Studies awarded for the Jubilee Tournament of the 64th birthdays of

Polášek and Vlasák

Polasek, Jaroslav 1957

and Vlasak, Emil 1956

Jaroslav Polášek (left) and Emil Vlasák (right) with old friend Michal Hlinka (center) in Prague 2018

[Event "1.p Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Minski=M"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "2r5/kq5p/N6K/8/B7/8/2Q5/7R w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "11"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {A nice elegant and economical study with a logical try.} 1. Qf2+ Ka8 (1... Kxa6 2. Bb5+ ({or} 2. Ra1 {with 3.Bc6+ and quick mate}) 2... Qxb5 3. Ra1+ Kb7 4. Qa7+ Kc6 5. Rc1+ Kd6 6. Rxc8) ({JP} 1... Qb6+ 2. Qxb6+ Kxb6 {eg} 3. Ra1 ({or } 3. Bd7 Rd8 4. Rd1)) 2. Nc7+ $1 ({logical try} 2. Ra1 $2 Qxa6+ 3. Qb6 Qxb6+ 4. Bc6+ Kb8 5. Ra8+ Kc7 $1 $19) 2... Rxc7 (2... Qxc7 3. Qf6 $1 Ka7 ({JP} 3... Qc5 4. Qa6+ Kb8 5. Rb1+ Kc7 6. Rb7+) 4. Bd7 $1 $18) ({EV+JP A little problem with this nice study are difficult side lines like} 2... Kb8 {White has several ways to win, but they all contain hard-to-see computer moves.} 3. Rc1 ({or} 3. Rh5 Qxc7 4. Rb5+ (4. Qd4 Qc1+ 5. Kxh7 Rc7+ 6. Bd7 Qc6 7. Rd5 (7. Qh8+ Ka7)) 4... Ka8 5. Kh5 $1 Re8 6. Rf5 Re5 7. Bc6+ $1) ({or} 3. Rd1 Rxc7 (3... Qxc7 4. Bd7) 4. Qf6 Rf7 (4... Qb4 5. Bd7) 5. Qh8+ Ka7 6. Ra1) 3... Rxc7 4. Qf4 Qb6+ 5. Bc6 Qb2 (5... Qb3 6. Qxc7+) 6. Qf8+ Rc8 7. Qd6+ Rc7 (7... Ka7 8. Ra1+ Qxa1 ( 8... Kb6 9. Bd7+) 9. Qc5+) 8. Rc3 $1 ({or} 8. Rg1 Qb3 9. Rg3 Qf7 10. Qd8+ Ka7 11. Qa8+ Kb6 12. Rb3+ Kc5 13. Qa5+)) 3. Ra1 $1 {battery} Qa6+ (3... Kb8 4. Bd7 $1 Rxd7 (4... Rc6+ 5. Bxc6 Qxc6+ 6. Kxh7 $18) 5. Qf8+ Kc7 (5... Qc8 6. Ra8+ $18 ) 6. Rc1+ $18) 4. Qb6 $3 {the point} (4. Bc6+ $2 Rxc6+ $19) 4... Qxb6+ 5. Bc6+ Kb8 6. Ra8# {Model mate with self-block} 1-0

[Event "2/3.p Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Pervakov=O"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "3k4/p7/8/3b4/pn1pp3/6p1/1B1P1P2/4Q1K1 b - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "22"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {Today it is not easy to come up with a completely original theme. Oleg succeeds; the study is not like anything we have seen in the past. The difficulty, however, requires a computer both in composing and solving.} 1... Nd3 2. Qe2 $1 (2. Qb1 $2 gxf2+ 3. Kf1 Be6 $1 4. Kg2 Bh3+ $1 5. Kxh3 Ne1 $11) ( 2. Qf1 $2 gxf2+ 3. Kh2 Bc4 $1 4. Bxd4 (4. Kg3 e3 5. dxe3 dxe3 $11) 4... Ne5 $1 5. Qxf2 Ng4+ $11) 2... gxf2+ (2... Nxb2 3. fxg3 $18 a3 (3... Nc4 4. Qh5 Nb6 5. Qh7 Nc8 6. Qh8+ Kd7 7. Qxd4) 4. Qb5 Be6 5. Qa5+) 3. Kf1 (3. Kh2 $2 Bc4 4. Bxd4 (4. Kg3 e3 5. dxe3 dxe3 6. Qd1 Kc7 7. Bd4 Nc5 8. Bxc5 f1=Q) 4... Ne5 $11) 3... Bc4 $1 {creating battery} (3... Be6 4. Qh5 $1 Nxb2 5. Qa5+ $18) (3... Nxb2 4. Qxf2 Nc4 5. Qxd4 Nb6 6. Qc5 $1 $18) 4. Bxd4 Ba6 $1 {Preparing Nb4/c5} ({ The knight moves 4...Nb2/Ne5 are not possible} 4... Ne5 {(b2)} 5. Bxe5 {(xb2)} Bxe2+ 6. Kxe2 $18) 5. Bf6+ Kc7 (5... Kd7 6. Qg4+ $18 Kc7 7. Qf5) (5... Ke8 6. Qxe4+) 6. Be5+ $1 ({Logical try} 6. Be7 $2 {guarding both b4 and c5} a3 $1 7. Bxa3 e3 $1 {blocking e-file} 8. dxe3 (8. Qxe3 Ne5+ 9. Kxf2 Ng4+) 8... Kb6 $1 { and the White Queen has no good move} 9. Qd2 Nc5+ 10. Kxf2 Ne4+ $11) 6... Kd8 ( 6... Kb6 7. Qe3+ Ka5 8. Bc3+ Kb5 9. Qxe4) 7. Bd6 $1 {Mutual zugzwang} a3 $1 ({ Now neutralize the battery on a3-f8 diagonal:} 7... Nb4 {(c5)} 8. Bxb4 {(xc5)} Bxe2+ 9. Kxe2 $18) 8. Bxa3 Kc7 9. Be7 $1 {Another mutual zugzwang} e3 $5 { Blocking Qe3 check} (9... Kb6 10. Qe3+ Ka5 11. Qxa7) 10. dxe3 Kb6 11. Bd8+ $1 { The point, Black King has to move into check} ({JP} 11. Qd2 Nc5+ 12. Kxf2 Ne4+) 11... Kb7 (11... Kc5 12. Qh5+) 12. Qf3+ {Anti-domination} 1-0

