Grasshopper(G): Moves along Q-lines over another unit of either color to the square immediately beyond that unit. A capture may be made on arrival, but the hurdle is not affected.
No.1247Bosko Miloseski Macedonia original – 11.11.2017
With setplay too, the precedent cited is definitely a better example. Pity it is no longer possible to compose simple ideas in fairy field !!
shankar ram
November 14, 2017 15:54
Help play seems redundant. Works as a direct mate too! As a direct mate, there may be older forerunners…
Kostas Prentos
November 14, 2017 18:01
I am not sure I agree, but shankar ram’s last comment made a strong impression to me: Given a choice, a direct mate is preferable to a helpmate, when the content is comparable! As far as anticipations go, I would also consider a transcription between genres with skepticism when the core idea is the same. But, is the direct mate form superior to the helpmate and if so, on what basis?
The idea is attractive, so it is not unusual if processed in several genres. My own problem, Pravda 2013
Kc1 Ge7 (2) – Ka1 Gh7 Pa2 (3) #6*: *1…Gd7 2.Gc7 Gb7 3.Ga7#, 1.Kc2 Gb1 2.Kb3 Gb4 3.Kc2 Gf8 4.Kc1 Gd6 5.Gc5 Gb4 6.Ga3#
But anticipated by Wolfgang Pauly, Deutsche Märchenschachzeitung 1931 (!) :((
Kc1 Gc4 (2), Ka1 Gd3 Pa2 (3) 5#*: *1…Gb5 2.Ga6#, 1.Kc2 Gb1 2.Kb3 Gb4 3.Kc2 Gd4 4.Kc1 Gb4 5.Ga4#
Why the unorthodox forms (helpmates/selfmates/fairies) were invented and employed in chess composition historically?
If to show conceptions otherwise unachievable, then the answer to your question is “on the basis of economy of unorthodox means”.
Kostas Prentos
November 14, 2017 22:03
Good point, Dmitri. Yet, the real question is: Are helpmates unorthodox? Although they were “invented” after direct mates and studies and for a long period of time they were considered fairy problems, is this still the case? In other words, is the idea that direct mates are the only orthodox problems outdated, or still valid? I doubt that any helpmate composer goes through the process of considering first if the idea he/she wants to show can be done in the orthodox direct mate form, before attempting to show it in a helpmate.
In the case of this problem, we can safely discard historical and other considerations about orthodox problems vs. helpmates, since a fairy piece is used. As a fairy problem, would it be better to show this content as a direct mate, instead of a helpmate? Or is the historical priority of direct mates somehow transferred to the fairy genre, too?
Joost
November 26, 2017 09:28
In the new version, b brings absolutely nothing new, as it’s the original position mirrored through the a8-h1 diagonal.
Anticipated by (in my opinion better):
Achim Schoneberg
469 harmonie 56, December 1998
White : Kf1 Pg2h2 Ga2b2
Black : Kh1 Ga1
(2+1 grasshopper)
h#3*
0.1.1.1.1.1 + 2.1.1.1.1.1
* 1…Gc2 2.Gc3 Gc4 3.Gc5 Gc6#
1.Ga3 Ga4 2.Ga5 Ga6 3.Ga7 Ga8#
1.Gc3 Gd4 2.Ge5 Gf6 3.Gg7 Gh8#
With setplay too, the precedent cited is definitely a better example. Pity it is no longer possible to compose simple ideas in fairy field !!
Help play seems redundant. Works as a direct mate too! As a direct mate, there may be older forerunners…
I am not sure I agree, but shankar ram’s last comment made a strong impression to me: Given a choice, a direct mate is preferable to a helpmate, when the content is comparable! As far as anticipations go, I would also consider a transcription between genres with skepticism when the core idea is the same. But, is the direct mate form superior to the helpmate and if so, on what basis?
The idea is attractive, so it is not unusual if processed in several genres. My own problem, Pravda 2013
Kc1 Ge7 (2) – Ka1 Gh7 Pa2 (3) #6*: *1…Gd7 2.Gc7 Gb7 3.Ga7#, 1.Kc2 Gb1 2.Kb3 Gb4 3.Kc2 Gf8 4.Kc1 Gd6 5.Gc5 Gb4 6.Ga3#
But anticipated by Wolfgang Pauly, Deutsche Märchenschachzeitung 1931 (!) :((
Kc1 Gc4 (2), Ka1 Gd3 Pa2 (3) 5#*: *1…Gb5 2.Ga6#, 1.Kc2 Gb1 2.Kb3 Gb4 3.Kc2 Gd4 4.Kc1 Gb4 5.Ga4#
Why the unorthodox forms (helpmates/selfmates/fairies) were invented and employed in chess composition historically?
If to show conceptions otherwise unachievable, then the answer to your question is “on the basis of economy of unorthodox means”.
Good point, Dmitri. Yet, the real question is: Are helpmates unorthodox? Although they were “invented” after direct mates and studies and for a long period of time they were considered fairy problems, is this still the case? In other words, is the idea that direct mates are the only orthodox problems outdated, or still valid? I doubt that any helpmate composer goes through the process of considering first if the idea he/she wants to show can be done in the orthodox direct mate form, before attempting to show it in a helpmate.
In the case of this problem, we can safely discard historical and other considerations about orthodox problems vs. helpmates, since a fairy piece is used. As a fairy problem, would it be better to show this content as a direct mate, instead of a helpmate? Or is the historical priority of direct mates somehow transferred to the fairy genre, too?
In the new version, b brings absolutely nothing new, as it’s the original position mirrored through the a8-h1 diagonal.
You are right Joost. I would prefer the original version, but unfortunately anticipated.