1,500 to Play for $130,000 in Chess Tourney

It’s the largest guaranteed prize fund in the history of chess--$130,000--and about 1,500 players and mates have shown up in Long Beach for a piece of the pie.

The tournament--sponsored by Software Toolworks of Sherman Oaks, makers of the Chessmaster 2000 computer program--is contested in eight divisions and continues through Sunday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 200 S. Pine Ave. Hours today and Sunday are 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., when the semifinal and final matches will be played out. Admission is free.

Among participants are the Soviet Union’s personable Mikhail Tal, former world champion and current “blitz” (fast-move) king; Danish international grand master Bent Larsen and international grand master and former U.S. champion Samuel Reshevsky. Top American player Yasser Seirawan will judge “the most brilliant games.”

Also on tap is a tournament pitting computers, featuring current three-time “champion” Chessmaster 2000 (400,000 copies sold) and a special appearance by its successor, the 2100.