Soviet Union–Yugoslavia chess matches

From 1956 to 1979, the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia contested friendly team chess matches on an almost annual basis, with the venue alternating between the two countries. It was regarded as a highlight of the Eastern European chess calendar. Only men participated in the first three matches, but afterwards women and boys were often included on the teams as well.

At the time the Soviet Union was a powerhouse of team chess: they won every edition of the international Chess Olympiad from 1956 to 1974, and every European Team Chess Championship from 1957 to 1977. Yugoslavia had a respectable record in team competition: at the Olympiad, they finished second six times and third three times from 1956 to 1974, and they also achieved four second-place finishes at the European Team Championship from 1957 to 1977. Nevertheless, the rivalry between the two countries turned out to be one-sided: all 21 of the matches were won by the Soviet team.