Chess

The just concluded USSR Team Championship was won by Moscow, which fielded an exceedingly strong team led by world champion Petrosian, former world champions Botvinnik and Smyslov, and grandmasters Bronstein, Kholmov and Vasyukov.

Final standings in the upper division are Moscow, 29.5 points; Russian Republic, (RSFSR), 29; Ukraine, 26.5, Leningrad, 23; Belorussia, 21.5, and Georgia, 20.5.

The last round pairings set the stage for a keenly fought battle between the present USSR champion and a former challenger for the world title.

White: Leonid Stein (Ukraine). Black: Boris Spassky (RSFSR).
USSR Team Championship, 1967
French Defense.

1.e4 e6
2.d4 d5
3.Nd2 c5
4.Ngf3 Nc6
5.exd5 exd5
6.Bb5 Bd6 (a)
7.0-0 Nge7
8.c4 (b) a6
9.cxd5 axb5
10.dxc6 c4
11.cxb7 Bxb7 (c)
12.Re1 0-0
13.Ne4 Re8
14.Bg5 f6
15.Bd2 Nf5
16.Qc2 (d) Bf8

17.Re2 Nxd4
18.Nxd4 Qxd4
19.Rae1 f5 (e)
20.Nf6+ Qxf6
21.Rxe8 Qg6
22.Rxf8+ Rxf8
23.f3 (f) Bxf3
24.Bc3 Be4
25.Qf2 f4
26.Rd1 Bc6
27.h3 h6
28.Kh2 Rf5
29.Rd8+ Kh7
30.Qc2 (g) Qg3+

31.Kg1 Qe3+
32.Qf2 Rg5 (h)
33.Qxe3 Rxg2+
34.Kf1 fxe3
35.Rd6 Be4
36.Rd4 Bf3
37.Rf4 e2+
38.Resigns (i)

(a) Stronger than 6...Nf6 7.0-0 Be7 8.dc.
(b) Usual is 8 cd with play against Black's isolated "d"-pawn.
(c) Black has fine compensation for his pawn sacrifice.
(d) Equivalent to admitting that the extra pawn cannot be held safely.
(e) Provoking White's ensuing "combination," but Black's initiative looms larger in any event.
(f) The only way to stave off mate, since 23 g3 fails against 23...Qc6.
(g) Black was threatening to play 30...Rg5.
(h) Anyway! Black presses home his attack.
(i) The enemy pawn must queen, e.g., 38.Ke1 Rg1+ 39.Kf2 Rf1+ 40.Ke3 or 40.Kg3 Bc6.

Contra Costa Championships

This tournament, directed by Jerry Long, will be held, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 26-27, at the Walnut Creek Recreation Center, Civic Drive, in Walnut Creek. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to winners. All chess players who are or will become members of Chess Friends of Northern California are eligible to participate. Entry fee is $5 for CFNC members, $8 for non-members. Registration for this five-round Swiss system tourney begins at 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 26.

Where To Play Chess

The Hayward Chess Club, 2058 D Street (Hayward Arts and Science Center), Monday and Friday, 8-11 p.m.

The Newark Youth Center, 37230 Ash Street, Friday, 7-10 p.m.

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Mail games, news and comments to The Daily Review Chess Column, P.O. Box 3127, Hayward, Calif. 94544.

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