Summary of Tehtäväniekka 1/2026
The annual meeting of our society and the Finnish Solving Championship took place on February 14, 2026. The solving event had two sections, the second one with easier compositions. Our cover composition is the first one of the easier set, but well worth checking out. A simple-looking position shows delightful variations after a nice unpinning key. Not bad for a composition from 120 years ago! The solution to the cover composition is on p. 12.
The solving event was comprehensively won by Kari Karhunen, followed by a group of usual suspects and a few first-time participants. For a report on the meeting, see pp. 4–7, and pp. 8–12 for the solving competitions. On p. 12 we congratulate Finnish problemists, who celebrate their significant birthdays in 2026.
Our subscription fees remain the same as in 2025: if you are a paying subscriber, please remember to pay either 30 EUR (within Finland) or 33 EUR (abroad). See p. 7 for the bank account details. For additional information, please contact our Treasurer Hannu Harkola.
The International Solving Contest took place on January 25, 2026, see p. 13. For problems, solutions, and results, see https://www.wfcc.ch/competitions/solving/isc/ The problems may have been a bit too difficult, which is shown by the low scores of the winners in group 1 and the fact that more than 60 solvers scored 0 points in group 2. For friends of solving, we offer A Tough Nut to Crack by Neal Turner on p. 13.
The award for Antti Parkkinen 60 JT is on pp. 14–22, congratulations to the successful composers! The Finnish Chess Problem of the Year 2025 was chosen by the jury of Mikael Grönroos, Timo Kallio, Pauli Perkonoja and Janne Syväniemi. The overwhelming winner was Hannu Harkola’s beautiful helpselfmate, see p. 23.
The award for direct mate more-movers published in 2024–2025 is on pp. 24–27. We thank Hans Gruber for his expert and quick award. This is followed by Ilija Serafimović’s awards for helpmates in 2 moves and for helpmates in 2½–3 moves published in 2023–2024, see pp. 28–30 and 31–33. The fifth award of this issue is by Dolf Wissmann and for selfmates published in 2016-2017, see pp. 34–37. All these awards, unless otherwise stated, remain open for three months from the publication date of this issue.
The originals columns are on pp. 38–51. We are happy to receive your originals, please feel free to contact the editors of the columns! On p. 45 and 50–51 we have topical composing competition announcements.
The next issue is due to appear in May.
