ñ About The Problemist

• Original (previously unpublished) compositions. There are sections for directmates, selfmates and reflexmates, studies, helpmates, fairies, and retros, with annual solving championships in each section.
• Synthetics. A column which lets the reader test his composing skill. A full or partial solution is given, from which the solver attempts to construct the original problem.
• Selected Problems. Split into sections along the lines of the originals, and featuring high-class problems from other sources.
• In the Library. An item from the BCPS library is reviewed at length.
• Awards. Judgments of The Problemist informal tourneys (for the original problems published each year) and other composing tourneys organized by the BCPS.
• Book reviews.
• Reports on BCPS lectures, and on BCPS and overseas meetings.

The Problemist Supplement, begun in 1992, is aimed at newcomers to chess problems. The originals section contains a mixture of all types, chosen to provide easier solving than the main magazine.

ñ The Problemist July 2010

The July issue recorded the passing of former BCPS President Robin Matthews, with an appreciation by John Rice. Bob Meadley and Geoff Foster discussed Australian composer E.D. McQueen. Also included were reports of the problem meetings at Nunspeet and Andernach, and Thomas Maeder's fairy award for 2008. Browsing in the library covered Schach ohne Grenzen, the 1969 collection of T.R. Dawson's work. Miniatures featured prominently in the Supplement, with the annual solving competition and a selection by John Rice of some early more-movers, while David Shire’s series on problem themes reached H for Herpai.

E.D. McQueen Melbourne Leader 1934 Mate in 2

1.Bh2 (>2.Rg7) 1…Rh8+ 2.Rg8 1…Rh6 2.Rg6 1…Rh5 2.Rg5 1…Rh4 2.Rg4 1…Rxh3 2.Rxh3 1…Rg7 2.Rxg7 1…Rf7 2.Kxf7 1…Re7+ 2.Kxe7 1…Rd7 2.Kxd7 1…Rc7 2.bxc7 1…Rb7 2.Qd8 1…Ra7 2.bxa7 Eric McQueen’s most famous problem, a perfectly constructed task showing twelve mates after the moves of one rook.

R.C.O. Matthews 1st Prize Die Schwalbe 1952 Mate in 6

1.Bh3 1…g6 2.Bxb6 d5 3.Rd4 Kxf2 4.Rxd5+ Ke1 5.Bd4 Kxd2 6.Bf2 1…d5 2.Rxd5 g6 3.Bd4 Kxd2 4.Bxb6+ Ke1 5.Rd4 Kxf2 6.Rdxd1 Robin Matthews was primarily known for his three-movers, but here shows his skill as a more-move composer, combining two Indian manoeuvres in each of the variations.

Jean Morice Combat 20th June 1953 Mate in 3

1.Ra8 (>2.Rc8 and 3.Rc5) 1…Rc3 2.Se8 e3 3.Sf6 1…Rd3 2.Re8 and 3.Re5 1…Re3 2.Sc8 c3 3.Sb6 A lucidly constructed study in pawn obstruction, taken from a recently published supplement to diagrammes devoted to the chess column of the magazine Combat.

ñ The Problemist May 2010

The May issue included a report on the 2010 BCPS weekend at Harrogate. Awards covered fairies 2005, retros 2007-08, helpmates in 3 for 2006 and the Brian Harley Award for two-movers published in 2007-08. James Quah continued his review of triple Grimshaws in two-movers using fairy pieces and Browsing in the Library covered the 1922 collection of Selected Gems from the Chess Amateur. In the Supplement John Rice remembered the late Hungarian composer Attila Benedek, David Shire's trip through the chess problem alphabet reached G for Grimshaw, and Michael McDowell presented a selection of Soviet compositions from the 1930s. A special booklet was devoted to the 2010 European Chess Solving Championship, held at Sunningdale, containing full results, all of the problems used in the event, and the awards of the associated composing tourneys.

G.F. Anderson Sunday Times 1971 Mate in 3

1.Rf1 waiting 1…Bb8 2.Be1 f5 3.Qxb6; 2…else 3.Rxf6 1…Rh3, Rh4 2.Be3 f5 3.Bxg5 1…b5 2.Bxa7 f5 3.Qb6 1…e4 2.Bd4 f5 3.Bg7 1…f5 2.Qh1 threats 3.Qxh5, Qc6; 2…Rxh1 3.Rxh1. A tricky Anderson three-mover used in the solving tourney at Harrogate.

Aleksandr Galitsky Shakhmatnoe obozrenie 1892 Mate in 4

1.e8B Ka2 2.Bf7+ Kxb1 3.Bc4 K any 4.Ba2 1…Kb4/Kxa4 2.Rc4+ Kb3 3.Bf7/Sd2+ K moves 4.Rc1/Ra4. With the black king free to move to three squares there appears to be no need for an underpromotion key. Taken from a new collection of Galitsky’s problems.

E.N. Somov-Nasimovich Commend Shakhmaty v SSSR 1937 White to play and win

1.d7 Bxd7 (1…Qg8 2.Qd3+ Kf3 3.Qf5+ wins) 2.f3+ Qxf3 3.Qd3+ Kd5 4.e4+ Qxe4 5.Qc4+ Kc6 (5…Kd6 6.dxc5+ wins) 6.d5+ Qxd5 7.Qa6# An amusing repeated manoeuvre.

ñ The Problemist March 2010

In the March issue Steve Giddins reported on the final of the 2009-10 British Chess Solving Championship, which resulted in a narrow victory for Jonathan Mestel, a point ahead of David Friedgood with World Champion Piotr Murdzia third. Two fairy awards were included, the Cedric Lytton 70JT and the 2005 informal award, by Hubert Gockel. Browsing in the library featured the 1924 Christmas book Simple Two-Move Themes. Chris Reeves presented an appreciation of the late Theodor Steudel, while in the Supplement David Shire examined the two-movers of Andrey Lobusov, John Rice showed a selection of serieshelpmates and Geoff Foster discussed how to develop a helpselfmate idea.

William A. Whyatt The Problemist 1959 Selfmate in 2

1.Rd8 (>2.Qc2+ Bxc2) 1…Sfxd6 2.Rxc5 Bc2 1…Sd4 2.Rd5 Bc2 1…Sxe3 2.Qf3 Bc2 1…Sexd6 2.Qg4 Bc2 1…Sxd2 2.Re8 Bc2 A beautiful selfmate (by a composer who is much better known for his directmate three-movers) which entertained the solvers at the British Chess Solving Final.

Alberto Mari Alfiere di Re 1922 Mate in 2

Set 1…Qxb8 2.Sb7 1…Qd6 2.Sb3 1.Sg5 (>2.Sf7) 1…Qxb8 2.Sd3 1…Qd6 2.Scxe6 1…Kf4 2.Qxf6 Changed mates following withdrawal unpins of the c5 knight.

Michel Caillaud 2nd HM Lytton 70JT 2009-10 Mate in 2 Circe

1.Qg8 (>2.Rxf7) 1…S random 2.Qc4 1…Sxd6 [Sg1] 2.Rf3 1…Sxg5 [Pg2] 2.Bc1 1…Sxe5 [Pe2] 2.e3 The thematic key occupies g8 to threaten 2.Rxf7 by preventing the knight’s rebirth. A random move of the unpinned S opens the line g8-c4. 1…Sxd6 corrects by guarding the fourth rank, but places a white guard on f3 for 2.Rf3. 1…Sxg5 again guards the fourth rank and places a white guard on f3 but corrects by directly guarding f3. However, it cuts the rook guard of d2, allowing 2.Bc1. 1…Sxe5 repeats all of the preceding elements but corrects against 2.Bc1? because of 2…Sxd3[Pd2]! This time the decisive error is to return the wP to e2 for 2.e3. A wonderfully clear example of quaternary correction.

