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| Michel Caillaud and Josef Křivohlávek [YouTube] |
Josef Křivohlávek published "Šachové úlohy:výběr 1953-88". He demonstrated his showmanship at Marianka 2011.
Recently, as mentioned in a comment by Ivan Skoba, a book containing 139 selected problems of Josef Křivohlávek was published.
Křivohlávek, Josef
ÚV ČSTV, 1979
1st Prize
ÚV ČSTV, 1979
1st Prize
| #3 | 8 + 7 |
Show Solution
Klaus Wenda (13-09-1941 - 11-04-2026) Austrian composer and Grandmaster
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| Klaus Wenda, with Odette Vollenweider and Reto Aschwanden [Source: kunstschach.ch] |
Klaus Wenda was a former president of PCCC (FIDE Permanent Commission for Chess Composition, now WFCC) and received his certificate of Grandmaster in composition in 2010 at his summer home: photos here.
with Friedrich Chlubna "Problempalette: Schachprobleme österr. Autoren aus den Jahren 1901-1970" (Austrian Problems) in 1972 and "Problempalette II, Volume 2" 1991.
More about him can be read here (thank you for the link Peter). He composed in all genres.
Wenda, Klaus
Arbeiter-Zeitung, 1976 (1073/v)
1st Prize
Arbeiter-Zeitung, 1976 (1073/v)
1st Prize
| s#9 v | 9 + 7 |
Show Solution
Wenda, Klaus
The Problemist, 1986
1st Prize
The Problemist, 1986
1st Prize
| -8 & s#1 | Madrasi Proca Retractor | 12 + 4 |
Madrasi: Mutually attacking black and white units of the same type (kings excluded) paralyse each other, so that they may no longer move or give check. The paralysis may be removed, for example by interference (in the case of line pieces), or by capture of either of the paralysed units.
Show Solution
Bruno Fargette (13-09-1948) French composer and FIDE Master
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| Bruno Fargette [SSZ 1969, page 149] |
Bruno Fargette was the editor of the French magazine "Thèmes 64", after his brother François. He is also an International Judge.
Some of his problems have been selected on Chess-Giraffe [broken link].
One of his most famous problems is this very hard miniature. Here is another easier one:
Fargette, Bruno
Deutsche Schachzeitung, 1969 (2631)
1st Prize
Deutsche Schachzeitung, 1969 (2631)
1st Prize
| #8 | 6 + 6 |
Show Solution
Hanspeter Suwe (13-09-1948) German composer
Hanspeter Suwe is the editor of the castling magazine "König & Turm" wholly dedicated to castle.
Suwe, Hanspeter
Deutsche Schachzeitung, 1971
Deutsche Schachzeitung, 1971
| #6 | 8 + 11 |
Show Solution
Jean-Marc Loustau (13-09-1958) French composer and Grandmaster
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| Jean-Marc Loustau [Akobia] |
Jean-Marc Loustau may be known mostly for his fairy direct mates, but he composes successfully in all genres.
One of his very recent fairy twomovers can be seen, with his comments and Juraj Lörinc's comments, on JuliasFairies.
Loustau, Jean-Marc
Ideal-Mate Review, 1984
1st Prize
Ideal-Mate Review, 1984
1st Prize
| h#4 | SetPlay | 4 + 5 |
Show Solution
Jean-Marc Loustau composed many problems in collaboration with other composers, especially French ones: Michel Caillaud, Jacques Rotenberg or the recently departed Denis Blondel. Here is one of Jean-Marc and Denis' fairy problems:
Loustau, Jean-Marc & Blondel, Denis
Probleemblad, 1985
3rd Prize
Probleemblad, 1985
3rd Prize
| #2 | c8, c7, f7, a6, d6, e6, e4, g4, c3, f3, g3, h3: Orphan | 11 + 8 |
The Orphan moves only as the opposite piece that threatens to capture it.
