Do You know the Marine pieces?
(Part III – Scylla, Charybdis)

IGM Petko Petkov

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The third part of my article about Marine pieces relates to two other (non-classical?) pieces that are also little known in practice: The Marine MAO – SKYLLA or SCYLLA (SK  in Popeye, SC in WinChloe) and the Marine MOA – CHARYBDIS (CY in Popeye, CH in WinChloe). Problems with these pieces can be checked with both programs: Popeye and WinChloe. 

 

---

VII. SCYLLA

 

The Scylla is a Marine Mao.

Definition: The Scylla moves as a normal Knight provided the destination square is vacant; to capture it takes an enemy unit on the intervening orthogonal square. If this square is occupied by a friendly unit then the Scylla is obstructed.

In Scheme N38 the white SKe4 can play as an ordinary MAO: 1. SKc3 and 1.SKc5 (without mate of course). According to the definition, here it is possible to realize 4 captures with the wSK, but only two of them are mates: 1. SKxf4-g5#! and 1. SKxe3-f2#! with line-openings for the white B and R. Also possible are the captures 1.SKxe3-d2 and 1.SKxf4-g3 but they are not mates. Pay attention here to the interesting mates after 1.d7#! and 1.f7#! Here the SKe4 plays the role of a rear battery piece with forward pieces Pd7 and Pf6. This simple but nice mechanism can be used as an element in more complicated thematic schemes. 1.Bxf4#! is also a specific mate using the wSK – the King cannot capture Bf4 because of self-check!
In N39 we cannot immediately use the white battery created by the SKf2 and TRf1: 1.SKh1+? is not mate because of 1….Kxe2! (in the initial setting this move is illegal because of self-check!). Therefore we should begin with 1.TRxb3-b2! with a threat of 2.SKh1#. The black thematic defenses are very nice: 1…Rxg4! – now 2.SKh1+? doesn’t work because the unpin of the Rg4 allows Rf4!, closing the battery line of the TRf1! But because of the pin on g4 we can mate with 2.Sg5#! Analogically: 1…Rxe4! 2. Se5#!; 1….Qxe4! 2.Ra3#!; 1…Sxg4! 2.Rf6#! The white battery P/SK plays after 1…Qb8 2.e5#!
N40 shows an important characteristic effect of the Skylla, which of course is also inherent in many other pieces of the “Locust-type”. Look at the starting position: here, after the capturing move 1…Kxa6 the king cannot return to the square b5, because of check from the wSKc5! Therefore, the move 1…Kxa6 has an Annihilation character, because it opens a line for the wSKc5. An analogical situation occurs after 1…Kxa4 when the King’s return to b5 is impossible. After 1.Rd7! (zugzwang) we have: 1…Kxa6 2.b8=S#! (2…Kb5??) and 1…Kxa4 2.Rd4#! (2….Kb5??). But there are two other interesting variations: 1…Kc6 2.Sb8#! – here 2…Kb5?? is impossible because of self-check – in other words, there is play of a specific indirect white battery with forward piece Sa6 and rear piece SKc5! Analogically: 1…Kc4 2.Sb6#! – with play of white indirect battery Sa4/SKc5! This problem is only a light example of how it is possible to combine in this arena in “Marine style” Annihilation, play of indirect batteries and King flights! You can use these effects in many other genres and also – in #3 or moremovers. This matter is almost unknown and holds many pleasant secrets.

---

VIII. CHARYBDIS

The Charybdis is a Marine Moa.

Definition: The Charybdis moves as a normal Knight provided the destination square is vacant; to capture it takes an enemy unit on the intervening diagonal square. If this square is occupied by a friendly unit then the Charybdis is obstructed.
The play here is of a similar type as with the Skylla. There is also an analogy with the building of different mechanisms.

