13 )

5B2/1bs5/2p2p1g/p2k1P2/Bp3Pp1/1ppP1r2/S4PKP/s2G3Q

‡2 (11+13)
Immun
Grasshoppers

1.Kg1? [2.Q×f3‡]
1…Sa8 2.S×c3‡
1…Ba8 2.S×b4‡
but 1…Ge3+!

1.Kf1! [2.Q×f3‡]
1…Sa8 2.B×c6‡
1…Ba8 2.B×b3‡

Changed mates and well-motivated play. The anticipatory “attacking” self-block makes a good key. However the refutation of the try by a check is a bit too violent for my liking.



4° Commendation
Jacques ROTENBERG
(= 2+1 )

4k3/8/3Q4/7K/8/8/8/8

‡8 (2+1)
Immun Rex Inclusiv

1.Kg4!
1…Kf7 2.Kf3 Ke8 3.Ke2 Kf7 4.Kd1 Ke8 5.Qd7 Kf8 6.Qe8+ Kg7 7.Qf7+ Kh6 8.Qg6‡
(7…Kh8 8.Qg7/g8/h7‡)

Amusing and very condition-specific with two "attacking" self-blocks of the d1 & e8 rebirth squares. The mating dual after 7... Kh8 does not ruin the idea, and does not bother me in view of the good economy.



5° Commendation
Éric HUBER
(= 2+3 )

8/8/5z2/8/3zk3/3S4/5K2/8

h‡7,5 (2+3)
b)WKf2>e7
Immun Rex Inclusiv
Double Maximummer
Kangaroos

a)
1…Sb2 2.KAa1 Sc4 3.Kd3 Sd2 4.KAd1 Sc4 5.K×c4 Ke3 6.Kb3 Kd2 7.Ka2 Kc1 8.KAe1 Kb2‡
b)
1…Se5 2.KAc3 Sg4 3.KAh4 Sf2+ 4.Kf3 Sd3 5.KAg3 Sf2 6.KAe1 Sg4 7.K×g4 Kf6 8.Kh5 Kg5‡

Specific black strategy, switchback and WS Rundlauf. Echoed mates.



6° Commendation
Abdelaziz ONKOUD
(= 3+4 )

3K1ks1/5q2/2S3r1/8/8/8/8/6B1

h‡2 (3+4)
Immun

2 solutions

1.R×c6 Bd4 2.Rc1 Bg7‡
1.R×g1 Sd4 2.Rb1 Se6‡

A pleasant, specific and economical Zilahi.



7° Commendation
Luis Miguel MARTIN
(= 6+1 )

8/8/8/1W4W1/2Bk2P1/5R2/8/4K3

h‡3 (6+1)
Immun Rex Inclusiv
Alfil

2 solutions

1.K×c4 Rf8 2.Kc3 Re8 3.Kd2 Rc8‡
1.Ke4 Bf7 2.K×f3 Be8 3.Ke2 Bc6‡

Zilahi and specific batteries. Diagonal-orthogonal correspondence, and model mates.



8° Commendation
Maryan KERHUEL
(= 3+12 )

r3k2r/1pb3p1/6b1/5s1p/8/pp1Pp3/8/R3K3

h‡3,5 (3+12)
b)WRa1>h1
Immun

a)
1…0-0-0 2.0-0-0 Kb1 3.R×d3 Ka1 4.Rc3 Rd8‡
b)
1…0-0 2.0-0 Kh1 3.Kh7 R×f5 4.Kh6 R×h5‡

Castling motivated by the condition.



9° Commendation
Ivan SKOBA
(= 3+2 )

2B5/3K4/8/8/8/8/5R2/6kb

sh‡22 (3+2)
Circé
Immun Rex Inclusiv

1.Bg2 2.Kh2 3.Kg3 4.Bf3 5.Kf4 6.Ke3 7.Be2 8.Kd2 9.Ke1 10.Ba6 11.B×c8 (Bf1) 12.Ba6 13.Be2 14.Kd2 15.Ke3 16.Bf3 17.Kf4 18.Kg3 19.Bg2 20.Kh2 21.Kg1 22.Bh1 Rg2‡

Black strategy aimed at immunising the WK, so as to avoid check on the 11th move.
BB & BK switchbacks.





