Chess Problems: Tasks and Records

Is chess an art, a science or a sport? This is one of the most commonly asked questions about chess, but it admits of no easy answer. Most chess activities involve a combination of all three components, but different areas of chess emphasize different aspects. The sporting element predominates in the over-theboard game, while the protracted battles of postal chess stress the scientific side. The third element, the artistic component, finds its best expression in the field of chess composition. Over the- board players often ignore composed positions, or if they do pay attention, they concentrate on endgame compositions of direct relevance to practical play. In turning their backs on the world of chess problems, they are missing out on a great deal of enjoyment. It is true that studying chess problems will never improve anybody's play, but not everything has to have a strictly functional justification. The many fascinating examples which follow can give a great deal of pleasure to anyone interested in seeing the chess pieces stretched to their limits. This book will conduct the reader on a detailed tour around one part of the world of chess composition.