More Confidence in the Young Players

The sixteenth international tournament in Varna already had a substantial history and deeply rooted traditions. The attractions of the Black Sea resort had drawn distinguished masters from many countries, and their games had contributed both to chess creativity and to Bulgaria's international chess contacts. This time foreign federations supplied half of the participants. The chief arbiter was the well-known Soviet international master Mikhail Yudovich, who gave his impressions after the tournament.

Yudovich described Timoshchenko's victory as highly convincing. In addition to strong chess, the winner showed excellent sporting spirit and continued to play with full intensity even after first place had already been secured.

The youngest participant, Boensch of the GDR, displayed good strategic understanding and worked very hard in every game. Krum Georgiev was described as a gifted player with inventive attacking and combinational ideas, as well as interesting theoretical concepts. His conversion technique still required improvement and his opening repertoire needed broadening, but he achieved his second international-master norm.

Ventsislav Inkiov also earned a second international-master norm. Yudovich already knew him from an earlier Varna tournament and believed that greater energy, determination and psychological preparation could lift his results still higher.

Dr Radev, level with Inkiov, was an experienced and talented player but remained a slave to frequent time trouble. Rogul, another player on the same score, was especially interesting because he had begun serious competitive chess relatively late yet had already reached sixth place in the Yugoslav Championship.

Yudovich considered the remaining placings broadly logical. He had a good impression of the young Semkov, who possessed ability and a modern opening repertoire but still needed to become physically stronger and diversify his play.

Asked to compare the event with the previous year's edition, the chief arbiter noted that the tournament was again played outside the city and therefore attracted fewer spectators, but the playing conditions were excellent and the participants enjoyed a calm, pleasant atmosphere.