Past Times

October 1979, Russian Grandmaster loses to Board 5 player at St Paul’s School.

 Dan Rosen (1977-81) on Board 5 beat the great Russian Grandmaster

For a decade from the late 1970s St Paul’s was the leading school chess team in Western Europe. In 1979 the top three boards were Julian Hodgson (1976-81), William Watson (1975-79) and Richard Holmes (1975-79). Their BCF ratings were 211, 211 and 210 respectively. Julian was the youngest player ever to defeat two grandmasters in successive rounds of a tournament. He became a Grandmaster and was British Champion four times.

In 1978 Michael Stean had been one of Viktor Korchnoi’s seconds in the World Championship match against Karpov. Michael was also a coach at St Paul’s. In October 1979 Korchnoi was his guest in London and the world’s second best player was looking for some competition. So on 5 October 1979 Korchnoi came to Barnes to play a clock simultaneous display against a School team of 10. Julian Hodgson on Board 1 lost, William Watson achieved a draw on Board 2, while Dan Rosen (1977-81) on Board 5 beat the Great Russian Grandmaster.

Dan recalls the Korchnoi against 10 Paulines match. “It is such a long time ago, I do not remember much about that evening. I do recall we were due to have a match against another school but the prospect of playing against Korchnoi was sufficient to make a couple of team members suddenly become available. Although I do remember everything feeling rather surreal for a few days, with kudos and respect I did not really deserve because the only reason I won was because Korchnoi blundered when I am sure he was winning. I did get Korchnoi to sign my scoresheet, which he did with good grace; I kept it safe in a wallet for several years, but to my eternal chagrin, I mislaid the wallet about 20 years ago. At least I still have all the trophies from the various competitions the school won during my time, although the team in 1977/78 and 1978/79 was so strong that only once in those two seasons did the result of my individual game actually matter.” 

The team was so strong that only once in those two seasons did the result of my individual game actually matter