The Corona pandemic made an abrupt end to all the solving competitions. At the moment we can’t predict when we will meet again. With a few small steps we will try to fill the gap.
The two first tournaments which had to be cancelled because of the pandemic were the Dutch and the German Open. To compensate the regular participants of these tournaments we decided to organize a special “lockdown” competition, where the solvers receive the problems by mail at a specific moment and have to solve them immediately. In the Netherlands Wim Velker organised already two such tournaments for the local solvers and this proved to be a great success.
After some deliberation about who to invite, we decided to accept also all +2300 solvers (past and present) worldwide. In the attached pdf you will read all the rules which are specific for this special tournament.
→ In short: (show/hide)
The tournament takes place on Saturday 9 May 2020. It’s 1 session of 8 problems and studies (but no twomovers!). Time: 120 minutes. There are 3 “time-zones”. Everybody who wants to participate must register in advance and indicates the time-zone of his preference.
Two important remarks:
1. We count on the fair-play of all the solvers. The tournament directors can not and will not check if the solvers use any helping devices (computer, books, …). We believe in the honesty of all the participants. Show your respect for the other competitors and participate only when you adhere to this rule.
2. Isolation is one of the best ways to defeat the virus. It is therefore absolutely necessary that all the participants do the solving at their own home and alone! Solvers who violate this rule will be disqualified. This is not the moment for inviting all your chess friends.
Of course, this tournament is not for rating, norms, World Cup points, prizes or money. We are aware that this is far from the real stuff, but it’s the best we can provide at this moment.
At best, consider this as a good training session where you can compete with the other solvers. Take it seriously, but don’t take it too seriously!
— WFCC Solving Committee
The results of the FIDE Album 2016-18 section A are ready!
Update (23.05.2020): After the publication of the results, a composer asked us to remove his selected twomovers from the list. He also informed us that he withdraws his compositions from all sections and requested that his name is removed from the list of title-holders.