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In this article, the first of which I hope will be a long list, I'll talk about my favorite player, the greatest talent that has moved the pieces on a chess board along its ancient history. Mikhail Tahl was born on November 9, 1936, in Riga (Latvia), died on June 26, 1992, in Moscow (Russia). He was nicknamed the "Magician from Riga" and a young man was known as "The Flame". His father was asked to teach chess when Misha had already served 10 years. In his first game he faced his cousin ... and lost, from that moment his life would be chess. Mikhail was a child prodigy, which confirmed that he began to attend school, emphasizing especially in math (unlike most of the world's children).
The first award I received was not to win a tournament, was one of his games, won the prize of beauty to the most spectacular in the Tournament of the three Baltic republics in 1948, the prize was a large and luxurious edition book "Peter I" by Leo Tolstoy. With 13 years and managed to defeat a grandmaster: Ratmir Jolmov, he did during a simultaneous given by his rival in Riga: (See game). Tahl already demonstrated a great capacity for calculation, despite his young age, is not very common to develop as soon as a 'murderer instinct' for chess and even less common to keep it until the end of his career. That same year he returned to play another great game in attack, which was the first of its author to be published in a magazine (see game). His rise was meteoric and at 17 became champion of Latvia, the same year obtained the degree of Master of the USSR after winning a match to Saigin (Champion of Belarus). In 1957 got to be absolute champion of the USSR, the title most coveted by players of the former union of republics, only surpassed in prestige by the world championship, and did so brilliantly with a spectacular game in the last round that gave the victory alone: (See game). The following year he achieved his first victory in an international tournament and was neither more nor less than the Portoroz Interzonal (ahead of Petrosian, Fischer, Larsen, Gligoric ...). These two achievements were extraordinary: the championship of the USSR was always characterized by being a very strong and difficult tournament to win, also succeed in an Interzonal, when was the first time competing outside the country, served to discover a special player intended to crown the highest peaks of chess. Good omens were confirmed when in 1959 won dramatically Belgrade Candidates tournament, leaving behind rivals such as Fischer, Smyslov, Keres and Petrosian. You can see the results table on the following link (Belgrade 1959). This win gave the right to play for the title he held up the patriarch of Soviet chess, Mikhail Botvinnik. The spring of 1960 came and flooded the beauty of nature ... and decided to continue its expansion up to the world of chess, to wresting match for the coveted world championship. The excitement generated was enormous, many sensed that could be brewing the birth of a new star of chess. Tahl had talent and a solid pre-match preparation. Along with their coaches had studied thoroughly the opening Botvinnik's favorite, which surprised the champion and led to a 3 point lead in the 7th game. But never give up for dead a player like Botvinnik, tireless fighter won, thanks to his tenacity, balance the score. At that time decided to play Tahl all his talent and won several victories in difficult positions, thanks to beautiful tactical blows. Another unexpected factor helped to swing the fight: time trouble Botvinnik, who lost several times in zeitnot to be totally overwhelmed by the speed of play of his opponent. At the end the triumph of Tahl was more or less loose and became the youngest world champion in history. On this occasion the beauty pragmatism prevailed in a struggle that has waged for centuries and will continue to be present in future conflicts. (See table). Tahl Cartoon Botvinnik was entitled to a rematch match if he was defeated and asserted his privilege the following year. The former champion was prepared with great intensity to regain his lost
crown, discussed the previous match and polished its main defects. A year earlier, Botvinnik was surprised by the momentum and strength of Tahl, but this time was on notice. Tahl this time was less than Botvinnik, who managed to impose his style from the beginning. Tahl said he had prepared well or better than the first match, but had been overcome. Although there can be no excuse, Misha began to have their first health problems during this meeting, which greatly hurt his game. The Latvian did not consider this as decisive and took his defeat with total sportsmanship. (See table). And after that Tahl did not play a match for the world crown. Despite trying several times, fate always crossed his path and he could not endorse its spectacular game with the proper results. His first attempt took place at the Curacao Candidates Tournament in 1962, where Tahl arrived in great shape and was considered the favorite. But his health played a trick on him and had to engage with the handicap of severe renal attacks, which prevented him perform normally (when it came to 4 hours of play, Tahl was falling apart physically and committed serious errors). The 4th and final round of the tournament could not even play after being convinced by his rivals (who saw his poor state of health) decided to leave the tournament. These serious health problems accompanied him throughout his career, something that undoubtedly had a negative impact on its results (as he himself acknowledged on several occasions). Despite many difficulties, continued to play great games, leaving a large legacy of creativity that only ended with his death. In 1965 he returned to be very close to being able to play the world championship final. Did a good Interzonal and stood in the tournament final after eliminating Portisch candidates and Larsen. There he met Spassky, who was an obstacle insurmountable 7-4 defeat after losing the last 3 games. In 1968 he managed to reach the semifinals, but this time was defeated by Viktor Korchnoi. In 1979, when nobody had he won in the Leningrad Interzonal, but also failed to win in the Tournament of candidates to be eliminated in the quarterfinals by Lev Polugaevsky. His last attempt to regain his crown (34 years) dates from 1985, after playing at a high level in the interzonal, qualified for the Candidates Tournament in Montpellier. He had decided to return to tournament mode and Tahl robin again surprised the world by finishing in 4th place just a half point behind the winner. A great career, performing at the highest level for over 3 decades.
