Helpmates
Peter's Problem World with FIDE Master of Chess
Composition
Peter Wong
Note that Peter's articles, follow a chess problem
convention in using ‘S’ to represent the knight
(from the German word,
Springer). ‘N’ is reserved for a fairy piece called the nightrider.
The
directmate problems we have examined in the previous articles represent
the most traditional form of chess composition. They are akin to an
actual chess game in that the aim is to force mate and the two sides act in
opposition.
Among the less conventional
problem types, the most significant and popular is the
helpmate. In this genre, the two sides cooperate to enable White
to mate Black, achieving this in the specified number of moves.
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All the normal rules of chess still
apply here (e.g. checks cannot be ignored) – only the players’ motives
have changed from the usual competitive mode.
Black generally plays first in a
helpmate. The solution of a two-move problem, for example,
comprises four single moves that run: 1.Black begins, White moves,
2.Black moves, White mates.
This also illustrates how the method of
writing helpmate solutions differs from normal practice, in that a
black move appears first after the move number.
Another characteristic of helpmates is
that each solution consists of a precise sequence of moves, so that
the play lacks
variations in the manner of directmates. Variety is
achieved, instead, through the use of multiple
phases of play, such as
stipulating more than one solution. |
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Problem
26 stipulates for a
set play to be found, in addition to the
actual play. Set play in helpmates refers to a move sequence that
solves the problem, but which is commenced by the player who normally moves
second.
The
twinning device, to generate multiple positions for solving, is used
much more frequently in helpmates than in directmates.
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Yet another way for
a problem to include more than one phase is the
duplex, a type mostly found in helpmates. This condition means
that a problem’s task has to be fulfilled twice: once normally, and once
again with White and Black exchanging their roles.
So in a duplex
helpmate, an additional solution is called for in which White plays
first and is mated by Black. Problem 28 has four parts in
total, two solutions for each of the duplex halves.
When Black
begins, White mates with 1.e1(R) Bc6 2.Rh1 Rg2, and 1.Kh1 Kh3
2.e1(B) Bc6. And when White starts, Black mates with 1.Rg4
e1(S) 2.Bh5 Sf3, and 1.Rg3 e1(Q) 2.Bh5 Qxg3.
The black pawn
promotes to four different pieces, making this economical helpmate a
remarkable demonstration of a
theme known by its German name,
Allumwandlung. |
28. Zivko Milovanovic & Ewgenij
Sorokin
Schach-Echo 1974
Special Prize
  
 
Helpmate in 2
2 solutions, Duplex |
Problem 30 is for you to solve. Mate along the b-file seems likely, but it’s not obvious how to disable the
black bishop.
30. Nikolaj Dolginowitsch
Die Schwalbe 1993
 
Helpmate in 2
2 solutions
Solution
to Problem 30 (To display, hold down your mouse button and select the
text below)
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>White has to sacrifice a
rook each time to create
a “hideaway” square for
the black bishop. 1.Be5
Rxf4 2.Bxf4 Rb8, and
1.Bg7 Rxh6 2.Bxh6 Rb8.>
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