1959

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January 01, 1959

• Deseret News and Salt Lake Telegram Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, January 01, 1959 - Page 15 — Bobby Fischer Holds Lead In U.S. Tourney — Bobby Fischer, the teenage chess whiz defending his title, is holding the lead in the United States Chess Championship Tournament. Bobby, 15, of Brooklyn, is undefeated with a score of 6-2 at the completion of eight rounds. Samuel Reshevsky and Larry Evans, both former champions, are tied for second place with scores of 5-3. Bobby adjourned all of his first four games. On resumption of play he completed three games in one day, with victories over James T. Sherwin and Charles Kalme and a draw against World Junior Champion William Lombardy. The most exciting finish was against Kalme, a game in which Fischer had sacrificed a piece to obtain two passed pawns far up in his opponent's territory. Supported by Fischer's king, he pawns proved a winning force. The biggest surprise (and disappointment) of the tournament so far is the lowly standing of Paul Benko, who recently became a grandmaster as a result of finishing third in the interzonal tournament in Portoroz, Yugoslavia. In the first four rounds, Benko drew with Arthur B. Bisguier and lost to Evans, Lombardy and Sherwin. Time pressure played a part, particularly against Lombardy, when Benko lost a piece after having gained a pawn. Following are details received of the first four rounds. Read More

• The Guardian, London, Greater London, England, Thursday, January 01, 1959 - Page 5 — Fischer's Great Win — The 15-year-old United States champion, Bobby Fischer, has just brought off another astonishing victory in the current American championship by winning Reshevsky's queen in only twelve moves. Reshevsky is considered by many the world's greatest player outside Russia. Reshevsky resigned 30 moves later. Fischer leads the tournament with four out of five. The modern forms of the King's Indian Defense, in which Black combines the fianchetto of his KB with a general pawn advance on the queen's wing, are so popular nowadays that there is a tendency to underestimate White's opportunities for central break-through if Black carries out his plans inaccurately. The following example was won by the young Hungarian champion who is now competing at Hastings. ★ Read More

• The Times, San Mateo, California, Thursday, January 01, 1959 - Page 107 — Chess Champ — New York (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 15, won the national chess title Sunday for the second straight year. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★

• Chattanooga Daily Times Chattanooga, Tennessee Thursday, January 01, 1959 - Page 5 — Fischer Leading In Chess Tourney — Youngster Is Point Ahead of 2 Chief Rivals ©New York Times News Service — New York—With one important exception, the leaders in the United States championship tournament for the Lessing J. Rosenwald Trophy won in the ninth round Tuesday night. At the close of the five-hour session, Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, 15-year-old titleholder, still led with a score of 7-2, after defeating Edmar Mednis, New York University, in 37 moves. Two of his chief rivals, Larry Evans and Samuel Reshevsky, former champions, turned in a victory apiece, to tie at 6-3 a full point behind the youngster, with two rounds to go. Evans was at his best against Arthur B. Bisguier, a former champion, who went astray on the black side of a Petroff defense and resigned after 27 moves. Reshevsky made steady headway against the King's Indian defense set up by William Lombardy, world junior champion, who gave in after 26 moves. Bisguier, 5½-3½, dropped to fourth place. Three games were unfinished. Read More

January 02, 1959

• The Minneapolis Star, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Friday, January 02, 1959 - Page 24 — People In Sports News: Samuel Reshevsky vs. Bobby Fischer — Samuel Reshevsky five times champion, moved into second place behind defending champion Bobby Fischer in the national chess tournament when he defeated James T. Sherwin for a 7-3 record. Fischer is 7-2. Read More

• Battle Creek Enquirer, Battle Creek, Michigan, Friday, January 02, 1959 - Page 12 — Former Olivet Man Seeks Chess Crown — Olivet—Donald Byrne, a former English instructor at Olivet College, is still competing for the national chess championship in New York City. He defeated Brother Robert of Indianapolis in 53 moves in an adjourned match of the ninth round. Veteran Samuel Reshevsky, five times former U.S. champion who Byrne played to a draw in an earlier round, is in second place with a record of seven wins and three losses. Still in first place is 15-year-old Bobby Fischer, U.S. Champion, who has a 7-2 record. Byrne is now residing in Valparaiso, Ind. Read More

Ironwood Daily Globe, Ironwood, Michigan, Friday, January 02, 1959 - Page 12 — Reshevsky in Second Place in Chess Match — New York (AP) — Veteran Samuel Reshevsky, five times former champion, moved into second place behind defending titleholder Bobby Fischer in the National Chess Tournament Thursday night when he defeated James T. Sherwin in 37 moves. Reshevsky, a round ahead of the other leaders, has a 7-3 record compared to 7-2 for Fischer. In the only other match, Donald Byrne of Olivet, Mich., defeated Brother Robert of Indianapolis in 53 moves in a match adjourned from the ninth round. ★ / ★ Read More

