| Prize - Í91 Z. Janevski (Macedonia) | 1) 1.Kg2 Rc3 2.Bf1 Rxg5 # 2) 1.Kg4 Rb3 2.Be2 Qxe4 # Consecutive self-unpinning of the black and the white at the first move continues with line-opening and pin mates with function-permutation of Qb7/Rg7 (pinning/mating). B2 incoming effect is not homogeneous but it is impossible to achieve a complete harmony in this matrix, I suppose. As a whole the problem is quite complex and interesting. Compare with P0547323. |
| h # 2 2.1.. (5+12) |
| 1st Honorable Mention - Í151 S. Parzuch (Poland) | 1) 1.Sxe3 Re8 2.Sd1 (S~?) Rg1 # 2) 1.Bxe3 Re7 2.Bg5 (B~?) Rh1 # A pleasant Meredith with preliminary gate-opening and annihilation at B1, ambush play at W1 and accurate B2 producing a strong impression. There is a slight imbalance of B2 outgoing effect. |
| h # 2 2.1.. (5+6) |
| 2nd Honorable Mention – Í150 Z. Nikolich (Serbia) | 1) 1.Se5 (Sc3?) Bb2 2.Sc3 Ba3 # 2) 1.Sce3 (Sf6?) Bg7 2.Sf6 Bf8 # Another Meredith in which the sequence of BSs moves is conditioned by interference-avoidance on critical square (c3/f6) at B1. Rather interesting strategic h#2 with slight disharmony of B2 outgoing effect. A light construction without technical units. |
| h # 2 2.1.. (4+7) |
| 3rd Honorable Mention - Í111 O. Borissenko (Ukraine) | 1) 1.Sxc6+ Sf7 2.Sd4 Re5 # 2) 1.exd5+ Sg4 2.d4 Sxe7 # An interesting combination with battery play of both sides involving Bukovinsko-Prikarpatskaya theme with self-blocking of d4 square by different black pieces. However the tactics is unmatched in solutions; capturing of BSe7 is mostly unpleasant. |
| h # 2 2.1.. (5+8) |
| 1st Commendation - H149 D. Grinchenko (Ukraine) | 1) 1.Kc8 Qg3 2.dxc2 Ba6 # 2) 1.Ke7 Qf3 2.dxe2 Rxe2 # Rather interesting nine-men problem with self-unpinning of BPd3, orthogonal-diagonal guarding flights by WQ protecting WK from indirect check at B2, and "immortal" Zilahi theme. Model mates. Captures of white pieces are not equally motivated. |
| h # 2 2.1.. (5+4) |
| 2nd Commendation - Í89 v L. Chertkov (Bulgaria) | 1) 1.Sc7 Sb5 2.Bc2 Sc3 # 2) 1.Sf4 Sc4 2.Be2 Se3 # Indirect unpinning of WS with cut-off a black linear-officer on mating square (c3/e3). Model mates in a Meredith position. Technical white pawns reduce the judge's evaluation. |
| h # 2 2.1.. (5+7) |
| 3rd Commendation - Í147 D. Grinchenko (Ukraine) | 1) 1.Kc8 Rb2 2.dxe2 Rc6 # 2) 1.Ke7 Bh5 2.dxc2 Qd6 # A nice eight-men problem with active play of all four white linear-officers and model mates, but tactics is weak and not quite homogeneous. |
| h # 2 2.1.. (5+3) |
| 4th Commendation - Í86 S. Parzuch (Poland) | 1) 1.d2 Ka2 (Kb1?) tempo 2.Qd3 Sd1 # 2) 1.Rf2 Kb1 (Ka2?) tempo 2.Qf4 Sc4 # B-B Umnov in combination with alternate tempo move of WK, unfortunately, not equally motivated in phases. Model mates are presented in perfect construction. |
| h # 2 2.1.. (4+5) |
| Special Commendation - Í135 D. Grinchenko (Ukraine) after A. Ugnivenko | a) 1.Qxc5 Ra4 2.Qc7 Ra8 # b) 1.Qxd5 Bb6 2.Qb7 Rd8 # c) 1.Qxd4 Bf8 2.Qh8 Be4 # Aristocratic miniature in which the phase with capture of WR is added by means of distant displacement of BK in 'c' twin, that however, on my glance, is not an obvious improvement of A. Ugnivenko's problem (see: P1078168). |
| h # 2 b),c) b8->c8,h7 (4+3) |
Helpmates in 3 moves
