From 1 to 12 April 1986, the XXVI International Costa del Sol Tournament was held at the Bill-Bill Castle in Benalmádena.

This tournament was a success for Spanish chess, since De la Villa completed his IM title, Illescas obtained his second norm, and I myself had some chance of making a norm, since with three games remaining — against Illescas, Georgadze, and Polo — I needed 2½ points. But the defeat against Illescas destroyed all my chances.

It was a very hard-fought tournament, with few quick draws.

Georgadze, trainer of the Spanish Olympic team, won with authority. He had no problems; in his games he always reached good positions and demonstrated his theoretical knowledge and, above all, his strategic understanding. Games in which he obtained a positional advantage were gradually converted into victories.

Illescas, with a good finish to the tournament — 2½ out of 3 — took second place. He played difficult-to-define chess, with unorthodox openings, reaching bad positions, but this was precisely where he began to show his great ability to obtain good counterplay and to turn bad positions into victories.

With his triumph at Castillo de la Mota in 1985 and this second place, he has ceased to be a promise and has become a reality. Moreover, he achieved these results while doing military service, which is difficult to combine with study and chess practice. I believe he will very soon be an IM, perhaps at the Alekhine Memorial to be held at the end of April in Lisbon.

De la Villa had a comfortable tournament; he played safely to make his third norm, and even had half a point to spare. Now, with the title, he will have to take more risks in search of new goals.

Romero performed quite well. After a weak start, he won his last two games. He displayed fairly solid play.

As for me, invited at the last moment in place of Rivas, I came somewhat saturated with games and without any specific preparation for this tournament. Still, it was one more opportunity, since before March 1987 I have to complete my third norm. I started well, with 2½ out of 3, but in my games I felt a lack of spark — my intuition failed me — and it became impossible to reach 7½ points.

Mascariñas and Reyes, with ½ out of 2 in the last two rounds, lost their opportunity to achieve a better placing. The game Mascariñas–Illescas in the last round was decisive for second place. In Reyes one could notice the fatigue of several consecutive tournaments. Mascariñas took considerable risks, but fortune did not accompany him.

Bellón had a weak tournament, although everything depended on the last round, which he lost to Romero. He played good openings, but in the middlegame made many mistakes. I hope that in future tournaments he recovers his form.

Forintos found the new time-control rhythm — 40 moves in two hours — to be his greatest enemy. Thus, in the daily time scrambles, many points escaped him. I think he is a good strategist but a poor tactician.

Zichichi soon realized that this was not his tournament and, taking it philosophically, devoted himself to tourism.

Gómez Polo showed his enthusiasm and his desire to score points, but everyone had him in their sights, and he had to endure a small ordeal.

The tournament was organized by the Liceo Malaguista and the Málaga Chess Federation. Next year the Málaga City Council has promised a major subsidy, and it is likely that the event will be held in February at the Málaga City Hall and reach Category 9 or 10.