BPCF 2017 - XII Београдски фестивал проблемског шаха 2017.
Belgrade Internet Tournaments 2017
Group A – #2 ,
Mate in two moves
Judge: Marjan Kovačević, International Judge
The thematic condition asked for multiple gate opening by the key-move, a motive rarely explored. Both quality and quantity of 25 anonymous entries have pleasantly surprised me!
I paid special attention to subtlety of thematic black errors: from the less sophisticated ones, leading to recapture, unguard of mating field, white line opening, or capturing by the key-piece; to the more subtle motives, like self-block, black interference, or capturing by white unit other then the key one (usually asking for additional effects of the key-move).
After the award had been completed, it turned out that one composer was author of two different joint entries (No. 4 – P.N.& A.V. and No.18 – M.B. & A.V.), against the (often criticized) rules of BIT. So, with regrets, I had to exclude the somewhat lower placed No.18.
There were two entries (Nos. 19 & 21) equally impressive from my point of view. Since this is a thematic tourney, I gave priority to the most intensive presentation of the theme. If this was an informal tourney, the first two prizes would exchange their places in my award.
Thematic condition
Double White-Black gate-opening
Solution begins with simultaneous opening of two (or more) black lines. Black pieces use this effect as double gate-opening, to create variations by moving over critical field vacated by the white key-piece.
Example -(Scheme)
white Pb3c4c6 Sb4e5 Re6 Kc5
black Ka5 Rg6 Bf7
#2
1.Re6-e7 ! threat: 2.Re7-a7 #
1...Rg6*c6+ 2.Se5*c6 #
1...Bf7*c4 2.Se5*c4 #
Winners
S. Manikumar
C.G.S. Narayanan
Ivo Tominić
Aleksey Oganesjan
Evgeni Bourd
Participants
Suleyman Abdullayev (AZE)
Rauf Aliovsadzade (USA)
Mark Basisty* (UKR)
Dr Phani Bhushan (IND)
Evgeni Bourd (ISR)
Chandrasekaran K (IND)
Mykola Chernyavskyy (UKR)
Branislav
Djurašević (SRB)
Dan-Constantin Gurgui (ROM)
ichai
Fedir Kapustin (UKR)
Marko Klasinc
(SLO)
Ralf Krätschmer* (GER)
Robert Lincoln (USA)
Ingemar Lind (SWE)
Manikumar S. (IND)
Karol
Mlynka (SVK)
Narayanan CGS (IND)
Emanuel Navon (ISR)
Petro Novitsky* (UKR)
Aleksey
Oganesjan (RUS)
Franz Pachl* (GER)
Miodrag Radomirović (SRB)
Srećko Radović (SRB)
Yosi Retter
(ISR)
Seetharaman Kalyan (IND)
Ivo Tominić (CRO)
Anatoly Vasilenko** (UKR)
28 names
from 13 countries
BPCF2017A - Award
1st Prize
Manikumar S, Narayanan CGS, India
white Bc4f2 Ka5 Qg5 Pc5d2 Sd3f1 Rg3
black Rg7h5 Bf7h6 Ke4
#2
(9+5)
1.Qg5-f6 ! threat: 2.Qf6-f3 #
1...Rh5*c5+ 2.Sd3*c5 #
1...Rh5-f5 2.Qf6-d4 #
1...Bh6*d2+ 2.Sf1*d2 #
1...Bh6-e3 2.Rg3*e3 #
1...Bh6-f4 2.Qf6*f4 #
1...Rg7*g3 2.Sf1*g3 #
Not less than 6 thematic moves allowed by the key-move that opens 3 black lines. With 5 out of 6 variations created by two black pieces, some subtlety was needed. You may notice that mates by WRg3 were introduced thanks to additional guards of d4 and f3 flights, while Qd4# uses self/block on f5. All is thematic here, no repetition and no by-play in this wonderfully constructed problem, with black and white pieces artistically grouped on the board.
FEN: 8/5br1/7b/K1P3Qr/2B1k3/3N2R1/3P1B2/5N2
(C+ by Popeye)
2nd Prize
Ivo Tominić, Croatia
white Be3a4 Ka5 Qf6 Pd3e6c6 Sc8 Rb4
black Qg6 Sc2 Bh8 Kd5
#2
(9+4)
1.Qf6-e7 ? threat: 2.Qe7-d6 #
1...Kd5-e5 2.Rb4-b5 #
1...Qg6*e6 2.Qe7-c5 #
1...Bh8-e5 2.Sc8-b6 #
1...Kd5-e5 2.Rb4-b5 #
but 1...Qg6-g3 !
