The United States Chess Federation - Belgrade Wins Gligoric Cup to Take Series Lead

Belgrade Wins Gligoric Cup to Take Series Lead

By James Stallings
November 7, 2013
Jim Stallings addresses VIPs L-R: Laura Maczka, Mayor of Richardson; Professor Steve Pejovich; Dr. David Daniel, President of UT Dallas; Dr. Abby Kratz, Associate Provost; IM Rade Milovanovic, UT Dallas Chess Coach. On November 1, the annual battle was again waged in the cities of Dallas and Belgrade for the Svetozar Gligoric Transatlantic Cup. And once again, it came down to the last game to determine a winner! Belgrade won the first match in 2006 and took the series lead. But, with three wins in succession, UT Dallas began to dominate. #2 UTD Boards 5 and 6 FM Alec Getz and IM Arthur Calugar get down to business. Now, Belgrade once again leads the match series 4.5-3.5. Ever optimistic, as chess program director of UT Dallas, I see the glass as half full and counter, “We still lead in games won 65.5-62.5!” Either way, the match series continues to be a great competition and remarkably even. Because of the fast rate of play (Game 40/5 second increment) on 16 boards, there are always exciting games to watch with the outcomes often changing during time pressure. A sense of the fog of war envelopes the vast, electronic playing field as the results start to roll in. Here is Conrad Holt’s victory on Board 2: 7058 A special treat this year was the attendance of Professor (Emeritus) Steve Pejovich. He participated in the famous 1950 USA-Yugoslavia Radio (very hi-tech at the time) Match. His opening remarks and memories of seeing Gligoric play were to the Belgrade audience in Serbian and the Dallas audience in English. His initial degree was in fact a law degree from the University of Belgrade. But, he would spend most of his academic career in the USA. Acting as the TD looking out for the Belgrade interests was the ever-competent FIDE Zonal president Franc Guadalupe. Representing UT Dallas’s interests over in Belgrade was the equally competent IA Sava Stoisavljevic. #3 Boards 1 and 2: GMs Valentin Yotov and David Berczes begin. Alas, with a distinct ratings advantage, only ½ a point would come from this tandem. In earlier years, both GM Svetozar Gligoric and GM Ljubomir Ljubojevic made opening remarks before the match began. Dr. David Daniel looks on approvingly as Professor Pejovich makes the ceremonial first move for GM Conrad Holt. It must have been a good one, Conrad won the point! Gligoric Transatlantic Cup Match History Year Winning Team Final Score 2006 Belgrade 8.5 - 7.5 2007 Dallas 11.0 - 5.0 2008 Dallas 12.5 - 3.5 2009 Dallas 8.5 - 7.5 2010 Belgrade 11.5 - 4.5 2011 Belgrade/Dallas 8.0 - 8.0 2012 Belgrade 9.5 - 6.5 2013 Belgrade 9.0 - 7.0 Match Results BELGRADE 4.5 Vs. DALLAS 3.5