january 29 2008

A very nice assembly for this third session of the year 2008, with notably the return of Jean-Luc and Pierre but without our solutionist Grandmaster and interstellar composer.
Small reminder, the next session will take place next Tuesday 1.
Thanks to the Master for his cybernetic version of the report.

To get a feel for it (as a late columnist used to say (one of the diagrams was called "position branlante" (if my memory serves me right) in a famous European magazine, a very particular study in the path of the solution, a bit like if there was a tortuous path bordered by quicksand.

1 - White to play and win

W.: Ka1, Rc1, Bh4
B.: Ka3, Rg8, Bh3, pa4

Exceptional footwork will be needed to avoid the assiduousness of the Dark Rook.

The rest is of great elegance and will remain in the memories of chess players for a long time

2 - White to play and win

W.: Kg5, Bd7 and e7, Nd4
B.: Kh8, Bb8, Na8, pa6, b6, d6, e6 and f7

Aesthetically very beautiful but quite simple and pleasant to look for

Trench warfare for the 3rd study

3 - White to play and win

W.: Kh5, pa2, b6, c3, c7, d7, e2, e3 and e5
B.: Kb2, Rg2 and g8, pf4 and f5

The big black threats simplify the first moves, but still?

Bobby Fischer was a lifelong defender of truth in all areas, without the slightest compromise. In this he was a unique case among those who can claim the title of "best player in history". A title that, incidentally, no other player in the world has ever held
It is not human to have the audacity to identify. Speaking of humans, if many have idolised him (even if it means betraying him later), very few of them have been able to look after him: where he is, he will undoubtedly be able to look after us better.

When people talk about his famous game against Byrne, they usually mean the 1956 game against Donald. But it is nothing compared to the immortal one against the other Byrne (Robert) in 1963. It was presented at St Lazare a long time ago. We come back to it, in tribute to Bobby, especially on the critical point of the 14th move.

Our sadness should not prevent us from working. The material is more plentiful than ever (a subsidiary tribute). On the menu, first of all, there are two classic and easy helpmates. In each, there is a set play, that is to say, as we would say now, that there is also a 1.5 move solution (i.e. one white move, one black move, then mate). And two more modern ones, including one by our national Guy.

Two direct 3# (one quite difficult). Then two others from the cold, less obvious than they seem. Four selfmates containing some unexpected spikes, but nothing really difficult (except perhaps the Polish problem). If you are afraid of suffering, start with the Kubbel.

Finally, the 12 problems and studies from the international solution tournament on 27 January. The two helpmates are to be published and must therefore remain confidential. My favourite is the Feigl 3-moves, beautiful mats and surprising tips. I have removed the as usual the solutions (which I will provide on request to anyone who has searched for an acceptable number of minutes), except for the two studies, the 2nd 3-moves (correcting the error in the official solution) and the Gamnitzer.Have the courage to click on "training". !

Studies: an ultra-simple exercise, a curious, well-orchestrated Q/2R ballet and an exciting B/R duel, which the author, it seems, has underestimated.

A middle game was planned (but lack of time...) coming from another lover of the truth, who will tell it even when it hurts... It will be for next week.

Speaking of love, Fischer's love for chess was, he said, unbelievable. And Radjabov, very modestly, hopes that his will be comparable to Bobby's. In any case, he shows it by not neglecting the endgames, as proved by his excellent defence against Van Wely. A reader of a certain book wouldn't have done better. Or worse.

Enjoy your reading and next Tuesday will be the last effort before a break.

Master's diagrams

Today's game, as mentioned by the Master, is a kind of tribute to an idol who has been virtually gone for 35.5 years (a problem statement idea) and physically for a short time.

4 - game of the day

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 d5 5. cd cd 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. e3 (probably to avoid symmetry but 7. Nf3 Nc6 8. Ne5 is more difficult for Black to play) 0-0 8. Nge2 Nc6 9. 0-0 b6 10. b3 Ba6 11. Ba3 Re8 (the clouds are on the horizon) Qd2 e5 !! (The above-mentioned clouds do more than just appear) 13. de Nxe5 14. Rfd1 (this is where the trouble starts for the analyst 14. Rad1 Qc8 !! 15. Nxd5 NxN 16. Bxd5 Rd8 17. f4 Rxd5 18. Qxd5 Bb7 19. Qd2 Qh3 (19. ... Qc6 20. Nd4 ( 20. Qd5 QxQ 21. RxQ BxR 22. fe Bxe5) Qh1+ 21. Kf2 Qxh2+ 22. Ke1 Qxg3+ 23. Qf2 (23. Rf2 Ba6) Qxf2+) Nd3 15. Qc2 Nxf2 ! 16. Kxf2 Ng4+ 17. Kg1 Nxe3 18. Qd2 Nxg2 ! (removal of the best white piece) 19. Kxg2 d4 20. Nxd4 Bb7+ 21 Kf1 Qd7 resigns (elegant)

Luminous

For the restoration part, the table being very full, one of the sides looked at 2 positions presented by the Master and the other largely at the Christmas Anti-Patrol thematic contest

The results in pictures of the Christmas competition having been widely distributed by Master Guy, there remain the 2 positions presented by the Master.

5 - hs#7 Mars Circe
helped selfmate : white plays and black collaborates until he is in a position where he is forced to checkmate white
Mars Circe : to capture, a piece virtually passes through its native position

W.: Ke8, Nf1, pd2
B.: Ke1, Bc8, Na8, ph7

A small indication, the 2 Kings are literally glued to their square, if they move, even if only one ear,
the other is entitled to capture it.

Finally, we take a trip to the Great Plains with the Bisons and the Okapis

6 - h#2 with twin, Okapi and Bison
helpmate : blacks play and help whites to checkmate them
Okapi : zebra crossing ° Knight
Bison = zebra + camel
the Knight is a bouncer (1,2); the camel (1,3) and the zebra (2,3)