Game Collection: Kemeri 1939

Kemeri 1939 Research Materials

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A.J. Gillam Tournament Book

"Kemeri/Riga 1939" A.J. Gillam ed. The Chess Player (2018)

There was no official book of the tournament. All 120 games were published in Keessings Archives (in the Netherlands) and there were also produced some typewritten sets of all the games, on 20 A4 sheets, in German algebraic notation... Neither of the major chess collections at Den Haag or Cleveland Public Library has any other collection of all the games. (p.1)

The collection of games which I possess begins with the draw (the cross table given in Keesings Archives is also given in the order of the draw) and someone has written in the time limit(s) and the dates and times of each round. (p.1)

With the games is a typed page which forms an introduction and which is reproduced below. The report in Keesings archives also has an introduction, also reproduced below. The annotations included here have been found in the chess magazines of the time and in subsequently produced biographies and game collections... (p.1)

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Invited players and Purpose of the tournament

"The 7th Chess Congress of Latvia is to be an international tournament that will also decide the Latvian team for the 8th Olympiad in Buenos Aires." (Gillam, p.4)

"The Championship of Latvia was won by Petrovs, who had the best results against the other Latvian players" (Gillam, p.5)

Foreign masters invited: Bogoljubov (Germany), Flohr (USSR), Stahlberg (Sweden), Szabo (Hungary), Book (Finland), Mikenas (Lithuania), and Keres (Estonia). (Gillam, p.4)

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"...at the last moment Paul Keres decided not to participate (perhaps because of his unsuccessful participation in the russian training tournament" (Gillam, p.4)

"It was... regretted that the Estonian Chess Association considered Keres to be too much fatigued after his set-back in Leningrad-Moscow to be allowed to start anew at once." (Gillam, p.4)

Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #938)

Post by <chesshistoryinterest>

The Leningrad-Moscow tournament finished on 1 February 1939, which is only 1 month before Kemeri/Riga began. In <"The Middle Years of Paul Keres">, Keres writes that he was already in no state after the AVRO 1938 tournament to play the Leningrad-Moscow tournament; that it was a mistake to do so; and that his exhaustion caused his poor result. He also writes <"but in the end of the Leningrad-Moscow tournament my physical reserves were exhausted. I lost the last two games and finished up in the lower half of the table. The result of this tournament was indeed bitter for me, but also extremely instructive. Shortly after the Leningrad-Moscow Tournament, I was invited to take part in a fine international tournament at Kemeri but this time I did not repeat my mistake. I refrained from participating and only took part in national matches against Latvia and Lithuania."> I had always thought from this that Keres didn't accept the invitation to Kemeri/Riga in the first place. But it looks as though he DID accept the invitation, and thus initially did repeat his mistake, only reversing himself at the last moment. Keres' schedule shortly before the tournament began was: 24-26 February 1939, Riga, match Estonia-Latvia (2 wins vs Petrovs); then 28 February-1 March 1939, Kaunas, match Estonia-Lithuania (2 draws vs Mikenas). Then the tournament was to begin on 4 March 1939. Perhaps after the games with Mikenas, Keres realised how exhausted he was and withdrew in a panic. This was extremely unusual for Keres; I don't think at any other time in his career, apart from illness, did Keres withdraw from a tournament at such short notice and he must have felt very bad about it. An interesting correction to Keres' history as I knew it; it seems he may have been slightly economical with the truth here, unless there is a mistranslation into the English.

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Post by <chesshistoryinterest>

Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #944)

"It was... regretted that the Estonian Chess Association considered Keres to be too much fatigued after his set-back in Leningrad-Moscow to be allowed to start anew at once." (Gillam, p.4)

<What I would really like to know is what role the <Estonian Chess Association> played in this affair.>

Yes, I found this comment pretty strange as well. My understandng is that the <Estonian Chess Association> had no such control over Keres (such a control of a chess body over Keres did not occur until the Soviet takeover of Estonia in 1940; indeed I believe Keres himself had a fair bit of influence in this body and may have been part of its committee, at least in some periods). It must surely have been advice only.

I checked the Estonian newspapers. I found one item in "Postimees", Tuesday, 28 February 1939, Page 4

https://dea.digar.ee/cgi-bin/dea?a=...

It seems that Keres had a telephone discussion "on Thursday" (which must be 23 February) with Flohr and Petrovs about the possibility of withdrawing, so it would seem his withdrawal may not have been a big surprise. I don't see any indication of Estonian Chess Association involvement in this; I would say the decision was wholly Keres'.

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Tournament Committee

Chaired by Karl Behting (Gillam, p.4)

Kemeri (1937) co-champion Vladimirs Petrovs did much of the organizational work for the committee. (Gillam, p.5)

The Venue "The first 6 rounds will take place in the sanatorium (Kemeri) at the sea-side resort of Jurmala. The final 9 rounds will take place in the halls of the Latvian Chess Union in Riga." (Gillam, p.5)

Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #661)

I would like to correct the name of Kemeri hotel, where the tournament was held from "National" to "Kemeri". The number of sources I used is much bigger than was listed by me (which is not too small anyway). One of the sources used the name "National hotel", so I understood that it is a "National" hotel. Many other sources, including Latvian, Russian and German languages periodicals, used the name "Kurhotel" and "Kurhotels in Kemeri" ("Rigasche Rundschau", march 6, 1939, p. 1), which means "Kurort hotels in Kemeri" or "Kemeri Resort hotels".

