1st - 2nd Prize: No.15 - Yuri Bazlov (Russia). This outstanding entry was initially the outright winner of this tourney thanks to its rich tactical play, highlighted by an amazing position of two newborn queens, actively hanging in the open at the very same moment. Just before writing the textual part of the award it was discovered that the final mate had appeared earlier in the try of an incorrect study by Lamoss (HHdbIV#28782). Despite this blemish I have decided to leave this magnificent study at the top of the award in view of its multiple other artistic merits. Nevertheless in view of the new finding it seems to me more appropriate to share the top honours.
1.d7
Sc7
2.Vd6+
Ke1
[2...Sxd6
3.d8D
h1D
4.Sg5
Df3+
5.Kxg6
Dd3+
6.Kh6+-
]
3.Vc6
Je5
[3...Jf8
4.Sf4
Jxd7+
5.Kf5
Kf1
6.Vc1+
Kg2
7.Vc2+
Kg1
8.Se3+
Kf1
9.Vxc7+-
]
4.Jxe5
[4.Vxc7?
Jxd7+=
]
4...Sd8+
[4...Sxe5+
5.Kxe5
h1D
6.Sd2+
Ke2
7.Vd6+-
]
5.Kg7
h1D
6.Sg5!
Sxg5
[6...Dd5
7.Sxd8
Dxe5+
8.Sf6+-
]
7.d8D!
Dxc6!
8.Da5+
Sd2
9.Da1+
Dc1
10.Jd3+
Kd1
11.Da4+
[11.Jxc1?
Sc3+
12.Dxc3
stalemate]
11...Dc2
12.Dg4#
1-0