The Spanish Chess Federation is saddened to inform that the legendary Grandmaster Arturo Pomar Salamancapassed away at the age 84 after a long ilness.
Born in 1931 in Palma de Mallorca, Pomar excelled in chess at the early age and was considered a child prodigy in the 1940s.
At the age of 13 he drew the reigning world champion Alexander Alekhine in a standard game, this still being a record. He was awarded the IM title in 1950 and GM title in 1962.
He was Spanish Champion seven times (1946, 1950, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1962, and 1966), and played for the national team in twelve consecutive Chess Olympiads from 1958 to 1980.
Among notable tournament results, Pomar won or tied for first place in New Orleans 1954 (US Open), Gijón 1955, Santander 1958, Madrid 1959, Madrid 1960 (zonal), Torremolinos 1961, Málaga 1964 and Palma de Mallorca 1965.