www.arves.org - The Problemist 2018-2019

Studies awarded for the magazine The Problemist 2018-2019 tournament.

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 1st Prize "] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Sergiy Didukh (Ukraine)"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/8/P7/3k4/1Pb5/2B5/N1P5/3rn1K1 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "19"] [EventDate "2019"] 
 {This heralds the come back of a leading Ukrainian composer to this stage. The logical effect appears on move 3 where a capture refusal spares a crucial tempo for a subsequent reciprocal Zugzwang:} 1. a7 Nxc2+ (1... Nf3+ 2. Kf2 Rf1+ 3. Ke3 $18) 2. Kh2 Rh1+ $1 3. Kg2 $3 ({Logical try: Not immediately} 3. Kxh1 $2 Ke6 $1 (3... Kd6 $2 4. Be5+ Kxe5 5. Nc3 $18) 4. a8=Q Bd5+ 5. Qxd5+ Kxd5 {zz} 6. Bd2 Kc4 {zz} 7. Kg1 (7. Kg2 Kb3 8. b5 Kxa2 9. Bc3 Ne3+ $1 $11) 7... Kd3 8. b5 Kxd2 9. b6 Nd4 10. Nb4 Nf3+ $1 {Vive la petite difference!} 11. Kf2 Ne5 12. b7 Nd7 {draws.}) 3... Ke6 ({Or} 3... Ne3+ 4. Kxh1 Ke6 5. a8=Q Bd5+ 6. Qxd5+ Kxd5 7. Bd2 {winning.}) 4. a8=Q Bd5+ 5. Qxd5+ Kxd5 6. Kxh1 { zz But now it's Black to move!} Kc4 7. Bd2 {zz with two funny main lines:} Kd3 ({Main line-2} 7... Kb3 8. b5 Kxa2 9. Bc3 $1 Ne3 10. b6 $18) 8. b5 Kxd2 9. b6 Nd4 10. Nb4 $1 {Thematic unity and putity: If bK captures the wB, then wS doesn't let bS stop the pawn. If bK captures the wS, then wB doesn't let bS stop the pawn. The White King stands at the corner and doesn't let bS gain a tempo.} 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 2nd Prize "] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Arpad Rusz (Romania)"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "2R5/P7/8/P4K2/8/8/p3q2r/7k w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "11"] [EventDate "2019"] 
 {This is an amazing discovery as well as a genuine celebration for solvers and over the board players!} 1. Rc1+ $1 (1. a8=Q+ $2 {even loses to} Kg1 (1... Qg2 $2 2. Rc1#) (1... Rg2 $2 2. Rc1+ Kh2 3. Qh8+ $18) 2. Rc1+ Qf1+ $1 (2... Kf2 $2 3. Qa7+ Qe3 4. Rc2+ Kf3 5. Qb7+ Kg3 6. Qg7+ Kf3 7. Qg4#) 3. Rxf1+ Kxf1 4. Qa6+ Kg1 5. Qg6+ Rg2 6. Qf6 {Position B} Rf2+ {winning}) 1... Qf1+ $1 ({ Deflecting the White rook as following} 1... Kg2 2. a8=Q+ Qf3+ 3. Qxf3+ Kxf3 4. Rc3+ Ke2 5. Ra3 Kd1 6. a6 Kc1 7. a7 Rh8 8. Rxa2 {White wins.}) 2. Rxf1+ Kg2 3. Rh1 $3 ({Two at the price of one! A counter stunning deflection preventing the retreat of the enemy rook.} 3. a8=Q+ $2 Kxf1 $19) ({Naturally not} 3. Ra1 $2 Rh5+ 4. Ke4 Rxa5 {draws.}) 3... Kxh1 ({After} 3... Rxh1 { loses the last hope following} 4. a8=Q+ Kg1 5. Qg8+ {with the fall of the pawn. }) 4. a8=Q+ Kg1 5. Qg8+ Rg2 6. Qh8 $1 { Position A.   All corners are instrumental!} 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 3rd Prize "] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Axel Ornstein , (Sweden)"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "N7/5k1p/P6b/4P2p/1p6/3p1P2/P3n3/B4K2 w - - 0 0"] [PlyCount "43"] 
 {This is a correction of its author's entry published here 13 years ago. We witness a subtle and pretty complicated struggle of minor pieces and passed pawns all over the board:} 1. Nb6 Ng3+ ({Following} 1... Nc3 2. Nc4 Nd5 3. a7 Nc7 4. Bd4 Ke6 5. Nb2 d2 6. Ke2 h4 7. Nd3 h3 8. Bg1 Bg5 9. f4 Bh4 10. Bh2 { white wins.}) 2. Ke1 d2+ 3. Kd1 Nf5 $1 (3... Be3 {is met by} 4. Bd4 $1) 4. e6+ $1 (4. Nc8 $2 Be3 5. Nd6+ (5. a7 $2 Bxa7 6. Nxa7 h4 {even loses.}) 5... Nxd6 6. exd6 Ke6 {draws.}) 4... Kxe6 {Still threatening ...Ne3+} 5. Bg7 $3 Bg5 6. Bf6 $1 Bf4 7. Be5 $1 (7. Nc4 $2 Bb8 8. Bg5 h4 {draws.}) 7... Ne3+ 8. Kxd2 Nc4+ 9. Kd3 $1 (9. Ke2 $2 Bxe5 10. Nxc4 Bd4 11. f4 Kd7 12. Kd3 Bc5 13. f5 h4 14. Ke4 h3 15. Kf3 Kc7 16. f6 Kb8 17. Kg3 Ka7 18. Kxh3 Kxa6 {draws.}) 9... Nxe5+ ({Both}  9... Nxb6 10. Bxf4) ({and} 9... Bxe5 10. Nxc4 {are won endings for White.}) 10. Ke4 Nc6 11. Kxf4 Kd6 12. Kg3 $1 ({Not} 12. Kg5 $2 Kc7 13. Nd5+ Kb8 14. f4 Ka7 15. f5 Kxa6 16. f6 b3 $5 17. axb3 Ne5 18. Kxh5 Nf7 19. Nc7+ Ka5 20. Ne6 Kb4 21. Ng5 Ne5 22. Nxh7 Kxb3 {draw.