ñ The Problemist January 2010

The January issue featured an article by former PCCC President Klaus Wenda on “The Viennese Workshop”, a tribute to Dutch composer Ruud Beugelsdijk, who died last November, a further selection of awardwinners from the composing tourneys at the Rio WCCC, and informal awards for helpmates in 2 (2004) and helpmates in 2½ and 3 (2008). Browsing in the library covered a 1975 collection of the work of Bohemian composer Miroslav Havel. David Shire’s regular article in the Supplement discussed focal play, and John Rice showed some three-movers from the 8th WCCT.

Touw Hian Bwee Probleemblad 1982 Mate in 2

Try 1.d7? (>2.d8Q) 1…Qg7 2.Qxb7 1…Qf6 2.Qxh1 1…c3! 1.Bg6! (>2.Bf7) 1…Qg7 2.Qxh1 1…Qf6 2.Qxb7 Reciprocally changed mates from a beautifully simple scheme.

Miroslav Havel Československý šach 1930 Mate in 5

1.Rh7 (>2.Ra8/Rh8) Rd2 2.Sd4 Sc3+ 3.Ka5 Rf2 4.Sf3 with mate on a8 or h8 to follow. Two Nowotny interferences plus a switchback from the knight. The construction is perfect.

Ruud Beugelsdijk 4th Prize Probleemblad 1982 Mate in 3 (Nightriders on h5 and h8)

1.Bb4 (>2.b3+ axb3 3.Nb2) 1…Rf4 2.Be2+ Kb3 3.Sxd2 1…Nf4 2.Sxd2+ K any 3.Qe4 1…Bf4 2.Qe4+ Kxb5 3.Be2 The nightriders extend the knight’s move along a line (see the introductory article on fairy chess). A cycle of white second and third moves is shown with great clarity and unity. In each thematic variation both black interferences are exploited.

ñ The Problemist November 2009

The November issue featured a full report by Paul Valois on the activities at the 52nd World Congress of Chess Composition, held in Rio de Janeiro in October. Judgments included the Brian Harley Award for 2003-05, won jointly by Peter Olszewski and John Rice, threemovers for 2006 and fairies for 2002. Browsing in the library covered S.S. Blackburne’s Terms and Themes of Chess Problems, published in 1907. In the Supplement Bob Lincoln discussed “White pawn promotion in the miniature”, while David Shire examined echoed play in the two-mover.

Milan Vukcevich 4th HM Neue Zurcher Zeitung 1997 Mate in 2

Try 1.Bc4? (>2.e3) 1…Sc2 2.Qd5 1…bxc4 2.Se6 1…e3 2.Rf4 1…Re1! 1.Rc5! (>2.Be3) 1…Sc2 2.Rhd5 1…bxc5 2.Sf5 1…e3 2.Qf4 To quote David Shire: “The geometrical elements generate echoed play of such clarity that no further explanation is needed.”

Georges Legentil 2nd Prize L’UTF 1944 Mate in 4

Try 1.Kxf3? Sg5+! Try 1.Kg3? Be1! 1.Bc6 (>2.Re4) d2 2.Kg3 (>3.Sg4) Bf5 3.Qd8 (>4.Qxc7) Ba5 4.Qxd4 Black is induced to block the f6 rook, allowing the queen to unpin. A relatively straightforward but pleasant problem from the WCSC at Rio.

F.A.L. Kuskop Canterbury Times pre-1907 Mate in 3 (b) all pieces one square south-west

(a) 1.Bf1 e5 2.Bd3 exf4 3.e5 (b) 1.Re4 dxe4 2.d4 e3 3.Bd3 1…d4 2.Bh3 gxh3 3.g4 A lightweight with unusual twinning by the leading New Zealand composer of his day.

ñ The Problemist September 2009

The September issue featured various awards; twomovers and helpmate more-movers for 2008, and the Norman Macleod award for 2006-07. Articles included Barry Barnes' tale from the BCPS weekend, "Sherlock Holmes in Harrogate", and Jeremy Morse's twelfth update of his book Chess problems: tasks and records. Browsing in the library covered The Golden Argosy, the 1929 collection of problems by W.A. Shinkman. In the Supplement John Rice presented some joint problems involving the late Viktor Melnichenko, David Shire investigated double check themes in two-movers, and Michael McDowell compared different settings of a famous Bohemian problem.

Hans Peter Rehm The Problemist July 2006 Mate in 7

1.Sd7 (>2.Sf6) Kxd5 2.Sb6+ Ke4 3.d5+ (3.Sd5? Kxd5!) bxc4 4.Sd7 Kxd5 (4…Bc3 5.Sc5+ and 6.Bf3) 5.Sb6+ (5.Bf3+ Kxd6!; 5.Sf6+ Kc6!) Ke4 (5…Kc6 6.Bf3+) 6.Sd5 Kxd5 7.Bf3 (6…exd5 7.Re8 or 6…Bc3 7.Sxc3) The winner of the Norman Macleod Award for 2006-07. John Rice commented: “An extraordinary construction, with consecutive sacrifices designed to clear the d-file so that lines of guard are opened up, with a block of c4 thrown in as well. Norman enjoyed this sort of problem and would have been delighted had he composed it himself.”

William Shinkman v. Blumenthal: Schachminiaturen1903 Mate in 5

1.Bb6 Kd6 2.Rxe4 Kd5 3.Sf6+ Kd6 4.Ba6 Kc6 5.Re6 If 1…e3 2.Sxe3+ Kd6 3.Sf5+ Kd5 4.Ba5 Kc5 5.Re5 A perfect chameleon echo.

Julius Buchwald v. 1Pr Miskolcsi Magasapitok 1951 Mate in 2

1.exf7 (>2.Qe6) 1…cxd5 2.Bd6 1…Rxd5 2.Re8 1…Sxd5 2.Sd7 1…f5 2.Qc3 1…Sf5 2.Sg4 1…Bf5 2.Qg3 (1…Be4 2.Rxe4) A dummy piece blocking d5 or f5 would in each case allow a choice of three mates, separated in the play by triple avoidance. A remarkable doubling of the Stocchi theme.

ñ The Problemist July 2009

In the July issue Michael McDowell presented a selection of problems by P.F. Blake, James Quah examined the use of fairy pieces to show triple Grimshaws in two movers, Ruud Beugelsdijk investigated shifts of moves motivated by twinning involving a change of condition, and Bob Meadley and Geoff Foster contributed a biographical article about the Latvian born Australian composer Laimons Mangalis. Ian Watson reported on the European Solving Championship and Browsing in the Library covered the 1919 treatise on mutates, All Change Here! The Supplement featured articles by David Shire on two-movers featuring critical play, and John Rice on the work of helpmate expert Fadil Abdurahmanovic.

L. Rothstein Source? 1914 Mate in 2

1.Qh6 () 1…e6 2.Qf4 (Set 2.Qf3) 1…e5 2.Sd6 (Set 2.Sh6) 1…h3 2.Sg3 (Set 2.g4) 1…Ke4 2.Qxh7 1…B any 2.Qg6 A beautifully constructed mutate showing three changes and an added model mate.

