Introduction

This game was played between Mikhail Tal and Dieter Mohrlok (sometimes spelled Mohrlock) at the 1962 Varna Olympiad. Tal was 25 years old at the time of the game; Mohrlok was 23 and would earn the IM title in 1969.

World Champion for one year in 1960-61, Tal had a difficult year in 1962. In June, he withdrew because of illness from the Curacao Candidates Tournament which was to determine the next challenger for the World Championship.

When the Olympiad started in September, Tal played as second reserve for the USSR, the lowest board on the six man Soviet team. The game with Mohrlok, the second reserve on the West German team, was played in the fourth round of the preliminary stage.

Tal played the White pieces.

Next move: 1.e4 • For more about White's first move, see our tutorial Chess Openings - Initial Position.