}) 12... Kc7 13. Nd5+ Kb8 14. f4 Ka7 (14... Nd4 15. Kh4 b3 16. axb3 Ka7 17. Nb4 {wins.}) 15. f5 b3 $5 (15... Kxa6 16. Nxb4+ $1 Nxb4 17. f6 h4+ 18. Kh2 $1 {wins.}) (15... h4+ 16. Kxh4 Kxa6 17. f6 Kb5 18. Nxb4 $1 Ne5 19. Nc2 {wins.}) 16. axb3 Nd4 17. f6 Nf5+ 18. Kh3 $1 Nd6 19. Nc7 $1 Kb6 ( 19... Ne4 20. Ne8 Ng5+ 21. Kh4 Nf7 22. Nc7 Kb6 23. Ne6 Kxa6 24. Kxh5 $18) 20. a7 $1 Kxa7 21. Nb5+ $1 Nxb5 22. f7 {wins.} 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 5th Prize "] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Steffen S.Nielsen, (Denmark)"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/4p2k/3P2b1/n4p2/7p/8/BK2N3/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "21"] [EventDate "2016"] 
 {In this the battle to secure promotion reaches a happy model ending.} 1. d7 Nb7 (1... Nc6 2. Nd4 Nd8 3. Ne6 Nf7 4. Nf8+ ({Or} 4. Ng5+ {winning.})) 2. Nd4 ({The alternatives} 2. Nf4 $2 Kh6 {!} 3. Bd5 Nd8 4. Ne6 Nf7 5. Nc5 e6 {!}) ({or} 2. Bd5 {?} Nd8 3. Nd4 Bf7 4. Nc6 Be6 {! both lead nowhere.}) 2... f4 {!} (2... Kh6 {is met by} 3. Bd5 Nd8 4. Nc6 Nb7 5. Na5 Nd8 6. Nb7 {wins.}) 3. Bd5 Nd8 4. Ne6 (4. Nc6 $2 {fails to} Bf5 {draws.}) 4... Bf5 5. Be4 $1 Bxe4 6. Nxd8 h3 (6... Bf5 { is refuted with no delay by} 7. Ne6) (6... f3 { is defeated by a skewer following} 7. Ne6 f2 8. d8=Q f1=Q 9. Qxe7+ Kg6 10. Qg7+ Kf5 11. Qf7+ {wins}) 7. Ne6 h2 8. d8=Q h1=Q 9. Qxe7+ Kg6 10. Qg7+ Kf5 (10... Kh5 11. Qg5#) 11. Nd4# {A model mate following a pair of active selfblocks.} 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 6th Prize "] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Peter Krug (Austria) & Mario Garcia (Argentina) "] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/3Q1nkP/3P4/2r2p1P/3K1Pq1/7N/8/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "25"] [EventDate "2017"] [TimeControl "240+2"] 
 {The Argentinian-Austrian co-production displays an elimination of the threat of stalemate and positional draw in black's counterplay:} 1. h6+ $1 ({The straightforward} 1. Qxf7+ $2 {fails to} Kxf7 2. h8=Q Qd1+ 3. Kxc5 Qxd6+ 4. Kxd6 {stalemate model}) 1... Kxh6 2. Qe6+ $1 Kg7 3. Qxf7+ Kxf7 4. h8=Q Rd5+ $1 ({Or} 4... Rc4+ 5. Kxc4 Qxf4+ $1 6. Qd4 $1 {and wins}) 5. Kxd5 Qf3+ ({ The most stubborn attempt whereas} 5... Qg2+ {loses to} 6. Kc5 $1 (6. Kc4 $2 Qc6+ 7. Kd4 Qa4+ $1 8. Ke3 Qe4+ 9. Kf2 Qxf4+ $1 10. Nxf4 {stalemate}) 6... Qc2+ 7. Kb6 Qb3+ 8. Kc7 Qc4+ 9. Kd8 $1 $18) 6. Kd4 $1 ({Both} 6. Kc5 Qa3+ $1 $11) ({ and} 6. Kc4 $2 Qc6+ $1 $11 {lead to perpetual check.}) 6... Qxf4+ 7. Kc5 $1 (7. Nxf4 $2 {is a model stalemate.}) 7... Qc1+ 8. Kb6 $1 (8. Kb5 $2 Ke6 9. Nf4+ Kd7 $1 ({no} 9... Kxd6 $2 10. Qd8+ Ke5 11. Nd3+ $18 {Fork}) 10. Qg7+ Kxd6 11. Qf6+ Kd7 12. Qf7+ Kc8 $1 { is a positional draw since white is unable to make any progress.}) 8... Ke6 9. Nf4+ $1 Kd7 (9... Qxf4 {is met by} 10. Qe8+ Kxd6 11. Qb8+ {and a deadly skewer. }) 10. Qg7+ $1 (10. Qh7+ $2 Kxd6 11. Qg6+ Ke7 12. Qg7+ Ke8 $11 {positional draw }) 10... Kxd6 11. Qf6+ (11. Qf8+ {is a minor dual.}) 11... Kd7 12. Qf7+ $1 (12. Qxf5+ $2 Ke8 $1 {is again a positional draw.}) 12... Kd6 (12... Kd8 13. Ne6+ { mating next.}) 13. Qe6# {A successful king hunt.} 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 1st HM"] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Vlaicu Crisan &, Arpad Rusz (Romania)"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "7k/2q2p2/P5p1/6K1/5PP1/p7/5Q2/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "10"] [EventDate "2019"] 
