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(from TD 100) | by Pavlos Moutecidis | ![]() |
Anti-symmetri by Pavlos Moutecidis, International master in composition 1984
Anti-symmetry is a term in chess compositions with explicit reference to the following:
Anti: | As a prefix, it negates the meaning of the second part of a word. | |
Symmetry: | The harmony occurring from ordinary analogy. |
I do not know who established the term; he probably had good knowledge of the ancient
Greek language. He was aware of the term "a-symmetry" (A-ΣYMMETPIA), which means
the lack of analogy, and he excluded it on purpose. Instead, he introduced the term
"anti-symmetry" that identifies the break of ordinary analogy in a chess problem, which
while it has a symmetric setting across a certain axis, there is only a single solution
(a unique key). The alternative solution with the symmetric key fails for some reason.
In the following four examples, both aspects required by the anti-symmetry are
fulfilled, i.e. the positions are symmetric across an axis and the alternative key is
only a try for a single reason.
Diagram 1 Thomas R: Dawson Eskilstuna Kuriren 1920 ![]()
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Diagram 2 Herbert Hultberg Springaren 1987 ![]()
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Diagram 3 Wilhelm Massmann Problem 1953 ![]()
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Diagram 4 Gyögy Bakcsi & Lásló Zoltán 1 PR DSK's 58 TT ![]()
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I also quote a sketch (in 4x8 board) that apparently meets both of the requirements, but it is not a true anti-symmetric. The initial diagram is indeed symmetric and the key is only 1 Rab4+! and not 1 Rcb4+? However, if we check carefully the position after the 4th black move, we notice that the position is still symmetric, yet there is no alternative to 5 Rd4. In my opinion, only half of the anti-symmetry pre-requisites is fulfilled and this sketch cannot be considered anti-symmetric.
Diagram 5 Pavlos Moutecidis Sketch ![]()
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Diagram 6 Position after black's 4th move ![]() |
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