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The Problemist, September 2005 |
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Written by Michael McDowell
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In the September issue Jeremy Morse presented the eighth update of his
book Chess Problems: Tasks and Records, while Russian composer
Andrei Spirin detailed his researches into strategic combinations with
promoted pieces. John Rice continued his review of recent British
awardwinners and reported on this year’s meeting at Messigny. The
informal awards for Retros 2003-2004 and Twomovers 2003 were published.
The Supplement included a selection of problems by Petko Petkov,
and an explanatory article by David Shire on the popular fairy piece
the Nightrider.
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Yakov Rossomakho
3rd Place, Baltic Sea Ty., 1991-1993
Mate in 2
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A notable task, showing 4 defences on d3 met by mates on f5.
1.Qf3 (>2.Qe4)
1...Kxd3 2.Bf5
1...Rxd3 2.Kf5
1...Sxd3 2.Sf5
1...cxd3 2.f5
1...Bd5 2.Qxd5
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Petko Petkov
1st Prize=, Shakhmatna misl, 1979
Mate in 5
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A clear-cut example of Petkov’s composing skill. In three variations the
front piece of a battery captures on the second move to free a square from
which the other front piece will deliver the mating check three moves
later.
1.Rf7 (>2.Sxc7+ Kf4 3.Se6+ Kf5 4.Se8+ Ke4 5.Sd6
1...Qb8 2.Sxd4+ Kf4 3.Se6+ Kf5 4.Sxd5+ Ke4 5.Sc3
1...Bg4 2.Sxh7+ Ke4 3.Sf6+ Kf5 4.Sf8+ Kf4 5.Sxg6
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Mike Bent
Sp. Prize, diagrammes, 2002-2003
White to play and draw
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A simple but elegant idea typical of the late Mike Bent. It was awarded a
Special Prize by judge Jonathan Mestel to mark Mike’s lifetime achievement
as Britain’s most prolific study composer.
1.Bd1+ Kb5 2.Ba4+ Kxa4
and now the line is cleared for the white queen
3.Qd1+ Kb5 4.Qh5+ Qxh5 stalemate.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 November 2011 13:24 |
2005 