Rudolf Willmers Deutsche Schachzeitung 1859 Mate in 4

1.Ra7 any 2.Sa5 (+) any 3.Rb7 (+) any 4.b4 An old-time favourite showing echoed mates.

G.C. Alvey Chess Amateur 1927 Mate in 2  Nightriders h1,a2 Nightriders play one or more knight moves along a straight line as a single move, i.e. Nh1 can move to f2, d3, b4, or capture on g3, while Na2 can move to c1, b4, c6, d8, c3, or capture on e4.

1.Nc6 (> 2.Ra2) 1…Rf2 2.Rf6 1…Bf2 2.Rd4 1…Nf2 2.Rd3 1…Nb4 2.Ne5 Three black pieces control the white battery. Each piece in moving to f2 shuts off the other two, and in turn is shut off by the rook.

ñ The Problemist May 2009

The May issue featured a report by Steve Giddins on the BCPS residential weekend at Harrogate and another by Paul Valois and John Rice on the Dutch equivalent at Nunspeet. Barry Barnes contributed a remembrance of the late Ukrainian composer Viktor Melnichenko, while Michael Lipton examined two-move miniatures featuring duels between the black queen and white knight batteries. Browsing in the library covered A.C. White's book Memories of my chessboard, and Frank Richter's selfmate and reflexmate award for 2007 was published. The Supplement featured a reprint of an article by H.D'O. Bernard from 1938 reconstructing a famous Good Companions mutate, and the second part of Bob Lincoln's article on black promotion in the miniature.

Viktor Melnichenko 1st Prize, Comins Mansfield MT 1987 Mate in 2

Try 1.Bxf5? (>2.c5) 1…Sxb6 2.Sf6 1…Rxb6 2.Se6 1…Sc2, Sd3 2.Rd3 1…Sd6 2.b7 1…Rd6! Key 1.Se3! (>2.c5) 1...Sxb6 2.Be6 1...Rxb6 2.Bxc8 1...Sc2, Sd3 2.Sc2 1...Bg8 2.Sxf5 1...Sd6 2.b7 Changed mates after two Schiffmann defences, plus a third change after moves of the e1 knight, composed with great elegance.

Alain White Illustrated American 20th March 1897 Mate in 4

1.Bg2 c5 2.Ba8 c4 3.Sb7 Ke4 4.Sc5 If 2…cxb4 3.Bc6 bxc3 4.Bxb5. An excellent letter problem concealing the Indian theme.

Cedric Lytton 2nd Prize, Feenschach 1973 Serieshelpstalemate in 5 Checkless Chess In Checkless Chess a check is only legal if it gives mate.

The try 1.Rd2 2.c1B 3.Bb2 4.Ba1 5.Rb2 Kf6? fails to 6.Rg2 mate, hence 1.cxd1B 2.Bxh5 3.Bg6 4.Rh8 5.Bh7 Kh6, which really is stalemate! A neat problem by fairy chess expert Cedric Lytton, the new BCPS President.

ñ The Problemist March 2009

The March issue featured a report on the final of the 2008-09 British Chess Solving Championship, won by John Nunn ahead of World Champion Piotr Murdzia. The awards for three-movers 2005 and studies 2006-07 were published, and articles included Michael Lipton on half-pin miniatures and Michael McDowell discussing "The Broodings of C.J. Feather". Steve Giddins reported on publicising problems amongst the players at the Hastings Congress, and Chris Reeves contributed a postscript to a previous article correcting a two-mover by Schiffmann. Browsing in the Library covered the 1961 collection Andradiana. In the Supplement Charles Frankiss presented some longer selfmates by Cyril Swindley, Bob Lincoln examined black promotions in the two-move miniature and John Rice showed some problems from the Christmas book Knights and Bishops.

Vladislav Tarasiuk Ukraine Album 2005 White to play and win

1.e7 Sh6+ 2.Kg6 Sg8 3.Be6+ Kd6 4.e8Q Bh5+ 5.Kxh5 Sf6+ 6.Kg6 Sxe8 7.Kf7 Sc7 8.Se4#. A study which took some notable scalps in the British Solving Final.

Barry Andrade The Observer 5th August 1923 Mate in 3

1.Rb3 (>2.Qf5 and 3.Qf1) 1…d4 2.Se6 (>3.Sg5) 1…e4 2.Sxh5 (>3.Sf4) The well-hidden key is necessary to forestall the defence 1…d4 2.Se6 Qg8!

C.J. Feather Broodings 25, July 2005 Helpmate in 4½

1…Bh3 2.Kh5 Bg2 3.Kg4 Bf3+ 4.Kh3 Bg4+ 5.fxg4 Sg5 A visually pleasing sequence. The bishop makes a round trip only to be captured where he started.

ñ The Problemist January 2009

The January issue contained two lengthy helpmate awards, two-movers for 2007, judged by Mario Parrinello, and moremovers for 2006, judged by James Quah. John Rice discussed "Some Russian half-batteries", and Browsing in the Library covered the 1931 Christmas volume, A.C. White's Problems by my friends. In the Supplement David Shire presented "The case for the defence" and John Rice showed some prizewinning two-movers from the Good Companions era.

Viktor Chepizhny 1st Place, Moscow Championship 1999 Mate in 2

Try 1.Se4? (>2.Qxd6) 1…Sb~ 2.Qxc6 1…Kxd4 2.Sxc6 1….Be7! Try 1.Sxg4? (>2.Qxd6) 1…Sb~ 2.Bf3 1…Kxd4 2.Sf3 1…e5! Key 1.Sef7! (>2.Qxd6) 1…Sb~ 2.Qxe6 1…Kxd4 2.Sxe6 A beautiful Zagoruiko, with mates by different pieces on the same square in each phase.

K.A.K. Larsen Skakbladet 1930 Selfmate in 2

1.Bg7 zugzwang 1…S, Bc2 2.Bxb3+ Ba7 1…Bd3 2.Bb5+ Ba7 1…Be4 2.Bc6+ Ba7 1…Bf5 2.Qf8+ Bc5 1…Bg6 2.Bf8+ Bc5 The black bishop is used as a shield five times.

Hans Peter Rehm & Fadil Abdurahmanovic 3rd Prize, The Problemist 2006 Helpmate in 6

1.Ra4 Kd3 2.Rfb4 c4 3.Kh5 Kd4 4.Rxc4+ Ke5 5.Rh4 Kf6 6.Rag4 Bg6 The rooks move left to allow the white king to pass then right to block squares. Visually spectacular and shown with great economy.

ñ The Problemist November 2008

The November issue featured the informal awards for two-movers from 2007 and more-movers from 2006, and a review of the awardwinners in the 8th WCCT. Articles included part 2 of Geoff Foster's exposition of the Makihovi theme, David Shire on the work of Hugo Knuppert, and Stephen Emmerson's explanation of a new fairy condition called Variables. A number of new books were reviewed, and Browsing in the Library covered G.F. Anderson's personal collection from 1924. In the Supplement John Rice presented selections from the recent collection of Russian more-movers, and paid tribute to the late Austrian composer Helmut Zajic, while David Shire examined "Defensive motivation".

Touw Hian Bwee 3rd Prize Problem 1974 Mate in 2

1.Qb4 (>2.Qxd4) 1…Sd random 2.Sxf4 1…Sc6 2.Qxd6 1…Sf5 2.Qe4 1…Sdxe6 2.Qc3 1…Sf random 2.Sxd4 1…Sd5 2.Sc4 1…Sg6 2.Sd3 1…Sfxe6 2.gxh4 From a new collection of the work of Indonesian GM composer Touw Hian Bwee, showing correction play by both black knights.