[Event "2/3.p Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Ostmoe=GST"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "5k2/1BN1NP1p/6P1/5pK1/b4R2/1rq2Q2/2rp4/8 b - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "25"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {Stalemate studies with multiple pins have been very popular recently. This is one of the best; no pin is even partially prepared at the startup, completely all pieces are brought into the final position as a result of a rather interesting game.} 1... h6+ $1 (1... Qxf3 2. Ne6+ Kxe7 3. f8=Q+ Kxe6 4. Qf6+ Kd7 5. Rd4+ Kc7 6. Bxf3) 2. Kh5 (2. Kxh6 $2 Qg7+ 3. Kg5 Rxf3 4. Bxf3 (4. Ne6+ Kxe7 5. Nxg7 Rxf4) 4... Bd7 5. Ne8 Bxe8 6. fxe8=Q+ Kxe8 7. Nxf5 Rc5) 2... Qf6 ( 2... Bd7 $5 {maybe a better practival chance} 3. g7+ $1 Qxg7 4. Ng6+ Qxg6+ 5. Kxg6 Rxf3 6. Bxf3 Rc6+ 7. Kh7 Rxc7 8. Rd4 Kxf7 9. Kxh6 Kf6 10. Rxd2 Be6 { White has a minus pawn plus bad King, but for all that it is EGTB draw}) 3. g7+ $1 Kxg7 (3... Qxg7 $2 4. Ng6+ Qxg6+ 5. Kxg6 Rxc7 6. Rxa4 $18) 4. Rg4+ $1 (4. Ne8+ $2 Kxf7 5. Nxf6 Rxf3 6. Bxf3 d1=Q 7. Bxd1 Rh2+ 8. Rh4 Bxd1+ 9. Kxh6 Rxh4+ 10. Kg5 Kxe7) 4... Kh7 (4... Kxf7 5. Qd5+ Kxe7 6. Rg7+ $1 Qxg7 7. Qe6+ Kf8 8. Qc8+ Ke7 9. Qe6+ {draws.}) (4... fxg4 5. f8=Q+ (5. Qxf6+ Kxf6 6. f8=Q+) 5... Qxf8 6. Ne6+) 5. Qxf5+ Qxf5+ 6. Nxf5 Rh3+ (6... d1=Q 7. f8=N+ {simplest} Kh8 8. Ng6+ Kg8 9. Bd5+ Kh7 10. Nf8+ {draws.}) 7. Nh4 Rc5+ 8. Bd5 d1=Q 9. f8=N+ $1 (9. f8=Q $2 Rxd5+ ({or} 9... Qxd5+) 10. Nxd5 Qxd5+ {wins.}) 9... Kh8 10. Nfg6+ Kh7 11. Nf8+ Kh8 12. Nfg6+ Kg7 13. Ne8+ $1 Bxe8 {Stalemate with four pinned pieces, including one promoted piece.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "4.p Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Bazlov=Y"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "2r5/8/2Q5/3K4/8/3k4/3B1p2/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "15"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {Nice findings in 6-men constellation with several surprising quiet moves, connected with interesting side-lines and piquant story.} 1. Qh6 $1 (1. Qxc8 $6 Kxd2 {This elementary endgame needs a precise play} 2. Qc4 Ke1 3. Qh4 Ke2 4. Qh2 Kf3 5. Qh1+ Ke2 6. Qg2 Ke1 7. Qg3 Ke2 8. Qe5+ $5 Kd1 $3 (8... Kf3 $2 9. Qe4+ Kg3 10. Qh1) (8... Kd2 $2 9. Qh2 Ke3 (9... Ke1 10. Ke4 f1=Q 11. Ke3) 10. Qg2 Ke2 11. Ke4) (8... Kd3 $6 {Yuri recalls that a famous textbook on endings  (Averbach Chess Endgames (queen), Moscow FIS, 1982, number 7, after first move, mirrored) recommended 9.Qg3+ Ke2 10. Qh2! Ke1 11.Ke4 winning. But after 10... Kf3! Black holds. In truth, White only wins by a rather unexpected way} 9. Qb2 $1 (9. Qe4+ $2 Kd2) (9. Qg3+ $2 Ke2 10. Qh2 Kf3 $1 $11 (10... Ke1 $2 11. Ke4)) 9... Ke3 10. Qb5 $18) 9. Qh5+ Ke1 10. Qh4 Ke2 11. Qh2 Kf3 $1) (1. Qb6 $6 Rd8+ $1 (1... Rf8 $2 2. Qe3+ Kc2 3. Qc3+ Kd1 (3... Kb1 4. Qb3+ Ka1 5. Bc3#) 4. Bg5 Rd8+ 5. Ke4 Re8+ (5... f1=Q 6. Qc1+ Ke2 7. Qc2+ Ke1 8. Bh4+) 6. Kd4 $1 Rd8+ 7. Ke3 f1=Q 8. Qa1+) 2. Ke6 Re8+ 3. Kd7 Ke2 ({or} 3... Re2)) 1... Rd8+ 2. Kc5 $1 ( 2. Ke5 $2 Re8+ $1 3. Kd5 Ke2 $1 $11) 2... Re8 $1 (2... Rf8 $6 3. Qxf8 Ke2 { Now White wins using a spectacular move} 4. Bf4 $3 f1=Q 5. Qe8+ (5. Qe7+) 5... Kf3 6. Qe3+ Kg4 (6... Kg2 7. Qg3+ Kh1 8. Qh2#) 7. Qg3+ Kf5 8. Qg5+ Ke4 (8... Ke6 9. Qe5+ Kf7 10. Qf5+ Ke8 11. Qe6+ Kd8 12. Qg8+ Kd7 13. Qf7+ Kd8 14. Bg5+ Kc8 15. Qxf1) 9. Qd5+ Kxf4 10. Qf7+) (2... Rc8+ {This defence ends with a well-known mate} 3. Kb4 $1 Re8 (3... Rc4+ 4. Kb3 f1=Q 5. Qe3#) (3... Rb8+ 4. Ka3 Ra8+ 5. Kb3 Rb8+ 6. Bb4 Rxb4+ 7. Kxb4 Ke2 8. Qh2 Ke1 9. Kc3) 4. Qh3+ $1 Ke2 (4... Kxd2 5. Qd7+ {see main}) 5. Qg4+ $1 Kxd2 6. Qd7+ Ke2 7. Qxe8+ Kf3 8. Qc6+ Ke2 9. Qg2 Ke1 10. Kc3 f1=Q 11. Qd2#) 3. Bf4 $3 (3. Bg5 Re5+ 4. Kb4 Rb5+ $1) 3... Ke4 $5 ({An interesting play arises after} 3... Rc8+ 4. Kd5 $1 Rd8+ 5. Ke5 Re8+ 6. Kf5 Rf8+ 7. Kg4 $1 (7. Kg5 Rxf4) 7... Rg8+ 8. Bg5 $1 (8. Kh4 $2 Rh8 $1) 8... Ke2 9. Qa6+ Ke1 10. Qe6+ Kd1 11. Qxg8 f1=Q 12. Qb3+) 4. Qg5 $1 {Another surprising quiet move} Rc8+ (4... f1=Q 5. Qd5+ Kxf4 6. Qf7+) 5. Kd6 Rd8+ 6. Qxd8 (6. Ke6 {loses time} Re8+ 7. Kd6 Rd8+) 6... Kxf4 $5 ({main} 6... f1=Q { <main>} 7. Qa8+ Kd4 (7... Kf5 8. Qd5+ Kg4 9. Qg5+ Kf3 10. Qg3+ Ke4 11. Qe3+ Kf5 12. Qe6+) 8. Qa7+ $1 Kc3 9. Qa3+ Kc2 10. Qa2+ Kc3 11. Bd2+ $1 (11. Be5+ $2 { Black defends himself with a chain of only moves} Kb4 12. Qb2+ Ka4 $1 13. Qc2+ Ka5 $1 (13... Kb5 $2 14. Qb3+ Ka5 15. Bc3+ Ka6 16. Qa4+ Kb7 17. Qc6+ Kb8 18. Qc7+ Ka8 19. Qc8+ Ka7 20. Bd4#) 14. Qc3+ Ka4 $1 (14... Ka6 15. Qc6+ Ka5 16. Bc3#) 15. Qc2+ Ka5 16. Bc3+ Kb6 17. Bd4+ Ka5) 11... Kd3 12. Qa6+) 7. Qa8 $3 (7. Qf6+ $6 Kg3 $1 $11 {with stalemate on h1} (7... Ke3 $2 8. Ke5 Ke2 9. Qa6+ Ke1 10. Qa5+ Ke2 11. Qb5+ Ke1 12. Qb1+ Ke2 13. Qe4+ Kd2 14. Qf3 Ke1 15. Qe3+ Kf1 16. Kf4)) (7. Qh4+ $6 Kf3 8. Qh3+ Ke2 9. Qg2 Ke1 $11) 7... Kg3 8. Qh1 1-0

[Event "5.p Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Sedlak=L"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/4K3/4p3/4p3/4k3/8/1P5P/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "13"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {This unusual study has basically one-move-solution, but excellent one. Maybe more interesting is is “magic” starting position which has a chance to appear on the front page of prestigious publications.} 1. Ke8 $3 {This shocking move prevents Black promotion with a check.} (1. h4 $2 Kf5 2. b4 e4 3. b5 e3 4. b6 e2 5. b7 e1=Q 6. b8=Q Qxh4+ 7. Kd7 (7. Kf7 Qh7+) 7... Qd4+ 8. Kc6 Qd5+ $19 {with the exchange of queens}) (1. b4 $2 Kd5 2. h4 e4 3. h5 e3 4. h6 e2 5. h7 e1=Q 6. h8=Q Qxb4+ 7. Kf7 Qf4+ 8. Kg6 Qf5+ $19 {with the exchange of queens}) (1. Kxe6 $2 Kd4 2. h4 e4 3. h5 e3 4. h6 e2 5. h7 e1=Q+) (1. Kd6 $2 Kf5 ({or} 1... Kf4) 2. b4 e4 3. b5 e3 4. b6 e2 5. b7 e1=Q 6. b8=Q Qe5+) (1. Kd7 $2 Kd5 ({or} 1... Kd4) 2. h4 e4 3. h5 Ke5 4. Ke7 Kf5) 1... Kd5 ({main} 1... Kf5 2. b4 e4 3. b5 Ke5 4. Kd7 e3 5. b6 e2 6. b7 e1=Q 7. b8=Q+ $11) 2. h4 e4 3. h5 Ke5 (3... e3 4. h6 e2 5. h7 e1=Q 6. h8=Q) 4. Kf7 e3 5. h6 e2 6. h7 e1=Q 7. h8=Q+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "sp.p Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Pasman=M"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/8/P6P/1k3p2/4br2/8/4K1P1/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "23"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {The final sacrifice and zugzwang are known from I. Maly (5.p Ukraine Team champ, 1998). But this predecessor was short and unremarkable, having in the first three moves five captures. Pasman's compact study-from-a-game adds rich content and elevates the final idea considerably.} 1. g3 $1 (1. h7 Rh4) 1... Bd3+ $1 {In connection with the next move, Black cuts off White king from the kingside.} 2. Kxd3 (2. Kd2 Rf2+ 3. Kxd3 Kxa6) 2... Re4 (2... Rc4 3. a7 Rc8 4. Ke3 Kb6 5. Kf4) 3. g4 $3 {Nice move} (3. a7 Re8 4. Kd4 Kb6 5. a8=Q Rxa8 6. Ke5 Rh8 7. Kxf5 Rxh6 {White would miss one tempo to save the day.}) 3... Kxa6 (3... Rxg4 $4 4. h7 Rh4 5. a7) 4. h7 $1 (4. gxf5 Rh4) (4. g5 Rh4 5. Ke3 Kb6 6. h7 Rxh7 7. Kf4 Rf7) 4... Re8 5. gxf5 $1 {Surprising way to hold.} ({Thematic / Logical try :} 5. g5 $2 f4 6. g6 f3 7. g7 f2 8. g8=Q {Same Excelsior without capturing black's f pawn} f1=Q+ $19 {Black is first with checks and wins}) 5... Kb5 6. f6 Kc5 7. f7 Rh8 8. Ke4 Kd6 9. Kf5 Ke7 {The Black play seems to be successful, after 10.Kg6? Kf8 White is in a zugzwang. But...} 10. f8=Q+ $1 { The second Excelsior started with a pawn’s single-step advance (Festina Lente) secures draw.} (10. Kg6 $2 Kf8 $19) 10... Kxf8 11. Kg6 Ke7 12. Kg7 $11 1/2-1/2

