No.253  Peter Harris (South Africa)

Original Problems, Julia’s Fairies – 2013 (I): January – April →Previous ; →Next ; →List 2013(I) Please send your original fairy problems to: julia@juliasfairies.com

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No.253 by Peter Harris – A nice four-men which is difficult for solve! (JV)

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Definitions:

Sentinelles: When a piece (Pawn excluded) leaves a square outside the first and last rows, it leaves a Pawn of the color of the side that played unless 8 Pawns in this color are already on the board.

Super-Circe: When captured, a piece is reborn on any free field on the chess board without causing self-check or selfmate. Possible is also removal of captured piece from the board. The Pawns (white, black, neutrals, half- neutrals) can be reborn on the first or eight row also. When reborn on the first row (for Black) or on the eight row (for White) the promotion is obligatory. When reborn on the first row (for White) or on the eight row (for Black) the Pawns are immovable.

Chameleon Chess: All pieces on the board which are displayed as orthodox  Q, R, B, S,  are Chameleons. A Pawn can promote only in Chameleon-pieces.

Chameleon: On completing a move, a Chameleon (from classical standard type) changes into another piece, in the sequence Q-S-B-R-Q…  Promotion may be to a chameleon at any stage in the cycle.

Anti-Andernach: A piece (excluding King) changes its color after any non-capturing move. After capture, the piece retains its color. Rooks on a1, h1, a8 and h8 can be used for castling, provided the usual other rules for that move are satisfied. After castling, Rooks do not change color, If White makes a non-capturing move with neutral or halfneutral piece, that piece becomes black and vice versa.

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No.253 Peter Harris South Africa original-14.02.2013 Dedicated to Petko A. Petkov   ser-hs#6    b) wBa7→wRa7        (2+2) Sentinelles Super-Circe Chameleon Chess Anti-Andernach Chess     Solution: (click to show/hide)   a) 1.Kd7-c8[+bPd7] 2.d7-d6=wP 3.Bc7xd6=R [+wPa6][+bPc7] 4.Rd6xa6=Q [+wPb8=wS][+bPd6] 5.c7-c6=wP Sb8xa6=B [+bQd8] + 6.Kc8-c7 # b) 1.Kd7-c6[+bPd7] 2.Kc6-c5[+bPc6] 3.Bc7-b6=wR[+bPc7] 4.Kc5xb6 [+wRd4][+bPc5] 5.c5xd4 [+wRc4] Rc4xd4=Q [+bPa1=bR][+wPc4] + 6.Ra1xa7=Q [+wRc5] #

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No.235  János Mikitovics (Hungary)

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No.235 – s#7 by János Mikitovics – A nice fairy 5-men! (JV)

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Definitions:

Maximummer – Black must play the geometrically longest move or may choose from among longest moves of equal length, distances being measured from the center of each square. Diagonal and oblique distances are measured from the orthogonal coordinates by using Pythagora’s theorem (take the square root of the sum of the squares of the orthogonal distances). All other orthodox chess rules apply.

KoKo – A move is possible only if the piece moved arrives on a square next to another unit.

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No.235 János Mikitovics Hungary original-21.01.2013 Dedicated to Petko A. Petkov   s#7                                             (3+2) Maximummer b) Maximummer; KoKo Nightrider g8     Solutions: (click to show/hide)   a) 1.Ng8-f6 zz. Rf2-a2 2.Bh5-f3 + Ra2-g2 3.Bf3-e2 zz. Rg2-g8 4.Ke3-f2 zz. Rg8-g1 5.Nf6-b4 zz. Rg1-g8 6.Kf2-f1 + Kh1-h2 7.Nb4-f2 Rg8-g1 # b) 1.Ke3-e2 zz. Rf2-f8 2.Ng8-e7 zz. Rf8-f1 3.Ke2-f2 zz. Rf1-e1 4.Kf2-f1 zz. Re1-e6 5.Kf1-g1 + Kh1-g2 6.Ne7-g6 zz. Re6*g6 7.Bh5-f3 + Kg2-f1 # (Py 4.61) Mutual batteries and zugzwangs, self-blockades, selfpin-unpin, Baby-aristocrat. (Author)

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No.224, 225  Petko A. Petkov

Original Problems, Julia’s Fairies – 2013 (I): January – April →Previous ; →Next ;  →List 2013(I) Please send your original fairy problems to: julia@juliasfairies.com

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No.224 – hs#4 by Petko A. Petkov – An excellent Meredith with very difficult thematic! (JV)

No.225 – h#2 by Petko A. Petkov – An interesting cyclical play of the neutral trio! (JV)

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Definitions:

LEO(LE): Moves as Queen, but captures only by hopping over a hurdle to any square beyond.

PAO(PA): Moves as Rook, but captures only by hopping over a hurdle to any square beyond.

VAO(VA): Moves as Bishop, but captures only by hopping over a hurdle to any square beyond.

NAO(NA): Moves as Leo, but on Nightrider-lines instead of Queen-lines.

