Salzburg 1942 chess tournament
Encyclopedia
The main organiser of Salzburg 1942, Ehrhardt Post
, the Chief Executive of Nazi Grossdeutscher Schachbund, intended to bring together the six strongest players of Germany, the occupied and neutral European countries; world champion Alexander Alekhine
, former champion Max Euwe
, challenger Paul Keres
, former challenger Efim Bogoljubov, winner of European tournament at Munich 1941 Gösta Stoltz
, and German champion Paul Felix Schmidt
. Euwe withdrew due to "illness". Actually, Euwe refused to participate because Alekhine was invited (Alekhine had written about the "Jewish clique" around Euwe in World Chess Championship 1935
). His place was occupied by German sub-champion, the eighteen-years-old Klaus Junge
. They made Salzburg 1942 the world's second, after a tournament purporting to be the first European Championship (Europameisterschaft) in Munich, strongest tournament in 1942.
The event took place in the wonderful rooms of Mirabell Palace in Salzburg from 9th to 18 June 1942. The players had to make 32 moves in two hours. Thereafter, the tempo became 16 moves per hour.
The final results and standings:
was a lieutenant of the 12th SS Battalion defending Hamburg. Refusing to surrender, he died – shouted "Sieg Heil!" – in combat against Allied troops on 17 April 1945 in the battle of Welle on the Lüneburger Heide.
The first Junge Memorial was held in Regensburg in 1946 (Fedor Bohatirchuk won). According to Dr Robert Hübner
, Klaus Junge was the greatest German chess talent in the 20th century.
Alexander Alekhine
moved to Spain in 1943. The chess world did not forget his Nazi articles published in 1941, although negotiations with Mikhail Botvinnik
for a world title match were proceeding in 1946 when Alekhine died in Estoril, Portugal, in unclear circumstances. Some have speculated that he was murdered by a French "Death Squad". A few years later, Alekhine's son, Alexander Alekhine Junior, said that "the hand of Moscow reached his father".
Efim Bogoljubov lived in West Germany and remained active in the German chess world. After World War II
, he won – among others – at Bad Pyrmont 1949 (Western zone championship), played at Southsea 1950, Birmingham 1951, and Belgrade 1952. Bogoljubov was awarded the title International Grandmaster by the World Chess Federation FIDE in 1951. He died from a heart attack in Triberg in 1952.
Paul Keres
travelled to Spain in 1943 and moved to Sweden in 1944. At the end of World War II
, he returned to Estonia in Autumn 1944. He was harassed by the Soviet authorities (KGB
) and feared for his life. Fortunately, Keres managed to avoid deportation to Siberia or any worse fate (e.g., that of Vladimirs Petrovs
) – a letter to Viacheslav Molotov spared his life – but his return to the international chess scene was delayed, in spite of his excellent form. He returned to international play in World Chess Championship 1948
but, as some historians argue, had to lose to Mikhail Botvinnik
. Keres died from a heart attack in Helsinki in 1975.
Gösta Stoltz
returned to Sweden in 1942. The chess world held no grudge against him and he was invited for Groningen 1946 chess tournament
. Stoltz was awarded the International Master title in 1950, and the Grandmaster title in 1954. He died in his country in 1963.
Paul Felix Schmidt
remained active in the German chess world. He was awarded the International Master title in 1950. Paul F. Schmidt earned a PhD in chemistry from Heidelberg University in 1951, and moved to Canada
, then to the United States
, settling in Philadelphia, where he took a job as a professor. He died in Allentown in 1984.
Ehrhardt Post
Alfred M. Ehrhardt Post was a German chess master and functionary.-Biography:At the beginning of his career, he won and tied for 3-6th at Hanover 1902 . He tied for 7-8th at Coburg 1904 and 12-13th at Barmen 1905...
, the Chief Executive of Nazi Grossdeutscher Schachbund, intended to bring together the six strongest players of Germany, the occupied and neutral European countries; world champion Alexander Alekhine
Alexander Alekhine
Alexander Alexandrovich Alekhine was the fourth World Chess Champion. He is often considered one of the greatest chess players ever.By the age of twenty-two, he was already among the strongest chess players in the world. During the 1920s, he won most of the tournaments in which he played...
, former champion Max Euwe
Max Euwe
Machgielis Euwe was a Dutch chess Grandmaster, mathematician, and author. He was the fifth player to become World Chess Champion . Euwe also served as President of FIDE, the World Chess Federation, from 1970 to 1978.- Early years :Euwe was born in Watergraafsmeer, near Amsterdam...
