december 15 2009

As is often the case, a few strikes have disturbed the lesson and are likely to disturb tonight's meal in honour of the 64 springs of the Master.
A fairly crowded assembly had braved the weather and the strikes to enjoy the traditional end-of-year festivities.
In addition to the hard core, the Grand-Master Michel was present to animate a little the evening.

All heavy with a few breaks.
Special neuron defrosting.
Desperate to translate a diagram neatly in text, the greffier takes the liberty of providing an attachment which is only really legible if the 1st chess font is available.

Positions 13 and 14 were presented during the dinner between some of the positions outlined by Master Guy

See you tonight for the brave who dare to face the snow and the strikes.

Have a good reading

Yours sincerely
Le greffier

1 - ser-s#7 Circe with neutral pieces

George SPHICAS
The Problemist, 2002
4th HM

neutral Pb7c7d7e5f7g7 Sh8 Rf8 black Kh5 white Ke1

ser-s#7(1+1+8)
f8: neural Rook
b7, c7, d7, e5, f7, g7: neutral pawns
h8: neutral Knight

Solution

{

} 1.b7-b8=nQ 2.c7*b8=nB [+nQd8] {

} 3.nBb8*e5 [+nPe7] 4.e7-e8=nS {

} 5.d7*e8=nR [+nSg8] 6.f7*g8=nQ {

} 7.g7*h8=nR [+nSb8] + nBe5*h8 [+nRa1] #

ser-s#7 : White plays 7 moves in a row at the end of which Black has no other possibility than to checkmate them in one.

Circe : a captured piece reborn on its original square if it is free, otherwise it disappears.

Master's word

As usual for the fairy session, the retransmission in Chess Base is very limited, the neutral or even semi-neutral pieces, camels, nightriders and other animals do not pass easily. Let's limit ourselves to the ortho/heterodox problems.

Three helpmates, the last one likely to take a little time. A mat in one (!) with a trick, which was presented on a forum and variously appreciated. I'll leave the solution, but advise you to hide it for a few minutes. The other direct mats are normal: a #2 with a few false leads, two #3 in the same competition (the highest ranked is not the most surprising), and finally a #9: a real festival.

As a gift for Christmas, a very easy selfmate #5, which is surprising when you know the name of the author. The Marquis took less than five minutes, but you'll probably do better. A traditional retro, not very difficult either; the genre gets lost, that's a pity. And two PG's, one of our favourite "chti", which accumulates masterpieces with ease. Of the two, I find the Finnish one the least easy.

See you the day after tomorrow at the "Beer Academy" for the 64 years of your canister Master, despite the usual attempt to sabotage the transport workers. Then, for those who will be excused (letter from the parents indispensable), on January 5th, God willing. Good luck and Merry Christmas.

AV

les diagrammes du Maître

2 - #2 Glasgow Circe

????

white Kb6 CAh4b8 Sg5 Ge3 black Pd7d5d4g3 Kd6 Gf2

#2(5+6)
a) Glasgow Circe
b) Circe

Solution

{

} a) {Glasgow Circe
} 1.Ge3-c5 ! threat: 2.CAh4-g7 #{
} 1...Gf2*h4[+wCAh7] 2.Sg5-f7 #{
} 1...Gf2*c5[+wGc7] 2.CAb8-a5 #{
} 1...d4-d3 + 2.CAh4-e3 #{

} b) {Circe
} 1.Ge3-c5 ! threat: 2.CAh4-g7 #{
} 1...Gf2*h4[+wCAh8] 2.CAb8-a5 #{
} 1...Gf2*c5[+wGc8] 2.Sg5-f7 #{
} 1...d4-d3 + 2.CAh4-e3 #

Glasgow Circe : instead of being reborn on the 1^st and 8^th row for the pieces and second and 7^th row for the pawns, the rebirth takes place on the second and 7^th

Camel : Kind of Knight but instead of being a jumper (1,2), the Camel is a jumper (1,3)

Grasshopper : piece moving like a Queen but needing a hurdle. It lands just behind the hurdle. The move is only possible if the square behind the hurdle is free or occupied by an opponent's piece.

