Although I am very bad at it, I am interested in the game of chess- but great stories even more. Chess history is filled with great stories, interesting characters, drama, great creativity, and mystery. It is in search of an answer to a mystery that I am writing this entry. My favorite chess book is called The Best In Chess, edited by the great chess writer I. A. Horowitz, since it is filled with great chess-themed stories, including some of the best fiction, humor and suspense I have ever read.. One of them, a nonfiction story called Visiting Fireman, features a mysterious chessplayer at a 1953 Paris chess club.
His feat against a strong opponent seems comparable to a Bobby Fisher or Garry Kasparov.
I wonder if it could have been Botvinnik?? Mikhail Botvinnik was world chess champion, but his performance in two tournaments in '51 and '52 were dissappointing. He had spent '48 through '51 working on his Ph.D. in electronics. The Soviet chess championship, featuring most of the best in the world (they love chess in Russia!!!), the chess olympiad and the defense of his championship were coming up, and he would have been looking to improve his game. Knowing there was a great grandmaster in town, he must have sought out that chess club in Paris- apparently THE place to go as the legendary Cafe de la Regence was being renovated. He would have been in disguise so the Soviet authorities didn't know he was there. The tournament to determine the challenger was held in nearby Zurich, Switzerland, and Botvinnik may have been allowed to go to observe his future opponent. Or there may have been another occasion.
Is it possible Botvinnik could have been in Paris in 1953?
This seems the best explination for this true story.
Please comment if you have a clue.
Sincerely,
David S. Annderson
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