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Larsen 
 
Bent Larsen
Number of games in database: 2,510
Years covered: 1939 to 2004
Current FIDE rating: 2461
Highest rating achieved in database: 2625
Overall record: +1126 -580 =786 (61.0%)*
   * Overall winning percentage = (wins+draws/2) / total games
      Based on games in the database; may be incomplete.
      18 exhibition games, blitz games, etc. are excluded from this statistic.

MOST PLAYED OPENINGS
With the White pieces:
 Sicilian (133) 
    B21 B52 B80 B40 B23
 King's Indian (132) 
    E90 E60 E97 E62 E94
 English (99) 
    A15 A13 A10 A14 A17
 English, 1 c4 c5 (90) 
    A30 A37 A36 A34 A38
 Uncommon Opening (81) 
    A00 B00
 English, 1 c4 e5 (71) 
    A20 A25 A29 A26 A21
With the Black pieces:
 Sicilian (325) 
    B38 B30 B27 B39 B56
 Queen's Pawn Game (85) 
    A40 A46 E00 A45 A41
 Sicilian Dragon (78) 
    B38 B39 B35 B34 B77
 English (70) 
    A10 A15 A17 A16 A14
 Caro-Kann (69) 
    B19 B16 B14 B10 B18
 Nimzo Indian (64) 
    E56 E47 E54 E46 E39
Repertoire Explorer

NOTABLE GAMES: [what is this?]
   Larsen vs Petrosian, 1966 1-0
   Larsen vs Spassky, 1964 1-0
   Fischer vs Larsen, 1970 0-1
   Larsen vs Geller, 1960 1-0
   Petrosian vs Larsen, 1966 0-1
   Larsen vs A Matanovic, 1965 1-0
   Taimanov vs Larsen, 1970 0-1
   Larsen vs J Penrose, 1969 1-0
   Larsen vs Ivkov, 1967 1-0
   Larsen vs Kavalek, 1970 1-0

GAME COLLECTIONS: [what is this?]
   Larsen Plays the Larsen by willyfly
   Larsen's Selected Games by OBIT
   Nimzowitsch/Larsen Attack by Raymond Keene by willyfly
   Master of Attack--Best Games of Bent Larsen by Ron
   Garry Kasparov's On My Great Predecessors (4) by AdrianP
   Larsen's Opening P-QN3 by Andrew Soltis by willyfly
   Bugojno 1978 by Benzol
   San Antonio 1972 by suenteus po 147
   Dallas, 1957 by Resignation Trap
   Miroslav Filip - All World Is Learning From Them by Honza Cervenka
   Second Piatigorsky Cup 1966 by matey
   Bugojno 1982 by suenteus po 147
   Tilburg Interpolis 1979 by suenteus po 147
   Linares 1981 by suenteus po 147

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BENT LARSEN
(born Mar-04-1935) Denmark

[what is this?]
Bent Jorgen Larsen was born March 4, 1935 in Denmark. At age 19 he became an International Master, and two years later he achieved the grandmaster title. In 1964 he won the Amsterdam Interzonal and advanced to the semifinals of the Candidates, where he lost to Mikhail Tal. He again won the Interzonal in 1967, and again made the Candidates' semifinals before losing to Boris Spassky, who went on to win the World Championship the next year.

For his tournament achievements during 1967, including first-place finishes in Palma and Havana, he later became the recipient of the inaugural Chess Oscar award. When the U.S.S.R. vs. the Rest of the World match took place in 1970, he played top board for the World, scoring 1.5-1.5 against World Champion Spassky.

In 1971 he made the Candidates' semifinals for the third consecutive time. His opponent was his constant rival, Robert James Fischer. They met in Denver and, to the astonishment of most of the chess world, Larsen was shut out, losing all six match games. After that defeat his position in the world rankings gradually slipped back, although he did achieve another Interzonal victory at Biel in 1976. Larsen now lives in Argentina and is still active in tournaments. Today the opening move 1. b3, which he occasionally played, is called the Nimzo-Larsen attack after him.


