Summary of Tehtäväniekka 2/2019
Our cover problem by Visa Kivi (27.6.1905 – 28.10.1990) was published 50 years ago. Recently this miniature study provided difficulties even to experienced solvers, see p. 58 for the diagram and p. 61 for the solution.
On the first pages of this issue we focus on recent solving competitions. The European Chess Solving Championship, shortly known as ECSC, took place in Glyfada, Greece. The ECSC team competition was, for a change, won by the young Russian team ahead of the usual suspects, the always successful Poles. Great Britain achieved the 3rd place. There were 14 teams and Finland did better than for many years, finishing 5th. In the individual competition Russia had also a reason to celebrate, because Danila Pavlov managed his first European title. In a tight race for the medals Piotr Murdzia took the silver and John Nunn the bronze. The ECSC results, problems and solutions are on pp. 52–61.
The Israel Open is an established solving competition in the style of ISC, International Solving Contest. This year the competition was held for the sixth time, on the last Sunday of May. The competition was won by Danila Pavlov with a maximum score. The report on the event and problems of the B-group are on pp. 62–63, for solutions turn to p. 76.
Veikko Salonen, a Finnish composer, was born in 1919. He published about 100 compositions, mostly orthodox mates. Joose Norri writes about Salonen and shows two compositions as diagrams, four in notation, see pp. 64–65.
The spring meeting of Suomen tehtäväniekat took place in the middle of April. The event included composing, solving, lectures and discussions on various topics. The composing competition theme, suggested by Janne Syväniemi, was very topical: “Brexit”. For this competition, Brexit was defined as an exit of the Bishop and the Rook. Hannu Harkola won with an elegant helpmate, see pp. 65–66.
Kari Valtonen continues his article series on pp. 67–75. This time his topic is the famous Babson task. Kari presents 27 carefully selected compositions and gives extensive, informative comments on the compositions and on how composers have shown the theme in different genres. On p. 75 Henry Tanner gives further historical insight into the early development of the theme. Warmly recommended reading to anyone, and perhaps an inspiration to try to compose a Babson of your own?
On the following pages we have twelve recently successful Finnish compositions, see pp. 77–80. Thanks to Neal Turner for this compilation and congratulations to the successful composers!
Neal has, once again, selected A Tough Nut to Crack, providing difficulties for any bold soul daring to attempt solving. This time the selected toughie was proposed to Neal by Dutch GM solver Dolf Wissmann. Do you agree with him about the difficulty?
The originals columns are on pp. 81–90. You are encouraged to send your originals to the editors of the columns!
The next issue is due to appear in autumn after the Vilnius WCCC.
Published 11th July 2019
