The invitation
As usual the national federations of six countries received the invitation overleaf to delegate their national teams to the by now traditional Clare Benedict Six Nations' Tournament. They tourney is now over, but the invitation still stands, open for you also! The present tournament booklet lets you take part in this "little Chess Olympiad", which through its intimate character, its high standard and energetical fights and its scenic setting is a highly esteemed delicacy on the international menu card of Chess feasting.

It is the eleventh time, that the generous donation by the American patron, Miss Clare Benedict, who died on October 31, 1961 at Lucerne, coupled with the organizational talent of Alois Nagler enables to hold this tournament. That the tradition was continued also after her death is to a large extent the merit of some tireless Swiss patrons of chess, such as H. J. Ormond, Hans Ott and Robert Meyer, and also the merit of the uniting force of Alois Nagler. The tournament book of the 10th Clare Benedict Tournament held in 1965 at Lucerne contains a historical and chessic tribute to all hitherto held events, as well as a tribute to Miss Clare Benedict and Alois Nagler.

With the 11th tournament begins the second epoch of the six nations' tournaments which in 1965 will for the first time take a trip abroad to Berlin on the invitation of the German Chess Federation, in 1966 it will once again be at home in Switzerland with its 15th performance.

Lenzerheide — a pearl of the Alps
Starting from Chur — the terminal of the normal gauge of the Swiss Federal Railways — the traveler is taken further into the Alps by the yellow Swiss Postal Coaches. 4917 feet high, on the important route from Chur over the Julier pass to St. Moritz and Italy lies Lenzerheide, the tender-hearted and climatically much favoured health resort of the Grisons. In the winter a paradise of snow and sun for skiers and lovers of other winter sports, in summer a paradise of quietness, fragrant Alpine air and fine views.

A superb Alpine world, the air full of fragrant scent of firs and pines, green hills, rugged rocks, blue skies, snow-clad mountain tops, reddened by sun set and sun rise, carpets of flowers on the dark green meadows, clear waters jumping from stone to stone hurrying towards the valley, Velvet grounds between firs and pines, alert squirrels sprinting around the roving humans, thanking them in their amusing ways for the delicacies offered.

There would be much more to tell about Lenzerheide and its majestic surroundings. But really, only a personal experience up there can bring to life fully the splendour, and this will turn you into another one of the many admirers of the Alpine world, friends of Lenzerheide which amy be found all over the globe.

But now, let us precede to the fights on the 64 squares, inbetween some accompanying comments, toasts and other wisecracks.

1st round — Germany moves ahead
Quite a nervous coming and going at the board of Grandmaster Unzicker, who is tempted by Contedini's Schliemann Defence of the Ruy Lopez to a combination which proves incorrect, but the German Grandmaster escapes into a draw. Three wins on the other boards bring a total of 3½—½ against Italy. The Dutchmen beat the yet unsettled Swiss team by 3—1, only Roth scores for Switzerland. Spain tops Austria by 2½—1½ whereby Medina and Calvo chalk up wins for the Spaniards.

The favoured teams won. The first positions are taken. Only two draws in twelve games, the fighting spirit too is traditional in the Clare Benedict Tournaments. At the start Alois Nagler announced that the 30 moves-rule for draws does not apply here. Did the players want to justify his confidence into them?

2nd round — Germany beats Holland
An important encounter is Germany—Holland. Full of fight are the first two games. Unzicker beats Donner. Ups and downs occur in the game between Schmid and Kuijpers. Is the draw the just conclusion? On the whole, yes, 2½—1½ for Germany is the end result. The Italians offer stiff resistance to the Spaniards, but they succumb finally by 1—3. Pomar and Medina are the pointgetters. The Swiss renew their last year's win over Austria in Lucerne. With a 2½—1½ victory they hand over the second last place to their eastern neighbour. Keller is responsible for the Swiss team's success.

3rd round — sensational — Germany loses against Austria
Leader Germany is beaten by Austria and sensationally receive a shock which sets them back. As three games result in draws, the win by Kinzel over Pfleger decides the match. Favourable for the German is, that the Spaniards, as their most dangerous pursuers, only draw against the Swiss, and there for only draw abreast. Pomar defeats Keller, but Walther's win over Bordell evens the scale, two games ending undecided. Holland pulls three points from Italy and enlarges the top of the table to three teams: Germany, Holland and Spain. Kuijpers and Zuidema — the youngsters — account for the wins. Whereas Italy is doomed for the last place, Switzerland and Austria want to get rid of the secondlast place.