1.Qf6-f4 ! threat: 2.Qf4-d6 #
1...Qg6*e6 2.Sc8-b6 #
1...Bh8-e5 2.Qf4-c4 #
1...Kd5*e6 2.Ba4-b3 #
1...Qg6-g3 2.Qf4-e4 #
There is a 2x2 change of mates after thematic self-blocks in two equally beautiful phases, each giving a different flight to BK. The phases are not only matching, but also creating reciprocal relations, with a kind of ODT flavor. The composition reveals a hand of a master, with new mates after BK flights, and an excellent refutation that leads to additional mate in the solution. A problem that could get a Prize in any informal tourney.
FEN: 2N4b/8/2P1PQq1/K2k4/BR6/3PB3/2n5/8
(C+ by Popeye)
3rd Prize
Aleksey Oganesjan, Russia
white Bg6 Kb8 Qa3 Pf4h7 Sc4e6 Rg2g8
black Ph2f2c2e5b6d7 Sg4f7 Bb3 Kh6 Rb4
#2
(9+11)
1.Sc4-e3? threat: 2.Se3*g4# {A} 2.Se3-f5# {B}
1...d7*e6{a} 2.Se3*g4#{A} 1...Sg4-f6{b} 2.Se3-f5#{B} 1...Sg4*e3 {d} 2.Rg2*h2#{D} 1...Rb4*f4 2.Qa3-f8# but 1...Bb3*e6!{(2.Qh3#??)}
1.Sc4-d6? threat: 2.Sd6-f5#{B} 2.Sd6*f7#{C}
1...Sf7-h8{c} 2.Sd6-f5#{B} 1...d7*e6 {a} 2.Sd6*f7# {C}
1...Sf7*d6 {e} 2.h7-h8=Q#{E} 1...Bb3*e6 2.Qa3-h3# but 1...Rb4*f4!
1.Sc4*e5! threat: 2.Se5*f7#{C} 2.Se5*g4#{A}
1...Bb3*e6 2.Qa3-h3# 1...Rb4*f4 2.Qa3-f8 #
1...Sg4-f6 {b} 2.Se5*f7#{C} 1...Sf7-h8 {c} 2.Se5*g4#{A} 1...Sg4*e5 {f} 2.Rg2*h2#{D} 1...Sf7*e5 {g} 2.h7-h8=Q#{E}
Astonishing line-play spread around the board. WSc4 opens
„gates” to BB&BR, and these black pieces in turn open „gates” to
WQ. Next, in both tries WS anticipatory closes the „gates” to Her
Majesty, motivating refutations. In my opinion, this composition,
involving cyclic threats too, has too much of the content...
Without insisting on so called „half-defences” (that appear
artificial to my taste), the position would be much lighter.
FEN: 1K4R1/3p1n1P/1p2N1Bk/4p3/1rN2Pn1/Qb6/2p2pRp/8
(C+ by Popeye)
Spec. Prize
Evgeni Bourd, Israel
white Bg8d6 Kc7 Qf3 Pe7e5b4f2 Sa3e1 Rd7c1
black Bd2h1 Kd4 Qh4 Pa5f5b3b2 Sc6c2 Re6g3
#2
(12+12)
1...Sc6*e5 {a} 2.Bd6-c5# {A}
1...Sc2-e3 {b} 2.Sa3-b5# {B}
1.Qf3-e2! threat: 2.Qe2-c4#
1...Sc6*e5 {a} 2.Bd6*e5# {C- change}
1...Sc2-e3 {b} 2.Qe2-d3# {D- change}
1...Rg3-c3 2.Bd6-c5# {A - transfer}
1...Bh1-d5 2.Sa3-b5# {B - transfer
Thematic selfblock crossing the critical f3}
1...Kd4-d5 2.Bd6-c5# {A - transfer 2}
1...Kd4-c3 2.Sa3-b5# {B - transfer2
King flights}
1...Sc2*a3 2.Bd6-c5# {A - transfer 3}
1...Re6*d6 2.Sa3-b5# {B - transfer3
Line opening + Zilahi}
Another very ambitious entry, presenting the Ruchlis change, and a kind of 1+3 transference, where solution contains 3 different pairs of defences leading to the same pair of mates. This complex content, offering two thematic flights to BK, overshadows the main theme, and would be more suitable for an informal tourney.
