2020/09/11 – Dawson MT Written by Brian Stephenson The BCPS is delighted to announce the Dawson Memorial Tourney.

2020/09/07 – Solving September Written by Ian Watson A complete new set of online solving events for September. As last month, you can choose from three Categories: Master level, intermediate solvers, or newcomers to solving. Each Category has two separate tests; in each separate test there are six problems with two hours available. Go to http://www.ihandicap.mobi/chess/chess202009.htm and click on one of the six ‘Practice Tourneys’. Remember that the diagrams are interactive; if you haven’t tried them before, have a go at one of the Daily Challenges to get used to the tech.

2020/08/09 – August Solving Challenges! Written by Ian Watson Solvers, Brian Cook is challenging you again: his August tourneys are live on the netchex website. You can choose from three Categories: Master level, intermediate solvers, or newcomers to solving. Each Category has two separate tests this month; in each separate test there are six problems with two hours available. Go to http://www.ihandicap.mobi/chess/chess202008.htm and click on one of the six ‘Practice Tourneys’. Remember that the diagrams are interactive; if you haven’t tried them before, have a go at one of the Daily Challenges to get used to the tech. Enjoy the Tourneys, and tell your chess friends about them!

2020/07/06 – New Solving Tests for You Written by Ian Watson Try your skills on the latest solving challenges from Brian Cook. Each of the new tests contains six problems, and you have a total of two hours to complete the six. The three tests are similar to the ISC (International Solving Contest) and, like that event, have three Categories – one at Master level, one for intermediate solvers, and an easy one for newcomers to solving and juniors. When you’ve finished, the website will tell you your score and your rating for the test. The faster you solve, the higher your rating. Go to: http://www.ihandicap.mobi/chess/chess202007.htm and click on one of the three ‘Practice Tourneys’. Remember that the diagrams are interactive; if you haven’t tried them before, have a go at one of the Daily Challenges to get used to the tech. Enjoy the Tests, and tell your chess friends about them!

2020/05/09 – The Lincoln Memorial Online Solving Test Written by Ian Watson The Lincoln Memorial test is ready for you! We’’ve another solving challenge for you. We hope you’ve tried your skills on the Lipton Test; now try the new Lincoln Memorial test. This is a selection of problems by the late Bob Lincoln, famous for his miniatures. The Lincoln Memorial test has twenty 2-movers; you have only a minute for each one, but they’re not very difficult. The webpage tells you your score, based on how many you get right and how quickly you do them. Here’s the link: http://www.ihandicap.mobi/t20/tt200402j.htm (Make sure you read the instructions on that page, before you start the Test!) Also, before doing the full test, try a single two-mover at http://www.netchex.club to get familiar with how to move the pieces on screen. (Keep that link in your Favourites – there are lots of problems to solve there.) Or you can have a go at the Lipton Test, also on that site. Our thanks again to Brian Cook, who has written the program. When you’ve finished, you can e-mail your result to him netchex@btinternet.com and you’ll receive your rating and a link to his complete selection of Bob Lincoln problems, all 108 of them. Enjoy the test, and tell your chess friends about it!

2020/04/19 – Online Solving during Lockdown! Written by Ian Watson Try your skills on quick solving of two-movers. The Test has twenty 2-movers; you have only a minute for each one, but they’re not difficult ones. The webpage tells you your score, and gives you a rating based on how many you get right and how quickly you do them. The problems are provided by Michael Lipton. Here’s the link: http://www.ihandicap.mobi/t20/tt200401j.htm (Make sure you read the instructions on that page, before you start the Test!) Also, before doing the full Test, try a single two-mover at http://www.netchex.club to get familiar with how to move the pieces on screen. (Keep that link in your Favourites – there are lots of problems to solve there.) Our thanks to Brian Cook, who has written the program. When you’ve finished, you can e-mail your result to him at netchex@btinternet.com, and you’ll receive a complete collection of Michael Lipton’s miniatures. Enjoy the Test, and tell your chess friends about it!

2020/04/14 – The Queens of Problem Chess Written by Brian Stephenson Chess Problem enthusiast Satanick Mukhuty writes about and presents problems by Dora Nesbitt, Sophie Schett, Edith Baird, Lilian Baird, Odetter Vollenweider and Julia Vysotska at ChessBase

2020/03/19 – Romancing the helpmate with Grandmaster Christopher Jones Written by Brian Stephenson Chess Problem enthusiast Satanick Mukhuty writes about BCPS Vice-President, Secretary and helpmates sub-editor Christopher Jones at ChessBase India

2020/03/03 – Solving at Sheffield Written by Ian Watson A new solving event for you! On Sunday May 24th, we are running a British venue for an international solving competition. It’s the Israeli Open, which, in spite of the name, is held simultaneously at venues in several countries. All are welcome to take part. There will be two categories, one with harder problems for experienced solvers and one with easier problems. Solving will start at 10 a.m. and finish at 3 p.m., with a break for lunch in the middle. Entry is free, as is the lunch! Our venue is Jury’s Inn in central Sheffield, which has accommodation available if you wish to stay overnight. To register to take part, or to get more details, please email me at ian@irwatson.demon.co.uk

