No.634 (LG)

No.634 Grolman – Generally speaking the Four fold cyclic white batteries’ creation is a super theme. Therefore, the author is worth of admiration for his ambition and diligence! I understand quite well how difficult it is to compose such a Task. On another hand, I know very well the works of Grolman – an original and profound fairy composer who never develops simple themes! BUT…

In my opinion, there are no grounds to evaluate No.634 as a super problem. In aesthetic aspect the problem creates a depressing impression. There is a huge number of very strong black static technical figures on the board (cook & dual stoppers, etc…) and also strong pieces playing in only one solution. A complete thematical identity between the four solutions doesn’t exist as well. Thus, after 1…PAc5 2. Nf5+ there is a rough non-thematic capture of Ba6 – here the play of black N/B battery is de facto a bad random element that does not exist in the other solutions. The only nice model mate there is in the last solution ( after 1…Ne6 ).

I believe, that author can try creating a better version with 4 solutions – I’m not convinced that No.634 is an optimal constructive achievement! Perhaps, at least some partial improvements are possible here because the constructive wonders are obviously impossible..
But it seems to me that in such cases a better version can be obtained using the twins! After some experiments, I actually have found some versions where the twin-form gives much better results than No.634.
As a composer, I am opponent of the principle “Task at any cost” – without paying attention to the large number of minuses in the construction. The form is an important criterion for the aesthetic evaluation of the work of art.. In many task-problems some technical compromises are eligible (because they are inevitable!) but these compromises should exist in the aesthetically acceptable limits. It is not permissible to almost completely ignore and to deteriorate the form because of the content – whatever it is!

Even without the analysis, the realization seems very “expensive”. It’s not only about 16 black pieces but about how they are used, especially the fairy pieces.
A very expensive realization might suggest that the idea itself is not naturally suitable for the chosen genre.

However, that might exactly be a challenge for a composer, how to construct a correct problem, despite all difficulties.
Although the esthetic impression is questionable, the task is achieved. The constructional creativity should be thoroughly analyzed and compared with the constructions of similar tasks.

There are orthodox helpmates showing 4-fold cycle of batteries. Here, all 4 white thematic pieces participate in the mates. That is achievable in orthodox h#2 with twins, even in Meredith.
4-solutions are certainly a great bonus but only if it is not too expensive.
bK doesn’t change his square, that is another feature of the task, perhaps justifying the fairy pieces.

4 different thematic fairy pieces should not be a minus because the author’s intention should be respected as the primary esthetic criterion.
How these pieces are used? – that is the question for the commentators.

Evaluation of any task requires a comparative analysis of the similar tasks, to see what was already done and how it was done.