| 1st Prize - H142 V. Shevchenko, U. Belokon (Ukraine) after N Zujev & V. Kolpakov | 1) 1.Kxg4 f3+ 2.Kh3 Rf2 3.Sg3 Rh2 # 2) 1.Sc5 Rc1 2.Ke4 f4 3.Rb2 Rc4 # 3) 1.Sec3 fxe3+ 2.Ke4 Rf6 3.d6 Re6 # 4) 1.Rg3 fxg3+ 2.Kg5 Rf7 3.Sdf6 Rg7 # A powerful problem in multi-solution form with ingenious realization of "Alibino", on my glance. The solutions are also connected by four mates with WR (on different lines). It is a pity that there is no interference in the first solution. Considering complexity of play, I find the repetition of the move 2.Ke4 completely justified. Compare with P1231812. |
| h # 3 4.1.. (5+10) |
| 2nd Prize - Í122 A. Pankratiev (Russia) | a) 1.Ke5 Ra6 2.Se3 (Qe3?) fxe3 3.Ba5 Re6 # b) 1.Ke6 Bc2 2.Qe5 (Se5?) dxe5 3.Rb3 Bf5 # A complex idea with rich and balanced tactics: white ODT, Pelle-move, alternate sacrifice at B2, W-B Umnov effect with indirect unpinning and gate-opening. Model mates. Compare with P0578332. |
| h # 3 b) Pf2->d4 (5+12) |
| 3rd Prize - Í159 C. Jones (England) | 1) 1.Bg5 g3 2.Se7 Kxe7 3.Re4 Rxg5 # 2) 1.Rb2 gxf3 2.Sc6 Kxc6 3.Bf4 Bxb2 # Harmonious tactically enriched play with indirect self-unpinning (B1), alternate guarding flights (W1), sacrifice (B2) and self-blocking (B3) with function-permutation of Re2/Bc1 (according to Chumakov theme) and also Rh5/Ba1 (mating/pinning). Pin mates. A slight imbalance of B3 outgoing effect is quite acceptable; technical WPf6 seems to be justified in presented position. |
| h # 3 2.1.. (5+11) |
| 1st Honorable Mention - Í99 V. Nefjodov (Russia) | a) diagram 1.Qc6 Rg4! 2.Bc4! Rg6 3.Kd5 Bxc6# b) Pd4->e3 1. Rg4 Bc6! 2.Rf3! Bxd7 3.Kf4 Rxg4# c) Pe5->e2 1.Ke3 Rxf4 2.Qa2 Rxf8 3.Qd2 Rf3# d)=b) Pe5->c2 1.Kd3 Bxd5 2.Rf2 Bxg8 3.Rd2 Bc4# TF-type problem with complete analogy of play in both pairs of twins. Technical WP, unpleasant capture on d7 and imperfect twin form have reduced the judge's evaluation. However, there is a better example of the similar problem (see: P1087748). |
| h # 3 see text (4+13) |
| 2nd Honorable Mention - Í98 v E. Fomichev (Russia) | 1) 1.Ke5 Be1 2.Be3 dxe3 3.Bd5 Bc3 # 2) 1.Kc4 Bg4 2.Be4 fxe4 3.Rb4 Be2 # Memorable Meredith with ambush play of WBs at W1 and sacrifice of BBs at B2. The problem could win a prize if the author was lucky to implement a function-permutation of BBs. |
| h # 3 2.1.. (6+6) |
| 3rd Honorable Mention - Í117 v M. Gershinskiy, A. Pankratiev, U. Belokon (Ukraine & Russia) | 1) 1.Rb3 axb3 2.Be4 Rf6+ 3.Kd5 Rd6 # 2) 1.Rg3 Sd6 2.Ke5 hxg3 3.Se6 Sf7 # Economical setting with rather interesting and harmonious play with sacrifice of BR at B1, B-B Umnov, function-permutation of Bd5/Sc5 (active/passive self-blocking) and model mates in the center of the board. For the best economy the problem could be presented in twin form. |
| h # 3 2.1.. (5+4) |
| 1st Commendation - Í155 M. Roland (Brazil) | 1) 1.Kd6 Kf7 (tempo) 2.Ba4 Rc5 3.Bd7 Bf8 # 2) 1.Kd5 Bh8 (tempo) 2.Be4 Rc3 3.Kd4 Ke6 # White tempo-strategy in combination with self-unpinning, gate-opening and self-blocking in black play. There is no complete harmony, however. Technical WPh6 is unavoidable flaw. |
| h # 3 2.1.. (4+6) |
| 2nd Commendation - Í97 A. Stepochkin (Russia) | 1) 1.e1=R Bg2! 2.Rxe4 Sxe4 3.hxg2(tempo) Sd6 # 2) 1.e1=S Sd3! 2.Sxf3 Bxf3 3.cxd3(tempo) Bh5 # Harmonious play with black underpromotions, active Zilahi motivated by the lack of tempo-move at B3, vacating sacrifice at B2 and model mates. The play, however, rather prosaic and the initial position is far from aesthetics. |
| h # 3 2.1.. (9+7) |