Show Solution
Raimo Sailas (13-09-1945 - 17-07-2020) Finnish composer
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| Raimo Sailas, 2015 [© Hannu Harkola] |
Raimo Sailas was very well known in Finland, since he has been in high positions, serving the Republic of Finland. At one time he was the budget chief in the Ministry of Finance. Obviously his demanding job is the reason to the fact that he has composed a rather small number of problems.
As a composer he was especially remembered for his 1st Place in the helpmate section of the Friendship Match 1962-64 (a sort of predecessor to WCCT-competitions).
Peter Krug gave more details about him in a comment below.
A jubiliar tourney was organized for his 70th birthday and its interesting award can be read here.
Sailas, Raimo
Schach-Echo, 1974
2nd Prize
Schach-Echo, 1974
2nd Prize
| h#3 | b) wPd4<->bQe5 | 5 + 6 |
Show Solution
Minor typos :
ReplyDelete[bOe6] should be [bOg4->wOe6]
[c3 is guarded] should be [c4 is guarded]
Thanks, the typos have been corrected.
DeleteNew book containing 139 selected problems of Josef Křivohlávek has just appeared some days ago (see http://www.nss.cz/sachove-ulohy-josefa-krivohlavka
ReplyDeleteThank you Ivan, the book reference is now quoted on the blog.
DeleteLook also: https://timenote.info/de/Klaus-Wenda
ReplyDeleteThe Honorable Raimo Olavi Sailas (1945–2020):
ReplyDeleteA Legacy of Integrity and Logic
Raimo Olavi Sailas stood as a titan of Finnish public service, a man whose life was defined by an unwavering sense of duty, intellectual brilliance, and a profound commitment to the prosperity of the Republic of Finland. His journey—from the modest surroundings of Nivala to the highest echelons of the Ministry of Finance—serves as a testament to the power of meritocracy, balanced by the quiet, contemplative art of chess composition.
From Humble Roots to National Stewardship
Born on September 13, 1945, in Nivala into a family of seven, Sailas’s early years were marked by the dignity of manual labor. He financed his academic pursuits at the University of Helsinki by working as a field assistant for the National Land Survey and repairing power line masts. This grounded upbringing forged the resilient character that would later guide a nation’s economy. His academic excellence eventually earned him an Honorary Doctorate from the Helsinki School of Economics in 2006, and he held the military rank of Captain, reflecting his lifelong commitment to discipline.
Architect of Economic Stability
Sailas’s career at the Ministry of Finance, beginning in 1971, is inseparable from the modern economic history of Finland. Serving as State Secretary (Chief of Staff) from 1995 to 2013, he was the steady hand through decades of transformation.
Public Guardianship: As a trusted advisor to multiple Prime Ministers, Sailas was regarded as the "Guardian of the Vault," ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term stability.
Statesmanship: His influence transcended party lines. In 2014, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the state, he was granted the honorary title of Minister by the President of the Republic.
The Master of Precision: The Art of Chess Composition
Beyond the rigors of statecraft, Sailas sought intellectual refuge in the world of chess composition. In this specialized field, the objective is not to defeat an opponent, but to construct intricate, beautiful problems that reveal the hidden logic of the game.
His talent was recognized internationally early in his life. He secured First Place in the helpmate section of the Friendship Match 1962–64, a precursor to world-class competitions. Even as his professional responsibilities grew, his passion for the "poetry of logic" remained. On the occasion of his 70th birthday, the international chess community honored him with a formal Jubilee Tournament, a rare tribute reflecting his standing among the world's most respected composers.
A Life of Purpose and Quiet Reflection
Raimo Sailas was a man of diverse interests, finding joy in literature, the cultivation of his allotment garden in Espoo, and the simple Finnish tradition of berry picking. He served on numerous boards, including the 4H Foundation and the Anders Chydenius Foundation, always seeking to give back to the society that had fostered his own growth.
Minister Raimo Sailas passed away on July 17, 2020, in Helsinki. He leaves behind the legacy of a statesman who harmonized the grand scale of national finance with the delicate precision of a chess problem—a life lived with profound honesty, impeccable logic, and an enduring devotion to the common good.