[Event "1.hm Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Arestov=P Kiryakov=P"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "6kr/3n3p/4RP2/8/3p4/5K2/8/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "27"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {The kernel of the study is probably derived from EGTB, but the whole game is still very interesting and humanly understandable without a computer. The mutual zugzwang and its incitement are surprising.} 1. Re8+ Nf8 2. Re7 Ng6 3. Rg7+ ({JP no time for} 3. Ra7 $2 h5 $1 4. Rg7+ Kf8 5. Rxg6 Kf7 $1 6. Rg5 h4) 3... Kf8 4. Ke4 ({JP The pawn must be stopped with the king} 4. Ra7 $2 d3 $1 ( 4... h5 $2 5. Ke4 h4 6. Kf5 h3 7. Ra8+ Kf7 8. Ra7+ $11) 5. Ke4 d2 6. Rd7 d1=Q 7. Rxd1 Kf7 8. Kf5 Ra8 9. Rd7+ Kg8 10. Rg7+ Kh8 $19) 4... d3 $1 {Else the king is quick enough to hold} (4... Nh4 5. Ke5 d3 6. Ke6 Ng6 7. Ra7 Nf4+ 8. Kf5 d2 9. Rd7 $11) 5. Kxd3 Nf4+ (5... Ne5+ 6. Ke4 Nf7 7. Kd5 {EGTB7 draw}) 6. Ke4 Nh5 {With this manoeuvre Black unbound himself and somewhat coordinates his forces. } 7. Rb7 $3 {The highlight of the study} (7. Ra7 $2 Nxf6+ 8. Kf5 Ne8 $1 { mutual zugzwang} 9. Kg5 (9. Rb7 Nd6+ {fork}) (9. Rd7 h5 10. Kg6 Rg8+ 11. Kxh5 Nf6+ {fork}) 9... Nd6 $1 10. Rd7 Rg8+ 11. Kh6 (11. Kh5 Nf7) 11... Nf7+ 12. Kxh7 Rg7#) (7. Rc7 Nxf6+ 8. Kf5 Ng8 $3 9. Ke6 (9. Kg5 Ne7 10. Kf6 Nd5+ {fork}) 9... h5) 7... Nxf6+ 8. Kf5 Ne8 $5 (8... Ng8 9. Kg5 Ne7 10. Kf6 Ng8+ 11. Kg5 h5 12. Kh4 Nf6 13. Kg5) 9. Ra7 $3 {mutual zugzwang} h5 (9... Nd6+ 10. Ke6 Ne4 11. Ke5) 10. Kg6 $1 h4 11. Rf7+ Kg8 12. Re7 Nd6 13. Re6 $1 {The final finesse} (13. Rd7 Nf7 14. Rxf7 Rh6+) 13... Rh7 14. Rxd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "2/3.hm Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Hlinka=M Kekely=L"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/3P1N2/1b2P3/3B3p/4n3/4P2k/4rP2/6K1 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "23"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {It is always nice when the study does not end with an underpromotion, but the born piece takes part in an interesting play.} 1. Ng5+ $1 {White clears the diagonal d5-h1 to prevent the threat 1...Re1 mate.} (1. Bxe4 $2 Re1#) (1. Bc4 $2 Rxf2 2. Ng5+ (2. e7 Bxe3 $19) 2... Nxg5 3. Kxf2 Bd8 $11) (1. e7 $4 Re1#) 1... Nxg5 (1... Kg4 2. Bxe4 Rxe3 3. e7) 2. Bg2+ (2. Kf1 $2 Rxf2+ 3. Kxf2 Bd8 $19) 2... Kh4 {Preparing a stalemate} (2... Kg4 3. e7 Re1+ 4. Kh2 Bc7+ 5. f4 Bxf4+ (5... Rxe3 6. e8=Q {the simplest}) 6. exf4 Nf3+ 7. Bxf3+ {check, compare to main line.}) 3. e7 Re1+ 4. Kh2 (4. Bf1 $2 Nf3+ 5. Kg2 Kg4 6. e8=Q Nh4+ 7. Kh2 Nf3+ {perpetual check}) 4... Bc7+ 5. f4 Bxf4+ $1 (5... Rxe3 6. e8=Q Bxf4+ 7. Kg1 $18) 6. exf4 Nf3+ $1 7. Bxf3 Rxe7 8. d8=R $1 {The point; White avoids stalemate first time.} (8. d8=Q $2 {pin stalemate}) 8... Rd7 $1 9. Re8 $1 { The promoted rook executes a logical manoeuvre preventing Rd2.} (9. Rg8 $2 Rd2+ 10. Kg1 (10. Bg2 Rxg2+ {with stalemate}) 10... Rd4 $11 11. f5 Rf4) (9. Rxd7 $2 {stalemate}) (9. Ra8 $2 Rd4 10. Rf8 Rd8) (9. Rf8 $2 Rd8 $1 10. Rf5 (10. Rxd8 { stalemate}) 10... Rd2+ 11. Bg2 (11. Kg1 Kg3) 11... Kg4 12. Rf8 Rf2 13. f5 Kg5 $1) 9... Re7 (9... Rd2+ {is not problem for White here because of} 10. Be2 $1) (9... Rf7 $2 10. Rh8) 10. Rg8 $1 (10. Rd8 Rd7 11. Re8 Re7 12. Rg8 {is only waste of time}) (10. Rxe7 $2 {stalemate}) (10. Ra8 $2 Re2+ 11. Kg1 (11. Bg2 Kg4 ) 11... Rc2 $3 {preventing White to guard the first rank} (11... Rb2 12. f5 Kg3 13. Be4) (11... Rd2 12. f5 Kg3 13. f6) 12. f5 Kg3 13. Bd1 Rg2+ 14. Kh1 (14. Kf1 Rf2+ 15. Ke1 Rxf5) 14... Rh2+ $1 $11) 10... Rf7 (10... Re2+ 11. Kg1 $1 $18 (11. Bxe2 $2 {stalemate})) (10... Rg7 11. Ra8 ({or} 11. Rb8) 11... Rc7 (11... Ra7 12. f5 $18) 12. Be4 Rc4 13. Re8 $18) 11. Rh8 $1 (11. Rg5 $2 Rf5 $1 12. Rxf5 { stalemate}) 11... Rxf4 (11... Rf5 12. Kg2 Ra5 13. Re8 Rf5 14. Re5 Rg5+ 15. Kf2 $18) 12. Rxh5# 1-0

