VARIANTIM Bulletin of The Composition Society P.O. Box 637 Petach - Tikva 49106 Israel

www.variantim.org Editors No. 68 - April 2016 Paz Einat, 45a Moshe Levi St., Nes Ziona 74207 [email protected] Ofer Comay, 213 Bney Efrayim St., 69984 [email protected] Original problems Regular: Evgeny Bourd, Haazmaut 55/15, Ashdod 77452 [email protected] Fairy: Michael Grushko, P.O.Box 363, Kiryat Beyalik 27019 [email protected] Studies: Ofer Comay [email protected] In this issue: Retter 80 Jubilee Tourney – Retter 2-3 Israeli Successes Abroad – Navon 22-23 Afek-64 Award – Afek 4-10 Originals 24-27 Harold v.d. Heijden Study DB - Costeff 10-12 ISC 2016 results 27 IRT Twomovers 2014 - Bourd 12-13 Selected Problems – Bourd 28-30 IRT Moremovers 2012-14 - Trommler 14-15 ¼ finals Israel Solving Champ. 30 IRT 2013 - Solja 16-18 Editorial 31 IRT Helpmates 2014 – Garofalo 19-21 Errata 31 To our contributors from around the world: due to significant increase in postal costs we will send electronic copies of the magazines as of this issue. Subscribers will still get the printed magazine.

יוסי רטר בן 80! דוח תחרות היובל בעמ' 2 יוחנן אפק בן 64! דוח התחרות בעמ' 4 Yochanan Afek is 64 years old! The Afek 64 Yossi Retter is 80 years old! The Retter 80JT Tourney award is on page 4. award is on page 2

1

Yosi Retter 80 Jubilee Tourney Award Judge: Yosi Retter, Requested were selfmates in 2 or 3 moves showing the Feldman-I theme. This theme involves reciprocal continuations after random and correction moves of two black units. Cyclical presentations involving three (or more) black pieces were also allowed. The theme was difficult to implement and I was not expecting to receive many problems. Alexander Kuzovkov I received 27 problems in anonymous form, which is a reasonable number. 1st Prize The level of the problems, and the first four in particular, was very high. Retter 80 JT 2016 1st Prize: Alexander Kuzovkov 'd'd'dBd I was doubtful whether the theme could be implemented with three thematic d'0'dnd' pieces and a cyclic mechanism. I was glad to find out that this is indeed 'dPg'd'd possible. Here there is a combination of twice line openings and self-blocks $pd'dQd' and once line vacation and line closure. These are known elements, but their NdPi'd'd combination is a great achievement. 1.Se1! zz 1...Bd~ 2.Qf4+ A Be4# dpdN0'0' 1...Be5! 2.Qd3+ B Bxd3# 1...b5~ 2.Qd3+ B Bxd3# 1...bxc! 2.Rd2+ C p)'d'dRd Bd3# 1...S~ 2.Rd2+ C Bd3# 1...Se5! 2.Qf4+ A Be4# 4bI'd'G' 2-3rd Prize: Alexander Kuzovkov S#2 11+11 The correction moves cause black obstructions. In the thematic tries the Hannelius theme is performed. The only shortcoming is the weak key, which seems impossible to improve. 1.Se3? Rxc5! 1.Sf2? Sxc5! 1.Rf5! zz 1...Sa~ 2.Sf2 A 3.Sxd3+ Sxd3# 1...Sxc5! 2.Se3 B 3.Rxc4+ Sxc4# 1...R~ 2.Se3 B 3.Rxc4+ Sxc4# 1...Rxc5! 2.Sf2 A 3.Sxd3+ Sxd3# 2-3rd Prize: Eugene Fomichev A surprising integration of the Umnov theme. After the correction moves a Zugzwang is created, which is also surprising. 1.Rf8! zz 1...B~ 2.Sec4+ A Bxc4 3.Qd4+ Bxd4# 1...Bxd5! 2.Sxg4+ B Ke6 3.Sxd5 B~# 1...R~ 2.Sg4+ B Rxg4 3.Qd4+ Bxd4# 1...Rg6! 2.Sexc4+ A Kf5 3.f7 B~# 1...fxe3 2.Sd7+ Kf4 3.Qxe3+ Bxe3# 4th Prize: Sven Trommler Random moves of the black pieces create a flight, whereas the correction moves create an additional flight. In this problem as well the idea seems original. 1.Rf8? Rd7! 1.Rf7! 2.Sxd3+ Ke4 3.f3+ Bxf3# 1...Bd4~ 2.Rf5+ A Kd4 3.Sxb3+ Bxb3# 1...Bxc5! 2.Bg7+ B Ke4 3.f3+ Bxf3# 1...Rd~ 2.Bg7+ B Kd5 3.Bxb3+ Bxb3# 1...Rxc5! 2.Rf5+ A Ke4 3.f3+ Bxf3# 1st Honorable Mention: Evgeni Bourd Activation of a black half battery, where the active white piece is also on the battery’s line. The correction moves unpin the black queen. The tries are refuted by the prevention of one of the thematic mates after a correction move. It should be noted that this is the only problem showing four different black mates. 1.Sf6? [2.Be6+ dxe6#] but 1...Sf3! 1.Sg6? [2.Be6+ dxe6#] but 1...Sxf2! 1.Rh7! [2.Be6+ dxe6#] 1...Sd3~ 2.Qxe4+ A Sxe4# 1...Sxf2! 2Qe5+ B Qxe5# 1...Sd2~ 2.Qe5+ B Sxe5# 1...Sf3! 2.Qxe4+ A Qxe4# Alexander Kuzovkov Eugene Fomichev Sven Trommler Evgeni Bourd 2-3rd Prize 2-3rd Prize 4th Prize 1st HM Retter 80 JT 2016 Retter 80 JT 2016 Retter 80 JT 2016 Retter 80 JT 2016 'd'd'd'd 'd'dRd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'dBH d'd'd'd' d'd'G'dB d'd'd'd' dpdpd'd' nd'd'0'd 'HPd')'d Qd'dPd'G ')')'d'$ 0r)Rd'd' d'!Pi'd' H'Hri'0' d'0Kdk0N rip$'dNd 'dbd'0rd B)'g'dPd '0p!p1rd gpHpd'd' d')pHP0' dpdpdRdp d'dng')' 'hp)'d'd 'd')'dP0 pd')')') 'd'hb$'d d'I'd'd' d'd'I'gr 4'dbd'dK d'drd'd' S#3 7+12 S#3 14+9 S#3 13+10 S#2 10+15 2

2nd Honorable Mention: Alexander Kuzovkov Alexander Kuzovkov Extension of a twomover mechanism (Grimshaw theme). The key gives the 2nd HM black a flight, and in one of the continuations the flight square is Retter 80 JT 2016 replaced by another square. 'dRd'd'd 1.Rc3! ZZ 1...B~ 2.Bxc5+ A Ke4 3.Re3+ Sxe3# 1...Bb4! 2.Rxc4+ B Kd3 d'd'd'd' 3.Sf4+ Sxf4# 1...R~ 2.Rxc4+ B Kd3 3.Sf4+ Sxf4# 1...Rb4! 2.Bxc5+ A 'd'GBdNd Ke4 3.Re3+ Sxe3# 1...Ke4 2.Rf8 3.Rf4+ Sxf4# d'0')'d' th rdpiPdpd 3-4 Honorable Mention: Evgeni Bourd; Vasil Dyachuk g'd'$p0b Exactly the same scheme is used in these two problems. In the random 'd'0'0nd moves a black line controlling a potential white king flight square is opened d'dNdKd' and a white piece is freed to activate the black battery. In the correction S#3 9+12 moves the square is directly controlled. Bourd: 1.Bc4? [2.Rxc6+ Kxc6#] 1...Sge6! 1.Qf2? ZZ 1...Sf5+! 1.Sxc3? Evgeni Bourd [2.Scxe4+ Kd4#] 1...Bxc3! 1.Sg3? [2.Sgxe4+ Kd4#] 1...Sf5+! 1.Sf4? ZZ 3-4th HM 1...Sg6+! 1.Sc1! zz 1...Sf8~ 2.Bb6+ A Kxb6# 1...Sd7! 2.Sxe4+ B Retter 80 JT 2016 Kd4,d5# 1...Sg7~ 2.Sxe4+ B Kd4,d5# 1...Sge6! 2.Bb6+ A Kxb6# 'dRG'hr1 Dyachuk: 1.Sh7! zz 1...Sb~ 2.Sxd4+A Ke4# 1...Sbd6! 2.Bg6+ B Kxg6# d'd'IPhp 1...Sc~ 2.Bg6+ B Kxg6# 1...Se7! 2.Sxd4+ A Ke4# 'dbd'H') 5th Honorable Mention: Evgeni Bourd 0'iBd')' The random moves cause a of a white piece, which is an original Pg'dpd'd element. No harmony between the variations of the correction moves. 0'0'4'd' 1.Sf8! [2.Qf6+ exf6#] 1...Sb5~ 2.Sxe6+A Qxe6# 1...Sxd4! 2.exf4+B PdPdNd'd Qxf4# 1...Sc3~ 2.exf4+B Qxf4# 1...Sxd5! 2.Sxe6+A Qxe6# d'd'd'!' S#2 13+13 1st Commendation: Gabor Tar The addition of black half pin is interesting, but the defense by check detracts. 1.f4! zz 1...Sb5~ 2.Qd3+A Bd4# 1...Sd4! 2.Se3+B Bxe3# 1...Sc5~ 2.Se3+B Bxe3# 1...Sd3+! 2.Qxd3+A Bd4# 2nd Commendation: Alexander Pankratyev Routine mechanism, but with the addition of tries.1.Sf5? 2.Bb4+ Rxb4# 1...Sd3! 1.Rb7? 2.Rb3+ Rxb3# 1...Sd4 2.Bb4+ Rxb4# 1...Rb1+! 1.Qf2? 2.Bb4+ Rxb4# 1...Sd3! 1.Rh4! zz 1...Se~ 2.Sb5+A Rxb5# 1...Sd4! 2.Bb4+B Rxb4# 1...Sf~ 2.Bb4+B Rxb4# 1...Sd3! 2.Sb5+A Rxb5# Participants: V. Alexandrov (1), M. Barth (2), E. Bourd (3), V. Bulanov (1), V. Dyachuk (2), P. Einat (1), E. Fomichev (2), A. Kuzovkov (4), Z. Labai (1), A. Pankratyev (8), G. Tar (1), S. Trommler (1). I would like to thank my friend Raffi Ruppin for his exemplary management of the tourney and for translating the award. The award remains open for three months. The three monetary prizes will be presented at the Belgrade 2016 Congress. Vasil Dyachuk Evgeni Bourd Gabor Tar Alexander Pankratyev 3-4th HM 5th HM 1st Com 2nd Com Retter 80 JT 2016 Retter 80 JT 2016 Retter 80 JT 2016 Retter 80 JT 2016 q4ndB$'d 'd'dBd'! 'H'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 0n)Kd'd' d'4'0'd' dpdpd'0' d'd'd'dR PdNd'g'd 'd'dpdNd pG'0'dQd Bd'H'd'd d'd'dkHp 4ndPI'i' $nhkd'd' d'Gpd'd' 'd'0'db) 'd'$'0qd pdrd'd'd Pd'd'h'd d'drdpdp d'h')'db )'d'dP0' I'i'd'd' '0'd')'G 'd'dpd'H BdN)RdP0 '4r0nd'd dQd'd'd' g'd'd'd' d'd'I'gr d'gbdQd' S#2 11+14 S#2 8+12 S#2 12+14 S#2 7+9 3

Afek 64 Tourney Award Judge: Yochanan Afek, Amsterdam 64 is a unique round chess anniversary which my Israeli chess friends happily found appropriate to celebrate with me by organizing a special jubilee composing tourney. The symbolic anniversary also happens to coincide with my 50 years of chess activities as a competitive player, composer, writer, trainer and organizer. I am grateful to my fellow composers for their highly appreciated initiative, especially to Amatzia Avni for taking the trouble to act as the devoted tourney director, to Gady Costeff who patiently assembled all 60 anonymous entries to create an organized, standardized PGN file, to Mario Garcia for thoroughly checking the candidates for soundness and to Harold van der Heijden for his instructive originality report. My old chessfriends who kindly contributed to the generous prize-fund are: Eli Amit, Amatzia Avni, Ofer Comay, Gady Costeff, Harel Elyosef, Alex Hartman, Noam Manella, Moshe Pyernik, Israel Shrentzel and Moti Shrentzel. Cordial thanks to them all! Various persons have had their impact on my career as a study composer over the years. I would like to use this opportunity for mentioning with great appreciation two of them who undoubtedly were especially instrumental from the very beginning: my chess mentor IM Moshe Czerniak (1910-1984), a great lover of the endgame study who introduced the wonders of this fine art to me and to my friends in the Tel-Aviv youth center. At the same time it was Hillel Aloni, the pioneer of the Israeli endgame study, who patiently guided generations of Israeli young composers through this minefield, in his capacity as the editor of the studies section in the Israeli monthly Shahmat, a great job which will always be cherished! Last but not least, all 47 composers should be praised for their efforts to make judging this event most enjoyable even if by no means a simple task. The standard of the leading entries is outstandingly high, with more than one candidate for top honors. Other serious candidates were left out of the award due to soundness, originality or structural flaws. Here are a couple of such reasons: No.41 (Ka6/Kc4) cook 3.h3! and probably also 3...g2; No.43 (Kh4/Ke5) 2.Qc2 and probably also 2.Qg5 Qa1 3.Kh5 seem like duals ; No.54 (Kc1/Ke1) Dual: 4.Sxe4 (EGTB). I also allowed myself to decline a couple of candidates that didn't meet my views as to how a study should be presented or which I failed to understand despite repeating efforts. The rest is a pure matter of personal taste. Following the usual inner struggle here is my classification:

1st Prize, Andrei Visokosov, Russia: Following a natural introduction an outstanding logical ending is presented in a most clear-cut fashion. The cool-blooded and far-sighted Andrei Visokosov 6.Kh5!! is the star move in the struggle over the reciprocal zugzwang. A 1st Prize Afek-64 2016 genuine masterpiece of classical and modern standards! 'd'd'd'd 1.c5+ Ke7 1..Kd7 2.c6+ bxc6 (2..Kc8 3.Bg4+ Kb8 4.d6) 3.b7 g1=Q dp0'd'd' 4.b8=Q Qe3+ 5.Kg6 Qe4+ 6.Kg5 Qe5+ 7.Kg6 Qxe2 8.dxc6+ Kxc6 ')'i'd'I 9.Qa8+ Kb5 10.Qb7+) 2.bxc7 (2.c6 g1=Q 3.bxc7 Kf6 2..Kd7 3.d6 g1=Q d'dPd'd' 4.c6+! 4.Bh5 Qe3+ 5.Kg6 Qf4 6.Kh7 Qf5+ 7.Bg6 Qxc5 4..bxc6 5.Ba6 pdPd'd'd Qg8 6.Kh5!! Thematic try: 6.c8=Q+? Qxc8 7.Bxc8+ Kxc8 8.Kg5 Kd7 d'd'd'd' 9. f4 xd6 10. e3! c5!! 11. d3 b5!!12. c3 c5 13. b2 b4 White Pd'dBdpd K K K K K K K K K d'd'd'd' got in zugzwang and loses. 6.Bb7 Qe6+ 7.Kg7 Qe5+ 8.Kf7 Qd5+ 9.Kg7 Draw 6+5 Qg2+ 10.Kh7 Qh2+ 11.Kg7 Qb2+ 12.Kf7 Qxb7) 6..Qa8 a4-a3 is a bad move for black, as is a2-a3 for white.7.c8=Q+ Qxc8 8.Bxc8+ Kxc8 9.Kg4!! Kd7 10.Kf3!! Kxd6 11.Ke2!! Kc5! 12.Kd1!! Kb5! 13.Kc1!! c5 14.Kb1!! Kb4 15.Kb2 It's the same final position as in thematic try, but Black to move. Now Black is in zugzwang and therefore it's a draw.

