This was the first international tournament in Belgium — and what a start it was! With the exception of Lasker and Pillsbury, all the top players were present. Although the tournament took place in Ostend, it was organised under the impetus of the Brussels chess club and Eugène Pécher in particular. My main source, which gives all the games, the dates, and list of prizes is [1]. [2] mentions that sixteen players had been selected: the fourteen that did play plus Mieses and von Bardeleben.The same source mentions that, of these sixteen, five or six would be eliminated after the first round. Such a system was to be used in 1906, but this year it was probably deemed unnecessary as there were two fewer players and therefore four fewer rounds to be played. Gunsberg was announced as tournament director.

The prizes were as follows. 1: 5000 francs and a golden medal; 2: 3000 francs; 3: 2000 francs; 4: 1200 francs; 5: 900 francs; 6: 700 francs; 7: 500 francs; 8: 400 francs; 9: 350 francs; 10: 300 francs; 11: 250 francs; 12: 200 francs; 13: 175 francs; 14: 150 francs. In addition, there were the following brilliancy prizes

For Maróczy, this was perhaps the most important tournament victory of his career. Schlechter managed to remain unbeaten for an impressive twenty-two rounds, before leading two consecutive defeats in rounds twenty-three and twenty-four. One may wonder why Taubenhaus, who had never had very convincing results, had been invited. I suspect it is because he was a frequent visitor of the organising club.

Wanted

• Not much.

Sources

1. Ed.: B. Davidovski, Tournoi International d’Echecs d’Ostende
2. Wiener Schachzeitung 1905/04, 05-06, 09-10