A simple, but important for practical patterns, mechanism is demonstrated in N41: the idea is to open a line for the white Queen. The solution is: 1.Ke7! threatening 2.Qd3#! – pay attention that the square “d3″ is guarded by the CYc4 and it is impossible to play 2…Kxd3?? (Self-check). Variations: 1…Ke2 2.Qd2#! (The square d2 is guarded by the CYc3) and 1…Ke4 2.Qd4#! (The square d4 is guarded again by the CYc3). There are two interesting tries: 1. Kc8? (2.Qd3#) but 1…CYb7!! and the wQd8 is pinned by the CYb7! Analogically: 1.Ke8? (2.Qd3#) but 1…CYf7!! It is also possible to try 1.Kxc6? (2.Qd3#) – now the wKing is not under check from the CYa5 of course, but this piece can give check, playing 1…CYb7+! (this check is possible because the square c5 is free). Analogically: 1.Kc7? CYb6+!
A multiple realization of the Annihilation  theme  is seen in  N42: 1.CYe6 2.CYd4 3.CYxc3-c2 4.CYxb3-b4 5.CYc2 6.CYxd3-d4 7.CYxe3-e2 8.CYxf3-f4 9.CYg2 10.CYxh3-h4 11.CYf3 12.CYg5 Rh3#.
N43 shows play of the duet Scylla/Charybdis which create an interesting reciprocal double battery, combined with Annihilation captures of the black Queen: a) 1.Qxd5 Rb3 2.Qxd4 CYxd4-d5#; b) 1.Qxd4 d6 2.Qxe5 SKxe5-d4#. Such batteries can also be constructed with SK/SK or CY/CY.

---

VIII. FINALLY

 

Probably it is not very easy to compose a good problem with only one Marine piece or with several such pieces but of only one Marine type. Therefore, the main creative question here is how many and what kinds of Marine pieces to use if you have 8 types of Marine pieces: Siren, Triton, Nereid, Poseidon, Marine Knight, Marine Pawn, Scylla and Charybdis (these pieces can all be tested with both programs WinChloe and Popeye)?

With this material you can build thousands of interesting mechanisms, of course using also all other orthodox pieces. But participating in a “Marine pieces” TT you should underline to the highest degree the specificity of these pieces. In this respect I recommend you to pay utmost attention to the following points:

1. Battery-play, creation of batteries (direct or indirect) and destruction of batteries with a Marine accent!
2. Double (reciprocal) batteries are a very fruitful idea here – you can realize it also with neutral and half-neutral pieces.
3. Another interesting and specific thematic accent is to have play that is connected to the large group of themes and ideas demonstrating Annihilation in passive and active form.
4. Also interesting are the different blocks and unblocks of squares that are “Locust’s squares”. This way it is possible to activate or deactivate a Marine piece, for example by the black piece which executes thematic functions.
5. Promotions into Marine pieces are a good but rather difficult theme if we speak about problems of a high class type. This area has not been studied, and there are no good problems of this type.
6. If we speak about genres where you will work, it is necessary to note the following:Pay attention to work with neutral or half-neutral Marine pieces. This material is almost forgotten in contemporary problems of this type. By the by, in this field are also possible many paradoxical stalemate and double-stalemate finals created with marine pieces! For example : black Kd3, neutral Sirens on c3 and e3. On the one hand, this mechanism demonstrates a double neutral Siren/Siren battery; on the other hand, this final demonstrates a stalemate for Black if there are no other black or neutral pieces on the board!! Many analogical examples are also possible with half-neutral pieces.
   1. In current practice problems of direct type prevail – mainly twomovers and helpmates. In two movers we see a lot of problems where so called “Alphabetical themes” are presented. In helpmates (mainly in 2 moves) battery play dominates.
   2. For now there are few problems of genres H=, H= =, Series movers. Interesting, for example, would be to try realization in Pser – genre!
   3. HS# ( HS=, HS = = ) are a very good and modern arena for your future work with Marines – in this respect it is possible to find in contemporary databases some very interesting problems from Mario Parrinello!
7. Pay attention to work with neutral or half-neutral Marine pieces. This material is almost forgotten in contemporary problems of this type. By the by, in this field are also possible many paradoxical stalemate and double-stalemate finals created with marine pieces! For example : black Kd3, neutral Sirens on c3 and e3. On the one hand, this mechanism demonstrates a double neutral Siren/Siren battery; on the other hand, this final demonstrates a stalemate for Black if there are no other black or neutral pieces on the board!! Many analogical examples are also possible with half-neutral pieces.

The use of Marine pieces in problems with additional fairy conditions would be a much larger subject!

