December 24th

Eduard Mazel (24-12-1859 - 27-12-1943) Czech composer

Eduard Mazel
[Wikimedia]

Eduard Mazel composed direct mates in the Bohemian style.

Mazel, Eduard
Paleček, 1882 (38)

#3

10 + 13

Show Solution

1.g2-g3 ! ZZ

1...Sa2-~ 2.Qf3(x)c3+ Kc4xd5 3.Se6xf4/Se6-c7#
1...b3-b2 2.Qf3-d3+ Sc1xd3 3.Bb1xa2#
1...f4xg3 2.Qf3-c3+ Sa2xc3 3.Sd5-e3#

May 6th

Georgi Hadži-Vaskov (06-05-1947) Macedonian composer

Georgi Hadži-Vaskov
[Thanks to Boško Milošeski]

Georgi Hadži-Vaskov is a helpmate, selfmate and fairy composer as well as an International Judge.

Hadži-Vaskov, Georgi & Milošeski, Boško
Probleemblad, 2001

#2*

11 + 10

Show Solution

Set play:

1...Sf1/Sg4/Sc2 2.Bxf4#[A]
1...Qd4/Qxd5 2.Qxf5#
1...Qxf3 2.Sxc4#[B]/Qxf5#
1...Qc2/Qxb1 2.Sxc4#[B]

1.Qb5! (2.Qe8#)

1...Qxd5 2.Sxc4#[B]
1...Sxd5 2.Bxf4#[A]

Nietvelt, transferred mates.

Hadži-Vaskov, Georgi
BIT Tourney, 2010
5^th Prize

h#2

2 solutions

6 + 13

Show Solution

1.Re5 Qxh4 2.Qd4 Qxd4#
1.e5 Qxf7 2.Qd5 Qxd5#
Two self interferences on e5 and two corresponding sacrifices of the bQ.