January 03, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, January 03, 1959 - Page 14 — Fischer, Bisguier Adjourn In Chess — Defender and Former Holder of Title on Even Terms After Making 40 Moves — Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old United States chess champion, and Arthur B. Bisguier, former holder of the title, fought for five hours last night in the tenth round of the tournament for the Lessing J. Rosenwald Trophy. They adjourned on even terms after forty moves had been recorded at the Manhattan Chess Club. Fischer played the Ruy Lopez, both castling on the king's side of the board. His opponent became very aggressive and tested the champion's defensive powers to the utmost. Ultimately, after a sacrifice of a bishop had been refused, the black forces retreated and the defender was holding his own when play ceased. Read More

• Vidette-Messenger of Porter County, Valparaiso, Indiana, Saturday, January 03, 1959 - Page 5 — Byrne Moves Up In Chess — New York (AP) — Donald Byrne of Valparaiso, Ind., defeated Charles Kalme of Philadelphia in 26 moves and Paul Benko, a Hungarian refugee, turned back Ray Weinstein of Brooklyn College in 40 moves Friday night in the National Chess Championship. The victories gave Byrne a 5½-4½ record and Benko a mark of 4½-4½. They were the only completed matches. Bobby Fischer, the teen-age ace from Brooklyn, still leads with a 7-2 record. Read More

• The News Paterson, New Jersey Saturday, January 03, 1959 - Page 19 — Chessically Yours by Henry Overeem — The youth of the country has taken over. Headed by the youngest, Fischer, and bunched close behind are Bisguire, Evans, Lombardy, Byrne, Sherwin, Mednis and others. For many years these names will be echoed where international tournaments are held, and they will not grow weaker in the coming years for all are still in the maturing age. - CONTINUED - Read More

• The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, January 03, 1959 - Page 29 — The Game of Kings - Prodigy's Good Start — Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old U.S.A. National Champion, has made a good start in defense of his title in the current Championship now taking place at the Manhattan C.C. in New York, with victories over James Sherwin and Charles Kalme and draws with Paul Benko and William Lombardy. He holds an advantage in an adjourned game with Raymond Weinstein, national junior champion. While Larry Evans was racking up three straight wins, Paul Benko, one of the heroes of the Interzonal at Portoroz, went into reverse and lost his first three games. He also missed a win against Fischer. Reshevsky won from Weinstein and drew against three others. The rest of the field of twelve includes A. Bisguier, Edmar Mednis, Don and Robert Byrne in a single round-robin. Young Charles Kalme, Pennsylvania champion, replaced Nicholas Rossolimo, who withdrew. Read More

January 04, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, January 04, 1959 - Page 230 — Fischer Sets Back Bisguier In Chess — 15-Year-Old Brooklyn Boy Needs Only Draw in Last Round to Retain Title —Taking eight-six moves in all, Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, the 15-year-old defending United States champion, defeated Arthur B. Bisguier in their adjourned game from the tenth round at the Manhattan Chess Club yesterday. With a score of 8—2, Fischer needs merely to draw in the final round today to retain the title he won a year ago. The only one who can overtake him is Samuel Reshevsky, an international grandmaster who has a score of 7—3. To bring about a tie, Fischer must lost, while Reshevsky wins. When play was adjourned Friday night, the dangerous attack engineered by Bisguier had been offset. They had reached a rook ending, with a pawn on each side, and a draw was foreseen. However, the young champion applied himself to the task of extracting something out of nothing. By crowding the black king, he was able to capture his opponent's pawn. At the same time he held off Bisguier's king, while advancing his own pawn. Finally rooks were exchanged and the started spectators realized Fischer had what is technically known as the “opposition.” Bisguier good-naturedly resigned and shook hands. Larry Evans, former national champion, resigned without further play a game with William Lombardy, the world junior champion, in which forty moves had been made. Robert Byrne of Indianapolis won in forty-eight moves from Edmar Mednis of New York University.
  Champion Traps Rival The United States championship tournament for the Lessing J. Rosenwald Trophy, being played at the Manhattan Chess Club, will stand out in chess history for one game. This encounter, the details of which will be included in forthcoming anthologies of master play, was won by Bobby Fischer, the 15-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy, the defending champion, from Samuel Reshevsky, famous the world over as America's international chess ace and a claimant to the championship of the Western world. The youth caught the old master napping in an obscure trap in the much-analyzed Sicilian defense and won what must be regarded as the pivotal match of the tournament. The score of this struggle, which will be examined with astonishment in all chess-playing countries, follows:
  Fischer Beats Weinstein Fischer also won an instructive game from Raymond Weinstein of Brooklyn College. Arthur B. Bisguier, champion of the Manhattan Chess Club, won the longest, in two sessions, from Edmar Mednis, New York University, in 88 moves. Read More

