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Mr. Walsh, what are your impressions from the organization of the European Individual Chess Championships in Plovdiv?
I have been deputy president of the ECU since 2004. When the idea of organizing an ECU event in Plovdiv was first mentioned and later materialised on the minutes of the ECU Board, an inspection was scheduled as usual. That inspection was carried out by Horst Metzing [of Germany, Secretary General of ECU] and me, so I am particularly pleased that our positive recommendation was accepted and we are here now to see the event proceed as promised and as expected.
I have been here before – during the team championship in 2003, and I knew that the conditions would be perfect. The manager of the Novotel was a devoted chess lover and wanted to fill the hotel with chess players. Thus Plovdiv emerged as an excellent host city for a chess championship. The only undecided issue was – what kind of championship? A junior one, or an adult event?
In my opinion the children would feel much better if they are at the seaside. Therefore, I was convinced that the EICC for men and women would be the better choice.
Now we are here again, and we are very delighted that you prove us right.
Everything is what we expected and better. Even when some problems appeared – as it was with the air-conditioning in one of the halls, they have been dealt with promptly – we just called the technicians, and they solved the problem immediately.
My coach – the famous Harry Golombek – used to say: “Give the chess players the best possible conditions; enough light in the playing hall, good food and peace, and you can expect excellent chess from them!” I always follow his advice, and am glad to see that you do the same here as well.
What is your chess level?
Low, probably here I would be the worst player… However, I have been in chess for a very long time, mostly as an organizer.
Which events have you personally organized?
My first tournament was in 1972, at Teeside, where I live. Many strong players took part, among them Ljubojevic, Portish, Gligoric, Anderson. From Bulgaria – Georgi Tringov. But it was won by the exceptional Bent Larsen, who scored 11 points out of 15 games.
Did it have anything to do with the Spasky - Fisher match?
The idea was to start our tournament on the same day with the grand match – 16 April, but then Fisher changed his mind… We started as planned, but the Fisher versus Spasky match in fact started later in the summer.
The following year I organized the world Junior Championship. It had a record number of participants – 50 players. Do not forget that at that time there were much fewer countries – only one USSR, one Yugoslavia, etc. The event was won by Alexander Beliavski, and I am very happy to see him here again, still playing top-level chess.
And also in 1974 the students’ team competition also took place in Teeside.
Interview by IM Dejan Bojkov