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No.224 Petko A. Petkov Bulgaria original-12.01.2013   hs#4             2 solutions             (5+6) Leo b3     Solutions: (click to show/hide)   I.1.Ra5!! LEb5! 2.Sdf4 (not 2.Bd5?) LEg5!! 3.Bd5! Kf5 4.Bf3 + LExa5 #   II. 1.Ba8!! LEb7! 2.Sc1 (not 2.Rd5?) LEg2!! 3.Rd5! Kf3 4.Rd4 + LExa8 #     Critical moves by the Black (b.LEO which also carries Ambush theme) and White Rook and Bishop. White Grimshaw on d5 + White Indian. Thematic white tries (2.Bd5&2.Rd5) with line-closing of the black LEO. In every solution there’re two movements of the white and of the black piece in different directions! Model mates in Meredith form. This complex is shown for the first time. (Author)

No.225 Petko A. Petkov Bulgaria original-12.01.2013   h#2               b) Pf2→f3        (3+7+3) c) Pf2→f4 NAO c8; PAO c4; VAO a8     Solutions: (click to show/hide)   a) 1.nNAg6! nPAxe4 2.nNc4!! nPAxc4# b) 1.nVAb7! nNAxe4 2.nVAc8!! nNAxc8# c) 1.nPAa4! nVAxe4 2.nPAa8!! nVAxa8#     Cyclical neutral Zilahi (nPAxnNA; nNAxnVA; nVAxnPA) with cyclical interchange of functions between nPA, nVA, nNA. Creation of batteries after Annihilation captures on square “e4” with a goal – opening of two lines – for the white Re6 and for one of the neutral pieces! Triple Neutral Switchback with motives “Ala Umnov-theme”. Shown for the first time. (Author)

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No.219 Paul Rãican Today, 06-Jan, is Paul’s birthday! Paul, I wish you everything the very best!

Original Problems, Julia’s Fairies – 2013 (I): January – April →Previous ; →Next ;  →List 2013(I) Please send your original fairy problems to: julia@juliasfairies.com

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No.219 – w1→ser-hs=18 by Paul Rãican – Interesting and long problem which has also a try!  I’d like to comment also, that there’re two different approaches to show the number of moves in stipulation of this problem. Publishing Paul’s problem I’ve used the one introduced in the article Help-Self Problems with Black Series by IGM Petko A.Petkov. However author’s original number of moves in stipulation was 17. I’m showing the author’s version as well after editor’s version under the diagram. (JV)

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Definitions:

The stipulation:  w1→ser-hs=N means that White’s move is first, then Black makes a  series of N-1 moves  helping to realize as final an s=1. 

Chameleon Chess: All pieces on the board which are displayed as orthodox  Q, R, B, S,  are Chameleons. A Pawn can promote only in Chameleon-pieces.

Chameleon: On completing a move, a Chameleon (from classical standard type) changes into another piece, in the sequence Q-S-B-R-Q…  Promotion may be to a chameleon at any stage in the cycle.

Maximummer – Black must play the geometrically longest move or may choose from among longest moves of equal length, distances being measured from the center of each square. Diagonal and oblique distances are measured from the orthogonal coordinates by using Pythagora’s theorem (take the square root of the sum of the squares of the orthogonal distances). All other orthodox chess rules apply.

Sentinels: when a piece (Ks included but not pawns) moves, a pawn of the same color appears on the vacated square unless that square is on the first or eighth ranks or there are 8 pawns of that color on the board already.

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No.219 Paul Rãican Romania original-01.01.2013   w1→ser-hs=18                            (4+1) Maximummer Sentinels Chameleon Chess     Solution: (click to show/hide)   Editor’s version of stipulation (as shown under the diagram) and solution:   Solution: 1.Qc5-c7=S[+wPc5]! 1.b7-b5 2.b5-b4 3.b4-b3 4.b3-b2 5.b2-b1=S 6.Sb1-a3=B 7.Ba3*c5=R[+bPa3] 8.Rc5-h5=Q[+bPc5] 9.Qh5-d1=S[+bPh5] 10.Sd1-b2=B 11.Bb2*d4=R[+bPb2] 12.Rd4-h4=Q[+bPd4] 13.Qh4-d8=S[+bPh4] 14.Sd8*e6=B 15.Be6-a2=R[+bPe6] 16.b2-b1=R! (the second promotion on b1)  17.Ra2-h2=Q[+bPa2]  Ka8-a7  18. Qh2*c7=S[+bPh2] =    Try: 1.Qc5-a7=S[+wPc5]? 1.b7-b5 2.b5-b4 3.b4-b3 4.b3-b2 5.b2-b1=S 6.Sb1-c3=B 7.Bc3-e1=R[+bPc3] 8.Re1*e6=Q 9.Qe6-a2=S[+bPe6] 10.Sa2-b4=B[+bPa2] 11.Bb4-a5=R[+bPb4] 12.Ra5*c5=Q[+bPa5] 13.Qc5-h5=S[+bPc5] 14.Sh5-f6=B[+bPh5] 15.Bf6-h4=R[+bPf6] 16.Rh4*d4=Q 17.Qd4-g1=S 18.Sg1-e2=B  Sa7-b5=B[+wPa7] 19.Be2*b5=R = , too long.   Author’s version of stipulation(w1→ser-hs=17) and solution:   Solution: 1.Qc5-c7=S[+wPc5]! 1.b7-b5 2.b5-b4 3.b4-b3 4.b3-b2 5.b2-b1=S 6.Sb1-a3=B 7.Ba3*c5=R[+bPa3] 8.Rc5-h5=Q[+bPc5] 9.Qh5-d1=S[+bPh5] 10.Sd1-b2=B 11.Bb2*d4=R[+bPb2] 12.Rd4-h4=Q[+bPd4] 13.Qh4-d8=S[+bPh4] 14.Sd8*e6=B 15.Be6-a2=R[+bPe6] 16.b2-b1=R! (the second promotion on b1)  17.Ra2-h2=Q[+bPa2]  & s=1  Ka8-a7  Qh2*c7=S[+bPh2] =    Try: 1.Qc5-a7=S[+wPc5]? 1.b7-b5 2.b5-b4 3.b4-b3 4.b3-b2 5.b2-b1=S 6.Sb1-c3=B 7.Bc3-e1=R[+bPc3] 8.Re1*e6=Q 9.Qe6-a2=S[+bPe6] 10.Sa2-b4=B[+bPa2] 11.Bb4-a5=R[+bPb4] 12.Ra5*c5=Q[+bPa5] 13.Qc5-h5=S[+bPc5] 14.Sh5-f6=B[+bPh5] 15.Bf6-h4=R[+bPf6] 16.Rh4*d4=Q 17.Qd4-g1=S 18.Sg1-e2=B  & s=1   Sa7-b5=B[+wPa7] Be2*b5=R = , too long.   The novelty here is the white move before the black series. (Author)

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No.214 GM Petko A. Petkov!

