Budapest 1952 - Maroczy Memorial Tournament

In the year following the death of Geza Maroczy a memorial chess tournament was held in the city of Budapest. The Hungarian chess association with the assistance of Viacheslav Ragozin and Arpad Vajda organized the round robin event that began on March 3rd, 1952, which would have been Maroczy's 82nd birthday. Eight grandmasters, eight international masters, and two national masters totaled the playing strength of those invited. Five of the Soviet Union's best grandmasters, including the world champion, attended. They were Mikhail Botvinnik, Efim Geller, Paul Keres, Tigran Petrosian, and Vasily Smyslov. The other three grandmasters to attend were Swedish grandmaster Gideon Stahlberg, and grandmasters and Hungarian champions Laszlo Szabo and Gedeon Barcza. Hungary was also represented by international masters Pal Benko, Erno Gereben, and Jozsef Szily. Harry Golombek participated on behalf of England, Alberic O'Kelly de Galway participated on behalf of Belgium, and Hans Platz participated on behalf of East Germany. Bogdan Silwa traveled from Poland, Octavio Troianescu from Romania, and Cenek Kottnauer from Czechoslovakia. Herman Pilnik, the only player to participate from the Americas, traveled from Argentina. The event was one of the stronger post-war tournaments to be held, as well as an indication of the Soviet Union's chess might in international events. Four of the five Soviet participants finished in the top five, with Paul Keres taking the trophy with clear first. It was a brutal month of chess, with few draws, due in part to the uneven playing strengths of the participants. Not many players escaped with less than three losses, including such undefeatable heavyweights as Smyslov and Petrosian.

• Marca British Chess Magazine
• Codice B1952us
• Pagine 84