[Event "2/3.hm Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Gatti=D"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "1B6/1P6/P7/8/7b/7K/P7/1r3rk1 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "23"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {Similar concept to the previous Hlinka+Kekely study. Interesting collection of stalemates and the play of promoted rook. But the introductory side-lines are a little boring.} 1. Bh2+ {Clearing way for pawns and the same time driving Black King into the corner.} (1. a7 $2 Rf3+ 2. Kg4 Kf2 3. a8=Q Rb4+ 4. Kh5 Be7 $1 {White can avoid perpetual by sacrificing} 5. Ba7+ Ke2 6. Qc8 ({JP}  6. Bd4 Rxd4 7. Qa6+ Kd1 8. b8=Q Rh4+ 9. Kg6 Rg4+ 10. Kh7 Rh4+ 11. Qh6 Rxh6+ 12. Kxh6 Ba3 $1 $11) 6... Rb5+ 7. Bc5 Rxc5+ 8. Qxc5 Bxc5 9. b8=Q {but Black holds the QPxRB endgame} Ba3 $1 $11 10. Qh2+ Kd3 $1 (10... Ke3 $2 11. Kg4) 11. Kg4 Re3 $1) 1... Kh1 2. a7 Rf3+ 3. Kxh4 (3. Kg4 $2 {White tries to avoid stalemate, but it does not win} Rf8 4. a8=Q (4. b8=Q Rfxb8 5. Bxb8 (5. axb8=Q Rxb8 6. Bxb8 Kg2 $11) 5... Rb4+ 6. Bf4 Ra4) 4... Rb4+ 5. Kh5 Rf5+ 6. Kg6 Rf6+ 7. Kg7 Rg4+ 8. Kh7 Rf7+ 9. Kh6 Rg2 $1 10. b8=Q (10. b8=R Bg5+ 11. Kg6 Rf6+ 12. Kg7 Kxh2 13. Rh8+ (13. Rb5 Rf4 ({or} 13... Rff2)) 13... Bh4+ 14. Qxg2+ Kxg2 15. Rxh4 Ra6 $11 ) (10. Be5 Bf2 11. b8=Q Be3+ 12. Bf4 Bxf4+ 13. Qxf4 Rxf4 $11) 10... Rf6+ 11. Kh5 Rf5+ 12. Kxh4 Rh5+ 13. Kxh5 {pat}) 3... Rh3+ 4. Kxh3 (4. Kg4 $2 {Another try to avoid stalemate} Rxh2 5. a8=Q (5. b8=Q Rg1+ 6. Kf3 Rh3+ (6... Rf1+ $11)) 5... Rg1+ 6. Kf4 Rh4+ {It is not a perpetual check, Black escapes via b8-a7, so more detailed analysis is needed. Black founds a study rescue.} 7. Ke5 Rh5+ 8. Kd6 Rh6+ 9. Kc7 Rg7+ $1 10. Kb8 Rh8+ 11. Ka7 Rxa8+ 12. Kxa8 Rg2 $1 13. b8=Q Rxa2+ 14. Kb7 Rb2+ $11) 4... Rxb7 5. a8=R $1 (5. a8=Q $2 {pat}) (5. Bb8 $2 Rxa7 6. Bxa7 {stalemate}) (5. Bg1 $2 Rxa7 6. Bxa7 {stalemate}) 5... Ra7 6. Rf8 $1 { For the future Rf3} (6. Rb8 $2 Rh7+ 7. Kg3 (7. Kg4 Ra7 8. Kg3 Ra3+ 9. Rb3 Rxb3+ 10. axb3 {stalemate}) 7... Rh3+ 8. Kg4 Ra3 9. Rb2 Rxa2 10. Rxa2 {stalemate}) 6... Rh7+ 7. Kg4 $1 (7. Kg3 $2 Rh3+ 8. Kg4 Ra3 9. Rf2 Rxa2 10. Rxa2 {stalemate} ) 7... Ra7 (7... Kxh2 8. a4 Ra7 9. Rf2+ $1 Kg1 10. Ra2 {win, e.g.} Kf1 11. a5 Ke1 12. a6 Kd1 13. Kf4 Kc1 14. Ke5 Kb1 15. Ra5 Kb2 16. Kd6 Kb3 17. Kc5) 8. Kg3 Rf7 (8... Ra3+ 9. Rf3 {The point of 6.Rf8!} Rxf3+ 10. Kxf3 {no stalemate here.} ) (8... Rg7+ 9. Kf3 Kxh2 10. a4) 9. Rb8 Rb7 10. Kf3 {wins, e.g.} Ra7 11. Bf4 ({ or} 11. Be5 Rf7+ 12. Kg3) ({or} 11. Bd6) ({or} 11. Bg3) 11... Ra3+ (11... Rxa2 12. Rb1#) 12. Rb3 1-0

[Event "4.hm Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Hlinka=M Kekely=L"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "6k1/R2K4/p6p/8/8/5n2/2B3p1/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "31"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 1. Bb3+ $1 ({It is not easy to stop Black pawns, for example} 1. Ra8+ $2 Kg7 2. Re8 g1=Q 3. Re7+ Kf6 4. Re6+ Kg5 5. Rg6+ Kf4 6. Rxg1 Nxg1 $19) 1... Kh8 {main A } (1... Kg7 {main B} 2. Ke8+ $1 Kh8 (2... Kf6 3. Rxa6+ Ke5 4. Ra1 $11) 3. Ra8 $1 (3. Kf7 $2 Ne5+) 3... Ng5 (3... Ne5 4. Ke7+ Kh7 5. Rg8 Ng6+ 6. Kf6 ({or} 6. Kf7) 6... g1=Q 7. Rg7+ Kh8 8. Rg8+ Kh7 9. Rg7+ {perpetual check}) 4. Ke7+ Kh7 ( 4... Kg7 $4 5. Rg8+ Kh7 6. Kf8 h5 7. Bc2+ $18) 5. Bc2+ Kg7 6. Rxa6 g1=Q 7. Rg6+ Kh8 8. Rxh6+ Kg7 9. Rg6+ {perpetual check}) 2. Ra8+ Kh7 3. Bg8+ (3. Re8 $2 g1=Q 4. Bc2+ Kg7 $19 {as after 1.Ra8+?}) 3... Kg7 ({The judges found interesting also the try} 3... Kg6 $5 4. Bd5 g1=Q 5. Rg8+ Kf5 6. Rxg1 Nxg1 7. Kd6 $1 h5 8. Bb7 $1 a5 9. Bc8+ ({or} 9. Kc5 {transposing}) 9... Kf4 {Compare to the main line White won a tempo with a check, but the Black King has advanced significantly. The drawing motives are similar.} 10. Kc5 Nf3 11. Kb5 Ne5 12. Kxa5 Ng4 13. Kb4 h4 14. Kc3 h3 15. Kd2 h2 16. Bb7 Nf2 {And here a “novelty” } 17. Bg2 $1 $11) 4. Bd5 $1 (4. Be6 $2 {or Bb3?} Ng5 $19) 4... g1=Q 5. Rg8+ Kf6 6. Rxg1 Nxg1 7. Kd6 $1 {Controlling both wings.} (7. Kc6 $2 h5 {of course} 8. Kb6 h4 9. Kxa6 Ke5 {winning important tempo} 10. Bb7 h3 11. Kb5 h2 12. Kc4 Kf4 13. Kd3 Nf3 $19) 7... h5 8. Bb7 $1 {A familiar but impressive motive} a5 (8... h4 9. Bxa6 h3 10. Bb7 $1 h2 11. Bh1 $3 {nice move!} Nh3 12. Kd5 $11 {e.g.} Nf2 13. Bg2 Kf5 14. Kd4 Kf4 15. Bd5 $11) 9. Kc5 h4 10. Bc8 Nf3 11. Kb5 Nd4+ 12. Kxa5 Ne6 13. Kb4 $1 {precise diagonal defence} (13. Kb5 $2 h3 14. Kc4 Ke5 15. Kc3 h2 16. Bb7 Nc5 17. Bh1 Ne4+ 18. Kc2 Kf4 $19) 13... Ke5 (13... h3 14. Kc3 h2 15. Bb7 $11) 14. Kc3 h3 15. Kd2 h2 16. Bb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "5.hm Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Sprenger=J"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "4k3/8/3R4/B3N1K1/5P1p/4p3/1pr1q3/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "21"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {A very enjoyable work from a practical player with a lively play, understandable even without a computer. Unfortunately the composition has its principles, and one of them is the purity of a logical try, which should be refuted in only one way. Therefore, we cannot rate the study higher.} 1. Re6+ $1 {Because of the try - White modifies the attack so that the rook ends on column “e”.} ({logical try} 1. Rd8+ Ke7 2. Ng6+ Kf7 $1 (2... Ke6 $4 3. f5+ Kf7 4. Rf8+ Kg7 5. f6+ Kh7 6. Rh8#) 3. Rd7+ Kg8 4. Kh6 Qh5+ $1 5. Kxh5 b1=Q 6. Kh6 Qb2 {/Da1} 7. Bc3 $6 Qxc3 8. f5 Qf6 {/Dc7,Rd2 covering both d8 and g7 Unfortunately the composition has its principles, and one of them is the purity of a logical try, which should be refuted in only one way. Therefore, we cannot rate the study higher.} ({or} 8... Qc7 $19) ({or} 8... Rd2 $19 {or}) 9. Rd8+ Qxd8 $1 $19) 1... Kf8 2. Ng6+ Kg8 3. Re8+ Kf7 4. Re7+ Kg8 5. Kh6 Qh5+ $1 {Black sacrifices the queen to gain time and access to the long diagonal after b2-b1Q.} 6. Kxh5 b1=Q 7. Kh6 Qb2 ({or} 7... Qa1 {with identical continuation}) 8. Bc3 $3 {Nowotny} ({thematic try} 8. f5 $2 {threatening Re8+ and Rf8#} Rc8 $1 9. Bc7 Qf6 10. Be5 Qf7 $1 $10) 8... Qxc3 (8... Rxc3 9. Rg7#) 9. f5 {Now Re8+/Rf8# cannot be parried without conceding control of the g7 square} Qf6 (9... Qc5 10. Rg7#) (9... Qh8+ 10. Nxh8 Kxh8 11. Re8#) 10. Re8+ $1 Kf7 11. Rf8# 1-0