• New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, January 04, 1959 - Pages 224-230 — Sports Review of 1958 — A youngster dominated the chess scene in this country in 1958. Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old student at Erasmus Hall High School, Brooklyn, won the United States title. He gained additional honors in Europe. By finishing among the first six at the interzonal tournament at Portoroz, Yugoslavia, Fischer earned a place in this year's tournament to determine a challenger for the world title and achieved the rank of international grand master. An American team finished fourth among thirty-six nations in the chess Olympics at Munich, Germany. The Soviet Union maintained its supremacy there, with a line-up headed by the world champion, Mikhail Botvinnik. The Russians also triumphed in the international students tournament at Varna, Bulgaria. The United States was sixth. Early in the year Botvinnik defeated Vasily Smyslov to regain the world crown. Mme. Elizabeth Bykova of Moscow beat Mme. Olga Rubtsova for the women's title. Read More

• The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, January 04, 1959 - Page 36 — Bobby Fischer Nearing Second U.S. Chess Title — New York, Jan. 3 (AP)—Fifteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of New York moved within one-half point of winning his second straight national chess title tonight when he defeated Arthur B. Bisguier of New York in 86 moves. The victory in a 10th round adjourned match gave Fischer an 8-2 standing compared to 7-3 of veteran Samuel Reshevsky. In other matches today, world junior champion William Lombardy of New York defeated Larry Evans, New York, in 41 moves and Robert Byrne of Indianapolis turned back Edmar Mednis, New York University student, in 48. Charles Kalme, Philadelphia, and Paul Benko, Hungarian exile, played 50 moves to a draw. Read More

• The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, January 04, 1959 - Page 36 — Fischer In Lead, Beats Reshevsky — In the most sensational game to date in the tournament for the United States Chess Championship, 15-year-old Bobby Fischer, playing in defense of his title, defeated former champion Samuel Reshevsky, according to a report form the New York Times. Playing in the sixth round of the tournament at the Manhattan Chess Club in New York, Reshevsky countered Fischer's P-K4 with the Sicilian Defense. On his eighth turn Reshevsky moved his knight to the QR file, to exchange it for Fischer's bishop. This turned out to be a blunder. Fischer promptly seized the opportunity for a subtle combination, based on the lack of mobility of the black queen. He sacrificed his bishop and followed with a move of his knight that imprisoned the queen. Reshevsky was forced to abandon that powerful piece in exchange for two minor pieces. Reshevsky fought on but with virtually no hope. Fischer soon won a pawn and established a passed pawn on the queen side which could not be halted in the long run. Reshevsky resigned the struggle after 42 moves. In two other completed games last week Fischer drew with Paul Benko and Donald Byrne to lead the tournament with a score of 4½-1½. He had previously defeated James T. Sherwin and Charles Kalme and drawn with William Lombardy. Reshevsky came back in the seventh round with an important victory over Larry Evans, who had been in the lead for the first week. Playing the white pieces against the Nimzo-Indian Defense, Reshevsky started a king's side attack, sacrificing a pawn to obtain control of the king's bishop file. Step by step Reshevsky gained ground until his pursuit of the black king was rewarded. Faced by a threatened checkmate, Evans gave up his queen for a rook but obtained only temporary relief. He was actually checkmated on the 39th move. As a result Evans and Reshevsky were tied for second at 4-2, a score which was equaled by Arthur B. Bisguier. The latter is the only undefeated player beside Fischer. Read More

• Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, Sunday, January 04, 1959 - Page 48 — Chess Championship — At present writing, Bobby Fischer leads the field, having defeated Samuel Reshevsky in their match, and his score now is 5-2. Reshevsky and two others are tied for second place.

