The TV match

Bent Larsen beat Curt Hansen 3½–2½ in an exciting but error-filled match.

By Bent Larsen

There had been several attempts to arrange a match between Denmark’s two grandmasters, and now it finally happened. The main sponsors were the Albani breweries and Provinsbanken; OK petrol was also involved, along with TV2 and Svend Novrup. We played at the Grand Palace in Odense, and the games were broadcast on television the same evening.

It must have been a success, because enquiries have already come from various quarters about the possibility of a rematch, or another chess event on TV2, perhaps in about six months’ time.

The match began with two draws. These were long games of 65 moves, and Curt Hansen should have won the first, while I missed the win in the second. Then Black won three games!

In game three, we both overlooked quite a simple combination based on the famous back-rank mate. In game four I played terribly, and Curt had the opportunity to execute a neat combination. In game five I gained an advantage but continued weakly, after which Curt should have held the draw. Finally came game six, in which I was happy to exchange queens early. I needed only a draw to win the match.

The time control was 40 moves in two hours, another hour for 20 more moves, and finally one hour for the remainder of the game. Curt apparently prefers the classical 40 moves in two and a half hours, and he had great difficulty managing the time allotted to him. He was in time trouble in almost every game of the match.

I was not really particularly pleased with my play in the match, but I was happy enough with the result.

The match between Bent Larsen and myself presented the two players, in many respects, with conditions unlike those previously encountered in Danish chess.

From my point of view, the most important things were that, for the first time, a Danish television channel covered a chess match in some depth, and that the total prize fund was given “a notch upwards”. I regard both developments as very positive.

As for the playing conditions themselves, there are things I would like done differently if I were to take part in such an event again.

During the game, the players sat on an illuminated platform while the spectators sat in darkness. I did not find the latter an advantage; rather, it was somewhat unpleasant. As a player, you get too strong a sense of being an exhibit rather than a chess player, quite apart from the fact that the distance between you and the spectators becomes even greater than it already is. I like being able to see the spectators and perhaps recognise a couple of them during the game. If there is a next time, I shall therefore suggest somewhat different lighting. All in all, however, this is not a major problem.

A major problem, on the other hand, is that the television coverage meant the two chess players were no longer the primary consideration, but at most of secondary importance. Three of the games did not start on time—not because the players were absent, but because there were problems with the technical equipment. I do not think that is acceptable. The players must be given the same conditions as in a normal tournament game, where the ideal is to be able to arrive at the appointed time and leave as soon as the game is over. After that, the commentator must take care of the rest.

Interviews with the players after the game may be interesting for the audience, but not for players who have just played an exhausting game. You cannot be both a player and a television commentator.

Cooperation between the players and sponsors went entirely smoothly. Neither Provinsbanken nor the Albani breweries required advertising on our clothing, and the advertising signs did not bother me at all. Nor was there any rivalry between the two main sponsors, who were pleasantly discreet throughout.

What I found most unpleasant and unfamiliar was the playing schedule, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. I usually get up reasonably early, so starting at ten was not in itself a problem. But playing for seven hours straight, beginning at ten, caused major problems—especially when, like me, you are accustomed to eating your main meal at midday, that is, at twelve.

A larger breakfast than usual did not really help, and cheese sandwiches and fruit could not replace a hot meal. The most important lesson the match taught me, apart from the chess itself, was therefore that in future I should avoid games starting before 1 p.m. as far as possible. Resuming adjourned games is another matter.