Certainly I was lucky that the tourney judge did not mind the duals (while most WCCI judges did). Personally, I do not think that they matter in a strategic study where one reasons in terms of plans (how to make progress?) rather than moves. They do not disturb the aesthetic impression even if they dilute the uniqueness of the solution.
Regarding 7. Kb7: even if White can revert with 8. Kb6, the move only makes sense if followed by 8. Kc7.
If I may add a polemic note: usually, when you like an idea, Serhiy, you do not mind captures and exchanges. Thus, by contraposition, when you start talking about duals, I would infer that you are simply not impressed by the idea of the study. 😉
Well, I am not a big fan of Costeff’s study either (the idea does not seem to justify the ugly setup), but I appreciate the Minski & Nielsen coproduction—although at first sight, I was not enthusiastic either. The sacrifices are clean and Be4!!, blocking the diagonal and forcing Black to choose between a self-block on h7 and closing the e-file on e6, is really nice.
Avni and Tarasiuk wrote here how their study was composed.
The quality of the 2nd prize is doubtful. The duals are annoying. 7.Kb7 is not a try because it is not a mistake.
Certainly I was lucky that the tourney judge did not mind the duals (while most WCCI judges did). Personally, I do not think that they matter in a strategic study where one reasons in terms of plans (how to make progress?) rather than moves. They do not disturb the aesthetic impression even if they dilute the uniqueness of the solution.
Regarding 7. Kb7: even if White can revert with 8. Kb6, the move only makes sense if followed by 8. Kc7.
If I may add a polemic note: usually, when you like an idea, Serhiy, you do not mind captures and exchanges. Thus, by contraposition, when you start talking about duals, I would infer that you are simply not impressed by the idea of the study. 😉
The 3rd prize and the special HM are too ugly to be called studies.
What’s wrong with Costeff’s study? The idea seems original, in spite of ugly position.
Well, I am not a big fan of Costeff’s study either (the idea does not seem to justify the ugly setup), but I appreciate the Minski & Nielsen coproduction—although at first sight, I was not enthusiastic either. The sacrifices are clean and Be4!!, blocking the diagonal and forcing Black to choose between a self-block on h7 and closing the e-file on e6, is really nice.