Mat Plus Informal Tourney: Helpmates 1997
Judge: Marjan Kovacevic

There were 70 original helpmates published in 1997, seven h#n out of them in the magnificent article by the late master Gabor Cseh "Sacrifices of promoted white pieces in helpmate". The quality of problems was too good not to divide them in at least two groups, regarding their length. I separated 37 h#2 from the 33 h#>2 (the way problems were grouped in the Internet edition of Mat Plus). Such a division was good for the twomovers and less good for threemovers, the best of which turned to be overshadowed by some excellent moremovers.

I would like to thank the expert readers of both paper and Internet edition of the Mat Plus (especially to Mario Parrinello) for useful comments and technical remarks, and to apologize myself for keeping this award for too long time.

Helpmate Twomovers

Being far from a helpmate expert, I created the list of my favorites according to the excitement of content and up to my personal view of harmony (which regards unconected twins as the much inferior form of content unification).

Živko Janevski 1.Pr Mat Plus 1997 h#2 3111 9+11

1st Prize: No.344 by Zivko Janevski (Macedonia). Her Majesty dances with her King around the three mating squares. In the same time, the three white pieces, two Rooks and Bishop, cyclically change their functions to allow their Queen to make the final shots. One may ask for a better position or for more harmony in some small details, but only until trying himself to find it. The main content, with cycle of fields (d5,e4,d4) and cycle of strategy, proves to be too expensive to allow some extra wishes. 1.Qd5 Rg5:+ 2.Ke4 Qa4#, 1.Qd4 Bd7 2.Kd5 Qa5#, 1.Qe4 Rc3 2.Kd4 Qh8:#.

Franz Pachl & Markus Manhart 2.Pr Mat Plus 1997 h#2 4111 6+7

2nd Prize: No.338 by Franz Pachl & Markus Manhart (Germany). Each pair of solutions looks simple, but the combination of them makes contrast and harmony. Take for instance moves of c1 and e1. They produce two subtle interferences (on d2 & e2) in the first pair, and two surprising translations to the left and right side of the board (a3 & h1) in the other pair. The fifth possible mating field for the Knight (f5) is also included in the dual prevention. 1.Rg5 Bd2 2.Rg6 Sd5#, 1.Bf5 Re2 2.Bg6 Sg4#, 1.Ke5 Ba3 2.Kd6 Sc4#, 1.Kg5 Rh1 2.Kh4 Sg2#.

Victor Chepizhny 3.Pr Mat Plus 1997 h#2 2111 3+7

3rd Prize: No.333v by Victor Chepizhny (Russia). The first pair of tries leaves white without a tempo-move, while the second pair allows one, but the wrong one. Finally, the two correct solutions allow white to choose the right instead of the wrong one. Notice the great Artistry in composing the nets for both Kings and use of the board dimensions, to produce an impressive study of simple elements. 1.Rc4? ? 2.Rc7 Sc6#, 1.Re4? ? 2.Re7 Sa6#, 1.Qc3? Kg3 2.Qc7+ ?, 1.Qh4? Ke3: 2.Qe7+ ?, 1.Qa5 Ke3: (Kg3?) 2.Qc7 Sc6#, 1.Qb4 Kg3 (Ke3:?) 2.Qe7 Sa6:#

Živko Janevski 4.Pr Mat Plus 1997 h#2 3111 6+11

4th Prize: No.385 by Zivko Janevski (Macedonia). The fashionable anticipatory selfpins include here an additional unpinning effect to allow three different mates. Tripling of such an extraordinary pin-unpin combination, with model mates, makes forget about the other kinds of disharmony in using these type of "2+1" solutions. 1.Rg2 Rf6:+ 2.Kg4 Sh2#, 1.Sg2 Ra7 2.Kg6 Sh4#, 1.Sc6 Rg7 2.Ke6 Sd4#.

Mihajlo Milanović 1.HM Mat Plus 1997 h#2 b) BBd3 c) BSd3 5+8

1st Hon. Mention: No.284 by Mihajlo Milanovic (Yugoslavia). These three "hungry" twin-pieces eat only men of a different kind, in specific, cyclical order, while the three white pieces produce cyclical form of the Zilahi theme. a) 1.Rd6: Sc3 2.Rb6 Ra4#, b) 1.Bb5: Bc5 2.Ba6 Bb6#, c) 1.Sb4: Bb4:+ 2.Ka4 Sc3#.