3 - #2 Circe Glasgow

white Ka2 Na4a3g2 Pb2 Rc1 Zh6 CAf1a5 black Bg5 Kd5 Qh2 Pg3f4f5 Sc8 Rd8g1

#2(9+9)
a) Circé Glasgow
b) Circé
a4, a3, g2: Nightrider
h6: Zèbra
f1, a5: Camel

Solution

{

} a) {Circe Glasgow
} 1.Rc1-c7 ! threat: 2.Ng2-e3 # 2.CAf1-c2 #{
} 1...Rg1*f1[+wCAf7] 2.Ng2-e3 #{
} 1...Rg1*g2[+wNg7] 2.Rc7-c5 # 2.Na4-c3 #{
} 1...Qh2*g2[+wNg7] 2.Rc7-c5 # 2.Na4-c3 #{
} 1...Qh2*h6[+wZh7] 2.Na3-b1 # 2.Ng2-e3 #{
} 1...Bg5*h6[+wZh7] 2.Na3-b1 # 2.Ng2-e3 #{
} 1...Bg5-e7 2.Ng2*f4[+bPf7] # 2.CAf1-c2 #{
} 1...Sc8-e7 2.CAf1-c2 #{

} b) {Circe
} 1.Rc1-c3 ! threat: 2.CAf1-c2 #{
} 1...Rg1*f1[+wCAf8] 2.Na3-c7 #{
} 1...Rg1*g2[+wNg8] 2.Rc3-d3 #{
} 1...Qh2*g2[+wNg8] 2.Rc3-d3 #{
} 1...Qh2*h6[+wZh8] 2.Rc3-c5 #{
} 1...Bg5*h6[+wZh8] 2.Rc3-c5 #

Zèbra : bouncer (2,3) (in this position it controls e8, e4 and f3)

Nightrider : Extended Knight (in the position, the NIa4 controls, among other squares, c5, e6 and g7)

#2 Glasgow Circe

????

white ROh5a2 Gf5h3 Ke3 Pb5a5c3e2d3 Re4 Zb1 CAb2 black Qa1 Pc4d7f6g4 CAd5 Kd6

#2(13+7)
a) Circé Glasgow
b) Circé
h5, a2: Rose
f5, h3: Grasshopper
b1: Zebra
b2, d5: Camel

Solution

{

} a) {Circe Glasgow
} 1.ROh5-g3 ! zugzwang. 1...Qa1*b2[+wCAb7] 2.Re4-e6 #{
} 1...Qa1*a2[+wROa7] 2.Re4-e7 #{
} 1...Qa1*b1[+wZb7] 2.Re4-e5 #{
} 1...c4*d3[+wPd2] 2.Gf5*d3 #{
} 1...g4*h3[+wGh7] 2.Re4-e8 #{
} 1...CAd5-a4 {ou} 1...CAd5-c2 {ou} 1...CAd5*e2 {ou} 1...CAd5-g6 {ou} 1...CAd5-e8 {ou} 1...CAd5-c8 {ou} 1...CAd5-a6 2.ROg3-e8 #{

} b) {Circe
} 1.ROh5-g3 ! zugzwang. 1...Qa1*b2[+wCAb8] 2.Re4-e7 #{
} 1...Qa1*a2[+wROa8] 2.Re4-e8 #{
} 1...Qa1*b1[+wZb8] 2.Re4-e6 #{
} 1...c4*d3[+wPd2] 2.Gf5*d3 #{
} 1...g4*h3[+wGh8] 2.Re4-e5 #{
} 1...CAd5-a4 {ou} 1...CAd5-c2 {ou} 1...CAd5*e2 {ou} 1...CAd5-g6 {ou} 1...CAd5-c8 {ou} 1...CAd5-a6 2.ROg3-e8 #{
} 1...CAd5-e8 2.ROg3*e8[+bCAe1] #

Rose : Nightrider « rounded » (e.g. Roh5 control g7, e8, c7, among other squares)

5 - #2 with Nightrider

George C. ALVEY
The Chess Amateur, 1927

white Ba4f8 Kh4 Na2 Pb3g3 Sd1 Rg2d6 black Pe4g4 Ka3 Bg1 Rf1 Nh1

#2(9+6)
a2, h1: Nightrider

Solution

{

} 1.Rd6-d3 + ? 1...Bg1-c5 2.Bf8*c5 # but 1...Rf1*f8 !{

} 1.Rd6-d4 + ? 1...Nh1-b4 2.Bf8*b4 # but 1...Rf1*f8 !{

} 1.Rd6-f6 + ? 1...Nh1-b4 2.Bf8*b4 # but 1...Bg1-c5 !{

} 1.Na2-d8 ? threat: 2.Rg2-a2 # but 1...Nh1-b4 !{

} 1.Na2-c6 ! threat: 2.Rg2-a2 #{
} 1...Rf1-f2 2.Rd6-f6 #{
} 1...Bg1-f2 2.Rd6-d4 #{
} 1...Nh1-b4 2.Nc6-e5 #{
} 1...Nh1-f2 2.Rd6-d3 #