4

2nd Prize, Oleg Pervakov, Russia: Oleg Pervakov Mutual tactical blows ending up in an following two active self- 2nd Prize Afek-64 2016 blocks. The quiet stunning sacrifice 2.Sh4!! creating an echo threat to the '$'d'd'd final mate and the subtle 3.Rd1! as well as the pair of bishop sacrifices all d'd'd'd' turn this study to a genuine gem in the best of my own favorite romantic 'd'd'dNd style! d'd'd'd' 1.Rb1 Be2 (1..Bc2 2.Rf1 f2 (2...Kh2 3.Rxf3 Bd1 4.Sh4!) 3.Kf3 Kh2 'd'g'I'd 4.Se5 +-) 2.Sh4!! (2.Ke4 Kg3 3.Sf4 Bc3 4.Rg1+ Kh2 5.Rg4 (5.Rg6 Bd2 d'dPdpdk 6.Rg4 Bxf4 7.Rxf4 Kg3 8.Ke3 Bxd3=) 5..Bd1 6.d4 Be1 7.Ke3 f2 8.Rg2+ 'd'd'd'd d'dbd'd' Kh1 9.Rxf2 Bxf2+ 10.Kxf2 Bb3=) 2...Be5+!(2...Bxd3 3.Rh1#) 3.Kxe5 Bxd3 (3...f2 4.Rh1+ Kg4 5.Sf5 Bxd3 6.Se3+ Kf3 7.Kd4) 4.Rd1! Win 4+4 Thematic try: 4.Rh1+? Kg3 5.Kd4 Bc2 6.Ke3 f2 7.Sf3 Be4!! The second bishop's sacrifice! (7..Bd3 8.Sd2 Kg2 9.Rh5 +-) 8.Kxe4 Kg2 9.Rh2+ Kg3 10.Rh1 Kg2 positional draw 11.Kf4 Kxh1 (11..f1=Q 12.Rh2#)) (4.Rb3 Bc2 5.Rc3 Kxh4 6.Rxc2 Kg3=) 4..Be2 (4..Bc2 5.Rc1 Kxh4 6.Kf4) (4..Kxh4 5.Rxd3 f2 6.Rf3) 5.Rh1+ Kg4 6.Sf5 f2 7.Se3+ Kf3 (7..Kg3 8.Ra1 Kf3 9.Kd4 Bb5 10.Rb1 Ba6 11.Rb6 Be2 12.Rf6+ +-) 8.Rh3# 8.Kd4 f1=Q 9.Sxf1 Kg2= Ideal mate with two active blocks. Echo with 3.Rh1#, but in the middle of the board. 3rd Prize, Alexandre Zhukov, Russia: Alexandre Zhukov Inserting new life in the well-trodden Troitzky curve and in what a glorious 3rd Prize Afek-64 2016 manner! A highly tense and tactical introduction reaches a high point where kd'd'd'd the white avoids the capture of a newly born counterpart in favor of d'd'0'd' blocking a pawn to gain the single tempo securing a Troitzky win. The 'd'd'd'd spared enemy knight apparently goes nowhere, however the rest of the d'd'd'd' battle still requires high precision till the happy end. An exceptionally 'd'H'h'd original concept! dqd'dpd' 1.Rf2! (1.Rb1 g1=Q+!2.Kxg1 f2+!3.Kxf2 Qxb2+ 4.Rxb2 Sd3+=) 1...Se2 N!'d'dpI (1..Qxb2 2.Rxb2 f2 3.Rxf2 g1=Q+ 4.Kxg1 Sh3+ 5.Kg2 Sxf2 6.Kxf2 e5 d'd'dRd' 7.Sf5 e4 8.Se3 no Troitzky. 1..g1=Q+ 2.Kxg1 Se2+ 3.Rxe2 fxe2 4.Qxe2 Win 5+6 Qg3+ 5.Qg2+ Qxg2+ 6.Kxg2 e5 7.Sf5 e4 8.Se3 no Troitzky) 2.Rxe2 (2.Qxb3? g1=Q+ 3.Kh3 Qg3# 2...fxe2 3.Qxe2! 3.Qxb3? g1=Q+ 4.Kxg1 e1=Q+ 5.Kg2 Qd2+= 3.Sxb3? g1=Q+ 4.Kxg1 e1=Q+ 5.Kg2 Qe4+ 6.Kf2 Qf4+ 7.Ke1 Qe4+ 8.Kd1 Qh1+ 9.Kc2 Qe4+!10.Kc3 Qe3+=) 3..Qh3+!! (3..Qg3+ 4.Kxg3 g1=Q+ 5.Qg2+ Qxg2+ 6.Kxg2 e5 7.Sf5 e4 8.Se3 no Troitzky) 4.Kxh3 g1=S+ 5.Kg2!! (5.Kg3 Sxe2+ 6.Sxe2 e5!= 5.Kg4? will be understood to fail below 5..Sxe2 6.Se6!! (6.Sxe2 e5=) 6..Kb7 7.Kf2! (7.Kf3? this would be required had white played 5.Kg4? Sd4+! (7..Sg1+ 8.Kf2 Sh3+ 9.Kg2 Kc6 10.Kxh3) 8.Sxd4 e5 9.Sf5 e4+!=) 7..Sf4 8.Sxf4 e5 9.Sd5 e4 10.Se3 +- 4th prize, Vladislav Tarasiuk, Ukraine: I should admit that Q vs. 2 pieces endings usually don't turn on my Vladislav Tarasiuk imagination, however this one seems like a true artistic miracle with a 4th Prize Afek-64 2016 lengthy and highly precise play all the way to an ideal mate following a pair 'd'd'4'd of active selfblocks. d'd'd'd' 1.Qh3+ 1.Qh6+ Rf6 1..Kd5 1..Kxd6 2.Qa3+ 2.Qb3+ 2.d7 Rd8 3.Qf5 'd')kd'd Kd6 2..Kc5 3.Qa3+ Kb5 3..Kc6 4.Qa6+ 4.Ke2 4.d7 Rd8 5.Qe7 Bc7 d'd'g'd' 6.Qe6 Kc5 7.Ke2 Bd6 8.Ke3 Kc6= 4..Rh8 4..Rd8 5.Qe3 Bxd6 6.Qg5+ 'd'd'd'd 5.d7 5.Qe3 Rh2+ 6.Kd3 Bxd6 5..Rd8 6.Qe7 minor dual: 6.Qe3 6..Bc7 d'd'd'd' 7.Qe6 7.Kd3 Kc6 8.Qe6+ Bd6 7..Kc5 8.Kd3 8.Ke3 Bd6 9.Qe8 Bc7 'd'd'd'd 10.Qe6 Bd6= 8..Bd6 9.Qc4+ Kb6 10.Qc8 Bc7 11.Ke4 11.Kd4 Kc6 d'dKd'dQ 11..Kc6 12.Kf5 Kd6 12..Rxd7 13.Qe8 Kd6 (13..Bd6 14.Ke6) 14.Qe6+ Win 3+3 13.Qa6+ Kxd7 14.Qe6#

5

Pavel Arestov Victor Aberman Vladislav Tarasiuk 5th Prize Afek-64 2016 Sp. Prize Afek-64 2016 1st HM Afek-64 2016 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'dkd 'd'g'd'd d'd'd'dK )'d'd'd' dnd'd'd' '0pd'd'd 'h'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd d'd'd')' d'd'd'd' )Rd'd'd' 'dnd'd'i 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'd')' d'dKd'd' 'dPd'd'd 'd'd'd'd ndPd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'd'dK i'd'd'd' Draw 3+4 Win 3+2 Win 4+4 5th prize, Pavel Arestov, Russia: The early underpromotion heralds a subtle knight ending highlighted by 11.Kd8!! and symbolized by the final forking. If not for the slight move order blemish - a perfect miniature to remember! 1.g6 Sd6!2.g7 Se8 3.g8=S! 3.g8=Q? Sf6+ fork, -+. 3..Kg5 4.Se7 c5 5.Kg8! 5.Sd5? Sf6+!-+ 5..Sd6 6.Sd5 (Kf8) b5 7.Kf8 (Sd5) Kf5 8. Ke7 Ke5 9.Sc7! 9.Sb6? Sc4 -+ 9..c4! 9..b4 10.Kd7 c4 11.Sa6 b3 12.cxb3 cxb3 13.Sc5 b2 14.Sd3+ fork,=. 10.Kd7 c3 11.Kd8!! 11.Kc6? b4 12.Sd5 b3 13.cxb3 c2 14.Sb4 $5 c1=Q+ -+ check! 11..Kd4 12.Kd7! 12.Ke7? Sc8+ ( Kc5 ) -+ 12..Ke5 12..b4 13.Kxd6 b3 14.Sb5+ = 13.Kd8!b4 13..Ke4 14.Kd7 Ke5 15.Kd8 - positional draw. 13..Sb7+ 14.Ke7 b4 15.Sa6 - main line. 14.Sa6!Sb7+! 14..b3 15.cxb3 - main line. 15.Ke7! 15.Kc7? b3 16.cxb3 c2 17.Sb4 c1=Q+ check! -+ 15.Kd7? b3 16.cxb3 c2 17.Sb4 Sc5+ -+ check! 15..b3 16.cxb3 c2 17.Sb4! c1=Q 18.Sd3+ 1/2-1/2 Special prize, Victor Aberman, USA: An amazingly accurate and original corner-to-corner journey in a baby format. Even though the final destination is not difficult to guess, two obstacles along the route still turn it into a surprising adventure decided as expected by a hair. The last part of the solution starting from move 10 has already been shown by Gillberg #03986. 1.Kg2 1.Kh2? Kf7! (1..Kg7? 2.Kh3 win) (1..Kf8? 2.g4 win) 2.Kh3 Ke6 3.g4 It is necessary to stop the advance of Black’s King to the queenside. (3.Kh4 Kd6 4.g4 Kc7 5.g5 Kb7 draw) 3..Kf6 4.Kh4 Kg6 draw 1..Kf7 2.Kf3 Ke6 3.g4! 3.Ke4? Kd6 4.g4 Kc7 5.g5 Kb7 6.g6 Sc8! 7.Ke5 Se7 draw 3..Ke5 3..Kd5 4.g5 Ke5 5.Kg4 win 4.Kg3 An unexpected move of White’s King! Immediate advance to the queenside would have been a mistake. It is necessary to move in the opposite direction! 4.Ke3? Sa8 zz WTM 5.Kf3 (5.g5 Kf5 draw) (5.Kd3 Kf4 draw) 5..Sc7 6.Kg3 Kf6 7.Kf4 Kg6 draw 4..Sa8 This exquisite defense complicates White’s task the most. Black lets White to push his king from the pawn, but he is preparing a surprise for White. 4..Kf6 5.Kf4! Kg6 (5..Sa8 6.Ke4 Kg5 7.Kd5 Kxg4 8.Kc6 win (5..Sd5+ 6.Ke4 Sc7 7.Kd3 etc. see main) 6.Ke5 Kg5 7.Kd4 (7.Kd6? Sc8+ draw) 7..Kxg4 8.Kc5 Sa8 9.Kc6 win) 5.Kh4 Kf6 6.Kh5 Kg7 7.Kg5 Sc7 8.Kf5 Kf7 9.Ke4 Here comes a surprise! Straight route to the square a8 is blocked. Nevertheless, White’s King has a workaround to the goal again! (9.Ke5? Kg6 10.Kd4 /Kd6 Sb5+ draw) 9..Kf6 10.Kd3! Kg5 11.Kc4! Kxg4 12.Kc5 Sa8 13.Kc6 Kf5 14.Kb7 Ke6 15.Kxa8 win. 1st HM, Vladislav Tarasiuk, Ukraine: An excellent demonstration of R+P dominating B+S. The highlight of this encounter is a well-timed Festina Lente to pass the move to black in the critical reciprocal Zugzwang position. 1.a6 1.Rxb7 Bxa5= 1..Sc5+! 1..Sb4+ 2.Rxb4 Sc5+ 3.Kc3 Bf6+ 4.Kc4 Sxa6 5.Ra4+ 2.Rxc5 Sb4+ 3.Kc3 3.Kc4? Sxa6 4.Rc6 (4.Rd5 Be7) (4.Rc8 Be7) 4..Kb2= 3..Sxa6 4.Rc6 4.Rc8 Ba5+ 5.Kb3 Kb1= 4.Rd5 Bb6 5.Rd6 Sc5 6.Kc4 Ba7= 4..Sc7 4..Sb8 5.Rc8 Ba5+ (5..Bf6+ 6.Kb3 Sd7 7.Rc7 Sf8 8.Rf7) 6.Kb3 Sd7 7.Ra8 5.Kb3 Kb1 6.c3!! 6.c4 Kc1 7.c5 Sb5= 6..Sb5 6..Kc1 7.c4 Se8 8.Rc8 7.Rc5 7.Rh6 Kc1 8.c4 Sd4+ 9.Kc3 Se2+= 7..Sc7 7..Sxc3 8.Rxc3 +- 8.c4 Se6 8..Kc1 9.Rc6 Se8 10.Rc8 9.Rd5 9.Re5 Sd4+ 10.Kc3 Sc6 9..Bg5 9..Bf6 10.Rd1#) (9..Kc1 10.Rd6 Sc5+ 11.Kb4 Ba5+ 12.Kxc5 10.Re5 10.c5 Bd2!11.c6 Kc1= 10..Sd4+ 11.Kc3 Sf3 12.Rf5 Sd2!13.Kd3 13.c5 Se4+ 14.Kd4 Sxc5 or 13.Rxg5 Se4+ 13..Sxc4 14.Rxg5 Sa3 15.Kc3 +-

6

J. Polášek & E. Vlasák Árpád Rusz Martin Minski Richard Becker 2nd HM Afek-64 2016 3rd HM Afek-64 2016 4th HM Afek-64 2016 5th HM Afek-64 2016 'd'd'i'd 'dkd'g'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'dnd d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d')'dbd' d'd'd'd' 'd'dPd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'dPdqd 'dKd'H'd d'd'd'd' d'0pI'dR dRd'g'd' d'dPd'd' 'd'd'd'd Pd')ndqd 'd'i'd'd 'd'H'd'd dBd'd'$' d'd'd'dR dKdNd'd' d'i'0'd' bd'4'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'dP) 'd'g'0Bd d'd'dKd' d'd'd'dQ d'd'dBd' d'd'd'd' Win 4+3 Win 6+6 Win 8+4 Win 5+5 2nd HM, Jaroslav Polášek & Emil Vlasák, Czech Republic: A fierce and tense struggle over a diagonal to secure promotion of the last shaky pawn. A charming miniature! 1.Rg8+! 1.Rf3+ Ke8 2.Ba4+ Ke7 1..Ke7 1..Kxg8 2.e7+ Bxb3 3.e8=Q+ 2.Rg7+ Kd8! 2..Kf6 3.e7 Bxb3 4.e8=Q Bc4+ 5.Kg1 Rd1+ 6.Kh2 Kxg7 7.Qe5+ 2..Kf8 3.Rf7+ 2..Ke8 3.Ba4+ Kd8 4.e7+ 3.e7+ Ke8 4.Ba4+ Rd7 5.Rg6!! the point! (5.Rg4 Be6 6.Rd4 (6.Rg7 Bb3) 6..Kxe7) (5.Kf2 ? Bb3! 6.Bc6 (6.Bxd7+ Kxd7 7.Ke3 Ke8! 8.Kf4 Bf7 =) 6..Ba4 7.Bxd7+ (7.Bxa4 stalemate) 7..Bxd7!8.Ke3 Be6 9.Ke4 Bf7 =) 5..Bb3 5..Kxe7 6.Rg7+ 6.Bc6! 6.Bxd7+? Kxd7 7.Rg7 Ke8 8.Rg3 Be6 = 6..Bd5 6..Bf7 7.Rd6 7.Bxd7+ Kxd7 8.Rd6+! +- 3rd HM, Árpád Rusz, Romania: A spectacular yet logical manoeuver of a fearless white king to open up the a-file for the final mate. 1.Qf3!Bg7+ 2.Kxd5 Sc3+!3.Qxc3 Qd7+ 4.Kc4! Thematic try: 4.Kxc5? Bxd4+ 5.Qxd4 Qa7+ 6.Kc4 Qxa4+ 7.Kc3 Qa1+ 8.Kd3 Qd1+ 9.Ke3 Qg1+ 10.Ke4 Qg4+ 11.Ke5 Qg7+ 12.Kd5 Qd7+ 13.Kc5 Qa7+ perpetual check. Loss of time 4.Ke4 Qg4+ 5.Kd3 Qd1+ 6.Kc4 Qxa4+ 4..Qxa4+ 5.Kd5! 5.Kxc5? Bxd4+ 6.Kd6+ Bxc3 7.Rxc3+ Kb7 = (7..Kb8? 8.Rh8+ Kb7 9.Rc7+ Kb6 10.Rb8+ Ka6 11.Ra8+ +-) (7..Kd8? 8.Rh8+ +-) 5..Qd7+ 6.Kxc5! Bxd4+ 7.Kb4+!! Bxc3+ 8.Rxc3+ Kb7 9.Rb5+ Ka6 10.Ra3# The mate is possible only because the harmful a-pawn has disappeared. 4th HM, Martin Minski, Germany: Without the queens it would have been the good old 5..Bh3!! draws. With the queens on the board the astounding 5..Qh3+!! 6.g3!! wins. Truly amusing! 1.Rd5+! 1.c8=Q? Bxe6+ 2.Rd5+ Bxd5+ 3.Kc2 Qc6+ 4.Qxc6 Bxc6 5.Sxe5 Bxg2!(5..Kxe5? 6.g3 +-) 6.Bxg2 Kxe5 =) (1.Rb4+? Ke3!2.exf7 (2.c8=Q Bxe6+ =) 2..Qxf7+ 3.Rc4 Bxc7 =) (1.Rxe5? Bxe6+ = 1..Kxd5 2.c8=Q (2.exf7? Qf5!=) 2..Qxe6 2..Bxe6 3.Qc5+ Ke4+ 4.Kb4 /Ka3 Bxh2 5.Sf2+ Kf4 6.Qd4+ Kg5 7.Se4+ Kh6 8.Qh8+ Qh7 9.Qxh7+ Kxh7 10.Sg5+ +- 3.Qc4+! 3.Qxe6+? Bxe6 4.Sxe5 Kxe5+ 5.Kc3 Bh3!= (or 5..Ke4 6.Kd2 Bh3!=)) (3.Sf4+? Kd6+!(3..Bxf4? 4.Bc4+ +-) 4.Sxe6 Bxe6+ 5.Qxe6+ Kxe6 = 3..Kd6 4.Sxe5 Kxe5 4..Qxe5 5.Qxf7+- 5.Kc3! 5.Qxe6+? Bxe6+ 6.Kc3 Bh3!= (or 6..Ke4 7.Kd2Bh3!=)) (5.Kb4? Qb6+ 6.Qb5+ Qxb5+ 7.Bxb5 Kd4!= (or 7..Bd5 8.g3 Kd4!=) 5..Qh3+!! 5..Qxc4+ 6.Bxc4 +-) (5..Qd5 6.Qxd5+ Bxd5 7.g3 +-) (5..Qf6 6.Qd4+ +- 6.g3!! 6.gxh3? Bxc4 = 6.Qd3? Qxh2 7.Qd4+ Kf5 8.Bd3+ Kg5 9.Qg7+ Kh4 10.Qf6+ Kg3 11.Qf3+ Kh4 12.Qxf7 Qxg2 = 6..Bxc4 6..Qxh2 7.Qf4+ /Qd4+ Ke6 8.Bc4+ +- 7.Bxh3 +- 5th HM, Richard Becker, USA: A lovely pair of model mates with the white knights exchanging roles. Though both mate pictures are known they seem to have been combined here for the first time. 1.Se2+ 1.Sxg8? Kxd4 = 1..Kc2 1..Kd3 2.Sf4+ Kc2 (Black has lost a tempo ) 3. Sxg8 Kd1 4.d6 e2 5.Sxe2 Kxe2 6.d7 (Kc5) and White will win the KSP-KB ending 2.Sg4 (Try 2.Sxg8? Kd1 3.Bf1 (3.Sg3 e2 4.Sxe2 Kxe2 and Black will be in time to draw the KSP-KB ending) 3..Ke1 4.Sg3 e2 5.Bxe2 Bf4 =) (An intense try 2.Se4? Kd1!(2..Se7+? 3.Kc5 Sf5 4.d6 Ba5 5.Bf1 Kd1 6.S2g3 ( S4g3 ) Sxg3 7.Sxg3 Ke1 8.Kd4!e2 9.Bxe2 f1=Q 10.Bxf1 Kf2 11.Sf5 Kxf1 12.Kc4 Kf2 13.Sd4 Bd8 14.Sc6 +-) 3.Sd4 (3.S4g3 Se7+ 4.Kc5 Sf5 =) (3.Sf4 Se7+ 4.Kc5 Sf5 = (Also 4..Bb4+ 5.Kxb4 Sxd5+ =)) (3.Bf1 Ke1 (Or, first 3..Se7+ 4.Kc5 Sf5 5.d6 Ke1 6.S4g3 (S2g3 ) Sxg3 etc.) 4.S4g3 ( S2g3 ) Se7+ 5.Kc5 Sf5 6.d6 Sxg3 7.Sxg3 e2 ( Bc3 ) +-) (3.S2g3 Se7+ 4.Kc5 Sg6