G.F. Anderson HM Westminster Gazette 1917 (version) Mate in 4

1.Kd4 c5+ 2.Ke3 g4 3.Kf4 g3 4.Ke5 1…c6 2.Ke3 c5 3.Kd2 g4 4.Ke1 The king does a round trip or zig-zags to his home square, depending on how Black plays.

N. Nikolaev Shakhmatny Listok 1859 Mate in 5

1.Bb2 e5 2.Bc1 e4 3.d4+ e3 4.Ba3 e2 / cxd4 5.Bc1 / Bd6 Simple but neat. Taken from the recent collection of Russian more-movers.

ñ The Problemist September 2008

The September issue contained a full report on the 51st World Congress of Chess Composition, held at Jurmala, Latvia,in early September. Articles included Jeremy Morse’s latest update of task records, “King promotions in helpmate forms” by Chris Reeves, “Patrol and Ultrapatrol” by John Rice, and “Correcting Schiffmann at Torquay” by Paul Valois. Other items included a number of book reviews and the awards for the 2007 three-movers and more-movers. In the Supplement John Rice presented “More Circe pearls”, Bob Lincoln discussed “Stepping Stones” and Christopher Jones detailed the stages involved in composing a three-move helpmate.

A. Olsen Chess Pie 1927 Mate in 2

Set play: 1…dxc6 2.Rxf5 1…d6 2.Qh8 1…d5 2.Qxd5 1…dxe6 2.Sf3 1.Qxe7 (zugzwang) 1…dxc6 2.Sxc6 1…d6 2.Qf6 1…d5 2.Sf3 1…dxe6 2.Qxe6 Changed mates after all four moves of the black pawn, including one transferred mate. A remarkable task, despite the flight-taking key.

Chris Reeves Prize, Correction Tourney, Torquay 2008 Mate in 2

1.Sd5 (>2.Sxc7) 1…Rf5 2.Rf4 1…Bf5 2.Re4 1…c5 2.Rb4 1…a4 2.Rc5 1…Ka6 2.Rc6 At the BCPS weekend in Torquay Paul Valois showed an unsound problem from 1928 by the great Israel Schiffmann, and invited corrections. The main variations combine anticipatory unpin with Grimshaw and shut-off mates.

Ferenc Fleck 1st Prize, Magyar Sakkélet 1965 Mate in 5

1.Sf2 (>2.Sxg4) 1…Bd2 2.Ra3 (>3.Sxg4) 2…Sc3 3.Ba6 (>4.Sxg4) 3…S7b5 4.Qh7 4…any 5.Sxg4 An amusing problem where White repeatedly guards d3 to threaten Sxg4 mate, his fourth move setting up a zugzwang.

ñ The Problemist July 2008

The July issue featured part 1 of Geoff Foster's discussion of the Mäkihovi theme, and "Active queen sacrifices in 3-move miniatures" by Michael Lipton. John Rice marked the 40th anniversary of the invention of Circe chess with a selection of examples and reported on this year’s meeting at Andernach. Awards included the longer helpmates for 2004 and the Byron Zappas Memorial Tourney for two-movers. Browsing in the library covered the 1868 collection American Chess Nuts and there were reviews of Lubyansky Gambit (published 2004) and My Way, the personal collection of Christer Jonsson. The Supplement featured selections of Hungarian miniatures and problems by Portuguese composers.

Barry Barnes & Christopher Reeves 1st Prize, Die Schwalbe 1964-II Mate in 2

Set 1…Kd4 2.Rb5, Rxb4, Rc6, Rxd6 Try 1.Sf4? (>2.Qd5) 1…Kd4 2.Rb5; 1…Rxf6! Try 1.Be4? (>.Qd5) 1…Kd4 2.Rxb4; 1…Rh5! Try 1.b3? (>2.Qc4) 1…Kd4 2.Rc6; 1…d5! Key 1.Bd3! (>2.Qc4) 1…Kd4 2.Rxd6 1…d5 2.Re6 The Mäkihovi theme involves mate separation by White. Here the four mates set after 1…Kd4 are separated by three tries and the solution and there is an excellent fifth opening of the battery after the selfblock 1…d5.

Sam Loyd New York Albion 14th June 1856 Mate in 5

1.Sc6 (>2.Qb7+ Ke8 3.Qe7) 1…Kxc6 2.Qc8+ Kd5 3.Qa8+ Kc4 4.Qa2+ Kd3 5.Qe2 1…d5 2.Qb7+ Kd6 3.Sd8 c4 4.Sf7+ Amusing! Loyd was 15 years old at the time of publication.

Gábor Cseh diagrammes 1996 Helpmate in 2 Circe (5 solutions)

1.Sfxe6 (Bf1) Rh5 2.Rxh5 (Rh1) Be2 1.Qxe6 (Bf1) Rh5 2.Sxh5 (Rh1) Bd3 1.Rcxe6 (Bf1) Rh3 2.Qxh3 (Rh1) Bc4 1.Rexe6 (Bf1) Re8 2.Sxe8 (Rh1) Bb5 1.Scxe6 (Bf1) Rc8 2.Rxc8 (Rh1) Ba6 In each solution the bishop, in discovering mate from the reborn rook, must play to a square which has been doubly unguarded. A beautifully simple idea. (For the definition of Circe see the introductory article on Fairy Chess)

ñ The Problemist May 2008

The May issue featured reports on various meetings, the Dutch Problem Society's weekend at Nunspeet, the 2008 European Solving Championship held in Antalya, Turkey, and the BCPS weekend at Torquay. Articles included David Shire on "The two-mover: anticipation and the composer", Michael Lipton's selection of problems by the late Danish composer Hugo Knuppert, and, in the Supplement, Michael McDowell on Rex Solus problems. Paul Valois reviewed the recent book Moving on, by the late Dutch problemist Frank Visbeen and Browsing in the Library covered the 1979 collection of problems by Serbian composer Miroslav Stošić. The winner of the Brian Harley award for two-movers from 2005-2006 was announced.

Hugo Knuppert Skakbladet 1941 Mate in 2

1.Rg6 (>2.Qg4) 1…Re random 2.Rf6 1…Re4 2.Qf6 1…S random 2.Be6 1…Sf4 2.e4 1…Sc7 2.Rxe5 1…Sf6 or Re6 2.Rg5 Half-pin mates after random and correction defences, shown with remarkable economy.

Miroslav Stošić Arbeijder Skak 1970 Mate in 2

1.Ke7 (>2.Rc7) 1…b4 2.d4 1…d4 2.Bf4 1…Bf4 2.b4 Cyclic occupation of squares – not an easy idea to show.

Wolfgang Pauly Deutsches Schachzeitung June 1906 Mate in 4

1.Kf7 () 1…Kf5 2.h3 Kxf4 3.d3 Kf5 4.Rf3 1…Kxf4 2.f3 Kf5 3.Re6 Kf4 4.Rf6 1…Kh5 2.Rg3 Kh6 3.Rg5 Kh7 4.Rh5               2…Kxh4 3.f3 Kh5 4.Rh3 1…Kxh4 2.h3 Kh5 3.Re6 or Re8 A rex solus classic!