 page 1 of 101; games 1-25 of 2,510 
Game  ResultMoves Year Event/LocaleOpening
1. Larsen vs G Kerlin 0-146 1939 Buenos Aires ol (Men) fin-BC43 Petrov, Modern Attack
2. Larsen vs W Lauridsen 1-024 1948 Hostelbro/HerningC35 King's Gambit Accepted, Cunningham
3. Larsen vs Laursen 1-052 1950 Holstebro springC36 King's Gambit Accepted, Abbazia Defense
4. Larsen vs K Blom 1-025 1951 HerningC34 King's Gambit Accepted
5. Larsen vs L Joyner 1-032 1951 Birmingham-jrC30 King's Gambit Declined
6. Larsen vs E Pedersen  0-159 1952 Aabybro mA13 English
7. Larsen vs P Ravn 1-035 1952 Herning, mesterklassC35 King's Gambit Accepted, Cunningham
8. E Pedersen vs Larsen  0-140 1952 Aabybro mE48 Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5
9. Larsen vs E Pedersen  ½-½46 1952 Aabybro mB54 Sicilian
10. E Pedersen vs Larsen  1-058 1952 Aabybro mC65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense
11. Panno vs Larsen 1-083 1953 Wch U20 final-AE18 Queen's Indian, Old Main line, 7.Nc3
12. F Scafarelli vs Larsen  1-041 1953 Wch U20 qual-BA15 English
13. J Enevoldsen vs Larsen  ½-½35 1953 Copenhagen mC82 Ruy Lopez, Open
14. F Roessel vs Larsen  0-138 1953 Wch U20 qual-BE41 Nimzo-Indian
15. J Enevoldsen vs Larsen  ½-½37 1953 Copenhagen mC65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense
16. Larsen vs D Keller  1-041 1953 Wch U20 final-AB56 Sicilian
17. Larsen vs F Olafsson 0-138 1953 Wch U20 final-AE94 King's Indian, Orthodox
18. Larsen vs Nielsen 1-029 1953 Casual GameA31 English, Symmetrical, Benoni Formation
19. Larsen vs J Enevoldsen  ½-½59 1953 Copenhagen mE04 Catalan, Open, 5.Nf3
20. Larsen vs H Heikkila  1-040 1953 Wch U20 qual-BB31 Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation
21. Larsen vs J Enevoldsen  0-155 1953 Copenhagen mD85 Grunfeld
22. Larsen vs J Herbin 1-028 1953 Wch U20 qual-BC05 French, Tarrasch
23. J Sherwin vs Larsen  1-032 1953 Wch U20 final-AE98 King's Indian, Orthodox, Taimanov, 9.Ne1
24. K Darga vs Larsen  1-052 1953 Wch U20 final-AE47 Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3
25. K Darga vs Larsen  1-049 1953 Wch U20 qual-BC82 Ruy Lopez, Open
 page 1 of 101; games 1-25 of 2,510 
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2) | Larsen wins | Larsen loses  
 

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 12 OF 12 ·  Later Kibitzing >
Jan-27-08   nomaster: I own about 20 columns written by Larsen for Argentinian newspapers and chess magazines in the early and mid-nineties. I still found great joy going through those reviews, packed with insightful commentary, not only on the chessgames analized, but also on the atmosphere of chess tournaments and matches, the psychological aspects of the game, seasoned with a clever sense of humour. Couldn't get my hands on any of his books but judging by earlier posts here, these pieces I have share the same qualities. I assume that the analysis of variations might be less accurate and exhaustive (especially the newspaper ones, published the very day after the games) than the ones in the books, but still, Larsen writing seems to rely more on concepts than on variations. I might upload those when I got some time and will to do so.
Jan-27-08   pazzed paun: <Troller> Larsen achieved at a level of what he earned no more no less--no "bad luck" no unearned good luck. one of the very strange things about Larsen that kept him from being one of the top players of all time was his trashtalking of bobby fischer.

Larsen was Fischer's second for a time, he also hung out for months with Benko and Evans. he had to have known how striong Fischer was. Instead Larsen gets quoted spouting idicocies!

Fisher in 1964 wins the U.S. champio nship 11-0. Larsen says that Keres told him Keres would win a match against Fischer 8-2.

If in 1963 or later Keres said that he was delusional. For a strong player let alone a GM to quote that as if it were valid is idiotic. Larsen had an up close look on what it would take to raise his game to another level but he failed to understand that it was necessary. ... he deservedly became an also ran

Feb-04-08   Troller: <pazzed paun> I don't know if his "trashtalking" actually kept him from performing better. As you say yourself, he achieved the level his talent justified.

