The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, October 11, 1959
Tal Heads List In Yugoslav Tourney
Mikhail Tal was the star of the week in the Challengers' Tournament in Yugoslavia, marking up three wins and a draw to take his place at the head of the list, according to reports from the New York Times.
Tal has fared best against the lower-ranking players, winning two games each against U.S. champion Bobby Fischer, Paul Benko of New York and Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland. Examples of his play below show that Tal is a dashing, brilliant performer, going all out for victory at every move.
Paul Keres of Russia, who had led the tournament most of the way, was set back for the second time by 16-year-old Fischer. Paired in the 15th round, Fischer played the black pieces. He sacrificed a pawn to obtain the initiative. In the complexities that developed Keres missed his way and resigned after 27 moves.
Tal, with 11-5, and Keres, just below with 10½-5½, have established a wide margin over the rest of the field. Much may still happen, however, with 12 rounds to go to complete the quadruple round robin among the eight contestants.
Fischer again had a week marked by ups and downs. After defeating Olafsson in 78 moves in three sessions of their 12th-round encounter, Bobby lost to Tal in 34 moves. After a quiet opening, Tal developed threats along a diagonal, then opened the king knight's file for a decisive attack.
In the 14th round Fischer faced former world champion Vassily Smyslov of Russia, who has not shown his full strength in this event. In an even end game Fischer sacrificed the exchange in an attempt to create winning chances. He obtained two pawns in compensation, but the position became simplified and the result was a drawn battle.
After his stunning defeat of Keres, Fischer played to adjournment with Tigran Petrosian of Russia in the 16th round. Reports indicate a likely draw, which would give Fischer a total of 7-9.