FEN: 6B1/2KRP3/2nBr3/p3Pp2/1P1k3q/Np3Qr1/1pnb1P2/2R1N2b
(C+ by Popeye)
1st Hon. Mention
Petro Novitsky, Anatoly Vasilenko, Ukraine
white Bg7f3 Kh3 Qa1 Pf7c5g4 Sc6c3 Rd8f8
black Bb3 Ke6 Qb2 Pd2 Sa8c8 Rc2
#2
(11+7)
1.Qa1-a4? threat: 2.Qa4-e4#
1...Bb3-c4 2.Qa4*c4#
1...Sc8-d6 2.Rd8*d6#
1...Bb3-d5 2.Bf3*d5#
1...Bb3*a4 2.Bf3-d5#
but 1...Qb2*c3 !
1.Sc3-e4 ? threat: 2.Se4-g5#
1...Rc2*c5 2.Se4*c5#
1...Qb2-e5 2.Qa1*e5#
1...Qb2-f6 2.Qa1*f6#
but 1...Qb2*g7!
1.Sc3-d5? threat: 2.Sd5-f4#
1...Bb3*d5 2.Bf3*d5#
1...Qb2-d4 2.Sc6*d4#
1...Qb2-e5 2.Qa1*e5#
1...Qb2-f6 2.Qa1*f6#
but 1...Rc2-c4 !
1.Sc3-e2 ! threat: 2.Se2-f4#
1...Qb2-d4 2.Se2*d4#
1...Rc2-c4 2.Bf3-d5#
1...Qb2-e5 2.Qa1*e5#
1...Qb2-f6 2.Qa1*f6#
A very rich thematic content with 1+3 thematic variations in the solution, and additional thematic content in two tries executed by the key-piece: new variation 1…Rxc5 2.Sxc5#, changed mate after 1…Qd4 2.Scxd4#, as well as thematic refutations 1…Rc4! and 1…Q:g7! In comparison with the prizes, this content is only a bit less harmonized
FEN: n1nR1R2/5PB1/2N1k3/2P5/6P1/1bN2B1K/1qrp4/Q7
(C+ by Popeye)
2nd Hon. Mention
Franz Pachl, Ralf Krätschmer, Germany
white Ba8 Kg8 Qe1 Pf5d4f4 Sd3 Rg7c1
black Pd7f6d5 Kd6 Bc7e2 Sh4 Rc3
#2
(9+8)
1.Sd3-e5 ? threat: 2.Rg7*d7#
1...Be2-b5 2.Se5-f7# {Anti-Lewman}
1...Rc3-g3 2.Qe1-b4#
1...f6*e5 2.f4*e5#
but 1...Sh4*f5 !
1.Sd3-c5 ! threat: 2.Rg7*d7 #
1...Be2-b5 2.Qe1-e7#
1...Rc3-g3 2.Sc5-b7# {Anti-Lewman}
1...Rc3*c5 2.d4*c5#
Two thematic variations are changed between solution and try, with a clear-cut exchange of Anti-Levman effects and gate-openings for the WQ. Simultaneously, each introductory move closes one of the lines for WQ.
FEN: B5K1/2bp2R1/3k1p2/3p1P2/3P1P1n/2rN4/4b3/2R1Q3
(C+ by Popeye)
3rd Hon. Mention
Branislav Djurašević, Serbia
white Bg5 Ke2 Qh8 Pf5 Sf3e3 Rg6
black Ph3e5d7 Ke4 Rh6g7 Be8
#2
(7+7)
1.Rg6-d6 ! threat: 2.Sf3-d2#
1...Rh6*d6 2.Qh8-h4#
1...Rg7*g5 2.Qh8*e5#
1...Be8-h5 2.Qh8-a8#
1.Qh8*e8? d7-d6 2.Qe8-a4 #
but 1...Rg7-e7 !
1.Qh8*g7 ? threat: 2.Qg7*e5 #
but 1...d7-d6 !
