The Gift of Chess

Notice to commercial publishers seeking use of images from this collection of chess-related archive blogs. For use of the many large color restorations, two conditions must be met: 1) It is YOUR responsibility to obtain written permissions for use from the current holders of rights over the original b/w photo. Then, 2) make a tax-deductible donation to The Gift of Chess in honor of Robert J. Fischer-Newspaper Archives. A donation in the amount of $250 USD or greater is requested for images above 2000 pixels and other special request items. For small images, such as for fair use on personal blogs, all credits must remain intact and a donation is still requested but negotiable. Please direct any photographs for restoration and special request (for best results, scanned and submitted at their highest possible resolution), including any additional questions to S. Mooney, at bobbynewspaperblogs•gmail. As highlighted in the ABC News feature, chess has numerous benefits for individuals, including enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, improving concentration and memory, and promoting social interaction and community building. Initiatives like The Gift of Chess have the potential to bring these benefits to a wider audience, particularly in areas where access to educational and recreational resources is limited.

Best of Chess Fischer Newspaper Archives
• Robert J. Fischer, 1955 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1956 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1957 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1958 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1959 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1960 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1961 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1962 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1963 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1964 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1965 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1966 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1967 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1968 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1969 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1970 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1971 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1972 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1973 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1974 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1975 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1976 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1977 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1978 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1979 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1980 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1981 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1982 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1983 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1984 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1985 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1986 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1987 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1988 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1989 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1990 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1991 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1992 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1993 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1994 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1995 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1996 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1997 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1998 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1999 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2000 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2001 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2002 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2003 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2004 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2005 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2006 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2007 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2008 bio + additional games
Chess Columns Additional Archives/Social Media

1862

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January 03, 1862

  • The Local News Alexandria, Virginia Friday, January 03, 1862 - Page 2 — “Mr. Paul Morphy,” the great chess player is to join the staff of Gen. Johnson of the Confederate army. He is at present in Richmond practicing law.”

Paul Morphy, Practicing LawPaul Morphy, Practicing Law 03 Jan 1862, Fri The Local News (Alexandria, Virginia) Newspapers.com

January 05, 1862

January 07, 1862

Paul Morphy in Richmond VirginiaPaul Morphy in Richmond Virginia 07 Jan 1862, Tue Evening Courier and Republic (Buffalo, New York) Newspapers.com

January 16, 1862

  • Gallipolis Journal Gallipolis, Ohio Thursday, January 16, 1862 - Page 2 — “Paul Morphy” the great chess player, is about to join the rebel army. Bad move for Morphy.”

Paul Morphy to Join the Rebel ArmyPaul Morphy to Join the Rebel Army 16 Jan 1862, Thu Gallipolis Journal (Gallipolis, Ohio) Newspapers.com
  • Mattoon Gazette Mattoon, Illinois Thursday, January 16, 1862 - Page 2 — “Paul Morphy” the celebrated chess champion, is on the staff of General Johnson, the commander-in-chief of the rebel army at Centerville.”

  • New York Daily Herald New York, New York Thursday, January 16, 1862 - Page 4 “The Abolition Bloodhounds after General Mclellan and the Officers of the Army” — “General McClellan, like all great generals, desires to save the needless effusion of blood. The Satanic, bloodthirsty crew, of whom the Tribune is the organ, are more anxious Read More

January 30, 1862

  • Yorkville Enquirer York, South Carolina Thursday, January 30, 1862 - Page 1 —Paul Morphy On Another Field.— We have just learned says Wilkes' spirit of the Times, from a private source, that Mr. Paul Morphy was on the even of joining the staff of General Johnston, of the rebel army. He was at the latest dates in Richmond, engaged in Read More

Paul Morphy Engaged in the Profession of LawPaul Morphy Engaged in the Profession of Law 30 Jan 1862, Thu Yorkville Enquirer (York, South Carolina) Newspapers.com

January 31, 1862

To the Great Disappointment of Numerous AdmirersTo the Great Disappointment of Numerous Admirers 31 Jan 1862, Fri The Essex County Standard, etc. (Colchester, Essex, England) Newspapers.com

February 06, 1862

  • Liverpool Mercury, etc. Liverpool, Merseyside, England Thursday, February 06, 1862 - Page 3 — “Philidor In Arms” — Mr. Paul Morphy, the wonderful American chess player, has abandoned the chess board in order to enter the Federal army. He will find his own tactics already in use there, with a slight variation. The leaders have been Read More

Philidor In ArmsPhilidor In Arms 06 Feb 1862, Thu Liverpool Mercury, etc. (Liverpool, Merseyside, England) Newspapers.com

February 15, 1862

  • Wood County Reporter Grand Rapids, Wisconsin Saturday, February 15, 1862 - Page 3 “Corporal Merril”, late a prisoner in Richmond, in his sketches published in a Rochester paper, says: Mr. Ely received many visitors of distinction, including the redoubted Wigfall, Porcher Miles, Marshall and Breckinridge of Kentucky, Bishop Doane of Read More