The following article in German language mentioned the historical hotel "Kemeri", that apparently was the biggest hotel in Kemeri in 1939.

http://www.latvia.travel/de/sehensw...

"The most impressive building was Hotel Ķemeri called "White Ship" with more than 100 rooms designed and built together by famous Latvian architect Eižens Laube and Spa Hotel's chief doctor and its director Dr.Janis Libietis. The hotel was opened to guests in 1936. "

Wikipedia article: %C4%B6emeri

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #657)

"Rīts", March 4, 1939, p. 16:
"Ķemeru viesnīcā paredzētas pirmās 6 kārtas, bet sākot ar 10. martu, turnīru pārcels uz Rīgu, kur sacensībām aizrunāta viena no Rīgas latviešu biedrības jaunajām zālēm."

"Kemeri hotel is foreseen for first 6 rounds, but starting with March 10th, the tournament will be transferred to Riga, where Latvian Society House is arranged for the competition."

"Rīts", March 10, 1939, p. 5:
"... Septīto turnīra kārtu turpinās parīt Rīgā,Latviešu biedrībā."

"... the Seventh Round will continue to be played at the Latvian Society in Riga."

"Rīts", March 11, 1939, p. 16:

"7. kārtu izcīnīs šodien pl. 6 vak. Rīgas latviešu biedrībā."

"Round 7 will start today at 6 pm in Riga Latvian Society".

"Rīts", March 12, 1939, p. 25:
"Ķemeru starptautiskā šacha turnīra septīto kārtu izcīnīja Rīgā, Latviešu biedrības telpās, pulcinot daudz skatītāju."

"The seventh round of the Ķemeri International Chess Tournament was held in Riga, at the premises of the Latvian Society, bringing together a large number of spectators."

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #662)

"Rigasche Rundschau", March 11, 1939, p. 8:
"Die zweite Hälfte des Turniers wird ab heute in Riga im Lokal des Lettischen Vereins (Merkela Strasse) ausgetragen."

"The second half of the tournament will be held today in Riga in the premises of the Latvian Society (Merkela street)."

"... Arose need for new premises for meetings and other events. This task was solved in 1935 with an annex, by breaking down the adjacent 4th floors' building on Merkela Street 15 that belonged to the Society since 1902."

http://www.rlb.lv/rls-house

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #663)

More references to the place of the tournaments 2nd part and also to the Kemeri hotel name. "Atpūta", March 17, 1939, p. 24:

"Kemeri international chess tournament second part took place in Riga, Latvian Society."

"Segodnia", March 4, 1939, p. 6:

"The 2nd international chess tournament in Kemeri begins today at 5 o'clock in the afternoon at the Kemeri hotel."

"Segodnia", March 5, 1939, p. 9:

"Latvian 'kurort' (health resort) Kemeri firmly entered the history of chess game. Yesterday in the Kemeri hotel started the 2nd for last two years international tournament."

"Latvijas Kareivis", March 5, 1939, p. 6:

"Ķemeri 2nd International Chess tournament participants and a lot of spectators gathered yesterday at the Kemeri hotel."

"Sporta Pasaule", March 5, 1939, p. 1:

"2 days ego, at Kemeri Hotel, started the 2nd International chess tournament ..."

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #674)

An article from "Segodnia", March 12, 1939, p. 9 - one more report about the 2 tournament parts venues. "Вчера началось продолжение кемеревского турнира в Риге. Из дворца в дворец и из санатория в... театральный зал. Шахматисты, игравшие целую неделю в замечательных условиях мартовской тишины в Кемери, вчера очутились в помещении Лаышского общества, перенолненном любителями королевской игры, дождавшихся, наконец, «переезда» в Ригу. К столикам было трудно протиснуться. В зале находился военный министр генерал Я. Балодис и другие почетные гости."

"Yesterday started continuation of the Kemeri tournament in Riga. From the palace to the palace and from the sanatorium to ... the theater hall. Chess players who played a whole week in the wonderful conditions of the March silence in Kemeri, found themselves in the premises of the Latvian Society, crowded by lovers of the royal game, eagerly anticipated for «move» to Riga. It was difficult to squeeze close to the tables. In the hall there was a military minister, General Jānis Balodis and other distinguished guests."

Time Control 40 moves in 2½ hours and 16 moves per hour thereafter.

