If you have not seen the cover problem previously, it is worthwhile to try
to solve it before checking the solution from p. 18. An innocent-looking starting
position hides a fine, unexpected solution. The composer Hannu Sokka turned
60 on March 2,2007. He has been active as a composer and editor of problem columns,
both in Suomen Shakki and in our magazine. There is an announcement for a national
composing competition, Hannu Sokka 60 JT, for problems with locusts.
Another Finnish problemist, Kenneth Solja, turned 50 on January 9,. 2007. Kenneth
has attended many PCCC meetings, composed and judged international competitions,
especially in the field of helpmates. The announcement of Kenneth Solja 50 JT
is on p. 19, please reprint this announcement! The competition is an international
one and for moremovers helpmates.
The first pages of this issue are devoted to the annual meeting of our society,
which took place in the beginning of March. Please note that the subscription
fee for 2007 is the same as for 2006, 28 EUR abroad.
The Finnish Solving Championship took place before the meeting, and 11 competitors
were faced with the set of problems selected by Kari Valtonen. There were two
rounds, each 105 minutes and seven problems. In the end, the usual suspects
prevailed, see pp. 8-11 for problems, solutions and results.
On p. 11 there are also two obituaries. Tauno Nylund was recently not very active,
but in 1960s and 1970s he solved, composed and edited the problem chess column
of Suomen Shakki for three years. He passed away at the age of 66 in the end
of 2006. Efim Ruchlis was famous all over the composing world, especially for
the Ruchlis theme. He passed away on February 5, 2007, at the age of 81.
The International Solving Competition (ISC) was held in January 21, 2007. In
Finland, the competition was organised in Helsinki and in Tampere. The national
results and top international results - both preliminary ones - along with problems
and solutions are on pp. 12-14.
A puzzle is almost always welcome, and Neal Turner does not let you down. His
"Paha pähkinä" offers this time a helpmate, test your skills
on p. 14.
Simo Ylikarjula is specialised in fairy chess and it is suitable that his 60
JT was for fairies and retrograde problems showing the evergreen (?) excelsior.
13 problems took part in this national competition and Ylikarjula included five
in his award on pp. 16-17.
The originals columns start from p. 20,. unfortunately without selfmates, fairies,
retrograde and mathematical chess problems.
Kari Valtonen continues his series of articles on problem chess terminology.
Unfortunately most of our readers abroad are not able to enjoy Kari's text,
but the problems can surely be enjoyed by all, see pp. 24-30. On the following
page you may see the Finnish problemists celebrating their anniversaries this
year.
The next ST is due to appear in late spring.
Published 15th March 2007