Alois Wotawa (June 11, 1896 – April 12, 1970) was a prominent Austrian chess composer celebrated for his intricate endgame studies and direct mate problems that often featured complex, paradoxical solutions. Renowned in the field of chess puzzles, Wotawa was recognized for his skill in developing rich tactical ideas from simple positions, demonstrating his exceptional creativity and technical mastery. Throughout his life, he composed over 350 endgame studies, many of which appeared in German-language publications and notable outlets such as Deutsche Schachzeitung. His important contributions to chess composition earned him titles from FIDE, including International Judge of Chess Compositions in 1957 and International Master of Chess Composition in 1966. In 1965, he published a comprehensive collection of his works, titled Auf Spurensuche mit Schachfiguren – 150 Endspielstudien (On the trail of chess pieces – 150 Endgame Studies), securing his reputation as a masterful creator of chess puzzles.
Alois Wotawa believed that chess composition was an art form. A translated portion of his book reads, “We place the chess study in that domain of art that encompasses purely rational creations insofar as these adequately transmit feelings of aesthetic satisfaction.” His many puzzles weren’t just functional, they indeed were artfully crafted. Can you find the beautiful solution to the endgame study below?
