From 6 to 19 February, the XVI International Costa del Sol Tournament was held in Torremolinos, Málaga, with the splendid halls of the Hotel Cervantes as its venue. There the American Robert Byrne won clearly, without the slightest anxiety, half a point ahead of his compatriot Christianssen. We could describe the tournament as a “North American festival,” because not even the Romanian Gheorghiu, the pre-event favourite together with the winner, caused the slightest anxiety in a “peaceful” performance in which draws were the common denominator among the participants, perhaps with the exceptions of the Americans and Bellón.

Sigurjónsson, recent winner in Orense, Keene and Ciocâltea simply did their duty, without risking anything at any moment, although the Romanian did seem in some games to “want something.”

Fraguela confined himself to defending himself, which is a great deal given the youth of the Canary Islander, and without the courage to take any merit away from his norm and perhaps title, he owes this exclusively to the gross blunder committed by Bellón in their particular game. Ten draws out of thirteen games justify our opinion, and our comment is aimed solely at recommending to him a greater fighting spirit in forthcoming competitions if he is to achieve “something.” Because a young man, with his youth, should aspire to more than a few “anticipated” draws before and after obtaining the title.

The Argentine Szmetan, “new in this square,” lost only to Christianssen and Bellón. He played with the desire to make a good impression in the mother country, and the truth is that he succeeded perfectly and achieved his first norm for International Master. Our congratulations, and we hope to see him obtain the prized title in due course.

Arturo Pomar performed below his level and without much appetite for the struggle — eleven draws in thirteen games — conceding draws to players with possibilities.

Guillermo Garcia was a small shadow of the player who appeared in Torremolinos. His triumph and good performance a few days earlier in Orense, where he obtained the coveted grandmaster norm for his country, Cuba, did not continue in this Costa del Sol. Guillermo was very tired, as a consequence of the enormous tension of the preceding days. In addition, we know that if he played here it was to keep the commitment to appear which he had made months earlier with the organisation.

Juan Manuel Bellón is becoming too lavish, and his desire always to win makes him lose many sure points. He had some very good games and some regular ones. His lapse — practically clean, with Fraguela — is something he will remember for a long time, and only those of us who were at his side at that moment saw his deep disgust. His plan to rest before playing in Las Palmas seems excellent to us, and it will undoubtedly be reflected in his performance there.

Antonio Medina has for some time been showing poor form, owing to a lack of training and proper play, and he frequently finds himself obliged to take part when his mission is that of arbiter. Our veteran friend must take greater care of his well-earned prestige as a player.

The Madrid player Hernando had the merit of drawing with the two favourites of the competition, Byrne and Gheorghiu, as well as defeating Garcia. That already says quite a lot about his class. It is a pity that his performance then declined, although overall his result was not bad. He must improve.

The Málaga player Muñoz had a discreet performance, and the bad luck that accompanied him throughout the tournament, even in the form of a car accident.

In short, another Costa del Sol tournament, now number 16. It was a solid competition, dean of the Spanish international tournaments, to which we could only reproach the lunar defect of the lack of punctuality in starting each round. Congratulations to the Málaga Federation, presided over by Eleazar Pereiro.

There was a splendid prize-giving ceremony, attended, in addition to the highest Málaga authorities, by the director of the Hotel Cervantes, the president of the Spanish Chess Federation, and Don Félix Heras. We can add a collection of charming hostesses who helped during the competition, and a very large audience.