Playing times 1600-2100 Adjourned games to be played in the morning before each round from 1000-1300. (Gillam, p.6,10)

The Draw "Some of the players were absent for the draw. Their numbers were drawn by the Latvian Woman's Champion Milda Lauberte . The leading Latvian player, Vladimir Petrovs, was disappointed with his draw. He was 15 minutes late, because he was with Efim Bogoljubow in the City Park. "With my number 11, I must play (with black) against 5 foreign masters and against the strong Latvian players Apesenieks and Feigins." (Gillam, p.5)

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Latvian Chess Championship

Wikipedia article: Latvijas %C5%A1aha %C4%8Dempion%C4%81ts

Wikipedia article: 1938. gada Latvijas %C5%A1aha %C4%8Dempion%C4%81ts

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1937 Latvian Olympic Team

http://www.olimpbase.org/1937/1937l...

1st board Petrovs
2nd board Apsenieks
3rd board Mezgailis
4th board Ozols
Rsv board Endzelins

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1939 Latvian Olympic Team

http://www.olimpbase.org/1939/1939l...

1st board Petrovs
2nd board Apsenieks
3rd board Feigins
4th board Endzelins
Rsv board T. Melngailis

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Prizes

Prizes for individual games were not weighted in order of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on. Instead, all games prizes were accorded equal weight.

Awarded prizes:

Melngailis v Flohr 0-1
T Melngailis vs Flohr, 1939

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Stahlberg v Mikenas 1-0
Stahlberg vs V Mikenas, 1939

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Szabo v Mikenas 1-0
Szabo vs V Mikenas, 1939

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Book v Mikenas 1-0
E Book vs V Mikenas, 1939

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Mikenas v Feigins 1-0

Event "Kemeri"
Site "Kemeri"
Date "1939.03.16"
Round "12"
White "Mikenas, Vladas"
Black "Feigin, Movsa"
Result "1-0"
WhiteElo "0"
BlackElo "0"
ECO "D17"

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 e6 7. f3 Bb4 8. Nxc4 Nd5 9. Bd2 Qh4+ 10. g3 Qxd4 11. e3 Qf6 12. e4 Nxc3 13. Qb3 Nxe4 14. Bxb4 Qd4 15. fxe4 Qxe4+ 16. Kf2 Qxh1 17. Nd6+ Kd7 18. Nxf5 Rd8 19. Be7 Na6 20. Qxb7+ Nc7 21. Rd1+ 1-0

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Mikenas v Apsenieks 1-0

Event "Kemeri"
Site "Kemeri"
Date "1939.03.14"
Round "10"
White "Mikenas, Vladas"
Black "Apsenieks, Fricis"
Result "1-0"
WhiteElo "0"
BlackElo "0"
ECO "D51"

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. Nf3 c6 6. Rc1 dxc4 7. e4 h6 8. Bxf6 Qxf6 9. Bxc4 Bb4 10. O-O O-O 11. Qe2 e5 12. Nxe5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Qxe5 14. f4 Qe7 15. e5 Bf5 16. Ne4 Rad8 17. Ng3 Be6 18. f5 Rd2 19. Qg4 Rd4 20. Ne4 Bc8 21. Qf4 Bd2 22. f6 Bxf4 23. fxe7 Be3+ 24. Kh1 Bxc1 25. Bxf7+ 1-0

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Hazenfuss v Book 0-1

W Hasenfuss vs E Book, 1939

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Driebergs v Book 0-1

L Dreibergs vs E Book, 1939

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A special award of the labor assembly for the best result agains the winners was given to Feigins- a little ivory set of chess pieces.

(Gillam, p. 5)

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Blitz Tournament

The BCM 1939 p218 reported <A lightning tournament was held with the following result: Mikenas and G. Hodakowsky 4 points each; Apsenieks 2.5; Opocensky 2; Szabo 1.5; Berg 1." (Gillam, p.1)>

Georg Hodakowsky

G Hodakowsky vs G Heinrich, 1957

Wikipedia article: Georg Hodakowsky

Karel Opocensky

Teodors Bergs

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The Play; Players

The BCM 1939 p218 reported <"The play as a whole was extremely entertaining since the Latvians employ a hit-or-miss style, which results in sparkling though not perhaps flawless chess. (Gillam, p.1)>

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On <Salomon Flohr:>

At Kemeri, Salomon Flohr continued the fine form he had shown in the very strong Leningrad / Moscow training (1939) tournament, in which he triumphed over Paul Keres , Samuel Reshevsky , Vasily Smyslov , Andre Lilienthal , and a sizeable selection of the finest Soviet masters. Vladimirs Petrovs suggested that Flohr's dominance of such a powerful field had much to do with his emotional state based on previous events, particularly his atrocious last place finish at AVRO (1938) . Petrovs recalls that "when I met Flohr in Prague in May 1938... he was... in excellent spirits, happy and self-confident as he had just concluded an agreement with Alexander Alekhine to play a match for the World Championship." Unfortunately, the partial German occupation of Flohr's home country of Czechoslovakia in 1938 put an end to the planned match with Alekhine. According to Petrovs, this "left Flohr without the previously strong chess home base, the cheering supporters. As a result he was depressed; his AVRO play was... weak and listless." Petrovs explains that before the Leningrad-Moscow 1939 tournament, Flohr "had accepted his AVRO fiasco and had arrived with clenched teeth to do his utmost to rehabilitate himself." (Fride, p.23) It seems that at Kemeri (1939), Flohr had retained these "clenched teeth."