See also Part I and Part II of the article
(March – May’ 2013)

---

No.312, 313  Paul Rãican (Romania)

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

---

No.312 by Paul Rãican – An interesting combination between two difficult themes! And one more PG-problem here! (JV)

No.313 by Paul Rãican – A nice Pser-miniature! Author also adds that this is a type of problems for TT9 Quartz. (JV)

---

Definitions:

Annan Chess: Units move normally except when they are standing one square directly in front of another unit of the same color, when they move with the power of the rear unit. In the starting position, all pawns (black & white) move with the power of the piece behind them, e.g. 1. Pc2xh7 (as bishop)

Anti-Circe: After a capture the capturing piece (Ks included) must immediately be removed to its game array square (necessarily vacant, else the capture is illegal). R, B & S go to the square of the same colour as the capture; Ps stay on the file of capture.

Pser: This is the original definition by its inventor, Dan Meinking: A parry series-mover differs from a standard series-mover prior to the last move as follows:

1. the series-side may give check during the series;
2. when checked, the idle-side must immediately parry the threat;
3. a parry-move may be helpful or defensive, depending on the problem-type;
4. after a check-and-parry, the series-side continues the series.

Every Pser problem combines two stipulations:

Part 1 – Pser, which indicates the special series play with participation of both sides according to the author’s definition;

Part 2 – the kind of problem, according to well known stipulations, which can show direct play (n#, n=, s#, s= r#, r=, etc), help play (h#, h=, h==, etc) or mixed play (hs#, hs=, hs= =, etc).

(For more explanations about Pser see IGM Petko A. Petkov article “The Wonderful (new genre) Parry Series“)

---

No.312 Paul Rãican Romania original-05.05.2013   PG 12,5       Annan Chess       (11+11) C-     Solution: (click to show/hide)     1.c2xh7 f7-g6 2.d2-d6 Kf7 3.Qb3 Kf7xb3 4.Sc3 g7-e6 5.Sd5 Bh6 6.d6xc8=Q! b7-d6 7.Qxb8+ a7-b7 8.a2xa8=S! Bxc1 9.Qa7 Bxb2 10.Sa8xd8 Bb2-a2 11.Sc6 bxc6 12.Qd4+ cxd5 13.Qd1+   S Ceriani-Frolkin & Q Phoenix-Pronkin. (Author)

No.313 Paul Rãican Romania original-05.05.2013   pser-h=7         Anti-Circe           (4+3)     Solution: (click to show/hide)     1.Qh8-h7 + g5-g6 2.Kg8-h8 3.h2-h1=R + Kb1-a1 4.Qh7-g7 + Sd7-f6 5.Qg7- d7 6.Qd7-d1 + Sa2-c1 7.Rh1-g1 g6-g7 =   C+ Popeye. (Author)

---

Do You know the Marine pieces?
(Part II – Poseidon, Marine Knight, Marine Pawn)

IGM Petko Petkov

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The second part of my article about Marine pieces relates to three pieces that are little known in practice: Poseidon (PO) – the Marine King, the Marine Knight (MS) and the Marine Pawn (MP in Popeye, Pion marine=PM in WinChloe). These pieces are presented here in accordance with two programs: version 3,23 of the WinChloe program (the first program where they have been implemented) and version 4,63 of Popeye!

Further, this article demonstrates these figures mainly in schemes and educational examples, without any combinations with other fairy pieces or conditions. Therefore, the main goal of this article is not to show masterpieces in this field, but to demonstrate mainly simple, elementary rules and effects of every marine piece in its “solo role”. Why solo? In order to absorb more easily the rules for movement of each of these pieces. De facto, in contemporary fairy-composition Marine pieces almost always work in “cooperation” with some other fairy pieces, conditions, etc.

By the by, an official theory (concept) of Marine pieces and even of their names (!) currently doesn’t exist. For this reason, there are many differences in definitions and names, which we can meet at various sources. There are a lot of very difficult debatable theoretical and practical questions related to usage of Marine pieces and other fairy conditions. This matter has been studied a little and almost forgotten.

