AThe Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, October 25, 1959
Yugoslavia Tournament, Tal, Fischer, Keres
The Russians finally got to Bobby Fischer. During the current tournament in Yugoslavia Tal and Petrosian have dealt him nothing but curves and goose eggs. He has done well enough against Keres (2-1) and he managed to draw his first two games with Smyslov before losing the third. His overall against the four front-running Russians is 3½-8½. This lonely statistic is reason enough in itself why our Bobby languishes in the second division.
At this writing it appears Tal will win; nothing short of a complete collapse can stop him — but, collapses occur.
Mr. pre-tournament favorite was Petrosian with Tal a strong second. But the performance which makes me want to throw away my crystal ball is that of Paul Keres, the old man of the tournament. Except for his troubles with Fischer, Keres has been on fire. He remains within striking distance of Tal should Tal have a letdown.
Topman Tal hangs one on tail-ender Olafsson.