2019/12/06 – Interntional Solving Contest, 2020 (Nodes in UK) Written by Brian Stephenson As usual, GB will host two ‘nodes’ of the International Solving Contest (ISC) – one in Surbiton and one in Sheffield. The event will take place on Sunday 26th January 2020. The event is happening simultaneously in all participating countries. There are three sections: Category 1 for experienced chess solvers, Category 2 for solvers with an international rating of less than 2000 and Category 3 for younger solvers born after 31/12/2006. In each category solving will start at 10:00. Categories 1 and 2 will comprise two rounds of two hours each while category 3 will be one round of two hours. Lunch will be provided between the rounds. There is no entry fee and no prize fund. The Surbiton venue will be John Rice’s house and is limited to a small number of solvers. Prospective solvers should contact John for details, though he is most likely fully booked already. The Sheffield venue is Jurys Inn and can take up to 20 solvers. Please contact local controller Phillip Beckett to book your place. The following solvers are already booked for the Sheffield venue: Brian Cook

David Hodge

Michael McDowell

Colin McNab

Victor Snaith

Brian Stephenson

2019/06/12 – Solving events over summer 2019 Written by Christopher Jones There will be two solving competitions over the summer. Firstly, at the British Championships in Torquay (for details of this congress see the ECF Website) there will be a solving tourney, split into three sections, Open, Minor and Junior, on Monday 29th July 2019 at 7.30 p.m.. Secondly, there will be a solving tourney at the MindSports Olympiad at the JW3 Centre, 341-351 Finchley Road, London (see the MSO website for further information) on August Bank Holiday Monday (26th August 2019) at 10.00 a.m.. Please direct any queries to the Hon. Secretary of the British Chess Problem Society, Christopher Jones (using the Contact item in the menu above) who will be the Controller at both events. At both events it will be possible, subject to space limitations, simply to turn up a quarter of an hour or so before the start time, but it is helpful for the organizers, and guarantees space for you, if you are able to let Christopher know in advance of your intention to take part.

2019/05/20 – 4th Youth Chess Composing Challenge, 2019 Written by Brian Stephenson The BCPS is happy to publicise the 4th Youth Chess Composing Challenge.

2019/04/13 – New version of S2747 (Jenkner) from March Problemist Written by Brian Stephenson Since the March issue went to press, Olaf Jenkner has delivered an improved version of S2747 from that issue. It can be seen below. Solvers should note that ladder points will only be awarded for solution of the original setting, viz. S2747. Olaf Jenkner (Chemnitz) and Marcin Banaszek (Reutlingen) S2747v, The Problemist, March 2019 S#7

2019/04/12 – Junior Team Problem Solving Written by Brian Stephenson The final of the ECF Junior Team Problem Solving was held at Imperial College, London on Wednesday 3rd April. A full report can be found at the ECF Junior site. The BCPS is grateful to Phill Beckett and Neill Cooper of the ECF for instigating this event, now in its fourth year.

2019/01/11 – International Solving Contest (ISC) nodes in GB Written by Brian Stephenson As has now become usual, GB will host two ‘nodes’ of the International Solving Contest (ISC) – one in Surbiton and one in Sheffield. The event will take place on Sunday 27th January 2019. There are three sections: Category 1 for experienced chess solvers, Category 2 for solvers with an international rating of less than or equal to 1700 and Category 3 for younger solvers born after 31/12/2005. In each category solving will start at 10:00. Categories 1 and 2 will comprise two rounds of two hours each while category 3 will be one round of two hours. Lunch will be provided between the rounds. The Surbiton venue will be John Rice’s house and is limited to a small number of solvers. Prospective solvers should contact John for details, though he is most likely fully booked already. The Sheffield venue is Jurys Inn and can take up to only 10 solvers, so getting in early is recommended. Please contact me to book your place. The following solvers are already booked for the Sheffield venue: Geoff Brown Brian Cook David Hodge Michael McDowell Colin McNab Victor Snaith Ian Watson

2018/07/30 – Results of the British Championships Chess Problem Solving Tournament Written by Brian Stephenson 13 solvers sat down in Hull City Hall last Saturday night to compete in The British Championships Chess Solving Tournament. Due to the unavailability of the intended room, solving started at 19:45 rather than 19:00. Because of this I reduced the time to 90 minutes from the intended two hours. There were three solvers in each of the Open and Minor sections and a very welcome 7 in the Junior Section. Results were as follows: OPEN 1st: Thomas Villiers (10/30 - £20)

1st: (10/30 - £20) MINOR 1st: Nigel Dennis (20/30 - £20)

1st: (20/30 - £20) JUNIOR 1st: Joe Varley (20/30, [faster time] £30); 2nd/3rd=: Jonathan McKay and Julia Volovich (20/30 - £15 each). The BCPS wishes to thank Hull and District Chess Association for arranging this event, and for providing the prize-fund. Our special thanks go to Stephen Greep. The problems set, and their solutions, can be viewed here.

