The Finnish Chess Problem Society, Suomen tehtäväniekat, was established
in the beginning of 1935. This ST is a jubilee issue for the celebration of
our society's anniversary. Therefore there are, for example, no originals columns,
no Paha Pähkinä or reconstruction column. We concentrate on the history
of problem chess in Finland, and there are many articles with different points
of view on this topic.
In 1934, Alain C. White published in his famous Christmas series a book on Finnish
problem chess. Pentti Sola, the composer of our cover problem, compiled the
book. The cover problem is the first presentation of Finnish Novotny. According
to theme's definition, a try threatens two mates, but is defeated by a Pawn
move, which opens the lines of two black line-pieces, usually Rook and Bishop.
The key is the capture of this Pawn, usually with the try piece and with the
same threats as in the try.
PCCC President John Rice has kindly send a greeting to ST for our anniversary,
p. 115. Thank you, John! Eero Saarenheimo was very active during the first years
of ST and has followed closely the development of our society ever since, see
pp. 116-119.
Hannu Harkola has studied society's old records and found interesting details,
see pp. 119-121. For example, in 1946 Arnold Hinds proposed that ST should start
publishing a small magazine for society's members. This proposal marks the birth
of ST magazine.
In this issue you can find here and there lists and details, which are hopefully
of interest. On p. 121 society's chairmen and honorary members are listed. Further:
on p. 123 Finnish national and international problem chess judges; on p. 147
medallists in Finnish Quick Solving Championships; on. p. 155 Finnish composers
with international titles and FIDE Album points; on pp. 156-157 team composing
competitions in which Finland has participated; on p. 159 Finnish Champions
in Solving (a competition for one month or longer) and solvers with international
titles; on p. 160 Finnish team and individual solvers in WCSC; on p. 161 receivers
of two trophys given annually to distinguished problemists.
As indicated above, Pentti Sola was one of the leading Finnish problemists in
the 1930s. Marko Ylijoki has written a small obituary for Sola, who died in
WW2, pp. 122-123. Antero Leitzinger and Henry Tanner have studied the history
of chess columns in two Finnish newspapers, Åbo Underrättelser and
Uusi Suometar. There is plenty of interesting material in the columns, see pp.
124-128. Leitzinger has researched deeply the subject of history of chess columns
in Finland, and he gives a general overview in another article on pp. 129-133.
Marko Ylijoki has listed more recent publications on p. 133. If you can be of
assistance or are interested in learning more about this topic, please contact
either the editor in chief or Antero Leitzinger directly, email address on p.
132. He has also investigated the fate of the chess remains of Alexander Petrov,
rumoured to be in Helsinki. However, they have not been found, see p. 134.
Kari Valtonen reviews extensively chess problem themes invented by Finnish composers.
There are altogether 36 example problems in this enjoyable article on pp. 135-147.
Marko Ylijoki presents all 28 Finnish composers with the title of National Master
of Chess Composition on pp. 148-154.
There are dedication problems on pp. 162-165, report on a spring meeting on
p. 166 and a summary of topical composing competitions on p. 167 closes this
issue.
The next issue is due to appear in summer.
Published 14th May 2005