1.Qh8*h6 ? threat: 2.Qh6-h4 #
but 1...Rg7-h7 !
1.Rg6*h6 ? threat: 2.Rh6-h4 #
1...Rg7*g5 2.Qh8*e5 #
but 1...Be8-h5 !
Triple gate-opening for black pieces leads to triple gate-opening for WQ. The tries mentioned by the composer(s) are rude, but the refutations are precise and interesting, including the skilful use of BPd7.
FEN: 4b2Q/3p2r1/6Rr/4pPB1/4k3/4NN1p/4K3/8
(C+ by Popeye)
4th Hon. Mention
Miodrag Radomirović, Serbia
white Bd7 Kc3 Qh8 Pb5c5d4e3 Se5b3 Rb6a1
black Qb8 Pa3 Bf6g4 Re6g5 Ka4
#2
(11+7)
1.Se5-d3 ! threat: 2.Sd3-b2#
1...Rg5*c5+ 2.Sd3*c5#
1...Re6*e3 2.Rb6-a6#
1...Bf6*d4+ 2.Qh8*d4#
1...Qb8-h2 2.Qh8-a8#
Four entries presenting the record quadruple gate-opening were difficult to compare, since all of them use simpler black errors. This one is quite economical, and uses most of the board space.
FEN: 1q5Q/3B4/1R2rb2/1PP1N1r1/k2P2b1/pNK1P3/8/R7
(C+ by Popeye)
5th Hon. Mention
Ingemar Lind, Sweden
white Bf6c4 Ke1 Qd5 Pd4f3g2 Sa3e2 Rb6
black Ba8f4 Ke3 Qf7 Pb3g3 Sg6 Rd7b5
#2
(10+9)
1.Qd5-f5 ! threat: 2.Qf5-d3#
1...Rb5*f5 2.Rb6*b3#
1...Rd7*d4 2.Bf6*d4#
1...Qf7*c4 2.Sa3*c4#
1...Ba8-e4 2.Qf5*e4#
1...Sg6-e5 2.Qf5*f4#
1.Rb6*b5 ? threat: 2.Rb5*b3#
1...Rd7-b7 2.Qd5-e4#
but 1...Sg6-e5 !
The play after this quadruple gate-opening appears quite homogenous.
FEN: b7/3r1q2/1R3Bn1/1r1Q4/2BP1b2/Np2kPp1/4N1P1/4K3
(C+ by Popeye)
6th Hon. Mention
Suleyman Abdullayev, Azerbaijan
white Qb2 Pc7a4d4a3 Kc8 Rd8a7 Sf4b1
black Qd2 Pa5d5h5d3c2 Kc4 Rh4f2 Bh2
#2
(10+10)
1...Qd2-c1{Q~<font color=blue>a</font>} 2.Qb2-c3 #{<font color=blue>A</font>}
1...Rf2-f1{Rf~<font color=blue>b</font>} 2.Sb1*d2 #{<font color=blue>B</font>}
1.Rd8-d6 ? threat: 2.Rd6-c6# but 1...Qd2-b4 ! {<font color=blue>c</font>}
1.Ra7*a5 ? threat: 2.Ra5-c5 #
1...Qd2-b4 {<font color=blue>c</font>} 2.Qb2*b4#{<font color=blue>C</font>}
but 1...Qd2*a5 !
1.Sf4*d5 ! threat: 2.Sd5-b6 #
1...Rh4*d4 2.Qb2-b5 #
1...Qd2-h6 {<font color=blue>d</font>} 2.Qb2-c3 #{<font color=blue>A</font>}
1...Rf2-f6 {<font color=blue>e</font>} 2.Sb1*d2 #{<font color=blue>B</font>}
1...Bh2*c7 2.Ra7*c7 #
1...Qd2-b4{<font color=blue>c</font>} 2.Sd5-e3 #{<font color=blue>D</font>}
Quadruple gate-opening with one self-block.
