Welcome to the Web Site of the
British Chess Problem Society

The BCPS and its Activities Joining the British Chess Problem Society Membership details. Society Matters Lectures and Residential Weekend. The Problemist Details of the BCPS magazine with a review of recent issues. A sample issue of The Problemist A sample issue of The Problemist Supplement Errata Updated 25/9/2009 for the September 2009 issue. Review of the Year A short report of BCPS activities during 2007 written by John Rice for the ECF Yearbook 2008. Includes four compositions, with solutions. Also links to earlier reports for the years 2000 and 2002. The BCPS Library Catalogue The catalogue can be downloaded as a text file or in zipped form. New catalogue dated 31/8/2009 now available. For the British Chess Solving Championship go to: Brian Stephenson's pages Brian's blog includes a report on the 2007 BCPS Residential Weekend at Torquay. Letter from the Librarian Please take the time to read this open letter from John Beasley.

What Are Chess Problems? Introductory material for newcomers. Chess Problems: An Introduction by B. D. Stephenson. Two-Move Secrets by Barry Barnes Three-Movers by Michael McDowell More-Movers by Michael McDowell Selfmates by Michael McDowell Helpmates by Chris. Feather Fairy Chess by Michael McDowell Retrograde Analysis by Michael McDowell Studies by Michael McDowell British Chess Composers An introduction to eminent names from the history of British chess composition. Recommended Publications A list of good chess problem books. Links To Other Chess Problem and Related Sites.

A Favourite Problem Each BCPS Member is invited to choose a favourite problem published as an original in The Problemist. This is the choice of Colin Sydenham. Narayan Shankar Ram 6th HM The Problemist 1986 Helpmate in 2 Duplex Solution: Black begins 1.Ba5 Be4 2.Rf5 Bc6 White begins 1.Rh5 Re4 2.Bc4 Re6 (Hold down left mouse key and run cursor across.) Reason for choice: I have always been fascinated by problems in which the play of each side imitates the other, either formally or strategically, or both. The natural home for such work is the duplex helpmate, in which not only does Black help White to mate, but White proceeds to help Black to do the same: both sides fulfil the stipulation. This problem, by a very talented Indian composer, was an inspiration to me when I was first attempting this form of composition. The strategic correspondence of the two parts is perfect. The first move is a self-block, the second an interference-unpin on e4 (at the same time opening an essential line), the third is a reciprocal unpin by the unpinned piece, allowing mate by double check on the fourth. Beautiful. And note how all 6 line-pieces participate in both parts. Who could ask for more? Click here for further details and other Favourite Problems

A Challenge Problem The problems shown here are for chess players who may be new to chess problems. You are urged to try to solve the problem before looking at the solution below. Charles Planck British Chess Magazine 1885 Mate in 4 Hint: After 1...g3 the king will be free to move between h2 and h3. To what use can White then put his black-squared bishop? Solution: 1.Qa7! g3 2.Bb6 Now with the support of the queen the bishop can control h2. 2...Kh2 3.Bg1+ Kh3 4.Qd7. If 2...Kg4 3.Qd7+ any 4.Qf5. A famous example of a standard problem idea known as Turton-doubling. (Hold down left mouse key and run cursor across.) Click here to see some other Challenge Problems