Our cover problem is by one of the most prominent Finnish problemists, Kari
Valtonen, who turned 50 in April. The problem won a quick composing
competition held during our society's spring meeting in April. The required
theme was a simple one: moves to the same square. The full
solution is on p. 97, along with results of the solving competition held during
the meeting mentioned above. Kari won also the solving
competition, demonstrating once again his versatility. He has gained success
as a composer with 5,33 FIDE Album points, as a GM solver and
World Champion in 1984, as an experienced judge and expert in chess problem
theory. He edited the helpmate column of ST in 1991-1998 and
continues to edit the problem & studies column of Suomen Shakki since 1980.
Seven problems dedicated to Kari are on p. 95, with solutions on
the previous page.
We have the pleasure of announcing an international composing competition, Toma
Garai 70 JT, requiring helpmates in three with exactly
three solutions. See p. 88 for details and please reprint the announcement!
On the same page we announce a national composing competition to celebrate the
50th birthday of Teppo Mänttä. The "theme" is to make
published problems more economical, a habit successfully practised by Teppo
himself.
The announcement of Kari Valtonen 50 JT was published in ST 1/2004. Kari has
written an article discussing different ways of dealing with the
required theme, multiple theme(s) in 2# in one or several phases, see pp. 90-93.
Timo Sarvela, born in 1919, was best known in Finland for his collection of
Finnish problems and studies. His own output was rather limited, but
his interest in solving and researching chess problems amply compensated for
this. He passed away in April and Kauko Virtanen has written a short
obituary on p. 93.
The "Paha Pähkinä - A hard nut to crack" by Neal Turner
is on p. 96. This time Neal presents a selfmate by Gerald F. Anderson, known
for his
artistic and difficult problems.
We have started to publish the mistakes found in ST on our web site, see p.
96. Of course our main goal is to produce a flawless magazine, but it
has proved to be practically impossible!
Harri Hurme has initiated a reconstruction column and the very first one is
on p. 96. He starts with a 2#, of which only the main variations are
given.
The originals columns start from p. 98, for the second time in succession without
studies, selfmates, fairies and mathematical chess
problems. We apologize for this and hope to resolve the present situation before
the next ST is due to appear.
Just before this issue went to print, the news arrived that the next FIDE Album
includes 21 problems by Unto Heinonen, our top composer. This
means that his total points exceed the GM level of 70,0 points and he becomes
our first GM of composing, see p. 102. More details in future
issues, as well as regarding the recently finished WCCT with Finland in 16th
place.
In the Selected Helpmates column on pp.104-106 Marko Ylijoki presents helpmates
by Finnish composer who have recently celebrated their
anniversaries, accompanied by top problems from the 7th WCCT. The solutions
to the problems from the BCSC, published in the previous
issue, are on p. 106.
Hannu Harkola presents the new book on GM György Páros on p. 107,
and the Four Corner Project X by Henry Tanner closes this issue.
ST 4-5/2004 is due to appear in autumn.
Published 15th July 2004