This looks like a good rule in principle, eg in the famous study with the rook on d5 stalemated by its own pawns. But here I just don’t see the point of the composition. The castling theme is not interesting and the implementation is rough. As soon as somebody explains the virtues of the study, I am ready to revise my judgment.
The sequence 4. Ba3 Rxb1 5. Bc1 already provides enough excitement to forget all about 1 point, but there is much more to like, such as Black’s stalemate counterplay 3…Ka8, 4. Bb2?, and the humor of the White queen starting on d1.
I saw the idaea with the removal of the obstacle to allow for Bb2. But I find Pervakov’s study with the same pawn structure and the castling idea (0-0 to counter white a8Q) way superior. There is no provoked check, but the flow is uncomparably better. Also, I don’t like castling in endgame studies. This is for puzzle enthusiasts, but not for chess lovers.
Some specific points to complain about:
—The intro features only a capture on f3 and an ugly queen exchange; it is thematically disconnected from the rest.
—The logical try 4. Bb2? is trivially refuted. There is no choice since 4. Ba3 is absolutely forced; Black threatens mate in two.
—The black counterplay for stalemate 4. …Rxb1+! is lumberjack style.
—The «Nachspiel» is not interesting either.
I admire many of Gady’s creations, but this one is rubbish. Perhaps I just lack the right sense of humor. But I am German, so I am not obliged to have it. I daresay that this study would be at 1-1,5 points on this site if say, Daniele Gatti, had composed it. Or any other composer who is often the target of criticism. But Gady gets away with it because everybody knows he is a great composer. (Nothing personal, Daniele, just to make the point.)
This has nothing to do with otb (eg the position is more natural than in some studies I like better, many otb players don’t mind exchanges, etc.), but just with my standards for content and economy. Gady would for sure have composed a better study if he had dropped the castling theme.
Thanks for the WCCT theme description, Martin! Given that it is a thematic tournament, I upgrade to 1,5 points.
Martin Minski
5 лет назад
The study theme of the 7th WCCT was:
«In a certain position (“position X”) of a win or draw study, a piece (or pieces) of his own side prevent White from carrying out his plan. In the course of the solution White sacrifices this piece (or pieces) either passively (examples 1 and 3) or actively (example 2). Consequently, position X’ arises, which is identical in every detail to position X, but without the eliminated piece(s). This enables White to carry out his original plan.»
Costeff’s idea is highly original and also funny. That is definitely worth 3 points. Studies are art chess and do not automatically have to look like an OTB game.
I fail to understand this. Looks primitive to me. 1 point.
Jan, trust me, for any of Gady’s works one should give at least 3 points. 😉
This looks like a good rule in principle, eg in the famous study with the rook on d5 stalemated by its own pawns. But here I just don’t see the point of the composition. The castling theme is not interesting and the implementation is rough. As soon as somebody explains the virtues of the study, I am ready to revise my judgment.
Theme: the Lepuschutz (by means of a provoked check) removal of an obstacle Nb1 to 0-0-0.
The sequence 4. Ba3 Rxb1 5. Bc1 already provides enough excitement to forget all about 1 point, but there is much more to like, such as Black’s stalemate counterplay 3…Ka8, 4. Bb2?, and the humor of the White queen starting on d1.
There’s also The Grandmaster’s Mind by Avni (2004) with this study discussed to help a GM understand how GM’s mind works. 🙂
I saw the idaea with the removal of the obstacle to allow for Bb2. But I find Pervakov’s study with the same pawn structure and the castling idea (0-0 to counter white a8Q) way superior. There is no provoked check, but the flow is uncomparably better. Also, I don’t like castling in endgame studies. This is for puzzle enthusiasts, but not for chess lovers.
Some specific points to complain about:
—The intro features only a capture on f3 and an ugly queen exchange; it is thematically disconnected from the rest.
—The logical try 4. Bb2? is trivially refuted. There is no choice since 4. Ba3 is absolutely forced; Black threatens mate in two.
—The black counterplay for stalemate 4. …Rxb1+! is lumberjack style.
—The «Nachspiel» is not interesting either.
I admire many of Gady’s creations, but this one is rubbish. Perhaps I just lack the right sense of humor. But I am German, so I am not obliged to have it. I daresay that this study would be at 1-1,5 points on this site if say, Daniele Gatti, had composed it. Or any other composer who is often the target of criticism. But Gady gets away with it because everybody knows he is a great composer. (Nothing personal, Daniele, just to make the point.)
It was a formal tourney, that is, the judges didn’t know whose study it was.
I think, you are unable to appreciate the idea because of specific tastes otb players have. And it’s not a compliment.
This has nothing to do with otb (eg the position is more natural than in some studies I like better, many otb players don’t mind exchanges, etc.), but just with my standards for content and economy. Gady would for sure have composed a better study if he had dropped the castling theme.
Thanks for the WCCT theme description, Martin! Given that it is a thematic tournament, I upgrade to 1,5 points.
The study theme of the 7th WCCT was:
«In a certain position (“position X”) of a win or draw study, a piece (or pieces) of his own side prevent White from carrying out his plan. In the course of the solution White sacrifices this piece (or pieces) either passively (examples 1 and 3) or actively (example 2). Consequently, position X’ arises, which is identical in every detail to position X, but without the eliminated piece(s). This enables White to carry out his original plan.»
Costeff’s idea is highly original and also funny. That is definitely worth 3 points. Studies are art chess and do not automatically have to look like an OTB game.