My First Endgame Study Tourney: Awards

by ChessBase India
4/4/2025 – Our composing tourney, My First Endgame Study, has come to a close, and we are excited to announce the award winners. This inaugural event, a joint venture between the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC) and ChessBase India, drew an impressive response from the chess community, with 35 budding composers submitting a total of 60 entries. The tourney provided a platform for newcomers to showcase their skills and creativity in endgame study composition. We are delighted to present the standout entries that caught the attention of our judge and mentor, Gady Costeff. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their enthusiastic participation. Special thanks are due to Marjan Kovačević, president of the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC), without whose invaluable support and encouragement this event would not have been possible.
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60 entries, 10 winners!

By Gady Costeff

This tourney was a collaboration between ChessBase India and the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC). Tourney director Satanick Mukhuty sent me 60 studies by 35 composers. I am happy that so many tried to compose their first study. Of the 60 entries, 25 contained alternative ways to win or other serious analytic flaws, 3 were anticipated, and 1 study did not conclude with the required mate. This left 31 studies.

My criteria for judging the studies:

  1. An attractive idea or mate.
  2. Active play by both sides.
  3. Maximize economy and minimize technical captures.

Study 01

Maxim Avvakumov, 1st Place
White wins

1.Ng6+ Kf5

1...Kd4 2.Nxe6+ Kc4 3.Ba6+ Kc3 4.Nxc5

1...Kf6 2.Ne4+

2.Bxe6+

2.Nxe7+ Kg4 3.Bxe6+ Kh5

2...Kxg6 3.dxe7 Rxg5+

3...Nf3+ 4.Nxf3 Rc1+ 5.Kg2

4.Kh1!

4.hxg5 Qxg5+

4...Rg1+! 5.Kxg1 Nf3+ 6.Kg2 Nxh4+ 7.Kh3!

7.Kg3 Qg5+ 8.Bg4+ Kf7 9.Re6 Nf5+

7...Qc3+ 8.Kxh4 Qf6+

8...Qh8+ 9.Kg3! (9.Kg4? Qh5+ 10.Kg3 Kg7! 11.f4 Qe8 12.Bd5 Qxe7 13.Rb7 Kh8! 14.Rxe7 stalemate) 9...Qe5+ 10.Kf3! Qf6+ 11.Bf5+

8...Qd4+ 9.Kg3 Qxb6 10.e8Q+

9.Kg3!

9.Kg4? Qg5+! 10.Kf3 Qxe7 11.Bc8+ Kg5

9...Qxe7

9...Qg5+ 10.Bg4+ Kf7 11.Re6; 9...Qe5+ 10.Kf3 Qf6+ 11.Bf5+

10.Bc8+! Kh5

10...Kf7 11.Rb7

10...Kg5 11.f4+ Kh5 12.Bg4#

11.Bg4+

11.Rb5+ Kg6 12.Rb6+ Kh5 waste of time.

11...Kg5 12.f4# (diagram) 1-0

An attractive mate, where both sides play actively - 3...Rxg5+! 4.Kh1! Rg1+! and 8. Bc8+! - and the white king makes some subtle moves. The technical captures at the start are not ideal, but the exciting events make us forget quickly. An excellent first study!
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1.Ng6+ Kf5 1...Kd4 2.Nxe6+ Kc4 3.Ba6+ Kc3 4.Nxc5 1...Kf6 2.Ne4+ 2.Bxe6+ 2.Nxe7+ Kg4 3.Bxe6+ Kh5 2...Kxg6 3.dxe7 Rxg5+ 3...Nf3+ 4.Nxf3 Rc1+ 5.Kg2 4.Kh1! 4.hxg5 Qxg5+ 4...Rg1+! 5.Kxg1 Nf3+ 6.Kg2 Nxh4+ 7.Kh3! 7.Kg3 Qg5+ 8.Bg4+ Kf7 9.Re6 Nf5+ 7...Qc3+ 8.Kxh4 Qf6+ 8...Qh8+ 9.Kg3! 9.Kg4? Qh5+ 10.Kg3 Kg7! 11.f4 Qe8 12.Bd5 Qxe7 13.Rb7 Kh8! 14.Rxe7 stalemate 9...Qe5+ 10.Kf3! Qf6+ 11.Bf5+ 8...Qd4+ 9.Kg3 Qxb6 10.e8Q+ 9.Kg3! 9.Kg4? Qg5+! 10.Kf3 Qxe7 11.Bc8+ Kg5 9...Qxe7 9...Qg5+ 10.Bg4+ Kf7 11.Re6 9...Qe5+ 10.Kf3 Qf6+ 11.Bf5+ 10.Bc8+! Kh5 10...Kf7 11.Rb7 10...Kg5 11.f4+ Kh5 12.Bg4# 11.Bg4+ 11.Rb5+ Kg6 12.Rb6+ Kh5 waste of time 11...Kg5 12.f4# [diagram] An attractive mate, both sides play actively - 3.. .Rxg5+! 4.Kh1! Rg1+! and 8. Bc8+! and the white king plays some subtle moves. The technical captures at the start are not idea, but the the exciting events make us forget quikly. An excellent first study! 1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Maxim Avvakumov--1–020251st place

