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Problem Corner
Narayanan's Problem Corner
Chess is very often compared to solid
geometry. The player must change, build, move about mentally and use the board as a field for
placement of chessmen according to a plan. But the problemist also uses the
geometry of the board and Rundlauf is one such concept. The paths traversed
by different pieces during the course of the solution of certain problems
describe closed geometric figures and these configurations resemble merry-go-rounds are known as rundlaufs.In the history of evolution of chess
problems. Rundlaufs have a special place and several great composers like
E.Brigfeld, Meyer and W.Pauly have produced masterpieces at the turn of the
century. W.Karsch and W.Hagemann in their booklet 'Figuren Rundlaufe in
Schachproblem' have exhaustively analysed Rundlaufs covering the various
types and geometric configurations achieved in various categories of problems. In the end game studies, rundlaufs are pronounced by their
repetition as in the famous and oldest knights chase study given below. H.Meyer, 1868 The black king and white knights follow the same route and mating traps
always await His Majesty when he goes off the track. The solution to the
study runs thus. 1. Nc4+, Ke6 2.Nc5+, Kf5 3.Nd6+, Kf4 4.Ne6+, Ke3 5.Nf5+, Kd3 (If
5.Ke2 6.Nf4+, Kd1 7.Ne3+, Kc1 8.Nd3 mate) 6.Sf4+, Kc4 (if 6.Kc2 7.Ne3+, Kc1, Nd3 mate) 7.Ne3+, Kc5 8.Nd3+,
Kd6. We have reached the diagram
position again and the perpetual check continues! In Rundlauf the piece has to describe a closed figure. In other
words, the piece which commences the de tour must complete by arriving at
the original square. While the previous study shows an elliptical orbit, the
following more-mover shows a rhombus like figure.
M.Havel ,
White Ka1, Rb6, Nb1 (3) 1.Nd2 ! waiting. 1.a5 2.Ne4 2.Ka3, Nc3 3.a4, Nb1 mate
( If 1.Ka3 or Ka5 2.Nc4+, Ka4 3.Ka2 4.Nb2 mate.An echo)
The next problem features black rundlauf with the black bishop
describing a rectangle. The white strategy forcing the black bishop moves is
interesting .The two white rooks are given up during the play and the
little white pawn has the last laugh!
Dr.E.Zepler, Schwalbe 1937 Mate in five moves
1.R(h)h5, Be1 ( black tries to stall 2.Rf1) 2.Rh4, Bxh4 3.b4
(threatens 4.Ra5), Bd8 4.Ra5+, Bxa5 5.b5 mate.
Now a miniature 'rundlauf'
(of yet another shape!) for solving.
C.G.S.Narayanan Now for some hint. The initial move Kf5 is met by Qd5 and 1.f5 is
countered by 2.Qh4 mate. But how do you hold this position?
- C G S Narayanan The
author offers an issue of a chess magazine as prize for the first
correct solution received through e-mail for the study given for
solving along with 'Exciting ways to draw'
either to chathurangam
or to cgsnarayanan@hotmail.com
Symbol Meaning + Check # Checkmate x Capture ! Good
Move !! Excellent
Move ? Bad
move ??
!?
?! 1-0 0-1 1/2 Twoer C
G S Narayanan, an
international composer of repute, has been composing Chess
problems for the past thirty years. He has won several awards for his compositions in
International composing tourneys and he has an output of over 300 problems to his credit.
He is the second Indian to win the prestigious Brian Harley Award for the best two-mover
composed by a subject of British Commonwealth twice in 1977 and 1991. He has been editing
THE HINDU Chess problem column from 1982 onwards, after S K Narasimhan. He has captained
the Indian team in the World Chess Compositions Tournaments held by FIDE. You
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