Our cover problem may lead to happy or to sad thoughts. It is the first Finnish
study showing Allumwandlung, promotion to all four pieces, and at the same time
it is also one of the last successes of Reino Heiskanen. He passed away on September
18, 2007.
Born in 1931, Heiskanen started his composing career in the beginning of 1950s.
He was especially interested in studies and selfmates with challenging ideas,
requiring often plenty of material and moves. An obituary, photograph and dedication
problems are on pp. 118-120 of this issue. The cover problem won a recent competition,
the award by Rainer Staudte is on pp. 112-114.
The award of Jan Hannelius MT, orthodox problems, is on pp. 104-110. The competition
required for problems showing, not surprisingly, the Hannelius theme. Kari Valtonen
judged the orthodox problems and his thorough award is worth a close study.
Norwegian chess composition from the beginning until modern times is presented
in a Espen Backe´s new book Caissas trollbundne. It presents 500 problems
on 230 pages, a review of historical development and short presentation of all
composers. A valuable book with a comprehensive view on chess composition in
Norway, see p. 111.
Neal Turner´s Paha Pähkinä, A Hard Nut to Crack, is a proposal
of Pauli Perkonoja. Pauli´s previous proposal proved to be very difficult,
perhaps this time there is less suffering to be expected? See p. 114.
Hannu Sokka JT was a national composing competition for problems with locusts.
The award on pp. 115-116 reveals that, once again, GM Unto Heinonen was victorius
in another national competition.
The solutions of the Rumanian Solving Championship of 2007 are on p. 116, as
well as memories of the meeting of chess problemists in Tampere, 40 years ago.
Of recent participants in PCCC meetings, there are four who were also in Tampere:
Klaus Wenda, Barry Barnes, Bo Lindgren and Bedrich Formanek.
On p. 117 we report on the autumn meeting of ST, held near Tampere.The composing
competition and solving contest were both won by GM Kari Valtonen.
Kari is also active as the problem column editor of Suomen Shakki, and as a
contributor to our magazine. His articles serie deals this time Grimshaw interferences,
see pp. 121-125.
It is worthwhile to visit every now and then Open Chess Diary, the web site
of Tim Krabbé. Some months ago Sampsa Lahtonen published there a record:
14 successive discovered checks in a legal position, with promoted pieces allowed.
Now Lahtonen has broken the record of successive checks in a legal position,
with promoted pieces allowed, see p. 125.
On the same page there is a problem dedicated to Kimmo Sampakoski by Teppo Mänttä,
published originally in Satakunnan Kansa.
The originals columns start from p. 126 offering something for every taste,
we hope. Please, contribute with your problems!
The next issue is due to appear in December.
Published 10th October 2007