Study 02

Viani Antonio D'Cunha, 2nd Place
White wins

1.Be5+!

1.Kf8 Nf6 2.Be5 Ngh5

1.Rd4 Nf6+

1...Ng7+ 2.Kf8 N3h5 3.Rd4! Blocking the d-file.

3.Nf5 d1Q 4.Nxg7 Qd5

3...cxd4 4.Nf5 Bh7! Clearing space for the king.

4...d1Q 5.Nxg7 Qf1+ 6.Nf5+ Nf6 7.Bxf6#

5.Nxg7 Bxg6 6.Nxh5+ Kh7 7.Nf6+ Kh8

7...Kh6 8.Bf4#

8.Bf4! d1Q 9.Bh6 Qb3 10.Bg7# (diagram) 1-0

3.Rd4! and 8.Bf4! are exciting, as every unit plays, with the exception of Pe4. Moreover, the queen's helplessness to stop the mate is a nice touch. An elegant study!
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1.Be5+! 1.Kf8 Nf6 2.Be5 Ngh5 1.Rd4 Nf6+ 1...Ng7+ 2.Kf8 N3h5 3.Rd4‼ Blocking the d-file. 3.Nf5 d1Q 4.Nxg7 Qd5 3...cxd4 4.Nf5 Bh7! Clearing space for the king 4...d1Q 5.Nxg7 Qf1+ 6.Nf5+ Nf6 7.Bxf6# 5.Nxg7 Bxg6 6.Nxh5+ Kh7 7.Nf6+ Kh8 7...Kh6 8.Bf4# 8.Bf4‼ d1Q 9.Bh6 Qb3 10.Bg7# [diagram] 3.Rd4!! and 8. Bf4!! are exciting, every unit plays, with the exception of Pe4, and the queen's helplessness to stop the mate is a nice touch. An elegant study! 1–0
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Viani Antonio D'Cunha--1–020252nd place

Study 03

Hunter Klotz-Burwell, 3rd Place
White wins

1.Nb6+! Bxb6

1...Kb5 2.Nxc8 a4 (2...fxg2 3.Bc4+ Ka4 4.Na7 g1Q 5.Bb3#) 3.Bc4+! Ka5 (3...Kxc4 4.Na7 f2 5.d3#) 4.gxh3+–

2.Bb3+ Kb5 3.Bc4+! Ka4

3...Kxc4 4.a4 Rd8 5.b3#

4.Kb1! Rd8

4...hxg2 5.Ka2 g1Q 6.b3#

5.d3! Rxd3

5...Rg8 6.Bxg8 e6 7.Bxe6 Bc7 8.Bc4 b5 9.Ka2 bxc4 10.dxc4

6.Bxd3 Kb3! 7.a4!! Surprisingly, White has time to control the b5 square, preparing the mating net.

