1940: Chess

International.

The war, much too grim for the bloodless battles of the chessboard, put an end to many planned international events in Europe. Only in Russia did the game carry on as usual. The 12th annual championship tournament of the U.S.S.R. took place in Moscow, Sept. 5 to Oct. 3.

A strong field of twenty took part, including the champions of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The result was a tie for first place between I. Bondarevsky and A. Lilienthal, each scoring 13½ of a possible 19 points. The 19-year old V. Smyslov was third, with 13. The pre-tournament favorites, Paul Keres and Mikhail Botwinnik, could do no better than fourth and fifth, the former compiling 12, and the latter tying with Boleslavsky at 11½ points.

There was activity in chess circles in Holland before the German invasion. Dr. Max Euwe, ex-champion of the world, contested a match with Paul Keres, the young Estonian genius. Keres won in a close battle, 7½ to 6½. In a quadrangular tournament in Amsterdam, Hans Kmoch took first place, 2½- ½, with Dr. Euwe second, 2-1.

Havana was the scene of an interesting tournament early in January. Two outside masters were invited to compete against eight of the strongest local experts. Isaac Kashdan of New York took first honors with 7½ points, followed by the other visitor, Georges Koltanowski of Belgium, with 6½. Of the Cubans, F. Planas, champion of Havana, made the best showing, with Aleman and Blanco close behind.

United States.

Chess in the United States had a flourishing year. The main event was the third in the series of biennial tournaments for the American chess championship, this time held under the auspices of the newly organized United States of America Chess Federation. The scene was New York City, April 27 to May 19.

Samuel Reshevsky of New York retained the title that he has held since 1936. He needed and obtained a draw in the last round against his chief rival, Reuben Fine, to remain in front by the slim margin of one-half point.

The tournament was a bitter struggle, the lead seesawing several times. Isaac Kashdan did most of the front running for 12 of the 16 rounds. In the 13th round he was paired with Reshevsky, and the most grueling game of the tourney resulted. Kashdan seemed to have the advantage most of the way, but the superior grit and staying power of the champion finally pulled him through, after three sessions of play.

Reuben Fine played perhaps the steadiest chess of all the contestants. He had his grand opportunity in the final game with Reshevsky. Playing an unusual opening, which he had evidently prepared for this crucial moment, he obtained a decisive advantage. One slight slip, however, enabled Reshevsky to equalize matters, and Fine had to be content with the second prize. Kashdan, who fell back considerably in the late play, still managed to retain third place, with Albert S. Pinkus and Albert C. Simonson just below.

Of the seventeen players in the final round-robin, eleven were seeded on the basis of their previous chess records. The other six were the leaders in three sections of an open preliminary tournament, in which twenty-five took part.

The tournament for the Women's Championship took place at the same time. Mrs. Adele Rivero of New York won a splendid victory, her score of 7-1 giving her a comfortable lead over her nearest competitors. The ex-title-holder, Miss N. May Karff of Boston took second prize with 5½ points.

The Open Tournament of the U. S. Chess Federation, an outgrowth of the annual events of the American Chess Federation, was held at Dallas, Texas, Aug. 19 to 28. Twenty-seven players entered, representing ten States and Canada. These were grouped in three sections, with the top three in each section entering the finals.

Reuben Fine captured the event, mowing down all opposition in the finals, to finish with the clean score of 8-0. Herman Steiner of Los Angeles, Calif., was second with 5 points. Below in order were: W. W. Adams, Dedham, Mass., and E. W. Marchand, Clayton, Mo., 4½-3½; W. N. Kendall, San Antonio, Texas, and J. C. Thompson, Dallas, Texas, 3½-4½; A. E. Elo, Milwaukee, Wis., and H. E. Ohman, Omaha, Neb., 2½-5½; and H. Burdge, Ventnor City, N. J., 2-6.

The second annual Ventnor City tournament was again held in the New Jersey resort early in July. The event attracted twelve of the outstanding Eastern chess stars. Sidney N. Bernstein and Milton L. Hanauer tied for top honors with 8 points of 11 games. Weaver W. Adams followed with 7½, and then came a triple tie at 6½ among J. F. Donovan, A. E. Santasiere and O. I. Ulvestad.