“The Match of the Century: USSR vs Rest of the World, Belgrade 1970 – A Historic Chess Event”

The Match of the Century: USSR vs Rest of the World in Belgrade, 1970

Half a century ago, one of the greatest chess events of the 20th century took place in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. The match between the Soviet Union and the Rest of the World brought together virtually all of the top players in the world for a week of intense competition.

The event, described as “an epoch-making battle” by GM Garry Kasparov, featured legendary players such as Bobby Fischer, Boris Spassky, Tigran Petrosian, and many others. Fischer’s participation in the event was not guaranteed, but he was eventually persuaded to join by the chief arbiter Bozidar Kazic.

The match, held in the Great Hall of the Dom Sindikata, was witnessed by 2,000 spectators and 63 foreign correspondents. The teams, consisting of 10 players each, played four rounds of intense chess, with the Soviet Union ultimately emerging victorious by the narrowest of margins.

One of the most memorable games of the event was the encounter between Larsen and Spassky, where Larsen was defeated in just 17 moves. Fischer’s performance was also noteworthy, as he won his mini-match with Petrosian with the highest individual score for the Rest of the World team.

The event produced a lot of excellent games, with Geller winning the prize for the best game for his victory against Gligoric. The match also featured unique prizes, including two cars for the top performers.

The legacy of the USSR vs Rest of the World match in Belgrade, 1970 lives on in the annals of chess history. As we commemorate this historic event fifty years later, we remember the intense competition, the strategic battles, and the unforgettable moments that defined this epic clash of chess titans.