During the past month of August, two new international tournaments were held in our country, to be added to Málaga, Berga, Palma and Olot. We refer to the Virgen Peregrina tournament in Pontevedra, reported on elsewhere in these pages, and to the one with which we are concerned here: the 1st Montilla-Moriles International Tournament, won by the Dutchman Timman. Its original feature was that it was held in a winery, which served as the playing hall, with the participants surrounded by barrels of wine.

The competition was extremely hard fought, with the struggle centred on the eventual winner, GM O’Kelly, and our compatriot Palacios, who might well have emerged victorious had he managed his time better in the decisive game against the Dutchman.

In short, it was a fine tournament and, despite the organizers’ limited experience, an impeccable one. Our congratulations, and our wish that the next edition may surpass the present one.

/ Ernesto Palacios, Jaque N°6, Nov 1971 /