The cover problem is by recently appointed National Master of Composition,
Jorma Pitkänen. This productive composer is known for selfmates and moremovers.
The beautiful solution of the cover problem and more of Jorma´s problems
can be found from pp.20-23.
The annual meeting of our society took place on February 21, 2009, in Helsinki.
As usual, the Finnish Championship in Quick Solving was held before the meeting.
For the first time ever in these competitions we had foreign participants: Margus
Sööt and Indrek Turu from Estonia. Let us hope that this was not the
last time - the travel time by boat from Tallinn can be as short as two hours.
If there ever would be a solving competition in Tallinn, Finnish solvers would
surely be tempted to make a return visit.
The results, problems and solutions are on pp. 9-11. Kari Karhunen solved very
well, unlike most others. Or were the problems indeed difficult - set the time
limit to three hours and start testing yourself!
The PCCC meeting in 2009 will be held in Rio de Janeiro. The invitation has
recently arrived and we look forward to this event.
In Denmark a new problem chess magazine Problemskak has replaced Thema Danicum.
Henry Tanner introduces us the new magazine on p. 16. We wish all the best to
the editors of Problemskak!
During the last weekend of March the PCCC Presidium met in Bratislava to discuss
the recent developments regarding PCCC and FIDE. After restructuring their commissions
FIDE decided that PCCC should be regarded as an independent organization. It
is reassuring to know that FIDE would like the organisation replacing PCCC to
continue as before and is willing to accept it as an affiliated organization.
According to the meeting the name of the new organisation could be International
Chess Composition Union (ICCU).
FIDE has appointed Andrei Selivanov as an adviser of a special project "Chess
compositions". We wait eagerly more information on these topics. See p.
17, also for the traditional Paha pähkinä, A Hard Nut To Crack, selected
as always by Neal Turner.
The European Solving Championship (ESC) is held in Subotica May 8–9, 2009.
In addition to the solving competition there will be lectures, composing competitions
and other program. Because the PCCC meeting will be in Rio de Janeiro with a
rather expensive travel, it is worthwhile to consider participating in the event
in Serbia. Finland will be represented by five participants, see p. 31. Before
the ESC you may participate in other events, for example in the legendary spring
meeting of our society. The invitation is on p. 3
The originals columns start from p. 23. We appreciate your contributions and
so do our solvers and readers. Please, keep our column editors happy with a
constant flow of originals!
The next ST is due to appear after within a few months. We wish you a nice spring!
Published 9th April 2009