www.arves.org - Variantim 2025

Studies awarded for the Variantim 2025 or Israeli Ring tournament 2025.

[Event "1-3.p Variantim"] [Site ""] [Date "2025"] [Round ""] [White "Yehuda Hoch"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [EventDate "2025"] [FEN "5k1q/1p6/p6p/p3P2P/3N4/K7/8/3R4 w - - 0 1"] [SetUp "1"] [PlyCount "33"] 
 {Variantim 2025 – Preliminary award 
 I received 31 studies from Gady Costeff. Most were of moderate level or higher, with some reaching a high standard. In evaluating and ranking the studies, I followed several general principles. 
 In my opinion, it is nowadays very difficult, perhaps even impossible, to compose 
 a study in which no similar final position or idea has appeared before. However, when a theme has been seen frequently in studies or in practical play, this has a negative impact on the evaluation. At the same time, I attached particular importance to surprising moves and ideas, especially those that are counterintuitive from the perspective of a regular chess player. I also favored studies with good flow, where the play develops in a logical and harmonious way. 
 For example, although underpromotions to a bishop or rook are known in studies, they 
 remain rare in practical play and should be judged in their specific context. I gave preference to compositions with relatively rare ideas, even if not entirely original, as well as to economical settings. I was less impressed by studies whose main idea is unclear and perhaps understandable only with computer assistance, as is sometimes the case in modern tablebase-based studies. 
 If a piece in the initial position serves no purpose other than to be captured, i.e., it does 
 not make a single move, this detracts from the evaluation, although it does not disqualify 
 the study. Conversely, I gave additional credit to studies in which all pieces play an active role. 
 Out of the 31 studies, I awarded 19, including 7 Special Commendations. While these 
 were somewhat less impressive than the main award winners, I nevertheless considered 
 them worthy of distinction. I have commented on all awarded studies, indicating the main reasons for my evaluation. 
 Three compositions stood out above the others. The three studies are of very similar 
 overall quality, with only slight differences between them. Accordingly, I decided to award the First Prize, which includes a monetary award, jointly to all three compositions. 
 Some studies were anticipated: 
 4594 and 4595 are anticipated by Tarasiuk, The Problemist, 2016–2017. 
 4484 is anticipated by Timman, Garcia-75, 2023. 
 Finally, I would like to thank Gady Costeff once again for organizing the tournament and 
 for providing helpful information regarding possible anticipations. 
 I also thank all the composers who submitted their studies; their efforts made the judging 
 both interesting and enjoyable. 
 Michael Pasman 
 Meitar, Israel 20/3/2026} 1.Nc6 $1 ( 1.Ne6+ Ke7 2.Rd8 Qxd8 3.Nxd8 Kxd8 $19 ) (  1.Ka2 ) 1...bxc6 ( 1...Kf7 2.Rd8 Qg7 3.Rd7+ $10 ) 2.Rd8+ Kg7 3.Rd7+ ( 3.Rxh8  Kxh8 4.Ka4 Kg7 5.Kxa5 c5 6.Kb6 c4 7.Kc7 c3 $19 ) 3...Kg8 4.Rd8+ Kh7 5.Rd7+ Qg7  6.e6 Kh8 7.Rd8+ Kh7 8.Rd7 c5 9.Ka4 ( 9.e7 Qc3+ ) ( 9.Kb3 Kh8 10.e7 Qg3+ 11.Kc2  Qg2+ 12.Kc1 Qg5+ 13.Kb2 Qe5+ 14.Ka3 Kg8 $19 ) 9...c4 10.Kxa5 $3 ( 10.Ka3 c3  11.Kb3 Kh8 12.e7 Qg8+ 13.Kc2 Qg2+ 14.Kb3 Qb2+ 15.Kc4 Qb5+ ) 10...c3 11.Kb6 $1 (  11.e7 Qe5+ $19 ) 11...c2 12.e7 $1 Qf6+ ( 12...c1=Q 13.e8=Q Qb2+ 14.Kxa6 $10 )  13.Ka7 ( 13.Kb7 Qf3+ 14.Kb8 Qf4+ 15.Ka7 Qe3+ 16.Kxa6 Kg8 $19 ) 13...Qf2+ 14.Ka8  $1 Qf3+ 15.Rb7 $1 c1=Q 16.e8=Q+ Qc7 17.Qg6+ $10 {with perpetual check. 
