(13.04) No.1603 (PG 3,5 ending with triple check mate / Add pieces ; Circe Parrain, Point Reflection) Pierre Tritten (France). For the animation purposes the initial game array position is shown on the diagram instead of the empty position sent by the author. The task is to find 2 final positions.
(10.04) No.1602 (#2 ; Breton) Thomas Maeder (Switzerland). “The mechanism reminds of 1365. The play looks less orthodox here because…” (Author)
(08.04) No.1601 (hs#2 ; Masand) Julia Vysotska (Latvia). “6 & 4 for Marjan’s Birthday!” – a cooperation without sacrifices starts from the initial position on 6×4 squares ; 6 pieces of each color ; 4 half-moves of each color ; and some little tricks… with a Happy Birthday wishes to Marjan Kovačević!
Animated diagrams use Py2Web by Dmitri Turevski and WinChloe‘s graphics, Christian Poisson
Here’s Chris giving the same pose as his Grandfather, in the painting!
The human touch: Chris Tylor by Shankar Ram
Some interesting information about Chris Tylor, our most active contributor to the Fairy Chess Classification Project: In December 1888, T. Fisher Unwin, the London publishing house, published a 112 page book of poetry called “Chess: A Christmas Masque” by Chris’s Grandfather, Louis Tylor. (Masque: a type of theatre entertainment including poetry, singing, and dancing, performed in England in the 16th and 17th centuries).
The British weekly The Spectator, in its 22-Dec-1888 issue, described the book as “A LITTLE poem, this, but dealing with great mysteries, and one which will commend itself to those who, like Milton’s fallen angels, love to reason of- ” Providence, Fore-knowledge, Will, and Fate, Fixed Fate, Free-will, Fore-knowledge absolute.”
Viktor and Andriy quoted this book as a new addition to their anthology of world chess poetry. And with poetic license, they said Chris’s work in chess problems was a creative link to and a continuation of his Grandfather’s book!
The book has been considered culturally important and has been reprinted recently. A public domain PDF is available here.
Somewhat in the spirit of Lewis Caroll, it starts with a dream by a boy who falls asleep on Christmas eve, before a chess board and sees the chessmen start to move and speak. Here are some excerpts:
Louis Tylor relaxing
A pleasant dream. Me thought the smooth square board
Grew rugged as the chequered field of life;
My chessmen took a human shape and moved,
The White with purpose good, and the Black with ill.
….
When the play is over, and the match is won,
Times of joyous contest ended, joyous rest begun;
Then the players, foes no longer, only rival friends,
Drink a parting health together; So the evening ends
When the play is over.
….
Read the full book from the link above, or better still, buy a hard copy online!
Published with a gratitude to the initiator and author of this article, the soul of Fairy Chess Classification Project, Shankar Ram! (JV)
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Manfred Rittirsch, the Schwalbe announces a THEME TOURNEY.
For problems with any stipulation on the standard 8×8 board using a combination of 1) Eiffelchess plus 2a) chameleons/chameleonchess and/or 2b) neutral pieces (not halfneutral). No other fairy conditions/pieces are allowed. Tourney director: Arnold Beine, Grund 15, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany; arnold.beine@web.de Judge: Manfred Rittirsch | Closing date: 30.11.2021 | Prize money: 200 €
(05.04) No.1600 (hs#4) Vitaly Medintsev (Russia). A very human friendly problem for the end of Easter holidays!
(05.04) No.1599 (h#2.5 ; Mars Circe) Armin Geister & Daniel Papack (Germany). “Hidden behind a massive position there is a complex strategy with dual avoidances.” (Authors)
(05.04) No.1598 (hs=2 ; Neutral piece, Chameleon piece, Locust ; Haaner Chess, Circe Parrain) Karol Mlynka (Slovakia). Would rather see such twins as different problems.
I believe, announcing an award is one of the most enjoyable jobs for any editor. And the one I’m glad to present to you is also so carefully made, including detailed analysis of problems and versions, written in a pleasant style of sharing opinions, and fully prepared for publication after all… not leaving any work for me (except writing these few words I couldn’t really find to express my delight and gratitude)!
Dear authors, readers, enjoy some wonderful reading for Easter holidays! My warmest congratulations to the winners! And my deepest appreciation to one of the JF’s most faithful contributors Kjell Widlert, the 2nd time overtaking this hard work – for me, for JF, and for all of you!
click to see the Award in PDF, 25 pages
Well, I have to admit I’m very happy about my own results as well. For about 5 years of composing not more than 3-5 problems per year, when catching some time from other jobs, when getting some inspiration stronger than the guilt about all my waiting lists 🙂 And now, not only happy about the distinctions, but also appreciating Kjell’s comments very much, good words and wise observations by the high class judge and composer.
