The Chess Games of Mikhail Tal

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. In 1959, in the tournament to find a challenger to World Champion Botvinnik, Tal played the legendary Bobby Fischer 4 times. How many did Tal win? 1 3 4 2

2. In the great Candidates Tournament of 1959 Tal played an ex-World Champion - and tore him to shreds in just 26 moves - who was the unfortunate champion? Alekhine Botvinnik Euwe Smyslov

3. How old was Tal when he became World Champion? 23 25 19 29

4. One of Tal's favourite defences to the d-pawn openings is the Modern (?)? Opening Dutch Indian Benoni

5. In the last round of the 1958 Chess Olympiad, Tal wanted a quick draw so that he could watch the England-USSR soccer game to be broadcast that day. However, his opponent (last name only) played very slowly and as a result Tal unleashed all his powers to crush him. Teschner Zeid Walther Tolush

6. Tal won the World Championship in 1960. When did he lose it? 1962 1961 1963 1964

7. In the 6th game of his World Championship match with Botvinnik, Tal produced an amazing sacrifice on the 21st move. Which piece did he sacrifice? Queen Knight Rook Bishop

8. When Tal beat Zeid in the Pioneers Tournament in 1973 it was the last of an amazing unbeaten run of games. How many games had he played without losing one? 36 86 56 76

9. One Grandmaster always seemed to have Tal's measure and had a healthy plus score in their encounters. Who was this great player? Larsen Spassky Korchnoi Fischer

10. Finally - what was the score in that great 1960 World Championship match with Botvinnik ? 12-9 12.5-8.5 12.5-7.5 12.5-9.5