, challenger Paul Keres
Paul Keres
Paul Keres , was an Estonian chess grandmaster, and a renowned chess writer. He was among the world's top players from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s....
, former challenger Efim Bogoljubov, winner of European tournament at Munich 1941 Gösta Stoltz
Gösta Stoltz
-Biography:Stoltz played a few matches with strong chess masters. In 1926, he lost to Mikhail Botvinnik at a team match Stockholm – Leningrad in Stockholm. In 1927, he drew with Allan Nilsson in Göteborg . In 1930, he won against Isaac Kashdan in Stockholm. In 1930, he lost to Rudolf Spielmann ...
, and German champion Paul Felix Schmidt
Paul Felix Schmidt
Paul Felix Schmidt was an Estonian chess International Master, chess writer, and chemist.- Biography :In June 1935, he won, ahead of Paul Keres, at Tallinn. In May 1936, he drew a match against Keres at Pärnu. In 1936, he won the 8th Estonian Championship at Tallinn. In December 1936, he placed...
. Euwe withdrew due to "illness". Actually, Euwe refused to participate because Alekhine was invited (Alekhine had written about the "Jewish clique" around Euwe in World Chess Championship 1935
World Chess Championship 1935
The 1935 World Chess Championship was played between Max Euwe and Alexander Alekhine. It was played in the Netherlands from October 3 to December 16, 1935. Euwe was the winner.-Results:...
). His place was occupied by German sub-champion, the eighteen-years-old Klaus Junge
Klaus Junge
Klaus Junge was one of the youngest German chess masters.-Biography:...
. They made Salzburg 1942 the world's second, after a tournament purporting to be the first European Championship (Europameisterschaft) in Munich, strongest tournament in 1942.
The event took place in the wonderful rooms of Mirabell Palace in Salzburg from 9th to 18 June 1942. The players had to make 32 moves in two hours. Thereafter, the tempo became 16 moves per hour.
The final results and standings:
| # | Player | Country | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Total |
| 1 | Alexander Alekhine Alexander Alekhine Alexander Alexandrovich Alekhine was the fourth World Chess Champion. He is often considered one of the greatest chess players ever.By the age of twenty-two, he was already among the strongest chess players in the world. During the 1920s, he won most of the tournaments in which he played... |
 Russia/ Early Modern France |
xx | 11 | 11 | 01 | 01 | ½ 1 | 7.5 |
| 2 | Paul Keres Paul Keres Paul Keres , was an Estonian chess grandmaster, and a renowned chess writer. He was among the world's top players from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s.... |
 Estonia |
00 | xx | ½½ | 1½ | ½1 | 11 | 6 |
| 3-4 | Paul Felix Schmidt Paul Felix Schmidt Paul Felix Schmidt was an Estonian chess International Master, chess writer, and chemist.- Biography :In June 1935, he won, ahead of Paul Keres, at Tallinn. In May 1936, he drew a match against Keres at Pärnu. In 1936, he won the 8th Estonian Championship at Tallinn. In December 1936, he placed... |
Estonia/ Germany |
00 | ½½ | xx | ½½ | 01 | 11 | 5 |
| 3-4 | Klaus Junge Klaus Junge Klaus Junge was one of the youngest German chess masters.-Biography:... |
 Chile/ Germany |
10 | 0½ | ½½ | xx | 01 | ½1 | 5 |
| 5 | Efim Bogoljubov |  Ukraine/ Germany |
10 | ½0 | 10 | 10 | xx | 00 | 3.5 |
| 6 | Gösta Stoltz Gösta Stoltz -Biography:Stoltz played a few matches with strong chess masters. In 1926, he lost to Mikhail Botvinnik at a team match Stockholm – Leningrad in Stockholm. In 1927, he drew with Allan Nilsson in Göteborg . In 1930, he won against Isaac Kashdan in Stockholm. In 1930, he lost to Rudolf Spielmann ... |
 Sweden |
½0 | 00 | 00 | ½0 | 11 | xx | 3 |
Aftermath
Klaus JungeKlaus Junge
Klaus Junge was one of the youngest German chess masters.-Biography:...
was a lieutenant of the 12th SS Battalion defending Hamburg. Refusing to surrender, he died – shouted "Sieg Heil!" – in combat against Allied troops on 17 April 1945 in the battle of Welle on the Lüneburger Heide.
The first Junge Memorial was held in Regensburg in 1946 (Fedor Bohatirchuk won). According to Dr Robert Hübner
Robert Hübner
Robert Hübner is a respected German chess Grandmaster, chess writer, and papyrologist . At eighteen, he was joint winner of the West German Chess Championship...