7...f5

7...c4 8.Bc2#

8.gxf3 h2

8...fxe4 9.fxe4

9.Bc4+ Kxc4 10.Kc2 fxe4 11.fxe4 h1Q 12.b3# (diagram) 1-0

1.Nb6+!, 4.Kb1!, 6...Kb3!, and 7.a4!! are surprising moves, and the battle is intense throughout. The unusual mate is orchestrated with modest means.
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1.Nb6+! Bxb6 1...Kb5 2.Nxc8 a4 2...fxg2 3.Bc4+ Ka4 4.Na7 g1Q 5.Bb3# 3.Bc4+! Ka5 3...Kxc4 4.Na7 f2 5.d3# 4.gxh3+- 2.Bb3+ Kb5 3.Bc4+! Ka4 3...Kxc4 4.a4 Rd8 5.b3# 4.Kb1! Rd8 4...hxg2 5.Ka2 g1Q 6.b3# 5.d3! Rxd3 5...Rg8 6.Bxg8 e6 7.Bxe6 Bc7 8.Bc4 b5 9.Ka2 bxc4 10.dxc4 6.Bxd3 Kb3! 7.a4‼ Surprisingly, White has time to control the b5 square, preparing the mating net. f5 7...c4 8.Bc2# 8.gxf3 h2 8...fxe4 9.fxe4 9.Bc4+ Kxc4 10.Kc2 fxe4 11.fxe4 h1Q 12.b3# [diagram] 1.Nb6+! 4. Kb1! 6...Kb3! and 7.a4!! are surprising moves and the battle is intense throughout. The unusual mate is orchestrated with modest means. 1–0
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Hunter Klotz-Burwell--1–020253rd place

Study 04

Viani Antonio D'Cunha, 4th Prize
White wins

1.Bc1+ Ng5+

1...g5 2.Nd6 idea Nf5# 2...Nf6 3.Nf5+ wins material.

2.Kg8 with a strong threat of Nd6-Nf7#

2...Be5

2...Bc5 - The only other move to prevent Nd6 loses to 3.Nf6 Bd6 4.Ne4 Be7 5.Bxg5+ Bxg5 6.Nd6 c1Q 7.Nf7#

3.a3! Zugzwang

3.Kf8 Bh8 4.Kg8 Be5 wastes time.

3...Bg3

3...Bf4 4.Bxf4 c1Q 5.Bxc1 c2 6.Kf8!

4.Nf6 with the threat of Ne4.

4...Bf4

4...Be1 5.Kh8 Bd2 6.Ng8#

5.Bxf4 c1Q 6.Kh8!!

6.Bxc1? c2 7.Bf4 c1Q 8.Bxc1 stalemate.

6...Qxf4 7.Ng8# (diagram) 1-0

White defeats the black stalemate counterplay with the help of zugzwang after 3.a3. The study could be improved by showing the zugzwang with White to move in a try.
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1.Bc1+ Ng5+ 1...g5 2.Nd6 idea Nf5#. Nf6 3.Nf5+ wins material 2.Kg8 with a strong threat of Nd6-Nf7# Be5 2...Bc5 The only other move to prevent Nd6 loses to 3.Nf6 Bd6 4.Ne4 Be7 5.Bxg5+ Bxg5 6.Nd6 c1Q 7.Nf7# 3.a3! Zugzwang 3.Kf8 Bh8 4.Kg8 Be5 wastes time 3...Bg3 3...Bf4 4.Bxf4 c1Q 5.Bxc1 c2 6.Kf8! 4.Nf6 With the threat of Ne4. Bf4 4...Be1 5.Kh8 Bd2 6.Ng8# 5.Bxf4 c1Q 6.Kh8‼ 6.Bxc1? c2 7.Bf4 c1Q 8.Bxc1 stalemate 6...Qxf4 7.Ng8# [diagram] White defeats the black stalemate counterply with the help of zugzwang after 3.a3. The study could be improved by showing the zugzwang with White to move in a try. 1–0
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Viani Antonio D'Cunha--1–020254th place

Study 05

Malanin Egor Dmitrievich, 5th Place
White wins

1.Kf7 b3 2.g5 b2 3.g6 b1Q 4.g7+ Kh7 5.g8Q+ Kh6 6.Qh8+ Qh7+

6...Kg5 7.Qh4+

7.Qxh7+ Kxh7 8.g4 Kh6 9.h4 d4 10.g5+ Kh5 11.g6 d3 12.g7 d2 13.g8Q d1Q 14.Qg5# (diagram) 1-0

The economy and long solution are commendable, although both sides just push pawns so there is not much excitement.
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1.Kf7 b3 2.g5 b2 3.g6 b1Q 4.g7+ Kh7 5.g8Q+ Kh6 6.Qh8+ Qh7+ 6...Kg5 7.Qh4+ 7.Qxh7+ Kxh7 8.g4 Kh6 9.h4 d4 10.g5+ Kh5 11.g6 d3 12.g7 d2 13.g8Q d1Q 14.Qg5# [diagram] The economy and long solution are commendable, although both sides just push pawns so there is not much excitement. 1–0
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Malanin Egor Dmitrievich--1–020255th place

Study 06

Nick Desmarais, 6th Place
White wins

1.b6+!

