PROBLEMAZ AWARD : TWOMOVERS 2008

by Hubert Gockel

17 problems of 10 authors from 7 countries took part in this tournament of average quality.

Thanks to Abdelaziz for the invitation to act as the judge and to Udo Degener who kindly checked the entries for anticipations. A number of problems by Schneider/Pankratjev surfaced which prevented a distinction for No. 325 (Onkoud).

1st prize – 415 Marco Guida

Marco Guida

Mat en 2 coups

 1.D×b5 ? Dd6 ? Dd8 ? [2.Cf5‡ A et 2.Cç6‡B ]
 1…Cç5 2.D×ç5‡
 mais 1…Th7 !

 1.Db7 ? [2.Cf5‡ A ]
 1…b×ç4 x 2.Cç6‡B
 mais 1…Tf4 !

 1.T×g5 ! [2.Cç6‡ B]
 1…b×ç4 x 2.Cf5‡ A
 1…Th7 2.Df4‡
 1…f×g5 2.Dé5‡
 1…f5 2.Dé5‡

Quick tries by the wQ to put a 2nd guard on d5 enable the threats of both thematic S-moves, but Black pins the threat piece. Another try and the solution prevent the pin (or cater for it) at the cost of one of the threats, respectively (Barnes theme). Now, the black thematic defence 1.- b:c4 creates flights on two different squares which White can undo by delivering the other mate (Le Grand theme) thanks to Theme B line opening effects. Good harmonious contents and construction, the key introduces two new mates. A clear winner !

2nd prize – 324 Pavel Murashev

Pavel Murashev

Mat en 2 coups

 1.F×g6 ? [2.f×é5‡]
 1…F×f4 2.C×f5‡
 1…F×d4 2.F×f5‡
 1…Cd3 2.F×f5‡
 1…R×d4 2.Tç4‡
 mais 1…Ff6 !

 1.C×f5 ! blocus
 1…R×f5 2.F×g6‡
 1…g×f5 2.f×é5‡
 1…g5 2.f×g5‡
 1…d×ç5,d5 2.D×é5‡
 1…Cb 2.Cg3‡

Radical change : The try features active play of Bishops, a greedy white one and a ¾ star of its black counterpart. A less offensive but more successful take and give sacrifice key pins the bB but allows three different black moves to serve up a more prominent variation play. The link between try and solution is the exchange of key and mate of two white moves after different black answers. Fresh impression.

1st H. M. – 327 A. Onkoud & J. Rotenberg

Abdelaziz Onkoud & Jacques Rotenberg

Mat en 2 coups

 1.ç×b7 ? menace 2.Céf5‡ A et 2.Cdf5‡ B
 mais 1…Fç6 !

 1.Tç1 ? menace 2.Cdf5‡ B
 1…F×d6 2.Cf5‡ A
 1…Fç4 2.T×ç4‡
 mais 1…g×f3 !

 1.Db6 ! menace 2.Céf5‡ A
 1…F×é3 2.Cf5‡ B
 1…Cé4 2.Td5‡
 1…Fç4 2.Db2‡
 1…T×a2 2.C×b5‡

C5 or e5 become flight squares if either wS immediately checks on f5. Preparation is done by exchanging the roles of wR and wQ in actively guarding c5 and passively retaining masked control of e5. A third masked line to e5 now opens when Black captures the threat piece simulateously allowing the other wS to exploit the Theme A effect. This pseudo Le Grand theme ist completed by a separate Barnes try, unfortunately refuted too obvious. So, I much more appreciate the changed mate after 1.- Bc4.

2nd H. M. – 248 Zivko Janevski

Zivko Janevski

Mat en 2 coups

 1.Ff4 ? [2.Dé3‡]
 1…D×h3 2.Fé3‡
 1…D×f4 2.D×f4‡
 1…Cé5+ 2.F×é5‡
 1…Cç4 2.D×d3‡
 mais 1…f1=C !

 1.Dç7 ! [2.Dç3‡]
 1…D×h3 2.Df4‡
 1…Cé5+ 2.D×é5‡
 1…Cç4 2.D×ç4‡

The set dual after 1.-Ce5+ lets one guess that try and key consist of Anti-Bristols in terms of mutual interference of wB and wQ. This not only makes the answer unique but also provides for another changed mate. The third changed mate is based on the exchanged interference of wQ with her wRR, even optically a nice add-on. Economic use of white forces which, alas, cannot be applied to Black.

