Tal Defeats Fischer

Mikhail Tal (1936-1992) won his right to a World title match with Botvinnik by sweeping the interzonal at Portoroz in 1958, coming in ahead of Benko, Petrosian and Fischer; and then winning the Candidates' Tournament of 1959. It was at this Candidates' Tournament that Tal handed Bobby Fischer four defeats. Nothing like that had ever happened to the American. Later Fischer was to get revenge, but at the time there was no doubt that the Wizard of Riga was the better player.