1st Women's Olympiad, Emmen 1957

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John Saunders
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1st Women's Olympiad, Emmen 1957

Post by John Saunders » Wed Apr 20, 2016 10:02 am

Whilst browsing Wikipedia, looking for something else, I came upon this short but entertaining piece of footage of the 1st Women's Olympiad in Emmen, Netherlands...

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... 517813.ogv

Amongst the people who appear are Belgian GM Alberic O'Kelly and the reigning women's world champion Olga Rubtsova. Two English women can be seen briefly at around 16 seconds into the clip - Elaine Pritchard (wearing an Alice band) and Eileen Tranmer. By reference to the position on Mrs Pritchard's board it is possible to deduce that they were playing Hungary in the last round on 20 September 1957.

Also shown is Hilda Florence Chater, Ireland's top board, aged 82(!). Perhaps the most striking feature of the clip is the lady who, seemingly about to pick up and move her a5 knight, reaches further to an ashtray on her right and picks up a huge cigar which she proceeds to smoke. I'm pretty sure this must be Ingrid Larsen of Denmark as she is cited as a cigar-smoker in an article which Beth Cassidy wrote for BCM at the time and which may be read here - http://www.olimpbase.org/1957w/1957in.html
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JustinHorton
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Re: 1st Women's Olympiad, Emmen 1957

Post by JustinHorton » Wed Apr 20, 2016 10:17 pm

By coincidence, just a couple of days ago I came across Kira Zvorykina which name I don't recall having heard before: at least one photo (and I'm guessing both) is from Emmen where she racked up an enormous score on board two behind Rubtsova.
"Do you play chess?"
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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: 1st Women's Olympiad, Emmen 1957

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Wed Apr 20, 2016 10:21 pm

That does slightly surprise me, she was probably the best woman player of the early post war (ie pre-Nona) era who never actually became WC.

Played well into her old age, and represented (post-Soviet) Belarus in team events in her 70s.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

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JustinHorton
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Re: 1st Women's Olympiad, Emmen 1957

Post by JustinHorton » Thu Apr 21, 2016 8:26 am

Graded 2245 at the age of 78, which is none too shabby.
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com