[Event "6.hm Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Nielsen=S"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "7k/p6p/7K/6Pn/2p4B/5p1p/4r2q/2Q2R2 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "25"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 1. Qc3+ Qe5 2. Rxf3 Nf4 $5 ({The natural defence is refuted seemingly easily by } 2... Kg8 3. Qxc4+ Qe6+ 4. Qxe6+ (4. g6 $2 hxg6 5. Be7 g5+ 6. Rf6 Nxf6) 4... Rxe6+ 5. Kxh5 h2 6. Rh3 Kg7 {But White has suddenly problem to save his last pawn. He has to find a study way} 7. Bf2 $1 (7. Rxh2 $2 h6 $11) 7... h6 8. Bd4+ Kh7 9. Bf6 $1 {the point} hxg5 10. Kxg5+ Kg8 11. Kg6 Re1 12. Rh8#) (2... Qxc3 3. Rf8#) 3. Rxf4 Kg8 4. Qxc4+ Qe6+ 5. g6 $1 ({Compare to 2...Kg8, here things are reversed. Bad is here} 5. Qxe6+ $2 Rxe6+ 6. Kh5 {eg} h2 (6... Re2 $11) 7. Rf1 Re2) 5... hxg6 (5... h2 6. Qc8+ Qxc8 7. gxh7+ Kh8 8. Bf6#) 6. Be7 (6. Qd4 $2 Re5 $11) 6... g5+ (6... Qxc4 7. Rf8#) 7. Rf6 h2 8. Qd5 $3 {The point} (8. Rxe6 $2 h1=Q+ 9. Kg6 Qh7+ 10. Kxg5 Rg2+ $19) (8. Rg6+ Kf7 $11) 8... h1=Q+ 9. Qxh1 Qxe7 10. Qd5+ (10. Qa8+ Qe8 $11) 10... Kh8 11. Qa8+ Qe8 12. Rf8+ Qxf8+ 13. Qxf8# 1-0

[Event "7.hm Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Halski=M"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/5Bn1/1p6/p1n5/7P/K1P5/8/1k6 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "49"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {White King is in a mate net not to mention missing piece.} 1. h5 ({It would be wrong to try:} 1. Bg6+ $6 Kc1 2. h5 Nge6 3. h6 Nf8 {winning decisive tempo, e.g. or} 4. Bf5 b5 {after} 5. h7 Nxh7 6. Bxh7 Kd2 7. Kb2 Na4+ {win}) 1... Nge6 $1 ({According the author White have easier task after immediate:} 1... Nxh5 2. Bxh5 Kc2 3. c4 Kc3 4. Bf7 Nd3 5. Ka4 Kb2 6. Kb5 Nc5 7. Kxb6 a4 8. Kxc5 a3 9. Kb6 a2 10. c5 a1=Q 11. c6 Qg1+ 12. Kb7 Qg2 13. Kb6 {see comment to 16-th move in the main solution "Simple draw with Bf7".} (13. Bc4) 13... Qf2+ 14. Kb7 Qxf7+ ({But there is} 14... Qf3 $5 {not given by the author.} 15. Bc4 $1 ({ unfortunately also} 15. Bh5 $1 Qe4 (15... Qd5 16. Be2 Kc3 17. Kb6 Qb3+ 18. Bb5) 16. Be2 Kc3 17. Kb6) (15. Kb6 $2 Qe3+ 16. Kb7 Qe4 $1 17. Kb6 Qb4+ 18. Ka7 Qa5+ 19. Kb7 Qb5+) 15... Kc3 16. Be2 $3 {a similar motive as in the solution but unfortunately with duals. This somewhat reduces our impression from the logical construction of this interesting, but difficult composition.}) 15. c7 { draw}) 2. h6 ({Again it would be wrong:} 2. Bg6+ $2 Kc1 3. h6 Nf8 $1 {tempo}) 2... Nf8 $1 ({If} 2... Nc7 {then} 3. Bg6+ {guarding the threat Nb5 mate} Ka1 4. Bd3 $1 Nxd3 5. h7 Nc5 $4 6. c4 $1 $18 (6. h8=Q $2 Nb5#)) ({draw If} 2... Ng5 { then} 3. Bg6+ Kc1 4. h7 Nxh7 5. Bxh7 {etc as in the main solution}) 3. h7 ({ But not:} 3. c4 $2 Kc2 {winning tempo, Kc1 is not neccessary} 4. h7 Nxh7 5. Bg6+ Kc3 6. Bxh7 Kxc4 {Black win}) 3... Nxh7 4. Bg6+ Kc1 5. Bxh7 Kd2 6. c4 $1 ( {but not:} 6. Kb2 $2 Nd3+ {and Pc3 goes lost} 7. Kb3 b5 8. Bf5 a4+ 9. Ka3 Kxc3 {Black wins}) 6... Kc3 7. Bg8 Nd3 8. Ka4 ({but not:} 8. Bf7 $2 Nb2 $1 9. Be6 Nxc4+ 10. Ka4 Nb2+ $1 11. Kb5 a4 12. Ba2 a3 $1 13. Bf7 (13. Kxb6 Kb4 $1 { Black win}) 13... Nd3 $1 14. Bc4 Nc1 15. Bf7 Nb3 16. Ka4 a2 {Black win}) 8... Kb2 {Black try a sly manoeuvre with the sacrifice of a knight!} ({If} 8... Nc5+ {then} 9. Ka3 $1 ({but not:} 9. Kb5 $2 a4 {with win}) 9... Nd3 10. Ka4 $1 { positional draw} Kb2 11. Kb5) 9. Kb5 Nc5 10. Kxb6 a4 11. Kxc5 a3 {and Black promotes because White king blocks its pawn and White cannot open bishop a2-g8 diagonal on time} 12. Kb6 $1 ({But not} 12. Kd6 $2 a2 13. c5 a1=Q 14. c6 Qa3+ $1 15. Kd7 Qd3+ $1 16. Kc8 Qf5+ 17. Kb7 Qb5+ 18. Kc7 Kc3 $1 {Black wins}) 12... a2 13. c5 a1=Q 14. c6 Qg1+ ({If} 14... Qa8 {then} 15. c7 Qxg8 16. Kb7 $11) 15. Kb7 Qg2 $1 ({If} 15... Qxg8 16. c7 $11) 16. Bc4 $1 ({Now, due to Black's 1-st move, White bishop is on g8 instead of f7 square, and simple 16.Kb6 defense is not possible:} 16. Kb6 $2 Qxg8 {Black win}) (16. Be6 $2 Kc3 17. Kb6 Qb2+ (17... Qg1+ 18. Kb7 Qb1+ 19. Ka7) 18. Ka7 Qa3+ 19. Kb7 Qb4+ 20. Ka7 Qc5+ 21. Kb7 Qb5+ 22. Kc7 Kd4) 16... Kc3 $1 {It seems that Black's plan worked!?, but ...} 17. Bf1 $3 ({... White also have a trick up from their sleeve - unexpected bishop sacrifice; all other moves lose, for example:} 17. Ba6 $2 Kb4 $1 {Black win}) 17... Qb2+ ({after:} 17... Qe4 18. Kb6 $1 Qb4+ 19. Bb5 {=}) 18. Ka7 $1 (18. Ka6 $2 Qb8) 18... Qf2+ 19. Kb7 Qb2+ 20. Ka7 Qh2 21. Kb7 Qh1 22. Kb6 $1 Qh6 23. Kb7 $1 Qh1 24. Kb6 Qg1+ 25. Kb7 {draw} 1/2-1/2

