Mikhail Tal, 1959

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April 18 1959

Paul Keres (43) plays against Mikhail Tal (22) in an Estonian-Latvian match in Tallinn in spring of 1959. Photo by Gunnar Vaidla, Estonian Sports Museum. For fair use, all credits must be kept intact. Color photo version created by the developer (me, yours truly) of https://best-in-chess.blogspot.com/2019/01/mikhail-tal-1959.html Paul Keres vs Mikhail Tal EST-LAT (1959), Tallinn, rd 1, Apr-18 Formation: King's Indian Attack (A07) 1/2-1/2 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1072779

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June 14 1959

The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, June 14, 1959

Tal Wins At Zurich; Fischer Is Third
Mikhail Tal, 23-year-old Latvian-born grandmaster representing the Soviet Union, won first prize in the Jubilee International Masters Tournament in Zurich, Switzerland, according to a report from the New York Times.
Tal finished with a score of 11½-3½. After losing in an early round to Edwin Bhend of Switzerland, Tal took command and was in the lead most of the way. But in the 13th round he was defeated by Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia.
At that point, Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old United States chess champion, moved up to tie for first with Tal, both having scores of 10-3. Gligoric was then third with 9½-3½ and Paul Keres of Russia, who had just lost an 81-move adjourned game to Fischer, was fourth with 9-4.
Came the last two rounds. Tal won handily against Hein Donner of the Netherlands and in his final game drew against Fischer. Gligoric, winning against Bhend in Round 14, could have tied for first prize with one more victory. But Josef Kupper of Switzerland held him to a draw. The final tally for Gligoric was 11-4, enough for second place.
Fischer, who had come through a series of arduous adjourned games, was evidently tired. He lost in the 14th round to Dieter Keller of Switzerland. The draw with Tal allowed Fischer to tie for third with Keres, with scores of 10½-4½.
Fischer's only other loss was to Gligoric. He won eight games and drew five. Keres lost but one, to Fischer, won seven and drew as many.
Following are the final standings and games from the tournament:

FINAL STANDINGS Tal 11½ 3½ Gligoric 11 4 Fischer 10½ 4½ Keres 10½ 4½ Larsen 9½ 5½ Unzicker 9½ 5½ Barcza 8½ 6½ Olafsson 8 7

Kupper 7 8 Bhend 6½ 8½ Donner 6½ 8½ Keller 6 9 Walther 5 10 Duckstein 5 10 Blau 2½ 12½ Nievergelt 2½ 12½

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June 17 1959

The Latvian, Mikhail Tal, June 17, 1959, performing simultaneous chess at the Stock Exchange in Amsterdam.

Original b/w via BNA Photographic. For fair use, all credits must be kept intact. Color photo version created by the developer (me, yours truly) of https://best-in-chess.blogspot.com/2019/01/mikhail-tal-1959.html https://www.alamy.com/monster-simultaneous-chess-seance-in-the-stock-exchange-in-amsterdam-the-russian-tal-during-his-simultaneous-date-june-17-1959-image342509204.html

The Latvian, Mikhail Tal, June 17, 1959, makes opening moves with Mrs. F. Heemskere during simultaneous chess at the Stock Exchange in Amsterdam.

Original b/w via BNA Photographic. For fair use, all credits must be kept intact. Color photo version created by the developer (me, yours truly) of https://best-in-chess.blogspot.com/2019/01/mikhail-tal-1959.html https://www.alamy.com/monster-simultaneous-chess-seance-in-the-stock-exchange-in-amsterdam-the-russian-tal-makes-a-move-on-the-board-with-mrs-f-heemskerk-date-june-17-1959-image342509176.html

Latvian, Mikhail Tal, June 17, 1959, simultaneous chess at the Stock Exchange in Amsterdam.

Original b/w via BNA Photographic. For fair use, all credits must be kept intact. Color photo version created by the developer (me, yours truly) of https://best-in-chess.blogspot.com/2019/01/mikhail-tal-1959.html https://www.alamy.com/monster-simultaneous-chess-seance-in-the-stock-exchange-in-amsterdam-the-russian-tal-makes-a-move-on-the-board-with-mrs-f-heemskerk-date-june-17-1959-image342509202.html

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October 02 1959

Mikhail Tal (w/Tigran Petrosian), October 02, 1959, World Candidates Chess Tournament in South Slavia. Original b/w photographer unknown, via National Archives, Netherlands/Anefo. For fair use, all credits must be kept intact. Color photo version created by the developer (me, yours truly) of https://best-in-chess.blogspot.com/2019/01/mikhail-tal-1959.html *(20th century, the country of Yugoslavia (from Serbo-Croatian, literally meaning "South Slavia.") Tigran V Petrosian vs Mikhail Tal Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade Candidates (1959), Bled, Zagreb & Belgrade YUG, rd 19, Oct-10 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation (E32) 1/2-1/2 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1106468 https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/fotocollectie/a99ef910-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84

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December 27 1959

December 27, 1959, Grand Masters Rudolf Teschner Germany and Mikhail Tal, Russia playing at the international chess tournament.

Original b/w photo via Sputnik. Rudolf Teschner vs Mikhail Tal Riga (1959), Dec-?? Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation. Smith-Morra Declined (B22) 1/2-1/2 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1139460 https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-grandmasters-rudolf-teschner-germany-and-mikhail-tal-russia-playing-22822791.html

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