Conqueror of Tal to play simo on Wednesday

While the two Bodley favourites go head-to-head and the Armstrong clash with former champions Phibsboro, the regular club night may well claim the main billing of the night with a former World Champion conqueror giving a simo exhibition.

Mariusz Lokasto, who plays on our Heidenfeld, has arranged for his dad, Anatol, to pop up the club while he’s on holidays here from Poland. In Wroclaw in 1965, while still a teenager, he beat the then recently-deposed world champion Mikhail Tal with black in 32 moves in a simo. He also drew with another former World Champion, Vasily Smyslov, in a simo while more recently, he played Kilkenny at the weekend and almost held a draw against Alex Baburin GM. His highest rating was 2370, though even his current rating of 2224 isn’t to be sniffed at! Currently a junior coach in Poland, he’ll hopefully be able to impart some of his knowledge on Wednesday. We hope to get underway about 8pm.

Many thanks to Mariusz and Anatol for arranging the evening. And while Anatol’s game against Tal isn’t on the interwebby, it seems a waste not to link in one game by Tal when the chance arises, so for those unaware of just what the name Mikhail Tal signifies, here‘s one of his most famous games. Enjoy!