• Press and Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton, New York, Sunday, January 04, 1959 - Page 36 — Chess Win Near — New York — (AP) — Fifteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of New York moved within one-half point of winning his second straight national chess championship tonight when he defeated Arthur B. Bisquier of New York in 86 moves. The victory in a 10th round, adjourned match gave Fischer an 8-2 standing compared to 7-3 for veteran Samuel Reshevsky. ★ Read More

• Poughkeepsie Journal, Poughkeepsie, New York, Sunday, January 04, 1959 - Page 4 — Boy, 15, Nears Chess Laurels —New York — (AP) — Fifteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of New York moved within one-half point of winning his second straight national chess championship last night when he defeated Arthur B. Bisguier of New York in 86 moves. The victory in a 10th round adjourned match gave Fischer an 8-2 standing compared to 7-3 of veteran Samuel Reshevsky. World junior champion William Lombardy of New York defeated Larry Evens, New York, in 41 moves. Read More

• The Racine Journal-Times Sunday Bulletin, Racine, Wisconsin, Sunday, January 04, 1959 - Page 18 — Nears 2D Title — New York —(AP)—Fifteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of New York moved within one-half point of winning his second straight national chess championship Saturday night when he defeated Arthur B. Bisguier of New York in 86 moves. ★ Read More

• Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sunday, January 04, 1959 - Page 19 — Results of the U.S. Championship Tournament — Here are the results of the U.S. Championship Tournament through the fifth round [with four games adjourned] Fischer [4-1]; Evans [3-1]; Reshevsky [3-2]; Sherwin [3-2]; Bisguier [2½-1½] - CONTINUED -

January 05, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, January 05, 1959 - Page 38 — Fischer Retains U.S. Chess Title; 15-Year-Old Student Draws Final Test With R. Byrne: Brooklyn Star Only Undefeated Player in Tourney — Decision had not been made at this point but Fischer retained championship by gaining a draw in match. — 15 Year-Old Student Draws Final Test With R. Byrne — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn successfully defended his united States chess championship by drawing in the eleventh and final round of the Lessing J. Rosenwald Trophy tournament at the Manhattan Chess Club yesterday. The talented 15-year-old student at Erasmus Hall High School in Flatbush drew with Robert Byrne of Indianapolis, the elder of the two Byrne brothers, in twenty-eight moves. Fischer was the only undefeated player in the tournament. He had established himself so strongly in first place, thanks to his eighty-six-move victory over Arthur B. Bisguier in the semi final round that he needed only a draw to clinch his triumph. This he accomplished amid the applause of the fans in the crowded room. The applause ended quickly to avoid interference with other players who were still bent over their boards. The finish could hardly be termed romantic. First Byrne declined the offer of a draw made by Fischer, who had set up a King's Indian defense. Later Byrne found he could make no headway against the champion's sound defense. The boy marvel thereupon agreed to the proposal to split the point, which left him safe in first place with a score of 8½—2½. He won six games and drew five. Samuel Reshevsky of Spring Valley, N.Y., drew with Paul Benko, a Hungarian refugee, and finished in second place. They had made only fourteen moves, without either gaining any advantage. Reshevsky's final score of 7½-3½ was made up of five games won, five drawn and one lost—to Fischer. Fischer's defeat of the international grandmaster in the sixth round was the turning point in the tournament. Raymond Weinstein, Brooklyn College, held Donald Byrne of Valparaiso, Ind., to a draw in forty moves. With three games left, the standing was as follows…
  Caption: “Bobby Fischer plots move in match with Robert Byrne at Manhattan Chess Club. United States chess champion becomes fidgety as he ponders the movement” Read More

• Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Monday, January 05, 1959 - Page 60 — Bobby Fischer Retains U.S. Chess Crown — New York, Jan. 4 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 15 year old Brooklyn whiz kid, retained his national chess championship Sunday when he drew with Robert Byrne of Indianapolis in 28 moves. That gave Fischer an 8½-2½ record. Bobby didn't lose a match, but a draw counts a half point in the losing column. Samuel Reshevsky of New York, the only grand master competing, finished second with 7½-3½. His only loss was to Fischer. He drew with Paul Benko, a Hungarian refugee, in 14 moves in his final match. ★ / ★ ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, Monday, January 05, 1959 - Page 9 — Chess — New York—Fifteen-year old Bobby Fischer won the national chess title for the second straight year. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★