App. I & II


Theodor TAUBER
Shlomo SEIDER
Schweizerische Schachzeitung 1988
(= 8+10 )

sb6/kPR2p2/1R6/2p5/2S1p3/1p2pq2/PrP5/1K2Q3

‡2 (8+10) C-
Immun Rex Inclusiv
1.Ka1! [2.Qa5‡]
1…Qd1 2.b×a8=Q‡ / 1…Qf1 2.b×a8=B‡ / 1…Qh1 2.b×a8=R,Ra6‡ (dual)
1…Rb1 2.b×a8=S‡



Norman A. MACLEOD
feenschach 1988
(= 12+10 )

1S4b1/ppQ1K3/r1P2p1s/R4p2/1k6/SB2R1B1/2PPP2b/4r3

‡2 (12+10) C+
Strict Circé
1.d4! [2.B×e1(Rh8)‡]
1…Ra1 2.Qd6‡, 1…Rb1 2.S×a6(Ra8)‡, 1…Rc1 2.Bd6‡, 1…Rd1 2.Qb6‡, 1…Rh1 2.Ra4‡, 1…Rg1 2.Rb5‡, 1…Rf1 2.c3‡? (1…B×g3(Bc1) 2.Bd2,Rb5‡)





List of entries not in the award:

(WKh1/BKc8) h‡4,5 (4+1), (a8/d5)h‡2 (3+4), (a5/f6) h‡3 (3+10), (h2/e5) h‡3 (4+3), (g2/d4) h‡4 (3+3) + version, (a4/c2) hs‡5 (2+4), (d6/g4) sh=7 (9+2), (c1/g4) h‡2, (6+6), (h2/d4) h‡3 (4+5), (h8/c3) h‡3 (3+3), (h8/a1) h‡4 (3+2), (a6/f4) h‡2 (4+14), (d8/f5) h‡2 (3+4), (a6/a8) h‡6 (3+1), (e8/d3) h‡3 (5+3), (e8/e4) h‡3,5 (5+7), (a1/h8) h‡2 (4+7), (g3/d1) h‡2 (7+4), (b1/d4) h‡2 (5+5), (b1/c6) h‡2 (4+2), (b1/f6) h‡2 (4+3), (a8/e2) h‡2* (3+3), (d7/f5) h‡2 (4+2), (b2/e4) h‡2 (4+4), (c1/e4) h‡2 (3+5), (h8/d3) h‡3 (3+4), (a1/a8) sh==26 (8+4), (e7/b5) h‡2 (5+5), (b6/f4) h‡2,5 (5+3), (g1/d5) h‡2 (4+4), (a2/h1) h‡2 (1+2+5), (f3/c2) h‡2 (4+6), (f3/f1) sh=21 (4+1) stipulation twin, (d1/h6) ss‡6 (2+9), (e2/h5) ss‡12 (3+10), (b6/h7) h‡3 (3+2), (a2/h6) h‡3 (3+2), (d4/f7) h‡3 (3+1), (a8/e4) h‡2,5 (4+1), (/d5) h‡2,5 (3+1), (d5/e3) h‡2,5 (2+1), (b8/d5) h‡1,5 (4+3), (/d5) h‡1,5 (5+8), (e5/b3) h‡1,5 (1+1+2), (f7/a6) hs‡2,5, (7+4), (a8/a6) ‡2 (9+6), (h8/e4) h‡3 (3+1), (/d5) h‡2,5 (2+1), (e1/d3) h‡2 (3+5),(f1/a6) h‡4 (3+2), (e1/e5) h‡3 (3+2), (a1/g8) h‡3 (3+4), (e2/d4) h‡5 (3+2), (c1/g2) ‡3 (5+4), (h7/a7) ‡2 (5+8), (e1/h6) ‡3 (7+4), (a7/d8) s‡3 (7+4), (e6/e1) sh=81 (13+3), (f4/a8) sh=84 (13+7), (g8/d6) h‡2 (3+4), (g8/e4) h‡2 (3+4), (d1/b1) sd‡19 (5+11), (h5/f4) ‡2 (13+8), (a3/h1) sh‡13 (2+2), (f3/f1) sh=46 (10+2), (e1/d4) h‡2 (5+2), (a5/a3) hs‡9 (3+2)


Guy Sobrecases.
 
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MatPlus.Net Forum Competitions Award, Christmas Tourney 2009, Non-retro problems