Original Problems (29)

Thank you, Janos, I like your idea!
To the first question, from Seetharaman, about using just one Lion – it is possible, but it would change the idea.
Let me show you the previous version of this published problem:
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Valerio Agostini
The following interesting problem of Valerio is actively discussed on the site (later we will call this task Version A):
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1…LIh3-c8 2.Sg1-f3 (2. Sg3?) LIe3-h3 3.Sf3-e5 LIh3-d7#
1…LIe3-e8 2.Sh1-g3 (2.Sf3?) LIh3-e3 3.Sg3-f5 LIe3-e7#

Without doubt, here the thematic is rich and pleasant – the theme – reciprocal creation of Lion/Lion anti-batteries is not new of course, but here we see some fresh and nice motives in play of Lie3/Lih3 (with reciprocal vacation of squares) and in a play of black Knights. An impressive design of Valerio!
At the first sight the construction is also good – “Aristocrat”, only 9 pieces on the board.
But nevertheless, I think that this is not the best version of the problem. The construction, although it looks perfect, de facto is unsatisfactory! Why? The firstcriticism is to the piece Bf1 – it is a typical “cookstopper” only. This figure is added on the board with one purpose – to eliminate the cooks. It has no other role.
Such technical figures are bad elements in every problem! Although necessary at the first sight, they spoil the overall harmonia! I think that the young composers and the authors with less experience, do not pay enough attention to this important fact. Thus they allow a big mistake that over time can become a habit.
But more concret: Is it possible in the problem of Agostini to remove the bad Bf1? My answer is: yes, it is possible and not so difficult to realize, for example – in a such position (Version 1):

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1…LIe6-e1 2.Se7-c6 LIb6-e6 3.Sc6-d4 LIe6-e2#
1…LIb6-g1 2.Sc8-d6 LIe6-b6 3.Sd6-e4 LIb6-f2#

Version 1 is a step forward, to compare with the position of Agostini – here we have also “cook – stopper” but it is only a black Pawn (c7).
A common important rule: as cookstopper a black Pawn is always better than any other black piece (s)! A cook – stoper Rook is always worse than a Bishop or Knight in such role. The worst is a black Queen when it is put on the board only with one fuction – to eliminate cooks!
And now – a few words about the black moves in Version A. Here the two black Knights play good, of course – the self-blocks on e5/f5 are excellent elements, nice motives are also the dual-avoidance tries (2. Sg3?) and (2.Sf3?) .
But pay attention to one small flaw – both Knights are strong limited in their movements in initial setting, and the moves as Sf3 and Sg3 are almost obvious here – these figures should be put into play!
The activity of the pieces which execute the thematical moves, has great aesthetic importance! Do not underestimate this factor!
So, trying to improve version A, I put the following practical objectives:
A. To eliminate bad cook-stopper Bf1
B. To activate the black thematic pieces (both Knights)
C. To try schemes with other black piece(s) which execute the same black strategy as in the Version A.
For this my plan, I have done a “blitz-tempo” and I want to show what I received – Version 2:
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1…LIb1-h7 2.Qd2-b2 (2.Qb4?) LIb5-b1 3.Db2-e5 LIb1-g6#
1…LIb5-h5 2.Dd2-b4 (2.Qb2?) LIb1-b5 3.Db4-e4 LIb5-g5#

This position has 2 pieces more, than in Version A, but in my opinion, the play here is much more homogeneous and beautiful, no any technical figures – neither whitenor black! On the other hand, here the black Queen, which stands very actively on the board, excellently replaces the two black Knights.
Of course, possible are (probably) also other versions, for example – in three moves with addition of a new black half-move. This idea seems not so easy…But Valerio can find a new chances – he is a very ambitious and fruitful author from the new, excellent Italian “Fairy generation”!