Tahl at the board Seeing some GM today, limiting his appearances to a few tournaments a year, we can not but marvel at the great activity of Mikhail Tahl. Typically among its rivals was to work hard in a good opening repertoire, along with their coaches and the warmth of their homes, just to leave their training to go to a tournament. Mikhail did just the opposite: he preferred to prepare disputed items, so went to numerous tournaments around the world (thought I had to play at least 100 games per year). Coldly analyzing trajectory, we can say that it was irregular. He had years where major tournaments won and no one could beat him (like 1973 or 1974), and years where I was going from hospital to hospital without getting any positive results only
on the board. It is difficult to judge his career because unfortunately his health problems clearly weighed down performance. The great problem of attacks suffered kidney was that these were random, could happen at any time, often in full competition. After one such attack her physical condition deteriorated and his game at the same rate worsened his health. Despite this, Tahl always got the strength to keep going to tournaments, though its performance was affected deeply. I believe such efforts as an athlete and honor him as a person and show his love for chess. In 1969 the doctors chose to remove her diseased kidney, which should allow Mikhail years ago. In those days came the rumor that Tahl had been unable to overcome the operation and died. Even at the press of Yugoslavia (which was very dear country) published his obituary, to desolation of the chess community. Nothing could be further from reality, a month after the operation Tahl returned to competition in the tournament by winning the first prize Tbilisi. In this tournament Tahl made a wonderful queen sacrifice on his departure and have Suetin that after winning the game said: "Not bad for a dead ...". Enjoy this combination, one of the beautiful story, taken from 'the beyond' (Tahl - Suetin). But Tahl is not remembered for its good results, even for being world champion, which has left an indelible memory in the amateur chess is his creative style and tactical game full of hits. In tournaments, showed a preference for pleasing the crowds with their daring moves, leaving the background in the final result. This same view has always been Boris Spassky, they both liked that the room was packed game and did not mind the noise of the spectators celebrating the plays. Other players such as Bobby Fischer did not consent to any noise in the room and called for the eviction when they were disturbed.
Tahl in his later years
We will all agree that it was a rare player. Sometimes things happened to him that crossed the boundaries of reality, as the following anecdote: during his youth in a tournament that dates back to 1947, was disputing an item that was lost and where thinking of leaving. But decided against it because it was move 40 the game was postponed and the next day. That night he dreamed that he was waging a variant of the defeat, the next day decided to apply the dream and managed to save the game.
Tahl also had a particular curse: almost always lost in the first round of the tournament. Although it was something that was not too important, and even took it with humor. Another curious fact is that I played worse in the morning than the afternoon, it was because he cost a great effort to wake up and your brain took too long to start working, which is fatal if
you're playing chess. And even had his own nemesis, it was the Soviet player Nezmetdinov Rashid, who defeated him in almost every confrontation. Was a great player Nezhmetdinov attack and perhaps for that to Tahl fellow choked (... in the house of a blacksmith, wooden knife). But not only triumphed in the board, it was maintained excellent relations with its rivals, his eternal good humor and kindness won him many friends. It is rare to find a world champion with a character like this, usually when you reach the top the player tends to be isolated from the rest of their peers and be surrounded by a halo of superiority. This view is not subjective at all, just look at the following anecdote to realize the human side of Mikhail Tahl: During a game, Tahl realized that the clock of his opponent was damaged, something that no one noticed , after a while his opponent ran out of time and decided to continue to play Tahl claim victory by dropping a flag. Now dissect his style of play. He was a true revolutionary in a time where there were many strong players positionally: Botvinnik, Petrosian, without a doubt the best defense-posed, Smyslov .... So romantic spirit was unique and special, and I do not expect to repeat (hopefully I'm wrong). Tahl, as a good attacking player, he scorned the theory of openings and defined the start of the game as follows: "The opening is a mandatory program that I must develop the strength." In his piece sacrifices had some deep psychology and a calculation of variations. These were not always correct, but sowed such chaos in the position than its rivals felt bewildered and unable to find the correct continuation.
Tahl
Many criticized him for this form of play, saying that their sacrifices were mere dramatic effects and that it was not sensible way to play chess. His coaches were trying to stop him before asking him to play tournaments quiet, but when Mikhail was sitting at the board always chose the riskier option (something many of us are grateful). With this style, its beauty items won awards in many tournaments. You can view all items that have been published in Tahl 'Chess attack' on (Tahl combining). His biographer, Y. Damsky, defined in a wonderful style of play: "When it gets to be Tahl Tahl, the board is triggered cyclones and hurricanes." The fantasy was present in every movement of the Wizard of Riga and this has enabled it last over time, that is a privilege reserved for every chess player, who through their items can be remembered for future generations. Tahl always said that did not evaluate the exact position (as did Botvinnik), but made up for that deficiency with a great capacity for the calculation of variations: "I also belong to the 'calculators' union'" he would say.
When reporters asked what had been his best game, he always said the same thing: "I play it every time I sit in front of the board." Another example of fighting spirit and his desire to create beauty on a chessboard. Tahl contributed more to the world of chess, writing articles for magazines and newspapers chess was a commentator for television and radio in various tournaments and wrote several books (highly recommended "Attack," his biography).
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