This tourney rouses for me dear memories on a friendship with a wonderful man and gifted chess composer whose meteoric rise was tragically early terminated. The memories which are so fresh, that it is hard to believe that Miroslav Stosic is not with us for more than 20 years.
I must admit that I am slightly disappointed with the quantity and overall quality of the entries. Maybe my criteria is more rigorous, or maybe it is hard for me to adopt hyper-modern trends based on paradoxical relation of threats, defenses and mates. Anyway, I am still more delighted with a good presentation of now already ancient White correction, or classic Zagoruiko and Ruchlis, or even the ordinary free change of mates. It can be surely sensed in this award.
After a considerable doubts, except for winning problem, I reached the following decision:
Marjan Kovacevic 1.Pr. M. Stosic MT 1995
1... Sf6,Bc4:,gf5 2.Qf6:,Re3,Qe3#
1.Sd~? Sf6!
1.Sc3!? Sf6 2.Bg4#, 1... Bc4:!
1.Sf4!? Sf6 2.Bg6:#, 1... gf5!
1.Se3!! ~ 2.Rd5#
1... Sf6,Bc4:,gf5 2.Qg3:,Sc4:,Qf5:#
(1... de6,fe6 2.Ra5,Bg6:#)
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Efren Petite 2.Pr. M. Stosic MT 1995
1.R2b5? ~ 2.Se4/Qf5:#, 1... S3d4!
1... S5d4(a) 2.Qe7:#(A)
1.Re2? ~ 2.Se4#, 1... S5d4!
1... S3d4(b) 2.g5#(B)
1.Rf2! ~ 2.Se4#
1... S5d4(a) 2.g5#(B)
1... S3d4(b) 2.Qe7:#(A)
1... Qf7:+,Ra1: 2.Rf7:,Qf5:#
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Zoran Gavrilovski 3.Pr. M. Stosic MT 1995
1.a7? (~), 1... Sc4!
1... c5,f~,Sg~,Rd~,Sd~,Se4: 2.a8Q,Qe6,Qe5,c4,Qf7:#
(1.Rf7:? Se4:!)
1.Qb4! (~)
1... c5,f~,Sg~,Rd~,Sd~,Se4: 2.Qb7,Rd7,Re5,Qd4,Qc4,Qb3#
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1st Prize: No.29, Marjan Kovacevic (Yugoslavia). This is one of the most complex twomovers I have ever seen, and I've seen a lot! It shows so-called "Franco-Russe" theme, or change of mates with respective tries which prevent one of thematic mates. And what kind of tries we can see here! In the initial position mates are set for 1... Sf6 2.Qf6:#, 1... Bc4: 2.Re3# and 1... gf5 2.Qe3#. Random removal 1.Sd~? (2.fg6#) is defeated by the utilization of general white error, unguard of f4, 1... Sf6! 2.Qf4? - which prevents one of set mates. Corrective moves compensate that error but close one of white lines and prevent, one at time, remaining set mates: 1.Sc3!? Sf6 2.Bg4:# but 1... Bc4! 2.Re3? because a3-e3 is closed, or 1.Sf4!? Sf6 2.Bg4# but 1... fg5! 2.Qe3? because g5-e3 is closed. Key move 1.Se3!! closes both lines and changes all thematic mates: 1... Sf6 2.Qg3#, 1... Bc4 2.Sc4:#, 1... gf5 2.Qf5:#. So, double White tertiary correction which probably have never been presented in such way! The content is beautifully supplemented by side variations 1... de6 2.Ra5 which gives WRa3 role after the key and 1... fe6 2,Bg6:# with transferred mate from try 1.Sf4?. With such contents any discussion about technical part is almost superfluous, but it is worth to mention that in spite of unavoidable "plugs" on c2, h3 and e7 position is natural and economical. A true masterpiece!
2nd Prize: No. 12, Efren Petite (Spain). Distributed reciprocal change is not a great novelty, but what is delightful here is interesting mechanism which combines half-battery, anticipatory unpins of white thematic pieces in tries and black half-pin in actual play. Second threat after 1.Rb5? ~ 2.Qf5# is, to my opinion, irrelevant compared to natural double-check 2.Se4#. Position is light and open and the sole discussible piece, WPf7, is probably the cheapest way to deal with dangerous 1.Se4+. Excellent and, I do hope, original piece of work.
