Pierre Biscay

Pierre Biscay (14-09-1905 - 30-07-1969) French chess composer and solver

Pierre Biscay was first a solutionist (French solving champion in 1927 and 1928) and afterwards became interested in strategic moremovers and elaborated theories about the thematical try and the periforms which were publicized by André Chéron in "Les Echecs Artistiques" in 1934. He founded the Union des Problémistes de France in 1935 and was also the president of the French Chess Federation from 1932 until 1954. He was also an International Judge.

Magazine Die Schwalbe wrote: Pierre Biscay (14.9.1905-30.7.1969), one of the most versatile players in French chess of the last century, died half a century ago. He made his first major appearance at the French problem-solving championships in 1927 and 1928, both of which he won. His first compositions also appeared at this time. He was also involved in party chess and was one of the strongest French correspondence chess players. In 1932, at the age of just 27, he became president of the French Chess Federation, a position he held until 1954. In 1935, he was one of the founding members of the French Problemist Association, of which he later became Honorary President. As a chess composer, Biscay concentrated on two- and more-movers with strategic themes, and he had a particular penchant for pericritical manoeuvres. His possibly only study is characterised by striking problematic features.