3rd/4th – H. M. 322 P. Tritten & J.M. Loustau and 416 A. Hirschenson

Pierre Tritten & Jean Marc Loustau	Aaron Hirschenson
Mat en 2 coups	Mat en 2 coups

1 Fc7 ? menace 2 f4# A et 2 Cf4# B 1… bxc3, 2 Db3# Mais 1… Dh6 ! (effet nuisible blanc : la Dame a perdu l’accès à f7 : 2 Dxf7 ?? impossible)

1 Dc7 ? menace 2 f4# A et 2 Cf4# B 1… Dh6, 2 Dxf7# Mais 1… bxc3 ! (effet nuisible blanc : la Dame a perdu l’accès à b3 : 2 Db3 ?? impossible)

2 essais sur la même case introduisant 2 menaces sur la même case. A noter au passage l’essai suivant, autre coup anticritique du Fou g3 : 1 Fb8 ? menace 2 f4# A et 2 Cf4# B ; Mais 1… Txb8 !

1 Db5 ? menace 2 Cxe3# C et 2 Dc4# D 1… Cc6 ad libitum ??? 2 Cxe3# C Mais 1… Ce5 ! y (effet nuisible blanc : le Cavalier noir est décloué ; et non 2 Cxe3+ ? Rd6 !)

Le jeu réel ne comporte plus qu’une seule menace : 1 Da6 !! menace 2 Dc4# D 1… Cc6 ad libitum, 2 f4# A, mat Somov B1 1… Ce5 !? y 2 Cf4# B (et non 2 f4+ ? Cf3 !), mat Somov B2 1… Cd4 !? 2 Cxe3# C (et non 2 f4+ ? Cf3 !) 1… bxc3, 2 Cxc3# changé (On peut éventuellement relever la "variante-menace" non dualistique : 1… Dh6 ??? 2 Dc4#)

Thème Franco-Russe (les essais sont réfutés à cause de dommages blancs ; la clé réunit les dommages blancs des essais).

 1.Rd6 ? [2.F×b6‡ A et 2.Cç6‡ B ]
 mais 1…T×a5 !

 1.Fé4 ? [2.Cç6‡ B et 2.Tç4‡ C ]
 1...f×é4 !

 1.D×f5 ? [2.F×b6‡C et 2.Tç4‡D ]
 1…F×f5 2.C×f5‡
 mais 1…T×b4 !

 1.é7 ? [2.Cé6‡ D]
 1…F×g7 2.D×f4‡
 1…F×f7 2.C×f5‡ mais 1…f×g4 !

 1.D×g6 ? [2.C×f5‡]
 mais 1…F×g7 !

 1.Dg3 ! [2.Df2‡]
 1…Cf4 2.F×b6‡ A
 1…Cd5 2.Cç6‡ B
 1…Cd3 2.Tç4‡ C
 1…C×é6 2.C×é6‡ D
 1…g1=D/F 2.D×g1‡

My observation now in the post-WCCT8-era is, that a big deal of problems flood the market where, like here twice, the wQ relinquishes the set pin of a bS and corresponding correction play unfolds in common fashion. Certainly, both problems have their merits but are not fresh enough to climb higher places in this award.

1st Com. – 319 Loustau

Jean Marc Loustau

Mat en 2 coups

 Jeu apparent : 1... Dxf5+ 2 Dxf5#
 Jeu réel : 1 Dg8 ! menace 2 Fd5# et 2 Da8#
 1... De5 2 Cf2# EN:e5 est gardée
 1... Dd4 2 Cg3# EN:d4 est gardée ; non 2 Cf2+ ? Dxf2 !
 1... Dxe6 2 Cxc3# EN : abandon de garde de c3 ; non 2 Cf2+ ? ni 2 Cg3+ ? Rd5 !
 1... Dxf5+ 2 Fxf5# changé ;EN : le Fou a accès à f5 ; non 2 Cf2+ ? ni 2 Cg3+ ? ni 2 Cxc3+ ? Impossible. (1 Fxf6 ? [2 Cf2/Cg3/Cxc3/] exf6 2 Db7# mais 1... Fxf6 !)

 4ème degré noir

Feeling generous, one could attest some kind of correction play, here. But a pure 4th degree redering ? I tend to say “No”.

2nd Com. – 321 Hirschenson

Aaron Hirschenson

Mat en 2 coups

 1.é4 ? [2.Ff4‡2.d4‡]
 mais 1…Ff3 !

 1.g4 ? [2.d4‡]
 mais 1…T×d6 !

 1.Cd4 ? [2.Ff4‡]
 mais 1…T×f6 !

 1.Dç8 ! [2.D×é6‡]
 1…T×d6 2.Ff4‡
 1…T×f6 2.d4‡

Hannelius theme with crude flight robbing tries and a familiar ambush key. The Barnes phase perhaps assures a bit of origininality.

Metzingen, June 4th, 2010

Hubert Gockel