Great video. I had the occasiion to meet Erlich in the late 80-ies in Paris. I have to correct the data concerning his age, he died in 1992 at the age of 78 (he was born in 1914 in Komańcza, some 20 km south of Bukowsko - not that it was particularly important).
Thanks! That's very cool, what was he like? There are few things I have learnt about Alex since making this video, which all make him even more interesting actually. I may re-make this at some point
The full story of the 2 hour point - as I heard it - is very interesting, and involves an inept tournament organizer who had the tables painted the night before the tournament, causing the tables to have very little bounce. The Romanian team discovered that the best strategy was to not attack, which was ruining the tournament. Ehrlich's decision to also not attack, was intended to purposely mock the situation and create a farce. It was a sort of protest. Alex was the much stronger player and could have won the game earlier, but wanted to both make a statement, and punish the Romanians for their timid play. Although the situation was unique to this event (and these tables), the ITTF insured that it wouldn't happen again, by lowering the net by 1/2". They added expedite a few years later to further insure no such problem could ever happen again.
Yes, you are absolutely right. I did come across this since making this video. It seems Alex was slightly mischievous in this one. I have considered whether to remake this video or tell the full story of the 2 hour rally
Great video. I had the occasiion to meet Erlich in the late 80-ies in Paris. I have to correct the data concerning his age, he died in 1992 at the age of 78 (he was born in 1914 in Komańcza, some 20 km south of Bukowsko - not that it was particularly important).
Thanks! That's very cool, what was he like?
There are few things I have learnt about Alex since making this video, which all make him even more interesting actually. I may re-make this at some point
The full story of the 2 hour point - as I heard it - is very interesting, and involves an inept tournament organizer who had the tables painted the night before the tournament, causing the tables to have very little bounce. The Romanian team discovered that the best strategy was to not attack, which was ruining the tournament. Ehrlich's decision to also not attack, was intended to purposely mock the situation and create a farce. It was a sort of protest. Alex was the much stronger player and could have won the game earlier, but wanted to both make a statement, and punish the Romanians for their timid play. Although the situation was unique to this event (and these tables), the ITTF insured that it wouldn't happen again, by lowering the net by 1/2". They added expedite a few years later to further insure no such problem could ever happen again.
Yes, you are absolutely right. I did come across this since making this video. It seems Alex was slightly mischievous in this one. I have considered whether to remake this video or tell the full story of the 2 hour rally