7

(Ke1) (Bc1 )=) 3..Sf6!(3..Se7+? 4.Kc5 Sxd5 (4..Sg6 5.d6 Sf4 6.Bf3+ Ke1 7.d7 +-) 5.Kxd5 e2 (5..Ke1 6.Sf3+ +-) 6.Sxf2+ Ke1 7.Sd3+ ( Se4 ) +-) 4.Sg3 (4.Sxf6 e2 (4..Bc3? 5.Bf3+ Ke1 6.Sc2+ Kd2 7.Se4+ Kxc2 8.Be2 +-) 5.Sxe2 Kxe2 6.Sh5 (6.Se4 Bf4 =) 6..f1=S!=) (4.Bf3+ Ke1 (4..Kc1? 5.Se2+ Kc2 6.S4g3 Bc3 7.Sxc3 +-) 5.Sc2+ Kf1 6.Sg3+ Kg1 7.Be2 f1=Q 8.Sxf1 Kf2 =) 4..Bc3!5.Sdf5 e2 6.Bf3 f1=Q 7.Sxf1 Ke1 8.S1g3 Kf2 9.Bxe2 Be5!=) 2..Kd1 (2..Se7+ 3.Kc5 Sf5 4.d6 (4.Bf1? Bc1 5.Sd4+ Kd2 =) 4..Kd1 5.Bf1 (Also 5.d7 Ba5 6.Bf1 Ke1 7.Sh2 +-) 5..Ke1 6.Sh2 +-) 3.Bf1! (3.Sd4? Se7+ (Also 3..Sh6 4.Bf3+ Kc1 =) 4.Kc5 Sxd5 5.Kxd5 Ke1 =) (3.Sg3? Se7+ (Also 3..Ke1 4.Se5 f1=Q 5.Bxf1 Kf2 =) 4.Kc5 Sg6 5.d6 Ke1 6.Sh2 (6.d7 Sf8 =) 6..Sf4 7.Kb5 e2 8.d7 Se6 =) (3.Sf4? Se7+ ( Sh6 )=) 3..Ke1 (3..Sf6 ( Sh6 ) 4.Sxf6 ( Sxh6 ) Ke1 5.Sg3 +-) 4.Sh2 Bb4 (4..Se7+ 5.Kc5 Sg6 (5..Sf5 6.d6 +-) 6.d6 (Or, first Sg3 Sf4 7.Sf3+ Kd1 8.Sd4 Ba5 9.d6 etc.) 6..Ba5 7.Sg3 (7.Sd4? Sf4 8.Kb5 Bd8 9.Sdf3+ Kd1 10.Sg4 e2 11.Sxf2+ Kc2 12.Bh3 Kc3 =) 7..Sf4 8.Sf3+ Kd1 9.Sd4 +-) 5.d6! 5.Sg3? Se7+ 6.Kd7 Sxd5 =) (5.Sf4? Se7+ 6.Kd7 Sf5 7.Ba6 Sh4!(7..Kd1? 8.Be2+ Kd2 9.Sf3+ Kc3 10.Sh5 Sd6 11.Sg3 Bc5 12.Ke6 +-) (7..Bf8? 8.Sf3+ Kd1 9.Be2+ Kc2 10.Sh5 Be7 11.Ke6 +- ) 8.Ke6 (8.Sd3+ Kd1 9.Sxb4 e2 10.Bxe2+ Kxe2 11.Ke6 Sf3 =) 8..e2 9.Bxe2 (9.Sxe2 f1=Q 10.Sxf1 Kxf1 =) 9..Bd2 = 5..Bxd6 6.Kxd6 with two variations: A) 6..Sf6 7.Sg3 Se4+ 8.Sxe4 e2 9.Sc3!exf1=Q 10.Sf3# . B) 6..Sh6 7.Sg3 Sf5+ 8.Sxf5 e2 9.Sf3+!Kxf1 10.Se3# model mate) Jan Timman Jaroslav Polášek Vladimir Bulanov Sp. HM Afek-64 2016 1st Com Afek-64 2016 2nd Com Afek-64 2016 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'h'H'd d')b)'d' d'4'dpd' d'd'd'd' pd'dpd'd 'dPd'dpd ')Pd'd'd d'd')pdN )kd'I'd' 4P0'd'd' 'i'd'd'd Rd'd'dPd pd'd'i'd 0'd'd'$p d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' ')'d'0') 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd d'd'$'dK d'd'd'd' d'd'dKd' Win 9+8 Win 5+4 Win 5+5 Special HM, Jan Timman, Netherlands: Three different underpromotions, even in one line of play, are by no means a novelty. However, here we witness the Phoenix theme in action following the double rook sacrifice as well as a "normal" game-like follow up with the Rook still required for precision. 1.Re4+! fxe4 2.bxa3+ Ka5 3.Rf3!3.Rg1? e3 4.c8=Q Bxc8 3..exf3 4.Sg3 f1=Q+! 5.Sxf1 f2 6.e8=B! Variation A: 6..Bxe8 7.c8=R!Ba4 8.Se3 Kb6 9.Sd5+! Ka5 10.Rf8 Bc6 11.Rxf2 Bxd5+ 12.Kg1 +- Variation B: 6..Bc8 7.Bc6 Kb6 8.Bg2 Bb7 9.c8=S+!Bxc8 10.Bxh3 +- 1st commendation, Jaroslav Polášek, Czech Republic: A fine logical Rook ending inspired by an old Mandler (HHdbV 56524) but in fact significantly improving on that source of inspiration. 1.Ra2!! Thematic try: 1.Ra1?! Rxc6 2.a6 f6+ 3.Kd5 Rxa6 4.Rb1+ Ka4! ZZ 1.Ra3?! Rxc6 2.a6 f6+ 3.Kd5 Rxa6 4.Rb3+ Ka5! 5.Kc5 (5.Rb1 Rb6) 5..Ka4 6.Rb1 Re6 = 1..Rxc6 2.a6! 2.g5? Re6+ 3.Kd5 Ka6 4.Rf2 Re7 5.Kd6 Re6+ 6.Kd7 Re5 = 2..f6+! 3.Kd5 Rxa6 4.Rb2+ Ka4 5.Rb1! ZZ f5 5..g5 6.Ra1+ Kb5 7.Rxa6 Kxa6 8.Ke6 or 5..Ra5+ 6.Kc4 6.g5 and wins f4 7.Ra1+ 7.Ke4 also wins 7..Kb5 8.Rxa6 Kxa6 9.Ke4 +- 2nd commendation, Vladimir Bulanov, Russia: A pleasant synthesis of two ancient motives: pawns dominating pieces in the spirit of the evergreen Ortueta- Sanz (Madrid, 1933), and the white king's grand tour to the upper queenside. 1.c7 1.Se6+? Sxe6 2.c7 a3!3.c8=Q a2 4.Qb8+ Kf5 -+ 1..Ra8 2.Se6+! 2.cxd8=Q Rxd8 3.Se6+ Kf3 4.Sxd8 a3 5.b7 a2 2..Sxe6 2..Kf3 3.Sxd8 a3 4.b7 3.b7! Sxc7 4.b6! Rh8 4..Rb8 5.bxc7 Rxb7 6.c8=Q database mate in 35 5.bxc7 Kf3 6.Ke1 Ke3 7.Kd1 Kd3 8.Kc1 Kc3 9.Kb1 Rh1+ 10.Ka2 Rh2+ 11.Ka3 Rh1 12.Kxa4 Kc4 13.Ka5 Ra1+ 14.Kb6 +-

8

Pavel Arestov M. Hlinka & L. Kekely Luis M.Gonzales Daniel Keith 3rd Com Afek-64 2016 4th Com Afek-64 2016 5th Com Afek-64 2016 Sp. Com Afek-64 2016 'dkd'd'd 'dKd'd'i 'Hbd'd'4 'd'1'd'd d'd'I'd' 4Pd'd'4' d'd'd'd' d'dPd'dQ Rd'd'd'd '0'd'd'd 'd')'d'd 'dPdpdRd d'd'd'd' )b)'dBd' dPI'd'd' dPdkd'H' 'd')'d'd 'd'd'd'0 'd'd'dkd 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'dNd'd' g'I'd'd' 'd'0R0'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd dbdnd'd' $'d'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'4'd' Win 4+5 Draw 6+6 Win 5+3 Win 7+5 3rd commendation, Pavel Arestov, Russia: The white rook is thrice given away on an attacked square. Though in all three such moments the Rook is clearly "taboo", these only moves are still pretty impressive. 1.Rf6! 1.Rc6+? (Ra8) Kb7 2.Rf6 (Rf8) Bf5!! 3.Rxf5 Se3! 4.Rxe3 d1=Q 5.Rxf2 Qxd4 = 1..Se3! 1..Bf5 $5 2.Rxf5 Se3 3.Rf8+ Kb7 4.Rxd2 +- 2.Rf8+! 2.Rxd2? f1=Q 3.Rxf1 Sxf1 4.Rd1 Se3 5.Rxb1 Sf5+ 6.Kf6 Sxd4 7.Ke5 Sc6+ = 2..Kc7 2..Kb7 3.Rxd2 f1=Q 4.Rxf1 Sxf1 5.Rb2+ Kc6 6.Rxb1 Se3 7.Ke6 +- 3.Rxd2 f1=Q 4.Rxf1 Sxf1 5.d5!! A pawn is more important than the rook! 5.Rd1? Se3 6.Rxb1 Sf5+ = 5..Bf5! 5..Sxd2 6.d6+ check, bK on c7, that’s why it was 2.Rf8+! Kc6 7.d7 +- 6.Rd3!! 6.d6+? Kc6 (Kb6) 7.Rf2 Se3 8.Rf3 Sd5+ = with two variations: 6..Bg4 6..Bxd3 7.d6+ +- 6..Bc8 (Bd7) 7.Rc3+ Kb8 8.Rxc8+ Kxc8 9.d6 +- 7.Rf3!! A pawn is more important than the rook! 7.Rb3 Sd2 8.Rd3 Sf1 - loss of time 7..Sd2 7..Bxf3 8.d6+ +- 8.Rf2! 8.Rd3? Sf1 9.Rf3 Sd2 - loss of time or 8.Rf4? Bh3 9.Rd4 Sf1 10.Rd3 Bg4 - loss of time 8..Sb3 8..Sc4 9.Rc2 +- 8..Se4 9.Rf4 +- 8..Sf3 9.Rxf3!Bxf3 10.d6+ +- 9.Rf4! 9.Rc2+? Kb6!10.Rb2 Kc5 11.Rxb3 Kxd5 = 9.d6+? Kc6 = 9..Bc8 9..Bh3 10.Rc4+ +- 10.Rc4+ wins. 6..Sh2 7.Rc3+! Kb6 8.d6 Sg4 9.Rf3! Sh6 9..Bc8 10.Rf8 Kb7 11.Rxc8 Kxc8 12.d7+ +- 10.d7! And here a rook is more important than the pawn! Bxd7 11.Kxd7 Kc5 11..Sg4 12.Kd6 +- 12.Ke6! Sg4 13.Kf5! wins 13.Rf5+? Kc6 14.Rf3 Kc5 - loss of time 4th commendation, Michal Hlinka & Luboš Kekely, Solvakia: Another fine demonstration of pawns taming pieces. 1.Rh1 1.b8=Q? Rg8# 1.Rd1? Ba6!2.Rd8+ Rg8 3.Rxg8+ Kxg8 4.c6 bxa5 -+ 1..Ba6! threat 2.- Ra8 mate 1..Re7 2.Rxh4+ Kg8 3.axb6 Raxb7 4.Be4 Rbd7 5.c6 Rd6 6.b7 Bxc6 7.b8=Q Re8+ 8.Kc7 Rxb8 9.Kxd6 = EGTB 1..Raxb7 2.Rxh4+ Kg8 3.Be6+ Kf8 4.Rh8+!Ke7 5.Kxb7 = 2.Rxh4+ Kg8 3.Be6+ Kf8 4.Rf4+ Ke8 4..Ke7 5.Bc4 Bxb7+ 6.Kb8 Rxa5 7.Kxb7 bxc5 8.Kb6 Ra8 9.Kxc5 = EGTB 5.Bd7+!Rxd7 5..Ke7 6.c6 bxa5 7.Rd4 Rg6 8.Kc7 = 6.Re4+ Re7 6..Kf7 7.Kxd7 Rxb7+ 8.Kd6 bxa5 9.c6 Ra7 10.Kc5 Bc8 11.Kb6 Ra8 12.Ra4 = 7.Rxe7+ Kxe7 8.axb6! A 8.cxb6? Bxb7+ 9.Kc7 Rxa5 10.Kxb7 Kd7 -+ EGTB 8..Bxb7+ (B 8..Rxb7 9.c6 Rd7+ B1 (9..Rxb6+ B2 10.Kc7 Rb1 stalemate) 10.b7 (10.Kb8? Rd6 11.Kc7 Bb5! -+ EGTB) 10..Rd1 11.Kc7!(11.Kb8? Bxb7!12.cxb7 Kd7 -+ EGTB) 11..Bxb7 12.cxb7 Rc1+ 13.Kb6 draw, EGTB - same material unbalance as initial.) (8..Ra8+ 9.Kc7 Bxb7 10.Kxb7 = EGTB) 9.Kc7! 9.Kb8? Ra5!10.Kxb7 Rxc5 -+ EGTB 9..Ra5! 10.c6!Bxc6 11.Kxc6 Ra1 12.b7 Rb1 13.Kc7 Rc1+ 14.Kb6! draw, EGTB same material unbalance as initial. Meredith. Multiple draws. Mates. Stalemate. Surprise after 8.axb6! - despite heavy material advantage black cannot win. 5th commendation, Luis M. Gonzales, Spain: A couple of surprising knight moves highlight this game-like battle. 1.b6! 1.Kc6? Bf5!2.Sd7 Bxd3 3.Se5+ Kf5 4.Sxd3 Rc8+!5.Kd5 Rb8!= 1..Kf5!2.Kc6!(2.Sc6? Kf6!3.Se7 Bb7 4.Sf4 Kf7!=) (2.d7? Bxd7!3.Sxd7 Ke6 4.S3e5 Rc8+ 5.Kd4 Kd6 =) 2..Ke4!3.Sc5+ Kd4 4.Sbd7! 4.Scd7? Rh1 5.Kc7 Kd5!6.Sf6+ Ke6 7.Kxc8 Kxd6 = 4..Rh6! 4..Rh7 5.Se6+ Kc3 6.Sf6!Rh2 7.b7 Bxb7+ 8.Kxb7 Kc4 9.Sc7!Rh8 10.Kc6!Rf8 11.Sfe8 +- 4..Bxd7+ 5.Sxd7 Rc8+ 6.Kb7 +- 5.Kc7! 5.Sb3+? Kc4!6.Sd2+ Kd3!7.Sb3 Kc4 = 5..Kd5 6.Se4!! 6.Sd3? Bxd7!7.b7 Rh8 8.Sf4+ Kc5!9.Kxd7 Kb6 = 6..Rh8! 6..Kxe4 7.Kxc8 Rxd6 8.b7 Rh6 9.Kd8 Rh8+ 10.Ke7 Kd5 11.Sf8 +- 7.Sef6+! 7.Sc3+? Kc4!= 7.Sdf6+? Ke5!= 7..Ke6 8.Sh5!! Bxd7 8..Rxh5 9.Sf8+ Kf7 10.Kxc8 Rh8 11.d7 +- 9.Sf4+ Kf5 10.Kxd7 Kxf4 11.Kc7!Ke5 12.d7! 12.b7? Ke6 13.d7 Ke7 = 12..Kd5 13.b7 +- Special commendation, Daniel Keith, France: The underpromotion and the following play are unfortunately anticipated; however the introduction is superb and deserves a special distinction. 1.Kd3! 1.Kb3? Re3+!2.Kc2 Re2+ 3.Kd1 Re1+!(3..Rd2+? 4.Ke1!Qa5 5.d8=Q+ +-) 4.Kxe1 Qa5+ 5.Kf2 Qd2+ 6.Kf3 Qd1+ =) (1.Kc2? Re2+ 2.Kd3 Rd2+!3.Kxd2 Qa5+ 4.Ke2 Qxb5+ 5.Kf3 Qf1+= 1..Qb6! 1..Rd1+ 2.Ke2 (2.Kc2? Rc1+ 3.Kb3 Rc3+!= 2..Re1+ 3.Kf3!Rf1+ 4.Kg2 Rg1+ 5.Kxg1 +- 2.d8=Q+ 9

Qxd8 3.Sxe6!! (3.Qd7+? Qxd7 4.cxd7 Be7=) (3.Sf3? Kc5+ 4.Qd7 Rd1+!=) (3.Sf7? Rd1+!4.Ke2 Rd2+!5.Kf1 (5.Kxd2 Qa5+ 6.Kd1 Qa4+=) 5..Rd1+ 6.Kg2 Rd2+ 7.Kh3 Rd3+ 8.Kg4 (8.Rg3 Rxg3+ 9.Kxg3 Qc7+ 10.Kf3 Kc5=) 8..Rd4+ 9.Kh3 Rd3+=) 3..Rxe6! (3..Rd1+ 4.Ke2!(4.Kc2? Rc1+ 5.Kb3 Rc3+!6.Kxc3 Qa5+ 7.Kd3 Qxb5+=) 4..Re1+ 5.Kxe1!Qa5+ 6.Kf1 Qxb5+ 7.Kf2!Bc5+ 8.Sxc5 +-) 4.c7 4.Qh5+? Kd6 5.Rg7 Re7= 4..Qe8 4..Re3+ 5.Kc2!+- 5.Rxe6 (5.Qh1+? Kc5!6.Rxe6 Qxb5+!7.Ke4 Qb7+ 8.Kf4 (8.Kf5 Qxh1 9.c8=Q+ Kd4!=) 8..Qxc7+!= e.g. 9.Re5+ Kb6 10.Qb1+ Ka7=) 5..Qxb5+! 5..Qxe6 6.Qh1+ Kc5 7.Qc6+ +- 6.Ke3 6.Kd2? Qb4+ 7.Ke2 Qg4+ = 6..Bc5+! 6..Bc1+ 7.Kf2!+- 7.Kf4 7.Kf3? Qf1+= 7..Bd6+ 7..Qc4+ 8.Kg5 Qc1+ 9.Kg6 +- 8.Rxd6+! 8.Kg4? Qa4+!9.Kh5 Qd1+= 8..Kxd6 9.c8=S+!! Phoenix (9.c8=R? Phoenix Qe5+!10.Kf3 Qf6+ 11.Kg2 Qg5+ 12.Kh1 Qd5+=) (9.c8=Q? Qc4+ (9..Qe5+ 10.Kg4 Qe4+ 11.Qxe4 stalemate) 10.Qxc4 stalemate) 9..Kc5 10.Qe7+ Kd4 11.Qe3+ Kd5 12.Qe5+ Kc6 12..Kc4 13.Sd6+ +- 13.Sa7+ +-

