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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.822.
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.
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Walkabout
The pawn cross theme
1 Sep. 2026
A pawn placed on its initial rank has four potential moves – two forward steps and two captures, the maximum possible for the unit. When such a pawn makes all four of these moves in a problem’s solution, the resulting theme is traditionally called Albino or Pickaninny, depending on the colour of the pawn. The second term carries racist connotations, unfortunately, and it’s a contentious issue among problemists as to whether it should be replaced in contemporary chess writing. On this site, I have opted for WP4 and BP4, even if they seem a little dry. However, a recent issue of The Problemist Supplement employs another alternative that may be preferable; a solver’s comment there from Brendan O’Malley refers to a pawn cross. This colour-neutral term, describing the geometric pattern formed by the pawn’s moves (similar to the established king cross and bishop star) seems straightforward and appropriate. So henceforth that theme name will be adopted here.
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