I don't know if there is an English translation of this book. Bjelica and M.Tal were close personal friends since Portoroz, 1958. It was Tal himself that wrote the preface for the book. In it he says: " Dimitrije writes only about things that really happened".

Anyway, here are the anecdotes.

1. At the end of the tournament in Zurich, 1959, Tal played a simul on 38 boards. After it was over, a player that won a game approached Tal and asked him if he would to comment on the game. Tal replied:"I could have played better my 17th move." "You are not saying You memorized a simul game?", was the players reply. Tal: "I memorize all the games". There was a small wager placed, and Tal wrote down all 38 games without looking at the board!

2. In Portoroz, 1958. in his game against Tal, Roseto's position was somewhat better. Roseto offered a draw and Tal just gave him a real surprised look and immediately made his move. Roseto had an appearance of being hypnotised. His position collapsed in a few moves. It has been since then that people talk about Tal's "magic".

3. Tal has often been compared to Dr. Lasker. Once, when somebody brought it up, Tal responded: "No. There is a big difference there. Lasker, they say, had been lost in every second game he played. I, they claim, have been lost in every game."

4. After Tal's win over Keres, 3rd round, Candidates Tournament, Zagreb, 1959. Bjelica asked him: "When did Keres make a mistake?" Tal's reply was: "At 9:30". Then he added: "Actually his mistake was 1.e4."

5. During the USSR Championship in Moscow, 1957. Tal had his game vs Boleslavsky adjourned. Going home after the game he got stopped by a traffic policeman for jay-walking. Since Tal didn't have his ID on him, the officer took in to the police station, and straight to the duty officer. At that moment the officer was analizing the very same game Tal had played. His position was lost. When asked what his name was he said: "Tal". "I have enough problems with this chessplayer Tal, don't need another one." They started to analize the game together and went on till the morning, but no solution . That was when Tal admitted who he was.

6. Once, while he was in a hospital, Tal played a blindfold simul against four opponents. Later, when asked about the score he said: "I won 2 and drew 1 game." "Well, what about the fourth?" Tal: " Oh, that one. My position was bad, but I won anyway. The opponent resigned, had to undergo a surgery."

7. Tal arrived to Sarajevo for a tournament on a March morning, 1966, by train from Belgrade. Bjelica was waiting for him at the railway station and Tal said he had not slept the whole night and was tired. Bjelica suggested that Tal should postpone his first round game. Tal asked: "Which pieces do I have today?" "White, against Damjanovic." was the answer. "Then I will play. I have never postponed a game with white pieces." Tal won this game in his true style.

Well, folks. That's all.

As far as I know, he wasn't. The biographical info above is what I found in the commentary on Bjelica's work written by GM Borislav Ivkov, who knew Bjelica well. As I mentioned earlier, it was Tal himself who wrote the Preface for the book, and he certainly wouldn't put his signature on a fabrication.

Bjelica also co-authored with GM Dr. Petar Trifunovic a book on RJF: "Fischer ante portas". It was sometime in the early 60's. Again, I don't know whether there is an English translation.

For years he was regularly reporting for most reputable newspapers in the country. I used to read his columns between 1966 (Petrosian-Spassky match) till about 1980. He struck me as very well-informed, possibly because he had had so many close friends among the leading players of the period and was always able to get first hand information. Among others: Tal, Spassky, Fischer, Petrosian, Gligoric, Larsen.

As for journalism awards with Ray Keene, I know nothing about it.

This supposed friend is Gennady SOSONKO. I've never heard about Tal's opium use, till I read some remarks about it only recently in this database.

Sure like Nakamura's pic from 1998. Looks like a baby.

My fondest Chess-related memory goes back to 1961. when I was 10 years old. That was when I met a few famous GMs at Bled tournament. Got autographs from Tal, Najdorf, Geller, Gligoric & Petrosian. Have a photograph with Petrosian & Gligoric. Bobby F. was rarely signing autographs then, I didn't get one. During the same event somebody introduced me to old GM Borislav Kostic who was among the spectators. Now, that was like a dream.

Re.: Your photo with M.Thacher, Karpov & Kasparov. I guess it was taken in 1985, or so. You, Sir,have not changed a bit! Btw, re: Petrosian's pic, I think it should be Bugojno, 1982., not 1992.

The players of that time were, on the whole, a lot more interesting than current professionals, with broad educations, well read, and interest in public affairs. Having breakfast with them has always been a delight. The master storytellers like Najdorf and Koltanowski are not around anymore.