6 - #2 with semi-neutral pieces

Petko A. PETKOV
(dédié à H.P. Rehm pour ses 60 ans)
The Problemist, 2002 - 3rd Prize

white Pb5 Ke7 Ge8f4a6 black Pe4f6 Kc5 Ba8 neutral HalfNeutral rd6 bb7 nd8

h#2(5+4+3)
3 solutions
d8: semi-neutral Nightrider
d6: semi-neutral Rook
b7: semi-neutral Bishop
e8, f4, a6: Grasshoppers

Solution

{

} 1.nhRd6-b6=bhR Ge8-c8 2.nhNd8-b4=bhN nhBb7-c6=w #{

} 1.nhBb7-d5=bhB Gf4-c7 2.nhRd6-b6=bhR nhNd8-c6=w #{

} 1.nhNd8-b4=bhN Ga6-c8 2.nhBb7-d5=bhB nhRd6-c6=w #

semi-neutral : piece that adopts the colour of the side who plays it first

7 - #2 with semi-neutral Pao et Vao

Petko A. PETKOV
Problemesis, 2002
2nd Prize

neutral HalfNeutral vaf4 pae4 black Pd2d3f5 Ke5 white Pc3 Kf7

h#2(2+4+2)
b) Rf7-->c6
e4: semi-neutral Pao
f4: semi-neutral Vao

Solution

{

} a) {

} 1.hPAe4-c4=b [+bPe4] nhPAc4-c7=w[+wPc4] 2.hVAf4*c7=b[+bPf4] nhVAc7-b8=w[+wPc7] #{

} b) wKf7-->c6{

} 1.hVAf4-g5=b[+bPf4] nhVAg5-e7=w[+wPg5] 2.hPAe4*e7=b[+bPe4] nhPAe7-e8=w[+wPe7] #

Pao : Rook needing a hurdle to capture

Vao : Bishop needing a hurdle to capture

8 - #2 Fuddled men

John BEASLEY
British Chess Magazine, 1987

white Qc7 Ph2 Kh1 black Ph3 Ka8

#2 Fuddled Men(3+2)

Solution

{

} 1.Qc7-b6 {the Queen must now rest at least 1 move

} 1...Ka8-a7 {ou} 1...Ka8-b8 {ou} 1...Ka8-b7 {now it's Black King turn

} 2.Kh1-g1 # {followed by Q takes K, because bK is forced to rest}

Fuddled Men : a piece that has just played is required to rest at least 1 move
This problem is the first with this rule
Others followed, a little more sophisticated, with a retro-analysis beforehand : first problems

9 - s#9 AntiCirce

Chris FEATHER &
René J. MILLOUR
The Problemist, 2008
2nd Prize

white Bg4 Kh4 Qe8 Pb3h5h3 Sc7f8 Ra7c4 black Qb5 Pa2 Ka4 Bb8 Sh1

s#9 AntiCircé(3+2)

Solution

{

} 1.Bg4-d7! Qb5-c6 {
} 2.Rc4-b4 Qc6-b5 {
} 3.Bd7-c6 Qb5-f1 {
} 4.Qe8*b8-d1 Qf1-b5 {
} 5.Qd1-d7 Qb5-f1 {
} 6.Bc6-f3 + Qf1-b5 {
} 7.Bf3-g4 Qb5-c6 {
} 8.Rb4-c4 Qc6-b5 {
} 9.Qd7-c6 Qb5*c6-d8 #

AntiCirce : the capturing piece reborn on its original square if it is free, otherwise the move is illegal. Typically the Black King is not in check neither by Ra7 and c4
particular case of the capture on the renaissance square: Calvet = allowed, Cheylan forbidden

