Torn from oblivion: Chess Olympics Of 1990. in Novi Sad

  Chess Olympics that took place in Novi Sad, Serbia, federal *Yugoslavia* at a time, from November the 16th to  December the 4th of 1990, gathered 108 teams in total, in men and women competition. Men competed on four boards, women on three, intention of blog is to present to the chess audience event, including some of the rare photos and documents that can`t be found on internet. Couldn`t be found probably in book shops either, author of blog, though, who as a journalist covered chess events in Novi Sad during 1990`s, saved some of the documents, or pulled them out of dust. During Chess Olympics of 1990 host had right to be presented not with one, but with three teams. The Best Man of author of blog, Grand Master Dragan Kosic performed for *Yugoslavia C*, and been the youngest representative of the host.

 During history, chess, as one global thing, as *Mirror of life* followed big social events. So it was in 1990, immediately after fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania still weren`t member of United Nations, but on the road to independence from Soviet Union. Organizing Committee of Novi Sad Chess Olympics were not allowed Tal, Ehlvest, Shirov and the others to compete, Novi Sad audience missed their performance. Tal been invited by the organizers as a special guest, though, and he arrived in the city where in 1974 he had accomplished one of the most brilliant victories, this saved the day in 1990, but bitter taste remained. Tal interview to Novi Sad television in 1990, one of his last...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8avqRgIdOs

 Tournament been marked by cybernetic revolution, some chess programs started to appear on Olympics, but still there was no practical use of them. On the other hand, in pairing of rounds, programs started to play main role.

 Somehow on a margin of tournament, away from press attention, sad story remained about destiny of Janos Kotre, engineer from Novi Sad who on his *Schneider* computer invented new way of pairing teams in *Swiss* pairing system. System to be used not just during Novi Sad Chess Olympics of 1990, but in many other tournaments to come. Sadly, only a few days before Olympics started, returning back home from work in preparation for the event to come, his heart failed. He didn`t live to witness the event he waited with a huge desire, event he contributed in a manner hard to be over estimated. 

 In *Swiss* tournament system with plenty of competitors, usually at the beginning *Giant ws. minnow*, so real battles started after round 5. It was clear that battle for medals would be between Soviet Union, USA, *Yugoslavia A* and England. While in women competition battle for gold would be between Hungary and Soviet Union.

 In 14 rounds long tournament, Novi Sad audience had opportunity to see many familiar faces from the World chess stage, Victor Korchnoi for example. A few years earlier, *Victor The Terrible* finally quit attempts to dethronize Karpov, to become World Champion. Now in Novi Sad he played for his new homeland, Switzerland, team without ambitions to accomplish something huge in the Novi Sad Olympics. Korchnoi sometimes won, sometimes lost against real average players, used to remind himself about old wisdom that *Destiny is mixing cards, and we are playing*.

 Novi Sad is city where the title of *The Guests Of Honor* in local chess club are caring several World Champions, where chess has an almost cult status, plenty of fans. Where scene like this, street musicians put instrument aside, watching analyze on the street board during chess Olympics is possible...

 In the end, Soviet Union, despite playing without Kasparov and Karpov who at the same time faced each other in Lyon, France in match for a World Champion - won gold medal in Novi Sad Chess Olympics, USA was the second, England the third. Decisive match in the battle for bronze took place during round 11, when England defeated *Yugoslavia A*. Especially inspired Short been against Ljubojevic, domestic crowd followed the game over electronic demonstration board, another novelty on chess Olympiads, but didn`t see much of it to cheer them up. 

 In women competition it was close, but sisters Polgar been a bit better than Soviet Union and took Cup to Hungary.

 It was one chess event in the city who love chess.