2018/07/16 – The British Championships Chess Problem Solving Tournament Written by Brian Stephenson This year, as in recent previous years, there will be a chess solving event at the British Chess Championships. It will be held on the evening of Saturday 28th July between the hours of 19:00 and 21:00 at Hull City Hall. There will be three sections:



1) Open for experienced solvers and stronger players.

2) Minor for those with an International Solving Rating of less than 1700 or an otb ECF grade of under 160.

3) A Junior section.



Entry is free and there will be money prizes on the night. Instructions for entry can be found at the British Championship website. Although this is a chess event, it is not listed in the main schedule, but in the Events and Social Program .

2018/04/23 – BMJC COMPOSING TOURNEY: “NEWOTNYS” To mark the 80th birthdays in 2017 of four of its members, Barry Barnes, Michael Lipton, John Rice and Colin Sydenham, all of them probably best known for their 2-move compositions, the Society announces a composing tourney for orthodox direct-mate 2-movers featuring “Newotnys”, i.e. something new in the Nowotny field, on its own (for example, a task record) or in combination with some other currently popular theme. The example below shows the Barnes theme arising from a Nowotny by White’s first try, with its two threats separated by the second try and the key, each cutting only one of the thematic lines. Entries using non-orthodox force, boards or conditions are not acceptable. Intending competitors may like to consult one of the databases available online with multiple examples of 2-move themes, to assist in the search for originality. The tourney will be judged by Wieland Bruch (Germany), to whom we offer our thanks for his willingness to undertake this role. Send entries, preferably by email as pdf-attachment, to the Tourney Director Michael McDowell: mmcdchess@freeuk.com Closing date for submission: 30th June 2018. Prizes in the form of cash and/or books will be awarded to the highest-placed entries. John Rice The Problemist, 2017 Mate in 2 1.Sd6? (2.Bh6/Be7) 1...Bxd6/Rxd6/Sxf7 2.Bh6/Be7/Qxf7#; 1...Sg4!

1.Sef6? (2.Bh6#) 1...Rxf6/Bd2/Sg4 2.Qa8/Rb8/Sd7#; 1...Sxf7!

1.Sc5! (2.Be7) 1...Bxc5/Re6/Rf6/Rh6+/S~/Sxf7 2.Rb8/Sxe6/Qa8/Bxh6/ Sd7/Qxf7# 70 Nowotny examples by Messrs Barnes, Rice, Lipton and Sydenham, are available in the download section.

2018/04/17 – THREE GIFTS AND A COMPETITION Written by Michael Lipton A and B below were found in August 2017. The settings, in an apparently new matrix*, are least-force renderings of a theme much worked by John Rice and developed intensively by us both more than fifty years ago. Is it past its sell-by date? Readers are invited to: (1) work out the full solutions (with any set or try content): very easy, so do this before accepting. Gift 1: the full solutions by clicking on the 'Show solution' buttons alongside the diagrams. (A) Michael Lipton Unpublished Mate in 2 Show solution Set 1...Rxb8 2.Rxb8.



1.Ra6? R~8 2.Bxc6 (as set); 1...Rxb8 2.Bb6; 1...Rc7!



1.Sxc6? Rd8 2.Sxd8; 1...Re8 2.Se5; 1...Rc7 2.Rb8 (1...Rb8 2.Rxb8 or 2.Sxb8); 1...Rg8!



1.Rxc6! (>[1...Rxb8] 2.Rc8/[1...Rc7] 2.Rcc7) 1...Rd8 2.Rd6; 1...Re8 2.Re6; 1...Rg8 2.Rg6; 1...Rxc6+ 2.Bxc6. (B) Michael Lipton Unpublished Mate in 2 Show solution Set 1...R~8 2.Bxc6.



1.Sxc6? Rd8 2.Sxd8; 1...Re8 2.Se5; 1...Rb8 2.Sxb8; 1...Rc7!



1.Rxc6! (>[1...Rxb8] 2.Rc8/[1...Rc7]Rcc7) 1...Rd8 2.Rd6; 1...Re8 2.Re6; 1...Rg8 2.Rg6; 1...Rxc6+ 2.Bxc6 [post-key exactly as in A]. (2) state the full thematic content (theme or themes); (3) identify the main advantages and disadvantages of each setting; (4) compose a better problem, building on the ideas and matrix in these two settings; and/or reducing or avoiding their defects; and/or enriching them with other relevant content. No restriction on piece numbers or on other ideas, but orthodox #2s. NB: the relative positions of bK, bR and bP must be as in A and B. Gift 2: I am providing £50, to be divided among the best responses to (4) to reach mlipton@onetel.com before 31st August 2018. This date has been extended from the date mentioned in the March Problemist. The award will be announced as soon as possible thereafter. Gift 3: John Rice has kindly agreed to judge the competition. Hint: John believes one defect, in one of the above settings, is extremely serious. Michael doesn't like it either, but regards the content as far outweighing the defect. Of course, you don't know which defect or setting is referred to – and anyway Michael is not the judge. Warning: both of us have made further versions and transformations, such as the following: 2B3R1/16/1K3p1r/3p1R1S/3PS1Bk/16; but there is lots of room for more and better. * Note: No anticipation has been found in two databases, Albrecht-Leiss-Bruch-Degener and yacpdb.