#4 An Original for the Holidays

[Z Kornin]

Zalmen Kornin
“chessproblem.net 2008”

#4 (try)

Hope You enjoy the movements in the solution, but also the details in the try, where white cavalry and the lonely black prelate play their rôles.

[Z Kornin]

Another version of the same problem appeared almost simultaneously:

Z Kornin (Curitiba, Brazil)
“chessgames.com 2008”

#4

symmetry in shape – the solution should be vertically symmetric in the axe, or it would display two identical solutions – right, but the assymmetry in the board will tell..

This is my explanation there - the classic theme is clear, the fourmover manoueuvre doubled, the initial position completly symmetric - of course in that other there’re some very, very annoying duals in the solution, so it evolved the form presented yesterday here – an eye-catching holiday’s romantic fantasia became an afflicted cubist wall painting (without the duals in try's refutation, in solution's variation etc)

[Alexander George]

Thank you, Zalmen! Will you eventually post the solution and analysis just in case our holiday struggles don't amount to anything!? Thanks again.

[Joaquim C.]

In chess there is only the so-called ski-resort symmetry:
Like the ski resort full of girls looking for husbands and husbands looking for girls, the situation is not as symmetrical as it might seem.

All interested composers should remember:
Memorial tourney Klaus-Peter Zuncke
Theme: Orthodox three- and moremovers are demanded with symmetric starting position and asymmetric solution.
Judge: Martin Minski
At estimation of the judge it is possible that the tourney is, when a great number of originals is sent, split into several parts, for example three- and moremovers or miniatures and problems with more than 7 pieces.
Send to: Michael Schlosser, Wielandstraße 7, D-09112 Chemnitz, Germany
michael.j.schlosser(AT)t-online.de
Closing date: 9.3.2009

[Z Kornin]

Alexander, surelly I will show the solutions with details, and also some comparations and considerations - after the new year holidays - Joaquim, the Zuncke Memorial is a very important event (Siegfried posted already the announcement some months ago here, thank You for posting it here again) - And thanks for all that take one of the gifts (or even both of them) - of course if You see a round package in a very motley paper You will guess that inside there's probably a ball, and that this gift is for a youngster - on the other hand, a thin package in a sober paper will contain a gift for an adult - feel free for Your choice... (a tempo - I'll be gratefull for every comment, checking for anticipations, etc)

[Z Kornin]

Yes, the solutions, now a lot of holydays and new years celebrated, includrink ding chinese and persian ... . KEY and THREAT are the same in both, that's not the main thing drink pepsi If only the white Bishops were not hindered by friendly Pawns, a mate in two – or better – mates in two by Bb5, Bb4, Bf5 or Bf4 would spring at once , so a good idea is to get rid of the Pawns, more properly: to move the white Pawns over – two ways are possible: c6-c7 followed by Bb5, then c5-c6 and Bb4 mate; and the symmetric e6-e7, Bf5, e5-e6, Bf4 mate – of course one is the actual solution, and the other a try, but which is what?! – The answer can only be provided by Black’s defenses – especially the Pawn moves a4-a3 and g4-g3, that can create a new flight for the King respectivelly to c3 or to e3 – then let’s consider how Black can answer to, say, 1.e7 – now if 1...g3 2.Bf5+ Kxd2 3.e6 and the mate is inevitable. But a TRY is a chance for Black, we can play 1...a3 instead, with 2.Bf5+ Kxd2 3.e6 axb2! – with no mate in the next move. Well, now is White that shall make another
attempt – 1.c7 !!– now 1...a3 would lead to 2.Bb5+ Kxd2 3.c6! etc; and 1...g3 to 2.Bb5+ Kxd2
3.Bf8! (the cat’s jump) etc; and finally, if 1...Kxd2, then 2. Bb5! etc – Again on the try 1.e7: Black can play the refutation at once, or play 1...Kd2, followed by 2...a3; finally, in the actual 1.c7 g3 2.Bf8 at once is also possible, and if 2...gxf2, then 3.Bb5+ or 3.Bh6 etc – The words ‘or’ and ‘also possible’ means a choice of moves, in this instance is the order of moves – for White in the main variation, and for Black in try’s main refutation – not different ways, that would be really a very nasty blemish - only some interchangeable moves, due to the inherent Black’s freedom... are such duals really important?! During the last month I realized, leafing through works like 1927 “Asymmetry” , or Stere’s “Challenge of a Legacy”, and a few other classical examples scattered here or there, that a more-mover of the kind with the best qualities (beauty of idea, neatness of position, difficulty of solution and overall originality) can also appear with dual keys in both try and play, a try that can be defeated by two different lines of play, impossible pawn’s position, absence of a thematical try, being therefore the very key the asymmetric move etc. –Not a sentence, just verification – Loyd, Pauly, Dawson and a few others are supreme masters in presenting Chess Problems with all the best qualities quoted above, and without some worst defects than duals, namely: tiresomeness, stereotypedom or platitude...


Then, the first diagram above is a derivation, that evolved because of some of those (how we could call this?!) technicalicities detected, that could be considered flaws by the specialists – instead of a try refutation that can be played in two different orders (thus turning in fact the try a weak one) - here the try 1.Bxe6 requires a very accurate play, introducing a double threat (2.Bf5+ and Bxd5)– therefore becoming a thrilling line of play with no vacillation allowed (even if the double threat is actually, illusory) – play for instance 1...a3!?. then 2.Bxd5! axb2 3.Ne4! etc; or ; or 1...Kd2 2.Bxd5, and now (a) 2... a3 3.Ne4+!, or (b) 2...fxg3 3.Be4!! etc – even 1...Bg2 demands a precise 2.Bf5+ etc.
An of course, finally comes the refutation – 1...Bh3! , the only move that can parry both threats, but only after 2.Bd5!? (now threatening checks in e4 or c4, and also 3.Rxe2! etc)
2...Be6!!

After all the turbulences in the eastern hemisphere, the solution 1.c7 arise , threatening our cherished Bb5, c6, Bb4 with the main variation 1...fxg3 2.Bb5+ Kd2 3.Bf8! etc. But this is no longer a symmetric, therefore not exactly a that attractive diagram (and also impossible pawn's position, as remarked by J Crusats thanks again)