The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, June 07, 1959
Tal Leads At Zurich, Fischer Close Second
Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union took the lead after 10 rounds in the Jubilee International Masters Tournament in Zurich, Switzerland, according to a report form the New York Times.
Tal won eight games, drew with his compatriot, Paul Keres, and lost to Edwin Bhend of Switzerland, for a score of 8½-1½. Tal is playing aggressive, energetic chess. His loss was due to overreaching in an attacking game.
Youthful U.S. champion Bobby Fischer is in second place with a score of 8-2, comprising six wins and draws against Bent Larsen of Denmark, Gedeon Barcza of Hungary and Max Blau and Edgar Walther of Switzerland.
Fischer has been the hardest working competitor in the tournament. His draw with Larsen lasted four sessions and 92 moves. Fischer had declined the offer of a draw after 81 moves. Larsen then declined a counteroffer on his 89th turn, but there was no longer any winning prospect.
Having completed this marathon contest, Fischer promptly entered an even longer one. It took 95 moves to establish his draw against Barcza. For a long stretch the players maneuvered in an ending with queen and three pawns each, but neither side could break through.
Keres, the only other undefeated player in the tournament, is third with 7½-2½. Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia follows with 7-3. He has two losses, to Keres and Barcza.
Five rounds remain to be completed. Following is the standing after 10 rounds …