• Nanaimo Daily News, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, Monday, January 05, 1959 - Page 2 — Fischer Wins U.S. Chess Title — New York (CP)—Brooklyn's Bobby Fischer won the United States chess championship for the second time in a row Sunday night by drawing his 11th and final match against Robert Byrne of Indianapolis. The 15-year-old high school student was the only undefeated player in the tournament. He had established himself strongly in first place Saturday night after an 86-move win over Arthur B. Bisguier, and he needed only a draw to clinch the title. He won six games and drew five. Samuel Reshevsky of Spring Valley, N.Y. drew with Paul Benko, a Hungarian refugee, after 14 moves. Reshevsky's final score of 7½-3½ was made up of five wins, five ties and one loss—to Fischer. Fischer's defeat of the international grand master in the sixth round was the turning point in the tournament. ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• Nanaimo Daily News Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada Monday, January 05, 1959 - Page 2 — East German Wins Fifth Round International Chess — Hastings, England (AP) — Wolfgang Uhlmann of East Germany Sunday won an adjourned fifth-round match in the international Chess Congress to move into the lead by one point. He defeated Andreas Duckstein of Austria in 55 moves and now has 4½ points for five games. His sixth-round match against Erno Gereben, a stateless Hungarian, was adjourned. Lajos Portisch of Hungary defeated Gereben Sunday in the continuation of a fifth-round match. His sixth-round match against Peter Clarke of Britain was adjourned. Geza Fuster, international master from Hungary now living in Toronto, also adjourned his sixth-round game against Miro Radiocic of Yugoslavia. Uhlmann and Portisch are the only unbeaten players in the nine-round congress. Klaus Darga of West Germany has completed only four games. Only sixth-round match completed Sunday saw Robert Wade of New Zealand defeat Leonard Barden of Britain in 23 moves. It was Wade's first victory. Placings at the end of Sunday's play were Uhlmann 4½ Portisch 3½, Gereben 3½, Darga 3, Duckstein 2½, Clarke 2½, Wade 2, Radiocic 1½, Fuster 1, Braden 1. Seventh round pairings are: Clarke vs. Gereben, Radiocic vs. Portisch, Wade vs. Fuster, Duckstein vs. Barden, Uhlmann vs. Darga. Read More

• Press and Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton, New York, Monday, January 05, 1959 - Page 16 — Teenager Repeats World Chess Title: Old Men Stubborn … but Kid's Got It —New York—(AP)—An air of expectancy filled the arena and yet it was still. The spectators sized up the opponents. Their faces almost told their thoughts. Could he repeat, they wondered. Could this youngster beat out the old master for the national championship? Yes, a national title was at stake and the spectators were tense—the kind of tenseness that can grip only a national championship. The youngster was only 15. His hair was mussed and he was wearing a striped sport shirt—just a boy trying to do a man's job. He was on the brink of the title. He studied his opponent and the play started. On and on, the test of nerves and brains went. The youngster used every trick at his command.
  NOW HE WAS on the verge of winning. But he called a half and offered his opponent a draw. The opponent shook his head and scowled. He was not going to give up at this stage. He was going all out for the victory. The teenager's eyes hardened. Young as he was, he had been through this sort of thing before. Now he was expanding every last wile. Two more hours went by and the battle continued. Abruptly, his adversary called a halt. He was on the ropes. The shoe, indeed, was on the other foot. “Will you settle for a draw?” he asked. “Draw,” murmured the youngster, hardly raising his eyebrows. The crowd grinned, but didn't make a sound.
  NOT FAR AWAY, the older man—now 47 but himself once a child ace at his chosen game—sighed heavily. The handwriting was on the wall. He couldn't win now. The older man had lost only one match in the weeklong championship tournament. But that was a fatal one. He had been beaten by the teenager after being drawn into a trap that even the spectators recognized. It was, he reflected, one of the biggest mistakes of his long and glorious career. He looked at the scoreboard. The youngster finished with a mark of 8½-2½. He had 7½-3½. And that's how Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old Brooklyn high school student, won his second consecutive United States chess championship yesterday. And that's how Grand Master Samuel Reshevsky, five times former champion, lost it. Fischer's final-match draw was with Robert Byrne of Indianapolis in 28 moves. Reshevsky drew with Paul Benko, a Hungarian refugee, in 14 moves. ★ ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Minneapolis Star, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Monday, January 05, 1959 - Page 25 — Fischer Wins — New York—(AP)—Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old Brooklyn high school boy, won his second consecutive United States chess championship Sunday. He beat out Samuel Reshevsky, five-time champion, 8½-2½ to 7½-3½.

• The Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Indiana, Monday, January 05, 1959 - Page 15 — Chess — Fifteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn won his second straight national championship in New York when he drew with Robert Byrne of Indianapolis in 28 moves. That gave Fischer an 8½-2½ record. Samuel Reshevsky of New York finished second with 7½-3½. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

