On the cover of every issue we try to select something of interest. This time
there is, first of all, a very famous Finnish product. It is a pocket chess
set designed by Toivo Salo, Finnish champion in OTB chess in 1938, 1949 and
1956. This type of chess set was very popular in Finland for several decades
and is still often used, in spite of the increased selection of other kinds
of sets.
The problem displayed on the cover is the first prize winner in Carl-Erik Spåre
MT. The competition called for helpmates in the spirit of Spåre. The judge
Lennart Werner has done a thorough work in studying and evaluating the entries.
His award on pp. 141-145 is worth a close study! The text is in Finnish, because
this was a national competition, but if you wish to have the award in English,
please contact the editor-in-chief.
The first pages of this issue deal with the Jesi congress, shortly discussed
in the previous issue. Kenneth Solja writes of the general congress events,
of solving and composing during the meeting and of other activities on p. 124-126.
On pp. 126-129 Harri Hurme writes about the composing competitions from the
Finnish point of view.
The congress solving competitions with results, problems and solutions fill
the pages 130-139. Finally, on p. 140 Hannu Harkola presents the main official
decisions of the meeting.
For anyone interested and with access to web, the official Jesi bulletin is
available in the internet. Next year´s meeting will be in Kobe, Japan,
in September of 2012.
Neal Turner´s Paha Pähkinä, A Tough Nut to Crack, is on p. 145.
This time there is a three-mover to solve - according to GM Nenad Petrovic,
the most difficult 3# he had ever seen. What is your evaluation?
Kari Valtonen continues his series of articles researching themes and problem
chess ideas. Now it is time to study white correction and the extensive article
fills nine pages, pp. 146-155.
Chinese Kings – what kind of pieces are they? You can find the answer from
the article by Timo Aitta on pp. 156-157.
The originals columns start from p. 158: orthodox problems, studies, helpmates,
selfmates, fairies – something for everyone, we hope!
Composers, please send your efforts to our original problems editors. Their
contact information is in respective columns.
On the back page you find some photos from the Jesi congress, perhaps with familiar
faces.
The next issue is due to appear in December.
Published 11th November 2011