1.axb7 Kxb7

1.Nc2 cxb5 2.axb7 Kxb7

1.Nb3 h4 2.Nd4 e3 3.bxc6 bxa6 4.c7 Kb7 5.c8Q+ Kxc8 6.Kb6 h3 7.c6 h2

1...Ka8 2.Nc2!

2.a7 e3 3.Nc2 e2; 2.Nb3 e3 3.Nd4 h4 4.Ne2 h3

2...h4

2...f5 3.a7 f4 4.Nd4 f3 5.Ne6 f2 6.Nc7#

2...e3 3.Nxe3 bxa6 4.Kxa6 Kb8 5.b7 h4 6.Nd5 h3 7.Kb6 h2 8.Nf6 h1Q 9.Nd7#

2...bxa6 3.Kxa6 h4 4.b7+ Kb8 5.Kb6 h3 6.Nb4 h2 7.Na6#

3.a7!

3.Nb4 e3 4.a7 e2 5.Na6 e1Q+

3...h3

3...e3 4.Nxe3 h3 5.Nd5! cxd5 6.c6 bxc6 7.Ka6

4.Nb4 h2 5.Na6! bxa6 6.Kxa6 h1Q 7.b7# (diagram) 1-0

5.Na6! is the main idea, and therefore the white knight must reach b4, which explains why 2.Nc2! is the correct choice. Nice logic!
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1.b6+! 1.axb7 Kxb7 1.Nc2 cxb5 2.axb7 Kxb7 1.Nb3 h4 2.Nd4 e3 3.bxc6 bxa6 4.c7 Kb7 5.c8Q+ Kxc8 6.Kb6 h3 7.c6 h2 1...Ka8 2.Nc2! 2.a7 e3 3.Nc2 e2 2.Nb3 e3 3.Nd4 h4 4.Ne2 h3 2...h4 2...f5 3.a7 f4 4.Nd4 f3 5.Ne6 f2 6.Nc7# 2...e3 3.Nxe3 bxa6 4.Kxa6 Kb8 5.b7 h4 6.Nd5 h3 7.Kb6 h2 8.Nf6 h1Q 9.Nd7# 2...bxa6 3.Kxa6 h4 4.b7+ Kb8 5.Kb6 h3 6.Nb4 h2 7.Na6# 3.a7! 3.Nb4 e3 4.a7 e2 5.Na6 e1Q+ 3...h3 3...e3 4.Nxe3 h3 5.Nd5! cxd5 6.c6 bxc6 7.Ka6 4.Nb4 h2 5.Na6! bxa6 6.Kxa6 h1Q 7.b7# [diagram] 5.Na6! is the main idea and therefore the white knight must reach b4, which explains why 2.Nc2! is the correct choce. Nice logic! 1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Nick Desmarais--1–020256th place

Study 07

Hunter Klotz-Burwell, 7th Place
White wins

1.Rf8+ Ke7 2.Bg5+ Kd6 3.Bd8 Qc2 If the queen stays on the a7-g1 diagonal, then Rf6+ followed by Bb6+ will win the queen.

3...Qg1 4.Rf6+ Kc5 5.Bb6+ Kb4 6.Bxg1

4.Rf6+ Kc5 5.Be7+ d6

5...Kd4 6.Rd6+ Kc5 7.Rd5#

6.Rxd6 b4

6...Kb4 7.Rxc6+

7.Rd5# (diagram) 1-0

The rook and bishop chase the black king until it can no longer escape.
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1.Rf8+ Ke7 2.Bg5+ Kd6 3.Bd8 Qc2 If the queen stays on the a7-g1 diagonal, then Rf6+ followed by Bb6+ will win the queen 3...Qg1 4.Rf6+ Kc5 5.Bb6+ Kb4 6.Bxg1 4.Rf6+ Kc5 5.Be7+ d6 5...Kd4 6.Rd6+ Kc5 7.Rd5# 6.Rxd6 b4 6...Kb4 7.Rxc6+ 7.Rd5# [diagram] The rook and bishop chase the black king until it can no longer escape. 1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Hunter Klotz-Burwell--1–020257th place

Study 08

Harnagea Stefan-Constantin, 8th Place
White wins

1.Nf2+ Kh2 2.Nh3 f4!

2...g1Q+ 3.Nxg1 Kxg1 4.Rxc7

3.b6!

