The traditional tournament in Mar del Plata (1959) encouraged their “neighbors” the Chileans to organize their first international tournament. They had in mind that this would save the large travel expenses for foreign participants that the Argentines had already incurred.
Thus, just before the end of the tournament in Mar del Plata, an invitation was extended to all foreigners and two or three Argentines. Pachman, Ivkov, Fischer, Sanchez, Mendes and Sanginetti accepted the invitation. Najdorf thanked them and traveled to Caracas, where he had work commitments. Another Argentine grandmaster, Oscar Pano, also thanked them for the invitation.
A small but select "chess group" a few days after the end of the tournament in Mar del Plata boarded a plane operated by the Chilean company "Lan", which was considered one of the safest in the world.
After two hours of flight, the first branches of the Andes appeared before the passengers, lower at first and then higher and higher. Somewhere on the border of Argentina and Chile, the magnificent Aconcagua appeared before the amazed eyes of the passengers, with a height of over seven thousand meters. Half an hour after the “encounter with Aconcagua”, a huge, sprawling settlement with all low buildings appeared. It was Santiago de Chile, in the 20s with over two million inhabitants, the third largest city in South America.
The tournament itself was dominated by "foreigners". First and second place were shared by Serbian grandmaster Bora Ivkov and Czech Ludvig Pachman, with nine points from 12 rounds. Third place went to Argentine Pilnik (8 points), and fourth to future world champion Robert Fischer. Fischer was also the most competitive participant in the tournament - he scored 7 points and only one draw.
The hosts invested a lot of effort, will, and enthusiasm into organizing the tournament. The participants repaid them in their own way - with fighting spirit and attractive games. One of them was Žauregui - Sousa Mendes, and we are reporting:
SICILIAN DEFENSE
Žauregui - Sousa Mendes
Santiago de Chile 1959.
Comments Vm B.Ivkov
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5
Although he started playing in tournaments three or four decades ago, the elderly Mendes is very modern in his choice of openings.
3.Nf3 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6 5.Nc3 a6 6.e4
From Bedoni's opening, it moved on to the now very popular Paulsen Sicilian Variation.
6. …Dc7 7.Ld3
The idea comes from Bronstein. For the eventual loss of the c-4 pawn, White will receive compensation in better development.
7...Sc6 8.Lc2 Lb4 9.0-0 Sa5 10.e5!?
White, in addition to the condemned c-4 pawn, now gives up his center in order to get to the attack as soon as possible.
10…Dxe5 11.Te1 Dc7?
Now Black is forced to lose. The way White demonstrates it is worthy of all admiration. Black had to play 11..Qh5 here.
12.Sf5 0-0
Black played his last move carelessly, convinced that only now would White have an accident: his knight and pawn were hanging...
13.Nxg7
A great sacrifice of a piece that leads to another move, exactly Alekhine's!
13. Kxg7 14.Lh6+ !
At 14Kxh6 15.Qd2+ Kg7 16.Qg5+ and Black is finished in a few moves. Also, the Black King's outing 15…Kh5 would obviously not end happily.
14..Kh8. 15.Dd4 Dd8 16.Lg5 Kg7
On 16..Be7 17.Bxf6+ Bxf6 18.Qe4 with mate and
17.Re3 Be7 18.Rg3 Kh8 19.Bxf6+ Bxf6 20.Qe4 and Black surrenders because checkmate is inevitable.
Bonus video:
