In 1996, 39 helpmate three-mover originals were published in the magazine. A large part of them were mediocre, but the two prize-winners are o top quality and stand clearly out from the rest.

1. prize: 1032 Jorge M. Kapros & Jorge L. Lois (ARG)
On the thematic WB's diagonal a8-h1 there are three white men to be removed for the pinning of BIS. In each solution, two of them are annihilated by black, the third one then delivers the mate. Further- more, there is a cyclic ab-bc-ca pattern in the order of captures. In problems with Zilahi, usually only one of the mating pieces is captured, and the doubling o fthe idea is essentially more difficult to attain. It is a splendid idea to use the promoting WP as "a third rook". In all solutions, both sides move only one piece each, and the mates are delivered on three different squares of the h-line. There is good control o fthe line-vacating BIB. BQ plays both a thematic and cook-stopping role, and the replace- ment of it with BIR would result in a cook due to a self-block on h2. The solutions are completely analogous and, considering the strong white force, the construction is fairly good. It is refreshing to see such an original and strictly logical helpmate!

1. prize: 1032
Jorge M. Kapros
& Jorge L. Lois (ARG)
1°Premio

   1.dxc6 Rc4 2.cxd5 Rc7 3.d4 Rh7#
   1.exd5 cxd7 2.dxe4 d8Q 3.e3 Qh4#
   1.Bxe4 Rxa5 2.Bxc6 Rxa8 3.Bb5 Rh8#

2. prize: 1103 Toma Garai (USA)
It is amazing that no less than two out of the three white pieces are sacrificed in both solutions. One of the pieces sacrifices itself actively, moving twice to vacate a square for BK, who, in turn, captures the other on its way to the destination.The setting with no superfluous men is light. The solu- tions conform to each other perfectly and impress with their majestic simplicity. The role reversal of the sacrificial pieces, which is thematically neces- sary, is shown in an unconstrained manner.

2. prize: 1103
Toma Garai (USA)
2°Premio

1.Kxc4 Sc5 2.Kb5 Sxa6 3.Kxa6 Sc7#
1.Kxe4 Be2 2.Kf5 Bxg4+ 3.Kxg4 Se3#

1. HM: 1028 Jevgeni Fomitshev (RUS)
This elegant problem has rich strategy: in two solutions WB moves across two critical squares in order not to be interfered by WSs. As a further thematic element, there is a reversal of WSs' 2nd and 3rd moves. The final square of WB and the unpinning of the two Ss are determined in a natural way. Economy is good, and many solvers found the problem difficult. l would remove BIRg8, mirror the position and add BIPh7.

1. H.M.: 1028
Jevgeni Fomitshev (RUS)
1°MO

1.Qd6 Bxg7 2.Ke6 Se5 3.Sd3 Sd4#
1.Se8 Bh8 2.Qf8 Sd4 3.Sc2 Se5#

2. HM: 1105 C.J.Feather (GBR)
Shows Zilahi doubled. The white half-battery is activated by efficient line-vacations. The problem has good economy and an idea of exceptional originality. However, the whole gives somewhat mechanical impression and l was left expecting something more.

2. HM: 1105
C.J.Feather (GBR)
2° MO

1.Kb7 Rg3 2.Rxg2+ Rxg2 3.Bc7 Rb2#
1.Kc6 Se1 2.Sxf3+ Sxf3 3.Rc7 Sd4#

973 Jorma Paavilainen (FIN)
A strategic problem in which the order of moves is superbly determined by the critical moves of WB and R. The content is somewhat weakened by the fact that BK moves twice in both solutions. For some reason there is BIQ on d1. l replaced itwith BIB, and the composer has accepted the improve- ment.

Mention: 973
Jorma Paavilainen (FIN)
Mention

H#3 b) bSb7->b5 3+9

a) 1.Rb6 Bf7+ 2.Kb5 Rg6 3.Ka6 Bc4#
b) 1.Bb3 Rc1+2.Kb4 Bd1 3.Ka4 Rc4#

1108 Nikolai Vasjutshko (UKR)
A problem with a rich mixture ofthematic ingre- dients. There are two Grimshaws, one of them determining the choice of the tempo move by WK. The square-vacation move by one WS is the ma- ting move in the othersolution, and vice versa. The construction is weakened by BISg1. Furthermore, BISd7 is superfluous, and l removed it. This defect did not affect the ranking.

Mention: 1108
Nikolai Vasjutshko (UKR)
Mention

H#3 2.1.1. 4+14

1.Rb3 Sxf5 2.Kxf5 Kxa2 3.Rg5 Sxh4#
1.Bb3 Sxh4 2.Kxh4 Kb2 3.Bg5 Sxf5#

1165 Henry Laasanen (FIN)
The guarding and mating functions of WSs reciprocate. Despite a great risk of cooks, the construction is reasonably good. The idea is fairly original, and some symmetry in the play does not disturb.

Mention: 1165
Henry Laasanen (FIN)
Mention

H#3 2.1.1. 5+15

1.Sg7 Sxc7 2.e6 Sd5 3.Rc7 Sd6#
1.Rf5 Sxb6 2.Se5 Sd5 3.Rb6 Sc5#

This award is published in Finnish in Suomen Tehtavaniekat 4/1999. Claims to Kari Valtonen, Kuninkaankatu 39 A 7, 33200 Tampere, Finland, by 31st of January 2000.