Award of 22nd TT Chess Composition Microweb C 11.11.2007

Note: solution works in Popeye convention for (Anticirce + locust) with rebirths on file of arrival square, but not in WinChloe convention with rebirth on file of captured unit. WinChloe users should use additional condition "Une piece capturante renait relativement a la case de capture".

a)1.Ra8 NEe3 2.Nxe3(Ne8) Sf2+ 3.Kd5+ Kb6#

b)1.Rh8 TRe5 2.Nxe5(Ne8) Sg5+ 3.Kd4+ Kb5#

Black King acts as a front piece of two different batteries with nice specific Anticirce effects: move of white Rook and capture by white Nightrider (and thus its rebirth on e8) allow move of white King on d-file, sacrifices of black pieces add Zilahi theme. Very good economy.

Note: solution works in Popeye convention for (Anticirce + locust) with rebirths on file of arrival square, but not in WinChloe convention with rebirth on file of captured unit. WinChloe users should use additional condition "Une piece capturante renait relativement a la case de capture".

a)1.axb1Q(Qd8)+ cxd8S(Sg1) 2.Sxc4(Sg8) Se2#

b)1.axb1R(Ra8)+ bxa8B(Bf1) 2.Sxe5(Sb8) Be2#

Typical Anticirce elements (rebirth allowing capture by white pawn, capture as a only possibility to avoid switchback of the black piece) are nicely combined with AUW.

a) 1.nLEg8 LEd6 2.Kc5 LEde6#

b) 1.nLEd8 LEd4 2.Kc4 LE4d7#

c) 1.nLEh1 LEfe7 2.Kd6 LE7e4#

d) 1.nLEh5 LEf4 2.Ke4 LEfg5#

Four times full analogy in the solutions: neutral Leo h8 prepares guard, white Leo creates battery, black King moves and Locust-Leo battery mates, twice on the diagonal b4-f8 and twice on 4th rank. However white Leo is only once used for direct guard.

a) 1...Se4 2.Ke5 Sxd6+ 3.Kf6(e7) Sb7 4.e6 LOxe6-e7+ 5.Kxe7(d7) Sd8(LOg8) 6.Ke8 Sc6#

b) 1...Sd5 2.Ke4 LOxd6-c6 3.Kd3(c5) LOxc5-c4+ 4.Kxc4(b6) Sb4(LOa3) 5.Kb5 Sa6 6.Ka5 Sc7#

From three similar problems in Circe Parrain I have decided to award this one. Problem No. 2 is inferior because of modest use of fairy condition in position a) and in comparison with No. 11 I consider one halfmove more as an advantage. Although strategy is not so deep as in other problems, economy is admirable.

1.LEh4 LEc6 2.LExf4 LExc3 3.LEg5+ LEf6#

1.LEh6 LEc1 2.LExf6 LExc4 3.LEg5+ LEf4#

In each solution there is a black and white switchback and between solutions reciprocal functions exchange of two black and one white pieces pair. Despite of that, the overall impression is somewhat mechanical.

1...SIe8#
1...SIh5#

1.Sf4! th. 2.Sg2+ fxg2 3.Qe2+ Sdxe2#
1...SIe8+ 2.Qe4+ Bxe4 3.Sd5+ Bxd5#
1...SIh5+ 2.Sd5+ Bxd5 3.Qe4+ Bxe4#

The only selfmate in the tourney. Mates by black Sirene from setplay create variations and threat is thematic too. But key pinning the black Knight is not good and position is quite symmetric.

a) 1.LIxd5 TRf4 2.LIa2 TRf1 3.Qxd6+ LIxd6#

b) 1.LIxd4 TRf6 2.LIb2 TRf1 3.Qxd5+ LIxd5#

c) 1.LIxd6 TRf5 2.LIa6 TRf1 3.Qxd4+ LIxd4#

Cyclic function exchange of three tritons and switchback of white Lion in three positions, but again I have from this problem a little bit schematic feeling.

a) 1.Sbd4 (Scd4?) Sg1 2.Kxd5 Sa5#

b) 1.Scd4 (Sbd4?) Sd8 2.Kxe3 Sxc1#

Some elements remind me to problems of Harry Fougiaxis (1st Prize feenschach 1991 and Special Prize Becherovka 2000), however I believe that this combination is new (especially pins of black Knights) and analogy is perfect. Of course, I donīt like zeroposition very much and for that reason only a commendation.

1.Sf4? zz
1...Ke4 2.Sg4#
1...Kxg5 2.Sd5#
1...Kxf4!

1.b7? zz
1...Ke4 2.Sc6#
1...Kxe6 2.Sc4#
1...Kxe5!

1.b4! zz
1...Ke4 2.Sc4#
1...Kxe6 2.Sc6#
1...Kxe5 2.Sf4#

Reciprocal exchange of mates is enriched by one more changed mate and one added variation in the third phase. In all phases White mates by normal and locust-specific battery and white Knights have to choose their jump carefully to avoid move of black (Locust)-King. However, I would prefer (and place higher) version without wSb5 with two solutions.