 Creative play by both sides, featuring ideas that are not common. White finds a way to win the black queen, but refrains from capturing it until the very end. He even allows Black to promote a second queen. The white king marches all the way from a3 to a8, White promotes a queen himself, and then achieves a draw by perpetual check.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "1-3.p Variantim"] [Site ""] [Date "2025"] [Round ""] [White "Yochanan Afek"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [EventDate "2025"] [FEN "8/8/P7/1Pk4r/8/N1K5/5n2/B7 w - - 0 1"] [SetUp "1"] [PlyCount "19"] 
 1.a7 Rh8 ( {2nd main line:} 1...Rh3+ 2.Kb2 Nd3+ 3.Kb1 $1 Rh1+ 4.Ka2 $1 {with 2 echo variations:} ( 4.Kc2 Rh2+ 5.Kb1 Rh1+ 6.Ka2 {is loss of time.} ) 4...Nb4+ (  4...Rh2+ 5.Bb2 $1 {1st Bishop sacrifice} 5...Rxb2+ 6.Ka1 $18 ) 5.Kb3 Rh3+ 6.Bc3  $1 {2nd Bishop sacrifice} 6...Rxc3+ $1 7.Kb2 $1 $18 ) 2.Kb3 $1 ( 2.Kc2 $2 Rc8  $1 $11 ) 2...Rg8 $1 3.Be5 $1 ( 3.Bd4+ $2 Kxd4 4.b6 Ne4 5.Kb4 Nc5 6.Nb5+ Kd5 $10  ) 3...Ra8 4.Bd4+ $1 {the 3rd bishop sacrifice!} 4...Kxd4 5.b6 Nd3 ( 5...Ne4  6.Nb5+ {proceeds similarly.} ) 6.Nb5+ Kd5 ( 6...Ke5 7.Nc7 Rd8 8.Na6 {wins} )  7.b7 $3 ( 7.Nc7+ Kc6 8.Nxa8 Nc5+ 9.Kc4 Nd7 $10 ) 7...Nc5+ 8.Kc2 $3 ( 8.Ka2  Rxa7+ $11 ) ( 8.Kb2 Nxb7 9.Nc7+ Kc6 10.Nxa8 Nd6 11.Nb6 Nc4+ $1 12.Nxc4 Kb7 $11  ) ( 8.Kc3 Nxb7 9.Nc7+ Kc6 10.Nxa8 Nc5 11.Nb6 Na4+ 12.Nxa4 Kb7 $11 ) 8...Nxb7  9.Nc7+ Kc6 10.Nxa8 {Economical starting position, 2 interesting main lines, One with 2 echo bishop sacrifices, bishop must be sacrificed correctly, second main line with another bishop sacrifice} 1-0

[Event "1-3.p Variantim"] [Site ""] [Date "2025"] [Round ""] [White "Daniel Gatti & Martin Minski"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [EventDate "2024"] [FEN "4b3/3P2P1/8/4N3/1R6/P5k1/q1r5/4K1B1 w - - 0 1"] [SetUp "1"] [PlyCount "27"] 
 1.Rg4+ $1 ( {logical try} 1.g8=Q+ $2 Qxg8 2.d8=Q Rc1+ 3.Kd2 Rd1+ $1 4.Kxd1 Bh5+  $11 ) 1...Kh3 2.Rh4+ $1 Kg3 3.g8=Q+ $1 Qxg8 4.d8=Q Rc1+ 5.Kd2 Rd1+ $1 (  5...Rc2+ 6.Ke3 Rc3+ 7.Kd4 $18 ) 6.Kxd1 Bh5+ 7.Rxh5 Qxd8+ 8.Ke2 Qe8 $1 ( 8...Qf8  9.a4 Qf6 10.a5 Qa6+ 11.Nd3 $18 ) 9.Rg5+ Kf4 10.Be3+ Ke4 11.Nc4 $1 ( {thematic try} 11.Ng4 $2 Qb5+ $1 12.Kf2 {e.g.