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Chessgames.com Kibbutzing

Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #626)

Bogoljubow playing against Petrov in Kemeri 1939 tournament, on the picture from "Sporta Pasaule", March 6, 1939, p. 1:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wgcc7vgmp...

"Bogolubov - Petrov game.
On the right - Petrov, to the left - Bogolubov. On the back back is seen Admiral T. Spade, while Feigin (left) and Koblenc are fighting at the second table."

http://periodika.lv/periodika2-view...

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #627)

One more picture of Bogoljubow playing against Petrov in Kemeri 1939 tournament, from "Rīts", March 5, 1939, p. 25:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/chhydlfx2...

http://periodika.lv/periodika2-view...

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #642)

Beside the Bogoljubow - Petrov photo in Kemeri 1939 tournament, "Sporta Pasaule" it was also published in the Russian language newspaper "Segodnia", March 5, 1939, p.9: "On the 2nd table - Feigin from left and Koblenc. On right of Koblenc - Commander of the Latvian navy admiral T. Spade. On the table from left - G. Stahlberg."

https://www.dropbox.com/s/64u4214pp...

http://www.theeuropeanlibrary.org/t...

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #648)

Kemeri 1939 (4-22 March) International tournament. Fride, p.24; Di Felice, "Chess Results 1936-1940" p.245 2nd international chess tournament Kemeri-Riga 1939 started in Kemeri hotel "National" on March 4. The games were played from 4 pm to 9 pm. Adjourned games were played at mornings. From March 11 to March 20, 1939 the tournament moved from Kemeri to Riga Latvian Society House http://www.rlb.lv/rls-house On March 20 evening minister and director of the State Chancellery. D. Rudzīts, at the Riga Latvian Society House, officially proclaimed the 2nd Ķemeri international chess tournament closed, after the last party, Petrov - Melngailis, (8 hours of fighting) finished only a few minutes before the closing ceremony.

Flohr finisht 1st with 12/15, ahead of Stahlberg and Szabo 11 each, Mikenas 10.5; Böök 10; Feigins 9; Bogoljubow 8.5; Pegtrovs 8; Dreibergs 6.5; Hazenfuss 6; Melngailis and Apsenieks 5.5 each; Solmanis amd Koblenc 5 each; Bezrucko 4 and Ozols 2.5.

Rounds:

1. March 4, 1939 Bogoljubow-Petrovs 0.5:0.5
2. March 5, 1939 Petrovs-Book 0.5:0.5
3. March 6, 1939 Flohr-Petrovs 1-0
4. March 7, 1939 Petrovs-Dreibergs 0-1
5. March 8, 1939 Ozols-Petrovs 0-1
6. March 10, 1939 Mikenas-Petrovs 1-0
7. March 11, 1939 Petrovs-Solmanis 1-0
8. March 12, 1939 Apšenieks-Petrovs 0-1
9. March 13, 1939 Petrovs-Feigin 0.5-0.5
10. March 14, 1939 Hasenfuss-Petrovs 0.5-0.5
11. March 15, 1939 Petrovs-Bezruchko 1-0
12. March 16, 1939 Szabo-Petrovs 1-0
13. March 17, 1939 Petrovs-Koblencs 1-0
14. March 18, 1939 Stahlberg-Petrovs 1-0
15. March 20, 1939 Petrovs-Melngailis 1-0

JFQ You can update the pgn files of your <Kemeri 1939 (Petrov's games)> with round/date details.

Starting numbers of players:

1. G. Bezruchko
2. L. Szabo
3. A. Koblencs
4. G. Stahlberg
5. E. Melngailis
6. E. Bogoljubow
7. E. Book
8. S. Flohr
9. L. Dreibergs
10. K. Ozols
11. V. Petrovs
12. Z. Solmanis
13. F. Apšenieks
14. M. Feigin
15. W. Hāzenfūss
16. V. Mikenas

Sources:

"Rīts", March 5, 1939, p. 1;
"Sporta Pasaule", March 6, 1939, p. 1;
"Valdības Vēstnesis", March 6, 1939, p. 2; "Rīts", March 6, 1939, p. 4; "Rīts", March 7, 1939, p. 5;
"Kurzemes Vārds", March 7, 1939, p. 3;
"Latvijas Kareivis", March 7, 1939, p. 6;
"Rīts", March 8, 1939, p. 16;
"Brīvā Zeme", March 8, 1939, p. 11;
"Rīts", March 9, 1939, p. 5;
"Sporta Pasaule", March 9, 1939, p. 3;
"Rīts", March 10, 1939, p. 15;
"Rīts", March 11, 1939, p. 4;
"Stāsti un Romāni", March 11, 1939, p. 23; "Kurzemes Vārds", March 12, 1939, p. 7; "Rīts", March 13, 1939, p. 4;
"Latvijas Kareivis", March 14, 1939, p. 6;
"Rīts", March 15, 1939, p. 16;
"Brīvā Zeme", March 15, 1939, p. 12;
"Brīvā Zeme", March 16, 1939, p. 12;
"Brīvā Zeme", March 17, 1939, p. 5;
"Rīts", March 17, 1939, p. 15;
"Brīvā Zeme", March 17, 1939, p. 22;
"Rīts", March 18, 1939, p. 16;
"Sporta Pasaule", March 18, 1939, p. 2;
"Rīts", March 19, 1939, p. 9;
"Rīts", March 20, 1939, p. 12;
"Valdības Vēstnesis", March 21, 1939, p. 4; "Rīts", March 21, 1939, p. 15;

to be continued ...

Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #652)

.. continuation of <Kemeri-Riga, 1939>. Group photo from "Atpūta", March 10, 1939, p. 20:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1d45wwcrj...

The text on right (with the original spelling of names): "Kemeri 2nd International Chess tournament. In the middle group, minister D. Rudzītis and the People's welfare minister J. Volonts. Between them is the tournament manager K. Bētiņš. On the right - the chairman of the Latvian Chess union President prof. A. Kalniņš and German grand master Bogolubov. On left of minister D. Rudzis: Sweden master Stalbergs, Koblenz, Czechoslovakian master Flors, grand master Petrovs, Finland master Beks, Bezručko, Lithuanian master Mikenas, Hungarian grand master Sabo, behind him Feigins, T. Melngailis, old master Apšenieks, behind him Dr. Hazenfuss, Dreibergs, Zolmanis."

http://periodika.lv/periodika2-view...

The next 4 photos from the 2nd part of Kemeri-Riga 1939 tournament (from "Atpūta", March 17, 1939, p. 24) were taken in Riga, Latvian Society House.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5qvewrbi5... "Grand master Flors (the smaller) and a tournament manager, the old master Bētiņš, discussing the issue of noise regulation

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4pownahl9...

"Grand master Bogoļubov (playing with the grand master Štālbergs) and the young chess enthusiasts." https://www.dropbox.com/s/pkonidmyh...

"Grand master Petrovs looking at the great master Szabo who is sitting."

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5gstwd5hr...

"Lithuanian master Mikenas playing with the grandt master Stalbergs. Among the observers is master Apšenieks (in profile).

http://periodika.lv/periodika2-view...

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #656)

fq, you earlier queried how Petrovs could be listed as the 1938/9 Latvian Champion when he didn't even compete in the event! But it seems to me that a subset of this Kemeri 1939 tournament was in fact the Final of this Championship. Latvian Wikipedia explains my interpretation of the English translation: The previous Champion (Petrovs) plus the top 3 in each group (Bezrucko, Hasenfuss, Ozols from Group 1; and Apsenieks, Melngailis, Dreibergs from Group 2) qualified for this Final, which consisted of the best score of these 7 among themselves within this Kemeri 1939 event. Three other Latvians (Feigins, Koblencs, Solmanis) were also later admitted to this tournament, but were not qualified for this Final.

From the crosstable for Kemeri-Riga 1939, I work out the scores of these 7 against each other to be (out of 6): Petrovs 4.5 Dreibergs 4.0
Hasenfuss 3.5
Melngailis 3.5
Apsenieks 3.0
Bezrucko 2.0
Ozols 0.5
Thus Petrovs became the 1938/9 Latvian Champion.

This could explain why these 7 did so badly against the rest of the field - they were using all their energy fighting each other!

Be interesting to see if hemy can find any reference to this in the material he is finding.

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #658)

"Segodnia", March 2, 1939, p.4:
"The question of the Latvian participants of the 2nd international chess tournament in Kemeri is not yet resolved. Today a meeting of the governing body of the Latvian Chess Union will take place on which the list of the Latvian chess players will be finally determined. In the tournament will play V. M. Petrov and F. Apšenieks. The following candidates are: Hazenfuss, Bezruchko, Ozols, Koblencs, Melngailis, Dreibergs, Solmanis and Enzelins.

The games in the Kemeri Hotel will start on the 4th of March. The second part of the tournament will be held in Riga starting on March 10."

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #659)

Rigasche Rundschau, 7 February 1939 says something like: "The fight for the 1938/9 Latvian championship will take place at the end of February in a final tournament. Based on the results of the tournament just ended, the following players will be admitted to the finals: Fr. Apscheneeks, Hasenfuss, Besrutschko, Osols, Melngailis and Dreibergs. In addition there is Grandmaster W. Petrow, as well as 2-3 foreign champions." Looks like this intended end-February tournament morphed into being Kemeri-Riga 1939.

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #664)

chesshistoryinterest

Thank you for joining us!

That is an interesting idea you have about the possibility that <Kemeri 1939> was meant partly to be considered an official Latvian Championship event as well as an international tournament. Certainly this practice was common in both Germany, Czechoslovakia, and other European countries.

Your post here- Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #656) refers to this paragraph here, from this wikipedia page, correct?

