No.252 (JV)

Nikola, I’ve tried different options here. Same as you I was not very happy about the pair B/N.
My “primary wish” was to put bK between two Locusts, and to get orthogonal and diagonal solutions (I like ODT in general, it is visible 🙂 ). It was not easy for me to come to this scheme, but although I thought, that the moves of black King are not very thematic, I liked them, as for me it was something new.
The first version of this problem didn’t have B/N pieces, but just the pawns a7/f7 in h#2.5. For such setting I had two versions:
1) +bPb5 and twin b) bPb5->c5 ; and the solutions were almost the same except B/N moves;
2) +bPa3, +bPb3 ; and moves of Locusts in the solutions were by the same road, in two directions: La6xa3-a2; La2xb3-c4 and Le4xb3-a2; La2xa3-a4. I liked those moves, but the economy was crying – two many unused pawns in each solution!

So, one more half-move was added to improve the economy. I agree there’s some imbalance because of using fairy piece N and orthodox B. I also had a Grasshopper (you’re right, Bishop-hopper is even better) on a7 in one version. And somehow I even liked that in one solution a hurdle Pb6 was needed for G move, but in another the annihilation of Pd6 was needed first. Had chosen Ba7 thinking about the economy – usage of non-fairy piece where it is possible. Also, N seems to me “less fairy” then other fairy pieces :).
Artificial balance or natural imbalance? I don’t know what is right. I also hope it’s a matter of taste. I’ve just made my choice! Thank you for your analysis!