3rd Prize: No. 20, Zoran Gavrilovski (Macedonia). Six changed mates with only 15 men on the board is an admirable achievement, in spite of the fact that mechanism contains several well-known details. The trouble with so light position is that it emphasizes underused WRh7 and unpleasant "patch" on h5.
Peter Gvozdjak Spec.Pr. M. Stosic MT 1995
1.Re1? ~,Kc5,Ke5: 2.Qe3:,Se6:,Qc3:#
1... R6e5:!
1.Qd8? ~,Kc5,Ke5: 2.Se6:,Qc3:,Qe3:#
1... Rf6!
1.Bb3! ~,Kc5,Ke5: 2.Qc3:,Qe3:,Se6:#
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Wieland Bruch 1.HM M. Stosic MT 1995
1... Sc~(a) 2.Rd4:#
1.Bd6? ~ 2.Sc7#, 1... Qc2!
1... Sc~(a) 2.Sb4#
1.Bf4? ~ 2.Rd6#(A), 1... Se5!(b)
1... e3 2.Re3:#
1.Bc7? ~ 2.Re5#, 1... Se7:!
1... Sc~(a).Se5!(b) 2.Rb6#(A),Rd6#(B)
1.Qf5! ~ 2.Rd6#(A)
1... Se5:(b) 2.Rb6#(B)
1... Kc4 2.Rc6:#
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Aaron Hirschenson 2.HM M. Stosic MT 1995
1... Sg~ 2.Re6:#(A), 1... Sf5!(a)
1... Sb~ 2.Sc4#(B), 1... Sd5!(b)
1.Kd3:! ~ 2.Qe3/Qf4#
1... Sf5(a) 2.Re6:#(A)
1... Sd5(b) 2.Sc4#(B)
1... e1S+,Qd6:+,Bd6:+ 2.Qe1:,Bd6:,Sg6:#
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Special Prize: No. 17, Peter Gvozdjak (Slovakia). This is only second example with complete cycle of three mates without help of twin condition. Paradoxical form of Lacny theme, for which I recently proposed term "Shedey paradox", is impossible to imagine without a great number of promoted pieces. Unlike in the older example (L. Lacny & P. Gvozdjak, 1st Pr. Formanek-60 JT 1993), here we have quiet first move and subtle refutations, while key even gives one flight for BK. A magnificent achievement, but promoted force automatically puts it in separate group, and therefore it can be honored only with this Special Prize.
1st Hon. Mention: No. 4, Wieland Bruch (Germany) This problem is best example how two halves does not always make a whole. One variation in the spirit of "Dombrovskis theme" (1.Bf4? ~ 2.Rd6#, 1... Se5! and 1.Bc7? Se5 2.Rd6#) and one "look-like le Grand" (1.Bc7? Sc~,Se5: 2.Rb6,Rd6# and 1.Qf5! ~,Se5: 2.Rd6, Rb6#) does not make a harmonious combination. However, if we observe this problem from the different point of view the impression is much better: three tries by same WB, several changed mates after primary and/or secondary defense of BS, subtle play of white battery, excellent key, economical rendering.
2nd Hon. Mention: No. 22, Aaron Hirchenson (Israel). Interesting variation of Dombrovskis theme. Instead in tries, white mates appear as secondary threats in the set play and are defeated by secondary defenses. In the solution after same moves (which are not corrective any more!) white replies with same mates. This is realized here by key which self-pins two white pieces, which are in turn unpinned by black defenses. Double threat is not pleasant. Interesting conception, which would be complete if the actual variations have corrective character.
Dmitriy Banniy 3.HM M. Stosic MT 1995
1.Rd3? ~ 2.Qd6#(A), 1... Sb7!
1... Be4,S2e4,S5e4,Re4 (a,b,c,d) 2.Sg4#(B)
1... Sc4,Sd3:,Rd4 2.Sf3(C),Sd3:(D),cd4#
1.Rf4:! ~ 2.Sg4#(B)
1... Be4,S2e4,S5e4,Re4 (a,b,c,d) 2.Qd6(A),Sf3(C),Sd3(D),Qb8#
1... gh5,Kf4: 2.Rf5,Qd6#
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Aleksandr Pankratyev 4.HM M. Stosic MT 1995
1.Be7? ~ 2.Rf6#, 1... Sf3:!
1... Sf5 2.Qd7#
1.Sc4? ~ 2.Sg5#, 1... Sf5!
