Olympiad, Dubai November 14 - December 2, 1986

Olympiad, Dubai November 14 - December 2, 1986

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Author: Joksic, Sinisa (1940- )

Year: 1987

Publisher: Sinisa Joksic

Place: Belgrade

Description:

266 pages with illustrations and plates. Royal octavo (9 1/2" x 6 3/4") issued in yellow wrappers with black lettering to spine and red and black lettering to front wrapper with red and black pictorial. (Lusis: 2123) First edition

The UAE chess federation was founded in 1976 and had about 2,000 registered players at the time of the Olympiad. They had absolutely no experience in international chess apart from Pan-Arab Chess Federation established in 1979. But many of the players in Dubai called this Olympiad the best organized ever. The hosts were said to have spent more than half a million pounds on beautifying the playing site alone. The lavish opening ceremony was a testament to the care taken to ensure that this was an enjoyable and memorable competition. The players stayed at the best city hotels. The transport was also perfect. As no Arab nation had previously held such an immense sporting event as this Chess Olympiad they wanted to stun the world, but the first problem was to persuade the world to attend. With weeks to go before the starting date, no attendance records were due to be broken. Yet the organizers offered $1 million for free air tickets to those who were reluctant or experiencing difficulties. This boosted number of participating countries to a new record of 107. Of course Israel, officially in the state of war with most of Arab countries, couldn't participate. Some West European nations, namely Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands withdrew as an act of solidarity with Israel. Some individuals like Kortschnoi, Hubner or Lobron refused to come to Dubai as well. According to FIDE rules the Olympic organizing committee had right to refuse to invite one selected country. At the Dubai FIDE congress the US chess authorities put a demand that this rule be abolished under threat of their withdrawal from the Olympiad (they were the leaders at the time). It had been rejected and the only amendment was enacted that once the organizing committee asks for the right to refuse anyone it has to pass 75% majority voting.

Condition:

Spine sunned, corners bumped, light edge wear. A very good copy.

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