He was born on the 18th of March 1961. An International Master of the FIDE for Chess Composition (2010). He published more than 100 chess problems, gained more than 30 prizes and 20 honorary mentions, 28 of his compositions were published in FIDE Albums (27,33 points). Two-time medalist of the World Chess Composition Tournament (1984-1988 – silver, 1989-1992 – bronze).
Kwiatkowski, Marek
Probleemblad 2001
FIDE Album 2001-03
mate in 3 moves
Pages: 1 2
Interesting
Thanks! 🙂
“In search of beaty” (isob.pgn) is my e-book in pgn format. It contains the collection of selected by me studies. Many of them are improved: versions (or “based on” when serious changes) or (and) lots of changed interpretations (solutions), sometimes very important.
mediafire.com/file/r8hqht6nyag2awz/isob.pgn/file
It will be updated (the same link).
The complete link is (click to download file isob.pgn):
https://www.mediafire.com/file/r8hqht6nyag2awz/isob.pgn/file
I’ve added four new, wonderful works of art, but only in pgn format (isob.pgn).
Use the link above to download them.
The pgn file is a text file and is safe to use.
The collection currently has 150 items.
Please share the link with other chess studies enthusiasts. Let them enjoy this unique collection!
If possible, please reprint it.
For me, the beauty means: usefulness (great puzzle), harmony (magic flow) and moderation (best possible form).
Can a chess composition be called a work of art?
Artists or craftsmen?
The sense of beauty has evolved, or maybe it’s just regression?
I hope my collection will help answer these questions. 🙂
I added 4 new works and now this collection has 80 items. The last one (Marek Halski; 1st PR Szachy 1980) needs a version. It should start with the second move (key: 1. Rd7+). Now (for a week) I will improve some solutions. And thus I am also waiting for Marek Halski’s reaction. It would be better if it was his version.
Next 4 items. In the last one (Didukh; 2nd PR The Problemist 2023) the very valuable missing variant 12.. Kb7! was added. Or maybe even the main line? 🙂
I’d like to explain my decision regarding some recent compositions.
Marek Halski’s work (1st PR Szachy 1980) has a very good introduction, but without the first, unnecessary and ugly move. My simple and obvious version just cut out that move.
In Serhiy Didukh’s work (2nd PR Problemist 2023), after 8.. Bf3, a long, boring, and mechanical move begins (Kg1->b6), hence the surprising variation (12.. Kb7!) provides a new puzzle, making it acceptable for my collection.
The change in Kasparyan’s work (1st PR Magyar Sakkelet 1969) is not a mindless print from “tablebases”, but a deep contemplation (as in all others).
Now I will only add new items from time to time, without changing the previous ones and without posting the
information here. It means that my e-book (“In Search of Beauty”) is more like my blog (isob.pgn).
Sorry, I found some errors in my collection (pgn-format) and may happen troubles opening the isob.pgn file on some pgn-readers. I’ve fixed it and it should now work correctly.
I especially recommend (no. 88) a version of the famous miniature by Mouterde Anatole (La Stratégé 1922).
It’s an absolute hit! 🙂
Added here (4r2q/2k1B1Q1/8/8/8/4R3/8/K7): a logical attempt (1. Rc3?), a spectacular key (1. Bd8!!), and a surprising variant (1.. Kb8!) similar (ending) to the main line. And it is still an aristocratic miniature!
Of course, all my versions are merely alternatives and do not replace the originals.
They are based on my point of view and sense of beauty (usefulness, harmony, moderation), only.
And the collection includes four works that Serhiy Didukh had previously modified: 9, 46, 67, 72, but here they are in their original better versions.
All works in this collection (isob.pgn) contain very rich content, but the average number of pieces is only 8.3.
Especially fo solvers (new item): 6q1/8/8/K1kr4/7Q/8/8/5R1R w – –
Guaranteed to be a blast 🙂
I’ve decided to emphasize that the “In Search of Beauty” collection of chess compositions I’ve collected is primarily a book, and I’m publishing it (as the first part) in three formats: PDF, HTML, and PGN:
https://www.mediafire.com/file/8qw5rtjf7q4rsm8/InSearchOfBeauty.zip/file
A few new words about my e-book.
I probably showed all duals (I hope!). Time-wasting possibilities are pseudo-duals and can be omitted if they’re easy to explain. Hiding duals in a solution is cheating.
I’ve added a new feature to the HTML version. You can search and display only PGNs with the specified text.
The “copy pgn” buttons as earlier copy pgn to the clipboard immediatelly.
You can use my JavaScript code if you want.
An immortal set of 146 positions (unique to solvers and chess studies enthusiasts) completes the second edition of my e-book “In Search of Beauty.” I was supported by “paparazzi”— a medium for deceased composers and autonomous intelligence (AI).
