The cover honours the doyen of Finnish chess, Osmo Kaila. He was influential for several decades in every aspect of chess: as a player, journalist and author, organiser – and, of course, as a problemist. He was born hundred years ago, on May 11, 1916. To honour his centenary our society, with Kaila´s nephew Jorma Kaila, has published a selection of his problems in the form of an e-book. It is freely available at http://www.saunalahti.fi/~stniekat/st/kaila100v.htm. You can browse the book after clicking on the link: 'Ruutuja elämän täydeltä' ('A Life Full of Squares'). Even if you would not know any Finnish, the problems speak for themselves and you can easily study them by clicking on a diagram. The book is also available on a USB memory stick and to receive one, you are advised to contact our Treasurer, contact details on the 2nd page of every magazine.
A major work for this project was made by Hannu Harkola. Sincere thanks to him, Jorma Kaila and several Finnish problemists, who volunteered to assist with comments, proof-reading etc!
The first pages of this issue give an insight into the European Solving Championship, held in Athens in the middle of April. The Finnish results were nothing to write home about.
A large part of this magazine is devoted to an interesting article by Kari Valtonen. The subject is Hungary and Hungarian chess composition during the past two centuries. There is, of course, an abundance of material. Kari has selected 45 compositions, which fill 18 pages, with their carefully commented solutions. The second part of the article is due to appear in the next issue. Some helpmates, for example, are to be expected...
Paha Pähkinä, a Tough Nut to Crack, selected by Neal Turner, is on p. 84. A helpmate in two with two solutions – surely easily solvable, or is it?
Jorma Pitkänen celebrated recently his 75th birthday with a composing competition. The award is ready and has been sent to participants, in this magazine we publish the top three compositions.
On pp. 86–87 we have a small competition to find corrections to five incorrect compositions by the late Heikki Lukkarinen. He was born in 1918 and a booklet on his compositions is being prepared.
The spring meeting of our society took place in the first weekend of April. There were only eight participants, but hopefully the quality outweighed the quantity. Recently successful Finnish compositions are on pp. 90–92. Lars Wasastjerna, born in March 11, 1866, was one of the pioneers of chess composition in our country. Henry Tanner writes of him on p. 93.
Kari Valtonen is the new editor of the column of original orthodox mates on pp. 94. He starts with three originals. Your contributions are most welcome to all our originals columns.
Finally, please remember to pay for your subscription for 2016: 25 EUR (within Finland) or 28 EUR (foreign subscribers)!
The next issue is due to appear in the autumn of 2016, after the Belgrade congress.
Published 10th June 2016