Name Leopold Mitrofanov | ||
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Died November 26, 1992, Moscow, Russia |
ahovska studija leopold mitrofanov best chess puzzle ever
Leopold Adamovich Mitrofanov (July 2, 1932 – November 26, 1992) was a Russian chess composer, an International Judge of Chess Composition (awarded 1971) and an International Master of Chess Composition (awarded 1980). He was born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and, by profession, was a chemical engineer.
Contents
- ahovska studija leopold mitrofanov best chess puzzle ever
- Kasparovs choice the study of the Millennium
- Famous study
- References
Beginning in the 1950s, Mitrofanov published over 300 endgame studies, 40 of which were awarded first prizes in competitions. Between 1955 and 1992, he participated in the finals of eight USSR Championships for chess composition. In FIDE competitions, he and Vladimir Korolkov were jointly awarded 3 gold medals. Mitrofanov composed a number of studies jointly with grandmaster Alexander Beliavsky.
In 1967, Mitrofanov's most celebrated chess study was awarded first prize from 250 entries to a tournament commemorating the twelfth-century Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli. Former world champion Mikhail Tal was among the judges. Their report stated that Mitrofanov's entry "doesn't look like any other, and is beyond the rest of the studies." Another judge, composer Alexander Herbstmann, said: "Immediately after the first preview, Mitrofanov's masterpiece created a tremendous impression by the intensity and novelty of the idea. The ranking of the other studies was designated by us beginning with the second place."
Kasparov's choice: the study of the Millennium!
Famous study
Unfortunately, Mitrofanov's original study (as below, but with Black's knight on f3 rather than g2) was subsequently found to have a cook, a miraculous defense that enabled Black either to obtain perpetual check or reach a drawn ending. After correction, the study remains notable. According to Tim Krabbé, "[i]t would be my candidate for 'study of the millennium'".
From the position at above left:
If 1...Kb8, then 2.g7 Kc8 3.g8(Q)+ Kd7 4.Qe6+ Kd8 5.Qxd6+ Ke8 6.Rxe5+ Kf7 7.Qg6+ Kf8 8.Re8#.
If 2.g7, then 2...h1=Q draws; all other 2nd moves lose for White.
5.a7 Nc6+
5...Nd7 is rebutted by 6.Qe6 Nc5 7.axb8(Q)+ Kxb8 8.Qd6+ Ka8 9.Qd8+ Kb7 10.Qc7+ Ka8 11.Qa7#.
If 8...Qa5+, then 9.Kxa5 Bxa7 10.c7!! and the winning method is as shown in the main line.
Following 8...Bxa7, 9.b7+? only draws (9...Kb8 10.c7+ Kxc7 11.b8(Q)+ = (11...B(K)xb8 is stalemate)) and after 9.bxa7?? Qc5 it is mate in 4.