Original Problems (pages 21-30)

No.57 The next interesting problem sparked a lively and very useful comments:
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I’d like to share my opinion, emphasize on some new and very important moments in this work.
It is obviously, that a LR/LB Grimshaw can be realized only after double captures of enemy figures – in this case, on the fields b6 and b5. This combination also reminds somewhat of Novotny, but because here the captures of figures are made on different fields, more accurately is probably to speak about Grimshaw. But this terminological question is not so important.
In theoretical and practical aspect more important is another thin: in our strange LR/LB Grimshaw two other captures are needed – on the second white moves. In № 57 these captures are: 2…LBxd6-e7 (brS=rLR) # and 2…LRxc3-c2 (brS=rLB) #. Here the piece LRd6 is very important in solution a) because it determines the phase of the black King. But it is obviously, that in this phase LBc3 is completely unnecessary and useless piece. On the contrary – in solution b) LRd6 is completely unnecessary and useless piece.
Whether this fact is a fault of the problem?
This is the first, a very important question here! The answer is not easy. Nowadays, in orthodox Helpmates we see many works in which some black figures play only in one phase but they are not needed in other solutions. For example, this well-known compromise is almost a traditional phenomenon in most H# – tasks. The judges assessed differently this defect. Many arbiters perceive it as a necessary evil. But other judges reduce the evaluation in such cases. There are no official rules in this regard and every judge proceeds according to his views.
But according to my subjective opinion, in № 57 the situation is worse – Here the LRd6 and LBc3 are not only “half – redundand” and also quite immobile in the solutions, in which they have no role. This fact creates an oppressive mood. Because here the play-distance is short (only 4 half-moves) there is no time to use simultaneously both figures LRd6 and LBc3.

And here, in my opinion, the authors admitted a serious error. They accept as a basis the following mechanism:
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This scheme means that in a) position a superfluous figure will be LBc3, and in position b) – LRd6. Here is impossible practically to load these pieces with some additional technical features (for example – removal of cooks) .
In other words, if №1 is a started position, it can be called “Start with compromise.”
My recommendation is: do not start work with such positions!
But in this very initial phase of work if you have already created position № 1, the question is: whether here exists a better starting position with analogical thematic?
You are required to answer on this question. This means:
a) You try to modify your initial scheme (№ 1) with goal to remove its defect – in a very early stage of the work!
b) This modification means creation of many similar mechanisms, where there are no superfluous pieces in the different phases.
c) Here are necessary 4 captures of black pieces, and it is not difficult to find, for example, the following two excellent ways to achieve the goal:
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In scheme №2 – Here you plan: I. 1. Sb6! LBxb6-c5 and then 2.LBxd6-e7; II. 1. Sb5! LRxb5-c5 and then 2.LRxc4-c3. There is no superfluous black figures here! On the contrary – the two black Knights play wonderful fulfilling the idea ofinterchange of functions.
If you need the different kinds of pieces on d6/c4 , you can use other combinations of pieces that have in theirs movements elements of a S – trajectory – MAO, MOA, Rose, Nightrieder, NAO, Nighthopper, etc.

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Analogical situation shows scheme №3 – I. 1.Bb6! LBxb6-c5 and 2.LBxb4-a3; II. 1.Rb5! LRxb5-c5 and 2.LRxc7-c8 etc… Also a very nice interchange of functions between two duos of pieces!
An other type of work-schemes here is demonstrated in №4 – а) 1. b6! LBxb6-c5 and 2. LBxd6-e7; b) 1. b5! LRxb5-c5 and 2.LRxc4 – c3.
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I recommend you to create a big number of primary schemes of the type №2 – №4. After that, you can choose one of them and you can continue the work, adding to the initial scheme new thematic elements. In the other words, you start with an excellent initial scheme with goal to create a large number of new, more complex working patterns!
Every simple starting scheme of type №2- №4 you can develop to more complex structures observing the following rule: Work without any compromise, if it is possible!
Returning to the task № 57, I can say: it is a very interesting and ambitious achieve, but here the first problem is to comment and to permit question about the doubtfull black pieces: LRd6 and LBc3. Before to this action is unacceptable to comment the status of two other doubtfull pieces on the board – LBh8 and LRe1.
However, my opinion is that LBh8 and LRe1 are bad figures – they are even worse than the static LRd6 and LBc3. The creation of tries with superfluous pieces is not desirable in fairy composition, although such trend exist long time in the orthodoxal twomover, for example.
Therefore, the authors of №57 can amend and improve significantly this problem paying more attention to the black material on the board.
If we speak for the exellent new Diyan’s condition KoBul Kings, I can recommend – use more often captures of the black pawns, toreturn to the black king its otrodoxal phase!
Another recommendation: try your realization in h=2!
Here I give a smal , humoristic example: no, there is no а virtual “Pseudo Nowotny” on d5 – we should sacrifice the black Queen, but not on d5:
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Umnov theme with specifical model stalemate-finals. But is it also a White Grinshaw with creation of reciprocal LR/LB and LB/LR batteries?
A surprising question which have not easy answer!! In the first solution LB closed line by LR but de facto after the 2nd – stalemate-move, LR controls not square h5, but square g5!! Analogical, in b) after the 2nd – stalemate-move, LB controls not square h1 but square g2!! In my opinion, after white moves LRxc5-d5 and LBxc6-d5 we have a “Special White Grimshaw” with creation of indirect white batteries!! Why indirect? The answer: because after the stalemate moves LRa5 and LBa8 keeps suares around the white King – g5 and g2!!
The LB/LR Grimshaw is a very difficult theme – especially in short problems (H#2). Therefore, here I recomm to look for an extension of the play game at least to 2.5 moves, or even 3 moves. Theoretical , a H#3 has 6 half-moves and here is possible (in one or other degree) to activate all pieces on the board from the Locust family. This aesthetical goal is very important for all kind and colors of Locust figures!
The LB/LR Grimshaw gives good chances in HS# genre but also in longer distance – 2,5, or more moves.
An other recommentation is to use neutral (or half-neutral) LB and LR which promissing more dynamic play.