FEN: 2KR4/R1P5/8/p2p3p/P1kP1N1r/P2p4/1Qpq1r1b/1N6
(C+ by Popeye)
7th Hon. Mention
Seetharaman Kalyan, India
white Rc6h5 Sg8e1 Bb8f7 Kf1 Pf6b5d5e3d2
black Qb7 Pc7d4 Rb6 Be8 Ke4
#2
(12+6)
1.Rc6-c4 ! threat: 2.Rc4*d4 #
1...Rb6*f6+ 2.Sg8*f6 #
1...Qb7*d5 2.Bf7*d5 #
1...c7-c5 2.Rh5-e5 #
1...Be8*b5 2.Bf7-g6 #
Here BP is one of the four black thematic pieces.
FEN: 1B2b1N1/1qp2B2/1rR2P2/1P1P3R/3pk3/4P3/3P4/4NK2
(C+ by Popeye)
Spec. Hon. Mention
Ichai, .
white Qe7 Pg6e4d3 Sg3 Rh5e2 Kc2
black Pg7c5g4 Rd8e8 Bc8f8 Kd4
#2
(8+8)
1.Qe7-g5 ? threat: 2.Qg5-e3 #
but 1...Bc8-f5 !
1.Qe7-a7 ? threat: 2.Qa7-a1 #
but 1...Bc8-a6 !
1.Qe7-f7 ? threat: 2.Qf7-c4# 2.Qf7-f2 #
but 1...Bc8-f5 !
1.Qe7-c7 ! zugzwang.
1...Bf8-d6 2.Rh5-d5# 1...Re8-e6 2.Sg3-f5#
1...Rd8-d6 2.Qc7*c5# 1...Bc8-e6 2.Qc7-e5#
1...Re8*e4 2.Re2*e4#
1...c5-c4 2.Qc7*c4#
A witty idea to activate half of the pieces from the classic Organ Pipes. Tries across the board add some charm.
FEN: 2brrb2/4Q1p1/6P1/2p4R/3kP1p1/3P2N1/2K1R3/8
(C+ by Popeye)
Commend
Emanuel Navon, Israel
white Be4f4 Kb4 Qf1 Pc4g4f2 Sc3e1 Rg3
black Qh1 Pg7d6e6d3c2 Kd4 Bf3 Re2
#2
(10+9)
{1.Be~ c6-a8/h7? d5!/g6!}
1.Be4*d3 ? threat: 2.Sc3-b5#
1...Bf3-c6 2.Sc3*e2 #
1...Re2-e5 2.Se1*c2 #
but 1...Qh1-h5 !
1.Be4-g6 ! threat: 2.Sc3-b5 #
1...Qh1-h5 2.Se1*f3 #
1...Re2-e5 2.Qf1*d3 #
1...Bf3-c6 2.Rg3*d3 #
Two changed thematic variations from solution to the try that obstructs potential mating square.
FEN: 8/6p1/3pp3/8/1KPkBBP1/2Np1bR1/2p1rP2/4NQ1q
(C+ by Popeye)
Commend
Mykola Chernyavskyy, Ukraine
white Qh6 Rb7e4 Ba8 Sf6 Kc5
black Qg6 Pf7a5d5g3 Ka6 Rh7 Se3
#2
(6+8)
1.Sf6*d5 ? threat: 2.Sd5-c7 #
but 1...Se3*d5 !
1.Sf6*d7 ? threat: 2.Sd7-b8 #
but 1...Rh7-h8 !
1.Qh6-f4? threat: 2.Qf4-d6#
1...Se3-f5 2.Qf4-f1#
1...Qg6*f6 2.Qf4*f6#
but: 1...Sc4!
1.Sf6-e8! threat: 2.Se8-c7#
1...f7-f5 2.Qh6*g6#
1...f7-f6 2.Re4-e6#
1...Qg6-d6+ 2.Qh6*d6#
1...Qg6-c6+ 2.Qh6*c6#
1...a5-a4 2.Re4*a4#
Five thematic variations (3+2) bring this entry close to the record, but I don’t think the tries were worth using WQ instead of WR (WRb7=WBb8, Qh6=WRh6).
FEN: B7/1R3p1r/k4NqQ/p1Kp4/4R3/4n1p1/8/8
(C+ by Popeye)
Commend
Dr Phani Bhushan, India
white Ba8 Kg2 Qc8 Pf5f3g3 Sf7 Ra6d5
black Qa5 Pa4b4 Bc6 Rd8 Kh5
#2
(9+6)
1.Rd5-d4 ! threat: 2.Rd4-h4 #
1...Qa5*f5 2.Qc8*f5 #
1...Bc6*f3+ 2.Ba8*f3 #
1...Bc6-e4 2.Ra6-h6 #
1...Rd8*d4 2.Qc8-h8 #
Four thematic variations by three black pieces.