Zoran Gavrilovski 2.HM Mat Plus 1997 h#2 b) BPa5–›a4 4+8

2nd Hon. Mention: No.382 by Zoran Gavrilovski (Macedonia). Capturing of white pieces makes a surprising twist in a strategy of immobilization of both white pieces. Oscillations of white King and perfect economy add flavor to this convincing Zilahi. a) 1.Se1:+ Kd4+ 2.Ka4 Kc3#, b) 1.Sf4:+ Kc3+ 2.Ka5 Kd4#.

Colin Sydenham 3.HM Mat Plus 1997 h#2 duplex 7+9

3rd Hon. Mention: No.340 by Colin Sydenham (England). Mutual capturing of the Knights in order to unmask one of the pinning lines, and switchbacks to produce the opposite effect on the other one. This highly creative author continues his lonely but successful search for genuine Duplex mechanisms. B->: 1.Sd5: Bd4 2.Sc3 Be3#, W->: 1.Sc3: Rc5 2.Sd5 Rc1#.

Tomislav Petrović Spec.HM Mat Plus 1997 h#2* 15+12

Special Hon. Mention: No.294 by Tomislav Petrovic (Yugoslavia). An extremely difficult classical task of both side e.p. capturing made possible by retro means. The fact that there are only two earlier examples existing, makes this one very much worth of mentioning and reproducing. *1... de6(ep) 2.fe6+ Se6:#, 1.fe3(ep) fg4 2.e2 Rf4#.

Sally Lewis & Tony Lewis 1.Com Mat Plus 1997 h#2 3+2 b) WBc1‹–›BBd1

1st Com.: No.378 by Sally and Tony Lewis (England). An adoring baby-Miniature with different tempo moves by the black Bishop. a) 1.Ba4 Rd4 2.Bc2 Bb2#, b)1.Be3 Be2 2.Bd2 Rc4#

Mihailo Stojnić 2.Com Mat Plus 1997 h#2 3111 4+8

2nd Com.: No.335 by Mihailo Stojnic (Yugoslavia). Pinning, guarding and mating duties are shared between the three white pieces in this highly economical Meredith position. 1.Re4 Rg5+ 2.Kf4 Bd2#, 1.Ke5 Bc7 2.Rf5 Re8#, 1.Qg5 Bd2 2.Kg4 Rf4:#

Árpád Molnár 3.Com Mat Plus 1997 h#2 6+9 b) BBc4‹–›BSc4

3rd Com.: No.291 by Arpad Molnar (Hungary). Black and white halfpin in an unusual combination of mutual unpinning. The tricky twinning helped to achieve different unpinnings by black. a) 1.Sg3 e4 2.Be2 Sh3#, b) 1.Bf5 Se4 2.Sd2 e3#.

Tode Ilievski 4.Com Mat Plus 1997 h#2 8+10 b) WSa4–›g6

4th Com.: No.293 by Tode Ilijevski (Macedonia). A wealth of tactical motives, including checks to white King, unpinnings, interferences and gate openings. a) 1.Kc4+ Be3 2.Se4 Rd4#, b) 1.Kd4+ Bb3 2.Sc7 Qc4#.

György Bakcsi & Lászlo Zoltán 5.Com Mat Plus 1997 h#2 6+6 b) WPf6–›d6 +c) WBc4–›g4 +d) BBe8–›h1

5th Com.: No. 336 by Gyorgy Bakcsi & Laszlo Zoltan (Hungary). Black and white use the same fields (f5, d5, d3 & f3) in cyclic order, for their final moves, analogue to the Stavrinides theme in #2. a) 1.ef6 Sgf4 2.f5 Bd5#, b) 1.ed6 Se1 2.d5 Bd3#, c) 1.Bb5 Sh4 2.Bd3 Bf3#, d) 1.g5 Se3 2.Bf3 Bf5#.

Helpmate Moremovers

This group with 33 problems contains at least two different types: shorter two-phase compositions and longer single-liners. I specially enjoyed the first two prizewinners, each representing one of the two groups.

Fadil Abdurahmanović 1.Pr Mat Plus 1997 h#5 W–› 2+10 (0111...)