Harold van der Heijden Study Database Gady Costeff The Harold van der Heijden Study Database , version 5, known in the study world as HHdbV, was published in January of 2016. Like previous releases, it offers both a bird’s eye view of the expanding frontiers of the artistic study, as well as microscopic detail available on nearly every study ever published. The latest collection contains 85,619 studies. This is a remarkably small number compared to other genres of composition, especially when one considers that there was significant study composition in the 19th century and that the first study dates back to 800 A.D. Van der Heijden estimates that his compilation includes over 97% of what has been published. Few fields of research can make such a claim. More importantly, this comprehensiveness is invaluable for research. In fact, no tourney can be judged without consulting the database, and no serious article can be written without it. Some interesting tidbits: Q: Who is the composer appearing most often in the database? A: Good guesses are: Ernest Pogosyants (2,178), Henri Rinck (1,778), or Alexey Troitzky (1,750). Excellent guesses, but the composer in question appears in the database 11,580 times. His name is Mario Garcia of Argentina. Mario appears 495 times as a composer, and 11,085 (eleven thousand!!) times as the analyst who cooked or corrected the study. Mario Garcia, born 1948, is a prolific composer, resident analyst of EG, a driving force in Argentine composition, and a busy organizer and promoter in the study world, including acting director of the studies section of the 2013-2015 Fide Album. Here is Mario in his composer role with another prolific composer and contributor. I. Akobia†, M. Garcia Sp. P., Khatyamov MT 2013 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'$'d 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd')'d' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' 'I'd'd'd 'Ind'd'd 'hKd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 0'd')'d' 0'd'd'd' 0'd'd'd' 0'I'd'd' 'i')'d'd kd'd'd'd kd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd dpd'dnd' )pd'd'd' )pd'd'd' ipd'd'd' P)'d'd'd ')'d'd'd ')'d'd'd 'h'd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' $'d'd'd' Win 5+4 4.e8R! Se5 5.Rc8! 7..Sc4 8.Kc5 Sxb2 Mate. 1.a3+ Ka4! 2.e6 Sd4 Sd7+6.Kc6! Sb6! 9.Rf1! Kxa3 10.Ra1# 3.e7 Sc6 7.Rf8! Q: How many of the studies are correct? A: Of the 85,619 studies, 55,768 (65%) are correct, though many more will likely be cooked. The database provides great details on each cook and the analyst who reported it. Q: Which brilliant composer should be better known? A: Nikolai Ryabinin. Here is recent evidence: 10

N. Ryabinin 1st Prize, Fokin 90, 2015 'd'd'i'd 'd'dbi'd 'd'dkd'd 'd'd'i'd d'd'd'0' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'dK d'd'd'dK 'g')Pd'd 'g')PdKd 'g')Pd'G 'g')Pd'd d'd'dK$' d'd'd'dR d'd'd'db d'd'd'Gb bd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'0 'd'd'd'0 'd'd'd'0 'd'd'd'0 d'G'd'd' d'G'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' Win 4+5 3.Kh7! Bxh5 4.Bh6+ 5.Bg5! Kf8 5..h1Q 6.Be7+! 6.d7? Be8! 1.Rh5 g6+ 2.Kxg6 Ke8 6.d7+ Kf8 7.e7+ Kf7 7.e7+ Kf7 8.d8S+ Bxd8 = Be8+ 8.e8Q# Ke8 7.Bh4! Kf8 8.d7 'd'd'i'd 'd'Gbi'd 'd'dbi'd 'd'Hbd'd d'dPd'dK d'dPd'dK d'dPd'dK d'd')kdK 'g'dPd'd 'd'dPd'd 'd'dPd'd 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'db d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'G 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'G 'd'd'd'G d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'0 'd'd'd'0 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'dq d'd'd'dq 8..Bd8! 9.Bxd8 Be8! 10.Bh4 h1Q 11.e7+ Kf7 12.d8S Mate. Q: How often is the database published? A: Every 5 years, no guarantees. Q: How many studies are published per year? A: about 1,000 per year, or 3 per day, including corrections. Aside from professional duties, Harold van der Heijden is chief editor of EG, head of the WFCC study subcommittee, director, judge, study database manager cum researcher cum data entry person, and composer. He is one of the early 5 and 6 piece database master miners and has uncovered quite a few gems. Here is one: H. van der Heijden 2nd HM, Mugnos MT 2015 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'dkd' d'd'dkd' d'd'dkd' 'd'd'i'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd d'dKdn$' d'dKdnd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 0'dbd'dp 0'Gbd'd' 0'G'dKd' 0'G'd'd' 'd'G'd'd 'd'd'd'0 'd'd'd'0 'd'd'd'I d'd'd'd' d'd'd'dR d'd'd'dn d'dnd'd' Draw 3+5 3..Be4+! 4.Kxe4 6.Kg2 Sf2! 8.B h8! 8.Ba1 Sb2 and 1. Rg1 1.Rh5 Bf1 and 1.Bf4 Sg3+ 5.Kf3 Sxh1 7.Kxh2 Sd1! 13..Ka2 wins. 8.Bd4/Be5 lose a2 are technical wins for black a critical tempo to the h2 2.Bc3+ Kf7 3.Rh1 advancing black king. 8..Se3! 'd'd'd'G 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'G 'd'd'd'd d'd'dkd' d'd'dkd' d'd'dkd' d'd'dkd' 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 0'd'h'd' 0'd'd'd' 0'd'h'd' 0'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'I 'dnd'd'I 'd'd'd'I 'dnd'd'I d'd'd'd' G'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' G'd'd'd' 9.Ba1!! The threat was 9..Sg4+ and 10.Bh8!! Se3 11.Ba1!! Sc2 12.Bh8!! 10..Sf6 If 9.Kg1 Ke6 10.Kf2 Sg4+ or 10..Ke6 11.Kg3 Positional draw! 9.Kh3 Kg6! 10.Ba1 Kf5 11.Kg3 Ke4 K d5 12.Kf3 Sd4+ 13.Ke3 12.Kf2 Sc2 13.Bh8 Sd4 9..Sc2 11

Q: 55,000 correct studies is a very small number compared with other genres. Why is that? A: Studies attract the worst composers. The good ones prefer attractive genres like direct mate, , selfmate, and fairies.

Q: Where can I find detailed information about the study database and how to purchase it? A: On the internet at: hhdbv.nl

Israel Ring Tourney Award: Twomovers – 2014 Judge: Evgeni Bourd, Ashdod 12 problems participated in this year’s tourney. Not a big number but the quality of some problems was rather high. My award is the following: 1st Prize: Var. 2542 Valery Shanshin Valery Shanshin An excellent white correction problem. If white just moves the knight 1st Prize IRT 2014 threatening Qe3 and Se2, black can defend by taking one of his flights 'd'1'd'd e5 or c3 by opening Qd8 and Ra4. When white tries to correct on d'd'd'0' either c1 or e1, creating a mate on one of the flights while the other '0Bdpg'd flight remains for black to refute. The solution is the most paradoxical d'd'd'd' one, creating an additional flight on c5 and not threatening Se2. The rd'i'HKd threat from the tries now comes back as Dombrovskis paradox after GPdN0'!' r$'d')'d Ke5 and Kc3. A new mate follows exf2 which also paradoxically was the one allowing Se2 in the set play. All in all a very impressive dnd'd'd' composition, incidentally showing the theme of the incoming WCCT, #2*vvv 9+10 but I assume the composer has some more of those for the tourney… 1…exf2 2.Se2 A # 1.Sd~? - 2.Qxe3, Se2 A # but 1…Kc3 a , Ke5 b ! 1.Sc1!? [2.Qxe3, Sfe2 A #] 1…Kc3 a 2.Sce2#, 1…Ke5 b ! 1.Se1!? - 2.Qxe3, Se2 A # 1…Ke5 b 2.Sf3#, 1…Kc3 a ! 1.Sb4!! [2.Qxe3# (2.Se2?)] 1…Kc3 a 2.Se2 A # 1…Ke5 b 2Se2 A # 1…Kc5 2.Sxe6# 1…exf2 2.Sxe6#

2nd Prize: Var. 2543 Givi Mosiashvili Givi Mosiashvili As in many of this author’s problems, a mix of ideas and combinations 2nd Prize IRT 2014 happens all over the board. Here we can see many interesting battles – 'd'd'd'g Bd2 and Sd1 after promotions of the b pawn, switchbacks of the key d'd'drd' pieces after checking defenses which are also changed mates compared 'd'0bd'd to the set play and in the last act we see the set mates return after rook d'h')'HB defenses on f4 and f3. All of the above somehow slightly connected to '$'d'd'I make a whole composition. 0pH'ip!' 1...Rh7 2.Qf3# & 2.Qf4# 1...Bf6 2.Qf3# & 2.Qf4# R0'dPdpd 1.Bf3? [2.Sd1# ] 1...b1=Q(R) 2.Bd2# 1...Rh7+ 2.Bh5# d'dnG'd' 1...Rf3 2.Qf3# 1...Rf4+ 2.Df4#, 1...Sc3 2.Qf2# but 1...Bc4! #2*v 10+12 1.Sf3! [2.Bd2#] 1...b1=S 2.Sd1# 1...Bf6+ 2.Sg5# 1...Rf3 2.Qf3# 1...Rf4+ 2.Qf4# 1...Se4 2.Re4# 1...Sc3 2.Qf2#

12

Special Prize: Var. 2488 Andrew Buchanan & Joaquim Crusats A. Buchanan J. Crusats A really unusual composition. In fact, we see four different phases with a Sp. Prize IRT 2014 big variety of variations. Although some symmetry exists, together with 'd'd'd'd other defects, the problem is original, amusing and shows a well composed dpd'd'd' idea. There is no legal last move for Black: Black is in zugzwang. '!'d'd'd 0...Kxd4 1.Sd5 zz 1...Kxd3 2.O-O-O# 1...Kxd5 2.Qd6# 0...Kxf4 d')'d'd' 1.Sf5 zz 1...Kxf3 2.O-O# 1...Kg5 2.Qh6# 0...Kxd3 1.Sd1 zz 'd')')Pd 1...Kxd4 2.Qd6# 1...Kc2 2.Qg6# dPHPiPHP 0...Kxf3 1.Sf1 zz 1...Kxf4 2.Qf6# 1...Kg2 2.Qxb7# Bd'd'd'd $'d'I'dR Honorable Mention: Var. 2544 Zoltan Labai #2 15+2 Reversal combined with three mate changes and flight giving key. Although similar compositions exist, the achievement is impressive with a Zoltan Labai HM IRT 2014 decent construction. 1. ed5? A 2. e2 B # 1... h5 2. xf6# 1... c4 2. c3# 1... xf4 2. xf4# 'drd'd'd S R Q S S S B R h'dQdpd' but 1...Sf1! 1.Re2! B [2.Sed5 A #] 1...Qh5 2.Qf5# 1...Sc4 2.Sxc4# 'd'g'0qd 1...Bxf4 2.Qd5# 1...Sf1/Kxf4 2.Sxf1/Qg4# d'd'd')' Commendations (without order): KH')k)'d Var. 2486 Semion Shifrin d'dRH'd' Three phases where a threat and a variation happen on the same square. I 'dPh'$Pd would expect the defense Rxd7 to be the same thematic defense in all d'G'd'd' phases. 1.Sd4? [2.Bc6 A #] 1...Rxd7 2.Qc6 A # but 1...Rxe5 ! #2v 12+8 1.Re1 ? [2.d3 B #] 1...Rxd7 2.Qd3 B # but 1...Sf2 ! 1.Rc1 ! [2.Rc4 C # ] 1...Rxe5 2.Qc4 C # 1...Rxd7 2.Qd3 B # 1...Sf5 2.Bc6 A # Var. 2487 Petr Novickiy Some changed mates with decent amount of interesting play. 1...exf6 [a] 2.Bxf6# 1.Qf8? [2.Qg7#] but 1...gxf5! 1.Qh2? [2.Rxh7#] 1...Sgxf6 [b] 2.Qb8# but 1...Sh6 [c]! 1.Sd8? [2.Sxf7#] 1...Sgxf6 [b] 2.Se6# but 1...exf6 [a]! 1.Sf8! [2.Rxh7#] 1...Sgxf6 [b] 2.Se6# 1...Sh6 [c] 2.Sxg6# Var. 2589 Semion Shifrin White correction with 3 tries, interesting refutations but very familiar. 1.B~ ? [2.Sb7#] 1...Bg2 ! 1.Bc6 ? [2.Sb7#] 1...Re7 2.Qd5# 1...Sfd6 2.Qf2# but 1...Sed6 ! 1.Bd5 ? [2.Sb7#] 1...Sfd6 2.Qf2# 1...Sed6 2.Qc7# but 1...Re7 ! 1.Bf3 ? [2.Sb7#] 1...Sed6 2.Qc7# 1...Re7 2.Qd5# but 1...Sfd6 ! 1.Be4 ! [2.Sb7#] 1...Re7 2.Qd5# 1...Sed6 2.Qc7# 1...Sfd6 2.Qf2# Var. 2590 David Shtern Two mate changes with some pretty mates 1...Bf7 a 2.Sf5 A # 1...Kd6 b 2.Qb4 B # 1.Qf5! [2.Qe6#] 1...Bf7 a 2.Qxd7 C # 1...Kd6 b 2.Sc4 D # 1...Kf7 2.d6# 1...Sg7/f4 2.Qxf6# Semion Shifrin Petr Novickiy Semion Shifrin David Shtern Com IRT 2014 Com IRT 2014 Com IRT 2014 Com IRT 2014 'd'd'd'G '!'d'dni 'd'Hnd'd 'dKdbd'd d'dBd'4' d'd'0pdn dBd'dQd' $'dpi'dN 'd')'d'h 'd'dN)pd '0'drd'4 'd'd'1') dQd'H'dr I'dpdPd' dPi')nd' d'dPd'Gn Kd'dkd'1 'd'd'd'd 'dPd'd'd 'd')'d'd dNd')p0' 0'd'd'dR d'I'd'db d'd'H'd' 'd')'d'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd Bd'd'd'd d'd'dRdn G'd'd'4b d'd'd'd' dQd'$'d' #2vv 10+8 #2*vvv 7+10 #2vvvv 7+7 #2* 11+5 13

Israel Ring Tourney Award: Moremovers – 2012-2014 Judge: Sven Trommler, Dresden, Germany 20 moremovers were published during the years 2012 and 2014. The problems were from 4 up to 14 moves and they were composed by 15 authors from 5 countries (Germany, Israel, Macedonia, Russia, Slovakia). I excluded the 2439 (Kozhakin) from the award because of the duals in solution b). My ranking is the following: 1st Prize: Var. 2549 Evgeni Bourd & Arieh Grinblat Evgeni Bourd We find a masked half-pin a1-h8 in the diagram position. But after the key Arieh Grinblat 1.Sf5! the W R’s vacate the line in two steps and we have Q/S-battery at 1st Prize IRT 2012-14 once. After 3. …Sf6+ we see cross-checks with switchback of a rook in 'G'd'd'I both variants. A fascinating idea! H'd'H'$p 1.Sf5! [2.Bd6#] 1...Bxf5 2.Rb5+ Kc4 3.Rc7+ Kd3/Sc6+ 4.Rb3/Rb2# Bh'dbd'd 1...Rxf5 2.Rc7+ Kd6 3.Rxb6+ Ke5/Sc6+ 4.Rf7/Rg7# 0'i'd'dr 2nd Prize: Var. 2336 Michael Barth & Wolfgang Bär rd'hP0'd This is a beautiful logical problem with non-standard elements. In order to d'd'dPd' '$')'!'d play d4! Successfully the bQ mustn’t observe this square. Therefore the w 1'd'd'd' knight marches to h5 and the wR pins the bS on g2. After the capture of the #4 11+10 wR on g1 the wS goes back to e4. White can play d4 now and after the en-passant capture the final attack with c4# is successful. Amazing! Main plan: 1.Rg6+ Kf5 2.Sd6+ Ke5 3.Sc6+ Kd5 4.c4? Try: 1.d4? Qxd4! Try: 1.Rg1 (a little bit too slow) 1.Sd6! (2.Rg6#)) Kg3 2.Sf5+ Kg4 3.Sg7 Kg3 4.Sh5+ Kg4 5.Rg1 (6.Rxf4#) Qxg1 6.Sg7 Kg3 7.Sf5+ Kg4 8.Sd6 Kg3 9.Se4+ Kg4 10.d4 (11.Rg6+ Kf5 12.Sd6#) cxd3 e.p. 11.Rg6+ Kf5 12.Sd6+ Ke5 13.Sc6+ Kd5 14.c4# 3rd Prize: Var. 2242 Uwe Karbowiak & Ralf Krätschmer This logical problem is combined with the Berlin theme in two steps. In order to avoid Qb8# W plays 1.Rb3 at first. As the next step W plays 2.Sc4. That avoids Rc8# and after 3.Bxd6 exd6 the main plan with model mate is successful. 1.Sg4+? Kxf5 2.Rf2+ Kg6 3.Rf6+ Kh5 4.Rh6# but 3.exf6! 1.Bxd6? Rc8# Berlin-theme 1.Sc4? Bxc4? 2.Bxd6 Qb8+ 3.Bxb8 4.Be5# but 1…Qb8# Berlin-theme 1.Rb3 Bxb3 2.Sc4 Bxc4 3.Bxd6 exd6 4.Sg4+ Kxf5 5.Rf2+ Kg6 6.Rf6+ Kh5 7.Rh6# 1st Honorable Mention: Var. 2494 Stefan Felber & Ralf Krätschmer This is one more logical problem with the Berlin theme. In order to play b3# the bR must disappear. For that white has to sacrifice 3 pieces. Afterwards the w king can be hidden. But the composition is not as impressive as no. 2242. 1.Rd8? [2.Rxd4#] Rxd8# Berlin-theme 1.Rg4! [2.Rxd4#] 1...Rxg4+ 2.Bg6 [3.b3#] 2...Rd4 3.Rd8 [4.Rxd4#] Rxd8+ 4.Be8 [5.b3#] Rxe8+ 5.Kh7 ~ 6.b3# 2nd Honorable Mention: Var. 2492 Evgeni Bourd The theme of the 9th WCCT with a rook as thematic piece. An advantage of this composition is the quiet third move by the wS. 1.b4! [2.Rg3+ Kd4 3.Rxg4+ Be4 4.Rxe4#] 1...Rcxg7 2.Re3+ Kd4 3.Se1 [4.Sc2#] 3...Bb3/e4 4.Re4# 1...Rhxg7 2.Rc3+ Kd4 3.Sf4 [4.Se2#] 3...Bf3/c4 4.Rc4# 1...Rxc5/Rh4 2.g8=Q [3.Qg6#] 2...Rg7 3.Qxg7 [4.Qg6#] Michael Barth Uwe Karbowiak Stefan Felber Wolfgang Bär Ralf Krätschmer Ralf Krätschmer Evgeni Bourd 2nd Prize IRT 2012-14 3rd Prize IRT 2012-14 1st HM IRT 2012-14 2nd HM IRT 2012-14 rH'd'd'd 'd'd'I'd 'dbdRdKh 'd'h'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'0'dp d'd'0'$B h'4'd')r 'd'd'$'I 'd'0'i'H 'd'dpd'0 'H'dpG'd dPd'd'd' d'G'dPd' d'H'Gpd' d')b)'d' ')pdN0k0 'd')pd') ')k4'd'0 'd'dkdpd d')'0pdp $'4pd'dB )'H'd'd' )PdRd'd' 'dp)'4nh bH'0'd'$ ')'dpd'd 'd')'dN) g'dqdRd' dqg'd'd' d'd'd'd' IBd'd'd' #14 9+14 #7v... 10+11 #6v 10+10 #4 13+8 14