Original Problems, Julia’s Fairies – 2013 (I): January – April ?Next ;  ?List 2013(I) Please send your original fairy problems to: julia@juliasfairies.com

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No.214 – hs==5 by Petko A. Petkov – A long and difficult play with main actors – Kings and Neutral Locusts! (JV)

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Definitions:

KoBul Kings  – When a piece (not a pawn) of his own side is captured, a King transforms into a Royal piece of the same type as the captured one. When the King is in the form of any Royal piece and there is a capture of one of the pawns of his own side, he becomes a normal King again. ?aptures are illegal if their result is self-che?k because of the transformation of the ?ings according to KoBul rules. Castling is allowed only if the KoBul King is on his initial square in the form of a normal King and if he has not already moved; however he may already have been transformed. In the case of capture by a King in AntiCirce he is reborn on his initial square and may castle. If the capture is by a King which is in the form of some Royal piece, he is reborn on the initial square of that piece.

Locust (L): moves on Q-lines but only by capturing an enemy unit, arriving on the square immediately beyond that unit, which must be vacant.

Nightrider-Locust (LR): Moves like Locust, but on Nightrider-lines only.

Bishop-Locust (LB): Moves like Locust, but on Bishop-lines only.

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No.214 Petko A. Petkov Bulgaria original-01.01.2013   hs==5           2 solutions         (5+2+2) KoBul Kings Nightrider-Locust h3  Bishop-Locust g2     Solution: (click to show/hide)   I. 1.Bg6! Rxg6 (Ka5=rB) 2.rBd2 Rxe6 (rBd2=K) 3.Re1 Re4! 4.nLBxe4-d5 (Ka8=rR) rRd8 5.nLNxd5-b6 (rR= rLB) rLBxb6-a5(Kd2= rLN) == II. 1.Bg4! Rxg4 (Ka5=rB) 2.rBc3 Rxa4 (rBd2=K) 3.Rb1 Rf4! 4.nLNxf4-d5 (Ka8=rR) rRa5 5.nLBxd5-c6 (rR= rLN) rLNxc6-e7 (Kc3= rLB)== Two double stalemate – finals with pinned white Rook and blocked white Pawn . A specific reciprocal play&captures of the two neutral zovirax Locusts, which demonstrate considerable mobility. (Tested with WinChloe, the test with Popeye 4,61 gives false results) (Author).

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First of all I’d like to mention that I’m very satisfied about the extremely high level of submitted problems! 64 problems from 39 authors from 20 countries participated in the competition.

 

Most prominent fairy composers of the world participated and their works will certainly enrich and adorn the most modern genre in contemporary composition – Help-self problems!

Due to this excellent level of competition I have awarded many prizes. Also, it is a great success of the new site “Julia’s Fairies” and I want to congratulate the editor Julia Vysotska for her activity and for her talent as organizer of such a spectacular tournament!

The theme of the competition – play of fairy batteries (or anti-batteries) in Help-self problems, was attractive to many authors. The presented problems are dominated by compositions with rich strategic play, but there are also some very fine echo-compositions.

My main criteria for the awarding was the content of the problem, presented in a precise and economical form. In my opinion, in the Help-selfmate genre heavy constructions (for example – with 20 or more pieces on the board) are not desirable, although they are inevitable in some tasks.

Regarding material, I think that the most important aesthetical requirement is the use of all white and black pieces in all phases (solutions) of the problem. Of course, this is an ideal that cannot always be achieved. But if a white or black piece (not Pawn!) is superfluous in a phase of the problem, it must be perceived as a weakness. For each particular case the judge must consider how much this fault detracts from the problem.

An unaesthetic formation of twins can also be rated as a weakness – often such character has the so called “0 position”, and two or more changes in the formation of twins is also not pleasant.

In conclusion I want to point out that in making this award I was extremely frustrated by the differences between computer programs. Nowadays, very often when checking a problem with different programs (for example: Popeye, WinChloe, Alybadix) different results are received. This very difficult and important question has not yet been officially solved by the International Federation for Chess Composition. In this award, for every problem I can only mention the program used for testing.

