VERDETTO STRATEGEMS 1999 H#2

    If there is any justification for informal tourneys it is that they help to maintain a high standard of originals. In the case of a new magazine, it is more a matter of setting a standard, in default of which composers will be too inclined to contribute only their weaker compositions. That did indeed happen in this tourney: there are some well-known names to be found above some very indifferent works! A variable level of quality is an inevitable part of the adolescent stage for a new publication, and StrateGems is already well on the way to adulthood. A rather more selective editorial policy and the cultivation of a perceptive band of solver-commentators will be vital elements in speeding the process. (A decision to join the rest of the problem word in using S, not N, for knight would also help!) The essential point to bear in mind is that publication in StrateGems should be an honor in itself.
    Consequently I make no apology for selecting only 7 problems out of 68 (including one H#1,1/2) to feature in this award. Many of the competing problems lacked originality, balance and/or content, offering only familiar schemes, heterogeneous play and/or colorless moves. As it would be unkind to cite examples of such works, I prefer to point out a few which, although not of award quality, exemplify the good ordinary standard below which the best columns rarely sink.

Special Prize - Janos Csak StrateGems 1999 H#2     2 solutions     (7+11)	Special Prize - (Janos Csak - H0121) Certainly this is the best and most intensely thematic work in the tourney. Although it owes a little to a problem of mine (Fen:1b6/3p1N2/p2p2b1/1Rn2kN1/q1p3pr/Q2n4/1PBp4/K7 Sol. 1 .Qxb5 Qxd3+ 2.Ne4 Qfl#; l.Qxc2 Qxc5+ 2.Ne5 Qt2#) with similar unpins and white Queen play, the strategy is not the same and of course the double pin mates are an added feature.     Furthermore, the construction is clearly superior. Having consulted two friends who are expert judges (as mentioned above), I have decided that the effects are sufficiently different to justify a prize, though it seems appropriate to label it a Special Prize to indicate the unusual circumstances. l.Qxb2 Qxc5+ 2.Qe5 Qc8#, II. l.Qxc4 Qxd3+ 2.Qe4 Qd7#
Prize - Petko A. Petkov StrateGems 1999 H#2     2 solutions     (5+15)	Prize - (Petko Petkov - H0125) The idea of a white royal battery with the King's departures, squares, seems original and is strongly thematic. It is not surprising that it necessitates a heavy construction, which in its turn limits the possibilities for Black's first move. The black Queen sacrifices are rather crude, however. I should have been happier if a less violent alternative had been found, perhaps with a dual avoidance effect. l.Qc3+ Kxc3+ 2.Rxb4 Rf4#, II. l.Qb3+ Kxb3+ 2.Bxb4 Qd4#
Honorable Mention Georgi M. Frantzov & Vito Rallo StrateGems 1999 H#2     4 solutions     (6+8)	Honorable Mention - (Georgi M. Frantzov & Vito Rallo - H0200) The double white ABBA is far from new but is here achieved in a light setting with no twinning and two pairs of solutions in which the black play presents simple analogies. I. l.Nd3 Nc4 A 2.d5 e3# B, II. l.Ke5 e3 B 2.Rd5 Nc4# A, III. l.Kd5 Nf5 C 2.Be5 e4# D, IV. l.Qd3 e4 D 2.e5 Nf5# C.
1st Commended - Wenelin Alaikow StrateGems 1999 H#2     2 solutions     (8+12)	1" Commended - (Wenelin Alaikow - H0164) The white battery arrangement combined with switchbacks on the back battery pieces has been shown before but the hideaway captures on Black's first move and the line openings on White's first are additions which blend in very well. I. l.QxfS! Rdxc7 2.Kxd3 Rd7#, II. l.RxcS! Bxe7 2.Kxc3 Bb4#
2nd Commended - Janos Csák StrateGems 1999 H#2     b)Rh1->a1     (5+5)	2nd Commended - (Janos Csák - H0150) A simple but attractive work with white castling (for hideaway) and promotion mates in what surprisingly appears to be an original combination. a) l.Qb8 0-0 (Rfl?) 2.Qe5 d8Q#, b) l.Ne7 0-0-0 (Rdl?) 2.Re5 d8N#
3rd Commended - Michal Dragoun StrateGems 1999 H#2    b) a1=a8 (180°)     (9+11)	3rd Commended - (Michal Dragoun - H0126) Strongly thematic but the mechanical effect is inescapable and the twinning even seems to accentuate it. a) l.fxg5 Nxf4 2.gxf4 Kxe6#, b) l.fxe4 Nxd3 2.exd3 Kxc5#
4th Commended - G.M.Frantzov & V.Rallo StrateGems 1999 H#2     b)Ke3->d4     (7+12)	4th Commended - (Gueorgui Franlzov & Vito Rallo - H0124) Here too the effect is rather mechanical, and the combination of black and white half-pins is very wellknown. What earns this problem a commendation is the addition of interferences with the black Queen in both directions along the same diagonal, a) l.Nd3 Nb5 2.Rd6 Nc4#, b) l.Qd3 Nec4 2.Rc7 Nb5#

by StrateGems vol.3 July/September 2000 SG11