[Event "1.sp.hm Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Osintsev=S"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "4R3/R6n/8/7B/8/5pk1/5p2/2K5 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "15"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {Excellent treatment of a well-known theme.} 1. Rg7+ $1 (1. Rg8+ $2 Kh4 $11 2. Rg4+ (2. Ra4+ Kxh5) 2... Kxh5 {and the knight is not under attack as in the solution.} 3. Rxh7+ Kxg4 4. Rh1 Kg3 5. Kd2 Kg2) 1... Ng5 $1 (1... Kh2 2. Re2 $1 fxe2 3. Bxe2 $18) (1... Kh3 2. Bg4+ $18) (1... Kh4 2. Re4+ Kxh5 (2... Kh3 3. Bg4+) 3. Rxh7+ Kg6 4. Rh1 $18) 2. Kd2 $1 (2. Rxg5+ $2 {Surprisingly the natural move does not work} Kh4 $1 3. Kd2 $5 Kxg5 $1 $11 (3... f1=Q $2 4. Rg4+) ) 2... f1=Q (2... Kh4 3. Bxf3 f1=Q 4. Rh8+ Kg3 5. Rxg5+ {the constellation RRBxQ is a technical win.}) 3. Rxg5+ Kh4 {Another RRBxQ wins arise in lines like...} (3... Kf4 4. Rg4+ Kf5 5. Rf8+ Ke5 6. Rg5+ $18 Kd6 7. Rxf3) (3... Kh2 4. Bxf3 Qxf3 5. Rh8+ $18) 4. Rg4+ $3 {The reason of text move is to throw off the bishop and open up the h-file.} (4. Ree5 $6 Qa1 $1 5. Rgf5 Qd4+ $1 6. Ke1 Qg1+ $1 7. Kd2 Qd4+ 8. Kc2 Qc4+ $1 9. Kb2 Qb4+ $1 10. Ka2 Qa4+ $1 $11) (4. Rf5 $6 Qg2+ $1 5. Ke3 (5. Kc3 f2 6. Ref8 (6. Be2 Qc6+) 6... f1=Q 7. Rxf1 Qc6+) 5... Qg1+ $1 6. Kxf3 Qg4+ $1 7. Bxg4 $11) (4. Rgg8 $6 {with similar motive as in the solution, but Black does not capture the bishop} Qf2+ $1 5. Kd3 Qf1+ $1 ( 5... Kxh5 $2 6. Rg1 $3 Qb2 (6... Qxg1 7. Rh8+) 7. Rh8+ $1 Qxh8 8. Rh1+ $18) 6. Kd2 Qf2+ $11) 4... Kxh5 (4... Kh3 5. Rgg8 ({or} 5. Re1) ({or} 5. Re3) 5... Qg2+ $1 6. Ke3 $1 (6. Rxg2 $2 fxg2 7. Rg8 Kh2 $11) 6... Qe2+ 7. Kf4 Qd2+ 8. Kxf3 $18 ) 5. Rg1 $3 {with two echo skewers} Qf2+ ({main} 5... Qxg1 6. Rh8+ Kg4 7. Rg8+ $18) 6. Kd3 Qb2 7. Rh8+ $1 Qxh8 8. Rh1+ $18 1-0

[Event "2.sp.hm Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Tarasiuk=V Stavrietsky=A"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/1pk5/P1p3B1/1PPp4/1q1Ppp2/p3P2r/1P5B/6RK w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "55"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {An entertaining introduction to an entertaining endgame!} 1. b6+ Kb8 (1... Kd7 2. Bf5+ Ke7 3. Bxh3) 2. a7+ Ka8 3. Bh5 $1 ({Thematic try:} 3. Bh7 $2 Rg3 $1 4. Bxg3 fxg3 5. Rf1 g2+ $1 6. Kxg2 Qd2+ 7. Kh1 Qc1 $1 8. Rxc1 axb2 9. Rg1 b1=Q { compare to main line} 10. Bxe4 Qxe4+ $11 {check} (10... Qxg1+ $2 11. Kxg1 dxe4 12. d5 $1 $18)) (3. Bxe4 Rh8) 3... Rg3 $1 (3... Qe1 4. Rxe1 Rxh5 5. b4 $18) 4. Bxg3 fxg3 5. Rf1 g2+ $1 6. Kxg2 Qd2+ 7. Kh1 $1 (7. Kg3 $2 Qxe3+ 8. Kh4 Qh6 $11) 7... Qc1 $1 8. Rxc1 axb2 9. Rg1 $1 (9. Rf1 $2 b1=Q 10. Bf3 $6 Qxf1+ $19) 9... b1=Q 10. Bf3 $1 (10. Bd1 $2 Qxd1 $1 11. Rxd1 {- stalemate}) 10... Qxg1+ 11. Kxg1 exf3 12. Kf1 $1 {by C.Lippmann & L. Kieseritzky (1843)} f2 13. e4 dxe4 14. Kxf2 e3+ 15. Ke1 $1 e2 16. d5 {Development of the idea of the study C.Lippmann & L. Kieseritzky (1843). Win, for example} cxd5 17. Kxe2 (17. Kf2) (17. Kd2 d4 18. Kxe2 d3+ 19. Kd1 d2 20. c6) 17... d4 18. Kd2 d3 19. c6 bxc6 20. Kxd3 c5 21. Kc4 (21. Kc3 {or} c4 22. Kxc4 Kb7 23. Kc5 Ka8 24. Kd6 Kb7 25. a8=Q+ Kxa8 26. Kc6 Kb8 27. b7) 21... Kb7 22. Kd5 c4 23. Kd6 c3 24. a8=Q+ Kxa8 25. Kc7 c2 26. b7+ Ka7 27. b8=Q+ Ka6 28. Qb6# 1-0

[Event "3.sp.hm Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Minski=M Sprenger=J"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/5P1b/6kq/8/4NpKB/8/8/3B4 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "14"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {Maybe an artistic development of the study-from-a-game Minski and Waelzel, Schach 2019. This version is spiced up by the bishop sacrifice in the third move.} 1. Ng5 ({JP} 1. Nd6 Qh5+ {the fastest} 2. Kh3 Qxd1 3. f8=Q Qh1+ 4. Kg4 Qg2+ 5. Kxf4 Qf1+) 1... Kg7 (1... Qh5+ 2. Kh3 $11 {EV} Qh6 3. Bc2+ Kg7 4. Bxh7) 2. Bf2 (2. f8=Q+ $2 Kxf8 3. Nxh7+ Qxh7 $19) (2. Be1 {EV} Qc6 3. Nxh7 Kxf7 4. Ng5+ Kg6) 2... Qd6 (2... Bd3 3. Bc5 Kg6 4. f8=N+ $1 $11 (4. f8=Q $2 Qxg5+ 5. Kf3 Qg3#)) 3. Bc2 $3 {the point} ({logical try:} 3. f8=Q+ $2 Kxf8 4. Bc5 $1 Bf5+ $1 5. Kh4 Qxc5 6. Ne6+ Bxe6 $19 {no stalemate}) (3. Bd4+ $2 Kh6 $1 4. Nxh7 Qd7+ $1 5. Kf3 Qd5+ $1 (5... Qxf7 $2 6. Nf6 $11) 6. Kg4 (6. Kxf4 Qxd4+ $19) 6... Qxf7 $19 7. Nf6 (7. Bc2 Qh5+ 8. Kxf4 Qh2+) 7... Qg6+ 8. Kxf4 Qd3) 3... Bxc2 (3... Qd7+ 4. Kh4 $11 ({try:} 4. Kh5 $2 Bg6+ $1 5. Bxg6 Qd1+ 6. Kh4 Kxg6 7. f8=Q Qh5# {mate with wKh5})) 4. f8=Q+ $1 Kxf8 (4... Qxf8 5. Ne6+ $11) 5. Bc5 $1 Bf5+ $1 6. Kh4 $1 Qxc5 7. Ne6+ Bxe6 {model mirror stalemate} 1/2-1/2