1st Prize: No.353 by Fadil Abdurahmanovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina). After hundreds of "Rundlauf" examples here is a new step forward in developing the theme. This new step includes only one introductory move, but what a surprising one! Promotion to the Knight in this fivemover is almost equally surprising as the rest of the maneuver and makes a perfect combination with it. 1... b8S 2.Rc2 Sc6 3.Kd7 Sb4 4.Qd6 Sa6 5.Rc7 Sb8#+

Gábor Cseh & Árpád Molnár 2.Pr Mat Plus 1997 h#3 W–› 8+7 021111

2nd Prize: No.345 by Gabor Cseh & Arpad Molnar (Hungary). Another spectacular combination of the ever-intriguing elements: castling effect and tempo-promotions. Position of white King (on e1 or c1) determines a type of black minor promotion, while the second tempo move of promoted piece determines the mating choice. This charming strategy of anticipation makes forget about the highly restrictive position. 1... Rd1 2.a1B Rd6 3.Bb2: Bd2#, 1... 0-0-0 2.a1S Rd7 3.Sc2 Bg7:#.

Gábor Cseh 3–4.Pr Mat Plus 1997 h#10 7+14

3rd-4th Prize: No.6 (MP 13-14, page 2) by Gabor Cseh (Hungary). Three WQ promotions with sacrifice of the first two and in addition a black minor promotion - reminiscencesof the great Hungarian composer and his brilliant investigation described in the above-mentioned article. The first example of this huge task was set by Gabor himself (with BS promotion) and varied here to BR (No. 6) and BB promotion (No. 7). 1.c4 d8Q 2.c3 Qd6 3.Sg3+ Qg3: 4.hg3 c8Q 5.h4 Qg4 6.g2+ Qg2: 7.fg2+ Kg2: 8.f1R g7 9.Rf8 gf8Q 10.Ke2 Qf3#

Gábor Cseh 3–4.Pr Mat Plus 1997 h#10 10+13

3rd-4th Prize: No.7 (MP 13-14, page 2) by Gabor Cseh (Hungary). (See comments above) 1.d6 g8Q 2.de5 Qg4 3.Sf3+ Qf3: 4.ef3 b8Q 5.e4 Qf4 6.f2+ Qf2: 7.ef2+ Kf2: 8.Bd2 a7 9.Kc1 a8Q 10.b1B Qa3#

Fadil Abdurahmanović 1.HM Mat Plus 1997 h#5 4+2

1st Hon. Mention: No.355 by Fadil Abdurahmanovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina). An old combination of one critical move and two successive Indian effects by the same white piece, in the most economical position up to now. Use of white King as a front battery piece makes the solution look simpler, but its subtlety is proved by tempo-tries for both sides. Tries: 1.Kc4 Be8 2.Qa3 B~ 3.Kb5 Kc7 4.Ka4 Kb6 5.?! Be8#, 1.Kc4 Be8 2.Qa3 Kd7 3.Kb5?! 4.Ka5! Kc6 5.Ka4 Kb6#; Solution: 1.Kc4 Be8 2.Qa3 Kd7 3.Kb5 Kc7+! 4.Ka5 Kc6! 5.Ka4 Kb6#.

Leonid Makaronets & Semion Shifrin 2.HM Mat Plus 1997 h#3 7+16 b) BPf4–›d4

2nd Hon. Mention: No.391 by Leonid Makaronets & Semion Shifrin (Israel). The most refreshing (and the most crowded one too) among the twophase compositions with orthogonal-diagonal analogy. The black halfbattery turns into white selfpin presenting a "bad capturing". In his final move, black has choices for unpinning the mating piece, blocking the square, or opening the white suportive line, but he has to do all the three in the same time! a) 1.Rc4: Rg5: 2.Ke3: Rd5: 3.Re4 Rd3#, b) 1.Se3: Bb7 2.Kc4: Be4: 3.Sd5 Bd3#.

Franz Pachl 3.HM Mat Plus 1997 h#3 b) BBc4 3+9

3rd Hon. Mention: No.387(v) by Franz Pachl (Germany). The most elegant ortho-dia example of the tourney. There is complete harmony of the solutions, thanks to the subtle correspondence between arrival fields (d6&b1) of both B&R pairs in the initial moves. a) 1.Bd6 Rb1 2.Rc8 Bd5: 3.Kc7 Rb7#, b) 1.Rd6 Bb1 2.Bf7 Rc5: 3.Ke6 Bf5#

Nikola Stolev 4.HM Mat Plus 1997 h#3 4+13 b) WSc8–›d6

4th Hon. Mention: No.297 by Nikola Stolev (Macedonia). Two black Grimshaw interferences, one of them with critical moves, the other for surprising unpinning on the initial WK square. Dynamical play and complete harmony except for slightly different motivations for the initial black moves. a) 1.Rf7 Kb5 2.Bf6 Rc5: 3.Rc4 Bf5#, b) 1.Bg7 Kc5: 2.Rf6 Bb5 3.Bc4 Re3#.

