(21.03.2013) Today is IM Krassimir Gandev's Birthday! He is one of the best bulgarian composers and I wish him good health, a lot of happyness and success! Many of us know about his fairy chess masterpieces, but he composing in all genres and here you can see some examples.

1) 1.Rf5? (2.Sxe6#, 2.Sf7#), 1…Bf4!

    1.Qf5? (2.Sxe6#, 2.Sf7#), 1…Qf4!

    1.Sf5? (2.Sxe6#, 2.Sf7#), 1…Qc1!

    1.Ra3! (2.Ra8+ Bb8 3.Rxb8#)

1…Bxa3 2.Rf5! 2…Rxf5 3.Sxe6#, 2…Bxf5 3.Sf7#

1…Qa2 2.Qf5! 2…Rxf5 3.Sxe6#, 2…Bxf5 3.Sf7#

1…Qa4 2.Sf5! 2…Rxf5 3.Sxe6#, 2…Bxf5 3.Sf7#

Three different Nowotny on the same square in logical style

composed 44 years ago!

2) 1.b3! (2.Rfxf6+ Kd3 3.Sb2#)

1…Sf5 2.Rxg3+ Kf4 3.Rg4#

1…Rf5 2.Re3+ Kf4 3.Re4#

1…Qf5 2.Rf4+ Kxf4 3.Bd2# (2…Kd3 3.Sb2,Bf1#)

1…f5 2.Rd3+ Kf4 3.Rxd4# (2…Kxd3 3.Sb2#)

1…gxf2 2.Rxf2+ Kd3 3.Rd2#

1…Se5 2.Sd2+ Kd5 3.Rf5#

Four black different defences on the same square and

seven times white battery play!

Here is one of his recent fairy problems published in Strate Gems year ago:

1.Pe5-e4 2.Pe7-e5 3.rRe8-e7
& 1.Cag3-d4+ Pe5xd4 2.0-0-0 Pd4xc3 3.Rd1-d3 Pe4xd3 4.Rh1-e1+ rRe7xe1#
& 1.Cac3-f4+ Pe5xf4 2.0-0 Pf4xg3 3.Rf1-f3 Pe4xf3 4.Ra1-e1+ rRe7xe1#
Echo Model mates, Castling, Meredith, white aristocrat.

Petko Petkov, Diyan Kostadinov and Krassimir Gandev 

on Petkov's 70th Anniversary - Sofia 2012