Russia (USSR) vs Rest of the World

USSR against the rest of the world were two team competitions in chess, in which the best players of the dominant chess nation Soviet Union competed against a world selection. The first competition took place in 1970 in Belgrade, a rematch in London in 1984. There were 10 boards played in four games.

First competition in 1970

The match was proposed at the FIDE Congress in 1969 by the Yugoslav Chess Federation. The budget of the event, then to April 5, 1970 took place from 29 March in Belgrade, was $ 100,000, for at that time a record sum.

The Soviet Chess Federation took the competition very seriously. Each player received an extensive dossier preparation, also a training camp near Moscow was held. About the Board order, there was resentment between players. Ex world champion Mikhail Botvinnik wanted to play on 4 board, but was awarded only Board 8. The reigning World Champion Boris Spassky later remarked that half of his Soviet team members no longer speak to each other and he felt very uncomfortable because of the pressure weighing on him. The average age of the ten players was 43 years, some had their best time already behind. Nevertheless, was the Soviet team that four former world champions had next to Spassky all titleholders of the last 22 years in their ranks, as the clear favorite.

The team leader of the World XI, former World Champion Max Euwe, persuaded to participate, then even renounced to everyone's surprise in favor of Bent Larsen on the top board, although fishermen at that time had the higher Elo rating after tough negotiations Bobby Fischer. Larsen justified the confidence placed in him by a 2.5 to 1.5 on board 1, although he suffered a dramatic defeat against Spassky in the 2nd round. Fischer defeated on board 2 in convincing style former World Champion Tigran Petrosian with 3-1. Nevertheless, the Soviet team managed by successes at the middle and rear boards provide a brief overall victory with 20.5 to 19.5.

Round 4: Leonid Stein

( Round 4: Fridrik Ólafsson ( Iceland Iceland ) )

Second race in 1984

The second competition took place from 24 to 29 June 1984 in London. Originally, this competition also in Belgrade should take place, but had to be moved at short notice. On the Soviet side were out of the team from 1970 Polugajewski, Smyslov and Tal still pushing from the World Larsen selection as a reserve player and now playing for Switzerland Korchnoi. Petrosian was already ravaged by stomach cancer and could no longer participate Portisch said from his participation because he should only play on board 7. At the top boards, the Soviet players had time benefits, world champion Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov later his successor each won 2.5 to 1.5. However, the best result of all players scored Alexander Beliavsky with a 3.5 to 0.5 on board 6 At the end of winning the selection of the Soviet Union, which showed weaknesses this time on the rear boards, again with almost 21-19.

Round 4: Volodymyr Tukmakow

Rounds 2 and 3: Volodymyr Tukmakow

Rounds 3 and 4: Bent Larsen ( Denmark Denmark)

Round 2: Oleh Romanishin

Round 4: Murray Chandler (United Kingdom Great Britain)

Round 4: Oleh Romanishin

Round 3: Oleh Romanishin

Round 3: Murray Chandler (United Kingdom Great Britain)

Russia vs the World 2002

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 2002 came at a contest in Russia against the rest of the world. This differed from the previous two Wettkampfen also by the fact that each player 10 rapid games were played Scheveningen, instead of four games with tournament reflection. Some players from the former Soviet Union, such as Vladimir Hakobyan, Vasyl Ivanchuk, Boris Gelfand and Alexei Shirov, occurred at this time for the rest of the world. The Russian team was defeated by 48-52, although they mustered their stars Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik.