Award of 1st TT Chess Composition Microweb - fairy section - C 28.2.1999

Judged by Juraj Lörinc.

Two remarks before award:
1. Excuse mistakes in my English, please. It is probably the first time I write something official in it and most Microweb readers already could notice almost complete absence of articles in my texts. I never learned their correct use, but I believe they affect readability of text only a little. There are of course also other errors.
2. Awarded problems are sorted to begin with last and then going to more and more successful. I like this unusual ordering as the quality increases and readers can enjoy works throughout the whole award.

5 helpmates competed. I was rather dissapointed with complete absence of longer helpmates and fairy pieces, but the reality at least made my work a bit simpler.
Close examination of entries revealed some unused possibilities in one of submitted problems - I think author can improve it and possibly get a high-class fairy helpmate. Other four works in my opinion deserve their placings as follows.

15.III.1999

Frantisek Sabol (Czech Republic) 2nd Comm 1st TT CCM (fairy section) C 28.2.1999 F2	a) 1.Rxf8 d8R 2.Re8 a8Q# b) 1.Qxf8 d8S 2.Qe8 a8B# White AUW with reciprocal change of functions Qa1 - Rg1. White first move is well motivated (pinning), but black play is rather dull and economy is much worse than in HM.

h#2 (5+10) MarsCirce b) a4 -» h3

Raffi Ruppin (Israel) 1st Comm 1st TT CCM (fairy section) C 28.2.1999 F4	a) 1.Sc5+ Rxc5(Ra1) 2.Re4 Ra8# b) 1.Sf3 Rxf3(Rh1) 2.Re5 Rh8# Minimal shift of black king causes the big change in play of both sides. This is mainly due to the fact that with bK on d8 the Bb7 can capture on a8 and similarly in other phase. Unfortunately, Bb7 can also parry check from a8 interfering on c8 directly. Other two flaws are hidden in move 1.Sc5+: it uncovers b8 (unmatched in the b) position) and is an unpleasant check. On the bright side we have real whole-board strategy with satisfying degree of Anticirce analogy and last, but not least, white minimal.

h#2 (2+13) Anticirce b) c8 -» d8

Frantisek Sabol (Czech Republic) HM 1st TT CCM (fairy section) C 28.2.1999 F3	a) 1.c1S a8S 2.Sxd7 h8Q# b) 1.h1B h8B 2.Bxd7 a8R# Again white AUW, this time white promotion 1st move repeats the same black. Together we have 6 promotion moves out of 8 what makes a significant ratio. Also motives are elegantly matched although taking flight on white 1st is much cheaper than pinning in similar 2nd Comm. I think composer found an optimal setting - "kindergarten" on diagram looks mildly. But that all isn't enough for prize, not forgetting that economy is again victim of Mars Circe limited mating square possibilities...

h#2 (4+9) MarsCirce b) b3 -» h4

Michal Dragoun (Czech Republic) Prize 1st TT CCM (fairy section) C 28.2.1999 F1	a) 1.Sf5 Kxe6(Qd8) 2.Sxb3(Qd1) Rd7# b) 1.Sc4+ Kxf4(Rh8) 2.Sxf7(Rh1) Qh3# There are two flaws in this problem I must mention: as in 1st Comm, we have one upleasant check on the first black move and Qh3# takes g2 - the motive having no counterpart in other phase. The rest is... ...well ahead thought Circe + Madrasi strategy. 1st black move closes line of paralysis (that is used much later, on mating move). Then both units forming other paralyzed pair are transported to their home squares by means of capture - black knight also opens file on which these home squares are placed, thus keeping pieces paralyzed. White mates by final closing of this file and this cannot be parried by capture due to Circe selfcheck! Note multiple reciprocal change of functions (wQ-wR, bQ-bR, bS-bS) and almost ideal economy (only pg4 is a bit strange) - also from this point of view the very best entry.

h#2 (3+7) Circe Madrasi b) e1 -» g1

Comments to Juraj Lörinc.
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