The collection “In Search of Beauty” is dedicated to lovers of classic chess compositions (studies) and is intended to be engaging for puzzle solvers. Many versions were created just to remove uninteresting unnecessary introductions or add spectacular new content. The last version (2nd edition) is the definitive end of my work. I think this will make a lot of scared pseudo-artists happy. Especially that Ukrainian Cossack Didukh.
I’d like to clarify the meaning of the word “main” added to some tries in my “In Search of Beauty” collection. It happens when tries are not thematic (or logical), but are very important for contents.
My changes (solutions) are sometimes very difficult to notice. For example, in the case of number 100 (1st SP
PR Chess Star 2012; Victor Aberman), where the author cut out 18.. Kg7 19. Qf6+ (19. Qe5+ is only a waste of
time, no dual) from the solution and damaged another (now!) masterpiece (the cyclical mechanism of switchbacks on the “f6” square). It’s worth to underline the perfectly constructed introduction with the wonderful try 2. Kc5? .
My collection contains many masterpieces, and practically (my intention) only works of arts.
It is continued (updated) : https://www.mediafire.com/file/r8hqht6nyag2awz/isob.pgn/file
The description of item 94 is: “version (correction)”. I apologize, but that’s my thoughtless mistake. Of course, 1st HM Shahmatnoye Obozrenye 1910 by Lazard Frederic is correct. I’ve changed the description in my collection of pgn files (blog).
A similar position (to this version) was published (I found it yesterday) by Kalandadze V. and Pachkoria.D. (3rd SP P Selivanov JT 1997), but it’s hard to accept.
I have prepared a second edition (replacing the previous one) of my e-book “In Search of Beauty”:
https://www.mediafire.com/file/8qw5rtjf7q4rsm8/InSearchOfBeauty.zip/file
It contains corrections and 10 new items and definitively ends this project.
Since so many people liked my work (e-book) “In Search of Beauty” (thanks!), I’ve added a few new items
(missing masterpieces). I especially recommend Vancura’s little-known work. It’s a unique, excelent, logical mechanism.
I hope my work now has some complete form.
download: https://www.mediafire.com/file/8qw5rtjf7q4rsm8/InSearchOfBeauty.zip/file
or only pgn file: https://www.mediafire.com/file/r8hqht6nyag2awz/isob.pgn/file
I’ve added another wonderful work (masterpiece!): version (correction) by Peter Krug for “5th PR Czech School-100 AT UV CSTV – Josef Moravec“.
I found it in Arves (corrections by Peter Krug -> Peter Krug and his great Correction work).
In the Didukh database, it’s impossible to find Peter Krug’s (his name has been omitted) great artistic
contribution to this unique work.
By the way, I saw Salzburg, a great place to look for beauty.
Four pieces only!
Recently (no. 156) I discovered a wonderful, incredibly rich hidden content (interpretation) in Henry Adamson’s mastrepiece(“The Chess Amateur” 1915): 4 echo defensive maneuvers, 2 echo mutual zugzwangs.
The whole thing is full of surprisingly subtle choices. One of the world’s greatest chess works seems to be completely forgotten and misunderstood.
BTW. Unapck the e-book (InSearchOfBeauty.zip) file!
Moreover, the evaluation of a move like “!” or “!!” is individual and there is no rule for it. I try to give high marks to moves that are spectacular or crucial to the content.
I still recommend my e-book (“In search of Beauty” 2025 – already 160 items) containing unique works of art, because by absorbing them, you can awaken the feeling of beauty within yourself! 🙂
Why are versions so important for the chess composition? The latest entry on “Chess Study Art” regarding: Bazlov & Neistadt; 1st PR ACCC-55 AT 2025 contains an ingenious version (Steffen Nielssen) of this beautiful (perfect introduction) work. Serhiy Didukh developed this (another version) by adding a spectacular queen sacrifice: 8/5p1k/3P3q/4Q1p1/2p1P1Pb/p7/P4P2/KB2n3 w – – 0 1; Qf6!!
I see it differently: 8/5p1k/1q1P1Q2/6p1/2p1P1Pb/p7/P4P2/KB2n3 w – – 0 1; d7!!!
I deliberately add three exclamation points because I haven’t seen such a surprising active queen sacrifice in a study.
You won’t find this item there (Chess study Art), because Didukh is not my friend (he’s afraid of me!) and he doesn’t accept my posts.
One move more: 8/5p2/1q1P3k/4Q1p1/2p1P1Pb/p7/P4P2/KB2n3 w – – 0 1 and you get a surprising natural (logical) try:
1. Qf6+! (1. Qh8+? Kg6 2. d7 Bg3!! 3. fxg3 Nd3 =) 1.. Kh7 2. d7!! (2. Qxf7+? Kh8! 3. Qf6+ Kg8! =) 2.. Qxf6+ 3. e5+ Kh6! 4. exf6 Bxf2 5. d8=R! (5. d8=Q? Bd4+ 6. Qxd4 c3 7. Qe4 Nc2+ 8. Bxc2 =) 5.. Bd4+ 6. Rxd4 c3 7. Re4!
