AJanuary 08 1954
The Sault Star, Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada, Friday, January 08, 1954
Upsets Russian Chess Master In Marathon Final
Hastings, England (CP) — Charles H. Alexander, a British foreign office official upset Russian Grand Master David Bronstein today in a marathon game of 120 moves that may well prove a classic in world chess annals.
The vital match to the international Hastings Chess Congress was decided after several adjournments and 14 hours of play. The victory put Alexander one point ahead of Bronstein and gave him what appeared to be a winning position in the tournament.
Bronstein has an adjourned game remaining with Germany's Rudolf Teschner which he must win to give him a tie for the tournament title. But Bronstein's position in the Teschner game is inferior and he will be fortunate to pull out with a draw. Alexander completed his tourney games.
The Alexander-Bronstein queen and pawn ending was a triumph of virtuosity for the British wartime code-breaker. Chess connoisseurs will be studying it and replaying it for many years to come. Major tournament games that run 100 moves or more are rare.
Alexander relaxed between play in the Bronstein struggle by reading space fiction. Bronstein conferred with his fellow Russians at the tourney or munched chocolate bars.
The match was resumed today after Bronstein and Alexander called it quits at 10:30 Thursday night. By that time they had fought through 102 moves and 10½ hours.
