OzProblems
Australian Chess Problem Composition
Welcome to OzProblems.com, a site all about chess problems in Australia and around the world! Whether you are new to chess compositions or an experienced solver, we have something for you. Our aim is to promote the enjoyment of chess problems, which are at once interesting puzzles and the most artistic form of chess.
An in-depth introduction to the art of chess composition, examining various problem types and themes.
The weekly problem’s solution will appear on the following Saturday, when a new work is quoted.
See last week's problem with solution: No.699.
Prominent Australian problemists write about their involvement in the contemporary problem scene, and present some of their best compositions.
A comprehensive collection of Australian chess problem materials, including e-books, articles, magazines and columns (all free downloads).
A chess problem blog by Peter Wong, covering a range of subjects. The main page provides a topic index.
See latest post below, followed by links to other recent entries.
Use the contact form on the About page to:
Comment on a Weekly Problem you have solved.
Subscribe to OzProblems updates.
Ask about any aspect of chess problems.
Walkabout
Dark Doings problems – Part 1
24 Apr. 2024
The name Dark Doings refers to composed problems in which the white force consists solely of the king and one other unit (if any), while Black possesses the full set of sixteen pieces. This maximum contrast in materials creates arresting diagram positions, and there’s a certain wit about such problems that seem to depict White prevailing against overwhelming odds. The Hungarian composer Ottó Bláthy originated the term Dark Doings in a 1922 Chess Amateur article, which includes many of his own renditions of the scheme. Some of these compositions have become classics, such as his oft-quoted mate-in-16 and mate-in-12. In the century since, problemists have continued to employ this special form of material to express a variety of themes in different genres. Here we shall look at a number of outstanding orthodox examples.