Our cover problem is by a recently deceased Finnish composer, Paavo J. Markkola.
Because of his professional duties, Markkola was not a very active problemist,
but his output was of high standard. The solution to the cover problem and a
short obituary can be found on p. 66.
The first pages of this issue concentrate on the annual meeting of Suomen tehtäväniekat
and on the Finnish Championship in Quick Solving, held on the same day. The
meeting decided that the subscription rate abroad for 2004 is 23 EUR, as also
in 2003. Please, do remember to renew your subscription!
FM Kari Karhunen won the solving championship with a narrow margin ahead of
two Grandmasters, Kari Valtonen and Pauli Perkonoja, the latter once again being
the quickest solver.
The competition had a renewed format. Instead of one set of problems, there
were two and a small break was held between the two rounds, each consisting
of seven problems to be solved within 105 minutes. Neal Turner selected the
problems and acted as the tournament director in an experienced fashion. The
problems were probably easier than on many previous occasions, or what do you
think? Please try your skills with the problems on pp. 41-42.
In the first issue of 2004, we listed ST members who celebrate their anniversaries
during this year. Unfortunately we were not aware of the birth dates of Seppo
Riihimäki and OTB Grandmaster Heikki Westerinen, who turn 50 and 60 respectively
during this spring. Apologies and congratulations! The "Paha Pähkinä",
selected by Neal Turner, is on p. 49.
Three composing competitions have been judged, and every award is published
also in English for our foreign readers.
One of the quickest judges at the moment must be Christopher Jones, who judged
the helpmate moremovers for 2002-2003! The work of chess problem magazine and
column editors would be much easier if there would be more judges like him!
See pp. 44-49 for this award.
The ST h#3 1997 competition was judged by Marko Ylijoki, see pp.50-54. Marko
replaced the originally appointed judge, who seems not to be active anymore
in chess problem world.
Eero Bonsdorff is well known for his contribution in the field of chess mathematics.
He celebrated his 80th birthday with a composing competition for mathematical
chess problems. There were 10 entries, which is perhaps a sign that this field
has been rather well studied? Olli Heimo's award is on pp. 55-64.
The ST index for 2000 and 2001, prepared by Jukka Tuovinen and Henry Tanner,
is on pp. 67-74. Even with the use of a small font size the index fills eight
pages. If you wish to be included in future indexes, please do remember to send
your originals, articles etc. to ST!
Our originals columns start from p. 75, this time unfortunately without studies,
selfmates, fairies and mathematical chess problems.The next ST issue will hopefully
compensate for this.
In the Selected Helpmates column on pp. 81-82 Marko Ylijoki discusses fairy
pieces and conditions, which may not be familiar to each and everyone. Nine
problems from the recent Winston Capital Management BCSC are on p. 83, solutions
in the next issue.
ST 3/2004 is due to appear in the beginning of summer.
Published 15th April 2004