Working with WinChloe you should know that this program uses the concepts of Christian Poisson concerning PO, MS and MP pieces. Working with Popeye 4,63 you should accept the principles of this program. There are some differences between WinChloe and Popeye regarding castling, play with Marine Pawns etc.  

 

---

IV. POSEIDON

 

 

The Marine King is named “Poseidon” (or “Neptune”, but this name is rarely used).
The Poseidon moves like a King when not capturing, and captures adjacent pieces like a Locust. In WinChloe Christian Poisson has defined Poseidon as a King/(0,1) + (1,1) Equilocuhopper Shooter. In both programs – WinChloe and Popeye – the symbol of Poseidon is  PO.

According to the definition, in the scheme N21 the white Poseidon (g2) can play either as a normal King: 1.POf3; 1.POh3 or as a Locust after 1.POxg3-g4. The move 1.POxf2-e2?? is illegal because of self-check. The move 1.POxh2?? is impossible, because it does not have the Locust’s character! The black Poseidon (c6) can play as a normal King: 1.POb5; 1.POd5; 1.POd7 or as a “Short Locust”: 1. POxb6-a6; 1.POxb7-a8, POxd6–e6.
The white and black Poseidon can be located on adjacent squares as shown in scheme N22. Here the white POh1 is not in check, of course, because the capture POg2xh1 is impossible. The black POg2 is also not in check, because the move POh1xg2 is not possible (the square f3 is occupied). The POg2 cannot play 1.POh2?? or 1.POg1?? because of the illegal self-checks from the POh1 (POxh2-h3 and POxg1-f1 respectively). But here we see the existence of a strange white battery, created by Rf3 (forward piece) and POh1 (rear piece). Every move of the Rf3 will lead to check from the  POh1! Batteries having a Poseidon as the rear piece are very interesting mechanisms! But mate in 1 is possible only after 1.Rf4#! After this move the square g4 is guarded and Black cannot answer with 1…POxg3-g4.
Castling with a Poseidon is not possible according to Popeye 4,63 but it is possible according to WinChloe if the other orthodox rules are fulfilled! Therefore in Scheme N23 1.0-0# is possible only according to WinChloe. Popeye gives here “no solution”! Сastling with POe1 and a white Triton on h1 is impossible according to both programs!

If we use a Poseidon as a main thematic piece, a very interesting theme is Blocks of Poseidon that deprive it of the possibility of capturing enemy pieces as a Locust. Some light examples follow:

In N24  in the beginning White can’t give mate: 1. Qg1+? POxg1-f1!; 1.Qg2+? POxg2-f3!; 1.Qh2+? POxh2-h3! Therefore one of the squares f1, f3 or h3 must be blocked: I. 1.d1=S! 2.Se3 3.Sf1 Qg1#! because the capture POxg1-f1 is not possible; analogously: II. 1.d1=R 2.Rd3 3.Rf3 Qg2#; III. 1.d1=B 2.Bg4 3.Bh3 Qh2#.
The thematic tries in N25 are: 1. Qe2+? POxe2-d3!; 1.Qe1+? POxe1-d1; 1.Kg2+? – an illegal move, because of 1…POxg2-h3!; 1.Kg1+? – also not possible because of 1…POxg1-h1. After 1.Qe3! – zugzwang – the black S blocks four (!)  squares: 1…Sd3 2.Qe2#, 1…Sd1 2.Qe1#, 1…Sh3 2.Kg2#, 1…Sh1 2.Kg1#. The last two variations show an interesting and important idea: The orthodox King mates Poseidon after blocking him!
In N26 after 1.POh1! Black is stalemated, because the Bh3 is pinned by the POh1!  This pin by a Poseidon is also a nice and paradoxical motive!

---

V. MARINE KNIGHT 

 

The Marine Knight moves as Knight provided the destination square is vacant, but captures an enemy on (1,2) by leaping to (2,4) – which again must be vacant. (Note: in some sources this piece is named Squid (SQ), in the WinChloe program – Cavalier marin (CM). In Popeye this piece is also named Marine Knight with a symbol MS).