 

IGM PETKO A.PETKOV
International judge of FIDE

  

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——— PRIZES ———

Georgy Evseev & Lev Grolman JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 1st Prize

Sven Trommler JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 2nd Prize

Vlaicu Crişan JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 3rd Prize

1st Prize – Georgy Evseev & Lev Grolman – The best problem in this tournament – without any doubt! Critical moves of NAh5 and LEf1 are caused by interesting sacrifices of black Q and R. This paradoxical overture prepares a demonstration of the “Chinese-Indian theme” – creation of anti-batteries after LEf7/NAf6 and NAb2/LEd3. Black corresponds with the same type of combination realized by the NAc8, NAd7 and the black King. A very fine motive in this unique synthesis, where three duos of figures change their functions during the play (LEf1-NAh5; Qf8-Rd2; NAc8-NAd7) is the Umnov theme presented by the white King and black NAOs. Another good thematic fragment is the play of the indirect black King/Bishop battery. The only small negative point is the not quite equivalent play of the black NAOs between phases. I.1…Qf7 2.LExf7 NAf2 3.Kc8 NAf3 4.NAf6+ Ke4#; II. 1…Rb2 2.NAxb2 NAg1 3.Kd7 NAe4 4.LEd3+ Kf3#. (Py 4.61)

2nd Prize – Sven Trommler – An excellent Meredith, which demonstrates a very seldom and difficult combination in the black play: transformation of a black half-battery, which is created from the pieces Ke6, Pd7, Bf5! The white part of the content is an elegant and non-standard creation of reciprocal anti-batteries and batteries, where the exotic pieces Kangaroo-Lions show their true beauty. a) 1…Kf7 2.Sa3 Re6 3.Sc4+ d5 4.Sd6+ Rxd6#; b) 1…Kf6 2.Sc4 e6 3.Sb6+ d6 4.Sd5+ exd5#. (Py 4.61)

3rd Prize – Vlaicu Crişan – The problem demonstrates extremely dynamic play in which the specific effects of the “atomic condition” Super-Circe are of a record number – 5 half-moves from 6 possible in every solution! This concept is certainly very difficult for realization, though here are used the “crowning Super-Circe pieces” – nR and nB, which are well known as main actors in similar opuses from current practice. Pay attention to the play of three thematic duos of pieces: nRg3 & nBg4 (active): Active direct check vs. double passive annihilation; Re6 & Bd3 (active): Rear vs. front piece of black battery; Sd2 & Sf7 (passive): Guard of flight vs. block.
I.1.nRxd3[+bBg5] Ke5 2.nBxe6[+bRh5] Kxe6[+nBe3]+3.nRxe3[+nBc8]++ Bxe3[+nRd7]#; II. 1.nBxe6[+bRf2] Ke4 2.nRxd3[+bBg1] Kxd3[+nRf5]+ 3.nBxf5 [+nRa3]++ Rxf5 [+nBb3/nBc3]#. (Py 4.61)

 

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Michel Caillaud JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 4th Prize

Kostas Prentos & Vlaicu Crişan JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 5th Prize

Mario Parrinello JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 6th Prize

 

4th Prize – Michel Caillaud – A very interesting formation of black anti-batteries: Gf3 and Gf5 change their places and roles in both solutions! Because the Umnov theme with figures of one color is impossible, I do not use that term here about the content. But this is a small terminological detail. The white play here is also good – creation of white Lion/Queen batteries with thematic tries 1.Qa3 and 1.Qc8. Unfortunately, the white Bishop on g1 is a full static actor in this wonderful spectacle, but without this piece the technical realization seems impossible. 1.LId3+ LIh1 2.Qa3 LId1 3.LId7+ LIf3# (1.Qa3?); 1.LId7+ LIf8 2.Qc8 LIc5 3.LId3+ LIf5# (1.Qc8?). (Py 4.61)

5th Prize – Kostas Prentos & Vlaicu Crişan – The cyclical battery creation between R,B,N  is an eternal theme in fairy genres, where this trio is very actively exploited against the backdrop of most modern fairy conditions. In this problem  we see some nice new moments:  a surprising  perfect and economical  interpretation,  combined with fine black distant blocks on c7,a3, c3,  and three mates by the black battery. I.  1.Rg6 Rc7 2.Be6 Kc6 3.Bc4+ Rxg6#; II. 1.Ng7 Rxa3 2.Re6 Ka4 3.Rb6+ Rxg7#; III. 1.Bg8 Bc3 2.Ne6 Kc4 3.Nc7+ Rxg8#. (Py 4.61)

6th Prize – Mario Parrinello – A beautiful idea – the initial battery Rc5/nLOd4 deteriorates and a tour by the neutral Locust (the rear battery-piece) results in the formation of a totally new battery – Se1/nLOd1. The mating move is a return of the neutral Locust to its initial position – Switchback, because in this moment the initial forward battery-piece (the white Rook) is pinned on b5! This wonderful combination is fully repeated in position “b”. In my opinion a minus of this problem is the formation of twin b) through reciprocal change of places of two pieces, although this practice is found in many other genres. But in this task it is obvious that there is no other technical method for realization in 3 moves. Perhaps in a greater number of moves a normal twin can be achieved? a) 1.Bf4 LOnxf4-g4 2.Rxb5 LOnxe2-d1 3.Sd3+ LOnxd3-d4#; b) 1.Be3 LOnxe3-f3 2.Rxc5 LOnxe2-d1 3.Sc2+ LOnxc2-b3# (Py 4.61)

 

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Nikola Predrag JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 7th Prize

Borislav Gadjanski JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 Special Prize

Arnold Beine JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 Special Prize

7th Prize – Nikola Predrag –  Nice creation of reciprocal Anti-Circe batteries by wR/wB with selfpin of the white piece which should eliminate  the flight of the black King on b7. Very good mates with the black Queen. Although the play in both phases is not completely homogeneous, I think that this  spectacular task  deserves a prize. I. 1.Bb7 Bxf4 (Bf8) 2.Kc1 Bh6+ 3.Rf8+ Qf1#; II. 1.Rxc1(Ra1) d3 2.Ra2 Rb2+ 3.Ba8+ Qh1# (Py 4.61)