ñ The Problemist March 2008

March articles included Miodrag Mladenović’s judgment covering the 2006 selfmates and reflexmates, and a report on the Final of the 2007-08 Winton Capital British Chess Solving Championship, won by Piotr Murdzia of Poland ahead of Jonathan Mestel, who narrowly regained the British title from John Nunn. Guy Sobrecases presented a selection of problems by the Hungarian team of György Bakcsi and Lázsló Zoltán, and John Rice paid tribute to the late Greek GM Byron Zappas. Browsing in the library covered the classic collection 777 Chess Miniatures in Three. In the Supplement David Shire detailed his selection of Desert Island Delights, John Rice showed some examples of the work of Belgian Gustave Nietvelt, and Alexander George examined some studies where Black is “wrong-footed”.

Philip H. Williams Christmas Greeting 1904 Mate in 3

1.Kb2 a1Q+ 2.Rxa1 h1Q 3.Qxh1 Easily solved, but a setting to catch the eye!

Uri Avner 2nd Prize, The Problemist 2006 Selfmate in 3

1.Rb4 (>2.Rh3+ Sd3 3.Rb3+ axb3) 1…S random 2.Sb5+ cxb5 3.Rb3+ axb3 1…Se2 2.Rc5+ bxc5 3.Rb3+ axb3 1…Sd3 2.Qf6+ Se5 3.Rb3+ axb3 1…c5 2.Qd3+ Sxd3 3.Rb3+ axb3 White must close the lines f1-a6 and h5-a5 before opening the a-file, and the black knight play shows tertiary correction.

Norman Macleod 7th HM, Die Schwalbe 1976 Mate in 2

Mates are prepared for all black moves in the diagram. There are a number of tries: 1.Bb4? a4! (2.Kb4?) 1.Bc5? b5+! (2.Kc5?) 1.Sb5? Sc6! (2.Kb5?) 1.d3? e3! (2.Kd3?) 1.c3? d3! (2.Kc3?) 1.Rxd4? exf4! (2.Kxd4?) 1.Rcd7? Sd6+! (2.R8xd6?) 1.Rdd7? Se7! (2.Rcxe7?) The only move which maintains the set mates is 1.Sb1! An original task, showing six self-obstructions of the white king and mutual interference between the rooks in the try play.

ñ The Problemist January 2008

Articles in the January issue included John Rice's selections of two-movers and serieshelpmates from the recently published FIDE Album for 1998-2000, and a celebration of the centenary of Finnish composer Pentti Sola, by Marko Ylijoki. Awards included helpmates in 2 and directmate moremovers for 2005, and there were reviews of new collections of the work of Viktor Razumenko, Hermann Albrecht and Attila Benedek. Browsing in the library covered A chess silhouette, the 1942 collection of problems by the Rev. Gilbert Dobbs. In the Supplement John Rice presented a quartet of FIDE Album miniatures, and Michael McDowell contributed to Desert Island Delights with a selection of eight favourite books.

Marjan Kovačević Mezija 2000 Mate in 2

Try 1.Sxf7? (>2.Qxd5) 1…Re5 2.Sxd6 1…Rxd3 2.Rf6 1…Rd4 2.Be6 1…Rxg3! 1.Sg6! (>2.Qxd5) 1…Re5 2.Sh4 1…Rxd3 2.Rh5 1…Rd4 2.Se7 The Fleck theme in secondary form, doubled. In each phase lifting the d5 rook off the board would allow three mates, which are separated by arrival effects.

Pentti Sola Allas Krönika 1926 Selfmate in 4

Set 1...h4 2.S8e7 h3 3.Sd8 c6, c5 4.dxc6 Sc7 1.Kd8 h4 2.Re8 h3 3.Be7 f6, f5 4.exf6 Sf7. A mutate showing a neat echo. The black knights exchange guarding and checking functions.

Thomas Taverner 1st Prize, Yenowine News 1888 Mate in 2

1.Rh4 () 1…dxe6 2.Ke2 1…c5 2.Kf2 1…d6 2.Kg3 1…Sc4 2.Kg4 1…S else 2.c4 1…Bb4 2.Sxb4 1…Bc3 2.Sxc3 1…Bxd2 2.Qxd2 1…f5 2.Qe5 A 19th century classic. Four times the white king shuts off one of his officers following a selfblock.

ñ The Problemist November 2007

In the November magazine John Rice presented a full report on this year's World Congress of Chess Composition at Rhodes, where Great Britain dominated the WCSC, winning both team and individual titles. John also gave a selection of awardwinners from the composing tourneys while Paul Valois detailed Commission business and reviewed new books on sale at the congress. Fuller reviews were given to new collections of the work of Norwegian composers and the late American composer Edgar Holladay. Browsing in the library covered Soviet Chess Compositions 1945-47, compiled by György Páros. The two-move award for 2006 was published along with the Study of the Year for 2006. The Supplement included articles by John Rice examining some three-move miniatures by Russian GM Viktor Chepizhny and the work of the aforementioned György Páros, one of the great helpmate composers. Bob Lincoln selected eight favourite problem books by British authors, and Paul Valois presented an interesting letter from 1884, written by the famous pioneering composer Walter Grimshaw.

Januarta Simadhinata 1st HM, The Problemist 2006 Mate in 2

The Nowotny try 1.Rd7? threatening 2.Sf7 and 2.Qxe6, fails to 1…c4!, while a pair of White Grimshaw tries fail to Grimshaw interferences – 1.Rc4? (>2.Sd3) 1..Bd7! and 1.Bc4? (>2.Sd3) 1…Rd7!. A further try 1.Be1? (>2.Bc3) is refuted by 1…Qc4! because of the unguard of d4. The key 1.Qh3! (>2.Qc3) avoids any errors and gives the variations 1…Rd7 2.Qxe6; 1…Bd7 2.Sf7; 1…Qc4 2.Sxc4; 1…Qd3+ 2.Sxd3 and 1…f3 2.Qh2. The judge praised the perfect construction.

O. Tabidze 1st Prize, Gruzia Tourney 1947 Mate in 3

1.Sf4 () 1…Sd7 2.Se2 any 3.Sd4 1…Se6 2.Sd3 any 3.Se5 1…Sg6 2.Sh3 any 3.Sg5 1…Sh7 2.Sg2 any 3.Sh4 1…Rh8 2.gxh8Q 1…Rxg7 2.a7 Four matching anticipatory interferences.

György Páros 2nd Prize, Stella Polaris 1970 Helpmate in 2 (2 solutions)

1.Rc1 Se7+ (Sc3+?) 2.Rxc5 Kf3 1.Bf8 Sc3+ (Se7+?) 2.Bxc5 Kg4 The white king and knight must guard e4 and f5, but as a knight move gives check Black must remove the rook, and the knight must avoid closing the path to c5.

ñ The Problemist September 2007

Articles in the September issue included a report by Ian Watson on the 2007 European Chess Solving Championship, David Shire asking “What does the composer want you to see?” and a selection of recent British tourney successes. Awards included helpmates in 2 for 2005, helpmates in 3 for 2003 and the C.M. Bent Memorial Tourney for studies. Browsing in the library covered Vybrané Šachové Skladby, the personal collection of Vladimir Pachman, while John Rice reviewed an important new book The art of composing selfmates, by the master of the genre, Petko Petkov. In the Supplement John Rice explained Nietvelt defences and presented a selection of problems by the late Swiss task expert Jacques Fulpius, while Geoff Foster discussed a favourite problem.

