On the cover of this issue you can see a familiar face, well known both in
Finland and abroad. Kauko Virtanen celebrates his birthday on Christmas Day
and in 2011 it will be his 80th birthday. Kauko has been the Treasurer of our
society for 30 years, which is quite a feat! Kauko is known also as a composer,
judge and a writer. He edited a chess column in Suomen Kuvalehti, a magazine
with a wide circulation. Few years ago these columns were compiled into a book,
which reminded many Finnish problemists of the good old days...
Kari Valtonen writes of Kauko on p.194 and presents personal view on his friend.
Dedication problems can be found on p. and also in the originals columns.
Furthermore, the announcement of Kauko Virtanen 80 JT is on pp. 194-195. Helpmates
in three moves featuring distant blocks are required. Please reprint the announcement!
The annual meeting of ST and the Finnish Championship in Solving is held on
February 25, see p. 195 for a detailed program.
Kari Valtonen has studied extensively problem chess themes and in this magazine
we can enjoy the second part of his investigation on white correction. The first
part appeared in TN 4-5/2011, p. 146-155. In this second part we have 25 carefully
selected examples, all worth a close look. See pp. 176-186.
Kenneth Solja has judged the helpmates in two moves, published in our magazine
in 2009-2010. See pp. 187-193 for the awarded problems and comments on them.
In TN 3/2011, p. 89, we published a retro problem by Bo Lindgren and refrained
from publishing the solution. Perhaps you have had time and energy to study
the problem, the solution is on p. 197.
Neal Turner has loyally contributed to our magazine with difficult and interesting
problems. The column Paha pähkinä, roughly translated as A Hard Nut
to Crack, will be published for the 50th time, see p.198. We trust that the
column will continue to flourish!
The German IM in composing, Manfred Rittirsch, is presented on pp. 199-204.
There are 19 problems selected and commented by the composer.
The originals columns start from p. 205 and offer a traditional selection: orthodox
mates, studies, helpmates, selfmates, fairy chess problems and retros.
On the back cover you will see photos of Finnish problemists. There may be familiar
faces, but surely also new ones to our foreign readers.
The first issue of 2012 is due to appear February. We wish you a good year 2012!
Published 21st December 2011