In N27 the MSf1 plays without captures as an orthodox S: 1.MSd2 or 1.MSh2. But it can capture as a “S-Locust” by 1.MSxe3-d5! because the square d5 is free. Pay attention to the direction of this piece: f1-e3-d5 which is a straight line! (As by a Nightrider!). Not possible is 1.MSxg3?? because the square h5 is occupied.
N28 is an old and good educational problem. Thematic tries: 1.MSg3? but 1…MSc5! and 1.MSf2+? but 1…MSd6! – the black defences are blocks of the “Locust’s squares” c5/d6. After 1.Se5! [2.g6#] the black MSs play to c7 with the idea of playing 2…MSxe6-g5!, with a block of g5 that closes the battery line. But here White uses the removals of the MSs: 1…MSec7 2.MSf2#, 1…MSac7 2.MSg3#. This small Meredith is a very good demonstration of the most important motives in the play of Marine Knights: batteries and blocks of the MS’s directions!
In the already well known N29  we see Annihilation captures on c4/f5 which by their character are special openings of battery lines! Another very interesting Annihilation occurs when the MSf2 captures the Pe3 with the idea of vacating a square for the white mating MSs. The fine black second moves prevent self-checks to the white King:  a) 1.MSg4 MSa5 2.MSxe3-c2 MSxc4-e3 #; b) 1.MSc2 MSg7 2.MSxe3-g4 MSxf5-e3 #.

The double battery MS/MS is an interesting and unexplored possibility, as are almost all double batteries using Marine pieces. 

A typical and lightweight example is N30 – I. 1.Bg4 f7 2.Bf3 MSxd3-b4#; II. 1.Sb4 Bc1 2.Sd5 MSxf5-h4# – interchange of functions between both MS. Another specific idea here is the vacation of squares f6 and d2.
If you use a neutral MS, an interesting position with neutral double battery and at the same time with reciprocal pins of these pieces is possible! N31 – 1.g1=nMS Kh2+ 2. nMSh3 Kg2=! Stalemate because both  MS are reciprocally self-pinned! Of course, this idea can also be realized with other neutral or half-neutral marine pieces.

---

VI. MARINE PAWN 

 

The Marine pawn (MP in Popeye, PM in WinChloe) moves as a pawn, but captures by hopping over its enemy diagonally forward – in the manner of a draughtsman (or checker) but without the draughtsman’s repeated captures. MP may be captured en passant by an enemy Pawn or Marine Pawn and may capture en passant an enemy Pawn or Marine Pawn.
The Marine Pawn can promote to Siren, Triton, Nereid, Marine Knight or to any other  fairy or orthodox piece that stands on the board. (Note: in some old English sources the Marine Pawn is named “Prawn” with symbol PR).

A) CAPTURES

In N32 MPf2 can mate after: 1.MPxg3-h4#! Other moves with wMPf2 are also possible, but they are useless: 1.MPf3+? Kg1! (or 1…Kh1!); 1.MPf4+? Kg1! MPd7 can capture by 1…MPxc6-b5 and 1…MPxe6-f5. Kg1! Attention!! Here the white Ka1 is not under check, because the capture 1…b2xa1?? is impossible!

Important notice!

According to WinChloe, a MP cannot capture en passant and cannot be captured en passant! According to Popeye en passant is always possible when one or two Marine Pawns participate in the capture!

So in scheme N33:
There is no solution according to WinChloe because after 1.Bf1+ MPb5 the capture 2.cxb6 (e.p) is not allowed! We have the same situation if a white Marine pawn is on c5.
But Popeye gives: 1.Bh3-f1+! MPb7-b5 2.cxb6 ep#. With white MPc5 we have also: 1.Bh3-f1+! MPb7-b5 2.MPxb6-a7 ep#!

B) PROMOTIONS

When can an orthodox pawn promote to a marine piece? Here the standard rule for promotion to a fairy piece applies: the pawn can promote only to the kind of Marine pieces that are present on the board!

For example: if on the board there are two marine pieces – Siren and Triton (the color does not matter here!) and a white Pawn on f7, then six promotions are possible – 4 orthodox into Q, R, B, S and two fairy – into Siren and Triton! 

In N34 the solution is: 1.a8TR!! Ka1 2.Rc1#. Pay attention  that here it is not possible to play 1.a8SI?? Ka1 2.Rc1# because the white Pawn is not allowed to promote to Siren, because such a piece is not present on the board!

