Our cover study is by Reino Heiskanen, who turned 75 on March 26. Heiskanen
is best known for his studies and selfmates, which you surely have seen in many
problem chess magazines.
The annual meeting of our society, Suomen tehtäväniekat, took place in the beginning
of March. The meeting decided to increase the subscription price for 2006, partly
because of increased printing costs of our magazine. The subscription fee abroad
for 2006 is now 28 EUR. We do make every effort to make this magazine worth
every Euro! If you are in doubt how to pay, please contact either our Treasurer
Kauko Virtanen or the editor in chief Jorma Paavilainen, see contact information
on p. 46.
The Finnish Solving Championship took place before the annual meeting. Of our
top solvers only Pauli Perkonoja and Terho Marlo were absent. The competition
was directed, once again, by Neal Turner in his usual efficient manner. IM in
OTB, Joose Norri, got his first Championship title, but it will surely not be
his last one! The final results, problems and solutions are on pp. 52-55.
The international solving competition (ISC) was arranged for the second time,
see pp. 55-58 for the results, problems and solutions.
On p. 58 we evaluate a brand new book on minimal problems, Minimalkunst im Schach.
The book is very well edited and full of interesting material. Congratulations
to the German trio of Hilmar Ebert, Jörg Kuhlmann and Hans-Peter Reich! On the
same page we list Finnish problemists, who celebrate their anniversaries in
2006.
In the beginning of this year, the sad news on the death of Wladyslaw Rosolak
came to our attention. He was a well known figure from PCCC meetings and pleasant
personality. On p. 58 there is a short obituary and an example of his composing
skill. On the same page there is a small change to the Jan Hannelius 85 JT award.
The 8th WCCT has started, and the themes with example problems are on pp.60-68.
Obviously we wish to improve the modest results which we have had in recent
WCCT competitions - but other countries may have same kind of ambitions, too...
The Paha pähkinä, A Hard Nut to Crack, by Neal Turner presents a helpmate in
six, with a rather innocent-looking initial position. Is it really difficult
or not? Please note that Neal asks for readers' contributions - if you have
found a certain problem especially difficult, perhaps it could be shown to ST
readers in this column? See p. 68.
Mikael Grönroos celebrates his 50th birthday with a national composing competition,
and gives two example problems on p. 69.
The originals columns fill the pages 70-77, and on page 77 there is also the
sad news on the closure of the Chess Problem Discussion Board because the site
became a target for hackers. Chess Problem Discussion Board Admin Reb Orrell,
III, wrote: "evil minded people have taken down an excellent outlet for chess
problem enthusiasts".
A small meeting of Finnish problemists took place in the beginning of April,
see report on p. 78. On the next page we present a book on Auguste d`Orville,
written by John Beasley. The book is a true labour of love, written in John's
lucid and elegant style. Highly recommended!
The page numbering in ST 1/2006 was incorrect, the numbers should have been
1-44 instead of 289-332. In this issue the page numbers continue from 45 onwards.
The next ST is due to appear within a few months.
Published 10th April 2006