 {The Romanian coproduction is a tactical queen ending with a pair of main lines:} 1. f5 $1 ({The white king is in a mate net thus not} 1. a7 $2 Qe7+ (1... Qd8+) 2. Kh6 Qf8+ 3. Kg5 a2 4. Qxa2 Qe7+ (4... Qd8+) 5. Kh6 Qh4#) { And now the main play is splitted into: a)} 1... Qd8+ ({b)} 1... Qe7+ 2. f6 Qe5+ 3. Kh4 $1 (3. Kh6 $2 a2 $1 $19) 3... g5+ 4. Kh3 $1 (4. Kh5 $2 a2 $1 5. Qxa2 Qxf6 6. Qd5 Qg6#) 4... Qd5 5. a7 a2 6. Qc5 $3 {A sacrificial deflection.} (6. Qd4 $2 Qh1+ 7. Kg3 a1=Q $19 {wins as the white queen cannot reach f8.}) 6... Qxc5 (6... Qh1+ 7. Kg3 a1=Q $4 8. Qf8+ $1 Kh7 9. Qg7#) 7. a8=Q+ Kh7 8. Qxa2 {draws}) 2. f6 Qa5+ (2... Qd5+ 3. Kh6 Qh1+ 4. Kg5 Kh7 $1 5. Kf4 (5. a7 $2 Qh6#) 5... Qd5 6. a7 a2 7. Qh2+ (7. Qh4+) 7... Kg8 8. Qh6 $3 { Another sacrificial deflection} Qd2+ 9. Kf3 Qxh6 10. a8=Q+ $11) 3. Kh6 Qxa6 ({ Or} 3... a2 4. Qh2 $1 Qd8 5. Kg5+ $1 (5. Qxa2 $2 Qxf6 6. g5 Qg7#) 5... Kg8 6. Qxa2 {draws.}) (3... Qc7 4. Kg5 Qa5+) 4. Qa7 $3 (4. Qc5 $2 Qa8 $1 $19) 4... Qxa7 5. g5 $1 a2 {stalemate} 1/2-1/2

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 2nd Hm"] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Franjo Vrabec (Sweden) & Harold van der Heijden (Netherlands)"] [Black " "] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "3k4/2p5/1pp3p1/7p/P6P/4K3/2P3P1/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "41"] [EventDate "2017"] 
 {This is a deep and rare realization of  the theme of corresponding squares in a pawn ending.} 1. c4 $1 ({White must prevent b6-b5:} 1. Kf4 $2 b5 $1 {e.g.} 2. a5 c5 3. Kg5 b4 4. Kxg6 c4 $19) (1. Kd4 $2 {e.g.} Kd7 2. Ke5 b5 3. axb5 cxb5 4. Kd5 c6+ 5. Kc5 Kc7 $19) 1... c5 $1 {White must prevent the bK to reach the critical squares e5 or f5. Black still has the tempo move c7-c6. After he has played that move, we can construct a set of corresponding squares: e4=d6(f6), f4=e6, d3=c7, e3=d7(f7), f3=e7, d2=c8, e2=d8(f8), f2=e8. We call this set B. That also means that with the bP still on c7, the following corresponding squares apply: e4=e6, f4=d6, e3=e7, f3=d7, e2=e8 and f2=d8. This is set A. Thus:} 2. Kf2 $3 ({Thematic try:} 2. Kf4 $2 c6 $1 { set B  the wK cannot move to e2.} (2... Ke8 3. Ke4 c6 4. Kf4 Kd8 {wastes time}) 3. Ke4 Kc8 $1 {the wK cannot move to d2.} 4. Kd3 Kc7 $1 5. Ke3 b5 $1 6. axb5 cxb5 7. cxb5 Kb6 $19 {and the bK picks up the b5-pawn.}) ({Thematic try:} 2. Ke4 $2 c6 $1 (2... Ke8 3. Kf4 c6 4. Ke4 Kd8 {wastes time}) 3. Ke3 Kd7 $1 4. Ke4 Kd6 $1 $19) ({Thematic try:} 2. Kf3 $2 Kd7 $1 3. Kf4 Kd6 $1 4. Ke4 c6 5. Ke3 ( 5. Kf4 {e.g.} b5) 5... Ke5 $19) ({Thematic try:} 2. Ke2 $2 c6 $1 3. Ke3 Kd7 4. Ke4 Kd6 5. Ke3 Ke5 $19) ({Thematic try:} 2. Kd2 $2 Kd7 $1 3. Kd3 Kd6 4. Ke4 c6 5. Ke3 Ke5 $19) ({Thematic try:} 2. Kd3 $2 Kd7 $1 3. Ke4 Ke6 4. Kf4 c6 5. Ke4 Kd6 6. Ke3 Ke5 $19) 2... Ke8 3. Ke2 Ke7 4. Ke3 Ke6 5. Ke4 Kd6 6. Kf4 Kd7 7. Kf3 Kd6 8. Kf4 {Black must try something else now:} c6 {set B} 9. Ke4 $1 Kd7 10. Ke3 Ke8 11. Kf2 $3 (11. Kd2 $2 Ke7 $1 12. Kd3 Ke6 13. Ke4 Kd6 14. Ke3 Ke5 $19) 11... Kf8 12. Ke2 $1 (12. Ke3 $2 Kf7 $1 13. Ke4 Kf6 14. Kf4 Ke6 15. Ke4 Kd6 16. Ke3 Ke5 $19) 12... Ke7 13. Kf3 Kd8 14. Ke2 Kc8 15. Kd2 Kc7 16. Kd3 Kb7 17. Kc3 ({or} 17. Kc2) 17... Ka6 18. Kb3 ({or} 18. Kb2) 18... Ka5 19. Ka3 b5 20. Kb3 $1 b4 (20... bxa4+ 21. Ka3 Kb6 22. Kxa4 $11 {e.g.} Ka6 23. g3 Kb6 24. Kb3 Ka5 25. Ka3) 21. g3 $1 1/2-1/2

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 3rd Hm"] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Vladislav Tarasyuk (Ukraine)"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/8/1P6/rP6/k3Br2/2P5/P7/K3B3 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "15"] [EventDate "2017"] 
 {The last two originals were presented to the solvers in ARVES study solving day. This study by another highly successful Ukrainian composer, demonstrates daring anti-stalemate play with an attractive pair of quiet sacrifices defeating noisy sacrifices of the rook pair.} 1. Bc6 $1 ({is premature owing to } 1. b7 $2 Rxe4 (1... Rxb5 $2 2. Bc6 $1 $18 {see main line}) 2. Bg3 Rxb5 { draws.}) 1... Ka3 $1 2. b7 (2. Kb1 $2 {allows a double rook sacrifice.