Milan Velimirović 2nd prize, Liga Problemista TT 2000 Mate in 2

Set 1…Ke3 2.Bxc5 1…Kxc4 2.Qxc5 1…Ke5 2.Qd5 1.Sxc5 (>2.Qe4) 1...Ke3 2.Sb7 1...Kxc4 2.Sd3 1...Ke5 2.Sd7 1...Bd5, Bf5 2.Sxb3 1...Sxc5 2.Sxf3 A notable task, showing changed pin mates after three flights.

Mikael Grönroos 2nd Prize, The Problemist 2005 Helpmate in 2 (2 solutions)

1.Qxa8 Rxg8+ 2.Qxg8 Bxh6 1.Qxc1 Bxh6+ 2.Qxh6 Rxg8 Spectacular sweeping manoeuvres eliminate the unwanted guards on the mating squares.

Vladimir Pachman 4th Prize, Československy Sach 1950 White to play and win

1.Sc6? Bc7 2.Bc6?? 1.Bc6? Sc7 2.Sc6?? 1.Bf6+! Kg8 2.Sc6 Bc7 3.Se7+ K any 4.Bc6 wins. If 1…Kh7 2.Bc6 Sc7 3.Be4+ Kg8 4.Sc6 wins. White must win a piece, but direct attack fails because knight and bishop get in each other’s way. A preliminary check forces Black to weaken his position, allowing a tempo-gaining check in each line.

ñ The Problemist July 2007

The July issue contained the latest update by Jeremy Morse of his Chess Problems: Tasks and Records, and the text of a lecture by David Shire on the two-movers of Marjan Kovačević. Awards included Selfmates for 2005 and the Brian Harley Award for two-movers covering 2003-04. John Rice reported on the meetings at Andernach and Messigny, and reviewed Mike Prcic’s new collection of the work of Viktor Chepizhny. Browsing in the library covered an article by J.W. Allen on the development of the chess problem which was originally published in BCM in 1903-04. In the Supplement John Rice discussed two fairy pieces, the Princess and the Empress, while Steve Giddins presented his choice of 8 books on composition to take to a desert island.

Marjan Kovačević v. 1st Prize=, Pula Internet Tourney 1997 Mate in 2

Try 1.Qc1? (>2.Qf4) 1…Sac4 2.Sexd4 1…Sdc4 2.Sfxd4 1…Qc4! Key 1.Re1! (>2.Re5) 1…Sac4 2.Sfxd4 1…Sdc4 2.Sexd4 1…Se4 2.exd4 1…Qa5, Qb5 2.Sfxd4 An astonishing reciprocal change with both thematic defences on the same square and both mates on the same square. The imaginative mechanism repays close study.

Charles Pelle Chess 1958 Mate in 2

1.Qf5 (>2.Sb5) 1…Re4 2.Qd5 1…d6 2.Qe5 1…d5 2.Qd3 1…Sd6, Sc7 2.Qe5 1…Qe4, Qc6 2.Sxe2 1…Be5 2.Qxe5, Qd3 The Pelle theme requires that key, defence and mate should all be moves of a pinned piece along the pin-line. Here the first two variations show the inventor of the theme doubling his idea.

Leonid Kubbel 150 Chess Studies, 1925 White to play and win

1.c6! bxc6 (If 1…Qa1 2.Bf6+) 2.Bc7+ Kd4 3.Ba5! (>4.Bc3+ Kc5/Kxc4 5.d4+/d3+) Qxf2 4.Bb6+ c5 5.Bxc5+ Kxc5 6.Se4+ wins. Taken from the 1963 book The Tactics of End Games, by Jenö Bán, Steve Giddins’ choice as the best introduction to studies for the over-the-board player.

ñ The Problemist May 2007

The May issue contained a full report of the BCPS weekend at Torquay, plus two lectures from the meeting, John Rice presenting some problems by a quartet of distinguished composers who were born in 1927, while Michael Lipton asked “Is content in the eye of the beholder?”. In another lecture report Jörg Kuhlmann compared logical preparation over the board and in the problem. Browsing in the library discussed A century of two-movers, the first volume in the famous Overbrook series. In the Supplement John Rice continued his survey of fairy pieces by examining the use of Berolina pawns, and paid tribute to two recently deceased composers, Efim Rukhlis and Venelin Alaikov.

Michel Caillaud 2nd Prize, Chlubna MT 2006 Helpmate in 2 (3 solutions)

1.f1R Sa5 2.Ra1 d4 1.f1B Sc5 2.Bc4 d3 1.f1S Sd6 2.Se3 dxe3 A problem quoted by Christopher Jones in his Selected Helpmates column. After each promotion there is only one possible hideaway, and the white knight is forced to close different lines. The light construction is excellent.

Efim Rukhlis 1st Prize Uzbekskogo KFC 1955 Mate in 2

Set play: 1…g2 2.Sc2 1…Se6 2.Sf5 1.Qc7 (>2.Qf4) 1…Se2 2.Sc2 1…S4e6 2.Sf5 1…g2 2.Qc1 1…S8e6 2.Sg4 Rukhlis here demonstrates the combination of changed and transferred play which became associated with his name. In the Rukhlis theme at least two set defences gain new mates after the key, while the original mates follow new defences, and much of the interest lies in the mechanism which allows the theme to operate.

Gyorgy Páros 1st HM, British Chess Magazine 1938 Mate in 2

1.c8Q (>2.Ba6) 1…Rh4 2.Sg4 1…Rh2 2.Sg2 1…Bc4 2.Sc2 1…d2 2.Sc4 1…Bxc6 2.Bxc6 Quoted from A century of two-movers, and an example of a great composer knowing when to break the conventions. A.C. White commented: “The promotion to queen is both brutal and obvious. Yet there is a quaintness about the step, which combines with the almost incredible oddness of the defences and mates, and makes this an outstanding problem, if not one that is artistically very satisfactory.”

ñ The Problemist March 2007

The March issue contained a report on the Final of the 2006-2007 Winton Capital British Chess Solving Championship, won by World Champion Piotr Murdzia, with runner-up John Nunn taking the British title. Articles included James Quah on the Roman Theme and Michael Lipton on "Multiple pins of the black queen in miniature three-movers", while in the Supplement Ian Watson discussed "Superhuman Studies" and John Rice explained the Dombrovskis theme and presented a selection of the work of the late Italian composer Guido Cristoffanini. There were full obituaries of Aurel Karpati and Marcel Segers. The award for helpmates in 2½ and 3 moves (judge Rolf Wiehagen) was published. Browsing in the Library covered The Danish Wizard, the 1963 collection of the work of Knud Hannemann.

Fadil Abdurahmanovic 2nd Prize, The Problemist 2005 Helpmate in 2½ (2 solutions)

1...Ra6 2.Qxg6 Rxg6 3.Kc3 Rg3 1…Bg8 2.Qxb3 Bxb3 3.Ke4 Bc2 Attractive and harmonious solutions in which the existing batteries are destroyed and a new indirect battery created from the original rear pieces.

Knud Hannemann 3rd Prize Nederlandsch-Indische Schaakbond 1929 Mate in 3

1.Rb1 (>2.Rc1+ Kb3 3.Rc3, Rxd3) 1…Rc6 2.Sge4 (>3.Rb4) 1…Bc6 2.Be7 (>3.Rb4) 1…Sc6 2.Rd5 (>3.Rc5) 1…c6 2.Sf3 (>2.Sxe5) A superb problem in which each defence at c6 interferes with two pieces and obstructs a third, and each continuation exploits all three errors.