[Event "1.c Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Gonzalez=L"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "3r4/8/8/5N2/6b1/k5K1/3N1P2/4n3 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {An extraordinarily comprehensive study, the full enjoyment of which requires a considerable investment of time. This weakens the artistic impression, especially in the context of the White duals, which are in a drawish study not a loss of time, but rather organic nature. What we appreciate - more than the play - is the positional draw itself.} 1. Nc4+ Kb3 $1 (1... Kb4 2. Ne5 $1 $11 Bxf5 (2... Rd5 3. Ne7) (2... Re8 3. Nxg4) (2... Rf8 3. Kxg4) 3. Nc6+ $11) 2. Na5+ Ka4 3. Nc6 $1 Rg8 $1 (3... Rc8 4. Nfe7 $1 $11) 4. Nce7 $1 (4. Nfe7 $2 Rg7) 4... Rg5 5. Kf4 Nf3 {A key position is reached by a clean introduction without changing pieces.} 6. Ne3 {(h6)} (6. Nd4 $2 Rg7 $1 7. Nxf3 Bxf3 8. Nf5 Rf7 $19) (6. Nd6 $2 Rg7) 6... Bh5 7. N3f5 $1 {Black with an extra rook cannot release his forces. So Black tries to engage his king, first via d2 (plan A) and then via c7 (plan B), but White always finds a way to stop him.} (7. N7f5 $2 Rg6 8. Ne7 Rf6+) 7... Ka3 $1 (7... Kb5 8. Nd4+ $11) (7... Ka5 {Black cannot start the plan B immediately here} 8. Ng3 $1 {JP this is really an easy draw} (8. Nc6+ Kb6 9. Ne5 $2 {EV According the author it is easy draw, but} (9. Nce7 {The only move leads to plan B}) 9... Rg2 $1 10. Nxf3 (10. Nd7+ Kc7 11. Nf6 Nd4 $1 $19) 10... Rxf2 {EGTB win}) 8... Bg4 9. Nc6+ Kb6 10. Nd4 $11) (7... Kb4 8. Nd5+ Kc5 9. Nf6 $11) (7... Rg2 {or Rg1} 8. Ng3 {immediate draw because Black no more has the feature Bg4}) 8. Ng3 (8. Nd6 $2 Rg4+) 8... Bg4 9. Ngf5 $1 (9. Nef5 $2 Rg6 $1 10. Ne3 Nh2 $19) 9... Kb2 $1 10. Ne3 {(h6)} Bh5 11. N3f5 $1 Kc1 $1 ({ JP} 11... Ka2 {The quickest way for Black to reach plan B.} 12. Ng3 Bg4 13. Ngf5 Ka3 14. Nh6 Bh5 15. Nhf5 Ka4 16. Ng3 Bg4 17. Ngf5 Ka5 {And compare to 7... Ka5? the phase of black engine is changed}) 12. Ng3 Bg4 13. Ngf5 $1 Kb1 $1 { The second key-position.} ({Black cannot continue his plan 13... Kd2?! because of forks} 13... Kd2 14. Nd4 {or Nh4} (14. Ne3 $2 Bh5 15. N7f5 Rg8 16. Nf1+ Ke1 17. N1g3 Bg6 18. Kxf3 Rf8 $19) 14... Rg7 15. Nef5 Bxf5 16. Nxf3+ $1 Ke2 17. Nd4+ Kd3 18. Nxf5 $11) 14. Ne3 {(h6)} Bh5 15. N3f5 $1 Ka2 $1 16. Ng3 Bg4 17. Ngf5 $1 Ka3 $1 18. Ne3 {(h6)} Bh5 19. N3f5 $1 Ka4 $1 20. Ng3 Bg4 21. Ngf5 $1 ( 21. Ne4 $2 Rg7 22. Nd5 Ne1 $19) 21... Ka5 $1 22. Nc6+ {It speeds up things.} ({ White can also wait for Kc7} 22. Ne3 {(h6)} Bh5 23. N3f5 Ka6 24. Ng3 Bg4 25. Ngf5 {leading to the same position}) 22... Ka6 23. Nce7 $1 {It is not possible to turn-off} (23. Ncd4 $2 Nxd4 $1 24. Kxg5 Bxf5 $19) (23. Nh4 $2 Rc5 $1 24. Kxg4 Nxh4 25. Kxh4 Rxc6 $19) 23... Kb7 24. Nd6+ $1 ({Again a quicker way, possible is still} 24. Ne3 {(h6)} Bh5 25. N3f5 Kc7 26. Ng3 Bg4 27. Ne4 { transposing to the main}) 24... Kc7 25. Ne4 $1 (25. Ndf5 $2 Kd7 26. Ne3 Bh5 $1 $19 27. N3f5 Ke6) 25... Re5 $1 (25... Rg7 26. Nf6 $1 {The effect of Kc7 - White consolidates pieces}) 26. Nf6 $1 (26. Ng6 $2 Re6 $1 27. Nf8 (27. Kxg4 Nd4 $1) 27... Re8 28. Nh7 Bh5 29. Nhf6 Rf8 30. Ke3 Bg6 $1 31. Kxf3 Bxe4+ $19) 26... Be6 $1 {Launches the final tactical battle} ({Worse is} 26... Bd7 27. Kxf3 Rxe7 (27... Kd6 28. Neg8 $1 $11) 28. Nd5+ $11) 27. Kxf3 Kd6 28. Kf4 $1 (28. Neg8 $2 Bxg8 29. Nxg8 Re6 $1 $19) 28... Ra5 29. Neg8 $1 Rf5+ 30. Ke3 $1 (30. Ke4 $2 Rxf2 $19) (30. Kg3 $2 Bxg8 31. Nxg8 Rg5+ $19) 30... Bxg8 (30... Bf7 31. Ne4+ $1 $11) 31. Nxg8 Ke6 32. Nh6 Rh5 33. Ng4 Kf5 34. f3 1/2-1/2

[Event "2.c Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Sedlak=L"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "4K3/4R3/8/4p3/2p1k1p1/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "21"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {Very interesting symmetric position with anti-symmetric solution} 1. Kf7 ({try } 1. Kd7 Kd5 2. Re6 (2. Rg7 c3 3. Rxg4 e4 $1 4. Rg3 Kd4 5. Ke6 e3 6. Kf5 e2) 2... c3 3. Rc6 Kd4 4. Rd6+ Ke3 ({or} 4... Ke4) 5. Rc6 Kd3 $1 (5... Kd2 $2 6. Ke6 e4 7. Kf5 e3 (7... g3 8. Kxe4) 8. Rd6+ Kc2 9. Re6 Kd2 10. Rd6+ $11) 6. Rd6+ Ke2 7. Re6 (7. Rc6 g3) 7... c2 8. Rxe5+ Kd3 9. Rd5+ Kc4 10. Rd6 (10. Kd6 g3 11. Rg5 g2) 10... g3) 1... Kf5 {main A} ({main B} 1... g3 2. Kf6 g2 3. Rxe5+ (3. Rg7 $2 Kf3 4. Kxe5 c3) 3... Kf3 4. Rf5+ Kg3 5. Rg5+ Kf3 6. Rf5+ {perpetual check}) ({main C} 1... c3 2. Kf6 (2. Rc7 $2 Kd3 3. Rd7+ Ke2 4. Rc7 g3 5. Rxc3 g2 6. Rc2+ Kf3 7. Rc3+ Kf2 8. Rc2+ Kg3 9. Rc3+ Kh2 10. Rc2 Kh1) 2... c2 3. Rc7 Kd3 4. Rd7+ $1 Ke3 5. Rc7 $1 Kd3 6. Rd7+ Kc3 7. Rc7+ Kb2 8. Kxe5 $1 {Only after a delay of 5 moves can this pawn be eaten.} (8. Rb7+ $2 Kc1 9. Kxe5 g3 10. Ke4 (10. Kd4 Kd1 $1 (10... Kd2 $2 11. Rc7 g2 12. Rg7 c1=Q 13. Rxg2+)) 10... g2 11. Rg7 Kb1 12. Rb7+ Ka2 13. Ra7+ Kb3 14. Rb7+ Kc3 15. Rc7+ Kd2 16. Rd7+ Ke1 ) 8... g3 9. Kd4 $1 {Guarding c3} g2 10. Rb7+ Kc1 11. Rg7 Kd1 (11... Kb1 12. Rb7+ Ka2 13. Ra7+ Kb3 14. Rb7+ Ka4 15. Ra7+ $11 Kb5 $4 16. Ra1 $18) 12. Rxg2 c1=Q 13. Rg1+) 2. Ra7 $1 {this move is missing in the try} g3 (2... c3 3. Rc7) 3. Ra3 $1 {New possibility compare to the try.} Kf4 (3... e4 4. Rxg3) (3... g2 4. Rg3 e4 5. Rxg2 e3 6. Rc2) 4. Ke6 g2 5. Ra1 c3 (5... e4 6. Kd5) 6. Kd5 c2 7. Kc4 Ke3 8. Kc3 ({or} 8. Kb3) 8... Kf2 9. Kxc2 g1=Q 10. Rxg1 Kxg1 11. Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "4.c Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Nielsen=S"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/2r1p3/P6P/R3P3/6P1/1b2Pk1p/2pB4/6K1 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "19"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {Nice piece for solvers.} 1. a7 $1 ({One mystery directly on the start - 1.a7 or 1.h7?} 1. h7 $2 {Try} c1=Q+ 2. Bxc1 Kg3 $1 3. Bd2 Rc1+ {The bishop is lured from the diagonal e1-a5} 4. Bxc1 h2+ 5. Kh1 Bd1 $19) (1. Kh2 $4 c1=Q 2. Bxc1 Kxg4 3. Ba3 Rc2+ $19 4. Kh1 Rd2 5. Bb4 Rd1+ 6. Kh2 Bc2 7. h7 Be4 8. h8=Q Rh1#) 1... c1=Q+ 2. Bxc1 Kg3 (2... Rxc1+ 3. Kh2 $18) 3. Bd2 h2+ 4. Kh1 Rxa7 (4... Rc1+ $2 5. Bxc1 Bd1 6. a8=Q $1 {(compare to 1. h7?)}) 5. Be1+ (5. h7 $2 Bd5+ 6. Rxd5 Ra1+) 5... Kh3 6. h7 (6. Rxa7 Bd5+) 6... Ra8 (6... Rxa5 7. h8=Q+ $18) 7. Ra3 $1 {Typical Nielsen way of playing with overloaded pieces.} ({Try} 7. e4 $2 Rf8 8. h8=Q+ Rxh8 9. Ra3 Rb8 $11) (7. e6 $2 Rh8 8. Rh5+ Kxg4 9. Rxh2 Bd5+ 10. Kg1 Be4) 7... Rf8 ({main} 7... Bd5+ 8. e4+ Rxa3 9. h8=Q+ $18) 8. h8=Q+ Rxh8 9. Rxb3 Rf8 10. e4+ $18 1-0