} Rxb5+ $1 3. Bxb5 Rb4+ $1 4. Kc1 Rb1+ $1 5. Kd2 Rxb5 6. Bf2 Rb2+ $1 7. Ke1 Ka4 {draws. }) 2... Rxb5 $1 (2... Rf8 3. Kb1 Rb8 4. Bg3 $18) 3. Bxb5 Re4 $1 4. Be2 $3 ({ All other attempts fail:} 4. Bd3 $2 Rxe1+ 5. Bb1 Re8 6. Be4 Rxe4 (6... Rb8 $2 7. Bc6 $18) 7. b8=Q Re1+ 8. Qb1 Rd1 $1 {zz} 9. Qxd1 {- stalemate}) (4. Kb1 $2 Rb4+ $1 5. cxb4 {- stalemate}) (4. Bd2 $2 Re1+ $1 5. Bxe1 {- stalemate}) 4... Rxe2 5. Bd2 $3 ({Try:} 5. b8=Q $2 Rxe1+ 6. Qb1 Rd1 $1 {zz} 7. Qxd1 {- stalemate }) 5... Rxd2 6. b8=Q Rd1+ 7. Qb1 {zz} Rxb1+ 8. Kxb1 {winning.} 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 4th Hm"] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Petr Kiryakov & Alexander Zhukov (Russia)"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "k1N5/8/8/8/2p3p1/7b/5P1K/1n3N1n w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "21"] [TimeControl "600"] 
 {This is a Russian joint effort by an over the board grandmaster and a successful composer.} 1. Nb6+ $1 (1. Ne3 $2 {loses to} c3 2. Kxh1 g3 3. fxg3 Bxc8 {wins.}) 1... Kb7 2. Nxc4 Bxf1 3. Ne3 Nd2 (3... Bh3 {is met by} 4. f3 gxf3 (4... Nd2 5. Nxg4 $1 {draws}) (4... Nf2 5. Nxg4 $1 Nxg4+ 6. Kxh3 {draws.}) 5. Kxh3 Nd2 6. Nd1 $1 Kc6 7. Kh2 {trapping the cornered knight.}) (3... Be2 { allows} 4. Kxh1 Nd2 5. Kg2 Ne4 6. Nxg4 $1 Bxg4 7. f3 {draws.}) 4. Nxf1 (4. Kxh1 $2 {fails to} Bh3 $1 5. Kh2 Nf1+ 6. Nxf1 Bxf1 7. Kg3 Be2 {wins.}) 4... Nxf1+ 5. Kg2 $3 ({The highlight is this capture refusal. Following} 5. Kxh1 $2 Ng3+ $1 { the ensuing pawn ending is won for Black!}) 5... Kc6 $1 ({ Any knight move would leave Black with insufficient material, but} 5... Nd2 6. Kxh1 Nf3 7. Kg2 Kc6 8. Kg3 Ne5 9. Kf4 Kd6 10. Kf5 $1 (10. Ke4 $2 Ke6) 10... Kd5 11. Kf4 Ke6 12. Kg5 $1 {that ends up in a positional draw.}) 6. Kxf1 $1 { The right knight to capture.} Ng3+ $1 7. fxg3 Kd5 8. Ke1 $1 { The battle over the opposition is starting.} Ke5 $1 9. Kd1 $1 Kd4 10. Kd2 $1 Ke4 11. Ke2 $1 {Draw.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 5th Hm"] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Martin Minski (Germany) and Piotr Murdzia (Poland)"] [Black " "] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "7B/1r2PkP1/7p/P4P1K/5p2/4q1PP/2P2N2/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "26"] [EventDate "2018"] 
 {The Polish- German co-production composed in Berlin demonstrates a highly charged struggle with pinning and unpinning in the eye of the storm and at the peaceful conclusion.} 1. Ng4 Qe2 $1 { pinning the knight and forcing the white king to move} 2. Kh4 $1 (2. Kxh6 $2 Qxe7 $19) 2... Qxe7+ 3. f6 Qd8 4. Nxh6+ Ke6 5. g8=Q+ Qxg8 6. Nxg8 f3 $1 7. f7 $1 Kxf7 (7... Rxf7 8. Bd4 $11) 8. Nh6+ $1 ({thematic try:} 8. Bd4 $2 Rb4 9. Nh6+ Kg6 10. c4 Rxc4 11. Ng4 Rxd4 $19 {no stalemate owing to the wPa5}) (8. a6 $2 Rb4+ $19) 8... Kg6 9. a6 (9. Bd4 $2 Rb4 $19) (9. Ng4 $2 Rh7+ $19) 9... Rd7 $1 (9... Rb4+ 10. Ng4 f2 11. a7 $11) 10. a7 $1 Rxa7 11. Bd4 (11. Ng4 $2 Rh7+ $19) 11... Ra4 12. c4 $1 Rxc4 13. Ng4 {switchback} Rxd4 {model pin stalemate} 1/2-1/2

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 6th Hm"] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Richard Becker (USA)"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/b4b2/8/6r1/B5p1/3K4/R2R4/1k6 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "25"] [EventDate "2019"] 
 {This study with its surprising chameleon Echo-mates is a fine demonstration of high precision. White's minimal material edge doesn't secure a victory as yet. His rook pair besieging the enemy king on the back rank does.} 1. Bb3 $1 ({ An excellent key:} 1. Rab2+ $2 Ka1 2. Rb7 Rd5+ 3. Kc3 (3. Kc2 Bg6+ 4. Kc3 Rxd2 5. Kxd2 Bf2 $11) (3. Ke2 Re5+ 4. Kd1 Be3 5. Rd3 Ba2 $11) 3... Rc5+ 4. Kb4 Rc4+ 5. Ka5 Rc5+ 6. Ka6 Bc4+ 7. Kxa7 Ra5+ {just draws.}) 1... Bxb3 2. Kc3 $1 ({ A surprising follow up. Not} 2. Rdb2+ $2 Kc1 3. Rxb3 Rd5+ 4. Kc4 Rd7 {draws.}) 2... Rc5+ ({The first thematic model mate is} 2... Bxa2 3. Rd1#) ({while after } 2... Bd4+ 3. Kxb3 Rb5+ 4. Kc4 Bb2 5. Kxb5 Kxa2 6. Kb4 { (Ka4) Black loses since it's the wrong corner for his dark squared Bishop.