As I write above, he was always just below the very best (although to be #3-10 in the world for 15 years or so is no mean feat of course). There is a reason he only got as far as the Candidates Semi-Finals. Even if his working conditions were not ideal, he made the most of it, and I agree that he more or less achived what was possible for him.

However, in his own perception, he was "unlucky" and he firmly believes (or so it seems) that he could have been world champion. There is a comment by <Poulsen> on page 6 or so that explains this character trait very well, so I won't go deeper into it here. Suffice it to say that his ego has often clouded his judgments.

I would like to see your sources on the quote, though. I know Larsen has made some very blatant statements, but some of them are made in a jocular fashion. Taken out of context, quotes are often misleading. Larsen's relationship with Fischer wasn't entirely bad, and from his writings it is clear that he holds him in very high esteem as a chessplayer.

As a person who would be expected to know Fischer a bit more than the average GM, Larsen has of course been interviewed on Fischer's withdrawal from chess. He believed him to be extremely insecure and with a great fear of meeting someone stronger than him at chess. Make this someone also younger than Fischer and a Communist (as in Karpov's case), and Fischer would be unable to meet him, since, if he lost, his life would be falling apart. This is Larsen's explanation, so take it for what it's worth.

<he deservedly became an also ran> What is missing here?

Feb-04-08   Poulsen: <parisattack><His career was over as soon as he shook hands with Fischer after the 6th game of their 1971 match>

I quess it would have been a more servere setback, if I had happened against a lesser player than Fischer.

Interesting enough he thinks, that his result in Portopoz 1958 was his greatest setback.

One can never know about Larsen: maybe he felt, that he was doomed against Fischer in 1971 - already before game 1? In that case one can argue, that he went down with smoking guns.

In any case the result hardly displays a fair picture of his strenght ... Fischer or not.

Feb-04-08   Poulsen: ... and by the way: I don't think Larsen did any trashtalking about Fischer. But he knew Fischer enough to predict for instance, that Fischer would never defend his title.
Feb-05-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  brankat: Ever since Portoroz,'58, and then the Candidates 1959, where Larsen was Fischer's "part time" second, there existed a strong rivalry between the two masters.

Outspoken, self-confident, honest, Larsen, on occasion, expressed sincerely his thoughts on Fischer (usually right on the mark), but he never did any "trash talking" concerning Fischer, or anybody else.

As for Larsen's strength, it has been well manifested by his results.

Five appearances in the Candidates, a host of victories in strong international events. At least 15 years amongst the leading masters. A unique approach to Chess, and an exciting style of play.

What more would one want?

Feb-05-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  Ziggurat: <brankat> Very well said. Add to that that he is one of the very best chess writers. His book "Selected Games", for instance, has some of the best game notes ever published, IMO.
Feb-05-08   gus inn: Larsen once told me "That Najdorf did not know how to play chess" .. It was not nice listen to.And it tells me about the limitations of his intellect - which is not in conflict with the chessgeniuspart of Larsen IMO.
Feb-05-08   Poulsen: <gus inn> come on, that has to be one of Larsens provocative remarks - I think he thought highly of Najdorf as chessplayer - a man, who was liked by most people.

I believe (i will have to look it up) I once saw a remark showing Larsens respect for Najdorfs endgame technic, when they both witnessed one of the Karpov - Kasparov matches.

Don't misjudge Larsen's intellect - he's a very clever guy.

Feb-05-08   gus inn: I try to share an experience with e.g. you ,< Poulsen> . He did NOT say it jokingly. But perhaps you know Larsens brain better than mine.Or the image of your hero is in danger. And I have never said he is not a clever guy , when we measure him with your standards.I just gave what I see as his limitation.As also you and I have limitaitons.
Feb-07-08   Poulsen: <gus inn> I will have to admit, that I don't know Larsen personally - and that he's not a hero mine. Nor the opposite. I for instance have very clear stance as to why Larsen never became WCh.

I am merely first-hand witness to a few "experiences" involving Larsen - which are

1. Attending a lecture by Larsen.

2. Playing with black against Larsen in a simul - losing terrible.

3. Being in the audience with Larsen acting as commentator.

4. Seeing him analyze games and otherwise interrelate with other strong players.

I have also had the exquisid pleasure of having him annoting one of my own games.