[Event "5.c Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Richardson=I"] [Black ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/8/5Q2/3p4/1K6/6N1/1ppR4/1kq1n3 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "11"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {Interesting but rather crude analysis. A more experienced composer would surely have found a form where he could have used the move 5...Qh1!! as a final.} 1. Ne4 $3 (1. Ka3 $2 d4 $1 {threating Qd1} 2. Ne4 (2. Qxd4 Nf3 $19) 2... Qd1 $1 3. Qxd4 Qf3+ 4. Ka4 (4. Nc3+ Ka1 5. Kb4 (5. Ka4 c1=Q $19) 5... Qa8 $1 {JP the simplest solution} (5... c1=Q $4 6. Qa7#) (5... b1=Q+ 6. Nxb1+ Kxb1 $19 {EV Very interesting position, surprisingly White cannot halt} 7. Qc4 Qb7+ 8. Ka5 Qa7+ 9. Kb5 c1=Q 10. Qb3+ Ka1 11. Rd1 Qb7+ 12. Ka4 Qxb3+ 13. Kxb3 Qxd1+) 6. Ne2 Nf3) 4... Ka1 (4... c1=Q $2 5. Rxb2+ Qxb2 6. Nd2+ $10) 5. Rxc2 Qa3+ $1 ( 5... Nxc2 $2 6. Qg1+ Ka2 7. Qg8+ Ka1 8. Qg1+ b1=Q 9. Qxb1+ Kxb1 10. Nd2+ $10) 6. Kxa3 Nxc2+ $19) (1. Nf1 $2 Qd1 $19) (1. Kb3 d4 2. Ne4 (2. Qxd4 Nf3) (2. Rxd4 Qe3+) 2... Nf3 3. Rd3 Qe1 4. Qxf3 Ka1) 1... Nd3+ $1 (1... dxe4 {after Black has no more d4 and Ka3 is strong enough to keep} 2. Ka3 Nf3 (2... Qxd2 $2 3. Qxb2#) (2... e3 $6 3. Qc3 $1 exd2 4. Qb3 Qd1 5. Qxb2#) 3. Re2 Qe3+ (3... e3 $2 4. Qc3 Ka1 5. Rxc2) 4. Rxe3 c1=Q 5. Rxf3 exf3 6. Qxf3 $10) (1... Qd1 2. Nc3+ { not only move} (2. Qd4) (2. Rxd1+ cxd1=Q 3. Nc3+ Kc2 4. Nxd1 b1=Q+ 5. Kc5 (5. Qb2+ $2 Qxb2+ 6. Nxb2 Nd3+ $1)) 2... Kc1 (2... Ka1 $2 3. Qa6#) 3. Rxd1+ cxd1=Q 4. Nxd1 b1=Q+ 5. Qb2+ Qxb2+ 6. Nxb2 Kxb2 7. Kc5 $10) (1... d4 $2 2. Qxd4 Nf3 3. Nc3+ Ka1 4. Qa7#) 2. Rxd3 (2. Ka3 $2 Qg1 $1 $19 {controlling c5} (2... Qe1 $2 3. Nc3+ Ka1 (3... Kc1 $2 4. Rxd3) 4. Rxc2) (2... dxe4 $2 3. Rxd3 exd3 4. Qc3) 3. Nc3+ Kc1 4. Rxd3 Qc5+ 5. Ka4 Qa7+ 6. Kb3 b1=Q+) 2... dxe4 3. Ka3 $3 ({ Thematic try:} 3. Kb3 $2 exd3 4. Qh8 {waiting move} (4. Qa6 Qe3 $19) (4. Qc3 { EV} d2 5. Qa5 Qh1 $1 {see main}) 4... d2 5. Qa8 Qh1 $3 {nice move which guards e4} ({EV} 5... Qg1 6. Qa2+ Kc1 7. Qxb2+ Kd1 8. Qxc2+ $11) 6. Qa2+ (6. Qxh1+ d1=Q 7. Qe4 Qe2 {for example} 8. Qxe2 c1=N+ $19) 6... Kc1 7. Qxb2+ Kd1 8. Qxc2+ Ke1 $1 (8... Ke2 $2 9. Qc4+ $11) 9. Qc3 Qd5+ (9... Qb7+) 10. Kb4 Ke2 11. Qc2 Qd4+ 12. Ka5 Ke1 $19) 3... exd3 4. Qc3 $1 Ka1 (4... Qh1 $2 5. Qxb2#) (4... d2 $2 5. Qb3 d1=Q (5... Qh1 6. Qxb2#) 6. Qa2#) 5. Kb3 $1 Kb1 (5... d2 $2 6. Qa5+ Kb1 7. Qa2#) (5... Qh1 $2 6. Qxb2#) 6. Ka3 $1 $10 {By repetition} 1/2-1/2

[Event "6.c Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Egorov=E"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "8/1r4P1/1P3kn1/P2K4/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "31"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {An interesting fight of two pawns against superiority to the last shot.} 1. g8=Q (1. Kc6 Rxg7 $11) 1... Ne7+ 2. Kc5 $1 (2. Kd6 $2 Nxg8 $11) 2... Nxg8 3. a6 Rb8 4. b7 $1 (4. a7 $2 Rc8+ 5. Kd6 Ra8 $11) 4... Ne7 5. Kd6 (5. a7 Rxb7 6. a8=Q Rd7 $11) 5... Re8 (5... Rh8 6. Kd7 Nd5 7. a7 Rh7+ 8. Kc6 Nb4+ 9. Kb6 Nd5+ 10. Kc5 Rxb7 {See main option}) (5... Rd8+ 6. Kc7) 6. Kd7 $1 (6. Kc7 $2 Nd5+ 7. Kc6 Nb4+ $11) (6. a7 Nc8+ $1) 6... Nd5 $1 7. a7 $1 (7. Kxe8 $2 Nc7+ $11) 7... Re7+ 8. Kc6 (8. Kd6 $2 Rxb7 9. a8=Q Rd7+ $1 $11 10. Kxd7 Nb6+) 8... Nb4+ 9. Kb6 (9. Kc5 $2 Rxb7 (9... Rc7+ 10. Kd6 Rxb7 11. a8=Q Rb6+ $1 12. Kc5 Rb8 $1 13. Qxb8 Na6+) 10. a8=Q Rb8 $1 $11 11. Qxb8 Na6+) 9... Nd5+ 10. Kc5 (10. Ka6 Nb4+ 11. Kb6 Nd5+ {see main}) (10. Kc6 Nb4+ 11. Kb6 (11. Kd6 $2 Rxb7 12. a8=Q Rb6+ 13. Kc5 Rb8 $1 $11) 11... Nd5+ {see main}) 10... Rxb7 11. a8=Q Rd7 12. Qe8 $1 (12. Qc6+ $2 Ke7 $11) 12... Re7 13. Qh8+ Ke6 14. Qh3+ $1 {wins, for example} ({ The last chance of making a mistake was} 14. Qg8+ Rf7 15. Qc8+ (15. Qg4+ Rf5 $11) 15... Rd7 $11) 14... Ke5 15. Qh5+ Kf4 16. Kxd5 1-0

[Event "1.sp.c Polasek and Vlasak-64"] [Site ""] [Date "2021"] [Round ""] [White "Gurgenidze=D"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "B4q2/8/8/3QP3/4p2p/5Pk1/8/5nK1 w - - 0 1"] [PlyCount "9"] [EventDate "2021"] 
 {Nice reintroduction of the known spectacular combination. Surprisingly we have found only one study (Minski and Nielsen 2017) where the sac is not on the board border. The Gurgenidze study is, however, more significant. We are a bit bothered by the uneconomical e6 pawn.} 1. e6 {1…Qc5+ is here not possible. But Black has another dangerous Q move.} (1. Qxe4 Qc5+ 2. Kh1 Kf2 { the purest way to draw} 3. Qxh4+ Ng3+ 4. Kh2 Qxe5 5. Be4 Qh5 6. Bf5) 1... Qxf3 (1... Qg7 2. Kxf1 Kh2 3. Qa2+ Kh1 4. Qf2 h3 5. Bxe4 Qg2+ 6. Ke2) 2. Qe5+ $1 { Driving the king away because of mate threat} (2. Qg5+ Kh3 3. e7 $2 Ng3 $19) ( 2. Qxe4 $2 Qf2+ 3. Kh1 Qh2#) 2... Kh3 3. Qxe4 (3. Bxe4 Qe3+ 4. Kxf1 Qf4+ 5. Qxf4 {stalemate}) 3... Ng3 4. Qg4+ $1 (4. Qxf3 {Black has another stalemate in mind, but...}) 4... Qxg4 (4... Kxg4 5. Bxf3+ Kxf3 6. e7) 5. Bg2# 1-0