}) 3. Kxb3 Rb5+ 4. Kc3 Rc5+ ({Or} 4... Bg1 5. Rab2+ Rxb2 6. Rxb2+ Kc1 7. Ra2 Kb1 8. Re2 Bc5 9. Kb3 {winning}) 5. Kb4 Rc7 6. Rdb2+ Kc1 7. Re2 $1 (7. Rh2 $2 Rb7+ 8. Ka5 Kb1 9. Ka6 g3 $1 {draws}) 7... Kb1 (7... Rb7+ {is met by} 8. Ka5 Kb1 9. Ka6 Rh7 ({To avoid} 9... Rd7 10. Reb2+ Kc1 11. Rh2 $18) 10. Rab2+ Kc1 11. Rec2+ Kd1 12. Rg2 Kc1 13. Rbe2 {(Rbc2+)} Kd1 14. Ra2 $18) 8. Rab2+ Kc1 { Away of the deadly corner!} 9. Ka3 $1 Bc5+ 10. Kb3 $1 ({Precision till the end. } 10. Ka2 $2 Ra7+ 11. Kb3 Ra3+ 12. Kc4 Bg1 $1 13. Rec2+ Kd1 14. Rg2 Kc1 15. Rbe2 Kd1 16. Rb2 Kc1 {just draws}) 10... Rb7+ 11. Kc3 Bd4+ 12. Kd3 Bxb2 13. Re1# {model mate 2, a chameleon echo!} 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 7th Hm"] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Janos Mikitovics, (Hungary)"] [Black "Dedicated to IM/ GM Pal & , Ziki Benko "] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "5k2/5P2/3Pr3/b7/3p3K/8/2N2p2/R7 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "41"] [EventDate "2019"] 
 {This study is dedicated by its Hungarian composer to his famous compatriot, over the board GM (and IM of chess composition) Pal Benko and his wife Ziki on the occasion of Pal's 91st birthday. At the focus  is the rebirth of the Phoenix and its return to the place of his Forefather.} 1. d7 $1 (1. Kg3 $2 {loses to} Be1 2. Rxe1 fxe1=Q+ 3. Nxe1 d3 {wins.}) 1... Bb6 (1... Bc7 2. Rf1 $1 d3 3. Rxf2 dxc2 4. Rxc2 {is just a draw.}) 2. Rb1 $1 Kxf7 3. Kg3 $1 d3 ({Or}  3... Ke7 4. Kxf2 $1 d3+ 5. Rxb6 Rxb6 6. Nd4 $1 d2 7. Nf5+ $1 Kxd7 {(or Kd8)} 8. Ke2 Rf6 9. Ne3 $1 Rd6 10. Kd1 {draw}) 4. Ne3 $3 (4. Rxb6 $2 {fails to} f1=Q 5. d8=Q Qg1+ 6. Kf3 Rxb6 7. Qd7+ Kf8 8. Qd8+ Kg7 9. Qe7+ Kg6 10. Ne3 Qh1+ $1 $19) 4... Rxe3+ $1 {The ancient Phoenix, sacrificing himself, burned to dust!} 5. Kxf2 $3 {into the Battery R/B} Bc5 $1 (5... Re2+ 6. Kf3 $1 Rf2+ 7. Kg3 $11) 6. d8=N+ $3 {Phoenix} (6. d8=Q $2 Re8+ $19 {Battery}) 6... Kf6 $1 (6... Ke7 7. Nb7 $1 d2 8. Nxc5 $11) 7. Nb7 $1 Bd4 8. Rd1 $1 Ke5 $1 9. Na5 $1 (9. Re1 $2 { loses to} Re4+ 10. Kf1 Be3 $19) 9... Ke4 10. Nc4 $1 Re2+ 11. Kg3 $1 (11. Kf1 $2 Rh2 12. Nd6+ Kf3 13. Rxd3+ Be3 14. Rxe3+ Kxe3 15. Nf5+ Ke4 16. Ng3+ Kf3 $19) 11... Bf2+ $1 {10. WCCT-theme(bBf2)} 12. Kg4 $1 Be1 (12... Kd4 13. Nd2 $11 (13. Na3 $2 Be1 14. Nb5+ Ke3 15. Nd6 Rg2+ $19)) 13. Nd6+ $1 (13. Ne5 $2 Rg2+ $3 14. Kh5 Kf5 15. Nf3 Rg8 $3 16. Nd4+ Ke4 17. Nb3 Bf2 $3 18. Nc1 Kf5 $1 19. Kh6 Rh8+ 20. Kg7 Bd4+ 21. Kf7 Rh7+ 22. Ke8 Ke6 23. Re1+ Be5 24. Rxe5+ Kxe5 25. Nxd3+ Kd6 $1 26. Kf8 Rh3 $1 27. Nf4 Rf3 $19 {pin}) 13... Kd4 {10.WCCT-theme(wKg4)} (13... Ke3 14. Nf5+ $1 Ke4 15. Nd6+ $11 {perpetual check}) 14. Nf5+ $1 Kc3 $1 (14... Ke4 15. Nd6+ {main line}) 15. Kf3 $1 Rf2+ $1 16. Ke4 $1 d2 17. Ra1 $1 ({ Thematic try} 17. Ne3 $2 Re2 $1 {pin} 18. Ra1 (18. Kf3 Kd3 $19) 18... Bf2 $1 19. Kf3 Rxe3+ $19 {If the reborn Phoenix is careless, he will burn out himself the same way on the same (e3) place as his Forefather.}) 17... Re2+ 18. Kf3 $1 Rf2+ 19. Ke4 $1 Kb2 20. Rd1 Kc2 21. Ne3+ $11 {draws. Like in the legend: the reborn young Phoenix returns to its place of origin where the old Phoenix was burned to dust (from d8 to e3). He returned that balms the remains of the old Phoenix into an egg made from myrrh and buried in Heliopolis, the "city of the sun." He returned to the place to protect the still living an other old Phoenix, wRd1.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 8th Hm"] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Janos Mikitovics, (Hungary)"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "4K1R1/1qP5/1P3p2/4k3/4p1B1/8/4R3/r7 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "47"] [EventDate "2019"] 