Special Prize – Borislav Gadjanski – A very difficult and ambitious idea – in HS#4 with condition Take&Make to realize reciprocal black battery-creation (B/R Grimshaw) with the final mates occurring after quiet last white moves! This goal is achieved successfully by the author. Three well-played duets of figures: Bb4-Rh5, Bh3-Qh8, Re6-Be8 which change their functions. In my opinion a minus here is the “50% repetition” of the move Sxg5 in both solutions, also there are some small thematic differences in both phases. But overall , this is the task of a master!
a) 1.Bg2+ Rc6 2.Ka4 Sxg5-f3! 3.Ra5 Se1 4.Bxe1-c2 (zz) R:c2-e4# (2… Sxg5-e6? 3.Ra5 Sf8 4.Bxf8-g6 Bxg6-e8!); b) 1.Qc3+ Bc6 2.Ka6 Sxg5-e4! 3.Ba5 Sc5+ 4.Rxc5-a4 (zz) Bxa4-c4#. (2… Sxg5-~?! 3.Ba5 Sg5? 4.Rxg5-e4 R:e4-e6/g4!) (Py 4.61)

Special Prize – Arnold Beine – The most unusual problem in the tournament! The white King makes ​​long and complex maneuvers and Black corresponds with AUW and creation of 4 fairy batteries in each solution! This game orchestrated by imitator, deserves special attention, though the events here are maximally forced.
a) 1…f3 [Ic2]+ 2.Kxf2 [Ib2] e1B [Ib1]+ 3.Kg2 [Ic1] Bh4 [If4]+ 4.Kg3 [If5] f2 [If4]+ 5.Kg2 [If3] f1Q [If2]+ 6.Kh1 [Ig1] Bg5 [If2]+ 7.Kh2 [If3] Qh1 [Ih3]+ 8.Kg3 [Ig4] Bh4 [Ih3]+ 9.Kf4 [Ig4]+ Qh3 [Ig6]#, 
b) 1…e1S [Ic2]+ 2.Kg1 [Ic1] Sc2 [Ia2]+ 3.Kh1 [Ib2] f1R [Ib1]+ 4.Kg2 [Ia2] Se3 [Ic3]+ 5.Kg3 [Ic4] Sg4 [Ie5]+ 6.Kh3 [If5] Rh1 [Ih5]+ 7.Kh4 [Ih6] Ke3 [Ih5]+ 8.Kxg4 [Ig5] Rg1 [If5]+ 9.Kf3 [Ie4] Rg2 [Ie5]# (C+ by Alybadix).

 

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Daniel Novomeski JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 Special Prize

Michael Grushko JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 Special Prize

Special Prize – Daniel Novomeski – An excellent four-piece problem which demonstrates 6 Chameleon-echo double stalemates! But I also want to mention that such records are not a miracle when obtained with a highly restrictive fairy condition like Koko. A wide number of problems-miniatures of this type are well known. But here we find interesting and unusual battery play, that leads to the beautiful H== finals with two pinned pieces – wR and bR! 
a) I. 1.Rc3 + rLIf5 2.Rf3 + rLIf2 3.Rg3 rLIh4 4.Rg4 + Rf4 ==; II. 1.Rc4 Rf3 2.rLIb4 Re3 3.Rc2 rLIb1 4.Rb2+ Rb3 ==; b) I. 1.rLIc2 Rd4 2.rLIc7 rLId5 3.Re6 rLIf7 4.Re7 + Rd7 ==; II. 1.rLIh4 Rg5 2.Rg6 rLIh7 3.Rf6 Re5 4.Rh6 + Rh5 ==; c) I. 1.Rc2 Rf4 2.rLIc1 Rd4 3.Re2 rLIf1 4.Re1 + Rd1 ==; II. 1.Rg6 Rf6 2.rLIe7 rLIh7 3.Rg5 Rf4 4.Rg7+ Rf7 ==. (Py 4.61)

Special Prize – Michael Grushko – On the board we see only two neutral Pawns and one neutral Knight! Under the diagram there are 4 different fairy conditions! All these features are a special “veto” of Grushko. Perhaps nobody can find two long “ANI”- solutions which demonstrate very interesting special effects. I believe that such problems should be encouraged!
I. 1.nPd1-d3 nSe1xd3-d4=nB 2.nBd4-e5=nS [+nPe4] nPe4-e3 3.nPd5-d6 nPd6xe5-c4=nS 4.nSc4xe3-e2=nB [+nSg3] nSg3xe2-f3=nB [+nPd3] 5.nPd3-d4 [+nBe3] nPd4xe3-g1=nS 6.nSg1xf3-h1=nB [+nBf3][+nKg2] + Kg2xf3-a8 [+wKg2 ]#; II. 1. nPd1-d2 nPd2xe1-d3=nS 2.nSd3-c5=nP [+nSd3] nSd3xc5-c6=nB 3.n Pd5xc6-b5=nS [+nPa5] nPa5-a4 [+nBc5] 4.nPa4xb5-a7=nS nBc5xa7-c6=nR [+nSb6] 5.nRc6xb6-c4=nQ [+nSa5] nSa5xc4-c7=nB [+nSd8] 6.nSd8-b7=nP [+nQa3][+nKa8] + nPb7-b5[+wKa5]#. (Py 4.61).

