Summary of Tehtäväniekka 2/2023

 

Our cover honours Thomas Ristoja, who died in the end of March at the age of 73. He was active as a strong player, an author, and a chess journalist. In addition, he published some problems and two studies. His first published composition is on the cover and the solution is on p. 75, along with an obituary.
This issue includes four awards, some for compositions published several years ago and the latest are for compositions published in 2022. We apologise for the lateness of awards, but better late than never! We start with the award for 2#s published in 2005–2006, see pp. 52–55. The following awards are for studies published in 2022, pp. 56–61, and for helpmates in 3½ or more moves published in 2021–2022, see pp 62-70. The fourth one is the award for three-movers published in 2006–2007, pp. 70–74. As an advance information we are happy to inform that the Unto Heinonen MT attracted 163 entries by 50 composers from 19 countries, see p. 74. This competition is now being judged by Hans Gruber.
Many chess problem societies have regular meetings, some of which are internationally famous whilst some are known mainly within the society. The Dutch meeting at Nunspeet is an example of the former, and Antti Parkkinen visited this event in the beginning of March, see pp. 76–78 for his report. Less known are our society´s meetings, which take place every spring and autumn over one weekend. The tradition started long ago and the meeting in the beginning of May, described on p. 83, was 63rd of its kind. The next meeting in autumn will be a milestone!
Michael Lipton had a long and illustrious career as a problemist, being active until his death in the beginning of April. Joose Norri presents a selection of Lipton’s creative output on pp. 79–82. Lipton was a strong, independent mind and made a lasting impression on the development of chess composition, especially in the field of two-movers.
On p. 82 you are invited to study Paha pähkinä no. 97, selected by Neal Turner. He presents a 4#, which proved difficult during a recent meeting of problemists in Helsinki. In the next pages Neal continues his valuable work in compiling recently successful Finnish compositions, see pp. 84–87.
The originals columns are on pp. 88–99. You are most welcome to send your compositions to the editors of the columns!

The next issue is due to appear in autumn.