 {Another transfer of a theme rarely seen even in mate problem genres. In an epic drama a Rundlauf of a Bishop is demonstrated!} 1. c8=Q $1 ({ A highly subtle try is:} 1. Kf7 $2 f5 $1 2. Re8+ Kf4 3. Rf2+ Kxg4 (3... Kg3 $2 4. Bxf5 $3 Rc1 (4... Kxf2 5. Bxe4 Qxb6 6. c8=Q Ra7+ 7. Kg8 $1 Qb3+ 8. Re6 $1 Qg3+ 9. Bg6 $1 $18) 5. Rg2+ $3 Kxg2 6. Bxe4+ $18) 4. Rg8+ Kh3 5. Rxf5 Rf1 $3 6. Rxf1 Qd5+ $1 7. Kg7 Qg5+ 8. Kf8 Qc5+ 9. Kg7 Qg5+ 10. Kf7 Qd5+ { with perpetual check}) (1. Ke7 $2 {fails to} Rc1 $1 $11 ({But not} 1... Rh1 $2 2. Re8 $3 $18)) 1... Ra8 $1 2. Qxa8 Qxa8+ 3. Kf7 Qb7+ $1 4. Kg6 $1 f5 $1 (4... Qxb6 {loses to} 5. Re8+) 5. Bxf5 {Here we go!} (5. Re8+ $2 {fails to} Kf4 6. Bxf5 Qxb6+ 7. Re6 Qg1+ {draws.}) 5... Qxb6+ 6. Kg5 Qf6+ 7. Kh5 $1 Qf7+ (7... Kf4 8. Rf2+ Ke3 9. Rf1 Qf7+ 10. Rg6 {wins.}) (7... e3 $3 8. Re1 $3 Qf7+ (8... Qxf5+ 9. Rg5 $18) 9. Rg6 {Zugzwang, see in the main line 9.Re1 ZZ}) 8. Rg6 e3 $3 9. Re1 $3 {Zugzwang} (9. Bg4 $2 {is refuted by} Kf4 10. Re1 e2 11. Rxe2 Qh7+ 12. Rh6 Qf7+ 13. Kh4 Qe7+ $1 14. Rxe7 {stalemate}) 9... Kf4 $3 10. Rf1+ $1 Ke5 11. Bd3 $1 (11. Bh3 $2 {fails to} Qe8 $1 12. Bg4 Kd4 $1 13. Be2 Kc3 $1 14. Ra1 Qe5+ 15. Kg4 Qe4+ {draws.}) 11... Qd7 12. Rg5+ $1 Kd4 13. Be2 $1 ({ The alternatives don't deliver:} 13. Rg3 $2 Qc7 $1 $11) (13. Rg4+ $2 Kc3 $1 $11 ) (13. Rd1 $2 Qh3+ 14. Kg6 Qe6+ 15. Kg7 Qe7+ 16. Kh6 Kc3 $3 {draw.}) 13... Qh3+ 14. Kg6 Qe6+ 15. Rf6 $1 (15. Kh5 $2 Qh3+ 16. Kg6 {loss of time}) 15... Qe8+ 16. Rf7 $1 Kc3 $1 17. Kg7 $3 Qe6 18. Ra7 $1 ({Thematic try} 18. Rc7+ $2 Kd2 19. Bg4 {Rundlauf (wBg4-f5-d3-e2-g4)} Qd6 $1 (19... Qe4 $2 20. Rd7+ $1 Ke1 21. Rdd5 $1 Qe7+ 22. Kg6 Qe8+ 23. Kf6 Qf8+ 24. Ke6 Qe8+ 25. Kd6 $18) 20. Rcc5 {10. WCCT/D} Qe7+ 21. Kg8 Qe8+ (21... e2 $2 22. Rgd5+ Ke1 23. Re5 $1 $18) 22. Kg7 Qe7+ { perpetual check}) 18... Kd2 $1 19. Bg4 $3 {Rundlauf (wBg4-f5-d3-e2-g4)} (19. Bh5 $2 e2 $1 20. Bxe2 Kxe2 $11) (19. Rg2 $2 Qe5+ $11) 19... Qd6 $1 20. Ra2+ $1 {10. WCCT/D} Kc3 21. Rga5 $1 $18 ({Thematic try} 21. Kf7 $2 Qb4 $1 22. Re2 Kd3 23. Rd5+ Ke4 24. Rf5 Kd3 $3 (24... Qd6 $2 25. Rc2 $1 Qh6 26. Rcc5 $1 Qh7+ 27. Kf6 Qh6+ 28. Ke7 Qh7+ 29. Rf7 Qh4+ 30. Ke8 $1 Qxg4 31. Rc4+ $18) 25. Bf3 Qd6 $1 26. Rg2 Kc3 27. Rf6 Qd7+ 28. Kg6 Qe8+ 29. Kh6 Qh8+ 30. Kg5 Qd8 $11) 21... Qd4+ 22. Kh6 {/h7} Qxg4 23. R5a3+ Kb4 24. Ra4+ $18 {Theme: Bypassing the trap the wB returns to its original place to sacrifice itself for securing the victory. A wealth of motives are also involved:  thematic tries, zugzwang; stalemate; mate; mutual pins; sacrifices; positional draws; promotion and even the theme of the most recent WCCT.} 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019  1st Comm.  "] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Mirko Miljanic, Branislav Djurasevi, Zvezdan  Marjanovic"] [Black "(Serbia)"] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/2k3p1/6Nn/2B2p2/6P1/5p2/8/5K2 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "19"] [EventDate "2018"] 
 {This is a joint Serbian logical study.The first 2 partners have already been our successful guests. For the third one, a Professor of Mathematics in the University of Nis, ( born 1961) with a useful hobby: Computer analysis of endgame studies. it's his first published composing attempt.} 1. g5 Nf7 2. Be7 $1 ({Thematic try} 2. Be3 $2 Kd6 $1 (2... Kc6 $2 3. Ne7+ $18) 3. Kf2 Kd5 4. Kxf3 (4. Nh4 Ke4 $1 $11) 4... Ne5+ $1 5. Nxe5 Kxe5 {Position A} 6. Bc1 g6 $3 $10 {Curious positional draw! White could not make any significant progress, even if it looks it is an easy winning position. Black tries and manages not to allow white king to take the crucial d4 square, being with his king on c5, d5 or e5. When white K+B after all conquer the center via another route (for example, positions of pieces as following: wKc5, wBd4, bKe6), then black on move with f4 and Kf5 makes a strong counterplay leading to draw.}) 2... Kd7 $1 3. Kf2 Ke6 4. Kxf3 Ne5+ 5. Nxe5 Kxe5 {Position A1. The only differences between A and A1 settings is the position of white bishop.} 6. Bf6+ $3 gxf6 7. g6 Ke6 8. Kf4 Ke7 9. Kxf5 Ke8 10. Ke6 $1 $18 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 3rd Comm."] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Michal Hlinka , & Lubos Kekely (Slovakia)"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/6RP/2qr4/8/8/8/B5RK/k7 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "23"] [EventDate "2015"] 