January 06, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, January 06, 1959 - Page 38 Sherwin Defeats Evans In 42 Moves: Takes Third Place in U.S. Chess Tourney — Bisguier and Lombardy in Draw — Adjourned games, with one exception, were decided last night in the annual United States championship tournament for the Lessing J. Rosenwald Trophy at the Manhattan Chess Club. Bobby Fischer retained the title Sunday night. James T. Sherwin, former New York State champion who was third in this tourney a year ago, wound up in the same position. He defeated Larry Evans, a former titleholder, in forty-two moves. Sherwin's final score was 6½—4½. He outplayed Evans brilliantly through the sacrifice of a knight for two pawns. This led to an ending of a rook against two bishops, with queens still on the board. Unable to avoid checkmate, Evans resigned and dropped in the standing to a four-way deadlock for fourth place. Tied with him were Donald Byrne of Valparaiso, Ind.; Arthur B. Bisguier, former national title-holder, and William Lombardy, world junior champion. Bisguier and Lombardy drew their eleventh-round game in forty-one moves. Paul Benko, who gained an international grandmastership at Portoroz, Yugoslavia, where he won a game for Fischer, defeated Raymond Weinstein, Brooklyn College, in 54 moves in the match resumed from the tenth round. The Marshall Chess Club plans a reception for this evening, at which Fischer will be presented with the Frank J. Marshall Cup, donated by the club as a memorial to the late undefeated champion of the United States. Read More

• Chattanooga Daily Times Chattanooga, Tennessee Tuesday, January 06, 1959 - Page 16 — Fischer Is Victor In Chess Tourney - Successfully Defends His U.S. Championship — New York—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn successfully defended the United States chess championship, which he acquired a year ago, in the 11th and final round of the Lessing J. Rosenwald Trophy tournament at the Manhattan Chess Club Sunday. The exceptionally talented 15-year-old high school student had for his last opponent Robert Byrne of Indianapolis. Fischer had established himself so strongly in first place, thanks to his 86-move victory over Arthur B. Bisguier in the semi-final round, that he needed only a draw in his final effort to clinch his triumph. This he accomplished in 28 moves. The finish could hardly be termed exciting, as both games of the leaders were drawn. First, Robert Byrne declined the offer of a draw made by Fischer, who had set up a King's Indian defense, but later found he could make no headway against the champion's sound defense. The boy marvel thereupon agreed to the proposal to split the point, which automatically left him safe in first place with a score of 8½-2½. This comprised six games won and five drawn. Read More

January 08, 1959

• Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, Thursday, January 08, 1959 - Page 7 — Bobby Fischer, 15, Wins U.S. Tourney Twice — At the age of 15, Bobby Fischer, Brooklyn high school student is two-time winner of the United States chess championship. Fischer went undefeated and successfully defended the title he won last year in the 11-round championship event, which now carries with it the Lessing J. Rosenwald Trophy. Bobby's victory was cleancut, 6 victories and 5 draws giving him a final score of 8½-2½. This was a full point advantage over five-time former champion Samuel Reshevsky, which at 7½-3½ was likewise a full point ahead of James T. Sherwin in third. … The field could not have been a stronger one, making Fischer's victory all the more glowing. And as cream on the peaces, he clinched it by a sensational triumph over Reshevsky in their match, the score of which is reproduced below with notes by the New York Times reporter. ‘(A) Here is where Reshevsky over-anxious to be rid of the powerful white bishop, went astray and gave the alert schoolboy his big chance. Fischer was prepared for it. He sacrificed the bishop in question brought out the black king seemingly in a safe retreat, and then parted with a knight. The black queen was hemmed in and had to be abandoned in exchange for two pieces. From then on Fischer pressed his advantage, step by step, until Reshevsky resigned after 42 moves.
  (B) Somewhat better would have been 9 KtxB although Fischer still would have had the advantage.’ Read More

• New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, January 08, 1959 - Page 38 — Fischer To Get Medal — Erasmus Hall High to Honor U.S. Chess Champion — Bobby Fischer, a 15-year-old junior at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, has been asked to report to the principal's office at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon. It will be a pleasant visit. Last Sunday, Bobby completed a successful defense of his United States chess championship. Last year he became an international grand master in the game. The student council at Erasmus Hall has voted to give a gold medal to Bobby in recognition of his accomplishments. The presentation is to be made by the principal, Dr. John F. McNeill, today in his office at 911 Flatbush Avenue. Read More

• Star-Phoenix Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Thursday, January 08, 1959 - Page 17 — Plans Approved For Chess Event — Belgrade (AP) — The International Chess Federation has accepted the proposal of the Yugoslav federation that the Tournament of Candidates for the world championship be held at three places in Yugoslavia. According to the approved Yugoslav schedule, the first 14 rounds of the tournament will be held Sept. 6-30 at the Alpine summer resort Bled, the next seven rounds Oct. 1-14 at Zagreb and the last seven rounds Oct. 15-31 here. The winner of the Tournament of Candidates next year will play world champion Soviet grand master Mikhail Botvinnik. Participants in the Tournament of Candidates will be four Soviet grand masters, Bobby Fischer and Paul Benko of the United States, Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland and Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia. Read More

