Tal Smashes Mora

 

     Uppsala is a city near Stockholm, in Sweden that is known for Uppsala University, founded in the 15th century. In April of 1956 the 3rd World Student Team Championship was held there. 

     Altogether 16 teams competed and the United States sent a team for the first time. The teams were divided into four preliminary groups with 8 teams advancing to the finals. 

     In the finals first place was practically decided during the first three rounds when the Soviet team (Viktor Korchnoi, Lev Polugayevsky, Mikhail Tal, Vladimir Antoshin, Evgeny Vasiukov and Anatoly Lutikov) defeated Bulgaria (4-0), Spain (3-1) and their main rival Yugoslavia (4-0). 

     The US team (Edmar Mednis, William Lombardy, Anthony Saidy, Shelby Lyman and Charles Witte) reached the finals, but finished last (8th place).

     Little is known of the reserve player on the team, Charles Witte (May 27, 1935 -  March 7, 2003, 67 years old). He was an "Expert" with a 2120 rating who was attending Columbia University in New York City. 

     In the US Collegiate in 1955 he had finished third behind Mednis and Saidy. During the Collegiate there was a rapid transit event that was won by Saidy with a perfect 11-0 score with Witte finishing second with a 10-1 score. 

     In the following game Tal defeats the Spanish player Mora after the latter's attack falls short.