AThe Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, September 07, 1958
Tal Leads Interzonal Chess; Fischer Gains
Mikhail Tal, Russian chess champion, moved into first place with a score of 11-5 after completing the 16th round of the Interzonal Chess Tournament at Portoroz, Yugoslavia, according to a report from the New York Times.
After an early loss to Alexander Matanovic of Yugoslavia, Tal has played steady and consistently sound chess, winning seven and drawing eight games. He still faces a difficult schedule, with four games remaining against Oscar Panno of Argentina, Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland, Tigran Petrosian of Russia and James T. Sherwin of the U.S.A.
Petrosian, who had been leading most of the way, lost for the first time to Bent Larson of Denmark, who scored with a Bird's Opening in 41 moves. Petrosian is in second place with 10½-5½, which includes six wins and nine draws.
In third place is Olafsson, with a 10-6 tally. More erratic than the Russians, he has been on the losing end three times, but has seven wins and six draws. Slightly behind him is Matanovic, with 9½-5½
U.S Champion Bobby Fischer advanced during last week's play to a tie for fifth at 9-6. Sharing that score are Yuri Auerbach and David Bronstein of Russia, Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia and Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia.
In the 13th round Fischer was paired with Petrosian, and adopted the King's Indian Defense. A difficult rook and pawn ending resulted, which was drawn after 67 moves in two sessions.
Fischer then went 90 moves and three sessions against fellow American Sherwin. The latter finally missed his way and lost in a theoretically drawn rook and pawn end-game.
Fischer made it two in a row by defeating Boris deGreif of Colombia. The South American sacrificed a piece to gain the initiative, but Bobby put up a stout defense. Overstepping the time limit, deGrief lost in 35 moves. In his final game of the week, Fischer drew with Lazlo Szabo of Hungary in 33 moves.
Sherwin did not fare so well, losing two and drawing two of his games for the week. Pitted against Bronstein, he adopted the English Opening and stood up stoutly until he lost his grip under the pressure of the time limit. Sherwin lost a piece and exceeded the time limit after 39 moves.
In two long endgames, each of which went into a second session, Sherwin drew with Paul Benko, former Hungarian champion who is now residing in the U.S., in 68 moves.
Following is the standing of the players after 16 rounds, and games from the tournament.