January 09, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, January 09, 1959 - Page 26 — A Medal for Bobby Fischer — They gave Bobby Fischer a gold medal yesterday at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. It was the first time in that school's long and honorable history that the Student Council has ever done such a thing, but then 15 year olds like Bobby Fischer don't come along every day, or even every decade. At that age youngsters are likely to be playing junior varsity football or basketball, while Bobby has just won the United States chess championship for the second year in a row. Last year he won the right to compete with the world's chess greats in a competition to decide who will challenge the present world champion next year. We find Bobby Fischer a comforting phenomenon after all the recent talk about the faults of our young people. He has grown up in the television age, but he prefers playing chess to watching Westerns. He may listen to rock 'n' roll occasionally, but his marks in geometry and Spanish are nothing to be ashamed of. This country must have many, many thousands of talented youngsters. It is the job of us adults to make sure that all of them get the opportunity and incentive to develop their talents. ★ Read More

• The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, January 09, 1959 - Page 8 — The Rosenwald — The Rosenwald Tournament, the strongest Chess Tournament in the United States is coming to a climactic close. This tournament is invitational to only the top rated U.S. chess players, and it produces the undisputed United States champion. Last year, at 14 years of age, Bobby Fischer won it, and this year he is once again in the lead; followed by Evans, Bisguier and Reshevsky. Reshevsky is the only so-called “Old Timer” among the top players. As was mentioned in last week's column, youth has taken over. All chess players will blunder, but somehow most of us imagine the Grandmasters to be exceptions. This is, of course, not true. They will at times blunder, but not very often. In this Tournament a game was played which shocked the Chess World, a feat was accomplished which actually staggers the imagination for it seems so incredible. In the Fischer-Reshevsky game, their personal fight for leadership in the Rosenwald, the boy wonder delivered a knock-out blow against the great grandmaster in 10 moves. On the 11th Reshevsky resigns, completely crushed. For those who follow chess and know Reshevsky, a boy-wonder himself starting at the age of 5, it is difficult to believe. But through the courtesy of Mel Morris, who was a witness to this masterpiece, we bring you this game. Reshevsky plays the black side of a Sicilian defense, for more years than Fischer is old, his favorite against P-K4. Yet black does not actually blunder, such as we know in giving material away, but for a Grandmaster player not to see what was coming is in itself an oversight which might be termed a blunder. We would also question the lack of his queen pawn to move, or why the N-QR4 when latent danger stalked the squared board? But here goes and you be the judge. Read More

January 10, 1959

• The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, January 10, 1959 - Page 35 — Fischer Retains U.S. Title — The 15-year-old Brooklyn marvel, Bobby Fischer, once more proved that he is top man in U.S. chess when he succeeded in retaining his national title in play at New York with a final score of 8½-2½ points. Among the twelve competitors, Fischer was the only one to go through without a defeat, winning six games and drawing five. In second place, one point behind, came Samuel Reshevsky, veteran internationalist and many times U.S. champion, with 7½-3½ points. Reshevsky's one loss, to Fischer in the sixth round, proved to be the decisive encounter. Fischer's win over Samuel Reshevsky was a vital one, even though achieved by an obscure opening trap in the Sicilian, which netted him the Queen for two minor pieces. Sammy carried the fight to the 42nd move before resigning the hopeless battle. Read More

January 11, 1959

• Fort Lauderdale News, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sunday, January 11, 1959 - Page 25 — U.S. Championship —Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old chess genius from Brooklyn, successfully defended his title as U.S. Chess Champion with the convincing score of 8½-2½. He won six games and drew five. Samuel Reshevsky was runner-up with 7½-3½, scoring five wins, five draws and one loss to Fischer. Here are the results: …
  Sicilian Defense Although his game with Reshevsky lasted 42 moves Fischer had a “won” game after his ninth move. His play sparkles with daring and originality as he captures new meaning in a hackneyed position. Like Alekhine, he can say, “Why should I play by the Book? I am the Book.” Read More

• The Journal Times, Racine, Wisconsin, Sunday, January 11, 1959 - Page 39 — Fischer Cops Rosenwald — Young Bobby Fischer, who last year won just about every American chess honor, including the U.S. championship (junior, open, and U.S. C.F.), forced Donald Byrne to accept a draw in the final round of this year's Rosenwald U.S.C.F. tournament to assure himself a clear win. Fischer went undefeated in the event, and won over Reshevsky in their individual game to drop the Western Hemisphere champion to second place. Fischer had the added satisfaction of finishing higher than Pal Benko, who placed third to Fischer's fifth in the recent interzonal at Portoroz, Yugoslavia, though both qualified for the World Candidates' tournament coming up this summer. With no notable exception, the field in the Rosenwald included all the strongest players in the U.S. Fischer, thus remains the “man” to beat. ★ Read More

