Tallinn 1979: VI Paul Keres Memorial Chess tournament

160 pages with diagrams, illustrations, tables and index. Quarto (11 1/2" x 8 3/4") issued in wrappers. Signed by Larry Christiansen. (Lusis: 1861) First edition.

The Paul Keres Memorial Tournament is a chess tournament played in honor of chess grandmaster Paul Keres (1916–1975). It usually takes place in Vancouver, Canada and Tallinn, Estonia. An annual international chess tournament has been held in Tallinn every other year since 1969. Keres won this tournament in 1971 and 1975. Starting in 1977 after Keres' death, it has been called the Paul Keres Memorial Tournament. From 1991, the tournament has been held yearly and changed into a rapid event. From 1999 this tournament also had a women's section. In the past twenty years, apart from this rapid tournament, several other memorial tournaments have been played in honor of Keres. In 1975, Keres won a tournament in Vancouver. It was his last tournament he would ever play in, as on his way back to his native Estonia, he died from a heart attack. There has been an annual memorial tournament in Vancouver ever since. This tournament had a strong contingent with Tigran Petrosian the winner with +12, followed closely by Mikhail Tal and Rafael Vaganjan with +11 1/2. David Bronstein, at 55 was the oldest player and was clear fourth with +10. Gyula Sax of Hungary ad David Veingold of Estonia tied for 5th and 6th at 9 1/2 - 6 1/2. At 8 points, well below the leaders, was a multiple tie involving William Hartson, Ranier Knaak, Valleri Zilberstein and Jiri Lechtnsky. Lower down the list were Larry Christiansen and Iivo Nei.

Condition:

Signed by Christiansen on title. Corners bumped. some soiling to wrappers, previous owner's name to front wrapper verso, some occasional marginalia else very good.