Gady Costeff The Problemist March 2007 White to play and win

1.O-O-O+ g1Q 2.Rxg1+ Kxg1 3.Kb2 dxe4 4.f4! exf3 e.p. 5.exf3 Kf2 6.f4 Kf3 7.f5 Kf4 8.f6 Kf5 9.f7 Kg6 10.f8R wins If 1…Kh2 2.Kb2 dxe4 3.Kxa2 Kh3 4.Kb3 Kxh4 5.Kc4 Kg4 6.Kd4 h4 7.Kxe4 h3 8.Rg1 Kh4 9.Kf3 h2 10.Kxg2 hxg1+ 11.Kxg1 wins If 4.f3? e3 5.f4 Kf2 6.f5 Kxe2 7.f6 Kd2 8.f7 e2 A very light setting of the Valladao theme, combining the three “odd” moves of chess, castling, en passant and underpromotion.

ñ The Problemist January 2007

Articles in the January issue included a report by Ian Watson on the 2nd European Chess Solving Championship, Michael Lipton on “Miniatures with the Banny theme”, and an examination by John Rice of the classic work on selfmates “Les Mille et un Mats Inverses”, which was published 100 years ago. Three informal awards were published; reflexmates for 2003-2004, two-movers for 2005 and fairies for 2004. Browsing in the library covered Sonatas in chess, the collection of three-movers by C.A.L. Bull, and this was complemented by an article in the Supplement presenting 24 of Bull’s lighter three-movers.

Yuri Gordian & Valentin Rudenko 1st Prize, Birnov Memorial Tourney 1988 Mate in 4

1.Rd3 (>2.Re3+ Kxd4 3.Rd3+ Ke4 4.Qe1) 1...f4 2.Qe1+ Kxd5 3.Qa5+ Ke4 4.Sf6 1...Sxd6 2.Sf6+ Kxe5 3.Sh5+ Ke4 4.Re3 A problem taken from a new collection of the work of Ukrainian composer Yuri Gordian. The switchback manoeuvres force the black king to remove a piece so that a square beyond can be guarded. There is an AB-BC-CA cycle of white 2nd and 4th moves.

Stefan Schneider & Herbert Grasemann 3rd HM Deutsche Schachblatter 1979-80 Mate in 6

1.Rb8 (>2.Qxg8+ Kxg8 3.Bg6+) 1...Rc3+ 2.Kb4 (>3.Qg7) Rb3+ 3.Ka5 Rg3 4.Rb7+ Kh8 5.Qxh6+ Bh7 6.Qxh7 2...Rc4+ 3.Ka5 Rc5+ 4.Rb5 Rc7 5.Qxh6+ Kxh6 6.Rh5 A six-mover which provided tough solving for the competitors in the ECSC.

C.A.L. Bull Natal Mercury 3rd November 1917 Mate in 3

1.Se8 (zugzwang) 1...Kxe6 2.Qe4+ Kd7 3.Sf6 2...Kf7 3.Sd6 1...Kf5 2.S6g7+ Ke5 3.Bf6 2...Kg6 3.Qh5 1...Bxe6 2.Bf6+ Kf5 3.Qb1 1...Bf7 2.Sf6 any 3.Qe4 A typical Bull lightweight, with a flight-giving key leading to four model mates, including an echo.

ñ The Problemist November 2006

In the November issue John Rice presented some problems by C.M. Fox, who composed over 900 problems despite beginning at the late age of 55. Lecture reports included John Ling on the analysis of black correction and (in the Supplement) Colin Russ’ selection of “Some problems for pleasure”. Bulgarian composer Diyan Kostadinov continued his exposition of the Zabunov theme, and Michael Lipton presented variations on a problem by Adabashev. Awards included Selfmates >3 for 2004, Two-movers 2004, Three-movers 2004 and Hans Gruber’s judgment of a theme tourney for helpmates featuring a static white queen. Browsing in the library went back to 1890 to cover B.G. Laws’ treatise on the two-move chess problem.
In the Supplement John Rice presented some two-move mutates and David Shire examined a Sushkov / Nowotny matrix.

Sally and Tony Lewis 1st Prize, The Problemist 2004 Mate in 2

Set 1…Se7 2.Rd5 1…Qc5 2.Re6 Tries: 1.Qe4? (>2.Rd5) 1…Bxe5 2.Qxe5, but 1…Qxa5! 1.Qe3? (>2.Rd5) 1…Qxa5 2.Qc5 but 1…Sf7! 1.Qh5? (>Re6) 1…Sf7 2.Qg6 but 1…Rd5! 1.Bc1! (>2.Qf6) 1…Kxe5 2.Qf4 1…Bxe5 2.Bxa3 1…Rd5 2.Qxd5 1…Bc4 2.Sxc4 Described by the judge, Marjan Kovačević, as “a natural fusion of Beauty and Logic”. Like the Millour more-mover from the September issue a successful adaptation of an old Sam Loyd problem, namely the famous “American Indian” published in the New York Sunday Herald in 1889. The tries, all of which are refuted by interference strategy, caused havoc when this problem was used in the British Solving Final of 2004.

Les Blackstock 1st Prize, Static White Queen TT 2005-2006 Helpmate in 5 (2 solutions)

1.Qf3 gxf3 2.Se4 fxe4 3.Sd5 exd5 4.Bc6 dxc6 5.Ba7 c7 1.Sf5 g4+ 2.Ka7 gxf5 3.Qe6 fxe6 4.Bd7 exd7 5.Sc8 dxc8S It was a requirement of the tourney that the presence of the static white queen had to be essential. Here, using a bishop would create an illegal position. Given the strength of a queen combined with the helpmate condition it was an achievement to use so little cookstopping force. With this problem the composer, who is well known to the playing fraternity, joined the select band who have won a first prize with their first composition.

E. Delpy Deutsches Wochenschach 1908 Mate in 5

1.h4 e2 2.Bc2 dxc2 3.Rb3 any 4.Rh3 any 5.Rh1 (1…Ke2 2.Bxd1+ Ke1 3.Bf3+) One of Colin Russ’ “problems for pleasure” and an entertaining solving challenge. Colin was unable to find any other problems by Delpy and would welcome more information on him.

ñ The Problemist September 2006

The September issue was dominated by a report by Allan Bell on the 49th WCCC, held at Wageningen , Netherlands. From the British viewpoint the highlight of the meeting was the successful defence of the WCSC team title by solvers John Nunn, Jonathan Mestel and Colin McNab. Outgoing PCCC President John Rice reported on Commission business and Paul Valois reviewed new books on sale at the meeting. A number of prizewinners from composing tourneys at Wageningen were detailed, along with BCPS informal awards for Moremovers 2004 and Selfmates in 2 and 3 for 2003-2004. Browsing in the library featured A Sketchbook of American Chess Problematists, one of the famous Overbrook series, published in 1942.
In the Supplement John Rice presented some minimals with fairy units.

Avenir Popandopulo Schach 1983 Mate in 6

1.Ra8 (>2.Rd8+) Bd5 2.Ra5 b5 (2…Rd8 3.Sxc2+) 3.Rxb5 Sxb5 4.Sxc2+ Kc4 5.Bc5 A straightforward more-mover, which made for pleasant solving in the Open event at Wageningen.

