Original Problems (pages 11-20)

No.33 Nikola Predrag – A very nice problem! I fully agree here with the Juraj`s comments about the type of batteries, where are used Locusts. I will comment more the Dentist theme developed here. In my opinion, the performance of Dentist is possible when there is a particular mechanism, which contains:

a) A thematic line “x” with the initial position of the figures (two white and one black): the white King, the white pinned piece “X”, and the black figure “Y” which executes the pin.

b) А black piece “Z” (it can be also a Pawn) which in the initial setting doesn’t stand on “x”, but in a thematic play moves on this line with two effects:
ba) creates a masced black battery (a mechanism with 4 figures: white King, forward piece “Z”, rear piece “Y”, masced piece – “X”);
bb) unpins “X” which moves and the battery Z/Y gives mate!

This clasic and very old form of Dentist is well known from selfmate-genre and its development in the genre HS# (HS=, etc) poses no difficulty. A simple and mechanical transmission of typical S# schemes in the genre HS# does not represent any interest. Such an approach here could lead only to the predecessors – a typical and rather unpleasant moment here.

Therefore, the Dentist theme should be realized in HS# genre more complex – in a form that is inapplicable in selfmates. There are many ways to complicate the Dentist and one of them is, of course, the promotion of the black figure “Z”, but not on the thematic line “x”. By the by, the use of fairy figures here is a way to demonstrate a new interpretation but I recommend also to search ways for complexity of Dentist – as a set of different interesting motifs.

Predrag`s problem demonstrates nice play typical for batteries, created with Locust. In my opinion here we have a nonstandard form of Dentist because in the initial setting we should promote a black Pawn, not on the thematic line, which executes the “Z – role” but executing two half-moves! This is a nice and relatively new moment. But generally, the problem creates the impression of something incomplete.Of course, the bad thing here is the technical role of Sf3. On another hand, the both solutions are not full adequate in thematic attitude. In the solution sfter 1….e1R 2. Kc2 we have a different motive – the white King leaves the original thematic line and arrives at another thematic line! This is an original moment , but it is obvious that the full thematic adequacy doesn’t exist here between the both solutions.

Using the same basic scheme, it is possible to achieve much more interesting interpretation, but without black promotions. My proposal is the following:

[img[/img]

a) 1.Sc2-a1 Sg5-e6+ 2.Kc5-d6+ Kc3-b4 3.Qc6-c5+ Se6xc5#
b) 1.Sb2-d3 Rd4-e4 2.Kc5-d5+ Kc3-b3 3.Qc6-c4+ Re4xc4#

At first, here we have a complicated, nonstandard form of the Dentist – the typical Dentist mechanism doesn’t exist in the initial setting – it should be created first! The w.Q is not pinned piece! The first white moves create a Dentist mechanism through pinnings of the white Queen! This is of course a paradoxical moment here. A good additional moment is also the surprising play of white K/Q battery.

In summary, here we have interchange of functions between 3 pairs (!) of thematic pieces:
a) RLa6 and BLa8;
b) Sg5 and Rh7 (in one solution here S executes role of “Z” but R keeps sqares around the w.K; in the other solution R executes “Z-role” but S keeps square e6;
c) Sb2 and Sc2 – guard the squares around the black King but in reciprocal roles – in one solution Sb2 is static, Sc2 is dynamic, in the other – on the contrary.

By the by, such multiple interchange of function was the theme in the world known Romanian T.T. Tzuika – 2011.
I plan to publish a special article about Dentist theme in HS# genre, where I hope to show the most interesting modifications of this theme that are completely new field with huge possibilities in HS#.