<Turnīra gaita
VII Latvijas šaha kongress un 4. Latvijas šaha čempionāts notika Rīgā Ziemassvētku brīvdienu laikā no 1938. gada 24. decembra līdz 1939. gada 1. janvārim.

Sacensību reglaments kārtējo reizi bija mainīts un kļuvis sarežģītāks. Vīriešu turnīra dalībnieki sacentās divās priekšsacīkšu grupās. Par finālu Latvijas čempionāta izcīņā tika uzskatīts Ķemeru - Rīgas 2. starptautiskais šaha turnīrs, kurā no katras grupas iekļuva 3 Latvijas šahisti (G.Bezručko, V.Hāzenfuss, Ozols K., Fr. Apšenieks, T.Melngailis, L.Dreibergs). Latvijas čempions Vladimirs Petrovs tika pielaists finālam bez atlases sacensībām. Taču 1939. gadā no 4. līdz 20. martam notikušais Ķemeru - Rīgas turnīrs neguva plašu ārzemju labāko šahistu atsaucību, kālab turnīrā varēja piedalīties vēl trīs Latvijas šahisti (M.Feigins, A.Koblencs, Z.Solmanis), kuri nebija ieguvuši šādas tiesības Latvijas čempionātā. Viņi kopā ar ārzemniekiem nepiedalījās Latvijas čempionāta vietu sadalē. Pēc tādiem noteikumiem čempiona titulu atkal izcīnīja Petrovs, jo ieņēma augstāko vietu starp konkurencē spēlējošiem Latvijas šahistiem, lai gan no visiem Latvijas šahistiem augstāko vietu ieguva Feigins. Latvijas čempionāta fināls kā Ķemeru - Rīgas starptautiskā turnīra sastāvdaļa neveicināja labus rezultātus Latvijas šahistu cīņās ar ārzemniekiem, un Latvijas čempions Petrovs turnīra kopvērtējumā ieņēma tikai 8. vietu.

Jau otro reizi noritēja Latvijas čempionāts sievietēm. Sakarā ar Mildas Laubertes paredzēto startu 1939. gada Pasaules šaha čempionātā Buenosairesā, Latvijas Šaha savienība nolēma, ka jaunajai Latvijas meistarei vērtīgāk būtu piedalīties vienā no vīriešu čempionāta apakšgrupām, kurā Lauberte gan spēja izcīnīt tikai vienu neizšķirtu. Pārējās Latvijas šahistes atkal nespēja uzreiz noteikt uzvarētāju, jo šoreiz pirmo vietu dalīja trīs dalībnieces: Elīza Fogele, Emīlija Šmite un Marta Krūmiņa. 1939. gada Ķemeru - Rīgas 2. starptautiskā turnīra laikā no 15. līdz 20. martam notika divu apļu papildturnīrs starp trim uzvarētājām, kurā izpaudās Fogeles lielākā pieredze, un viņa kļuva par otro Latvijas šaha meistari.

VII Latvijas šaha kongress un 2. starptautiskais Ķemeru - Rīgas turnīrs bija pēdējās lielās sacensības, kuras organizēja Latvijas Šaha savienība pirms Otrā Pasaules kara.>

<ournament progress
The VII Latvian Chess Congress and the 4th Latvian Chess Championship took place in Riga during the Christmas holidays from December 24, 1938 to January 1, 1939.

The rules of the competition were changed once more and became more complicated. Men's tournament runners competed in two pre-race groups. The Ķemeri - Riga 2nd International Chess tournament was considered the final in the Latvian championship event, in which 3 Latvian chess players (G.Bezručko, V.Hazenfuss, Ozols K., Fr.Pashenieks, T.Melngailis, L.Dreibergs) entered into each group. Latvian champion Vladimir Petrov was admitted to the finals without a selection race. However, the Ķemeri-Riga tournament, which took place from March 4 to 19, 1939, did not win a lot of foreign best chess players, how could three more Latvian chess players (M. Feigin, A. Koblenz, Z.Solmanis) were able to take part in the tournament, who did not get such rights Latvian Championship. They did not participate in the distribution of the Latvian Championship with foreigners. Under such conditions, Petrov won again the championship title, as he was the highest point among the Latvian chess players who competed, although Feigin won the highest rank among all Latvian chess players. The Latvian Championship final as a part of Kemeri - Riga International Tournament did not produce good results in Latvian chess fighters with foreigners, and the Latvian champion Petrov's tournament ranked only 8th.

For the second time the Latvian Women's Championship was held. Due to the start of Milda Laubert's start at the 1939 World Chess Championship in Buenos Aires, the Latvian Chess Federation decided that it would be more valuable for the new Latvian champion to participate in one of the Men's Championship subgroups, in which Lauberte managed to win only one draw. The other Latvian chess players could not immediately determine the winner, as this time the first place was split by three participants: Elise Fogele, Emilija Šmite and Marta Krūmiņa. During the 1939 Kemeri-Riga 2nd International tournament from 15 to 20 March, an additional two round tournament between the three winners took place, featuring Fogele's greatest experience, and she became the second Latvian chess masters.