When can a Marine Pawn be promoted and to what pieces?
The Marine Pawn can be promoted into four main marine pieces: Siren, Triton, Nereid, Marine Knight plus any other pieces (orthodox or fairies) that are located on the board!

In N35 every move of MPg7 gives mate. But how many solutions are there? The answer – only 4 – after promotions to the main Marine pieces: 1. g8=SI#, 1.g8=TR#, 1.g8=NE# and 1.g8=MS #! No other promotions, orthodox or fairy, are possible here!!
Another situation is demonstrated in diagram N36. How many solutions are there? At first we realize the four marine promotions with MPc6: 1.MPxd7-e8=SI#; 1.MPxd7-e8=TR#; 1.MPxd7-e8=NE#; 1.MPxd7-e8=MS#. According to marine rules, we have the right to promote MPc6 into all other pieces (orthodox or fairy) present on the board. Here we have 3 such pieces (except Kings): Queen, Bishop, Nightrider. Therefore, three additional promotions are possible: 1.MPxd7-e8=Q#; 1.MPxd7-e8=B#; 1. MPd7-e8=N#.
The next easy problem nicely demonstrates the basic rules that we have talked about. N37 – 1.MPb3 MPxb3-c4 2.MPb1=TR MPxb5-a6 3.TRb7 MPxb7- c8=SI#. Some explanations are needed here: Firstly, Black does not have the right to promote to Rook (with the idea of 3.Rb7) because there is no such orthodox piece on the board! Also impossible is 3…MPxb7-c8=Q#?? because White doesn’t have the right to promote to Queen!

---

The 3rd part of this article will be dedicated to some “non-classical” Marine pieces: Marine MAO and Marine MOA (implemented in both programs – WinChloe and Popeye).

---

No.298  Georgy Evseev (Russia) Petko A. Petkov (Bulgaria) Julia Vysotska (Latvia)

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

---

No.298 by Georgy Evseev, Petko A. Petkov & Julia Vysotska  – This joint problem by three fairy composers from different lands was born in the comments to No.291, presenting the same idea, but in a different way! (JV)

---

Definitions:

Lion(Li): Moves along Q-lines over another unit of either color to any square beyond that unit. A capture may be made on arrival, but the hurdle is not affected.

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

Kangaroo (KA): Moves along Queen-lines over 2 hurdles of either color (which may or may not stand on adjacent squares) to the square immediately beyond the second hurdle. A capture may be made on arrival, but the hurdles are not affected.

---

No.298 Georgy Evseev, Petko A. Petkov & Julia Vysotska Russia / Bulgaria / Latvia original-10.04.2013   h#3               2 solutions              (6+6) Lions: b8, h6 Kangaroos: b2,d2,f2,g2 LEO d8     Solutions: (click to show/hide)   I.1.Rxg2 LEb6 2.LIxb2 KAa7+ 3.LIf2 LEb1# II. 1.Bxf2 LEg5 2.LIxd2 KAg6+ 3.LIg2 LEc1#   Creation of white batteries LEO/KA combined with a specific form of theme Zabunov – the forward white piece (KA) in created battery KA/LE changes its function after play of this battery and becomes a rear piece in the new battery LE/KA! Black Annihilation captures on b2/d2 with a goal – line opening by the mating LEO. Black self-blocks on g2/h2. Interchange of functions between four pairs of pieces: KAb2/KAd2; KAf2/KAg2; Bd4/Rg4; Lib8/Lih6 (in one solution Lib8 is a thematic piece, but Lih6 is cook-stopper; in the other solution Lih6 is thematic piece but Lib8 – cook-stopper!). Zilahi, ODT, Meredith-Aristocrat! (Authors)

---

No.297  Julia Vysotska (Latvia)

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

---

No.297 by Julia Vysotska – This is my first try of using Marine pieces. The last paragraph of the article about Marine pieces by IGM P.A.Petkov “Do You know the Marine pieces? (Part I – Siren, Triton, Nereid)”  turned my thoughts to the Neutral Marine pieces. Plus, I like sacrifices and Zilahi! (JV)

---

Definitions:

Siren (SI): A piece that plays as a Queen but captures only as a Locust. 

