Summary of Tehtäväniekka 3/2026
Our cover composition is a fresh success from Magdeburg WCCC, see p. 113 for the solution. In this issue we report extensively on the congress, which was well organised and included many-sided program.
We start with the composing competitions, focusing on the ones in which Finnish composers were awarded, see pp. 113–115. The solving events are discussed on pp. 115–116, followed by the results, problems and solutions, see pp.117–124. It is interesting that the most difficult problem of solving competitions was an old moremover by Sam Loyd, published in 1885. The Finnish delegate Neal Turner gives his report on the commission meetings on p. 125, and on the same page we have basic information on next year’s congress in Crete in the end of October.
The composing phase in the 12th WCCT finished in summer. Our team leader Timo Kallio gives an interim report on the situation on pages 112 and 120. In this issue we are happy to celebrate three Finnish problemists, who had their significant birthdays either in summer or autumn of 2026. The legendary solving GM and composing IM Pauli Perkonoja turned 85 on July 19, see pp. 126–129 for a short text, examples of his composing skill and dedication problems from his friends. In a small party for Pauli’s honour in July, he received these dedications and greetings from Marjan Kovačević and Piotr Murdzia.
On pp. 130–131 we pay attention to another skilled Finnish solver, Kari Karhunen, who turned 60 on June 21, 2026. As the most recent proof of his solving Kari managed to get silver in the seniors’ category in this year’s WCSC. On p. 131 we have also the announcement for the autumn meeting of our society and Neal Turner’s Paha pähkinä. The latter presents a more-mover by Uri Avner & Michel Caillaud, surely worth solving and appreciating.
On the next page we celebrate Olli Heimo, who turned 80 on September 14, 2026. Internationally he might be best known for his proofgames and there is an interesting one by him, presenting all possible move lengths in a proofgame of eight moves. One move length appears twice, all others once.
The award for fairies published in 2025 is already available, see pp. 132–138. We are grateful to Pierre Tritten for his quick and expert award and congratulate the successful composers! On p. 138 we have information on the domestic meetings during the end of this year.
Neal Turner has compiled a set of eleven recently successful Finnish compositions, see pp. 139–141. On the next two pages we have statistics on the World Solving Championship competitions, compiled by Axel Steinbrink. The columns for original compositions start on p. 144 and present a wide selection, as usual. Please keep in mind that your originals are welcome, see the columns for details. We kindly remind our judges to note that the dedication problems elsewhere in this issue are also originals and participate in the annual tourneys. On these final pages of this issue we have a few composing competition announcements, see pages 146 and 158.
The next issue is due to appear not later than in the beginning of December 2026.
