Author: Hastings and St Leonards Chess Club signed by all participants
Year: 1949
Publisher: Hastings and St Leonards Chess Club
Place: Hastings and St Leonards
Description:
unpaginated with tables and advertisements. Octavo (8" x 5 1/4") bound in original publisher's stapled wrapper's. M. Euwe, L. Szabo, Barda, Horne, N. Rossolimo, W.A. Winser, L. Evans, I. Konig, J.A. Fuller, B.H. Wood, L. Prins and A.C.S. Pindar. First edition.
This program allowed the holder to be admitted to the event as a spectator.
The Twenty-fifth Annual Hastings Congress was opened at 3.45 p.m. on December 29th [1949] by Lord Simon at the White Rock Pavilion. With 137 competitors the Congress was clearly maintaining its popularity amongst the average player and with a marked increase in strength in the foreign masters taking part some fine chess could be expected. This last circumstance was due to an increase in the corporation grant that enabled the organizers to make the prizes in the Premier Section really handsome (1st £60, 2nd £50, 3rd £40, and 4th £30).
Rossolimo, and the Hungarian grandmaster Szabo played fine chess in markedly distinctive styles. Rossolimo’s games were abounding with beautiful little combinations and his style is certainly one of the pleasantest to watch amongst European masters. Szabo’s was true grandmaster chess, stamped with his own originality, positionally correct but combinational when combinations were necessary and above all far-sighted to a really remarkable extent. It was strictly in accordance with the run of the play that these two should tower over the rest of the competitors and that Szabo should be half a point ahead of Rossolimo.
Dr. Euwe’s third prize, two points behind the leaders, was disappointing. But the edge of his play has been blunted of recent years by a number of setbacks that have robbed him of self-confidence. He will have little chance of doing better until this is restored.
The 17-year-old Larry Evans made a good start in his first tournament abroad and played some excellent games. His style is already wonderfully mature and experienced.
Condition:
Signed by each player next to the crosstable. Paper yellowed with dog ears, spots and minor tears, book plate to back wrapper else good.