 

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——— HONORABLE MENTIONS ———

Manfred Rittirsch JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 1st Honorable Mention

Aleksandr & Valery Semenenko JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 2nd Honorable Mention

Diyan Kostadinov JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 3rd Honorable Mention

1st Honorable Mention –  Manfred Rittirsch –  A super complicated task as regards the contents. I do agree with the comment of the author: ”Activation of mating piece by secondary block of mutual rebirth square; complete cross-party cycle of arrival squares; promotion change S/B/Q” . Unfortunately, the construction is very heavy (24 pieces) and the formation of twins is also not perfect. a) 1.Rb8 QGd7 2.QGdf8+ bxc1=Q(Qd8)#; b) 1.Rd8 QGf6 2.QGb8+ bxc1=B(Bf8)#; c) 1.Rf8 QGb6 2.QGd8+ bxc1=S(Sb8)#. (WinChloe 3.21)

2nd Honorable Mention – Aleksandr & Valery Semenenko – A very interesting and difficult thought: the white and black LEOs exchange their functions, playing   on the  vertical and on the diagonal in imitating their roles!!  These white and black anti-batteries (direct and indirect) are very fine, and a good addition to this thematic complex are the initial white LEO  moves which open lines for the black LEO. Unfortunately, the construction is very heavy – 21 pieces (13 of them – static pawns…)  I.1…LEb1 2.LEd4 LEe4 3.LEa7 LEe8 4.Sb6+ Ke6#; II.  1…LEd1 2.LEe4 LEd4 3.LEe8 LEa7 4.Se7+ Kc5#. (Py 4.61)

3rd Honorable Mention – Diyan Kostadinov – A very difficult project – creation of white and black anti-batteries in the first solution and creation of direct white and black batteries in the second solution! This play is decorated with nice dual-avoidance moves. But it is obvious that in this case the restrictive condition Madrasi helps significantly for the realization of this concept. In addition, such manner for formation of anti-batteries and batteries is already well known, including some works of the same author. Two other negative points deserve attention here – the artificial formation of the twin, and the repetition of the squares played to by the white pieces in both phases – c4,b3,d3. a) 1.Rd3 c3 2.VAc4 h1PA! 3.PAb3+ f1VA# (2…h1LE? 3.PAb3+ f1VA+ 4.LEa8!); b) 1.Bxc4+ f1B 2.Rb3 h1Q! 3.Rbd3+ Bxd3# (2…h1R? 3.Rbd3+ Bxd3+ 4.Rh2!)  (Py 4.61)

 

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К. Sеetharaman JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 4th Honorable Mention

Waldemar Tura JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 5th Honorable Mention

Michael Barth JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 6th Honorable Mention

4th  Honourable Mention – К. Sеetharaman  – A remarkable  problem with very rich content – multiple play of black and white anti-batteries. The “Chinese–Indian” here is combined with Umnov (Kc4/Ka4), although this component is not new, of course. Unfortunately,  here the “interchange of functions” motive is not perfectly demonstrated  in the play of  the black pieces. The dual-avoidance motivation is also not quite homogeneously demonstrated. I. 1…. LEfe3 2. PAc1 Kc4 3. VAe1! (VAd2?) LEbb5 ! (LEe8-b5?) 4. NAc3 + NAc2 #; II. 1…. NAf3 2. Nag1 Ka4 3. VAd2 (VAe1?) LEeb5 ! (LEb7-b5?) 4. PAc3 + Lee2 # (Py 4.61)

5th Honorable Mention – Waldemar Tura –  A very precise and interesting thematic performance! Unfortunately, the main mechanism, with anti-battery mates given by the black King, at the same time hiding white PAO or VAO (as “Chinese Grimshaw pieces”), is not quite original. I. 1…VAc6 2.PAb4+ LExa1 3.VAc4+ Kd5#; II. 1…LEc6 2.VAb3+ VAxe8 3.PAc4+ Ke4#.  (Py 4.61)

6th Honourable Mention – Michael Barth – Interesting and very rich content, where of special interest are the unpins of the black Qe7/Sf7 and their second moves which block squares and open white lines. Unfortunately, the black Rf6 is a surplus piece in position “a”. But can this weakness be eliminated? 
a) 1…Sxg6(Sg8) 2.hxg8=R(Rh1) Qd7 3.Rh8+ Bh1#; b) 1…Sxe6(Sg8) 2.hxg8=B(Bf1) Sd8 3.Bb5+ Rf1#  (Py 4.61)

 

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Dieter Müller & Franz Pachl JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 7th Honorable Mention

Kenneth Solja & Jorma Paavilainen JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 Spec. Honorable Mention

7th  Honorable Mention –  Dieter Müller & Franz Pachl – Non standard play of the black half-battery P-P/G, combined with sacrifices  of  the white Rook and guarding by the Gh5 of squares c6/c4. The tries 1.e3? and 1.e4? are a good addition to this ambitious program. But I think that the formation of the twin here is not good enough – there occurs a symmetry  which suggests  the solution. a) 1.Rc6+ dxc6 2.e3 Sg6 3.Gf7 Gh6 4.Se4+ dxe4# (1.e3?); b) 1.Rc4+ dxc4 2.e4 Sf7 3.Ge8 Bh6 4.Se6+ dxe6# (1.e4?).  (Py 4.61)

Special Honorable Mention – Kenneth Solja & Jorma Paavilainen –  A difficult      problem which shows a cycle where the thematic pieces are: wSg1-wBg2-wRh5. The play is dynamic and unusual – with many special effects. Unfortunately, the formation of twins is not accurate, and the overall technical layout of the problem seems  also sub-optimal.  a) 1…Rxh5-h3 2.Bxh3-a3 a5 3.Baxd6 – b4+ axb4 – d6#; b) 1…Bxg2 – h3 2.Sxh3 – f5 a6 3.Sxd6 – b5+ axb5 – d6#; c) 1…Bxg1 – h3 2.Rxh3 – e6 Kb8 3.Rxd6 – b6+ axb6 – d6#.  (Py 4.61)

