Piatigorsky Cup

Los Angeles 1963

The principal organizer was Jacqueline Piatigorsky - de Rothschild. She spent her youth in the luxury of Palais de Talleyrand and Château de Ferrières. After her emigration from France to the USA, she represented her new country as a chess player. Her husband was the renowned cellist Gregor Piatigorsky (1903-1976). He was born in Ekaterinoslav, then a pogrom region. His musical career had to start in nightclubs, due to poverty. He achieved great success but communist life lacked freedom. When he waded towards Poland, he survived gunfire. Later he could play chamber music with the pianist Artur Rubinstein and the violist Jascha Heifetz. Affluence allowed them to establish the Piatigorsky Foundation.

World champion Petrosian and Keres represented the USSR in the first Piatigorsky Cup. Fischer and Reshevsky were invited for the USA. When Bobby did not get the requested appearance fee of $2000, his place was taken by Benko. Eight grandmasters played double rounds in the Ambassador Hotel from 2 until 30 vii 1963. 

Gligoric had the best start, but Petrosian and Keres won. They got $5,250 prize money during the banquet at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Boulevard. 

Rounds were played in different rooms of the Ambassador. This place had a glamorous history. The Oscar was introduced in its Cocoanut Grove in 1930. The lobby was used as meeting place of Mrs. Robinson and Junior in the Graduate. It was closed after Robert Kennedy was gunned down in the kitchen. Nowadays it functions as a movie studio. 

pgn-file of the Piatigorsky Cup tournaments           CBase-file of tournaments

Santa Monica 1966

The budget of the Second Piatigorsky Cup was $75,000. Prize money had doubled to $20,000. The high prizes and perfect playing conditions lured Fischer to Santa Monica. Games were played in the Starlight Ballroom of Miramar Hotel from 17 vii until 15 viii 1966. The hotel overlooked the Pacific Ocean. 

Although ten world class grandmasters participated in double rounds, we will follow the race between Spassky and Fischer. It precedes their Match of the Century.