Triton (TR): A piece that plays as a Rook  but captures only as a Locust. 

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.

---

No.297 Julia Vysotska Latvia original-14.04.2013   h#2              b) pe7→f7          (2+6+3) Neutral Siren b6 Neutral Triton g1     Solutions: (click to show/hide)   a) 1.Se4-d6 nTRg1-e1 2.nSIb6-d8 + nPe7xd8=nS # b) 1.Rd5-d6 nSIb6-b3 2.nTRg1-g8 + nPf7xg8=nB #   Creation of neutral batteries nP/nSiren, nP/nTriton. Interchange of functions between nSI/nTR Underpromotions and Zilahi (sacrifices of neutral SI/TR on d8/g8) Line opening for neutral piece and simultaneous block of the bK on the first move Cross-checks on the second move (Author)

---

No.292, 293 Petko A. Petkov (Bulgaria)

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

---

I’m very happy to present you these gifts for Julia’s Fairies 1st jubilee – two problems by GM Petko A. Pekov:

No.292 – Play of Chinese half-battery with a cyclic interchange of functions (see also it’s improved version, No.292.1, added few days later!);

No.293 – Transformation of two neutral batteries with Take&Make effects!

With a gratitude to the author! (JV)

---

Definitions:

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.

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.

Nightrider(N): A Rider along a straight line on squares lying a Knight`s move away from each other.

Take & Make: Having captured, a unit must immediately, as part of its move, play a non-capturing move in imitation of the captured unit from the capture-square. If no such move is available, the capture is illegal. Promotion by capture occurs only when a pawn arrives on the promotion rank as the result of a take&make move. Checks are as in normal chess: after the notional capture of the checked K, the checking unit does not move away from the K’s square. 

---

No.292 Petko A. Petkov Bulgaria original-09.04.2013 Dedicated to the 1st Jubilee of Julia’s Fairies   hs#2*           2 solutions           (4+10) Chameleon Rh8 PAOs: a3, a8 VAOs: a5, a7     Solutions: (click to show/hide)   Set-play: 1…VAe3! 2.CRh3 = cQ+ PAxh3# I. 1.CRd8=CQ! PAc3! 2.CQd2=CS+ VAxd2# II. 1.CRe8 = CQ! VA5b6! 2.CQe3 = CS+ VAxe3#   Play of the Chinese half-battery created with three forward pieves ( PAa3, VAa5, VAa7) and one rear piece (PAa8). This play is demonstrated in 3 phases with set-play and 2 solutions and cyclic interchange of functions of the black forward pieces. The additional strategic motive is creation of hurdle by the one black Chinese piece and capture through this element by the other black piece. (Author)

No.293 Petko A. Petkov Bulgaria original-09.04.2013 Dedicated to the 1st Jubilee of Julia’s Fairies   h#2             b) Kh2→f1       (4+10+4) Take & Make Neutral Nightriders: f4, h8       Solutions: (click to show/hide)   a) 1.nNxh5-h6+ nRf4! 2.nNb3 nBxf4-f1# b) 1.nNxg2-g4+ nBf4! 2.nNe8 nRxf4-e5#   Transformation of the neutral batteries nN/nB and nN/NR into nR/nB and nB/nR batteries respectively (neutral Grimshaw!). Play of neutral nB/nR/nN half-battery combined with Zilahi (reciprocal captures of the mating neutral pieces), cross-checks. Model mates. (Author)

No.292.1 Petko A. Petkov Bulgaria Verion of No.292, 12.04.2013 Dedicated to the 1st Jubilee of Julia’s Fairies   hs#2*            2 solutions             (4+8) Chameleon Rh1 PAOs: c8, h8 VAO g8 Grasshopper e8     Solutions: (click to show/hide)   Set-play: 1…VAc4 2.CRc1=CQ+ PAxc1# I. 1.CRh5 = CQ PAc6 2.CQb5 = CS+ Gxb5# II. 1.CRh4 = CQ Ge6 2.CQc4 = CS+ VAxc4#   A more economical position as in N 292 but here the black VAO is replaced with a black Grasshopper. Therefore the black battery’s mechanism here is “mixed” (not only Chinese as in N 292). (Author)

---