February 26, 1862

  • The Freeman's Journal Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Wednesday, February 26, 1862 - Page 3 — British Chess Association. — “Among the foreign players expected are Messrs. Von Der Lasa, Jaenisch, Anderssen, Max Lange, Harrwitz, Kolisch, St. Amant, De Riviere, and, last and chief, Paul Morphy.” / / /

March 12, 1862

  • Cleveland Daily Leader Cleveland, Ohio Wednesday, March 12, 1862 - Page 1 — Correspondents in America — “…Then the Morning Star, which is more decidedly in favor of the North than any other English paper, and presents Mr. Bright's politics, has a very clever correspondent, though one of the smallest in stature, in Mr. Frederick Milne Edge. Read More

April 06, 1862

April 08, 1862

April 09, 1862

  • The Leeds Mercury Leeds, West Yorkshire, England Wednesday, April 09, 1862 - Page 1 — “British Chess Association”—The International Chess Congress and Tournament for 1862 is announced to take place towards the end of June, under the presidency of Lord Lyttelton, and a committee composed of the most distinguished chess amateurs of the Read More

April 18, 1862

  • The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Friday, April 18, 1862 - Page 3 — Blindfold Chess

April 23, 1862

  • The Daily Delta New Orleans, Louisiana Wednesday, April 23, 1862 - Page 2 — The Battle of Shiloh - A Night of Anxiety — “Thus the night passed—a night of continual rain. We were aroused before daylight by a rapid and irregular fire, extending along the whole line and over the whole area occupied by our troops. We soon learned that Read More

May 01, 1862

  • The Weekly Republican Plymouth, Indiana Thursday, May 01, 1862 - Page 1 — “chess champion has sprang up at Oroville, California, according to papers from the Pacific coast, who bids fair to knock Paul Morphy into a cocked hat which he deserves to be since accepting a command in the Confederate army…”

Threats of Violence Toward Paul MorphyThreats of Violence Toward Paul Morphy 01 May 1862, Thu The Weekly Republican (Plymouth, Indiana) Newspapers.com

May 07, 1862

  • The Derby Mercury Derby, Derbyshire, England Wednesday, May 07, 1862 - Page 8 — Great London Chess Meeting. —We would remind our foreign friends intending to play in the various tourneys connected with the pending chess festival… Anderssen, from Breslau, has promised to attend; and, unless Morphy runs the blockade from New Read More

Great London Chess Meeting.Great London Chess Meeting. 07 May 1862, Wed The Derby Mercury (Derby, Derbyshire, England) Newspapers.com

May 22, 1862

June 29, 1862

  • The Era London, Greater London, England Sunday, June 29, 1862 - Page 12 — Chess by Herr Loewenthal

  • The Times-Picayune New Orleans, Louisiana Sunday, June 29, 1862 - Page 2 — An international chess congress is to take place at London in June or July, under the Presidency of Lord Lyttleton. Invitations have been sent to Messrs. Morphy, Anderson, Paulsen, Heydebrand, Taenisch, Harrwitz, Kolisch, St. Amand, and Lange, to take part in the contest.

July 02, 1862

July 05, 1862

July 12, 1862

  • Birmingham Daily Post Birmingham, West Midlands, England Saturday, July 12, 1862 - Page 3 “British Chess Association.” — “The annual festival of this society was held on Thursday night, at Willis' Rooms. Lord Lyttleton was in the chair, supported on his right by Lord Ravensworth, and on his left by the Chevalier St. Bon, a distinguished Read More

July 14, 1862

  • Belfast News-Letter Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland Monday, July 14, 1862 - Page 4 — British Chess Association. — “…whilst regretting the absence of Mr. Morphy, paid due honor to such men as Herr Andersen.”

July 18, 1862

  • The Newcastle Weekly Courant Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England Friday, July 18, 1862 - Page 5 — “The British Chess Association.” — “Many interesting remarks and speeches were made apropos of chess; and Lord Ravensworth, in speaking to the toast of the “Foreign Players” present, after gracefully alluding to Anderssen as the Read More

August 07, 1862

  • White Cloud Kansas Chief White Cloud, Kansas Thursday, August 07, 1862 - Page 1 — A Political Sermon.

