Chess Play At Its Best
By T. M. CHERINGTON, Chess Editor
Mikhael Tahl, native of Riga who became a Russian as one of the spoils of conquest when the U.S.S.R. absorbed Latvia in 1945, is the new world chess champion. He is 23, a student majoring in Russian literature.
Tahl, a 17, won the championship of Latvia. In 1937 and 1958 he won the Gold Medal, symbolic of the championship of all the Russias and since then he has scored well in team tourneys. He fought his way successfully through the eliminations for a place in the Challenger's Round at Portoroz and won that bitterly contested match for his right to meet Dr. Mikhael Botvinnik for the world title.
The denouement came in the 21st game which gave him 12½ points and the crown. Botvinnik must console himself with a room full of trophies including the “Badge of Honor” and the coveted “Order of Lenin”. Madam Botvinnik is a former star of the ballet an art form that enjoys the highest prestige in Russia.
This afternoon at a dining-room table on Lincoln Square in Brooklyn, N. Y., the 21 games are under intensive study by a 17 year-old student of Erasmus High- School, on whose shoulder rests the hand of Destiny. Grand Master Robert Fischer, champion of the United States three times running and who also battled his way into the Challenger's Round, will one day face Tahl with the World Title at issue.
In England, at Bogner Regis the great tournament has came to a close. Over 300 contestants bared tooth and claw for prizes and honors. In the International Masters Class first place was divided between the champion of West Germany, Klaus Darga and the perennial champion of Belgium, Alberic O'Kelly de Galway, Count de Gallway is one of the strongest players in Europe. The only explanation for the incongruity of his name to his national origin lies in the conviction we have always held that an O'Kelly was there first; before Kilroy.
Number 329
FEN 8/3R4/4kN2/K7/7Q/8/8/8 w - - 0 1
Composer H. Lawton in 329, a three-mover, gives the Ebony Monarch no support. The Bleached Wood Royal Household is re-inforced with Shelter and Mount. Could the key move offer a sacrifice?
Solution:
1. Qf2 Ke5 2. Ng4+ Ke4 3. Rd4#
1. Qf2 Ke5 2. Ng4+ Ke6 3. Qf7#
Solution to number 328 is Rook to King Bishop seven.