 

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——— COMMENDATIONS (without rank) ——— 

Ofer Comay JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 Commendation

Dieter Müller JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 Commendation

János Mikitovics JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 Commendation

Commendation – Ofer Comay – This complex thematic idea deserves particular interest – the creation of black batteries S/G is possible only after promotions to black Knights! Excellent overtures to this action are the sacrifices of the white Ss, which allow the promotions of the black Ss! This wonderful Phoenix motive is very fresh! Unfortunately, this problem has an unpleasant defect – the repetition of the move 3.Kd4 in both phases. Another minus is the not quite adequate play of the black pawns. a) 1.Sc5 (Sf1?) Gf2 2.Sf1! hxg2 3.Kd4 gxf1=S! 4.Qe5+ Se3#; b) 1.Sd5 (Se1?) Gd2 2.Se1! fxe1=S! 3.Kd4 f2 4.Qc4+ Sd3#. (Py 4.61)

Commendation – Dieter Müller – A nice problem  in which the mates are given with Pawn–Equihopper anti-batteries! This is a rarity in this genre. The construction is light, but I think that the role  of the promoted black pieces is modest. a) 1…e1=S 2.EQb8 Sd3 3.EQd8 EQd4 4.EQf6+ e5#; b) 1…e1=R 2.EQh4 Re3 3.EQb2 EQf4 4.EQxb6+ c5#.  (Py 4.61)

Commendation – János Mikitovics  –  Nice play of white G/KA battery, creation of two black anti-batteries with Gc7 as rear piece. A problem of ANI–type. I.1… c2 2.Ba2 c1=S 3.Bxb3 Sd3 4.Gb7+ Sc5#; II. 1… b2 2.Sb6 Ga5 3.Bd3 Ga2 4.Gc5+ b3#  (Py 4.61)

 

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Harald Grubert JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 Commendation

R. Ganapathi & K. Seetharaman JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 Commendation

Commendation – Harald Grubert – А good demonstration of Moose (Elan) as a battery piece! Two nice Chameleon-mates with interesting play of the black King! a) 1.Kh4 Kf4 2.Gh5 MOe5 3.Kh3 MOg5 4.g3+ Kf3#; b) 1.Gh6 MOe6 2.Gd6 MOd5 3.Kh4 MOg6 4.g4+ Kf4#. (Py 4.61)

Commendation – R. Ganapathi & K. Seetharaman – Reciprocal promotions of black/white pawns to G/N. A light problem of ANI-type. I. 1…Qe1 2.c8=N b1=G 3.Nf2+ Qxf2#; II. 1…b1=N 2.Nf7 Nxf3 3.c8=G+ Nd7#. (Py 4.61)

 

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Pierre Tritten JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 Commendation

Stephan Dietrich JuliasFairies 1st T.T. HSP-2012 Commendation

Commendation – Pierre Tritten – This problem is a small jewel. Here we see four nice white sacrifices of the pieces Rd4 and Sc3 which open the special white half-battery – it has two rear pieces – the neutral Locusts which give the mates! I believe that this beautiful mechanism is not used in the most effective manner – probably an optimal interpretation requires more moves – for example 3!? I.1.Ra4 nLOnxa4-a5 2.Sb5+ nLOnxb5-b6#; II. 1.Rb4 nLOxb4-b5 2.Sa2+ nLOxa2-a3#. (WinChloe 3.21)

Commendation –  Stephan Dietrich – A small problem with nice thematic play of the initial R/B battery. 1.Rd4 =B Kc1 2.Bxf2 =R Rd1=B+ 3.Ke1 Rb3=B 4.Bxd1=R+ Bxd1=R#. (Py 4.61)

 

Congratulations to the winners and thanks a lot to all participants!!!

 

 

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Notes to the Award of JF 1st T.T. HSP-2012:

1) A new version of problem – 1st Honorable Mention –  Manfred Rittirsch – is accepted for publication here with a consent of the judge, because of the differences in solving programs. The matter is that the original problem was C+ by WinChloe 3.21, but it has cooks in WinChloe 3.23. The problem below is C+ by WinChloe 3.23 as well:

(23-Apr-2013)

2) 2 corrections are made to specifications of solving programs after solutions (28-Apr-2013): 

• 1st Honorable Mention –  Manfred Rittirsch – “(Py 4.61)” is changed to “(WinChloe 3.21)” – it was my mistake, and I appologize for it!
• Commendation – Pierre Tritten -“(WinChloe)” is changed to “(WinChloe 3.21)”

 

Director of JF 1st T.T. HSP-2012 – Julia Vysotska.

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Awards of tourneys 

• Awards of all Tourneys by Julia’s Fairies web-site;
• Other awards – Please send your awards to publish to my e-mail: julia@juliasfairies.com. A post about each new award is published on Julia’s Fairies home and can be found under Awards, other Category of the right menu.

 

Julia’s Fairies AWARDS 

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This 3^rd competition of 2014 had the most of published problems. And the Award looks really as a monumental work with so many wonderful problems and so many detailed comments! To tell you how strong was this tournament, I want to quote Kjell’s words from the Award: “I don’t think I have ever felt the need to give 8 prizes in a tourney before!“.

I’m very grateful to Kjell for his work!  And, one more time this month, I wish to tell to all the winners how great you are, and to all participants how much I appreciate your activity here!

The Award uses animated diagrams. Only one of them couldn’t be animated (Invisibles), and several problems have some parts of the solutions impossible to animate as well. I’m sorry about it! I’ve tried to check all diagrams several times, but they are many, 33(!), and I apologize for any mistakes I might have made. I appreciate your corrections, if needed!

