INFORMAL TOURNEY PROBLEM ONLINE 2006 FOR HELPMATES

AWARD

 As the judge of the previous one, I can appreciate that tourney in 2006 was of better quality. 27 problems were published 14 in h#2 section and 13 in h#3-n section. E0037 was withdrawn from a tourney by the author and E0041 by the same author was later presented in more economical form in Orbit, so I excluded both problems from the award. Again, I decided to divide the entries into two sections: h#2 and h#3-n.

Greatest part of not-awarded entries shows the known combination of the elements of play which bring nothing new. Among awarded problems there are achievements which will mark this tourney. So, here is my judgement which certainly reflects my personal impression:

Section: helpmates in 2 moves

 

1st Prize: E0040 Zivko Janevski (Macedonia)

First presentation of double Zilahi with pieces from two battery mechanisms in TF form.

1. Sxe6 Rxe6+ 2. Kd4 Bb6#

1. Sxc7 exd7+ 2. Kxd6 dxc8S#

1. Sxd6 Bxd6+ 2. Kf6 Rxf7#

1. Rxe7 dxe7+ 2. Kf6 exf8Q#

Zivko Janevski

IT Problem Online 2006 (h#2)

1st Prize

h#2              4.1.1.1.           6+11

 

2nd Prize: E0045 Iwan Soroka & Roman Zalokotzkiy (Ukraine)

Nice presentation of the theme from 6th WCCT with harmonious play of both sides and dual avoidance.

1. Be6 Qh7!(Qe7?) 2. Rd2 Sc3!#

1. Bf5 Qe7!(Qh7?) 2. Bd2 Sf2!#

Iwan Soroka & Roman Zalokotzkiy

IT Problem Online 2006 (h#2)

2nd Prize

h#2              2.1.1.1.             6+8

 

Honourable Mention: E0044 Iwan Soroka & Roman Zalokotzkiy (Ukraine)

Clearly presented creation of white batteries after the sacrifice of bQ and mate with pinned black Knight.

1. Qf3! Rxf3+ 2. Ka8 Rxa3#

1. Qf4! Rxf4+ 2. Kb8 Rf8#

Iwan Soroka & Roman Zalokotzkiy

IT Problem Online 2006 (h#2)

Honourable Mention

h#2              2.1.1.1.             7+9

 

Commendation: E0050 Nikola Predrag (Croatia)

A problem with logic attempts and set play. Classic.

(1. ... Rc4+? 2. dxc4)
1. ... Ba7? 2. d4+ Rc4??
1. ... Ra4?/Rb4? 2. d4+ Rc4+ 3. Kb6

1. ... c4! 2. dxc4 Rxc4#

1. d4+ c4! 2. dxc3 ep.+(d3?) Rc4#
1. ... Ka1? 2. d3+ Rc4??

Nikola Predrag

IT Problem Online 2006 (h#2)

Commendation

 

h#2*                                   7+11


Section: helpmates in 3 or more moves

 

1st Prize: E0034 Kostas Prentos (Greece)

Two harmonious solutions in a moremover with manoeuvres of wB as a point. This problem left the deepest impression on me.

1. Qf4 Bg5 2. Bd5 Bh6 3. Be6 Kxb7 4. Ke5 Kc6 5. Re4 Bg7#

1. Qe6 Bb6 2. Bc6 Bxa7 3. Bd7 Kxb7 4. Se7 Kb6 5. Rd5 Bb8#

Kostas Prentos

 IT Problem Online 2006 (h#3-n)

1st Prize

h#5              2.1.1.1...           2+8 

 

2nd Prize: E0052 Ilja Ketris (Latvia)

Excellent presentation of Maslar theme with orthogonal and diagonal unpining of wP.

a) 1. Bd2 Bh8 2. Rg7 dxe4 3. Kf6 Bxg7#

b) 1. Re2 Rg8 2. Bg7 fxe4 3. Kg6 Rxg7#

Ilja Ketris

 IT Problem Online 2006 (h#3-n)

2nd Prize

h#3       b) wPd3↔bPf3       4+13 

 

3rd Prize: E0032 Christopher Jones (Great Britain)

Combination of themes: lines-opening and Umnov in white R&B setting. Pleasant.

1. Rd5 Bxf6 2. e5 Bd8 3. Ke6 Rf6#

1. Re6 Rxc5 2. Se5 Rc8 3. Bd5 Bc5#

Christopher Jones

 IT Problem Online 2006 (h#3-n)

3rd Prize

h#3            2.1.1.1.1.1          3+9

 

Honourable Mention: E0057 Nikola Predrag (Croatia)

Alternation of black play introduces the thematic attempts, based on the lack of tempo. Interesting.

1. Qc7??

1. Qb8(A) d8B! 2. Qe5! Bc7(B) 3. Bd5 Bxb6#
1.... d8Q+? 2. Bd5 Qd6?/Qc7?

1. Bd5 d8Q! 2. Qc7!(B) Qb8(A) 3. Qe5 Qxb6#
1.... d8B? 2. Qb8 Bc7?

Nikola Predrag

IT Problem Online 2006 (h#3-n)

Honourable Mention

h#3           2.1.1.1.1.1.          2+9

 

Commendation: E0036 Guy Sobrecases (France)

The walk of wK towards the final position in two solutions.

1. ... Kf7 2. Kf4 Kg6 3. Bxf5+ Kh5 4. Be4 Ba3 5. f5 Bd6#

1. ... Kd7 2. Bxf5+ Kc6 3. Be6 d3 4. f5 Bh6 5. Rf4 Bg7#

Guy Sobrecases

IT Problem Online 2006 (h#3-n)

Commendation

h#5               0.2.1.1...          4+4

Skopje, 12.10.2007.
Nikola Stolev, FIDE international judge

With gratitude to the judge, congratulations to the awarded authors and many thanks to all participants.

The links to the solutions and comments of all entries (E0032-58).

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