} ( 12.Rxb5 {stalemate} ) 12...Qb2+ 13.Kg3  Qxa3 $11 ) ( {thematic try} 11.Nf3 $2 Qb5+ $1 12.Kf2 ( 12.Rxb5 {stalemate} )  12...Qe2+ $1 13.Kxe2 {stalemate} ) ( {thematic try} 11.Nd3 $2 Qh5+ $1 12.Kd2 (  12.Rxh5 {stalemate} ) 12...Qe2+ $1 13.Kxe2 {stalemate} ) 11...Qh5+ $1 ( {main}  11...Qb5 $1 12.Rc5 $3 {the point} ( 12.Rxb5 $2 {stalemate} ) ( 12.Rg4+ $2 Kd5  13.Rd4+ Kc5 14.Re4+ Kd5 15.Rd4+ Kc5 16.a4 Qxc4+ $1 17.Rxc4+ Kxc4 18.a5 Kb5 $11  ) 12...Qb2+ $1 13.Nd2+ {/Bd2+-} ( 13.Nxb2 $2 {Stalemate} ) ) 12.Kd2 $1 (  12.Rxh5 $2 {stalemate} ) 12...Qe2+ $1 13.Kc3 $1 ( 13.Kxe2 $2 {stalemate} )  13...Qd3+ 14.Kb4 $18 {Interesting battle avoiding stalemates, dynamic study, with all pieces moving . After nice sacrifices in introduction,logical + thematic tries and second main line on move 11 add value to the study.} 1-0

[Event "1.hm Variantim"] [Site ""] [Date "2025"] [Round ""] [White "P. Boll & V. Tarasiuk"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [EventDate "2025.02.21"] [FEN "qk6/4p2P/8/3p1p1B/p1pP4/PpP5/1P4p1/1K6 w - - 0 1"] [SetUp "1"] [PlyCount "18"] 
 1.h8=Q+ Ka7 2.Qg7 Qh8 $1 3.Qxe7+ $1 ( 3.Qxg2 Qxh5 4.Qxd5 Qd1# ) 3...Ka8 $1  4.Qg5 g1=Q+ 5.Qxg1 Qxh5 6.Ka1 $3 ( 6.Qg8+ Ka7 $1 7.Qg7+ Kb6 8.Qf6+ Kb5 $19 )  6...Qe8 $1 ( 6...f4 7.Qg8+ Ka7 8.Qg7+ Kb6 9.Qg6+ $1 Qxg6 {stalemate} ) 7.Qh1 $1  Qg8 ( 7...Qe6 8.Qh8+ Ka7 9.Qh7+ Kb6 10.Qxf5 $1 Qxf5 {stalemate} ) 8.Qb1 $3 (  8.Qe1 $2 f4 $19 ) 8...f4 ( 8...Qe6 9.Qxf5 $1 {stalemate} ) 9.Qg6 $1 Qxg6 {stalemate. 
 A minor technical flaw is the capture of the unmoved bishop on h5, which appears unavoidable. This is nevertheless more than fully compensated by the striking and uncommon idea of Ka1!!, followed by the intermediate move Qh1! and then Qb1! (and later Qg6), in a seemingly simple position. The manoeuvre with the newly promoted white queen leads to an unavoidable queen sacrifice.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "2.hm Variantim"] [Site ""] [Date "2025"] [Round ""] [White "M.Gromov & O.Pervakov"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [EventDate "2025"] [FEN "8/7p/1N6/6n1/1r6/1k6/4B1p1/B3N1K1 w - - 0 1"] [SetUp "1"] [PlyCount "21"] 
 1.Bd1+ $1 ( 1.Nd5 $2 Re4 2.Nc3 Re3 3.Bd1+ Kc4 4.Ne2 Nf3+ $1 5.Nxf3 Rxf3 6.Kxg2  Rd3 7.Bc2 Rd2 $11 ) 1...Ka2 2.Nd5 Nh3+ ( 2...Rb1 3.Bd4 $1 Nh3+ 4.Kh2 $3 g1=Q+  5.Bxg1 Rxd1 6.Nc3+ Kb3 7.Nxd1 Nxg1 8.Kxg1 h5 9.Nf2 $1 h4 10.Nh3 $18 ) 3.Kxg2  Nf4+ $1 4.Nxf4 Rb1 5.Bc2 $1 Rxa1 6.Nfd3 $1 ( {Thematic try} 6.Ned3 h6 $3 {zz}  7.Nd5 h5 {zz} 8.Nc3+ Ka3 9.Nb1+ Ka2 10.Nd2 h4 {zz} 11.Kh2 h3 {zz} 12.Ba4 Ka3  13.Bc2 Ka2 $11 {Positional draw} ) 6...h5 ( 6...Ka3 7.Nf3 $1 Ra2 8.Nd4 h5  9.Nb5# {Model mate with selfblock} ) ( 6...h6 7.Kf2 h5 8.Ke2 h4 9.Kd2 h3 10.Kc3  $1 h2 11.Nb4+ Ka3 12.Bb3 $1 Rxe1 13.Nc2# ) 7.Nf3 $1 h4 8.Nd2 {zz} 8...h3+ 9.Kh2  {zz} 9...Ka3 10.Nc4+ Ka2 11.Nb4# {Model mate with selfblock. 
