Award of 34th TT Chess Composition Microweb C 4.4.2014

1.Qb7! th. 2.Sh7+ Ke6 3.Sf8+ Gxf8(Gf1)#
1...Gh4 2.Sh3+ Ke6 3.Sf4+ Gxf4(Gf1)#
1...Ga5 2.Se4+ Ke6 3.Sc5+ Gxc5(Gc1)#
1...Gf8 2.Sf7+ Ke6 3.Sd8+ Gxd8(Gd1)#
1...Gd2 2.Sf3+ Ke6 3.Sd4+ Gxd4(Gd1)#

The time-hounored Siers-battery in an Anticirce selfmate! We find the Siers-Battery five times, once in the threat and four times in variants. All four moves of the bGd8 refute the threat and require another way of the w knight.

I decided not to give a prize because the first white move is obvious (It vacates the fields c1 and e6.) and the Anticirce condition is only used in the last black move.

1.PAb5? th. 2.Qf4+ Sxf4(Sb8)#
1...NAxb5(NAb1) 2.Qg5+ Kxg5(Ke8)#
1...Bg3!

1.VAb5! th. 2.Qg5+ Kxg5(Ke8)#
1...NAxb5(NAb1) 2.Qf4+ Sxf4(Sb8)#

The first problem with Le Grand theme. The Anticirce-effects are interesting, e.g. the play of wPao/ wVao to b8 and e8 and the construction bPaoa8-wKg8-bRh8.

Additionally we find a Pao/Vao-Grimshaw on b5 in order to realize the Le Grand mechanism.

The refutation of try is less typical for Anticirce.

1.RLf2? th. 2.Sb5+ BLg1#
1...e3 2.f8B+ BLc1#
1...BLd8!

1.RLd2! th. 2.f8B+ BLc1#
1...e3 2.Sb5+ BLg1#

I like the Anticirce-effects on c1 and g1 in order to realize the Le Grand theme. However the use of white rook-lion a2 is not satisfying. It is only a hurdle for the black bishop-lions.

1.Bg3? th. 2.Gg1 Gf6#
1...Gc1!

1.g4? A zz
1...Kg2 c 2.g5+ E Kb7=G3 (Ka2=G3) 3.G3g2 Gf6#
1...Kh2! b

1.g3? B zz
1...Kg1 a 2.G3a7+ D Kg6=G3 3.G3a1 Gf6#
1...Kh2 b 2.Gf4+ C Kc2=G 3.NHe2 Gd3#
1...Kg2! c

1.Gf4! C zz
1...Kg1 a 2.g4+ A Kb6=G3 3.Gd4 Gf6#
1...Kh2 b 2.g3+ B Kc2=G 3.NHe2 Gd3#

We find changed continuations after 1...Kg1 and 1...Kh2. Also there is some additional synthetics between different moves; but in my opinion the balance between the use of fairy pieces/ fairy condition and content isn't satisfactory.

1.d4? zz
1...f6!

1.d3? zz
1...f5!

1.b4! zz
1...f5 2.Ba4+ K3h5#
1...f6 2.Sa4+ K3h6#

A nice idea with a rare fairy piece. Also the tries are convincing. But because the fairy piece needs three hurdles the play looks clumsy.

1...NEe8+ 2.Ka7 NEa4 3.Za3 NEa2 4.Ka8 NEa4 5.Zd5 NEa2 6.Za7 NEa6#

1.Zf4? Kc7 2.Zc6 NEe8 3.Ka7 NEa4 4.Za3 NEa2 5.Ka8 NEa4 6.Zd5 NEa2 7.Za7 NEa6#
1...Kd8+!

1.Zf8! NEe8+ 2.Ka7 NEa8 3.Zd5 NEg2 4.Zf2 NEe2 5.Ka8 NEg2 6.Zc4 NEe4 7.Za7 NEc6#

The advantage of this five-man problem is the try. But such "puzzles" are not to my taste.

1.h8LI? Kb2!

1.h8NL! zz
1...Kb2 2.NLe2+ Kf2=LI#
1...Ka2 2.NLb3+ Kc4=LI#
1...Kb1 2.NLc2+ Kd3=LI#

Three variations by the play of black king and white nightrider lions. The play is a little bit symmetric.