Original Problems (23)

63 by Julia shows a very nice idea – Reciprocal battery formation by N/Q. This main idea may perhaps be shown without Anti Andernach. . But the additional features of black queen and rook changing functions makes the problem very interesting.

62 by Brunori is neat demonstration of Lion moves !

No.63 Julia Vysotska
An interesting problem that causes many comments.
About the theme, my opinion is: the use of Fairy condition Anti-Andernach condition is justified here by the curious motif – reciprocal captures of Qb5 and Rd5 after a change of colors of these figures. The formation of reciprocal black batteries N/Q and Q/N after white moves is not a miracle here – we know that the same can be created also after black moves – without use of Anti-Andernach. But in combination with the play of black Q/R, the creation of black batteries in №63 is a good motivated idea.
Another small but interesting detail in № 63 is the destruction of the initial white battery S/Q. Without this motive it would be possible to create a problem with 13 pieces – scheme № 1:

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Which problem is better – № 1 or № 63? It is not easy to answer this question. As a subjective position, I can say that № 63 is better. Although here the white battery S/Q is only virtual, this small thematic motif is nice – the Queen stands better as a rear battery-piece on c1 as in scheme № 1.
The most interesting and controversial question in № 63 refers to the role of Ng8. This figure has many functions: blocks “g8”, keeps “c6”, controls diagonal a1-h8 as a “cook stopper”. Nevertheless, Ng8 is obviously a technical fairy piece. According to the some classic (but not official!) criteria, such figures are unwanted elements in a problem.
I think that this classical interpretation is also debatable, but this is a big topic and it could not be discussed here. I can only tell that in many so called “Alphabetical problems” (#2,#3, etc…) we see on the board a lot of such technical pieces, but most judges do not consider them as a weakness.
My personal opinion is that in a chess problem of any type, a fairy figure “X” can perform technical functions under the following conditions:
1. There is no other way to solve well a technical (constructive) problems in our composition;
2. Other fairy-pieces of type “X” (or even from family “X” only) exist on the board as a thematic figures;
3. As a technical component, ”X” performs sufficiently active function(s). In this respect is good, when “X” performs more than one technical function, for example: blocks, keeps squares around the opponent’s king, plays in additional (non thematic) variations, executes some non thematic tries, etc.
The main, specific questions related to № 63 are two: 1. Can Ng8 be removed from the board? 2. At what price it can be realized?
The second question is very important because a new version (without Ng8) which have other, major technical and thematic minuses, cannot be a step forward.
Peter Harris offers an interesting version – № 2 in which Ng8 is absent (the number of pieces is the same as in № 63).

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№2: 1.Nd5-b1(N) Re4xd4 2.Qa3-a1(N) Rd4-d7(B) 3.Rd7xe7+ Nb1xe7#
1.Qa3-d3(N) Qe7xb7 2.Nd5-b4(N) Qb7-a8(B) 3.Qa8xe4+ Qd3xe4#. Here the unwanted Nh2 is changed to a white Bishop – at first sight, a good idea!
In №2 we have total 4 technical white figures: Bh2, Bg6, Sf6, Sg8. The number of technical figures in №63 is only 3: Ng8, Sc2, Bc7.
In other words, the bad Ng8 in №63 is eliminated in №2, but of expensive price – instead of Ng8 in №63, in № 2 are placed on the board two new technical white figures: Bishop and Knight. In my opinion, these pieces are not sufficient compensation for the removed white N.
In №2 there is no initial white S/Q battery, through this element can be only a small plus of №63. Another but also not big thematic weakness in №2 is the imbalance between the two solutions in thematic aspect. Obviously, the second solution is minimal better – the black Q captures wP, creating a new R/Q battery, then Q plays along the same thematic line and destructs this battery. These little, but sympathetic motives are absent in the first solution.
On this reason, I think that №2 can not be acceptable as an improvement of № 63.
But Peter’s idea is fruitful and deserves attention – as a basis for new experiments! For example, analyzing № 2, I’ve found a position in which the economy of white pieces is better – №3.

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№3. Here we have one white piece less, two solutions are quite adequate in thematic attitude: 1.Ne5-a7(N) Rd4xd5 2.Qc8-a8(N) Rd5-g5(B) 3.Rg5xg4+ Na7xg4#; 1.Qc8-c5(N) Qg4xh3 2.Ne5-d7(N) Qh3-h8(B) 3.Qh8xd4+ Qc5xd4#. But here also absent the initial white S/Q battery from Julia’s №63.

Interesting are comments of Ram, who believes that the contents of № 63 (somewhat) can be realized without the condition Anti-Andernach. It’s true – the reciprocal formation of Q/N and N/Q batteries is well known as a theme of many old problems, which have not fairy conditions.
Seetharaman’s versions are good constructed but I think that these compositions stand far from the problem of Julia. To a certain extent these works may be autonomous, although they have many similar structure components in comparison with № 63. But I think that Ram’s versions can not be a basis for improving of № 63.
As almost independent problems these versions have a different value. The first position (Kh8/Kc5) is very economical but the white play is rather elementary – therefore, I perceive this position only as tentative scheme. By the by, here my recommendation is to try some schemes with black Ka5 and with Rook-check (s) on b5/e5. An interesting idea would be: two w.Rooks which realize interchange of functions: if one R blocks square around the w.K, other R gives check, on the contrary.
The second version (Kh1/Ke6) is a good problem, with interesting play of white Rooks. By the by, here the white strategy is “mixed” – different motives in play of Rc3 (line-opening) and Rg7 (self – blocks). Such method for creation of contents in HS# genre deserves interest.
Unfortunately, there is a minimal imbalance between the two solutions: in the first solution the Rook gives check and the Nightrider closes the Rook, but in the other solution we have sacrifice of the Rook and capture by the black N. In my practice I fix such defects, even at the expense of more material.
In my opinion, this problem is possible to publish as original from Ram with an additional note, for example: “After Julia Vysotska”.