3rd Honorable Mention: Var. 2493 Leonid Lyubashevsky & Leonid Makaronez It is a complicated undertaking to show 5 different mates by the wQ in a Leonid Lyubashevsky four-mover. But there are also some weaknesses, e.g. the repetition of Leonid Makaronez 2.Sf6+. 3rd HM IRT 2012-14 1.Qc8! [2.Sf8+ Ke5 3.Sg6+ Kd6 4.Be7#] 1...Sf4 2.Sc5+ Ke5 3.Bf6+ Bd'G'd'd Kd6 4.Qf8# 1...Re4 2.Sf6+ Ke5 3.Sf3+ Kf4 4.Qg4# 1...Rc5 2.Sf6+ Ke5 dQ0Nd'I' 3.Sf3+ Kd6 4.Qd7# 1...Rd6 2.Sf6+ Rd7+3.Qd7+ Ke5 4.Qc7# 1...Re5 ')P)kd'd 2.Sf6+ Kd6 3.Qc7+ Kc5 4.Qe5# 1...Kf5 2.Bc7! (3.Qf8+) Rg3 3.Sf8+ dbdr)'0' Kf4 4.Sg6 '0'0'dr0 4th Honorable Mention: Var. 2241 Arieh Grinblat & Evgeni Bourd d'dP0'd' In the threat as well as in the variants the black battery line has to close. The 'd'd'dn0 variants 1…Sxg6 and 1…Bc8 are particularly interesting. In order to close d'd'H'gq the line the squares c3 and d4 are available. White has to play the right #4 11+14 move so that the final Siers-battery avoids the opening of this line. 1.Bg4! [2.Rf5+ Ke6+ 3.Sd4+ Kd7 4.Rxd5#] 1...Sxg6 2.Bc3+ (d4+?) Rxc3 3.Sd4+ Kxf4 4.Se6# 1...Bc8 2.d4+ (Bc3+?) cxd4 3.Sc3+ Kxf4 4.Sxd5# 1...Sg3 2.Sd4+ Se4 3.Rf5+ Kxd4 4.Qe3# 2...Se2 3.Qxe2+ Kxf4 4.Qh2# Commendation without order Commendation: Evgeni Bourd (No.2195) The black bishops interfere with the R/K-battery in two variations. The bK can thereby leave the 4th rank. 1.Re2! [2.Rc2 [3.Rc4#] 1...Sc6 2.Rc2 [3.Rc4#] 2...Sxa5 3. Kxa5 [4.Rc4#] 3...Bd2+ 4. Rxd2# 2...Se5 3.Rxe5 ~ 4. Rc4# 1...Sd7 2.Rf4+ (2.Re4+?) 2...Bxf4 3.Se6+ Kd3 4. Qxa6# 1...Rd8,c8 2.Re4+ (2.Rf4+?) 2...Bxe4 3.Qxf6+ Kxc5 4.Qb6# Commendation: Leonid Makaronez (No.2334) We see a realization of the more-mover theme of the 9th WCCT in 2 variations in a light symmetrical performance. 1....Ke6 2.Sf6+ Kf7 3.e6+ Kg6 4.Rg8# 1.Rd8! [2.Sf8+ Kxc5/Kxe5 3.Se6/Sg6# ] 1....Bxc5 2.Sf6+ Kxe5 3.Re4+ fxe4 4.Sg4# 1....Qxe5 2.Sb6+ Kxc5 3.Rc4+ bxc4 4.Sa4# 1....Qd4 2.Rxd4+ Ke6 3.Sf8+ Kxe5/Kf7 4.Sg6/Be6# Commendation: Bosko Miloseski (No.2387) A funny idea: Five white pawns force the bK on the h-line but the mate is done by the bishop. Some inactive black pieces are necessary in order to avoid duals. 1.h4! [2.hxg5#] Bg8 2.hg5+ Kh7 3.fg6+ Kh8 4.g7+ Kh7 5.g6+ Kh6 6.g5+ Kh5 7.g4+ Kh4 8.g3+ Kh3 9.Bg2# (1...Sf3?? 2.gf3 Bg8 3.fg6+ Rxd5 4.Sxd5 gh4 5.g5+ Kh5 6.g4#)

I'd like to thank all participants for their contributions to the tourney and also Paz Einat for the cooperation. Finally, I congratulate all authors of awarded compositions.

Arieh Grinblat Evgeni Bourd Evgeni Bourd Leonid Makaronez Bosko Miloseski 4th HM IRT 2012-14 IRT 2012-14 Com IRT 2012-14 IRT 2012-14 'd'dNh'4 'h'd'4'd 'dBdRd'd 'd'd'd'd dbd'd'd' d'd'd'd' g'0N0'd' d'd'd'db '0'd'gPd pd'!R0'g Kdpd'd') 'd'dpIpi G'0piB0' )'HpdRd' dp)k)p)' 4'dBdP0' 'dPd'$'0 Kd'i'drd '$'d'd'd 'd'h'dPd 4'dPdPdP 0Pd'd'd' )'d')'d' d'dnH')' pd')Nd'd P)'d')'d pd'drd'd 'd'd'dP) I'd'!'dn d'd'd'db 1'd'd'd' drd'dNd' #4 13+13 #4 10+10 #4 11+10 #9 9+9

15

Israel Ring Tourney Award: Helpmates - 2013 Judge: Kenneth Solja, In Espoo, Finland I’d like to thank Paz Einat and Variantim magazine for giving me this opportunity to act as a judge in the helpmate section. I. H#2 section There were 22 helpmates in 2. I must say that the standard of the problems was very good. Here is my ranking and the award: 1st Prize: Var. 2454 Emil Klemanic Emil Klemanic In the first pair of solutions black is blocking d3 and d4, where from white 1st Prize IRT 2013 mates in the second pair of solutions. In the second pair black makes a '1n!'dKd distant block in advance. I don't like bQ and bS, although they seem to be d'0')pd' needed. However excellent play! 'dpd'd'd 1.Bc4 Qd6 2.Bd3 Qf4# 1.Bc3 Qd7 2.Bd4 Qf5# dp)'d'dp 1.Be6 Sg4 2.Kf5 Qd3# 1.Bg3 Se1 2.Kf4 Qd4# 'd'dkd') nd d'd'H'dP 2 Prize: Var. 2452 Almiro Zarur & Ricardo de Mattos Vieira bdpd'dNd Very good quality problem. Analogous moves from start to finish. Brazilian d'd'g'd' excellence! Everyone should get to know this. H#2 4.1.1.1 8+11 1.Rc7 Rc3 2.Ke5 Rc6# 1.Qf6 Bc3 2.Kc6 Be5# st Almiro Zarur 1 Honorable Mention: Var. 2457 Abdelaziz Onkoud Ricardo de M. Vieira Black and white are pinning together bQ after which wB makes rather 2nd Prize IRT 2013 common mate. bK moves and mating moves are too symmetrical to my taste 'd'd'd'd comparing to other part of the problem. 0rdpdBd' 1.Qxc5 Qxc6 2.Kxc3 Ba5# 1.Qxe4 Rxe5 2.Kxe3 Bg5# 'd'i'd'd 2nd Honorable Mention: Var. 2343 Valerio Agostini )'d'd'dK Three analogous unpins, but white’s play is a bit different in some of the Pd'dp1Pd solutions. White is mating from the square black pieces originally guarded. d'd'd'd' Still, a good problem. a) 1.Sc2 Sf7 2.Se1 Qb3# 'G'd'd'd b) 1.Ba5 Sb5 2.Be1 Qxd4# c) 1.Sf3 Qf1 2.Se1 Qf5# d'$'d'd' 3rd Honorable Mention: Var. 2390 Ricardo de Mattos Vieira H#2 2.1.1.1 7+6 Here again two analogous solutions without any doubt. However, I don’t like this black static rook which is only taking e5 cooks away, but after all criticism I find this still to be worth of quite high placing in the award. 1.Sd4 Rxd4 2.Se2 Bc8# 1.Sd5 Bxd5 2.Sc7 Rf2# Commendations are without order (order of appearance) Var. 2342 Semion Shifrin Black’s play is analogous, but white’s play is not so good in terms of analogy. Also the twins are not in balance. What good is here? Combined quality, use of the pieces and good economy. a) 1.Sxa5 Sf5 2.Sc4 Sc5# b) 1.Bxe6 Re5 2.Bc4 Bf5# c) 1.Qxg4 Rf5 2.Qc4 Rf3# Abdelaziz Onkoud Valerio Agostini Ricardo de M. Vieira Semion Shifrin 1st HM IRT 2013 2nd HM IRT 2013 3rd HM IRT 2013 Com IRT 2013 'd'G'd'd 'd'd'd'd bg'd'd'd 'd'I'dbd d'd'd'0' d'd'd'd' dBd'd'd' d'd'H'd' Kdnd'd'4 'gpH'd'd 'd'dnGpd 'd'dN0'd d'$qg'd' d'dkd'd' drd'dk)' $'d'd'd' pd'HQd'd ')'0pd'h Kd'd'hpd 'd'd'dB0 dP)p)'d' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' dn0kd'd' '4'i'0'd 'd'd'dpd 'd'$'d'd 'dp4'd'd d'd'hbd' h'IQd'4r d'd'4'd' d'dqd'd' H#2 2.1.1.1 8+12 H#2 b) Pb4f5 4+10 H#2 2.1.1.1 5+9 H#2 b) Se7c6 5+9 c) Pb4c5 c) Se7c3 16

Var. 2345 Dmitri Grinchenko Dmitri Grinchenko Three nice solutions which should be analogous, but they are not. Cyclic Com IRT 2013 performance would be on the top of award, but here it is lacking something. kd'd'd'd In the 1st solution W1/W2 is B/R, in the 2nd B/S and in the 3rd R/R. Should d'd'0'd' p0'd'0'd be in order B/R, R/S, S/B for example. Black’s play is again very nice, but th dNHKd'Gp I would want a 4 solution to complete it for this to get a higher place. 'd'drd'd 1.axb5 Bf4 2.b4 Ra1# 1.bxc5 Be3 2.c4 Sc7# 1.fxg5 Rf1 2.g4 Rf8# d'd'd'db Var. 2455 Andrei Dikusarov 'd'dpdqd An Albino! We have seen these quite a lot. All solutions work nicely, but dRd'd'd' there’s nothing else in common in them except that black pieces want to H#2 3.1.1.1 5+10 sacrifice themselves in certain squares. BSb8 could also be a pawn in c7 and Andrei Dikusarov B-promotion seems to be a bit lonely in this problem. Two promotions Com IRT 2013 would have been better than one if those must be. Composer hasn’t finished 'h'dRd'd his problem before publishing. d'd'd'd' 1.Sc6 e3 2.Sxd4 exd4# 1.bxc2 e4 2.Bd5 exd5# 'd'd'd'd 1.Bb1 cxb3 2.Bd3 exd3# 1.h1=B+ Kg1 2.Bf3 exf3# d'd'd'd' Var. 2456 Zivko Janevski 'd')'d'd Two analogous solutions in simple idea, but somehow these mates are too dpG'd'd' familiar. However, the economy of this problem tells that behind it is an b)P1P)K0 experienced composer. 1.Ke6 Bb5 2.Bd6 Bc4# 1.Kd6 Rh1 2.Re6 Rd1# d'dri'd' II. H#2.5 & H#3 section H#2 4.1.1.1 8+7 There were 8 helpmates in 2,5-3 moves. I must say that the standard of the problems was good. I decided place four of them in the award. Prize: Var. 2395 Francesco Simoni Two beautiful and analogous solutions with dual-avoidance and good economy. Every piece is needed in this prizewinner. 1.Ra5 Kh2 2.Re5 Kg3 3.Bd5 (Sd5?) Sf2# 1.Rd8 Kg1 2.Rd4 Kf2 3.Sd5 (Bd5?) Sg3# 1st Honorable Mention: Var. 2347 Christopher Jones Analogous solutions in the two forms. I like this kind of twin, a kind of Striptease theme. The problem has very good economy. a) 1.Rd3 exd3 2.exd3 Re2 3.Ke4 Bb7# b) 1.Rd4 exd4 2.exd4 Rf2 3.Ke5 Rxf5# 2nd Honorable Mention: Var. 2461 Gennady Chumakov & Eugene Fomichev Triple “royal” Bristol in three forms. The twins in this problem are not to my taste. I’d like to see the version where are all three solutions in one. Great idea, however, and beautifully made. a) 1.Rd3! (Ba3?, Qg3?) Sa8 2.Kd5 Sb6+ 3.Kd4 Sc2# b) 1.Ba3! (Qg3?, Rd3?) Sd1 2.Kc5 Sb2 3.Kb4 Sa6# c) 1.Qg3! (Rd3?, Ba3?) Sg5 2.Ke5 Sf7+ 3.Kf4 Sxd5# Zivko Janevski Francesco Simoni Christopher Jones G. Chumakov E. Fomichev Com IRT 2013 Prize IRT 2013 1st HM IRT 2013 2nd HM IRT 2013 Kd'd'dbd rd'dn1'd 'dBd'd'd 'd'd'd'd d'0rd'0' d'd'dbd' d'd'd'd' d'H'd'd' 'd'd')'$ 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'i'd'd d'0'ipd' d'd'dNd' dp)k0pd' 0pgr1pd' Bd'drg'd pd'dkdPd pd'dpd'd 'd'dpdpd d'd'd'G' 4'hNd'dp 0'd')'d' dn0'dpd' 'd'dRd'd 'd'dPd'd Rd'4Pd'd 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'd'dK dbd'd'dK H'd'd'dK H#2 2.1.1.1 6+9 H#3 2.1.1.1 5+9 H#3 b) -Pe2 6+9 H#3 b) Sa1f2 3+12 c) Sa1h7 17

Special commendation: Var. 2348 Yoav Ben-Zvi Yoav Ben-Zvi Two Turtons! Very classical theme. I decided to give this version (originally Sp. Com IRT 2013 published 1975 in Chess Life & Review) a special commendation. Black 'dnd'd'd blocks in the end with his theme pieces. It would be even more beautiful if d'$Bdpdp BR would start from b4 and BB from d3. pd')'0'd 1.Rb8 Rb7 2.Bd5 Rb3 3.Rb4 Rc3# 1.Bg6 Bf5 2.Bb4 Bb1 3.Bd3 Ba2# grh'd'd' pdk4bd'0 III. H#>3 section d'd'd'dK There were 8 helpmates in 3.5 or more moves. I must say that the standard 'd')'d') d'd'd'd' of the problems was fair and because of this I decided not to give any prizes. Top problems have earned their places. H#3 2.1.1.1 6+13

st 1 Honorable Mention: Var. 2465 Milomir Babic Milomir Babic Mirror echo-mates. I like the way the composer has used black interruptions 1st HM IRT 2013 vertically and diagonally. Small minus is repeating the wK-moves, but 'dkd'd'd because of that this isn’t 1st Prize but 1st Hon Mention. dnd'd'0' 1.b2 Ba4 2.Rb3 Kg2 3.Bd3 Kf3 4.Ba6 Ke4 5.Sd8 Kd5 6.Rb8 Kxd6 'd'0'dbd 7.Bb7 Bd7# d'd'd'd' 1.Rg5 Bg4 2.Kd8 Kg2 3.Ke8 Kf3 4.Rf5 Ke4 5.Rf8 Kd5 6.Sd8 Kxd6 'd'd'd'd 7.Bf7 Bd7# dpd'd'4' nd 'd'd'd'd 2 Honorable Mention: Var. 2349 Krysztof Drazkowski d'dBd'dK Nice and harmonious play between the solutions. WS’s are changing H#7 2.1.1.1 2+7 functions between the set and the solution. 1.Be4 dxe4 2.Kxe4 Sg6 3.Bg3 Sxg3# 1....Sf2! 2.Bxd3+ Sxd3 3.Ke4 Sxf7 4.Bd6 Sxd6# 3rd Honorable Mention: Var. 2350 Joose Norri Quite a lot happens in this single solution. BR sacrifices himself and allows wP promote to WS. Black’s blocking play is also nice and the cream on the cake is double-mate with white’s pieces. 1…Ba2 2.Rh5 Bg8 3.Rh7 gxh7 4.Qd4 h8=S 5.Kd3 Sf7 6.Kc4 Se5# Commendation: Var. 2351 Semion Shifrin Here black pieces are nicely placed for one lovely solution, but everything goes once you have found the moves. A bit similar is my own problem (K Solja, Springaren 2012 nr 12565, H#6), but I feel that keeping knights in order, this problem is showing a bit of originality. 1.Sg5 f3 ! 2.Kh8 f4 3.Sh7 f5 4.Sf4 fxe6 5.Sh5 exf7 6.Sg7 f8=S 7.Bg8 Sg6# Commendation: Var. 2398 Mecislovas Rimkus Four echo-mates, but unfortunately some black’s and white’s moves are repeated, so in short, a helpmate that is not good. BBh2 is only taking cooks and BS is needed only in two last solutions. 1...Bf4 2.e5 Rc5 3.Kd4 Rc3 4.e4 Be5# 1...Rb5 2.Kd3 Kxe6 3.Kc4 Rb4 4.Kc5 Bd6# 1...Rd4 2.Kf5 Rh4 3.Kg5 Kxe6 4.Sg6 Bf6# 1...Kd7 2.Kf5 Bd6 3.Kf6 Rg5 4.Sf7 Be7# Krysztof Drazkowski Joose Norri Semion Shifrin Mecislovas Rimkus 2nd HM IRT 2013 3rd HM IRT 2013 Com IRT 2013 Com IRT 2013 'g'd'd'H 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'h 0'd'dp1p 0'd'd'0' d'd'dpdk d'd'd'd' '0'd'db0 'd'g'0Pd 'd'dpd'd 'dpIpd'd d'dpi'd' I'0rd'd' d'd'd'd' d'dRG'd' 'd'0'd'd 'd'dbd'0 'd'd'd'd 'd'dkd'd d'dP0'd' dBh'd'dp 0bdndnd' d'd'd'0' 'd'dKd'd 'd'dkd'd pd'd')'d 'd'd'd'g d'd'd'dN d'dqh'd' I'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' H#3.5* 4+12 H#5.5 3+13 H#7 2+8 H#3.5 4.1.1... 3+6