September 26, 1862

  • The Nottinghamshire Guardian Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England Friday, September 26, 1862 - Page 2 — “Mr. Paul Morphy” — “During the last few days it has been whispered in Paris that Mr. Paul Morphy will soon visit Europe. We earnestly hope the report will be verified, and that the distinguished Champion will gratify his numerous Read More

Mr. Paul MorphyMr. Paul Morphy 26 Sep 1862, Fri The Nottinghamshire Guardian (Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England) Newspapers.com

October 04, 1862

October 5, 1862

  • The New York Times New York, New York Sunday, October 05, 1862 - Page 5 — “The Calamities of Civil War” are fast penetrating our almost every social circle. In the recent death of Mr. J. A. Leonard the amateurs of chess have suffered an irreparable loss. Born in the City of New York, on the 21st of November, 1842, Mr. Leonard gave early Read More

October 11, 1862

October 17, 1862

  • The Nottinghamshire Guardian Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England Friday, October 17, 1862 - Page 5 “Chess in Nottingham”

October 26, 1862

October 29, 1862

November 13, 1862

  • The Leavenworth Times Leavenworth, Kansas Thursday, November 13, 1862 - Page 3 — “Morphy In Havana.” — A correspondent writes to us as follows, about the stay of Morphy in Havana: “Morphy has been electrifying the Havanese with his wonderful powers. I have had the pleasure of passing two whole days amid invited admirers Read More

Morphy In HavanaMorphy In Havana 13 Nov 1862, Thu The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, Kansas) Newspapers.com
  • The Times-Picayune New Orleans, Louisiana Thursday, November 13, 1862 - Page 2 — “A letter from Havana” — states that Mr. Morphy, of this city, the famous chess player, was to leave on the 30th ult., in the Spanish mail steamship for Cadiz.”

December 02, 1862

  • Belfast News-Letter Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland Tuesday, December 02, 1862 - Page 4 — “Paul Morphy.” — By the Bohemian to Nov. 14 Paul Morphy, the celebrated chess-player, has left New Orleans for Havana, where he is giving the usual display of his marvellous powers. He was about to sail for Cadiz on board a Spanish steamer. — Read More

December 07, 1862

  • The Era London, Greater London, England Sunday, December 07, 1862 - Page 5 — Chess by Herr Loewenthal — “If we may credit rumour, Mr. Paul Morphy is on his way to Europe, after a visit to Havannah. It is said that he comes by way of Cadiz. We can only say we shall be delighted if this report should be verified by Mr. Morphy's speedy arrival Read More

December 08, 1862

  • The Baltimore Sun Baltimore, Maryland Monday, December 08, 1862 - Page 1 — “A Prodigy.” — A juvenile Paul Morphy, only 8 years of age, son of Mr. Jabez Warren, of this county, has challenged and discomfited our best chess-players. He only commenced to play in July last.

  • The Courier and Argus Dundee, Tayside, Scotland Monday, December 08, 1862 - Page 4 — Chess - Mr. Morphy's Escape From New Orleans — “We extract the following gratifying intelligence from the ‘Illustrated News’ of Saturday:— “The report that this distinguished player had contrived to run the blockade, and was on his way to Europe is fully Read More

Mr. Morphy's Escape From New OrleansMr. Morphy's Escape From New Orleans 08 Dec 1862, Mon The Courier and Argus (Dundee, Tayside, Scotland) Newspapers.com

'til the world understands why Robert J. Fischer criticised the U.S./British and Russian military industry imperial alliance and their own Israeli Apartheid. Sarah Wilkinson explains:

Bobby Fischer, First Amendment, Freedom of Speech
What a sad story Fischer was,” typed a racist, pro-imperialist colonial troll who supports mega-corporation entities over human rights, police state policies & white supremacy.
To which I replied: “Really? I think he [Bob Fischer] stood up to the broken system of corruption and raised awareness! Whether on the Palestinian/Israel-British-U.S. Imperial Apartheid scam, the Bush wars of ‘7 countries in 5 years,’ illegally, unconstitutionally which constituted mass xenocide or his run in with police brutality in Pasadena, California-- right here in the U.S., police run rampant over the Constitution of the U.S., on oath they swore to uphold, but when Americans don't know the law, and the cops either don't know or worse, “don't care” -- then I think that's pretty darn “sad”. I think Mr. Fischer held out and fought the good fight, steadfast til the day he died, and may he Rest In Peace.
Educate yourself about U.S./State Laws --
https://www.youtube.com/@AuditTheAudit/videos
After which the troll posted a string of profanities, confirming there was never any genuine sentiment of “compassion” for Mr. Fischer, rather an intent to inflict further defamatory remarks.

This ongoing work is a tribute to the life and accomplishments of Robert “Bobby” Fischer who passionately loved and studied chess history. May his life continue to inspire many other future generations of chess enthusiasts and kibitzers, alike.

Robert J. Fischer, Kid Chess Wizard 1956March 9, 1943 - January 17, 2008

The photograph of Bobby Fischer (above) from the March 02, 1956 The Tampa Times was discovered by Sharon Mooney (Bobby Fischer Newspaper Archive editor) on February 01, 2018 while gathering research materials for this ongoing newspaper archive project. Along with lost games now being translated into Algebraic notation and extractions from over two centuries of newspapers, it is but one of the many lost treasures to be found in the pages of old newspapers since our social media presence was first established November 11, 2017.

Special Thanks