 There are very similar ideas by Gromov himself in his studies from 1992 and 2006.. Composers addition of forwarding h-pawn with zugzwang and important thematic try 6.Ned3? which is replied by festina lente h6!!. But the unmoved a1 bishop, added just for to be captured by the black rook is a drawback} 1-0

[Event "1.c Variantim"] [Site ""] [Date "2025"] [Round ""] [White "Gatti=D"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [EventDate "2025"] [FEN "8/1P6/2n4P/6pp/p7/P3p1pK/P3PbP1/7k w - - 0 1"] [SetUp "1"] [PlyCount "33"] 
 1.b8=Q $1 ( 1.h7 {Logical Try} 1...Nd4 $1 2.h8=Q Nxe2 $1 3.Qxh5 Nf4+ ) 1...g4+  2.Kh4 Nxb8 3.h7 Nd7 4.h8=Q Kxg2 5.Kxh5 Kf1 6.Kxg4 g2 ( 6...Ne5+ 7.Qxe5 $1 g2  8.Qa1+ $1 Be1 9.Qf6+ $1 Bf2 10.Qa1+ {perpetual check} ) 7.Qh3 Ne5+ 8.Kf4 Nd3+ (  8...Ng6+ 9.Ke4 Nh4 10.Kd3 $1 Ke1 11.Qc8 $1 Kf1 12.Qh3 $1 Ng6 13.Ke4 ) 9.exd3 e2  10.Kf3 $1 e1=N+ 11.Ke4 Ke2 12.Qg4+ Kd2 13.Qf4+ Ke2 14.Qg4+ Kf1 15.Qh3 Nc2 16.d4  $1 Ne3 17.Kd3 {Positional draw. 
 Black threatens, after …Nd4, to mate the white king or win material, but White finds a way to avoid this. After a few moves, Black obtains very dangerous pawns against the white queen. I like that the play is largely forced for both sides, with minor promotions appearing in both the main line and the variations. There seems to be rather a long introduction before move 7, but on closer inspection one sees that even the first move - and White’s fifth move - are important. The study ends in a positional draw. Still, despite its merits, I feel that something is missing to justify a higher award.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "2.c Variantim"] [Site ""] [Date "2025"] [Round ""] [White "O.Pervakov"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [EventDate "2025"] [FEN "8/8/7Q/8/2prbK2/8/5k2/2n3N1 w - - 0 1"] [SetUp "1"] [PlyCount "33"] 
 1.Nh3+ Ke1 $1 ( 1...Ke2 2.Ke5 $1 Nb3 3.Nf4+ Kd1 4.Ne6 Rd7 $1 5.Kxe4 c3 6.Ke3  Kc1 7.Qf6 $1 c2 8.Nc5 $1 Nxc5 9.Qa1# {Model mate} ) 2.Ke3 $1 Ne2 $1 3.Qh4+ Kd1  4.Nf2+ Kc1 $1 5.Nxe4 Ng3 $3 6.Qg5 $3 Rxe4+ 7.Kf3+ Kb2 8.Qxg3 c3 $1 9.Qb8+ Ka3  $1 10.Qc8 $3 ( {Thematic try} 10.Qc7 $2 Rb4 $1 11.Ke3 Kb2 12.Qe5 Rh4 $1 13.Kd3  Rh3+ 14.Kc4 Rh4+ $11 ) ( {Thematic try} 10.Qd6+ $2 Rb4 $1 11.Ke3 Kb3 12.Kd3 c2  13.Qc5 Rd4+ $1 14.Kxd4 Kb2 15.Qc3+ Kb1 16.Qb3+ Ka1 17.Qxc2 $11 {Stalemate} )  10...Rb4 $1 11.Ke3 Kb2 12.Qh8 $1 {The key} 12...Rg4 ( 12...Rb6 13.Qd4 $1 Rh6  14.Kd3 Rh3+ 15.Kc4 $18 ) 13.Qb8+ Kc2 14.Qh2+ $1 Kb3 15.Kd3 Rd4+ $5 16.Kxd4 c2  17.Qd2 {There are few stages in the study, the introduction is not so connected to the end. We have some nice and surprising moves during different stages. Queen vs Rook and pawn seems for me little boring , it is too well known. There are some original elements in this endgame, but most of ideas are well known} 1-0

