THE HASTINGS CHALLENGER

Do you ever solve chess problems? If you do, you will appreciate how entertaining and beautiful many chess problems can be. If you do not, you now have a chance to gain an introduction to the world of the chess problem, thanks to the Hastings Congress. 

On each of the first eight days of the Congress, a 2-move Challenger chess problem will be published. Those present at the Congress can take part in a daily solving competition, with a £10 cash prize going to the first correct answer drawn out of the hat. At the end of the tournament, the three persons who have submitted the most correct entries during the week will receive a year’s free membership of the British Chess Problem Society, which includes a subscription to their bi-monthly magazine, The Problemist, the world’s finest and oldest-established chess problem magazine.

Unfortunately, it is not practical to open the competition to spectators who are following the Congress via the internet. However, each day's problem will be published here on the Congress website, so you can test your wits in solving the problems. A full solution to each problem will appear the following day. 

Chess problems have been a major interest to many over-the-board masters, from Anderssen and Blackburne in the 19th century, down to Nunn and Mestel in the 20th. Outside chess itself, such diverse historical figures as Benjamin Franklin, Lenin and Vladimir Nabokov have been chess problem enthusiasts and composers. So, have a go at each day's Challenger. You will also be getting a free introduction to the wonderful world of chess problems. It could be the start of a life-long enthusiasm!

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