"ALAIN C.

WHITE" AUSTRALIAN PROBLEM TOURNEY

1909-10.
Dear Sir,There were 64 problems sent to me by chess editors from every State. Taken as a
whole, whilst very few reach a high standard of merit, the positions submitted
compare favourably with those entered in previous Australian tourneys. A noticeable
feature was the large number of "task" problems entered; some of these problems,
however, are of low originality, and consequently dropped out of the competition.
This was very unfortunate, as in some of these disqualified problems, there was
evidence of considerable constructive ability. Many of the problems appear to be the
work of beginners. I would advise all such to either study closely the problems of the
world's leading composers or procure a book on problem composition. In many of
these elementary positions, there is promise of better things, and it seems only
necessary for a little knowledge and experience to make some of these beginners
composers of no mean order.
After carefully going through all the problems submitted, I have placed the leading
problems in the following order:First prize, Arthur Mosely, Brisbane, Queensland (from the " Australasian").
Black-10 Pieces.

White-10 Pieces.
White to play and mate in two moves.
Position :-Q 3 kt 3 | 2 P 3 B 1 | 2 R 1 r 3 | K p 1 k 2 q 1 | 3 Kt p 1 Kt 1 | 2 P 5 | b 1 B R
2 kt r | 6 b 1.
Key: K to Kt6

A good example of the complex heavyweight. The idea of self pinning two White
pieces is not new, Baron Wardener was the first to illustrate it without a capture key
in 1906, but since then G. Heathcote, has succeeded in getting the maximum of four
self pins as follows :-

4 r Kt 2, 6 q 1, 3 P B Q P p, R 4 K 1 k, 2 p 1 Kt R 2, 3 p 2 b P, 8, 1 b 2 r kt 2 ;
mate in two.
Key, K to K 5.
The construction is remarkably good when consideration is taken of the difficulties
attendant upon the presentation of the idea. In other respects, however, the problem is
hardly a masterpiece, some of the mates are not very interesting, and I view with
considerable disfavour the necessity for the double guard of the White Kt and B on
White's K 5. The Black Q stops a number of "cooks."
Second prize, Dr. J. J. O'Keefe, Kogarah, N.S.W. (from the " Leader").
Black- 9 Pieces.

White-6 pieces.

While to play and mate in two moves.

Position :-6 Q 1 | 4 B p K 1 | 4 p 3 | 3 p 2 kt p | 3 R B 2 k | 8 | 5 p P p | 5 r 2.
Key: K to B6
An elegant little problem with a pretty though by no means difficult key. There
appears to be reasonable originality and a faint attempt at a Black Kt's tour with twoflight squares. The defence is rather weak, and the variety not great, it is true, but the
artistic construction, combined with some interesting variations-a noticeable one
being after 1. ..., Kt takes B ch, allowing the other B to do effective work-places this
problem only one point behind the first prize winner. A good try is K to R 6.
Hon. Mention, "Ocean Wave" "Leader" Tourney:

2 B B 2 q b, 8, 2 p 1 Kt 3, 2 P 1 k 1 Kt 1, 7 R, p 1 p 2 p 2, Q 3 r 3, 3 R kt 2 K.
Key: Kt to B8
A cleverly constructed mating net with a rather indifferent key. No duals or "dead
heads" and plenty of variety, though none of the mates are of special merit. It is rather
unfortunate that the White R at Q 1 is only actively employed in guarding Q 5 when
Q mates or is captured. The top of the board play resembles the top of the board play
in the following, a competitor in the "Sydney Morning Herald" 12th tourney under
motto "Comrades All":

3 q B 2 kt, Kt p 6, 5 R 2, p Kt 1 k p 3, K 2 P 4, 2 B 5, 4 Q 3, 8.
Key, Kt to B 8.
In concluding this report I should like to thank chess editors and others who have in
any way helped to make this tourney a success.
I should like to inform competitors that Mr. White is offering somewhat similar prizes
for the best two problems published in an Australian chess column from July 1, 1910,
to June 30, 1911. All problems must be original, and published under author's name.
Problems competing in other tourneys will not be allowed to compete. It is Mr.
White's intention to hold these little competitions every year, with the object of
helping young Australian composers. So get to work, comrades and see if you can do
better next time.
With congratulations,-Yours, &c.,
J. D. WILLIAMS. Port Pirie West, September 5, 1910
Brisbane Courier
17 September 1910