| 3rd Commendation - Í116 I. Kochulov (Russia) | 1) 1. … Rf8 2.Se2 Rf5 3.Sc3 Rd5 # 2) 1. … Rd6 2.e2 Rg6 3.Sd2 Rg3 # 3) 1. … Bf5 2.c3 Bd7 3.Sc2 Bb5 # Well-done addition to well-known scheme (see: P0526206) in a light construction. |
| h # 3 0.3.. (3+6) |
| 4th Commendation - Í140 V. Kopyl (Ukraine) | 1. … Sf3 2.Sf5 Se5 3.Sfd4 Sed7 # 1.Sf7 exf7 2.hxg1=B f8=S 3.Bd4 Sfd7 # Block-problem with "Phoenix" theme (in actual play), self-blocking of d4 square by different black pieces and model mates by different white Ss on the same square. Sacrifice of BS as well as capture of WS look paradoxical but as a whole the play is dull. Sb5 can be replaced with BP. |
| h # 3 b) Bg5->h1 (3+3) |
Helpmates in more than 3 moves
| Prize - Í123 V. Semenenko, G. Obljashevsky (Ukraine) | 1) 1.Rcb5+ Sd4 2.Kc5 Sf5! (Sc2?) 3.Kb4+ Se3 4.c5 Sd5 # 2) 1.Re5+ Sc5 2.Sb6 Sa4! (Sd7?) 3.Sd7+ Sb6 4.Rac5 Sc8 # An excellent problem with double realization of well-known idea - pinning-unpinning of mating piece - in each solution plus multiple Umnov effects and model mates. Unequal motivation of anti-dual W2 as well as not quite homogeneous B4 are acceptable and completely justified by rich tactics and interesting maneuvres. |
| h # 4 2.1.. (3+14) |
| Honorable Mention - Í103 M. Rimkus (Lithuania) | 1) 1.Rb2 Sxb6 2.Bg5 Sd7 3.Rb7 Sxb8 4.Rg7 Sd7 5.Bf7 Sf8 # 2) 1.h4 Sxc3 2.Kh5 Sxe2 3.Bg6 Sc3 4.Rg2 Sxd5 5.Rg5 Sxf6 # A synthesis of passive annihilation with "come-go-and-return" effect has been already shown in a single phase with more pure play (see: P0501159). The author was lucky to realize this idea in two solutions, unfortunately, not quite harmonious. |
| h # 5 2.1.. (2+15) |
| Commendation - Í105 A. Stepochkin (Russia) | 1.Ba7 Bf1 2.0-0-0 Bxh3 3.Bb8 Kg2 4.h1=B+ Kg1 5.Bc6 Bf1 6.Bd7 Ba6 # Rather profound minimal problem, though partially anticipated: P1072697. |
| h # 6 one solution (2+9) |
Special distinctions (for miniatures)
| 1st Special Prize - H102 M. Babic (Serbia) | 1) 1.Rd7 Sa8 2.Bd5 Kd2 3.Ka6 Kc3 4.Ra7 Kb4 5.Bb7 Bb5 # 2) 1.Be6 Be8 2.Rd7 Kf2 3.Kc6 Ke3 4.Kd6 Kd4 5.Re7 Sb5 # A remarkable miniature with two active self-blocks in each solution, function-permutation of white S/B (guarding flights/mating) and model mate by different white pieces on the same square. |
| h # 5 2.1.. (3+4) |
| 2nd Special Prize - H126 Z. Mihajloski (Macedonia) | 1. … Bd5 (Be4?) 2.Bh3 Kf3 3.Bd7 Ke4 4.Bc6 Ke5 5.Kb7 Kd6 6.Ka8 Kc7 7.Bb7 Bxb7 # The author has implemented a complex and difficult Rehm theme in minimal miniature, having enriched content of the problem with anti-dual key move motivated by square-block avoidance at W3. Compare with P1071953. |
| h # 7 0.1.. (2+5) |
| Special Honorable Mention - Í163 I. Brjukhanov (Ukraine) | 1) 1.Rh4 Se3 2.Rf4 Sc4 3.Qg4+ Kf1 4.Kf3 Sd2 # 2) 1.Kf5 f4 2.Qe6 Kf2 3.Rh6 Kf3 4.Rf6 Sh4 # A nice super miniature with rather interesting play and ideal echo-mates. |
| h # 4 2.1.. (3+3) |
| 1st Special Commendation - Í124 G. Obljashevsky (Ukraine) | a) 1.Rc1 Se3 2.Rf1 Kc3! (Kc2?) tempo 3.Ke1 Kc2 4.f2 Sg2 # b) 1.Re4 Sh2 2.c1=B+ Kc2! (Kc3?) tempo 3.Bf4 Kc3 4.Ke3 Sg4 # An interesting tempo-play of "the light monarch" with square-vacation for "the leader of the dark power". |
| h # 4 b) Pb2->c2 (2+5) |
| 2nd Special Commendation - Í146 V. Lasiy (Ukraine) | 1.Qh3 Sd7 2.Bh4 Kb7 3.Rg3 Kc6 4.Kf3 Kd5 5.Kg4 Ke4 6.Rg5 Sf6 # Four active self-blocks are associated with interesting playing effects. Aristocratic miniature with ideal mate. |
| h # 6 one solution (2+5) |
Judge of the tourney Vitaly Medintsev
15 April 2012, Krasnodar.