[Event "sp.c Variantim"] [Site ""] [Date "2025"] [Round ""] [White "Daniel Gatti"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [EventDate "2025"] [FEN "3k4/Bp2p3/1P1pP3/n2P1p2/p3pP1p/4K2P/8/5N2 w - - 0 1"] [SetUp "1"] [PlyCount "59"] 
 1.Kd4 $1 a3 2.Ne3 a2 3.Nc2 Nb3+ 4.Kc3 a1=Q+ ( 4...Nc1 5.Kb2 Nd3+ 6.Ka1 Nxf4  7.Ne3 Nxh3 8.Nxf5 Nf4 9.Nxh4 e3 10.Nf3 Nd3 11.Ng1 Nc1 12.Nf3 e2 13.Ne1 Kc8  14.Kb2 {positional draw} ) 5.Nxa1 Nxa1 6.Bb8 $1 Kc8 7.Bc7 ( 7.Ba7 {thematic Try}  7...e3 8.Kd3 e2 9.Kxe2 Nc2 10.Kd3 Nb4+ 11.Kc4 Na6 12.Kb5 Kd8 13.Kc4 Ke8 14.Kb5  Kf8 15.Kc4 Kg8 16.Kb5 Nc5 17.Kc4 Ne4 18.Kd3 Nf6 19.Kd4 Kg7 {triangulation}  20.Bb8 Kf8 21.Bc7 Ke8 22.Bb8 Kd8 23.Ba7 Kc8 24.Kc4 Nh5 25.Kd4 Nxf4 $19 ) 7...e3  8.Kd3 e2 9.Kxe2 Nc2 10.Kd3 Ne1+ 11.Ke2 {11. Ke3 minor dual} 11...Ng2 12.Kf3  Ne1+ 13.Ke2 {13. Ke3 minor dual} 13...Nc2 14.Kd3 Nb4+ 15.Kc4 {15. Kd4 minor dual} 15...Na6 16.Kb5 $1 Nc5 17.Kc4 Ne4 18.Kd3 Ng3 19.Kd4 {20. Kd2 minor dual}  19...Nf1 20.Kd3 Ng3 21.Kd4 {21. Kd2 minor dual} 21...Nh5 22.Ke3 Nf6 23.Kd4 Ne8  {Knight cannot gain tempos, so tries the last option.} 24.Kc4 Nxc7 25.bxc7 Kxc7  26.Kb5 b6 27.Ka6 $1 b5 28.Kxb5 Kb7 29.Ka5 Ka7 30.Kb5 {Positional draw. 
 Very long line, practically interesting endgame,pitty that several minor duals downgrade the study} 1/2-1/2

[Event "sp.c Variantim"] [Site ""] [Date "2025"] [Round ""] [White "Daniel Gatti"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [EventDate "2025"] [FEN "2n3k1/5p1p/3pP1p1/2pP4/2N1P1P1/Q1PP3P/2p2P2/1rBq1BK1 w - - 0 1"] [SetUp "1"] [PlyCount "39"] 
 1.e7 Nxe7 2.Qa8+ Kg7 3.Bh6+ Kxh6 4.Qf8+ Kg5 5.Qxe7+ Kh6 6.Qf8+ Kg5 7.f4+ $1 (  7.h4+ {Thematic Try} 7...Kxg4 8.Ne3+ Kh5 9.Qxf7 Qxf1+ 10.Nxf1 c1=Q $10 )  7...Kxf4 8.Qxd6+ $1 Kg5 9.h4+ ( 9.Qe7+ Kh6 10.Qf8+ Kg5 11.h4+ Kxg4 12.Ne3+ Kh5  13.Qxf7 h6 14.Nxc2 Qg4+ 15.Kf2 Qxh4+ 16.Ke2 Qg4+ 17.Qf3 Qxf3+ 18.Kxf3 Rxf1+  19.Ke2 Rf7 $3 20.d4 cxd4 21.Nxd4 Kg5 {Possible because wR is in f7 and not in f8} 22.e5 Re7 $1 23.e6 Kf6 $10 ) 9...Kxg4 10.Ne3+ Kh5 11.Qf4 ( 11.Qe5+ $2 f5 $1  ) 11...Qxf1+ 12.Nxf1 c1=Q 13.Qxc1 Rxc1 14.d6 Ra1 15.d4 $1 cxd4 16.c4 Ra8 17.c5  Kxh4 18.d7 {or first 18. c6} 18...Kg5 19.c6 Kf6 20.c7 {Long, interesting play. It looks like real game. White's position looks dangerous, so he starts counter-attack on black king. After some exchanges we finally get knight with 2 passed pawns vs rook endgame and black can't avoid promotion. Not type of studies we see frequently.Some of lines looks not so clear and include brutal exchanges. I was wondering how to rate this type of study, but even if the award for the study can't be very high, we can enjoy replaying it.} 1-0