Heinz Matthai
Heinz Matthai, former Montreal champion now competing in the current Closed Championship (every evening at the N.D.G. Community Centre, Decarie and Cote St. Antoine, until Sept. 4th) enjoys a unique distinction. He is the only known Canadian to have played a game on even terms with the fabulous Dr. Seigbert Tarrasch (1862-1934). This took place in a German congress in 1932, a few years before the grandmaster's death.
Tarrasch, from 1889 to 1914 was among the world's half dozen top players, although only able to devote an amateur's time to the game. He might have become world champion but his medical practice prevented a long journey to America to meet Steinitz, the holder. Young Emmanuel Lasker (24 years) beat him to it, defeating the 'old man' 10 to 5 with 3 draws in a match at N.Y., Philadelphia and Montreal in 1894. In tournament play in Europe, Tarrasch scored 3½-½ against Steinitz, but he could make little headway against Lasker who defeated him one-sidedly in matches in 1908 and 1916, and also placed ahead of him in three tournaments they both engaged in.
Dr. Seigbert Tarrasch (white) vs. Hans Matthai (black)
Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense, Classical Variation