1... Sf3: 2.Qd7#
1.Sd7! ~ 2.Sf8#
1... Sf3:,Sf5,Kd5 2.Rf6,Sg5,Bb3#
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Jorge M. Kapros 1.Com. M. Stosic MT 1995
1.Se4~? ~ 2.Qe4#, 1... Sc2:!
1.Sd2!? Sc2:,Sd2: 2.Sdc4:,Bf4:#
1... Sd6!
1.Sd6! ~ 2.Qe4:#
1... Sc2: 2.Sdc4:#
1... Sd6,Sd2 2.Re2:(f4:?),Bf4:(Re2:?)#
1... Bf3: 2.Qf3:#
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3rd Hon. Mention: No. 14, Dmitriy Banniy (Russia). Four self-blocks on e4 in the try lead to 2.Sg4#. After good flight-giving key this mate is threat, and same defenses on e4 are met by different new mates. Interestingly, in variation 1... Be4 is completed theme
le Grand, while the transference of remaining thematic mates to different defenses in try is also welcome. However, position does not look polished. WPh5 is present only for side-variation, one thematic mate is repeated after king's flight.
4th Hon. Mention: No.15, Aleksandr Pankratyev (Kazakhstan). This is what I consider to be ideal form of theme Dombrovskis: in tries non-defeating thematic black defense leads to changed mate. This very good problem would certainly be a prize winner if there is not one much better example with very, very similar matrix (A. Dombrovskis, V. Lukyanov i S. Shedey, 1st Pr. "64" 1976: Ka6 Qh4 Re1 f6 Bd2 d7 Sa3 b3 - Kd5 Be8 Sh3 f4 Pd3 f5 g6; #2, 8+7; 1.Bb4? Se2! 1.Bc3? Se6! 1.Sc4!).
1st Commend: No. 3, Jorge M. Kapros (Argentina). Fine realization of White correction with alternate closings of white lines c2-e2 and b8-f4 by white in corrective tries and black in defeats. Nevertheless, this genuine classic form of theme is a little bit behind its time.
Zoran Gavrilovski 2.Com. M. Stosic MT 1995
1... a3,b4,cd5,ef2,Se6,Se8 2.b4,Bb4:,Rc8,Qf2:,de6,dc6#
(1.Sf~? Sf5/e6! 1.Sg5? cd5!)
1.Sd4! a3,b4,cd5,ef2,Se6,Se8 2.Sb3,Bb6,Rb5:,Qc3,Se6:,Se6#
1... Kd4: 2.Qe3:#
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Vasiliy Dyachuk 3.Com. M. Stosic MT 1995
1.Re3:? ~ 2.Qe4#, 1... Sc5!
1... Rh4,de3 2.Kf2,Qa4#
1.Ree6? ~ 2.Qe4#, 1... Rh4!
1... Sc5,de6 2.Red6:,e8Q#
1.Rd4:? ~ 2.Qe4#, 1... Rd4:!
1... Rh4,Sc5 2.Ke3:,Rgd6:#
1.Re5! ~ 2.Qe4#
1... Rh4,Sc5 2.Kf4,Rc5:#
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Mark Reitman 4.Com M. Stosic MT 1995
1.Qe3:? ~ 2.Qe5#, 1... Rd5!
1... Re4,Be4 2.Qe5,Qf4#
1.Qh1? ~ 2.Sb7#, 1... Re4!
1... Be4,Rd5: 2.Qh2,Qd5:#
1.Qc3! ~ 2.Rc5#
1... Rc4,Bc4,Rd5: 2.Qe5,Qb4,Sb7#
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2nd Commend: No. 19, Zoran Gavrilovski (Macedonia). No less than six changed mates from set to actual with good key move and white correction motifs, though with double refutation of random WSf3 move. However, most of change-motifs have been shown long ago even in mutate form, while immobilized white pieces in SE corner do not contribute much to the esthetic impression.
3rd Commend: No. 2, Vasiliy Dyachuk (Ukraine). White half-battery with rich choice of first move and multiphase change of play. The corresponding play of WR and WK in three phases is very pleasant. However, I can not believe that there was not possible better defeat than cruel capture which makes try 1.Rd4:? totally artificial. Therefore this relatively low ranking.
4th Commend: No. 6, Mark Reitman (Ukraine). Three-phase play with changed mates after 1... Rd5, two Grimshaw interferences and elements of pseudo le Grand theme.
Beograd, 29. 12. 1995
Milan Velimirovic
International judge of FIDE
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