 {This is an aristocrat battle with an amazing demonstration of self pins and unpins highlighted by reciprocal Zugzwang and sacrificial play.} 1. Be6 $1 { Closing the 6th rank and opening the "a" file to allow a  mate threat.} (1. R7g6 $2 Qxg2+ 2. Rxg2 Rh6+ 3. Kg3 Rxh7 $11) 1... Rxe6 2. Ra7+ Kb1 3. Ra1+ $1 ({ Not} 3. Rg1+ $2 Kc2 4. Rg2+ Kd3 5. Ra3+ Ke4 {draw}) 3... Kxa1 4. h8=Q+ Rf6 { selfpin} 5. Kh1 $3 {zz. selfpin} (5. Rg1+ $2 Ka2 6. Qg8+ Re6 $1 {selfpin} 7. Rg2+ Kb1 $1 8. Qb8+ Qb6 $1 {and white can make no progress.}) 5... Kb1 {unpin} 6. Qb8+ Qb6 7. Rg1+ Kc2 8. Qh2+ (8. Qc8+ $2 Qc6+ $1 $11) 8... Rf2 9. Qh7+ Kd2 ( 9... Kc3 10. Rc1+ $18) 10. Qd7+ Kc3 11. Qc8+ $1 (11. Rc1+ $2 {or Rg3+?} Kb2 $11 ) (11. Qh3+ $2 Kb2 12. Qh8+ Qf6 $1 13. Qb8+ Kc3 $1 14. Qc8+ {or Qc7+} Kd3 $1 15. Qd7+ Kc3 $1 16. Rg3+ Rf3 $1 $11) 11... Kd2 12. Qc1+ {and wins.} (12. Qd7+ $18 {is only waste of time}) 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 5th Comm. "] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Amatzia Avni  (Israel)"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "r3BnK1/P4P1p/4p1k1/1P6/3P2P1/8/3b4/1n6 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "19"] [EventDate "2018"] 
 {A mighty pair of connected passed pawns is also at the focus of E1244 whose composer, a Fide master both of playing and  composing:} 1. b6 Nc3 (1... Bh6 { loses to} 2. b7 Rxa7 3. b8=Q Nc3 4. g5 {wins.}) 2. Kxf8 ({just like this.} 2. b7 {?! fails to} Nd5 {!!} 3. b8=Q (3. bxa8=Q Nf6+ 4. Kh8 Bh6) (3. g5 Rxa7 4. b8=Q Bb4 5. Qxa7 Kxg5 6. Kg7 Nf6 {=}) 3... Bh6 4. Qb1+ Kg5 { and white cannot win.}) 2... Nd5 3. Kg8 {switchback number one:} (3. b7 $4 { is defeated by} Bh6+) 3... Nf6+ 4. Kh8 Nxe8 (4... Bc3 5. f8=Q+ (5. f8=N+) 5... Rxe8 6. Qxe8+ Nxe8 7. g5 Bxd4+ 8. Kg8 Kxg5 9. a8=Q Nf6+ 10. Kf7 Bxb6 11. Kxe6) 5. f8=Q ({Not} 5. f8=N+ {?} Kf7 6. b7 Rxa7 7. b8=Q Re7 {and black is safe.}) 5... Bh6 6. Qxh6+ $1 (6. b7 $2 {is refuted by} Bxf8 7. bxa8=Q Bg7+ 8. Kg8 Nf6#) 6... Kxh6 7. b7 Nc7+ 8. b8=Q Kg6 9. Kg8 $1 (9. g5 {?} h6 10. gxh6 Kxh6 11. Kg8 Kg6 12. Kf8 Kf6 {=}) 9... h6 10. Kh8 {switchback number two-the decisive one.} (10. Kf8 Kf6 11. Kg8 {just prolongs the solution.}) 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 6th Comm. "] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Marian Kovacevic (Serbia), & Steffen  Nielsen , (Denmark)"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "6r1/P7/2Kb4/4P2Q/3pk3/pr6/1q1pPP2/5R1N w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "25"] [EventDate "2018"] 
 {Another joint creation is displaying a sophisticated Excelsior notivated by systematic movements. Here it is with the plot story as told by the authors:To create a winning attack White must bring Rf1 into play. But along which file? The f-file! This explains White's first move.} 1. Ng3+ (1. a8=Q $2 Rb6+ 2. Kd7+ Rb7+ $1 $19 (2... Rxa8)) 1... Rbxg3 { The other rook must watch A8.} 2. a8=Q { Deflecting the rook from its defensive duties on the g-file.} Rxa8 (2... Qc1+ 3. Kxd6+ Rxa8 4. Qh7+ Rg6+ $5 5. Qxg6+ Kf4 6. e3+ Kf3 7. Qh5+ Ke4 8. Qh1+ Kd3 9. Rxc1) 3. Qh4+ $1 {Now White is ready to carry out his plan. He wants to give checks on the h-file and then transfer the queen to d5, d6 or d7 with check forcing the Black king to the f-file when fxg3+ will bring Rf1 into play with decisive effect.} (3. Qh7+ $2 Rg6 $1 {and the f-file remains closed.}) (3. Qh1+ $2 Rg2 $1 {and the f-file remains closed.}) 3... Rg4 $1 (3... Kxe5 4. Qh5+ Ke6 (4... Rg5 5. f4+ {transfers to the main line}) 5. Qd5+ Ke7 6. Qxd6+ Ke8 7. Qd7+ Kf8 8. fxg3+ $18 {This shows White's general intention.}) 4. f3+ $1 (4. Qxg4+ $2 Kxe5 5. Qg5+ Ke6 6. Qd5+ Kf6 { brings nothing as the rook is left out of play.}) 4... Kxe5 (4... Ke3 5. Qf2+ Kf4 6. fxg4+ $18) 5. Qh5+ { White is again ready to chase the king to the f-file.