On this basis I can safely say, that he's a man with a wisdom, knowlegde and intellect, which is not any way limited by his "trade" - so to say - no matter by which standard you want to measure it.

I don't know much about the late mr. Fischer - but I have little doubt as to, who was the most intelligent of the two.

Now, I do not doubt your claim of what he has once said about Najdorf. I just fell an inconsistency between that - and other (written) remarks about Najdorf (again, it's just of my memory).

We all have our limitations - true - I do however prefer to see them as strengths and weaknesses - instead of implying something about "high" and "low" if you get my meaning - in my limited ability to write in english.

Feb-09-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  whiteshark: Quote of the Day

" The stomach is an essential part of the chess master. "

-- Bent Larsen

yum-yum

Mar-04-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  brankat: Happy Birthday Mr.Larsen!
Mar-04-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  whiteshark: Many happy returns, GM Larsen!
Mar-04-08   gus inn: Happy Birthday , Bent !
And may many more come your way .
Mar-04-08   Sourav: Happy Birthday from India, Mr. Larsen!!
Mar-04-08   Riverbeast: Happy Birthday to a brilliant talent!

Re: the previous posts - I think Bent Larsen was right, that he could have been world champion if things had gone his way, especially in the 1966 and 1969 cycles. At that point (while Fischer was out) he seemed to be the equal of Spassky and Petrosian...but perhaps his uncompromising, aggressive style did not lend itself to match play.

Mar-04-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  Resignation Trap: Happy Birthday, Bent!

I can hardly wait for a translation of <Todas las Piezas Atacan> into English.

http://www.ajedrez21.com/Tienda/pro... .

Apr-20-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  whiteshark:

<I admired him> [Lasker] <until I studied his games.>

-- Bent Larsen

g8! :D

Apr-20-08   slomarko: <As for Larsen's strength, it has been well manifested by his results.> you mean the famous 0-6 whitewash by Fischer? :P
Apr-20-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  hrvyklly: <Brankat: but he never did any "trash talking" concerning Fischer> and <Poulsen: I don't think Larsen did any trashtalking about Fischer. But he knew Fischer enough to predict for instance, that Fischer would never defend his title.> In 1970 Larsen was asked when Fischer would become World Champion, he replied, "Never, he is afraid to play." Now *that* is trash-talking. After Fischer beat Taimanov 6-0 Fischer said that the score was unrepresentative of the difference in the players' strength, I don't recall him saying anything similar after beating Larsen 6-0?
Apr-20-08   sitzkrieg: <he replied, "Never, he is afraid to play." Now *that* is trash-talking.>

Now that is fun. And it was almost true too, in fact, if the match organizers would have been fair Fischer would not have played.

Apr-21-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  brankat: <hrvyklly> Despite a number of brilliant results which B.Fischer achieved during his brief career, it had always been a nightmare to get him to play in the first place.

Those who knew him best attributed this to Fischer's paranoid fear of losing. Bent Larsen was certainly one of those who knew Bobby quite well, ever since Portoroz Interzonal, 1958, when Bobby was only 15.

Unlike many others, being an outspoken person not afraid to speak his mind, Larsen openly stated his opinion. And he was just about right on. Either way the sentence in question hardly constitutes "trash talking".

Apr-21-08   Petrosianic: <In 1970 Larsen was asked when Fischer would become World Champion, he replied, "Never, he is afraid to play." Now *that* is trash-talking.>

It was what a lot of people were saying at the time, considering that he'd just dropped out of one interzonal prematurely and refused to even play in the one before that, despite qualifying for it.

Even fans in the US were upset at Fischer for skipping the 64 Interzonal. One US player was heard to remark at the time that Fischer was trying to become the simultaneous exhibition champion of the world.

Larsen was the eternal optimist, however, and even AFTER losing to Fischer, he was predicting that he'd become champion in 1975. In a way it's a shame he didn't. Like Tal, he had the kind of personality that played well to the non-chessplaying public.

Apr-21-08   greenrook: I have read that Larsen is known for his caustic sense of humour - I'm sure his remarks about Fischer & Najdorf were made in a tongue-in-cheek fashion to provoke a reaction from those listening.
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