Judge Gatti: “Since I did not look at any Variantim issues published during the year and chose not to do so during the judging process, it was all really anonymous and I felt that was great to judge only what I was looking at, without any form of conditioning. My judging process is based on emotions, intuitions and sensations, rather than on deep analysis of every single move in every single sideline. Studies must have a “soul”, which is deeply linked to the composer’s style, and talk to me, in order to impress my memory and senses. This makes the judgement process quite fast, as when I am in a market in search for a jumper, and the one I buy is almost always the first that captures my attention”.
1 приз. Жонглируя ножиками, белые гопники отвлекли телохранителей и рассправились с беспомощным королем. Дешевый боевичок с топорными жертвами и наивным сценарием. Примитивно, без искры.
2 приз. Когда трудно уснуть, надо считать слоников.
3 приз. Я трезвый, просто пол скользкий! Мы в шахматы играли… Это был гамбит!
Первый и второй похвальные отзывы – самые интересные этюды в конкурсе.
В первом похвальном – ложка дегтя.
Этюд не для людей.
I am happy that you decided to adopt your old habits again, and to write snappy comments on the awarded studies! Without them, this site would be boring.
I don’t think it is a big problem that the 6. Ng2 line in the 1st commendation (Avni & Pasman) is a tablebase win for Black. After all, it is clear to the solver that this cannot be the solution.
The solver has to choose 5…Kc6 (not 5…Kc7) because Black wins here after 163 plies. 5…Kc6 is the main line so I don’t follow your arguments.
You are right. Black’s choice between Kc7 and Kc6 is ugly. Did not notice the Kc7 line in the move before.
Elephants are among my favorite animals. If you want the one on f8 less sleepy, you can go for this version:
It was a tough choice, but in the end I preferred the published version. The main scheme with the pursuit of the bishop is more expressive, and the technical shortcomings look acceptable.