The VIIth Latvian Chess Congress and the 2nd International Kemeri-Riga tournament were the last big event organized by the Latvian Chess Federation before the Second World War.>

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #672)

"Segodnia", February 2, p. 10:

ШАХМАТНЫЙ ТУРНИР НА ПЕРВЕНСТВО ЛАТВИИ будет, вероятно, проведен в марте при участии шахматистов ближайших государств. Срок второго международного турнира в Кемери пока что откладывается.

CHESS TOURNAMENT FOR THE LATVIA CHAMPIONSHIP
will probably be held in March with the participation of the chess players of the nearest states. The second international tournament in Kemeri is being postponed.

Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #680)

Does this mean that the second international tournament in Kemeri *was* postponed from an earlier planned date until March so that the two events could be combined? Most likely. Indeed, <chesshistoryinterest> is very welcome.

THIS IS IT !!!

"Звание чемпиона Латвии завоевал Петров, в виду того, что Фейгин, как не прошедший в финальную группу, был допущен к участию в турнире вне конкуренции (на звание чемпиона)."

"The title of Latvia champion was gained by Petrov, since Feigin, as not gaining the place into the final group, was allowed to participate in the tournament without rights for the title of champion."

"Segodnia", March 21, 1939, p. 5.

On the same page 2 photos, Mikenas playing with Flohr and Feigin with Szabo.

http://www.theeuropeanlibrary.org/t...

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #686)

One more confirmation of Petrov's championship title. "Rigasche Rundschau", March 25, 1939, p. 8. Grossmeister W. Petrow mit 8, der stark überarbeitet, nicht so recht zur Geltung kam, aber dennoch den Titel eines Vorkämpfers von Lettland erfolgreich verteidigte; Feigin kam hierbei nicht in Frage, weil er Im Vorturnier nicht ins Finale gelangt war.

Grand master W. Petrow at 8 place, who was heavily overworked, did not really win, but still successfully defended the title of champion of Latvia; Feigin was out of the question because he had not reached the final in the pre-tournament.

http://periodika.lv/periodika2-view...

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #693)

Hemy, GREAT finds on this <Petrovs being the 1938/9 Champion> issue. These definitely seem to confirm the story.

Did I get the scores of these 7 players in this sub-tournament correct? I don't know how to post crosstables of tournaments here, so I'll do it the long way:

Petrovs: Beat Melngailis, Apsenieks, Bezrucko, Ozols; Drew Hasenfuss; Lost to Dreibergs. Total 4.5 points.

Dreibergs: Beat Petrovs and Ozols. Drew the other 4. Total 4 points.

Hasenfuss: Beat Apsenieks and Bezrucko; Lost to Melngailis; Drew the other 3. Total 3.5 points.

Melngailis: Beat Hasenfuss, Bezrucko, Ozols; Drew Dreibergs; Lost to Petrovs and Apsenieks. Total 3.5 points.

Apsenieks: Beat Melngailis and Ozols; Drew Dreibergs and Bezrucko; Lost to Petrovs and Hasenfuss. Total 3 points.

Bezrucko: Beat Ozols. Drew with Dreibergs and Apsenieks. Lost the other 3. Total 2 points.

Ozols: Drew with Hasenfuss. Lost the other 5. Total 0.5 points.

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #696)

jessicafischerqueen Re your comment on Latvian Wikipedia being an excellent resource on Latvian Chess Championships: Yes, it does look like it, and I have copied all this material out. However, it looks as though it does seem to be needed to be treated with a note of caution: It seems to have the crosstable of group 1 of the 1938/9 Congress wrong! It gives Ozols as having 8.5 points and Silins as having 6 points. All the other sources that I have found that have crosstables for this event ("Saha Maksla" magazine, 15 Jan 1939, Page 4 very nice item; "Stasti un Romani", 7 Jan 1939, Page 12; "Krustamikla Sahs Bridzs", 7 Jan 1939, Page 12; Di Felice 1936-1940, Page 222) give Ozols as having 9 points, and Silins as having 5.5 (And "Kurzemes Vards" 3 Jan 1939, which just gives a listing, but no crosstable, has Ozols with 9 points, but Silins with 6!)

Side note: "Saha Maksla" and "Kurzemes Vards" give the "A. Kalnins" as being "Arn. [Arnoldu Kalnins". Di Felice has him as a different player, "Arvids Kalnins". I think Di Felice has only seen "A. Kalnins" and has wrongly assumed it is Arvids. He does the same thing in his crosstable for the 1932 Riga Championship as well (and possibly elsewhere). In general, I find Di Felice rather unreliable (as you also have suggested) and think any of his material used needs to be corroborated if possible (as you also have indicated), especially when he doesn't give a source.]