4th round — Germany alone in front again
An important step towards the cristallizing of the tournament winner is done today. Germany beats its rival Spain, whereas Holland stumbles against Austria, the Danube team materializes its second victory. Anyhow, 1 point ahead means something, so Germany may well be satisfied with today's happenings. Hecht and Mohrlok win for Germany, Prameshuber and Kinzel for Austria. Switzerland gains a narrow victory over Italy, remains on the same points level as Austria, but has the worse outlook for the last round, as Austria plays the lighter opponent. Roth scores for the home team.

5th round — A draw against Switzerland secures the first place for Germany
Little will to fight exists between Spain and Holland, as there is no doubt in the German victory, Barendregt wins against Prada and secures second place for Holland. Four draws bring about the 2—2 in the match Switzerland–Germany. Austria beats the Italians 3—1 which leaves the Swiss on the secondlast place and which enables the Austrians to move ahead of the Spaniards.

The closing Dinner
As always — Lenzerheide lined up graciously besides its predecessors — the closing Dinner of the Clare Benedict Six Nations' Tournament was a real family treat. The Rotonde, the big hall of the Grandhotel Schweizerhof Lenzerheide, was festively decorated by Director Dr. G. Decurtins-Brenn and showed itself worthy as tournament hall and festive hall, a statement which ranks high as the Clare Benedict Family is in both respects not easy to please. The tables were put into a festive mood, the marvelous food read as follows on the menu card:

Cantaloup frappé (melon), jambon des Grisons
Oxteil clair en tasse, paillettes dorées
Suprême de volaille à la Kiew
Pommes à la neige, petits pois paysanne, salade de saison
Bombe glacée surprise

The "bombe surprise" consisted of a chess board made of ice and a problem position made of chocolate on it.

Several guests of honor were present. After the customary, but short and well-defined speeches, Hansjürg Leuzinger and Alois Nagler presented the cup and the prizes, whilst letting pass once more the exploits on the chess boards. The German team received the Cup for the seventh time. It is the second Cup, as the first one was finally won by the Germans last year at Lucerne. The present Cup was donated by Mr. E. Dähne, President of the German Chess Federation. A special surprise contained mysterious little packets, each player received. Out of them emerged Gold Swiss Watches, a generous gift to each participant from the well-known Problem Composer Hans Ott of Solothurn, honorary member of the Swiss Chess Federation. An Alpine farmer blowing his giant alpenhorn brought back the delighted players down to earth again.

In Lenzerheide, the international holiday resort several other world languages besides the four official Swiss languages and English, considered to be the fifth Swiss National lango, are spoken. The director of the Grandhotel Schweizerhof, Dr. G. Decurtins-Brenn, did everything to make the Clare Benedict Family feel at home in his splendid hotel. Thank you for your kind hospitality, thank you and until next time, Lenzerheide.

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King Patronio — a modern fairy tale

Once upon a time, there was a King, ruling over a vast and rich country. He loved the arts and all sports. Especially the game of chess he loved very much. He decided that a great tournament should be held in his palace, to which all the strong masters of the world should be invited. Lavish rewards in gold and jewels waited upon the participants, to the winner he promised the hand of his beautiful daughter. He therefore gave orders to his Master of Ceremonies, to do what was decided and opened his treasure vaults to him. Messengers went out and the news of the tournament spread with the winds. Soon a large number of players assembled in the capital. The Master of Ceremonies, himself a strong player and renowned problem composer made a first selection and finally 24 players started the tournament. They were led into lavish suites, dined and wined at the bulging table of the King. In the afternoon they played their games. The King himself often watched and enjoyed their great exploits.

After two months the tournament ended and the winner designed. At the lavish festivities stretching over three days, the King himself presented the valuable rewards to the players. To the winner he gave the hand of his daughter and half of his lands. They had many children who themselves became strong players. They both live even today happily and content.

Certainly, it is only a fairy tale. But also fairy tales contain truths. Who takes over the role of King Patronio in modern times? As well as all other sports, also chess is depending upon support from outside, financially and by deeds. The modern state however does not want to take over any or very little of the traditional obligations of King Patronio, although also this belongs in a proper and appropriate proportion to the obligations of the modern state. Switzerland's Chess has proven over and over again that it is prepared to play its part, financially and by deeds, to secure a fitting position of Switzerland in international chess life, it is hoping however to be supported fittingly by the state in its endeavors.

/ Taken from the tournament bulletin /