10 - h#2,5 AntiAndernach

Guy SOBRECASES
The Problemist, 2009
3rd Place

white Qh8 Pf3h4 Ka8 Ba1 black Pd4 Kh1

h#2,5 AntiAndernach(10+5)
b) reverse colour of
all pieces h#4,5

Solution

{

} a) {

} 1...Ka8-a7 {
} 2.Kh1-g1 Qh8-c8=b {
} 3.Qc8-h3 [+wQh3] Ba1*d4 [+wBd4] #{

} b)PolishType {reverse colour

} 1...Kh1-g1 {
} 2.Ba1*d4 + Kg1-f1 {
} 3.Bd4-g1 [+wBg1] Kf1-f2 {
} 4.Ka8-a7 Kf2-e3 {
} 5.Qh8-c8 [+wQc8] Ke3*f3 #

AntiCirce : a piece which capture reborn on its original square if square is free, Otherwise, move is illegal (rebirth in h1 impossible) nor by the pb3 (rebirth in a2 impossible)

11 - ser-h5 Einstein

Roland LECONTE
The Problemist Supplément, 2008

white Pf4h5 Kf2 Bd4 Sg4 black Pg6f7 Kh1

ser-h#5 Einstein(5+2)
2 solutions

Solution

{

} 1.g6-g5 2.g5*f4=S {
} 3.Sf4*h5=B 4.Bh5-g6=S {
} 5.Sg6-h8=P Bd4*h8=R #{

} 1.g6*h5=S 2.Sh5*f4=B {
} 3.Bf4-c1=S 4.Sc1-a2=P {
} 5.a2-a1 Bd4*a1=R #

Einstein : when a piece (or a pawn) takes it progresses in the hierarchy according to the circuit p to N to B to R to Q and it regresses if it plays without taking

12 - Take 9 half moves back to find the 2 Kings 'naked' in Sentinel Chess.

r1R5/2P5/8/8/8/8/8/8

W : Kc8 Pc7

B : Ka8

(2+1)

Sentinel Chess : when a piece plays, it leaves a pawn on the starting square of the move

13 - h#2 AntiCirce - AntiPatrol (Lortap)

Ricardo VIEIRA
The Problemist, 2008
4th HM

white Pa2h2f4 Sd2 Bd3 Kd6 black Pd4d5 Sf1f3 Bb1 Ke4 Rf5

h#2 AntiCirce Lortap(6+7)
2 solutions

Solution

{

} 1.Sf3-e5 Kd6*e5[wKe5->e1] {
} 2.Bb1*a2[bBa2->c8] Ke1-f2 #{

} 1.Rf5-e5 f4*e5[wPe5->e2] {
} 2.Sf1*h2[bSh2->b8] e2-e3 #

AntiPatrol: a piece can only take if it is not controlled by a piece from its side

14 - #2 Patrol

Ruud R.A. BEUGELSDIJK &
Piet LE GRAND
The Problemist Supplément, 2009

white Pb3c3c4b6 Sc7c1 Rd7 Kg5 Bg4h6 black Qa5 Pa4c6 Ke5 Be8

#2 Patrouille(10+5)
b) a4-->b4

Solution

{

} a) {

} 1.Sc7-b5 ? threat: 2.Kg5-f5 # but 1...a4*b3 ! {square d5 now becomes accessible to the bK

} 1.Sc7-d5 ! threat: 2.Kg5-f4 # 1...Ke5-e4 2.Kg5-f5 # {

} b) bPa4-->b4 {

} 1.Sc7-d5 ? threat: 2.Kg5-f4 # but 1...b4*c3 ! {square d4 now becomes accessible to the bK

} 1.Sc7-b5 ! threat: 2.Kg5-f5 # 1...Ke5-e4 2.Kg5-f4 #

Patrol : a piece can only take if it is controlled by a piece from its side

Winter Moumoute

In Example 4, the published diagram was wrong. I, on my own initiative, changed the wPd3 into a white Rook. Note that in Glasgow Circe, a white fairy piece is reborn in the seventh.
In 6, it is simply a (semi-neutral) Rook in d6.

There are 2 solutions in 11 and 13.

No other visible error (but I don't have the diagrams anymore).

Thank you to all those who have done me the great honour -- and pleasure -- to show some interest (whether they were able to come to the Academy or not) in the symbolic milestone that their devoted canteen master has just passed... who will meet everyone on January 5th.
Merry Christmas.

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