Coming soon: Aleksey Oganesjan (Russia), Nicolas Dupont (France) & Vlaicu Crișan (Romania), Karol Mlynka (Slovakia), Armin Geister & Daniel Papack (Germany)
(30.03) No.1595 (h#2.5 ; Take & Make) Niels Danstrup (Denmark). “…there are echoes and chameleons 🙂” (Author)
(28.03) No.1594 (PG 15.5 ; Black Manager, Black Passes if Stuck) Nicolas Dupont (France). “This problem is the first published illustration of this new couple of possibilities.” (Author)
(28.03) No.1593 (h#4 ; Anti-Circe, PWC) Gábor Tar (Hungary).
(28.03) No.1592 (#3 ; MarsCirce) Armin Geister & Daniel Papack (Germany). The dedication for “Perseverance” has a double meaning…
(19.03) No.1591 (hs#2,5 ; LEO) Georgy Evseev & Boris Shorokhov (Russia). Four bK mates on adjacent squares.
Just a short notice for now: I would like to let you know that Fairy Classification project highly supported by Shankar Ram, Chris Tylor, Maryan Kerhuel is up and running. I was too busy with office work for some months, same as Shankar Ram. But Shankar has got back to activity faster than me, offering to us an updated Concept Map having in background 19 pages of the structured list of Fairy Elements I hope to present you later as well.
We will keep working and I’ll get back to you with some more presentation when ready!
Jaroslav Stun passed away… With a deep condolences to family and friends
Dear Jaroslav’s colleague and friend,
It is with deep sorrow and sense of loss in my heart when I write these lines. However, as his colleague and friend, I wanted to let you know that my father has recently, shortly before his 70th birthday, passed away, after a valiant month-long struggle with a severe COVID-19 infection.
I know and I am sure Jaroslav valued every bit of exchange, collaboration and sense of community he took part in together with you on the field of Chess – all the Problems, Compositions, Fairies and Puzzles he worked on or shared with you; and I wanted to take this time to Thank you for all the joyful and happy moments you made for him.
My dad died in complete peace, we know the One who my father believed in and relied on the most throughout his whole life, took good care of him, and we will always keep Jaroslav in our hearts and memories.
The worldwide viral pandemic turned out to be much stronger than my plans for the regular release of
ANDA FAIRY PLANET and the publication of results from the international DANKA PETKOVA 100 MT,
which aroused great interest – I received over 60 originals from world-famous masters! … (Petko A. Petkov)
Dear authors, I’m very sorry for a long delay! Working overtime in my office, enjoying financial audit, annual report and related issues 🙂 I’ll keep being slow up to the middle of March, but later hope to be more active on JF!
(28.02) No.1551.3 (ser-s#25 ; Circe Rex Inclusiv) Dirk Borst (Netherlands). “…a version which is even a bit better than the original because the wBishop now has a function in the mate.” (Author)
(28.02) No.1589 (hs#4 ; Circe) Gábor Tar (Hungary). Dedicated To Aranka Tar.
(28.02) No.1588 (hs#4.5 ; Neutral piece ; Ghost Chess, Protean Chess) Michael Grushko (Israel). Author believes this combination of fairy conditions is used for the first time.
(28.02) No.1587 (#2 ; CAST) Gerald Ettl & Manfred Rittirsch (Germany). Warm welcome to the first contribution by Gerald!
(28.02) No.1586 (hs#4 ; Grasshopper, Nightrider) Michal Dragoun (Czech Republic).
(14.02) No.1584 (h#2 ; Breton Adverse) Borisas Gelpernas (Lithuania). My neighbouring country is coming… always glad! 🙂
(14.02) No.1583 (h#2 ; Neutral pieces ; Circe) Ali Okan Pandar (Turkey). Warm welcome to Ali Okan (the first ever Turkish composer on JF!)!
(14.02) No.1582 (hs=18) Gunter Jordan (Germany). Warm welcome to Gunter (the editor of “Gaudium”)!
(14.02) No.1581 (-29 & #1 Proca ; Anti-Circe) Alex Levit (Finland). “After Dmitrij Baibikov’s publication I feel sorry for taking the lenght record in Proca Retractor AntiCirce Wenigsteiner from JF. So here is my attempt to return it back.” (Author)
Animated diagrams use Py2Web by Dmitri Turevski and WinChloe‘s graphics, Christian Poisson