FEN: B1Qr4/5N2/R1b5/q2R1P1k/pp6/5PP1/6K1/8
(C+ by Popeye)
Commend
Chandrasekaran K, India
white Be6 Kh4 Qc4 Pc3g3 Sc7h5 Rc6
black Qa4 Pb5g4c2 Sf6 Bb3 Ke5
#2
(8+7)
1.Qc4-d3 ? threat: 2.Qd3-f5 #
1...Bb3*e6 2.Rc6*e6 #
1...Qa4-f4 2.g3*f4 #
1...Qa4-e4 2.Qd3-d6 #
but 1...Sf6-e4 !
1.Qc4-f1 ! threat: 2.Qf1-f5 #
1...Bb3*e6 2.Rc6*e6 #
1...Qa4-f4 2.Qf1*f4 #
1...Qa4-e4 2.Qf1*f6 #
1...Ke5-e4 2.Qf1-e2 #
Change after two thematic defences on the same line, in a light position. Elegant key-move leads to a nice mate after BK flight.
FEN: 8/2N5/2R1Bn2/1p2k2N/q1Q3pK/1bP3P1/2p5/8
(C+ by Popeye)
Commend
Marko Klasinc, Slovenia
white Qd1 Sd7 Rg7 Kh7 Bc5d5
black Qg1 Pa6h6f4g4 Kf5 Ra5c3
#2
(6+8)
1.Bc5-e7 ! threat: 2.Rg7-f7 #
1...Qg1-b6 2.Qd1*g4 #
1...Qg1-d4 2.Qd1*g4 #
1...Rc3-c6 2.Qd1-d3 #
1...Ra5*d5 2.Qd1*d5 #
hree thematic mates by WQ in an open position.
FEN: 8/3N2RK/p6p/r1BB1k2/5pp1/2r5/8/3Q2q1
(C+ by Popeye)
Commend
Yosi Retter, Israel
white Bg3e2 Kf7 Qd7 Pg4c2f2 Sb6d4 Rf6d5
black Ba1 Ke4 Qa3 Pg7b4 Sf8g2 Rh5d1
#2
(11+9)
1...b4-b3 2.Be2-f3#
1... Rh5*d5 2.Qd7*d5#
1... Rh5-e5 2.Rd5*e5#
1.Sd4-f5 ! threat: 2.Sf5-d6#
1...Ba1-e5 2.Rd5*e5 #
1...Rd1*d5 2.Qd7*d5 #
1...Qa3*g3 2.Sf5*g3 #
1...b4-b3 2.f2-f3 #
1...Rh5*f5 2.Qd7*f5 #
Two thematic transferences and one change, after a complex key-move, presenting anti-form of the theme, too.
FEN: 5n2/3Q1Kp1/1N3R2/3R3r/1p1Nk1P1/q5B1/2P1BPn1/b2r4
(C+ by Popeye)
Commend
Srećko Radović, Serbia
white Qh4 Pf7e4g2 Sf8d5 Bb8 Kg5
black Qc4 Ph5d4c3d3 Rd6e1 Bc6h2 Ke5
#2
(8+10)
1.Sd5-e7 ? threat: 2.Se7-g6 #
1...Qc4*f7 2.Se7*c6 #
1...Qc4-e6 2.Se7*c6 #
1...Bc6*e4 2.Qh4*h2 #
1...Bh2-f4 + 2.Qh4*f4 #
but 1...Re1*e4 !
1.Sd5-f4 ! threat: 2.Sf4-g6 #
1...Qc4*f7 2.Sf4*d3 #
1...Qc4-e6 2.Sf4*d3 #
1...Ke5*e4 2.Qh4*e1 #
1...Bc6*e4 2.Sf8-d7 #
1...Re1*e4 2.Sf8-g6 #
1...Bh2*f4 + 2.Qh4*f4 #
Two thematic changes after a good key-move, in a bit unlucky mechanism.
FEN: 1B3N2/5P2/2br4/3Nk1Kp/2qpP2Q/2pp4/6Pb/4r3
(C+ by Popeye)
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