18

Israel Ring Tourney Award: Helpmates - 2014 Judge: Antonio Garofalo, Italy This was a high-quality tourney, with an entry of 44 problems by 34 authors. Certain problems had slight defects: Var. 2502 BPe7 unnecessary, BQc1 under-used; Var. 2505 The B2 moves are not homogeneous; Var. 2506 Rd4 is repeated; Var. 2508 A TF-helpmate but with nothing special about it; Var. 2509 3.Re5 is not only an interference but also a selfblock, while 3.Sf6 is purely an interference; Var. 2512 Non-matching solutions; Var. 2570 Three twinned lines but without homogeneity; Var. 2604 Double function of e3 (obstruction and control of d4) single function of c4 (obstruction only); Var. 2614 The double check maneuvers are effects which have already been thoroughly worked. I propose ranking the problems as follows: 1st Prize: Var. 2612 Ofer Comay Ofer Comay Various well-matched motivations (control of the mating square, 1st Prize IRT 2014 interference with the movement of the mating piece, occupation of the 'd'G'd'd square where the black queen must hide, capture of the mating piece etc,) d'drd'$' enable a multiple dual avoidance system. This outstanding achievement 'd'd'g'd amply excuses the use of two black queens: after all in chess the pawn is d'dPd'd' entitled to achieve promotion! 'd')'dPd 1.Bg5! Bxg5 (1…Re7?) 2.Qxg4 Re7 3.Qxd4! Rxe1# hPdpd'd' 1.Be7/xd8? prevents W1 1.Bxg7? prevents W2 1.Bxd4? prevents B3 '1r0'd'd 1.Be5? prevents W3 1.Bh4? prevents mate. dbiqhKd' 1.Rc7! Rxc7 (1…Be7?) 2.Qxb3 Be7 3.Qxd5! Bxa3# H#3 2.1.1.1 7+11 1.Re7/f7/xg7? prevents W1 1.Rxd8? prevents W2 1.Rxd5? prevents B3 1.Rd6? prevents W3 1.Rb7/a7? prevents mate. 2nd Prize: Var. 2603 Kenan Velikhanov A double interchange of white moves, a fine achievement. We can also arrange the solutions differently: ABCD – DCBA 1.Scd3 Bc5+ A 2.Ke4 f3 B # 1.Rd3 f3 B 2.Bc4 Bxc5 A # 1.Kc4 bxc3 C 2.Rd3 Rxc5 D # 1.Sfd3 Rxc5 D 2.Qe4 bxc3 C # 3rd Prize: Var. 2615 Christopher J.A. Jones Direct self-unpins, reciprocal batteries and black sacrifices. Well-matched solutions in the author's familiar style. a) 1...Kg8! 2.Rc8! Rc6+ 3.Kb5 Rc4+ 4.Rc6 Bxc6# b) 1...Kh7! 2.Qh1! Bc6 3.Kb6 Bxa8+ 4.Qc6 Rxc6# 1st Honorable Mention: Var. 2609 Luis Miguel Martin An interesting idea, Black must move the Sg2 to establish the bishop's guard on e4, but in moving it he must sacrifice it, and since its available moves are both check it is necessary for a black piece to capture it. The earliest tempo S-sacrifice setting may be PO523394 in the pdb. 1.Rf8 Sf4+ 2.Rfxf4 Sb2# 1.Bg3 Se1 2.Bxe1 Se5# 2nd Honorable Mention: Var. 2504 Shaul Shamir By preventing one or other of the mates the B1 tempo moves determine how the solutions continue. 1.Rb3 Re4 2.Kxe4 Bb7# 1.Rc3 Rxg4 2.Kxg4 Qd1# Kenan Velikhanov Christopher Jones Luis Miguel Martin Shaul Shamir 2nd Prize IRT 2014 3rd prize IRT 2014 1st HM IRT 2014 2nd HM IRT 2014 'd'd'd'd rd'dBd'I '4'd'd'd 'dBd'd'd d'drG'd' 4'd'd'0' d'g'd'd' d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd ph'd'd'$ 'd'dPd'I 'd')'d'd d'h'd'$' 0'i'dp0q d'd'd'd' dPd'0r0' 'd'i'h'1 'd'd'dpd 'dN4'd') Qh'$'dpd db4'd'd' d'0Pd'd' d'hk0'd' 4'dp)k)p ')'d')Pd 'd'd'd'd 'dp0qdNd pd')'d') d'd'dKd' d'd'd'd' d'dbd'dB I'd'd'd' H#2 4.1.1.1 6+7 H#3.5 b)nb6b5 4+12 H#2 2.1.1.1 6+10 H#2 2.1.1.1 10+10 19

Mecislovas Rimkus Shaul Shamir Valery Barsukov 3rd HM IRT 2014 4th HM IRT 2014 5th HM IRT 2014 'dbd'i'd 'd'dbd'G 'd'i'd'd d'd'd'H' d'd'dph' d'4'd'd' 'd'd'd'd 'd'dBdR0 'g'd'0pd d'd'd'd' d'dpd'dr d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'0Kd'd d'd'd'dq d'd'I'd' dbdP$Pd' 'd'd'd'g 'dkH'0'0 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'dK d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' H#7 b)Sg7h8 3+3 H#2 2.1.1.1 5+9 H#3 b)kd8d1 4+7 3rd Honorable Mention: Var. 2517 Mechislovas Rimkus Chameleon echo, ideal mates and the usual king-march. a) 1.Qh7 Kg2 2.Bf5 Kf3 3.Bg6 Sf5 4.Be5 Se3 5.Kg7 Kg4 6.Kh6 Kh4 7.Bg7 Sg4# b) 1.Be5+ Kg1 2.Be6 Kf2 3.Bg8 Sf7 4.Qh8 Kf3 5.Kg7 Kg4 6.Kh7 Kh5 7.Bg7 Sg5# 4th Honorable Mention: Var. 2559 Shaul Shamir Hideaway sacrifices and black Umnov effects with a WB/WR function exchange. Very pleasant. 1.Bc6 Bg4 2.Se8 Rxc6# 1.Rf5 Rg1 2.Sh5 Bxf5# 5th Honorable Mention: Var. 2511 Valery Barsukov Two interferences to allow the white king to cross lines. a) 1.Rc4 Kd5 2.Bc5 Kc6 3.Kc8 Re8# b) 1.Rc5 Kxd4 2.Bc4 Kc3 3.Kc1 Re1# 6th Honorable Mention: Var. 2503 Menachem Witztum Indirect unpin play is followed by interferences. The idea is not new but I liked it. 1.Rd5 Re4 2.Be5 Rf5# 1.Bb8 Sg6 2.Re5 Rg3# 7th Honorable Mention: Var. 2562 Menachem Witztum An interesting double setting of masked half-pins (which look like third-pins). Inevitably the position is a very heavy one. a) 1.Qc5 dxc5 2.d4 Qa6# b) 1.Qa6 b5 2.cxb5 Bh7# Commendations in order of publication: Var. 2507 Yoav Ben-Zvi Tempo moves. 1.Rc4? Rd4 2.?? Rd5# 1.Kd4? Bb4 2.?? Rxe4# 1.Ra4 Rd4 2.Rc4 Rd5# 1.Kc4 Bb4 2.Kd4 Rxe4# Var. 2513 Christopher J.A. Jones Tempo play with an interchange of white arrival squares on the first and second moves. 1.e5 Rd4 2.e4 Rb4 3.exd3 Se4# 1.Sd4 Rb4 2.Sb3 Rd4 3.Sfd2 Sa4#

Menachem Witztum Menachem Witztum Ded. to Evgeni Bourd Yoav Ben-Zvi Christopher Jones 6th HM IRT 2014 7th HM IRT 2014 Com IRT 2014 Com IRT 2014 rd'd'HKd rdQd'dBI Bd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 0'd'd'Hp 0'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'0qgK 'd'dR)'0 ')p0'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd dqd'dri' d'dpd'd' G'i'd'd' 0nH'd'd' 'dbd'd'd ')q)'dPd 'd'drd'$ Rd'd'd'd d'dpdRg' db4'd'd' d'd'd'd' )'iP)'d' 'd'd'd'd k0p0'd'd 'dPd'd'd 'dbd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'dRd' dKd'd'd' d'd'dnd' H#2 2.1.1.1 6+10 H#2 b)ka2c2 8+12 H#2 2.1.1.1 5+2 H#3 2.1.1.1 6+8 20

Adrian Storisteanu Yoel Aloni Semion Shifrin Paz Einat Vitaly Medintsev Emanuel Navon Com IRT 2014 Com IRT 2014 Com IRT 2014 Com IRT 2014 'd'd'd'd 'g'd'dKd 'd'dNdrd Rd'd'd'd d'i'd'd' d'd'd'd' dnd'd'd' d'0Nd'd' 'Hpd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'dPd'd 'dpgPd'd d'd'd'd' d'0'd'dp 0'dkdNgR dN0'd'dK 'd'd'1'd 'd'd'd'd pd'0'dnd 'd'dk4'd G'dp0'dK d'd'd'd' Ipd'd')B dPdqh'd' 'd'd'd'd 'd'i'd'd 'd'dRd'd 'd'0pd'd d'd'd'd' dbd'd'G' d'd'd'd' dBd'd'd' H#4 3+5 H#5 2+5 H#2 2.1.1.1 8+9 H#2 2.1.1.1 7+10 Var. 2514 Semion Shifrin A splendid sacrifice on Black's first move. 1.Qf6 Bb2 2.Kd6 Sd7 3.Kd5 Kg4 4.Ke4 Sxf6# Var. 2515 Adrian Storisteanu & Paz Einat A fine maneuver by the Bg1 in miniature setting. 1.Bg6 Bh2 2.Ke3 Bg1+ 3.Kf4 Bh2+ 4.Kg5 Bxb8 5.Kh6 Bf4# Var. 2560 Vitaly Medintsev A small imbalance: Sfg7 is also an interference, but Se7 is not. 1.Be3 Bg2+ 2.Ke5 Sfg7# 1.Se5 Rh7 2.Kxe6 Se7# Var. 2563 Yoel Aloni & Emanuel Navon Moves along the pin-line by the bQ, and battery mates in which indirect pins are created. 1.Kf5 Ra5 2.Qe4 Sd4# 1.Qc2 Rd8 2.Kd3 Sxc5# Var. 2566 Christer Jonsson Three queen sacrifices. a) 1...Qxd6! 2.Kxd6 Rf6 3.Ke5 Sg4# b) 1...Qxd5! 2.Kxd5 Sg7 3.Ke5 Rf5# c) 1...Qxd4! 2.Kxd4 Rg3 3.Sc5 Bg7# Var. 2568 Semion Shifrin Echo mates. 1.Sxg3 Kb3 2.Kf4 Ra2 3.Se3 Rf2# 1.Sxd4 Bd3 2.Ke5 Rc1 3.Sd6 Rc5# Var. 2605 Vitaly Medintsev This problem would have had a higher place, but 1.Kc5 unpins only the thematic knight, whereas 1.Kc6 unpins both the knight and the rook, with only the unpin of the rook being thematic. A pity. 1.Kc5 Qe5 2.Sxb6 Qc3# 1.Kc6 Bd3 2.Rxd6 Be4# Special Commendation: Var. 2516 Sergeï Sagatelyan & Edouard Kuloyan An amusing performance with five black knights. a) 1.Sfe7 f5 2.Kg7 f6 + 3.Kh7 fxe7 4.Sg7 e8=S 5.Sh8 Sf6# b) 1.Sh4 f5 2.Kg5 f6 3.Sg7 fxg7 4.Kh5 g8=S 5.Sg5 Sf6# I thank Chris Feather for the translation Vitaly Medintsev Sergeï Sagatelyan Christer Jonsson Semion Shifrin (after Uri Avner) Edouard Kuloyan Com IRT 2014 Com IRT 2014 Com IRT 2014 Sp. Com IRT 2014 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'dnd'd d'dnd'd' d'd'd'd' G'dpd'0' d'd'dnd' 'd'0'd'H 'd'dr0'd ')')'$'0 'd'd'inh 0'ip!'0' dpd'dk0' dkdrd'!r d'd'dnd' 'd'0'd'd 'd')ndrd 'dnd'I'd 'd'd')'d d'dPdRd' d'd'd')' d'd'dPdp d'd'd'd' 'd'0'd'g Kdnd'd'd 'dpdBdpd 'd'd'dKd d'd'dKd' $Bd'd'd' d'd'dbd' d'd'd'd' H#2.5 b)Sh6h5 5+9 H#3 2.1.1.1 5+8 H#2 2.1.1.1 8+11 H#5 b)Rg2c8 2+6 c) Sh6=B 21

Israeli Successes Abroad - Emanuel Navon

ישראלים מצטיינים בחו"ל – עמנואל נבון המחברים מתבקשים לשלוח את הצלחותיהם האחרונות אל [email protected] A. Paz Einat B. Arieh Grinblat C. E. Bourd A. Grinblat D. Arieh Grinblat 1st HM 1st Place The Maced. 3rd Place The Maced. 3rd Prize Phenix 2014 Problemist 2013 Problemist 2013 Birnov MT 2015 'dBd'I'd bd'$'dKG 'd'd'dqg 'd'drd'd h'd'0'd' d'H'd'd' dPdp!'dp 1r)R)'d' 'dQ)'$ph 'd'dpd'H 'd'dpd'd pd'G'd'd d'dPi'G' d'0'dP)p 0Rd'h'db HPdpdpH' bH'dpd'd 'dpdk0'd 'd'Hk)'d bd'i')'h d')'dPdN dP0'dR)' dN)'dp$P dpd'd')' 'd'd'd'd 'd'gPd'd 'd'GP)'d ')'dP)'d d'd'grd' d'd'd'd' dKd'd'd' d'dBdKd' #2 11+9 #3 11+9 #3 13+10 #4 14+10 A is a continuation of the author’s research on the Domino-cycle theme. Here the cycle is between the weakening-motifs of the black defenses and the E. L. Lyubashevsky squares on which the mate is given. L. Makaronez nd 1.Qc5! [2.Qd4#] 1...Sc6/Se6 Battery enablement (a) 2.dxc6 A/dxe6 B # 2 HM Kudesnik 2015 1...Sf5/exf6 Self-block (b) 2.Re6 B/Bf4 C # 'd'd'd'd 1...Bf2/Sb5 Interference (c) 2.f4 C/Sc6 A # 4'0pdpdq pdPd'Gph Judge Z Mihajloski wrote on B: “A good key, quiet threat and thematic mates. d'd'H'd' The problem shows the Pseudo le Grand theme and cyclic white moves (2- 'dPdpipd 3.C-B/B-D/D-A/A-C). The interferences white rook and bishop by the white d'd'H'0' knight leave a particular impression.” Kd'd'd'd 1. e8! [2.bxc4 A [3. d6 D #] 2...e5 3. f6 B #] S S S d'd'$Bd' 1...fxg3 2.Sf6+ B Ke5 3.Sf7 C # 1...exf5 2.Sf7 C [3.Sf6 B #] 2...Bd5 3. #4 8+12 Sed6 D # 1...Bc6 2.Sd6+ D Kd5 3.bxc4 A # (1...cxb3 2.Rdd3 ~ 3.Sd6#) On C the judge wrote: “Pseudo Le Grand theme in the 3rd moves after F. Emanuel Navon defenses on g6 at B1 moves. The thematic moves also appear as 2nd moves in Menachem witztum the threat and after 2...Sc4 and in these lines there is harmony in the mating 3rd Prize 36th TT CC moves (3.e3# or 3.e4#, respectively). Microweb C 2015 1.Bc1! [2.Sd2+ A Kxf4 3.e3#] 1...Sc4 2.Sc5+ B Kd5 3.e4# 1...Qg6 2.Qd6 n$'d'I'd [3.Sc5 B # 2...Sd3 3.Sd2 A # 1...Bg6 2.Qg5 [3.Sd2 A # 2...Sc4 3.Sc5 B # )'dpd'd' D shows transfer of white 2nd moves to mates with a good key and a very 'dn$'dp0 active and interesting play. d'dpi'dp 'd'd'H'd 1.Ba3! [2.e3+ Kd3 3.Rxd5+ Qd4 4.Rxd4#] 1...Qc5 2.Se6+ A Ke4 3.Sxc5+ gP)'H'd' Kd4 4.e3# 1...Rxb5 2.Sc6+ B Kc4 3.Se5+ Kd4 4.e3# 1...Bxb5 2.Sxb3+ '0')pd') Kc4 3.Sd2+ Kd4 4.Se6 A # 1...Sf3/g2 2.Sxf3+ Ke4 3.Sd2+ Kd4 4.Sc6 B # d'd'drd' 1... xe7 2.c8= [3. c4, c3#] 2... c7 3. h8+ g7/ e5 4. xg7/ xe5# R Q Q Q R Q R R Q Q H#2 2.1.1.1 10+12 In E the threat and g5 variation create the first pair with sacrifice of the white knight. The second pair appears after defenses by the d7 pawn. 1.Bg2 ! [2.Sd3 + exd3 3.Sd5 + Kf5 4.Re5#] 1...g5 2.Sg6 + fxg6 3.Bd4 [4.Rf1#] 1...d6 2.Sc2 [3.Rf1#] 2...Kf5 3.Rf1 + Ke6 4.Sd4# 1...dxc6 2.Sxc6 [3.Sd5 + Kf5 4.Sd4#] The tourney in which F participated asked for all black moves by the black king. The judge wrote: “The black king captures pinned pieces and continues his play on the axes of virtual royal batteries. The white thematical pieces are unpinned by a play of the pair Rb8/Se3 (exchanging the function). Zilahi theme (Rd6/Sf4).” 1.Kxf4 Rb4+ (Re8 2.Kg5+? h4#) 2.Kf3 Rf6# 1.Kxd6 Sf5+ (Sc4? 2.Kc7+? Sxd5#) 2.Kc5 Sd3#

