This week’s chess puzzle offers readers an opportunity to join the annual Winton British Solving Championship. Organized by the British Chess Problem Society and backed by investment firm Winton, the event is open to British residents at no cost. White, moving up the board, must deliver checkmate in two moves regardless of Black’s response. Entries can be submitted by post to Nigel Dennis at Boundary House, 230 Greys Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 1QY, or by email to winton@theproblemist.org. All submissions must arrive by 31 July 2026 and include the entrant’s name and address. Participants under 18 on 31 August 2025 should also provide their date of birth and mark entries “Guardian”. Correct solvers will receive a follow-up postal round of eight more difficult problems. The top 15 to 20 finishers, along with leading juniors, will advance to the final at Harrow School on 13 February 2027, where prize money is expected to total at least £1,600. The overall winner earns the chance to represent Great Britain at the 2027 world solving championships. In 2024, the British team secured the team gold medal for the first time since 2007. The opening puzzle contains several traps, so careful verification of the first move is advised. Separately, Harry Grieve earned the grandmaster title after winning a tournament in Budapest with a score of 7 out of 9. The 25-year-old, who captured the British championship in 2022, achieved the required 2500 rating and completed his third norm despite earlier setbacks. Grieve and fellow player Matthew Wadsworth are among several strong British grandmasters balancing competitive chess with full-time professional careers in fields such as finance and technology.