Alexander Zidek 5.HM Mat Plus 1997 h#3 4+10 b) BSd5–›e4 c) WKg7–›d7

5th Hon. Mention: No.348 by Alexander Zidek (Austria). An unusual combination of three different Pawn mates on the same square, and different maneuvers of the WK. A subtlety of both ideas compensates for some elements of disharmony. a) 1.Bb2 Kg6: 2.Ba3 Kf7 3.Bd6 cd4#, b) 1.dc3 Kf7 2.Bb3 Ke7 3.Bd5 d4#, c) 1.Sgf4 Kc6 2.Qg5 Kd7 3.Qf6 ed4#.

Gábor Cseh 6.HM Mat Plus 1997 h#3 W–› 6+10 021111

6th Hon. Mention: No.32 (MP 13-14, page 7) by Gabor Cseh (Hungary). Although in a symmetrical position, this is an amazing combination of two active sacrifices of promoted minor pieces and two passive Zilahi sacrifices, with the same purpose - opening of white lines. 1... gf8S 2.dc2 Se6 3.de6 Rd8#, 1... gf8B 2.cd2 Bd6 3.cd6 Rc8#.

Michel Caillaud & Gábor Cseh 1.Com Mat Plus 1997 h#3* 5+11

1st Com.: No.350 by Michel Caillaud (France) & Gabor Cseh (Hungary). The 7th WCCT theme (composed before its announcement!) - mutual active sacrifice of BS & WB in the attractive set & solution form. *1... Sd6 2.Sf3:+! Bf3 3.Sb4 Sb7:#, 1.Bc6 Bf5:! 2.Sf5: Sc7 3.Sd6 Sa6#.

Tode Ilievski 2.Com Mat Plus 1997 h#3 6+9 b) WPg3–›g4

2nd Com.: No.389 by Tode Ilievski (Macedonia). Two initial pinnings are transformed by different Bl&W actions, including passive sacrfice, direct unpin and blocking. I would prefer having BQ instead of BB&BR, in order to get additional content of six different blocks by three black pieces. a) 1.Ra4: Bc6 2.Sf3 Be8 3.Rd4 Bg6#, b) 1.Bb7: Rc4 2.Sf4: Rc3 3.Bd5 Re3#.

Victor Kolpakov & Victor Geglov 3.Com Mat Plus 1997 h#3 211111 4+12

3rd Com. No.296 by Viktor Kolpakov & Viktor Zheglov (Russia). Different interferences of BB by the same BR to get interesting Model mates. 1.Kd3 Ra6 2.Ba8 Sc3 3.Rb7 Rd6#, 1.Rb3 Rg8 2.Rf3 Se3 3.Kf2 Rg2#.

Albert Grigoryan 4.Com Mat Plus 1997 h#8 3+7

4th Com.: No.357 by Albert Grigoryan (Armenia). A new (I hope) specimen for the K&P collection with run of the WK to avoid stalemate, BS promotion and mutual sacrifices. 1.c2 Kg1 2.c1S Kf1 3.Se2 Ke1 4.Sg3 fg3 5.Kg5 Kf2 6.hg3+ Kf3: 7.Kh4 Kf4: 8.h5 hg3#.

Toma Garai 7.Com Mat Plus 1997 (dedicated to problemists of Belgrade) h#3 6+9 b) BPe7–›e5

5th Com.: No.295 by Toma Garai (USA). An atractive crosschecker achieved a bit mechanically, since only two out of eight active pieces participate in both twins. a) 1.Re3 Rf4 2.Kd6 b4 3.Re6+ Rd4#, b) 1.Bg4 Bf4 2.Kf6 h4 3.Be6+ Bg5#.

Gábor Cseh 6.Com Mat Plus 1997 h#3 4+10

6th Com. No.33 (MP 13-14, page 7) by Gabor Cseh (Hungary). An active sacrifice of promoted WS to create a pin-mate. 1.Bg8 hg8S 2.Ke6 Sf6: 3.Sf6: e8Q#.

Toma Garai 7.Com Mat Plus 1997 h#3 5+12 b) WBe4–›g4

7th Com.: No.390 by Toma Garai (USA). Critical Grimshaw interferences to open the WK battery. There is an extra pinning in the second twin that breaks harmony of the main theme. a) 1.Be5 Sf7 2.R2d4+ Kc3+ 3.Kf5 Sh6#, b) 1.R2d7 Bg5 2.Bd4 Kd3+ 3.Ke7 Sg6:#.

Zemun, 28.6.2002
Marjan Kovacevic