René J. Millour 1st Prize, The Problemist 2004 Mate in 20

1.Ke6 Bg2 2.Kf7 Bh3 3.Kg8 Bg2 4.Kh8 Bh3 5.Kh7 Bg2 6.Kg6 Bh3 7.Kf5 Bg2 8.Ke4 g6 9.Kd5 Bh3 10-16.Kf5 Bg2 17.Ke4 Bh3 18.Kxf3 Bg2+, Bg4+ 19.RxB B~ 20.Sxc3 Developed from a famous Sam Loyd problem nicknamed “The Comet”. The King must visit h8 in order to lose a move without allowing a check from the b4 bishop. The manoeuvre is repeated after 8…g6.

Alexander Kish 1st Prize, Correspondence Chess League of America Bulletin 1936 Mate in 2

1.Qc7 (>2.Qc4) 1…Se4+ 2.Sf4 1…Sg4+ Sf6 1…Sd1+ 2.Rf2 1…Ke4 2.Rc4 1…bxc2 2.Qxc2 A classic cross-checker with interferences and selfblock, lightly set.

ñ The Problemist July 2006

Articles in the July issue included an update by Jeremy Morse of his book Chess Problems Tasks and Records, a review by Michael McDowell of G.W. Chandler's famous column in the Hampshire Telegraph and Post, Geoff Foster and Bob Meadley on an unusual figure from Australian problem history, Henry Tate, and Klaus Wenda on "Defensive retractors with forward defence". John Rice presented a selection of Christopher Jones' award-winning helpmates, reports on this year's meetings at Andernach and Messigny, and a brief introduction to a new fairy form called Take&make chess. Browsing in the library covered G.F. Anderson's collection of Kriegspiel problems, entitled Are there any? while Yochanan Afek reviewed the recently published "catch-up" volume XI of the endgame study magazine EG. In the Supplement Paul Valois examined reflexmates involving black prevention of white mates.

G. Maleika Probleemblad 1980 Mate in 2

1.d4 (-) 1...Sc any 2.Ke7 1...Sg any 2.Kxf5 1...Bxg5+ 2.Kxg5 1...h6 2.Kg6 1...Rxf7+ 2.Kxf7 1...Rd8 2.cxd8Q 1...Re8 2.fxe8Q 1...Rg8 2.fxg8Q An unusual task. Eight variations follow a key move which stalemates White!

G.H. Goethart 1st Prize, Hampshire Telegraph and Post 1916-1919 Mate in 2

Set 1...Rc4+ 2.Sc6 1...Rc3+ 2.Bxc3 1.Sc5 (>2.Se6) 1...Rc4 2.Sxd3 1...Rc3 2.Be3 1...Kxc5 2.Qxa7 1...Bxc5 2.Qg4 An unexpected sacrificial key converts two prominent set checks into pins, with changed mates.

Ilham Aliev 2nd Prize, Suomen Tehtäväniekat 2001 - 2002 White to play and win

1.O-O+ Kg8 2.Rf8+ Kxf8 3.gxh7 Rb1+ 4.Kg2 Rb2+ 5.Kg3 Rb3+ 6.Kg4 Rb4+ (Not 6.Kh4? g5+ 7.Kxg5 Kg7) 7.Kg5 Rh4! 8.Kxh4 g5+ 9.Kxg5 Kg7 10.h8Q+ Kxh8 11.Kh6 Kg8 12.Kg6 Kf8 13.Kh7 wins. A pleasant study showing an original blend of known ideas.

ñ The Problemist May 2006

The May issue featured a full report on this year’s BCPS weekend, held at Derby. One of the highlights of the meeting was Chris Reeves’ Presidential Lecture, a survey of the two-movers of Colin Sydenham, the text of which was reproduced. Articles included Bob Burger on “The Algorithm as a composing tool”, John Rice on the fairy form Couscous Circe, and in the Supplement the Australian duo Geoff Foster and Bob Meadley on problems from the Brisbane Courier column, published between 1916 and 1928. Michael Lipton presented alternative versions of a classic triple-Grimshaw two-mover by Simkhovich. “Browsing in the Library” discussed White to play by A.C. White, and a sizeable new book Minimalkunst im Schach, by Hilmar Ebert, Hans Peter Reich and Jörg Kuhlmann (containing 1064 diagrams!) was reviewed. The Brian Harley award for two-movers 2001-2002 was published, won by Geoff Foster.

Colin Sydenham Commend, The Problemist 1982-I Mate in 2

1.Rc6 (>2.Bxg6) 1…Bxb1 2.Qf7 1…Rxb2 2.Qh5 1…e6 2.Qd7 1…e5 2.Qh1 Despite the strong key, a lightly-set and very aesthetic problem whose variations fall neatly into two pairs, with loss of control from the rear and interference in front of the queen.

William Meredith Dubuque Chess Journal, December 1886 Mate in 2

1.Qh5 zugzwang 1…gxh5 2.Sf5 1…Kxe3 2.Bc5 1…Se5 2.Bc5 1…dS else 2.Qh8 1…aS any 2.Sc2 Mates are set for all moves in the diagram. The sacrificial flight-giving key adds two move variations. A classic, which inspired A.C. White to make the collection White to play.

Abram Gurvich 1st Prize, Vechernyaya Moskva 1930 White to play and win

1.S6c7 a1S+ (the only way to stop Bb6 mate) 2.Kb2 Sb3! 3.Kxb3 Bc5 (aiming for stalemate) 4.Bh2 Bg1 (if 4…Bd6 5.Sb6! wins) 5.Bf4! Be3 6.Sb6!! Bxb6 (if 6…Bxf4 7.Sc4 mate, or 6…Kxb6 7.Sd5+ and 8.Sxe3 wins, which explains the bishop’s choice of f4) 7.Bd2 mate. A beautiful miniature, quoted by Studies editor Yochanan Afek as an example of the study theme for the 8th WCCT (see the PCCC website).

ñ The Problemist March 2006

The March Problemist featured a report on the Final of the 2005-2006 Winton Capital British Chess Solving Championship, the strongest Final in the history of the event, with three of the top four from the last World Championship participating. Jonathan Mestel retained the British title, while World Champion Piotr Murdzia from Poland won the event overall. Articles included "The Zabunov Theme" by Diyan Kostadinov, "Some problems by Gerry Anderson" by Jim Grevatt, "The Scope of the Miniature: Mate Transference and Friends" by Michael Lipton, and "Seven Millennium Problems", in which Stephen Rothwell detailed seven unsolved tasks as a challenge to composers. Browsing in the library featured a 1932 collection of problems by Polish player-composer David Przepiórka. The awards for Studies 2004-2005 and Helpmates in 2½ and 3 for 2004 were published.
In the Supplement John Rice discussed the fairy pieces camels, giraffes and zebras, and introduced a new fairy form called Super-Andernach.

Robin Matthews 1st Place, International Team Match 1967-1971 Mate in 3

Set 1…Ra8 2.Re2+ Ke6 3.Bc5; 2…Kxd6 3.Qxc6 1…Rb8 2.Rd2+ Ke6 3.Sc5; 2…Kxd6 3.Qxc6 Key 1.d7! (>2.d8Q+ Ke6 3.Qd7) 1…Ra8 2.Rd2+ Kd6 3.Sc5; 2…Ke6 3.Qxc6 1…Rb8 2.Re2+ Kd6 3.Bc5; 2…Ke6 2.Qxc6 In the Zabunov theme the firing piece of a battery becomes the rear piece of a new battery. Robin Matthews' beautiful example shows a reciprocal change of continuations between set and post-key play. The mechanism is worthy of close study.