On the cover of this issue we have recently had a chess problem with the basic
details, such as the name of the composer, stipulation etc. This issue´s
cover is slightly different, though on the board there still is a chess problem.
But there are some differences... The composer himself is also portrayed and
he is well known to all of us.
GM solver, IM composer, International Judge, several times World Champion in
solving - he is, of course, Pauli Perkonoja, who celebrated his 70th birthday
in summer. There are other photos from this event on the back page of this issue.
As a modest person Pauli prefers to avoid the center of attention. This is one
reason to a rather short text on him on pp. 106-107.
During the summer also sad events have taken place, as GM composer Bo Lindgren
of Sweden passed away. A selection of problems by this memorable composer are
on pp. 84-89. His problems will continue to delight chess problem friends all
over the world.
The study award of ST and Suomen Shakki 2009-2010 is on pp. 90-94. Many thanks
to Peter Gyarmati for delivering a quick and well considered award!
Kari Valtonen continues his research on the history of selfmates. This time
the journey starts from page 95 and ends on p. 104. There are several problems
of historical interest in his article, milestones in the history of selfmates.
At the same time some of them show ideas which are still strikingly popular.
Neal Turner´s Paha Pähkinä, A Tough Nut to Crack, waits for
your solving attempts on p 104. Good luck - you will probably need it!
In the recent Jesi congress one of Finnish participants was Per Olin, whose
previous congress visit was as long ago as in 1977. Per turned 60 in August
and is still going strong, as his 1st-2nd Prize winner of the Champagne TT shows,
see p. 106.
We will have a comprehensive coverage of the Jesi congress in the next TN issue.
But there are some bits of information also in this magazine. On p. 90 we have
a short summary of main events from the Finnish point of view.
Further on p. 105 we present a controversial case from the WCSC. In a selfmate
in two two white Knights could move to f8. Some solvers did not specify which
Knight was moved and their solutions scored 0 points. The Finnish team handed
in a protest to WCSC director asking to accept also full solutions starting
with 1.Sf8. The protest referred to WCSC rules, paragraph 9.7.: “If a move
is written incorrectly, unclear or ambiguously, this variation or single solution
is regarded as incorrect. If, however, the Director (or the jury, pt 13.5) is
sure that the correct move was intended, this variation or single solution must
be regarded as correct.”
In our opinion it is obvious that a solver, who has correctly written the threat
and four variations up to White´s 2nd move, has solved the problem correctly,
in spite of not specifying the departure square of the key piece. The other
possible "Sf8" does not carry a threat, does not force black to play
any of the defences which take place after the correct key and gives an unprovided
flight f6 to bK. Our protest was turned down without any explanation at all.
It is difficult to understand the WCSC director´s decision, which is the
worst judging mistake we can recall from WCSC competitions during the past decades.
We have asked of the opinion of the Solving committee of the WFCC about this
case.
The originals columns start from p. 108 and offer a feast of enjoyable problems:
orthodox problems, studies, fairies. Composers, please send your efforts to
our original problems editors. Their contact information is in respective columns.
The next issue is due to appear in November.
Published 30th September 2011