Our cover problem is a masterpiece by Olli Heimo, included with good reason
to FIDE-album. Olli, who turned 60 on September 14, has specialised in retrograde
problems, records and tasks. The solution is on p. 138.
Large part of this issue is devoted to the Wageningen PCCC, held in July-August.
The congress agenda included basic ingredients such as (sub) commission meetings,
solving and composing competitions, lectures and an excursion. In addition,
the congress offers still an excellent opportunity to meet old and new friends.
The problems, solutions and results of the solving competitions are on the first
pages of this issue, spiced with a report on the composing competitions by Harri
Hurme (pp. 127-131) and Hannu Harkola's description of the official meetings,
p. 131.
Dedication problems to Olli Heimo and Kari Karhunen, who turned 40 on June 21,
are on p. 132.
Pauli Perkonoja has judged the moremovers of 2004-2005, his award is on pp.
133-135. Because the level of the entries was rather modest, Pauli decided not
to give prizes.
Neal Turner continues his series of difficult problems, Paha pähkinä.
This time there is an interesting-looking threemover to be cracked, p. 135.
Currently there are plenty of international composing competitions available
for interested and skilled composers. A short selection of these competitions
can be found on pp. 136-137. There are competition announcements elsewhere in
this issue, too.
In ST 3/2006 we presented the problems of the 3rd Solving Championship of Serbia
& Montenegro. Now it is time to reveal the solutions on pp. 137-138.
After a short break Kari Valtonen continues his serie of articles discussing
problem chess terms and themes. The serie proceeds in alphabetical order and
this time the letter E is in order. The title of the article is Esitoimi, which
is foreplan in English and Vorplan in German. There are seven illustrative problems,
all of classical beauty. See pp.139-143.
The originals columns start with direct mates on p. 144 and end with helpmates.
This time there are no studies, selfmates or fairy problems. Hopefully in the
next issue this situation will not be repeated!
Memories from past years are on p. 149. John Dahlberg was born 150 years ago
and his old-fashioned threemover may bring a smile to solver's lips. In a clip
from ST, published 30 years ago, there is a mention that an expensive computer
had been stolen in France. The thief was caught after about one year. He was
a 25-year old chess enthusiast who had used the computer extensively to solve
chess problems. A bold pioneer indeed...
On the same page we are happy to inform that Mat Plus is to restart in March
2007 under the editorship of Milan Velimirovic. We wish all the best, it is
great to see this excellent magazine again!
Nothing is nowadays more topical than the 8th WCCT. Marko Ylijoki has compiled
six helpmates showing the helpmate theme of this competition, see p. 151.
The last ST of 2007 is due to appear before Christmas.
Published 2nd October 2006