Author: Carlos (born Karel) Skalicka (1896-1979) and Miliades A Lachaga signed by the authors from the library of Lothar Schmid
Year: 1958
Publisher: Carlos Skalicka
Place: Buenos Aires
Description:
86 pages with table, photographs and index. Oblong small octavo (7" x 9") bound in original publisher's stapled wrappers. Signed by both authors. From the library of Lothar Schmid. (Linde 0880) Copy number 9. First edition.
Mar del Plata has a rich history of chess tournaments, including their international chess tournament and open tournament. There is also an annual city tournament, which had its first edition in 1946, and reached its 62nd edition in 2007. The international tournament started off in 1928, but only in the period from 1941 to 1970 was it a truly international tournament with considerable reputation. After 1970, only seven international tournaments have been played. The 1951, 1954, 1969 and 2001 editions were zonal tournaments. There was also a zonal tournament for women in Mar del Plata, in 1969, won by the Brazilian Ruth Cardoso. Silvia Kot from Argentina placed second. In 1967 the first edition of the open tournament was organized. In 1969 it became an annual event.
The first edition in 1928 attracted seventeen contestants. Roberto Grau of Argentina scored clear first with 13.5 of 16. Luis Argentino Palau another Argentinian was a full point behind for second. The Brazilian, Joao De Souza Mendes, placed third with 11.5. Vicente Tulio Romano and Carlos Hugo Maderna shared fourth. Cauby Pulcherio held sixth with 10.5. Benito H Villegas captured the next spot.
Lothar Maximilian Lorenz Schmid (10 May 1928 - 18 May 2013) was a German chess grandmaster. He was born in Radebeul near Dresden into a family who were the co-owners of the Karl May Press, which published the German Karl May adventure novels. He was best known as the chief arbiter at several World Chess Championship matches, in particular the 1972 encounter between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky at Reykjavic. He was also an avid collector of chess books and paraphernalia. It was reputed that he owned the largest known private chess library in the world, as well as a renowned collection of chess art, chess boards and chess pieces from around the globe.
Condition: Signed by both author on title. Lothar Schmid's book plate to front wrapper verso. Edge wear with bumped corners, lightly soiled, some age toning to pages else very good.