One other curiosity with this Championship is Di Felice giving a playoff Hasenfuss-Bezrucko +1-0=3. I confirmed this: "Stasti un Romani", 4 March 1939, Page 23 gives this, with Hasenfuss winning the first game. I was trying to understand why these two needed a playoff when both had already qualified for the Final. But it seems there was a separate Congress Championship to play for as well - winner of Group 1 to play winner of Group 2 for this. So this match was to establish the winner of Group 1. Winner of group 2 was Melngailis as Apsenieks was not eligible as a former winner. "Rigasche Rundschau", 29 April 1939, Page 18 says the Hasenfuss-Melngailis match was postponed until the autumn. I didn't find it then on a casual search, but suspect it was never played because World War Two broke out then. Also, Hasenfuss was a German Balt, so probably moved to Germany in November/December 1939 under Hitler's "heim ins Reich" program, though it could have been later.

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #699)

<One other curiosity with this Championship is Di Felice giving a playoff Hasenfuss-Bezrucko +1-0=3. I confirmed this: "Stasti un Romani", 4 March 1939, Page 23 gives this, with Hasenfuss winning the first game. I was trying to understand why these two needed a playoff when both had already qualified for the Final.> For the title of Latvian master.

http://periodika.lv/periodika2-view...

"Mazpulks", February 15, 1939, p. 38.

Noslēdzies VII Latvijas šacha kongress, Čempionāta A grupā uzvarēja G. Bezručko (Jelgavā) un V. Hazenfūss (Zilupē). Abu starpā tiks izcīnīts mačs, kura uzvarētājs gūs tiesību spēlēt ar B. grupas II v. ieguvēju T. Melngaili, lai iegūtu Latvijas meistara nosaukumu.

The VII-th Latvian Chess Congress finished, G. Bezručko (Jelgava) and V. Hazenfūs (Zilupe) won the Championship A group. Both will play a match, the winner of which will be entitled to play with Group B winner T. Melngailis to get the title of Latvian master.

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #700)

"Stasti un Romani", March 4, 1939, p. 23:
The fight between the winners of the Group A of the 7th Latvian Chess congress main tournament Dr. Hazenfuss and G. Bezrucko ended with the victory of Dr. Hazenfuss +1 -0 = 3. Dr. Hazenfuss won the first game, while the rest ended in draw. He will compete with T. Melngailis in the match for the title of Latvian chess master. The match is supposed to be held only after Kemeri 2nd international chess tournament.

http://periodika.lv/periodika2-view...

"Rīts", April 22, 1939, p. 16:

T. Melngailis - V.R. Hazenfuss match for the Latvian master's title was postponed to autumn.

http://periodika.lv/periodika2-view...

"Rīts", December 14, 1939, p. 16 and "Mazpulks", January 15, 1940, p. 34:

Latvian Chess Union adopted new rules for the classification of chess players. There will be 6 classes (categories): masters, A, B, C, D and E. Masters and A class will compete in championships or congressional tournaments...

Master Class recognized to Fr. Arsenieks, T. Bergs, M. Feigins, E. Krumins, V. Petrovs, and Old Master K. Betins, the 7th master will be determined by result of T. Melngailis - V. Hasenfuss match.

http://periodika.lv/periodika2-view...

http://periodika.lv/periodika2-view...

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #733)

"Segodnia", July 22, 1939, p. 8:
Members of Latvian chess team who left yesterday for the Olympics in Argentina. From left to right: Apsenieks, Petrov, Milda Laubert and Melngailis. Behind them - Feigin and Endzelins.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tzadw7363...

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Vladimir Petrov (kibitz #690)

How did you compile all of this information? Was it from one source, or many? The information was collected from many sources. I double checked some of them.

There was a misleading information in Rīts, March 9, 1939, p. 5 - "Tomorrow round 6". From other sources appears to be that round 6 was played on March 9 and March 10 was a free day for moving to Riga.

The only correction will be:
Round 6, March 9, 1939 Mikenas-Petrovs 1-0 instead of March 10.

1939.03.05 Latvijas Kareivis, p. 6:
"Yesterday was played round 1."

1939.03.06 Rīts, p. 4:
"Yesterday was played round 2."

1939.03.07 Rīts, p. 5:
"On March 6 was played round 3."

1939.03.08 Rīts, p. 5:
"On March 6 was played round 4."

1939.03.09 Rīts, p. 5:
"at morning March 7 - adjourned games, at evening - round 5 was played. Tomorrow - round 6."

1939.03.10 Rīts, p. 15:
"Today round 6 will be played."

1939.03.10 Kurzemes Vārds, p. 3:
"Round 6 was played on March 9."

1939.03.12 Rīts, p. 25:
"Yesterday was played round 7"

1939.03.13 Rīts, p. 4:
"Yesterday was played round 8, tomorrow - round 9"

1939.03.14 Brīvā Zeme, p. 13:
"Yesterday was played round 9"

1939.03.15 Brīvā Zeme, p. 12:
"Yesterday was played round 10"

1939.03.16 Rīts, p. 5:
"Yesterday was played round 11"

1939.03.17 Rīts, p. 15:
"Yesterday was played round 12"

1939.03.18 Rīts, p. 5:
"Yesterday was played round 13"

1939.03.19 Kurzemes Vārds, p. 1:
"On March 18 was played round 14"

1939.03.20 Rīts, p. 12:
"Today - last round"

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