Rank & File

(Volume VII, No. 5 : Sept./Oct. 1984)

THE LONG VIEW:

HOLLYWOOD 1952

by John Hillery

Over the last half century, there have been a number of significant chess events in southern California, which have been nearly forgotten due to lack of continuity among organizers. One such is the international tournament at Hollywood, 1952.

As was usual in the 40's and 50's, this event can be credited to the indefatigable Herman Steiner. During the Capablanca Memorial in Havana in 1951, he learned that Gligoric and Pomar planned to tour the U.S., and he was quick to pounce upon the opportunity.

In addition to the established masters Kashdan and Dake, the field included San Francisco representative Vladimir Pafnutieff, Sonya Graf, runner up to Vera Menchik for the Women's World Championship, and two who were then considered promising young players: Jim Cross, the 1950 U.S. Junior Champion and Lionel Joyner, a former Canadian Junior Champion. The final spot proved somewhat controversial after Harry Borochow declined to play; a tournament was then organized among Art Spiller (then State Champion), Ray Martin (previous State Champion), W.H. Steckel and Irving Rivise, which Martin won.

The tournament was actually played in Beverly Hills, at Mama Weiss' Czardas Restaurant, from April 26 to May 7. Those who bemoan the sad state of chess master today might note that the prize fund consisted of $125, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus $25 per point "point money." Lodging meant finding local chess players who would be sufficiently awed at the thought of entertaining a famous master.

                                             1     2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9   10 
1.	Svetozar Gligoric     X   .5    1   .5    1   .5    1    1    1    1          7.5-1.5  
2.	Arturo Pomar          .5    X   .5   .5    1    1    1    1   .5    1           7  -2        
3.	Herman Steiner        0   .5    X   .5    1   .5    1   .5    1    1           6  -3
4.	Arthur Dake            .5   .5    .5   X    0   .5   .5    1    1   .5           5  -4   
5.	Lionel Joyner           0    0     0    1   X   .5    1    1   .5    1           5  -4   
6.	James Cross           .5    0    .5   .5   .5   X   .5   .5   .5    1           4.5-4.5   
7.	Isaac Kashdan          0    0     0   .5   0   .5    X    1    1    1           4  -5 
8.	Vladimir Pafnutieff     0    0    .5    0   0   .5    0     X   1    1           3  -6   
9.	Ray Martin                0   .5     0    0   .5  .5    0     0    X   1           2.5-6.5       
10.	Sonya Graf               0    0     0   .5   0    0    0     0     0   X          .5  -8.5