Laszlo Szabo, Hungarian chess player (d. 1998)

László Szabó, born in Budapest, Hungary on March 19, 1917, and passing away on August 8, 1998, was a towering figure in the world of chess. Revered as a Hungarian chess player of exceptional talent, he was among the very first recipients of the prestigious International Grandmaster title, awarded by FIDE in 1950, the year it was officially instituted. His career spanned decades, marked by brilliant play, numerous tournament victories, and a near-miss at the World Championship title.

Early Life and Ascending the Chess Ranks

Szabó burst onto the international chess scene with remarkable speed. At just 18 years old in 1935, the young prodigy secured his first Hungarian Championship victory. That same year, he won an international tournament in Tatatóváros and earned the distinct honor of representing Hungary at the Warsaw Chess Olympiad, a testament to his burgeoning skill. It's widely believed that László Szabó honed his craft under the tutelage of Géza Maróczy, a patriarchal and highly respected figure in Hungarian chess who had previously mentored future world champions like Max Euwe and Vera Menchik. This early guidance undoubtedly laid a strong foundation for Szabó's future successes. Prior to the onset of World War II, his chess career continued to flourish, highlighted by an outright victory at the prestigious Hastings tournament in 1938/39, an event with which he would maintain a long and successful association throughout his career. Beyond the chessboard, Szabó also embarked on a professional path as a banker, specializing in foreign exchange.

Wartime Ordeal and Unwavering Spirit

The outbreak of World War II tragically interrupted Szabó's promising career. He was attached to a Forced Labour Unit, a harsh reality for many during that period, and later endured the harrowing experience of being captured by Russian troops, held as a prisoner of war. Despite these immense personal challenges and the interruption to his professional life, Szabó's passion for chess remained undimmed. Upon his return after the war, he immediately immersed himself back into competitive play, participating in numerous major international events, ready to reclaim his place among the world's elite.

Post-War Resurgence and the Quest for the World Championship

Szabó's post-war return to chess was nothing short of spectacular. In 1946, he achieved a commendable fifth-place finish at Groningen, a powerhouse tournament featuring an array of chess legends including Mikhail Botvinnik, Max Euwe, Vasily Smyslov, Miguel Najdorf, Isaac Boleslavsky, and Alexander Kotov. His consistent high-level play earned him the International Grandmaster title in 1950, a newly instituted FIDE honor that solidified his status as one of the world's top players. His string of successes continued with outright first places at Hastings 1947/48, Budapest 1948, and Hastings 1949/50. László Szabó demonstrated his consistent strength by finishing second to David Bronstein at the Saltsjöbaden Interzonal of 1948. He also secured a share of fifth place at both the Saltsjöbaden 1952 Interzonal and the Gothenburg Interzonal of 1955. These strong Interzonal performances consistently qualified him for the coveted Candidates Tournaments, the final hurdle before a World Championship match. It was at his third and final Candidates, held in Amsterdam in 1956, that Szabó made his most compelling bid for the World Championship challenge. He tied for an impressive third place alongside other future legends such as David Bronstein, Efim Geller, Tigran Petrosian, and Boris Spassky, finishing just behind Vasily Smyslov and Paul Keres. This achievement cemented his position as a genuine contender for the sport's highest honor.

A Legacy of Consistent Excellence and Olympiad Medals

Even as the chess landscape evolved, László Szabó continued to demonstrate remarkable prowess well into the 1960s and 1970s. His later career was marked by further international triumphs, including outright victories at Zagreb 1964, Budapest 1965 (sharing first place with Lev Polugaevsky and Mark Taimanov), Sarajevo 1972, and Hilversum 1973 (with Efim Geller). He also tied for first at Hastings 1973/74, alongside Gennady Kuzmin, Jan Timman, and Mikhail Tal. Szabó’s dedication to Hungarian chess was particularly evident in his eleven appearances at the Chess Olympiads, where he consistently represented his country on the world stage. He notably played on the first board for Hungary on five separate occasions, delivering numerous medal-winning performances. In 1937, he helped secure team silver and also earned an individual silver medal. He followed this with an individual bronze in 1952, a team bronze in 1956, and a final flourish in 1966 with both a team bronze and an individual silver medal. These achievements underscore his status as a national hero in Hungarian chess.

Enduring Influence and Lasting Legacy

For nearly two decades, László Szabó reigned supreme as Hungary's undisputed best chess player, eventually being succeeded by the rise of Lajos Portisch around 1963/64. His consistent world-class performance is further highlighted by independent ratings; Chessmetrics.com, a system designed to rank historical players, suggests that Szabó was ranked as high as sixth in the world in 1946. Szabó's profound impact on the game and his dedication to its study are preserved through a remarkable donation: his family bequeathed his entire chess library and personal papers to the esteemed Cleveland Public Library John G. White Chess and Checkers Collection. This collection stands as the largest chess library in the world, boasting an astounding 32,568 volumes of books and serials, including 6,359 volumes of bound periodicals, making it an invaluable resource for future generations of chess enthusiasts and scholars. László Szabó's life was a testament to resilience, intellectual brilliance, and an unwavering commitment to the game he loved, leaving an indelible mark on chess history.

Frequently Asked Questions about László Szabó

Who was László Szabó?

László Szabó was a distinguished Hungarian chess player, born in Budapest in 1917, who became one of the first International Grandmasters in 1950, a title awarded by FIDE.

When did László Szabó debut in international chess?

He burst onto the international scene in 1935, at the age of 18, winning the Hungarian Championship and representing his country at the Warsaw Chess Olympiad.

What was László Szabó's highest achievement in chess?

His most notable performance was tying for third place at the 1956 Amsterdam Candidates Tournament, a strong bid for the World Championship title challenge, competing against legends like Smyslov and Keres.

How did World War II affect his career?

His career was significantly interrupted as he was attached to a Forced Labour Unit and later held as a prisoner of war by Russian troops. He resumed his chess career immediately and successfully after the war.

What is László Szabó's legacy?

He was Hungary's top player for nearly 20 years, represented his country in eleven Chess Olympiads winning multiple medals, and his extensive chess library was donated to the Cleveland Public Library, forming part of the world's largest chess collection, ensuring his enduring influence on the game.