22

G. Menachem Witztum H. Emanuel Navon I. Mark Erenburg J. Raffi Ruppin 3rd Place TT Formula- 2nd Prize TT-149 2-3rd Prize JT 3rd Prize one GP-9/ 2015 SuperProblem 2015 Vladimirov 80 2015 Die Schwalbe 2011 Nd'dBd'G 'h'd'd'd ndQdB$'d 'd'd'd'd I'0'd'dr d')'d'd' d'd'd')' d'd'dQ)' '0'i'd'd 'H'0'dpd 'd'dRGNd 'd'dPH') d'd'dPdr dpgPd'0' d'0Pdk0r d'd'dkdK ')'d'H'h '0'd'4Nd 'dPd'0'd 'dP)'d') d'd'1'db d'Gkd'd' d'0'dPd' d'd')'d' 'd'd'd'0 'I'dp0Bd 'dPdPd'0 'd'hPd'd d'd'd'g' d'd'1'db d'dKd'gr d'G'd'dN H#2 2.1.1.1 7+10 H#2 2.1.1.1 7+13 S#4 13+10 S#6 13+2 G shows dual avoidance (the tourney’s requirement) of B & W. The black knight should avoid capturing f5 (and opening a black line) in his way to K. Evgeni Bourd st correct white`s Anti-ziel element (by closing a black line) – on his way to 1 Prize carry out the mate. P. Gvozdjak-50 JT 2015 1.Sf3 (Sxf5?) Sxb6 (Sxc7?) 2.Sd4 Sc8 #• Rg'dkd'd 1.Sg6 (Sxf5?) Sxc7 (Sxb6?) 2.Se7 Sb5 # drd')'0' Bd'd'dP0 "Wigwag" theme: In initial position, a linear piece stands on square X. On d'0'HK0P the first move, it moves along any line and - on the second move - the same 'd'd'd'd piece moving along the same line in an opposite direction, passing through drdQd'd' the square X. On H the judge wrote “An interesting strategy based on an p0qdPd'd annihilation of a white unit with a clear interrelationship between thematic dbhndRd' pieces producing an effect of mutual interference Grimshaw. “ R#2 10+14 1.Rxg4 c8=Q 2.Rd4 Qh3# 1.Bxb6 cxb8=Q 2.Bd4 Qxb5# Judge V. Kirillov wrote on I: "Front pieces of white initial batteries form L. Evgeni Bourd reciprocally their own batteries, making critical moves via square e5. Very 4th Prize spectacular idea." P. Gvozdjak-50 JT 2015 1.d6! [2.Sh4+ Rxh4,gxh4 3.Bxg5+ Kxg5 4.Qxc5+ Bxc5#] 'g'dnH'$ 1...Sb6 2.Re3+! Sxc8,Sd7 3.Be5+ Ke6 4.Bxf4+ Bxe3# d'd')rd' 1...Rh8 2.Bd4+! Rxf8 3.Re5+ Kf6 4.Rxc5+ Bxd4# bdp)'$N0 (1...Sc7 2.Re7+ Se6 3.Rc7! ~ 4.Rxc5+ Bxc5#) 0'd'd'd' In J the immediate 1.e4+? xe4 2. g3+ xg3# does not work: 1... f4! 'd'!'IP) S S S K 1'd')p)' Therefore white has to wait until the bS clears the c1-f4 diagonal, and then p0'dri'd force the S to reach e4 via another route. From judge`s (Hans Peter Rehm) d'd'd'd' comments: "A fine duel of the white battery knight against the black R#2 12+13 one".1.g8=S! zz 1...Sf3 2.Sh7+ Ke4 3.Sg5+ Sxg5 4.Sf6+ Kf5 5.e4+ Sxe4 6.Sg3+ Sxg3# 1...Sb1 2.Sd5+ Ke4 3.Sc3+ Sxc3 4.Sf6+ Kf5 5.e4+ Sxe4 6.Sg3+ Sxg3# 1...Sb3 2.Sd7+ Ke4 3.Sc5+ Sxc5 4.Sf6+ Kf5 5.e4+Sxe4 6.Sg3+ Sxg3# 1...Sxc4 2.Se8+ Ke4 3.Sgf6+ (3.Sd6+?) Kf5 4.Sd6+ Sxd6 5.e4+ Sxe4 6.Sg3+ Sxg3# K shows an original mechanism of the Rice cycle combined with white correction by the key piece. 1...Sxd3 a 2.Kg4 A Sxe5# 1...Rxd3 b 2.Ke6 B Rd6# 1.Se5~? [2.Qe4 Qxe4#] 1...Sxd3! 1.Sf3?! [2.Qe4 Qxe4#] 1...Sxd3 a 2.Ke6 B Sf4# 1...Rxd3 b 2.Ke4 C Rd4# 1...Qc3! Qe4? Qh3??# 1.Sc4! [2.Qe4 Qxe4#] 1...Sxd3 a 2.Ke4 C Sf/b4# 1...Rxd3 b 2.Kg4 A Rg3# 1...Se3+ 2.Ke6 Rxe7# The Rice cycle in L includes many tries by the queen to allow Qe3#. An original mechanism based on the e4,e5 flights and diagonal/orthogonal checks by black. 1.Qa4? [2.Rf5 Qxe3#] 1...Qb4+! 1.Qb4? [2.Rf5 Qxe3#] 1...Qa4+! 1.Qxb2? [2.Rf5 Qxe3#] 1...Sxf6! 1.Qd1? [2.Rf5 Qxe3#] 1...Qa/b4+ a 2.e4 A Qxe4# 1...Qxd6+ b 2.Se5 B Qxe5# 1...Bxd6+! 1.Qe4? [2.Qf5 Qxe3#] 1...Qa/b4 a 2.Se5 B Rxf6# 1...Qxd6+ b 2.Kf5 C Rxf6,Sg7,Qxf6# 1...Bd3! 1.Qe5! [2.Qf5 Qxe3#] 1...Qa/b4+ a 2.Kf5 C Sg7# 1...Qxd6 b 2.e4 A Q,Rxf6# 1...Qxe3+ 2.Kf5 Sg7# 23

מקוריות Originals IRT judges: #2: Yossi Retter (2016) #3: Zoran Gavrilovski (2016-7); #n: Viktor Volchek (2015- 7); Studies: Yehuda Hoch (2016) H#: Zivko Janevski (2016); S#: Mark Erenburg (2015-6) Fairies: Paul Raican (2016) עורכים: :Editors בעיות רגילות: יבגני בורד Orthodox: Evgeni Bourd [email protected] בעיות אגדתיות: מיכאל גרושקו Fairies: Michael Grushko [email protected] סיומים: עופר קומאי Studies: Ofer Comay [email protected] Solutions, comments, and fairy terms - on our web site. הערות נא לשלוח אל Please send comments to [email protected]

2772 2775 Itzhak Nevo 2773 2774 Israel Han Evgeni Bourd David Shtern Semion Shifrin Evgeni Bourd Ein Harod/Ashdod Petah Tikva Nesher Ramat Gan/Ashdod 'dqd'd'd Qd'd'd'd Qd'gbd'd 'GRH'hnI d'd'dQ0' d'd'dpd' d'd'dpd' 0'dpd'dQ 'd'0'd'4 'Gp0'd'd 'd')'0nd 'd'd')pd d'dRH'd' dndk)Kd' d')R)'dN d')kd')' 'd'H'dPd 'd'0'd'd 'd'GkdPh 'dr)'d'd g'0'iP)p dPd'd'd' dN)'d')' 0Rd')'Hb 'dBdnd'd 'd'd'd'd Bdp$PI'd B0'd'd'd d'dnI'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' #2*v 9+10 #2vv 5+6 #2vvvv 15+8 #2 13+10

2776 2777 2778 2779 Givi Mosiashvili Vladimir Kozhakin Arieh Grinblat Alexandr Pankratyev Georgia Russia Ashdod Russia 'd'$'dKd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'!Bd 'd'd'd'd d'd'dpdN d'd'd'd' I')'d'd' g'dNdRd' 'h'H'0'$ 'd'd'!'d 'dPd'dNd rdPdpd'd d'dPi')' d'dKdN0' dpdp0pG' 0B)k0'I' '4'dP0ph 'd'd'i'0 '0'i'drd Pd'dpd'd G')')bd' d'd'd'd' d'h'd'0' dpdpd'd' 'd'd'!'d 'd'd'dBd PdRHPd'd 'G'0'dPd d'd'drd' d'd'd'd' drdnd'g' h'dQdnd' #2v 12+10 #3vvv 4+3 #3 11+12 #3 10+12

2780 2781 2782 2783 David Shtern Evgeni Bourd Marco Campioli Leonid Topko Petah Tikva Ashdod Italy Ukraine nd'd'd'd 'd'dRd'd Bd'd'd'i 'd'd'd'd 0'd'd'dR dn0'drdp 0Nd'd'dP d'd'd'dQ 'dk)K)pd 'h'dp0pI 'd'd'H'd 'd'g'd'd d'0pdp!' dPHk)'d' d'0'dKG' d'd'dRd' 'd'dpd'd PG'd')'d '0pd'd'd '4PhBdrd dRd'd'd' d'$B)bH' d'0'd'd' dkd'd'd' ')B)'d'd Pd'd'd'd 'd'dp0pd 'd')'d'd d'd'd'd' d'drg'd' d'd'drd' I'd'd'd' #3 9+8 #3 13+12 Draw 6+10 Draw 6+5 24

2784 2785 2786 2787 Pavel Arestov Richard Becker Martin Minski Siegfried Hornecker Russia USA Germany Germany 'dRd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd dbG'd'd' d'dBd'G' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' 'd'd'drd 'dRd'd'd 'd'd'dPd 'd'd'dkd d'd'd'd' 1kd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' Nd'dpd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'i 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' 0'd'd'd' d'dRd'0' )'h'dRd' 'd'd'dpd 'd'dKd'd 'd'd'd'd Kd'd'dPd H'inI'd' d'd'd'd' dbdKd'dn d'4'd'd' Draw 5+6 Win 4+3 Draw 3+4 Win 4+3 2788 2789 Michal Hlinka Yochanan Afek 2790 2791 Luboš Kekely Amatzia Avni Menachem Witztum Semion Shifrin Slovakia Netherlands/Tel Aviv Tel Aviv Nesher 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'G $'dPd'd' $'dbd'd' d'dpd'd' dpd'd'1' 'G'4'd'd qd'd'd'd B)p)'d'd 'dpIQh'0 d'd'i'I' G'dpd'd' 4N)'d'dR d'0'd'dr 'H'd'd'd 'dpd'dRd pdk0'd'd 'dpip)'0 d'd'd'd' d'd'!'d' )'Hp0'd' d'g'0'd' 'd'dqd'd ri'I'd'd 'I'g'0'd 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'$'d'd' d'd'd'd' Draw 5+3 Win B 5+6 H#2 2.1.1.1 10+10 H#2 2.1.1.1 4+13 2792 2794 2795 David Shtern 2793 Alexey Ivunin Jean Carf Evgeni Bourd Vito Rallo Alexandr Pankratiev Adrian Storisteanu Perah Tikva/Ashdod Italy Russia France/Canada 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'i qd'd'd'd 'd'dKd'd dpd'd'd' 0'dpg'0' dpd'd'G' d'd'd'd' 'd')kd') 'd'd'Hpd 'g'$'d'd 'dp4'd'd dpd'd'0' dpd'd'0b d'd'dnd' d'i'd'd' 'd'd'd'd 'drd'd'd 'i'dKd'd 'd'd'd'd dpd')'d' d'd'd'd' d'd'$'d' d'd'd'd' 'd'd'dPd Rd'IPd'd P0p0r0'd ')'d')'d d'dK!'d' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' d'dR$'G' H#2 4.1.1.1 6+5 H#2 4.1.1.1 4+10 H#2 b)b b6=n 5+10 H#2 b)p c6c4 6+3 2796 2797 2798 2799 Emanuel Navon Zivko Janevski Evgeni Bourd Christer Jonsson Holon Macedonia Ashdod Sweden Q$'d'd'd 'd'd'd'd Bd'd'g'd 'd'd'g'd 0'hpd'd' G'dRd'd' d'd'dKdp dpd'd'd' 'd'd'd'I 'd'dq0'd 'd'd'd'4 'd'd'd'd 1P0r)Pd' d'd'dkd' d'Hndpd' d'1rd'd' 'h'i'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'ipd 'dkd'd'd d'g'0pdB dndbd'I' d'd'drdq dpd')b0' P0'0Pd'd 'd'd')'d bd'd'G') 'd')Pdpd db$'d'd' d'd'd'd' dnd'd'd' dN4'G'I' H#2 b) -Pe2 10+14 H#2 2.1.1.1 4+5 H#2 2.1.1.1 5+11 H#2.5 2.1… 6+10

25

2802 2803 2800 2801 Michael Gershinski Michael Gershinski Evgeni Bourd Emanuel Navon Alexandr Pankratiev Alexandr Pankratiev Ashdod Holon Russia Russia rd'dbd'd '4'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd g'd'd'd' d'dnd'd' d'dRIBh' d'd'd'dp 'd'd'0'd Kd'0'd'd qd'd'0'd 'd'd'0'i H'd'd'0' $'d'dPdB dp0Pdp0' 0pG'dP0' 'd'iPd'd '0PdPd'd 'd'i'd'd pg')'d'd d'0'0Bd' dpdkd'0p dPd'dPdn 1r$'d'd' 'd'd'd'4 'd'd'h'0 'd'4'd'0 '0'd'dpd I'H'd'hq d'd'dbg' d'drd'g' dKd'dn4b H#2.5 2.1… 5+11 H#3 b) - bf1 6+12 H#3 2.1… 6+13 H#3 2.1… 5+15 2804 2805 2806 2807 Menachem Witztum Evgeni Bourd Alexandr Pankratiev Eugene Fomichev Tel Aviv Ashdod Russia Russia 'g'd'dBd 'H'dRd'd QdNdBd'g ri'dN!'I d'd'd'd' d'g'd'd' drd'd'4p 0P0'd'0P 'd'dnd'4 '$Pi')pd bd'd'Ip) Pd'dPdPg d'd'1'dP d'dBdp)p dpdk0'$' )'dpd'0' '0kd'h'$ rdb!'In4 'hnd'd'd 'dR$'dBd )b0pd'd' dpd'0Pdp GNd'dPd' d'd'd'd' 'd'4'd') 'd'd'd'd 'd'dRd'd 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'dK d'd'dn1' d'd'd'd' G'd'd'd' H#3 b)p c3c5 6+11 S#2 10+14 S#2 10+11 S#4 13+8 2808 2809 2810 2811 Raffi Ruppin Jozef Holubec György Bakcsi Vito Rallo Rehovot Slovakia Hungary Italy Bd'H'd'd Qd'd'dNd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd d'0'd'4p d'd'd'd' hrd'd'd' d'd'd'd' 'dNd'$pd 'd'd'd'd pd'd'd'd 'd'd'H'd d'0kd'd' d'd'd'dk dpd'd'd' d'd'dpi' 'dpd'd'$ 'd')BI'g pd'd'd'g 'd')pd'd d'd'0'd' d'd'd'$' dpd'd'd' d'd'd'd' pd'dPd'd 'd'd'd'$ ')'d'd'd 'd'I'd'd 4bd'I'd' d'd'd'd' i'I'd'd' d'd'd'd' S#6 7+11 S#9 2.1.1.. 7+2 H=7 2+8 H#5 Circe 3+3 2812 2813 2814 2815 Michael Grushko Menachem Witztum Sébastien Luce Semion Shifrin Kiryat Bialik Tel Aviv France Nesher 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd 'dKd'd'd dB0'd'd' drd'd'0' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' 'd'd'd'd PGRd'g'd 'd'd'd'd bd'd'd'0 d'd'd'd' d'd'ird' d'0'd'd' )r0'0'!' 'dKd'd'd 'I'dp0'd pd'd'0'd k+'d'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'0'd' d'dpd'd' dpd'$'d' 'd')'d'd 'd'$Pd'd 'd'd'd'd pd'1q1'd d'd'd'd' d'dbd'd' h'dNd'dn 1'd'd'd' H#2.5 b)c7 c6 2+1+1 HS#3 b)r f5h5 6+9 Ser-=20 FileCirce 1+6 H#2 Circe 5+12 CouscousCirce b) Nb4Re3 Take&Make Nightrider N Lions Qq R,B-Lions Rb 26

2816 2817 2818 2819 Oleksandr Caplin Nikolay Mironenko Sébastien Luce Sébastien Luce Ukraine Ukraine France France 'd'dkd'd 'dqd'drd nd'dNd'h 'd'd'd'd d'd'd'd' d'd'dnd' d'd'd'd' d'd'd'd' 'd'dN0'd Rd'dnd'd pd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd d'd'0'd' drdbi'd' d'dpd'd' d'dnd'd'R 'd'dBd'd 'dpdNd'd 'd'0'd'0 'd'G'd'dR dpd'd'd' d'I'0'$' dpdpdbdP d'd'd'd' bd'd'd'd 'd'd'd'd ')'I'd'd 'd'd'd'd d'I'd'd' d'd'd'd' dkd'd'd' d'd'd'd' R H#3 2.1… 3+5 H#2 3.1.1.1 4+9 Ser-=14 H#6.5 b)B d4e5 1+1 Circe Take&Make Malefic Circe Max W-Max Malefic Anticirce Einstein inverse Captures on rebirth Circé antipod squares allowed Sentinels neutral pawns Fairy knight N R= royal pieces d4,d5

תחרות הפתרונים הבין לאומית הסימולטנית ה12- התחרות התקיימה השנה ב24- בינואר במועדון אטיוד ברמת גן. התחרות נערכה ב33- מקומות ב27- מדינות והשתתפו בכל הקטגוריות 469 פותרים מ29- מדינות. בשנה שעברה הוסיפו המארגנים לתחרות קטגוריה שלישית המיועדת לפותרים צעירים עד גיל 12 והשנה היתה השתתפות בקטגוריה הזאת גם אצלינו. בקטגוריה הראשונה לקח את המקום הראשון אצלינו מרדכי צ'ובניק ואחריו מרק ארנבורג ולב גלאנצשפיגל. פותרינו לא התמקמו במקומות גבוהים במיוחד ברמה העולמית בה לקח את הבכורה פיוטר מורדזיה הפולני )51 נקודות( ואחריו אנדרי ז'ורבלב מרוסיה ובוריס טומס מגרמניה. בקטגוריה השניה ניצח דוד מעיין ולמקומות השני והשלישי הגיעו דרור לובין וישראל האן, בהתאמה. פותרים אלה התמקמו גבוה יחסית ברמה העולמית. בקטגוריה השלישית ראוי לציון הישגו של רועי ארליך אשר תפס את המקום השלישי ברמה העולמית! רועי, כמו גם תומר טל, נשארו לפתור את בעיות הסיבוב השני של הקטגוריה השניה )בקטגוריה השלישית היה רק סיבוב אחד( והראו שהם מוכנים להשתתף בהצלחה בקטגוריה זו בשנה הבאה )הניקוד מסומן באפור בטבלה(.

