Original Fairy problems
JF-2021-I:
01.01.2021 - 30.06.2021
No. 1599 Armin Geister &
Daniel Papack
Germany
original - 05.04.2021
white Qh1 Se1c1 Pd2c2d3c3b3g5b7 Ka6 Rh7 Be7
black Sg1f7 Rb1g7 Pg2a2g3d4b4e5f6d6 Kh3 Bg8b8 Qa8
h#2.5 13+16
Mars Circe
Mars Circe
Solution: (click to show/hide)
Dual avoidance on B1 move is excellent and subtle. This is neatky linked with the need to have a selfblock on e7. But the clearance of the WQ line to enable captures by it on b1 and g1 has proved to be needing too many plugs making the position too heavy.
“Too heavy” – such criticism is flowing off the tongue…
It is possible to show the main content in a h#2. But we think that the additional half-move
represents a fine enrichment. The thematic wealth easily compensates for the material.
Yes, the position is heavy – but not too heavy…
By the way: The captures on e7 are no “selfblocks”.
I forgot the solutions of the diagram, the shortened h#2 version:
1.Sh8 (Rg6?) Se1 2.Qa8-d8xe7 Qh1-d1xd3 and
1.Rg6 (Sh8?) Sd2 2.Bb8-f8xe7 Qh1-d1xg1
The problems by these composers are usually complex, mysterious things well worth analysing in depth. That is true here, too: at first I just looked at the moves wondering “what is really happening here??”. But there are logical reasons for every move. (Should I say something about the Perseverance needed to unravel this Martian logic? 😉 )
So I find this: White needs to mate by evacuating h1 (for a mate by Rh7), but Qh1 can only get out by capture (Sg1 cannot move away for several reasons, including lack of time for Black). So the wQ can only escape by capture from d1, so Sc1 or Se1 must move away. Both can only move to the diagonal d1-h5, which unfortunately gives the bK a flight on g4, so they have to make another move. These two hide-away moves in succession are the main reasons for all the plugs.
Black meanwhile must do two things: stop K-e8xe7 by capturing Be7 (with the Q via d8 or with the B via f8), and stop Rg7-h8xh7 (by Sh8 or Rg6).
With QxRb1 as mate, Qa8 is free to capture Be7, and Rg7 must not move to a white square so Sh8 is required. With QxSg1 as mate, Bb8 is free to capture Be7, and Sf7 must not move to a black square so Rg6 is required.
I agree with the composers: there are many plugs, but not too many, given the content.