My recent award winners from SuperProblem

The Russian outlet SuperProblem is the future of chess composition. It features a bevy all things chess composition in an online format.  In addition to yearly tourneys in all of the main genres  (directmates, selfmates, helpmates, and fairies) it also runs regular theme tourneys.  The competition is always stiff with entries from well-known composers from all over the world including a large contingent of  Russian authors. One of the things I like about it is the fact that problems are "published" online within a couple days and the awards are usually prompt. Perhaps, the only thing missing are the solver comments. There is a real-time comment thread, but it is not so active. In 2020 I was fortunate to feature prominently in two of the 2020 awards (twomover and helpmate in 3). Here are the links to the awards: twomovers and helpmates.

Moen, Kabe
SuperProblem 2020
4th Prize

h#2.5

2 Solutions

6 + 4

Here is one of my first prize winning problems!  I had actually submitted another version of this, one that did not utilize the wK as well. The problem is not the most complex idea, but it is certainly one of the prettier  things I have put on a chess board. The idea is that the bK has a flight square at g5 that must be handled.  The only way to do this is with some intricate line play:

1...Rh4 2.Rg4 Bxa1 3.Rg5 c4
1...Bh8 2.Qg7 Rxb4 3.Qg5 c3

The main theme is the line clearances in which the black pieces follow directly along the same line as the white pieces.  Such an idea is know in the helpmate genre as a mixed Bristol. In this case it is also called a magnet because the white piece moves away and then the black piece follows it like a magnet. 

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes all went to well-known helpmate composers including Hungarian Grandmaster János Csák.

Moen, Kabe
SuperProblem 2020
Special HM

#2

9 + 7

This problem has been featured on the blog before and it may go down as being one of my best twomovers.  The B+R+R half-battery is hackneyed, so I was fortunate to obtain a new record with this problem.  I usually don't compose task type problems, but I had been studying the half-battery for awhile and realized that this scheme would give me the record for most changed double checkmates (4) and tie the record for most double checkmates in twomover (8).

1.Rg7? (2.Sxb8)
   1...Kb7 2.Rb3
   1...Kd5 2.Rd3
   1...Sd6 2.Rc3
   1...Sxd8 2.Rf6
   1...Se3!

 1.Rf7! (2.Sxb8)
   1...Kb7 2.Rb2
   1...Kd5 2.Rd2
   1...Sd6 2.Rc2
   1...Sxd8 2.Rg6
   1...B~ 2.Qa8

The scheme is symmetrical, but I was pleased with the light open setting. The threat and refutation are delicious.

Moen, Kabe and Shire, David
SuperProblem 2020
5th Comm.

#2

7 + 7

Here is one of my rare collaborations with the well-known British problemist. Despite the symmetry, the setting is beautiful with chunky white force and an open position.  There is no real theme, but the main idea is a wQ vs bQ duel.  There is also a paradoxical element: in the try the bQ defeats the threat by ambushing herself behind the wQ to allow Bf7. Meanwhile, the key finds the bQ ambushed behind the wQ to threaten Bf7. The bQ defeats this threat by moving off the line (unambushing herself). To solve it notice that there is a strong set defense with no mate: 1...QxR.

1.Qc2? (>2.Qc4)
   1...Qxc6 2.Qxc6
   1...Qc1 2.Bf7
   1...Ra4 2.Qc5
   1...Bc3 2.Sxc3
   1...Qd6!

1.Qg6! (>2.Bf7)
   1...Qf4 2.Qe6
   1...Qh3 2.Qd6
   1...Bf6 2.Qf7
   1...Ra6 2.Rc5
   1...Qxg6 2.Se3

Moen, Kabe
SuperProblem 2020
8th Comm.

#2

7 + 6

I think this is one of my most underrated problems.  It's a light position that has some excellent elements including black correction, defenses on the same square, the Salazar theme (reversal of 1st move and mating move), and some changed mates. 

1...hxg5 2.Sg7
1...Rxg5 2.Qxh4

1.Ra5(A)? (>2.Sg7)
   1...Kxg5 2.Sxe7(B)
   1...e5!

1.Sxe7(B) (-)
   1...Kxg5 2.Ra5(A)
   1...hxg5 2.Bg6
   1...Rxg5 2.Sf6
   1...Rg1 2.Qxh4
   1...f3 2.Qxg4

The judge didn't like the key because it captured the bP that thwarts the try. I kind of like it since the wS extracts revenge on the bP for thwarting the threat.

Moen, Kabe
SuperProblem TT-248 2021
2nd HM

#2

9 + 8

I don't usually participate in theme tourneys, but here is something fun that turned out nicely.  Usually, the capture of the try piece is undesirable, but here it works and is completely thematic.  The the name of the tournament is "if you can't win, copy them" and required a try defeated by 1...X! and key 1.X! where X is the same notation for the move.  In addition at least one changed mate was a requirement.

1.Sxd5? (>2.Sf6)
   1...Sxd5 2.Rc4
   1...Ba2 2.d3
   1...Rxg6 2.Qxg6
   1...Rxd5!

1.Rxd5! (>2.Re5)
   1...Sxd5 2.Qc4
   1...Ba2 2.Qc2
   1...Rxd5 2.Bf5
   1...Rxg6 2.Qxg6