27

בעיות מהעולם – יבגני בורד Selected Problems – Evgeni Bourd בעוד אנו מתקרבים לסיום תוצאות השיפוט של אליפות As we are approaching the judgement results of העולם ליחידים )עם שיא של 2862 בעיות! (, נתמקד the new individual world cup (with a record of במספר בעיות יוצאות דופן מהשנים שחלפו וננסה להבין problems!) let’s observe some previous 2862 את הרמה הנדרשת לזכות, או להגיע קרוב, ללהיות אלוף achievements and understand the high quality עולם. כמו כן צריך לדעת כי בתחרות זו נדרשות מספר needed to gain, or come close, to becoming a בעיות ברמה גבוהה מאוד, עובדה שמזכירה כי אין פה world champion. We also have to remember that several extremely high quality entries are מקום למזל. required, which is no luck by any means. בעיה A זכתה בציון המדהים של 11.5 נקודות מתוך ה- Problem A scored an amazing 11.5 points out of 12 האפשריות, ועם סיבה טובה. המחבר היה גם זה אשר .the possible 12, and not without a good reason זכה באליפות באותה שנה. הרעיון מסחרר וננסה לפענח The author also went to become the world את הבעיה. הלבן רוצה לשמור ב-ג3 על מנת לאיים שח champion of the specific period. The idea is כפול ב-ב6. הנסיונות הראשונים שלו הם המסעים really monumental, let’s analyze the play. W wants to guard c3 to threat a double check on b6. הארוכים עם המלכה ל-ח8 ו-ח3, כל אחד מגן על ב6 מקו ,His first two tries are long Q moves to h8 and h3 אחר, עובדה אשר תקבע את המטים בהמשך. לשחור יש each guarding from a different line, a fact that הגנה יפה – המסע עם המלך ל-ב3 עם כפיתה עצמית של will determine future mates. Bl. has a nice המלכה, אשר תותר אם הלבן ינסה לממש את האיום על ,resource, the defense Kb3 which self-pins the Q ב6. הלבן מנצל הזדמנות זו כדי למצוא מט סוללה רגיל preparing for an un-pin if W tries Sb6. W uses אך מתוך האופציות היחידות לפרש ב-ו6 ו-ה3 רק אחת the pin for a regular battery mate, but out of the two possible moves to f6 and e3, only one works עובדת ומצליחה לא לחסום את המלכה הלבנה. משחק as the other closes the Q line. Additional מעניין נוסף מגיע אחרי מה:ד5 המעניק שמירה על בinteresting play comes after Qd5 where the b3 3 וכעת נותר ללבן רק למצוא מט 'רגיל'. את העבודה ’becomes guarded, forcing W to find a ‘normal מצליחים לעשות מהד4 ו-מהד3 עם מטי כפיתה יפים. mate. The only moves are surprisingly the pretty המניעות של ההתעיות יפות גם כן, כל אחת מהן חוסמת Qd4 and Qd3, both pin-mates. The try refutations are also pretty nice, closing both lines. The את השמירה של המלכה על הקוים התמאטיים. הפתרון solution is probably even prettier and more הוא כנראה אף יפה יותר וכמו כן מפתיע עם המסע פהsurprising, the move Se4! On Kb3 a new idea !4 על מב3 יש רעיון חדש, הצורך לשמור על א4 עם מסע comes in play, a4 has to be guarded and W is מט חדש. והמט האחרון עם שינוי נוסף על מה:ד5 הוא forced to play Sc3. And the final mate Qa6 after המסע המפתיע מהא6! עם מט כפיתה נוסף. בעיה .Qd5 is just superb, with another pin-mate A. Marjan Kovacevic מדהימה בכל צורה אפשרית ולדעתי אחת הדו-מסעיות 1st Prize FIDE World Cup 2011 הטובות ביותר שחוברו אי פעם. b$Qd'd'd dq)')Bdn B. Vasyl Dyachuk 'd')'d'd 1st Prize Sächsische Zeitung 2010-11 g'dNd'd' 'd'd'd'd Pdkd'I'd d')Kd'd' )'H'd'd' 'dP)NdRg Rd'dPG'h !NdBdkdP d'd'd'd' 'dPd'd'd #2 14+6 )'dPhpd' 1.Qh8? [2.Sb6#] 1...Kb3 2.Se3# (2.Sb6? '4'd'd'd 2.Sf6?) 1...Qxd5 2.Qd4!# but 1...Sf6! Gnd'$'db 1.Qh3? [2.Sb6#] 1...Kb3 2.Sf6# (2.Sb6? #2 15+7 2.Se3?) 1...Qxd5: 2.Qd3!# but 1... Sf3! 1...Sxd5 a 2.Sbd4 B # 1...Rxb5 b 2.Be4 A # 1.Se4! [2.Sb6#] 1.Sa7 C ? [2.Be4 A #] 1...Ke5 c ! 2.Bxf3 D # 1...Kb3 2.Sdc3# (2.Sb6? 2.Sf6?/2.Se3?) (2.Be4?) 1...Sxd5 a 2.Qxd5# but 1...Bg5! 1...Qxd5 2.Qa6!# 1...Bd2+ 2.Sxd2# 1.Bxf3 D ! [ 2.Sbd4 B #] 1...Ke5! c 2.Sa7 C # A phenomenal problem in every way and, in my (2.Sbd4?) 1...Rxb5 b 2.Rf6# 28

בעיה B זכתה ב10.5 נקודות, ציון גבוה למדי גם כן. opinion, probably one of the best twomovers המשחק דומה ברוחו לבעיה הקודמת ונע סביב כפיתות, .ever composed התרות, כפיתות עצמיות, הגנות על ידי המלך והרבה B scored 10.5 points, very high as well. The play is similar in a sense to A, being around pins, יותר. עובדה זאת לא צריכה להפתיע את מחברי מחלקה unpins, selfpins, K defense and much more. This זו מכיוון שמשחק אקטיבי מעניין עם רוח קרב שכזה should not surprise composers of this section, as זוכה לציונים גבוהים בתחרויות רבות. משחק המעמד such interesting active fights, combined with מתחיל עם הכאות של הכלים הלבנים על חצי הסוללה changed mates and a very dynamic play, usually ונתינת השמירה על ה5. בכל אחת מההגנות הכלי שאינו score highly in many competitions. The set play begins with Bl. giving a W guard on e5 where מוכה נותן את המט. משחק המעמד נראה אמיתי, עם each of the moves eliminates one piece available מסעים הגנתיים חזקים אשר יחזרו בהמשך המשחק. to deliver mate. These defenses do look like a הלבן צריך להפעיל את חצי הסוללה והנסיון הראשון real set-play as these moves are strong captures הוא פא7. הסוללה הלבנה שמורה היטב ולכן רק שח which will probably appear in future play. W כפול הוא האיום והוא גם המט מתוך משחק המעמד. גם needs to activate his half-battery and he first tries כאן, כמו בבעיה הקודמת, אחד ממסעי ההגנה הוא על ידי Sa7. As the battery line is heavy-guarded a המלך השחור והשני על ידי הכאת הכלי מתוך הסוללה double check is required, matching a mate from הלבנה. לאחר המסע מה5, היוצר כפיתה עצמית של כלי the set-play. Here as well, like in the previous problem, we have similar black defensive שחור, נדרש הלבן לתת מט חדש על ידי הסוללה והמסע motives: a K move and a capture of the battery ר:ו3 נמצא. לאחר פ:ד5 אנו רואים את השינוי מה:דpiece. After Ke5, self-pinning both pieces, 5 מכיוון ש-פד4 אינו אפשרי יותר. בפתרון המשחק דומה preparing to meet the threat with an unpin, W להתעיה )אין כאן הפתעות ( עם מט חדש צו6 אחרי needs to activate the battery in a new way and צ:ב5. בעיה נהדרת עם קרב מרתק ומעניין. ,Bxf3 is found. After Sxd5 we see a new mate Qxd5, as Sd4 is not available any more. In the solution we see a similar concept (no surprises D. Victor Chepizhny here ) with a new mate Rf6 after Rxb5. An Prize Shakhmatnaya Kompozitsiya 2011 excellent battle with an exciting and interesting r$Nd'd'g play. Very memorable! 0'd'0'4' C. A.S.Kuzovkov pGkdPd'd 1st Prize Shakhmatnaya Kompozitsiya 2010 )'d'd'd' 'grdN$nd 'd'd'd'd dQdpd'0' dPd'H'0' Nd'd'dbd 'dP0B0P0 0'dr0'd' I'db1ndn 'dp)kdPd H#2* 3.1.1.1 11+15 d'd'd')' 1...Rb7 2.Rb8 a Rc7 A # 1...Bh5 2.Qe2 b Be8 B # '0'd'dPd 1...Sd5 2.Se3 c Sb4 C # 1.Rxb8 a Sd5! 2.Rb7 Sb4 C # (1...Bh5? 2.Rb7 dKd'dBG' #4 11+12 Be8#??) 1.Sec7? ~ 2.Qxd5# but 1...Rxc7! 1.Qxe2 b Rb7! 2.Qb5 Rc7 A # (1...Sd5? 2.Qb5 1.Sac7? ~ 2.Sd6# but 1...Bxc7! Sb4#??) 1.Rf2! (2.Re2+ Kd3 3.Qb2) 1...Kd4+ 2.Rc2!+ 1.Sxe3 c Bh5! 2.Sd5 Be8 B # (1...Rb7? 2.Sd5 Ke4 3.Sac7! Bxc7/Rxc7 4.Rc4/Sd# 1...Ke3+ Rc7#??) 2.Rf5!+ Ke4 3.Sec7! Bxc7/Rxc7 4.Re5/Sc5# אנו קופצים לבעית מט ב4- מסעים עם 9 נקודות, מספר We jump to a four-mover with the seemingly low שנשמע נמוך אחרי הבעיות הקודמות, אך למעשה מספר score of 9 points, when compared to the previous זה גבוה מאוד והמשחק הוא מעניין ונחקק בזכרון. מה יש problems, but in fact that is a very high score and לנו כאן? הלבן מעוניין לבצע נובוטני על ג7 אך בכל אחד the play is very interesting and memorable. So מהנסיונות ד6 או ג5 נשארים ללא שמירה. מה עושים? what do we have here? White wants to do a נותנים למלך השחור מפלטים! המסע המפתיע צו2 פותר Novotny on c7, but that does not work as it 29

את הבעיה עם מתן 2 מפלטים ושניהם מסעי שח! על .leaves the guard of d6 or c5 in each of the tries מ:ד4 הלבן עונה ב-צג2 ומכין מט חדש על הנובוטני ב- So what do we do? Let’s give the black king ג4 בעוד שעל מה3 מתבצע אותו הרעיון עם צו5 ומט some flights! The surprising Rf2 solves the צ:ה5. בשני הוריאנטים משתמש הלבן בהתרה של problem with provision of two flights, both הצריח הלבן לאחר חזרת המלך השחור הביתה. בעיה giving checks as well! On Kxd4 white plays Rc2 and finds a new mate for the Novotny on c4, מדהימה אשר מדגימה את הנושא הלוגי בשילוב משחק while after Ke3 the same happens with Rf5 going אקטיבי ומעניין המדגיש את רוח הלחימה והיופי של for Rxe5. Both variations use the re-pin of the בעיות שחמט. .black rook when the black king goes back home אז מה עם מטי עזר קצרים, אותם בטח קל לחבר, נכון? Again, a spectacular problem of the logical style טוב... לא כל כך אחרי שמסתכלים על הבעיה האחרונה that does not abandon the concept of battle and במדור. הבעיה היא 'מפלצת' במלוא מובן המילה ומציגה .beauty of chess problems משחק מעמד, טמפו, ריבוי פתרונים ושינויים ציקליים. So what about short helpmates, those seem easy האמצעים שאיפשרו לחיבור הבעיה נראים בבהירות – to compose, right? Well… not after looking at 26 כלים מוצבים בצורה פלאית המאפשרים את המשחק. ’our last problem. This problem is a ‘monster הבעיה קיבלה 11.5 נקודות מהשופטים, בדומה לדו- ,helpmate as you can imagine - showing set-play מסעית הראשונה, אך כנראה שהציון 4 נקודות מכל tempo moves, multi solutions and cyclic שלושת השופטים, עם 12 נקודות מלאות, היה ההערכה changes. The measures used to complete the problem can be seen in the diagram - 26 pieces הנכונה עבור שתי יצירות מופת אלו. אשאיר את הלמידה placed somewhat miraculously to allow the של הבעיה האחרונה עבור הקוראים עם המלצה ,amazing play. The problem scored 11.5 points להתבוננות מעמיקה. ,similar to the first twomover of the column while probably the full 4 points from all 3 judges should have been the correct ‘artistic’ evaluation for both masterpieces. I will let the readers figure out the specifics of the problem themselves and I encourage a careful study.

אליפות הארץ בפתרון בעיות – פתרון שלב רבע הגמר שלב רבע הגמר הסתיים זה מכבר בהשתתפות כ- 130 פותרים מהם 120 פתרו נכונה את הבעיה. שלב חצי הגמר נשלח אל הפותרים וכולל, כבשנים קודמות, שש בעיות מסוגים שונים לפתרון. שלב הגמר יתקיים השנה ב5- ביוני במועדון אטיוד ברמת-גן ופרטים נוספים ימסרו בהמשך. ז'אן היימן מקום 1 פתרון: צרפת - רומניה 1952-53 1.מהז7! מאיים 2.מהה#5 Grd'$'d' 1...מהד3 2.פג#3 'd'd'd'! 1...מה:ו5 2.פו#6 1...מהו4 2.פג#7 dBdPd'd' 1)...צה3 2.צ:ה#3( d'dNdPd' d')kd'd' סגירות עצמיות ומשחק סוללה לבנה dRd'd'd' 'INd'd'd d'db4qd' לבן נוסע ונותן מט ב2- מסעים האיגוד לקומפוזיציה שחמטית בישראל משתתף בצערו של חברנו דוד שטרן במות אביו. תנחומינו לדוד ולמשפחה. תהי נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים.

30

דבר המערכת ממש לפני סגירתו של הגיליון אנו שמחים לדווח על המפגש לרגל יום הולדתו ה64- של יוחנן אפק, ולרגל 50 שנות פעילותו השחמטית, שהתקיים ב12- באפריל בבית השחמט ברמת אביב. האירוע אורגן ונוהל על ידי אמציה אבני )שיכול לפתוח בקלות בקריירה שניה של מגיש תוכניות/סטנד-אפיסט( ובמהלכו הוצגו בעיות, סיומים ומשחקים של יוחנן. חברים רבים מאיגודינו נכחו באירוע וגם נטלו בו חלק פעיל. דוח תחרות החיבור שהוכרזה לרגל האירוע מופיע בעמוד 4 והוא ברמה גבוהה כפי שמעידים 6 הפרסים מכלל 18 הבעיות שבדוח. אירוע נוסף הנחגג בגליון זה הוא יום הולדתו ה80- של יוסי רטר והדוח של תחרות החיבור התואמת מופיע בעמוד 2. גם כאן הרמה היתה גבוהה והדוח מכיל בעיות שיזכו לעניין רב בעולם. אנו משתדלים לסגור את הפערים בפרסום דוחות התחרות המתמדת. דוח הדו-מסעיות לשנת 2014 מופיע בעמוד 12 ולמרות מספר הבעיות הקטן שהשתתף הרמה היתה טובה. דוח הרב-מסעיות של סבן טרומלר )גרמניה( לשנים 2012 עד 2014 מופיע בעמוד 14 ושנים אלו הניבו בעיות יפות שזכו לתשבוחות של השופט. בעיית הפרס הראשון של יבגני ואריה ראוייה לעיון מעמיק. דוחות מטי העזר לשנים 2013 )עמוד 16( ו2014- )עמוד 19( בשיפוטם של קנת סוליה )פינלנד( ואנטוניו גרופלו )איטליה(, בהתאמה, מכילים כצפוי מספר גדול יותר של בעיות. לטעמי הפנינה בדוח של קנת היא בעיית הפרס הראשון במחלקת מטי העזר ב2- של אמיל קלמניק מסלובקיה. בדוח של אנטוניו, שבחר לא לחלק את הבעיות לפי אורכן, זכה בבכורה עופר. ברכותינו לכל הזוכים. המדור של גדי )עמוד 10( עוסק הפעם בבסיס הנתונים לסיומים של הרולד ון דר היידן ההולנדי. מעבר לתיאורו של אוסף חשוב זה, וכמה נתוני טריוויה מעניינים, מובאים כמה סיומים נהדרים הקשורים למחברים הרלוונטיים. מעניינת בעיקר תשובתו המעמיקה של גדי לשאלה מדוע מספר הסיומים התקינים בבסיס הנתונים קטן יחסית. במדור של עמנואל עוד מבחר מההצטיינויות הבלתי נגמרות של מחברינו בחו"ל, ובמדור של יבגני, שהוא מעט ארוך מהרגיל, בחינה מעמיקה של מספר בעיות מובילות מאליפות העולם האחרונה ליחידים.

תיקונים – Errata Two corrections for problems published in the previous issue. An earlier version was mistakenly published for Roy Ehrilch’s debut 2737. The correct study can be found below with the full solution. Problem 2761 had two unneeded black pawns. 2737: 1.Bd7+! (1.Nf5?! Qh7!) Kd8! (1.Kxd7?! 2.Re7+ Kxd6 (Kd8 3.Ne6+ Kc8 4.Rc7+ with mate in two; 2...Kc8 3.Ne6+ Kd8 (Kb8 Rh7+ (or Rc6+)) 4.Re7#!) 3.Nf5+ Kc5 4.Nxh6) 2.Nf5!! Bg6!? (Qg6 is beautiful: 3.Ka2!! Bf6! 4.Be6! with two variants: 4...Qg1 5.Bc7+ Ke8 6.Bc8+! Kf7 7.Nh6+! Kf8 8.Bd6+ (switchback) Kg7 9.Rg3+! or 4.Bxe2 white has a great position and good moves (like 5.Kb3), and a way to finish the story: 5.Bc7+ Ke8 6.d6! (7.d7+ Kf8 8.Bd6+ Be7 9.Bxe7#.Bc8+ is also good) Kf8! (prophylactic move) 7.d7! bxc4+! 8.Ka3! (bxc4?? Qxf5 whith a draw) 8...Bxe6 9.Rxe6 Qxf5 10.Rxf6+! (the last tactic) Qxf6 11.d8=Q+.amazing!) 3.Bc7+! Kxd7 4.Re7+ Kc8 5.Re8+! Bxe8 (Kd7 6.Rd8#) 6.Nxh6. 2761: 1.Bxc7+ Rbb6 2.Bd8 Qb5 3.Rc5 Qxc5# 1.Rxc5+ Sb5 2.Qc3 Bb6 3.Bc7 Bxc7# 2737 2761 Roy Erlich Paz Einat Ramat HaSharon Nes Ziona 'dkd'd'g 'd'd'd'd dpd'd'd' 0'g'd'0' ')'G'd'1 rdpGPdpd 0BdPd'db i'1RI')' PdPH'd'd p4'd')'d d'd'$'d' )'h'd'd' 'd'dPd'd 'd'd'd'd dKd'd'd' d'd'!'d' Win 10+6 HS#3 2.1… 8+13

31

ו ביטאון ר האיגודי א נ לקומפוזיציה ט י שחמטית םבישראל ת.ד. 637 פתח תקוה 49106 www.variantim.org

מס' 68 : אפריל 6 201 עורכים: פז עינת, רח' משה לוי 45א' נס-ציונה [email protected] 74207 עופר קומאי, בני אפרים 213, תל אביב [email protected] 69984 עורכי מדורי בעיות מקוריות: רגילות: יבגני בורד, העצמאות 55/15 אשדוד [email protected] 77452 אגדתיות: מיכאל גרושקו, ת.ד. 363, קרית ביאליק [email protected] 27019 סיומים: עופר קומאי האיגוד לקומפוזיציה שחמטית בישראל הינה עמותה שמטרתה לקדם את תחום בעיות השחמט בישראל. העמותה עורכת תחרויות חיבור, תחרויות פתרונים, ומפרסמת פרסומים שונים. העמותה משתתפת באירועים בין-לאומיים הכוללים את אליפות העולם בפתרון בעיות שחמט, אליפות העולם בחיבור בעיות שחמט ואירועים נוספים. חברות באיגוד לקומפוזיציה 2016 החברות באיגוד הקומפוזיציה פתוחה לכל חובבי השחמט ובעיות השחמט. דמי החבר כוללים קבלת חוברת ואריאנטים ופרסומים נוספים והשתתפות במגוון אירועים. דמי חבר רגילים: 210 ₪. דמי חבר לנוער, חיילים בחובה וגמלאים: 160 ₪. דמי עמית: 260 ₪. למצטרפים חדשים, או מי שלא היה חבר בשנתיים האחרונות, דמי החבר הם 100 ₪. יש לשלוח את דמי החבר בהמחאה לכתובת הנ"ל לפקודת: האיגוד לקומפוזיציה שחמטית בישראל

תחרות הפתרונים הבין לאומית ה12-, מועדון אטיוד רמת-גן 24.1.2016 . מימין לשמאל, שורה ראשונה: נדב שלמון, מרדכי צ'ובניק, ידעאל סטפק, תומר חיבה, מרק ארנבורג, דרור לובין. שורה שניה: יוסף גלנצשפיגל, רפאל אליאב, ישראל האן, עומר פרידלנד, לב גלנצשפיגל. 12th ISC Etiud club Ramat-Gan January 24, 2016. From Right to left, 1st row: Nadav Shalmon, Mordechai Chovnik, Yedael Stepak, Tomer Chiba, Mark Erenburg, Dror Lubin. 2nd row: Yossef Glanzspiegel, Rephael Eliav, Israel Han, Omer Friedland, Lev Glanzspiegel.

32