} Rg5 $1 (5... Ke6 6. Qd5+ ) 6. f4+ (6. Qxg5+ $2 Ke6 $11) 6... Ke6 (6... Ke4 {eg} 7. Qh7+) 7. Qh6+ Rg6 ( 7... Ke7 8. Qxd6+) 8. f5+ (8. Qxg6+ $2 Ke7 $11) 8... Ke7 (8... Ke5 9. Qh2+ Ke4 10. Qh1+ Ke5 11. Qd5+ Kf6 12. fxg6+ $18) 9. Qh7+ Rg7 10. f6+ Ke8 (10... Ke6 11. Qf5+ (11. Qe4+) (11. Qh3+)) 11. f7+ $1 {Not the automatic} (11. Qh8+ $2 Bf8 12. f7+ Rxf7 $11) 11... Kf8 12. Qh8+ Ke7 13. f8=Q+ { The slowed-down Excelsior is completed and Rf1 is finally fully liberated.} 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 7th Comm. "] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Peter Krug (Austria)"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "r1r5/4N1pk/4P2p/7Q/ppP2P2/1Pn1q3/8/R2B1K2 w - - 0 0"] [PlyCount "19"] 
 {This study is a middlegame like battle where white pins his hopes on his kingside attack.} 1. Bc2+ Kh8 2. Ng6+ Kg8 3. Re1 $1 Qc5 (3... Qg3 {allows} 4. Ne7+ Kh8 5. Qg6 Qxg6 6. Nxg6+ Kh7 7. Ne7+ g6 8. Nxc8 axb3 9. Bxb3 $18 Rxc8 10. e7 Re8 11. c5 Kg7 12. Re6 {and black is totally helpless.}) ({Following} 3... axb3 $5 4. Rxe3 bxc2 5. Ne7+ Kh8 6. Re1 Ra1 7. Rxa1 Nb1 8. Nxc8 c1=Q+ 9. Kf2 Qxf4+ 10. Qf3 Qh2+ 11. Ke3 Qe5+ 12. Qe4 Qc3+ 13. Qd3 Qe5+ 14. Kf3 {white wins.}) 4. Ne5 $1 Rf8 {Against both queen threats on f7 and g6 and yet...} 5. Qf7+ $1 Rxf7 6. exf7+ Kh8 ({Or} 6... Kf8 7. Nd7+ Kxf7 8. Nxc5 a3 9. Nd3 a2 10. Ra1 Re8 11. c5 Rb8 12. Ke1 $18) 7. Ng6+ Kh7 8. Re8 axb3 9. Rh8+ $1 ({Both} 9. Nf8+ Kh8 10. Nd7+ Qf8 11. Nxf8 bxc2) ({or} 9. Ne7+ bxc2 10. f8=N+ Kh8 11. Nfg6+ Kh7 12. Nf8+ {end up in just a draw.}) 9... Rxh8 10. Nf8# $1 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019  Sp. Comm. "] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Paul Michelet"] [Black "After AP Kuznetsov "] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "nnr4k/5Kp1/4R2b/5R2/2P2p1p/5pr1/8/5Q1b w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "79"] 
 {This study is a rare British appearance in our section based on a study by AP Kuznetsov in Schach Echo 1971. Paul added a whole queen staircase to the initial three as well as a sacrificial introduction. The main line needs no extra commentary:} 1. Rc5 $1 Rd8 2. Rc8 $1 Rxc8 3. Rxh6+ $1 gxh6 4. Qa1+ { First staircase has started} Kh7 5. Qb1+ Kh8 6. Qb2+ Kh7 7. Qc2+ Kh8 8. Qc3+ Kh7 9. Qd3+ Kh8 10. Qd4+ Kh7 11. Qe4+ Kh8 12. Qe5+ Kh7 13. Qf5+ Kh8 14. Qxc8+ Kh7 15. Qf5+ Kh8 16. Qe5+ Kh7 17. Qe4+ Kh8 18. Qd4+ Kh7 19. Qd3+ Kh8 20. Qc3+ Kh7 21. Qc2+ Kh8 22. Qb2+ Kh7 23. Qb1+ Kh8 24. Qxb8+ Kh7 25. Qb1+ Kh8 26. Qb2+ Kh7 27. Qc2+ Kh8 28. Qc3+ Kh7 29. Qd3+ Kh8 30. Qd4+ Kh7 31. Qe4+ Kh8 32. Qxa8+ Kh7 33. Qe4+ Kh8 34. Qd4+ Kh7 35. Qd3+ Kh8 {[%eval 641,17]} 36. Qc3+ Kh7 37. Qc2+ Kh8 38. Qb2+ Kh7 39. Qb1+ Kh8 40. Qxh1 {Winning.} 1-0

[Event "The Problemist 2018-2019 Special Commendation"] [Site ""] [Date ""] [Round ""] [White "Vladimir Kuzmichev , (Russia)"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Annotator "Afek"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "2B4K/8/7P/8/8/8/8/5k1q w - - 0 0"] [PlyCount "23"] 
 {In the Russian Malyutka, a 5 men baby composition, the  Bishop proves superflous, preventing a theoretical stalemate option.} 1. Bh3+ $3 (1. h7 $2 Qh6 $1 2. Kg8 Qg6+ 3. Kh8 Qf7 4. Be6 {(alas,too late!)} Qf8+ 5. Bg8 Qf6#) 1... Kf2 $1 (1... Qxh3 {is naturally met by} 2. h7 {with the well known draw.}) 2. h7 Ke3 3. Kg7 $1 (3. Kg8 $2 {loses to} Qd5+ $1) 3... Qa1+ 4. Kg8 Qa8+ 5. Kg7 $1 ({Again} 5. Bc8 $2 Qd5+ $1) 5... Qb7+ (5... Qa7+ 6. Kg8 Qb8+ 7. Bc8 $3 Qg3+ 8. Bg4 $3 {is a thematic positional draw!}) 6. Bd7 $3 Qb2+ 7. Kg8 Qg2+ 8. Kf8 $1 ({Not} 8. Bg4 $2 Qd5+ $1) 8... Qh2 (8... Qf3+ {is met only by} 9. Bf5 $3 (9. Kg8 $2 Qd5+ $1) (9. Kg7 $2 Qg3+ $1 10. Bg4 $1 Qe5+ $1 $19)) 9. Kg8 $1 ({But not } 9. Bf5 $2 Kf4 $1 10. Bb1 Kg5 $1 11. Kg8 Qb8+ 12. Kg7 Qxb1 $1 {winning.}) 9... Qg3+ 10. Bg4 $1 Qb8+ 11. Bc8 $1 Qb3+ 12. Be6 $1 { Positional draw! 6 Bishop sacrifices along the diagonal h3-c8. A task!} 1/2-1/2