My contribution to the cycle of stories about Michael Tal (last from February 9).
In the late 1980s I worked at the USSR embassy in Iceland. Arrived on the island
Michael participates in the tournament. For the duty of service, I took care of the athletes and went to him at the hotel to ask if I needed any help. You need, just said the great one, there is vodka in the stores for $50. It does not fit into the budget. Can I get picked up at the airport in Deuti-Free?
Why not can. The next night we were sitting in the room and tasting. Somewhere after a litre on my brother came a brilliant idea to offer Michael a party. Only you give me the forum in the ferge, I tried to level our chances.
Ferguson I will not give you, the master honestly said. You have 5 minutes, I have 1.
It’s not bad, I thought, I just have to hold on to 30 moves, let’s go for 2 seconds, physically it won’t be time.
The first game, considering a little in chess, I tried to build a deaf defense. Everything was over when the competitors had 30 seconds left on the clock.
Oh, I thought, he is thinking about my time.
The second batch I made moves at the same pace as Tal, on pure autopilot. It ended even worse.
Likewise, maestro, I said sadly, adding another 100 grams. of the sorrow.
“Lenia,” said the great with a quiet Jewish voice, “you are playing with the world champion. I give the masters a minute.
Six months earlier, Tal won the world blitz championship.
A bright memory to you, Misha.