TRIPLE SUCCESS FOR BRITAIN AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Here is a problem from the 2002 World Open Solving Tournament, by C. Gavrilov (1908). White to play and checkmate in 2 moves. Solution at the end of the article.

GM Jonathan Mestel, a lecturer at Imperial College, came third in the individual event at the World Chess Problem Championships in Portoroz, Slovenia, held from August 31st to September 7th. Jonathan also helped the British squad to sixth place in the team event.

The second squad member, Graham Lee, Head of Chess at Oakham School, was awarded the Grandmaster Solving title. Graham is only the second Briton to achieve this (after Jonathan).

Michael McDowell, who captained the team, said "The problems were especially difficult this year, but solvers relish such a challenge!".

John Rice, a distinguished British problem composer, was elected President of the FIDE Permanent Commission of Chess Composition.

Results:

TEAM  (Maximum 180 points)
1st   Germany  160
2nd   Finland  156.5
3rd   Israel   148.5
...
6th   GB       138.5

INDIVIDUAL  (Maximum 90 points)
1st   Piotr Murdzia (Poland)   85
2nd   Arno Zude     (Germany)  83
3rd   Jonathan Mestel (GB)     75.5
...
18th  Michael McDowell (GB)    61
35th  Graham Lee (GB)          50
59th  Bill Clark (GB)          35

Solution to the problem from the 2002 World Open Solving Tournament, by C. Gavrilov (1908).

White to play and checkmate in 2 moves.

1. Nb8! (zugswang)

1...Kxb8 2.Rxd8
1...Rxb8 2.Qe6
1...Qd8(e8)(f8) 2.Rxd8(e8)(f8)
1...Qxg8 2.Qxg8
1...Nd6 2.Kd5
1...N elsewhere 2. Qb7