3.Nxf4 g1Q+ 4.b6 Qxb6+

3...cxb6

3...e3 4.bxc7

4.Nxf4 g1Q 5.Rh3# (diagram) 1-0

3.b6! closes the g1–a7 diagonal in advance, preparing the mate. A longer solution and managing without Pe4 would improve the study.
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1.Nf2+ Kh2 2.Nh3 f4! 2...g1Q+ 3.Nxg1 Kxg1 4.Rxc7 3.b6! 3.Nxf4 g1Q+ 4.b6 Qxb6+ 3...cxb6 3...e3 4.bxc7 4.Nxf4 g1Q 5.Rh3# [diagram] 3.b6! closes the g1-a7 diagonal in advance, preparing the mate. A longer solution and managing without Pe4 would improve the study. 1–0
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Harnagea Stefan-Constantin--1–020258th place

Study 09

Saga Arseniy Nikolaevich, 9th Place
White wins

1.Rh3+ Kxh3 2.Bf1+ Kh4 3.Bf2+ Kh5 4.Be2+ Kh6 5.Be3+ g5 6.Kf6 Qc7 7.Bxg5# (diagram) 1-0

A rook sacrifice leads to a forced mate by the bishop pair. The quiet move 6.Kf6 is noteworthy. Starting the study with Rg3 on g2 and Kh4 on h3 would add the introductory moves 1.Rg3+ Kh4. Furthermore, moving Ba6 to c4 or b5 would eliminate the threat to the bishop, making the initial position more attractive.
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1.Rh3+ Kxh3 2.Bf1+ Kh4 3.Bf2+ Kh5 4.Be2+ Kh6 5.Be3+ g5 6.Kf6 Qc7 7.Bxg5# [diagram] A rook sacrifice leads to a forced mate by the bishop pair. 6.Kf6 is a good quiet move. Starting the study with Rg3 on g2 and Kh4 on h3 adds the moves 1.Rg3+ Kh4. Moving Ba6 to c4 or b5 would remove the threat to the bishop, making the initial position more attactive. 1–0
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Saga Arseniy Nikolaevich--1–020259th place

Study 10

Camiel Maseland, 10th Place
White wins

1.e8N+!

1.e8Q? Ra3+ 2.Bb3 Rxe8

1...Raxe8

1...Kf5 2.Nd6+ Kf6 3.Rf7+ Kg5 4.h4+ Kh5 5.Rf5+ g5 6.Bf7#

2.Rf7+ Kg5 3.h4+ Kh5 4.Rf5+ gxf5

4...g5 5.Bf7#

5.Bf7# (diagram) 1-0

1.e8N+ and 4.Rf5+! are nice moves. However, since every white move is a check, the play is one-sided.
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1.e8N+! 1.e8Q? Ra3+ 2.Bb3 Rxe8 1...Raxe8 1...Kf5 2.Nd6+ Kf6 3.Rf7+ Kg5 4.h4+ Kh5 5.Rf5+ g5 6.Bf7# 2.Rf7+ Kg5 3.h4+ Kh5 4.Rf5+ gxf5 4...g5 5.Bf7# 5.Bf7# [diagram] 1.e8N+ and 4.Rf5+! are nice moves. Sinse every white move is a check, the play is one sided. 1–0
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Camiel Maseland--1–0202510th place

The results are in, and our tourney comes to a triumphant end! We will be in touch with the prize-winners soon. As we bid farewell to this tourney, we invite all participants to take their creative journey further by joining the 9th Youth Chess Composing Challenge (YCCC). The YCCC is an individual competition open to young composers (under 23) from all countries. Details to be found in this article!

Judge and mentor

World-renowned composer Gady Costeff will spearhead the tournament as judge and mentor. Got questions about composing or want feedback on your studies before you submit them? You can reach out to him directly at costeff@gmail.com.

Gady Costeff is mostly known for his studies—he has composed more than 80 of them—but as Eric Huber notes in his blog, he has also created problems jointly with other composers, particularly Ofer Comay and Paz Einat. No one is better suited or more qualified to guide newcomers in taking their first steps in the art of composition.

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Video

60m English The Elephant Gambit

The Elephant Gambit (1.e4.e5 2.Nf3 d5!?) has never really been given the attention it deserves. It is a very useful surprise weapon. Let us list the advantages of playing this particular opening: 1) Shock value 2) It is very aggressive. Black can take over the initiative early. 3) Many tricky lines 4) Unorthodox. Black is basically taking the game to the opponent as early as move two. Not many openings do that! It's a perfect opening for young players and club players to adopt. Let Andrew Martin select a repertoire for you on this 60 mins, which, if used with discretion, will rack up the points. I am sure that you will enjoy this unusual tour of the Elephant Gambit.
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