1954

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January 03, 1954

• The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, January 03, 1954 - Page 92 — Junior Chess Title Captured by L.A. Student — Titlist In Action — Jerome Wolfe, right, new Southern California junior chess champion awaits move by Eugene Steiner. Times Chess Editor Herman Steiner looks on. Ten-day tournament won by Wolfe was played at Hollywood group's quarters. Read More

January 31, 1954

Brain Waves Over The Airwaves 31 Jan 1954, Sun The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com

February 15, 1954

Dr. Giles Koelesche, Battles 17 Chess Opponents 15 Feb 1954, Mon The Winona Daily News (Winona, Minnesota) Newspapers.com

April 29, 1954

• The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, April 29, 1954 - Page 4 — (Column) Chess. — The following fine game was played recently at Oslo in an international team tournament in which ten nations took part. The Russian team contained two International Masters. Boris Spassky was not eligible because he is too young! The result was as follows: 1. Czechoslovakia; 2 U.S.S.R.; 3. Bulgaria; 4. Britain.. Britain's performance was meritorious as the team was without Jonathan Penrose and Leonard Barden. Read More

June 30, 1954

Twenty-Five To One 30 Jun 1954, Wed The Ottawa Journal (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com Ready For All Comers 30 Jun 1954, Wed The Ottawa Journal (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com

December 11, 1954

• The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Saturday, December 11, 1954 - Page 12 — The Russian Who Didn't Show — To the Editor—It is noted in your fine chess column (Nov. 28 Globe) that the Russian Botwinnik, the world champion, is “very conscious of the individual ‘scores’ he achieves with his peers,” and that “he dislikes intensely the idea of any man holding a ‘plus’ against him.” In 1953, a Challenger's Candidate Tournament was held in Zurich, Switzerland, the winner to play a match with the world champion Botwinnik for the title. Among the 15 contestants was the American grandmaster and former Bostonian, Samuel Reshevsky, who firmly believes that God has ordained him to be a world champion. Facing him were nine Russian masters. In addition there was the Argentine M. Najdorf, rebounding from two humiliating defeats in money-contested matches with Reshevsky. Najdorf was more eager to defeat Reshevsky than Smyslov, the eventual winner. Reshevsky tied for second behind Smyslov. Botwinnik then drew a long match with Smyslov and thus retained his title. However, in the Summer of 1954 the Soviets agreed to a four-round match with the United States to be held in New York city. Reshevsky, now at the peak of his form, trained diligently for his anticipated four games with Botwinnik. His aim was to defeat and then challenge him to a title match which could not be declined. The Soviet team of six with two reserves came but no Botwinnik. No explanation was given. Aside from Botwinnik, the team spearheaded by Smyslov consisted of the best players in Russia. Is it because Botwinnik “dislikes intensely the idea of any many holding a ‘plus’ against him” or because a high level governmental decision decreed that no “capitalistic outsider” would have the opportunity to bypass its idol Botwinnik and ascend the chess throne? Chess is the national pastime in Russia. After the Russian-American match Reshevsky issued a challenge to both Smyslov and Botwinnik. He is still waiting for a reply. Thomas J. Burns. Arlington. ★ Read More