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Dear Friends, I’m happy to announce one more Award of JF-2014 –

The Award of Julia’sFairies-2014/II
by Dmitri Turevski

My gratitude to Dmitri for this big and complicated work! Also, I’d like to use this chance to thank Dmitri one more time for the animation program, Py2Web, I use for a year on JF. The program was implemented exactly during period 2014/II, so half of the problems were animated already, but in the Award I’ve made all problems animated. Enjoy!

My congratulations to all the winners and participants of this competition!

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Dear Friends, I have a pleasure to announce

The Award of Julia’sFairies-2014/I
by Vlaicu Crişan

As always, I am very grateful to the judge for so big, so complicated work of analyzing many different kinds of fairy problems! I’m sure, that readers will enjoy the problems themselves and also detailed comments and pleasant writing style of Vlaicu!

I heartily congratulate all the winners and participants of this strong competition! Thank you for all kinds of contributions to JF – compositions, articles, comments..!

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58^th World Congress of Chess Composition

1^st RIGA BLACK BALSAM TT

The AWARD

Judge: Julia Vysotska

First of all I would like to thank all the participants of this competition! I am pleasantly surprised to have received so many interesting works of very high quality, and I am honored to be a judge of this tournament!                      → See the Award

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Dear Friends, I have a pleasure to announce

The Award of Julia’sFairies-2013/III
by Eric Huber

I am very grateful to Eric Huber and impressed by his Award – with its notes, links to original publications, examples in the appendix and most of all by his analysis of the problems.

I’m happy to see the many different names in the Award.  I heartily congratulate all of you, my dear authors, for your achievements!

And, of course, I appreciate very much the contributions of ALL who send compositions and post comments to JF! Thank you!!

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Julia’s Fairies
Informal Tournament Retros and Proof Games 2013/2014

Award by Hans Gruber (Regensburg, Germany), International Judge of the FIDE

“In recent years, many parts of the retro genre have been strongly developing, including fairy retros and fairy proof games. As the specific characteristics of retros are quite distinct from those of other genres, it is advisable to judge them in separate tournaments. Julia’s Fairies has proven to clearly attract retro composers so that a satisfying number of originals (26 in total) competed in its first retros and proof games tournament.” →See full Award in PDF!

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With a gratitude to Hans Gruber for the willingness to judge this competition and for so fast, precise and competent work! My congratulations to the active authors and especially authors of awarded problems in this complicated genre! – Julia

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Dear Friends,

I’m happy to present you THE AWARD of Christmas Blitz JF-2014! The number of participants, of beautiful problems was really a great surprise for me and for the judge! Thank you so much, dear participants of the Blitz, for your activity, efforts, creative ideas! And of course, many thanks to our judge, Petko A. Petkov! 

I have to tell that the Award was written in a very short period of time, so I apologize for any mistakes done in the text, diagrams, solutions.. I’d be grateful if you send me emails about anything to be corrected!

I heartily congratulate all the winners and participants! And I wish a Happy New Year to all of you! Let it be successful, interesting and motivating for you, full of pleasant surprises and happiness! – Julia.

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Dear Friends,

I’m so happy to tell you that The Award of Julia’s Fairies Marine TT 2013 / PDF version (12 pages) is ready! Enjoy the beauty of Marine problems presented!

The competition was very strong and the Award shows the very best problems, but not mentioned problems are also very good, have something unique and deserves the publication!

I’m grateful to all participants for the activity and creative work, to Petko Petkov for the fast judging, to Geoff Foster for corrections of the mistakes and language, to Thomas Maeder for implementation of some Marine pieces missed in Popeye, to all readers of this Award as your interest is always important and motivating!

My sincere congratulations to the winners
and to all participants!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! – Julia

 

Dear Friends,

I’m so happy to announce The Award of JULIA’S FAIRIES 2012! (see also PDF version of the Award)

You know, there were about 200 problems for period April – December’2012. So many very good problems, so many famous authors, so many interesting comments, versions!.. Judging of this tournament was a real challenge! And I’m very thankful to N.Shankar Ram for accepting my invitation and for his hard work! 

My sincere congratulations to all authors of awarded problems and to all participants! I really wish to see all your problems in the Award! This tournament is very special to me, as it was the first one.. Your contributions, your support have really created Julia’s Fairies! You helped me a lot and motivated me with your activity, and from my side I’d like to motivate you for a new achievements as well. Either you’re in the Award, or not, you’ve done a great job! You always have another chance to win! But I will always enjoy browsing a list of problems’2012 with all the memories, ideas and long comments…  / Julia

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FINAL version
of the AWARD JF-2013/I
is ready!

 

I’m happy to announce that Final version of the Award for Julia’sFairies-2013/I is ready! See also PDF version for download! Diplomas will be sent as well in a week! My gratitude to the judge, Juraj Brabec, for his work under the Award!

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Dear Friends,

I’m very-very happy to present you a preliminary Award of The Christmas Blitz-Tourney JF-2012! It was prepared in a very short term, and I’m sorry if there’re any mistakes! A term of 10 days is given for possible remarks or objections, and after this term the results will be announced as final results (31-dec-2012). See full annoncement of the Blitz here!

Congratulations to the Prize Winners!! Thanks a lot to all of you, my dear participants!

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See the Award of Julia’sFairies 1st T.T HSP-2012 by IGM Petko A. Petkov and enjoy a very nice problems! (Also, you can use PDF-version of the Award for download or print!) Congratulations to all the winners! Thanks a lot to all participants!

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