Denmark-Sweden International Match

May 31 and June 1 the international match against Sweden will take place at the premises of the Students' Association in Copenhagen. The Danish Chess Union has selected the following team for the match: Bent Larsen, Borge Andersen, Jens Enevoldsen, Harald Enevoldsen, H. Norman-Hansen, O. Scholler Larsen, Axel Nielsen, Hartvig Nielsen, Poul Hage and Victor Juul Hansen. The reserve is Kaj Blom.

The match will, as usual, be played over two rounds. The first round begins on May 31 at 2:00 p.m., and the second round on June 1 at 9:00 a.m.

The Swedish team was not yet known when the issue went to press, but unless there are too many withdrawals among the stronger players, Sweden will be the favorite for the simple reason that Denmark has never yet won a chess international against the Swedes. The best result achieved so far was a drawn match in 1948. Since then there have only been defeats. A victory this time would therefore be very welcome.

The Denmark-Sweden Match

There was no Danish victory in the international match against Sweden. Probably not many had really expected one, although recent results had nevertheless given some hope that Denmark's turn to win might finally have come. In chess, however, things do not always go according to luck, but rather according to merit, and so it was again this time.

Admittedly, three adjourned games remain, which could not be completed and were therefore sent to Norway for adjudication, but all indications are that Denmark will score only two points from them: Axel Nielsen is unlikely to win his game, while Palle Ravn's position can probably not be held. If the Norwegians reach the same conclusion, it will mean that Sweden wins narrowly by 10.5-9.5.

Bent Larsen

Bent Larsen had a fierce struggle with his opponent on top board, Stahlberg, and there was certainly no lack of excitement. The Dane won on the first day, making use of a rather small positional advantage.

The following day he was on the verge of a double victory. It did not succeed, however, as Stahlberg defended well. Around the time control Larsen was in terrible time trouble, while the Swede was at the same time confronting him with several threats. Larsen nevertheless managed both the threats and the clock, and after 44 moves peace was agreed.

All in all, it was a fine performance by our strongest player.

Jens Enevoldsen

Jens Enevoldsen, on second board, met Zandor Nilsson, currently Swedish champion. Enevoldsen was never in danger in either game and played well.

The first game had a sudden ending when Nilsson unexpectedly gave up a rook and immediately resigned.

In the second round a draw was agreed after only 16 moves, in a position where Enevoldsen stood better and could have continued without the slightest risk.

Borge Andersen

Borge Andersen, whose natural place as this year's Danish champion would seem to be on second board, did not have an easy task against the Swedish champion.

In the first round he had no trouble against Nordic champion O. Sterner, but won mainly thanks to his active bishops.

In the second round he carelessly gave away a pawn in the opening, but later managed to hold the draw by perpetual check after sacrificing a piece when Sterner went pawn-hunting.

Palle Ravn

Palle Ravn joined the team at the last moment after Victor Juul Hansen, who had originally been selected, fell ill.

The substitute did not prove to be a reinforcement, and last year's Danish champion did not show good form.

In the first round he resigned after 31 moves, and in the second the game was adjourned in a position where he had three pawns fewer than his opponent, which will probably mean defeat.

Harald Enevoldsen

In the first round Harald Enevoldsen had prepared a kingside attack in his favorite line of the Nimzo-Indian Defense, but Stenborg defended well. In the endgame Enevoldsen overlooked a simple maneuver and lost a piece. The second game was more peaceful and ended in a draw after 28 moves.

H. Norman-Hansen

In the two previous international matches -- against Norway and East Germany -- Norman-Hansen had won all his games, but this time things did not go quite as well.

In the second round he should have secured victory, as on move 28 he could have won a piece. Instead, five moves later he himself blundered a piece and lost.

O. Scholler Larsen

O. Scholler Larsen made his international debut and after the match was presented with the Danish Chess Union's national-team badge.

Although he scored only half a point, he fought well. The final position in the second round was difficult, but with slightly more precise play it probably could have been held.

Axel Nielsen

Axel Nielsen and Backlund played two hard and long games that were not particularly brilliant.

In the first round they eventually began declining each other's draw offers. After the first adjournment the Swede had winning chances, but continued inaccurately, giving Axel Nielsen a drawing opportunity which he used precisely.

In the second game the roles were reversed. First Axel Nielsen blundered a piece, but five moves later it was Backlund's turn, and suddenly "the queen was trapped." The game was not completed, but the adjourned position is clearly won for the Dane.

Hartvig Nielsen

Hartvig Nielsen handled his task best. In the first round he was very close to victory, and the second-round game, which was not completed, will probably also be adjudicated as a win for him.

Poul Hage

Poul Hage could not really get to grips with Jonsson. He did not appear to be in his best form, because otherwise he should at least have had no difficulty holding the very even endgame in the first round.

In the second round Jonsson had a clearly winning position, but failed to keep within the time limit and overstepped it when he needed only one more move.

The international match took place at the premises of the Students' Association in Copenhagen. The Danish Chess Union's new clocks, made by H. Farbo, worked well as tournament clocks, and otherwise the arrangements were faultless.

The spectators were able to follow all the games -- provided they knew that an international match was being played, since publicity aimed at the general public was still lacking.

After the match, the chairman of the Danish Chess Union, H. V. Tuxen, thanked the Swedes for the good match and the pleasant company. On behalf of the Swedish players and the Swedish Chess Federation, team captain O. Lemon replied.

Also present at the dinner was the newly appointed honorary member of the Danish Chess Union, A. Sidenius of Grenaa, who on that occasion received his honorary diploma from the chairman.