, Klaus Junge was the greatest German chess talent in the 20th century.
Alexander Alekhine
Alexander Alekhine
Alexander Alexandrovich Alekhine was the fourth World Chess Champion. He is often considered one of the greatest chess players ever.By the age of twenty-two, he was already among the strongest chess players in the world. During the 1920s, he won most of the tournaments in which he played...
moved to Spain in 1943. The chess world did not forget his Nazi articles published in 1941, although negotiations with Mikhail Botvinnik
Mikhail Botvinnik
Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik, Ph.D. was a Soviet and Russian International Grandmaster and three-time World Chess Champion. Working as an electrical engineer and computer scientist at the same time, he was one of the very few famous chess players who achieved distinction in another career while...
for a world title match were proceeding in 1946 when Alekhine died in Estoril, Portugal, in unclear circumstances. Some have speculated that he was murdered by a French "Death Squad". A few years later, Alekhine's son, Alexander Alekhine Junior, said that "the hand of Moscow reached his father".
Efim Bogoljubov lived in West Germany and remained active in the German chess world. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he won – among others – at Bad Pyrmont 1949 (Western zone championship), played at Southsea 1950, Birmingham 1951, and Belgrade 1952. Bogoljubov was awarded the title International Grandmaster by the World Chess Federation FIDE in 1951. He died from a heart attack in Triberg in 1952.
Paul Keres
Paul Keres
Paul Keres , was an Estonian chess grandmaster, and a renowned chess writer. He was among the world's top players from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s....
travelled to Spain in 1943 and moved to Sweden in 1944. At the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he returned to Estonia in Autumn 1944. He was harassed by the Soviet authorities (KGB
KGB
The KGB was the commonly used acronym for the . It was the national security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 until 1991, and was the premier internal security, intelligence, and secret police organization during that time.The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus currently uses the...
) and feared for his life. Fortunately, Keres managed to avoid deportation to Siberia or any worse fate (e.g., that of Vladimirs Petrovs
Vladimirs Petrovs
Vladimirs Petrovs or Vladimir Petrov was a Latvian chess master.He was born in Riga, Latvia. Though he learned the game of chess relatively late, at age thirteen, Petrovs made rapid progress. By 1926, at age 19, he won the Riga Championship and finish third in the national championship...
) – a letter to Viacheslav Molotov spared his life – but his return to the international chess scene was delayed, in spite of his excellent form. He returned to international play in World Chess Championship 1948
World Chess Championship 1948
The 1948 World Chess Championship was a tournament played to determine a new World Chess Champion following the death of the previous champion Alexander Alekhine in 1946. The tournament marked the passing of control of the championship title to FIDE, the International Chess Federation which had...
but, as some historians argue, had to lose to Mikhail Botvinnik
Mikhail Botvinnik
Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik, Ph.D. was a Soviet and Russian International Grandmaster and three-time World Chess Champion. Working as an electrical engineer and computer scientist at the same time, he was one of the very few famous chess players who achieved distinction in another career while...
. Keres died from a heart attack in Helsinki in 1975.
Gösta Stoltz
Gösta Stoltz
-Biography:Stoltz played a few matches with strong chess masters. In 1926, he lost to Mikhail Botvinnik at a team match Stockholm – Leningrad in Stockholm. In 1927, he drew with Allan Nilsson in Göteborg . In 1930, he won against Isaac Kashdan in Stockholm. In 1930, he lost to Rudolf Spielmann ...
returned to Sweden in 1942. The chess world held no grudge against him and he was invited for Groningen 1946 chess tournament
Groningen 1946 chess tournament
Groningen 1946 was the first major international chess tournament to be held after World War II.Held at Groningen in August and September 1946, it was considered a miracle that the Netherlands could stage such an event just fifteen months after the end of the war.Mikhail Botvinnik won the...
. Stoltz was awarded the International Master title in 1950, and the Grandmaster title in 1954. He died in his country in 1963.
Paul Felix Schmidt
Paul Felix Schmidt
Paul Felix Schmidt was an Estonian chess International Master, chess writer, and chemist.- Biography :In June 1935, he won, ahead of Paul Keres, at Tallinn. In May 1936, he drew a match against Keres at Pärnu. In 1936, he won the 8th Estonian Championship at Tallinn. In December 1936, he placed...
remained active in the German chess world. He was awarded the International Master title in 1950. Paul F. Schmidt earned a PhD in chemistry from Heidelberg University in 1951, and moved to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, then to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, settling in Philadelphia, where he took a job as a professor. He died in Allentown in 1984.