Another nice version of this passive (Didukh’s term) queen sacrifice was added by Nielsen (Chess study Art – 6Q1/5p2/1q1P4/6pk/2p1P2b/p7/P4PP1/KB2n3 w – – 0 1; 1. Qh7+ Kg4 2. Qf5+ Kh5 3. g4+ Kh6 4. Qf6+ Kh7 5. d7!!), but why isn’t the white queen on g7 (to control: b2 and d4) instead of g8?
And compared to my (above) version, he lost the valuable logical try 1. Qh8? Kg6 2. d7 Bg3!! with this brilliant refutation, which makes the solution 1. Qf6+! Kh7 2. d7!! even more paradoxical.
Is passive sacrifice worse than active sacrifice? What matters is the good alternative, and this case of active sacrifice (Didukh’s version) is completely absent.
We have four ingenious and artistically executed versions of the same idea:
A. Original – Bazlov & Neistadt; 1st PR ACCC-55 AT 2025
B. Diduch’s version
C. Nielsen’s version (with the white queen on g7)
D. paparazzi’s version (this is my nickname for all my versions 🙂 )
Each of them seems to be very attractive. Therefore, the development of versions is not a misfortune and should not be met with hostility.
Will I include any of them in my book? Version B has the least chance, because for me, the spectacularity of a move (main variant) is related to the existence of any reasonable alternative (requiring try or variant) to this move (immediately or earlier).
Since so many people liked my work (e-book) “In Search of Beauty” (thanks!), I’ve added a few new items
(missing masterpieces).
I especially recommend Vancura’s little-known work. It’s a unique, excelent, logical mechanism (masterpiece!).
I hope my work (e-book) now has some complete form.
However, I added 4 new positions (116 in total). The main reason was Gurgenidze’s work (C. Sachova Skladba 1987) corrected by Visokosov A. (2003). But it was still incorrect. In the thematic (logical) try, there is an ugly dual 1. c4? Rf8+ 2. Kg6 Kb3(a3) and unfortunately also Rf4. I corrected it, and the move Rf4 is now a new possibility in this main logical try.
You’ll find many of my original works here, proving (hope) that I’m no random person, and that “In Search of Beauty” is a serious work. 🙂
The preliminary results of the “FIDE World Cup 2025” have been released.
My favorite (in studies) is 3rd PR, where the author achieves 17 (!!) various and effective Q-sacrifices,
leading to stalemates or forks.
The unknown author completely omitted the thematic try: 10. e8=N+ ?, which introduces 7 new, fantastic Q-sacrifices. The second main variant (3… Nbd5) also required modification.
You have to see this!
I added it to my pgn-file ( mediafire.com/file/r8hqht6nyag2awz/isob.pgn/file ) – the last position.
I can’t stop (my e-book “In Search of Beauty”). I found a wonderful (spectacular) key to a unique mechanism in a work by Ladislav Prokes (HM Sachove Umenie 1947). And now it looks like another tasty morsel in this collection.
BTW. The average number of pieces is less than 8.0.
Arpad Rusz used my version (paparazzi; “In Search of Beauty” 2025) and thus improved one of his chess studies (see his website). This is a pleasant surprise, because I thought it was completely unattainable in the tragicomic environment of chess composition. 🙂
I replaced item number 128 from the “In Search of Beauty” collection. It didn’t fit with the rest. The end of the year is approaching, and that will be the end of my work on this collection. If anyone sees an error or is missing something, please let me know (here!). 🙂
I also corrected number 153 – removing the overlooked dual. 🙂
For me, it is one of the most beautiful studies from this collection.
I also replaced number 103 (logical try 3. Qd6+? Ke2! 4. Qa6+ Bc4!! 5. Qxc4+ Kd2 (dual 5.. Ke1) 6. Qxf1 stalemate.
Once again, I’ve replaced entry #103 (“In Search of Beauty”) with another work. I have until the end of the year to do so. It’s another (not mine!) wonderful interpretation (version) of the fantastic idea (who is the author?) of mutual sacrifice of the queen, realized with only 7 pieces and with an incredible finale.
Is the chess composition community heading towards self-destruction thanks to the absurd escalation of ostracism and sarcasm in mutual media communication? This must be the result of a failure to cope with its own megalomania and egocentrism, which leads to interactions with others dominated only by the desire to admire one’s own “peacock tail.”
I leave you my book “In Search of Beauty” – 2025 (163 items and definitely finished by the end of the year) for those who feel (or want to feel) this unique beauty.
e-book (in three formats: PDF, HTML, and PGN):
mediafire.com/file/8qw5rtjf7q4rsm8/InSearchOfBeauty.zip/file
only pgn file:
mediafire.com/file/r8hqht6nyag2awz/isob.pgn/file
“In Search of Beauty” 2025 (e-book: Marek Kwiatkowski)
download (full link):
https://www.mediafire.com/file/8qw5rtjf7q4rsm8/InSearchOfBeauty.zip/file