• The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday, January 11, 1959 - Page 32 — Fischer Retains American Title — America's chess prodigy, Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, has done it again! The 15-year-old United States champion retained his title last week when he finished on top of the finest field this country could muster. It was the New York tournament for the Lessing J. Rosenwald Trophy. Fischer's victory was not easy, though. It was a bruising battle right down to the wire before he edged out Samuel Reshevsky, also of Brooklyn and Larry Evans of New York City. Read More

• The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, January 11, 1959 - Page 61 — Bobby Fischer Successfully Defends Title at U.S. Chess Championship —Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn successfully defended his United States chess championship by drawing his 11th round of the Rosenwald Trophy tournament at the Manhattan Chess Club, Jan. 4. Fischer, a student at Erasmus Hall High School in Flatbush, was the only undefeated player in the tournament. He won six games and drew five for a score of 8½-2½. Fischer's nearest rival, Sam Reshevsky, drew his final round game with Pal Benko in 14 moves. Reshevsky's final score of 7½-3½ was made up of five games won, five drawn and one lost—to Fischer. Fischer's defeat of Reshevsky in the sixth round was the turning point of the tournament. Larry Evans (former champion), Donald Byrne, Arthur Bisguier (former champion), William Lombardy (world junior champion) and James Sherwin all posted fairly high scores. Pal Benko, who qualified for the challengers tournament and was this department's pre-tournament choice couldn't recover from a slow start and had a 4½-5½ score (with one game adjourned).
  The New York Times said of the pivotal Fischer-Reshevsky game: “The youth caught the old master napping in an obscure trap in the much-analyzed Sicilian Defense…(at move 8) Reshevsky, overanxious to be rid of the powerful White bishop went astray. Fischer was prepared for it. He sacrificed the bishop, brought out the black king, seemingly in safe retreat, and then parted with a knight. The black queen was hemmed in and had to be abandoned in exchange for the two pieces.” Read More

• The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, January 11, 1959 - Page 42 — Fischer Retains U.S. Championship — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn successfully defended the U.S. chess championship which he acquired a year ago, emerging a point ahead of the field in the tournament at the Manhattan Chess Club, according to a report from the New York Times. The brilliant 15-year-old schoolboy, now an international grandmaster, had for his last-round opponent Robert Byrne of Indianapolis. Fischer, the only undefeated player in the tournament, had established himself so strongly in first place that he needed only a draw in this final effort. Byrne, who had a minus score and was anxious to redeem himself, made every effort to win, but could make no headway against the champion's stout defense. They agreed to a draw, after 28 moves, giving Fischer the winning score of 8½-2½, comprising six games won and five drawn. In the 10th round Fischer won a vital game against former U.S. Champion Arthur B. Bisguier. The latter, playing the black side of a Ruy Lopez opening, became very aggressive, offering the sacrifice of a bishop which Fischer found it prudent to refuse. At adjournment time the game had been equalized and a draw seemed in prospect. But the young champion applied himself to the task of extracting something out of nothing. In an ending with one rook and one pawn on each side, Fischer managed to win his opponent's pawn and advance his own, scoring the point after 88 moves. Samuel Reshevsky, who had ruled American chess for years until Fischer came along, finished strongly to take second place with a total of 7½-3½. He could not overcome his loss to the champion, which accounted for the margin of victory. Reshevsky lost no other game, finishing with five wins and as many draws. … Read More

• Express and News San Antonio, Texas Sunday, January 11, 1959 - Page 82 — Championship Chess — Once more we draw upon the games from the Portoroz Zonal Tournament. Here is a short but ferocious encounter abounding in tactical profundity, which strikes a weird imbalance in material and position and leaves the reader “up in the air.” This is the one draw game of this tournament which ends so speculatively as to cause the reader consternation regarding its outcome. If the game had been continued there is no doubt in my mind someone would have won. The final position is uneven, almost ragged, or, as the British say, “sticky.” Both players must have been short of time with little desire to pursue the complexities they had created. - CONTINUED - Read More

January 14, 1959

• The Decatur Daily Review Decatur, Illinois Wednesday, January 14, 1959 - Page 8 — Day by Day - Ten Years Ago - 1949 — Albert Sandrin Jr., Chicago vice president of the Illinois Chess Assn. and state chess champion for the three years preceding 1948, played eight of Decatur's top chess players blindfolded in the Hotel Orlando. He won seven games and tied one. Read More

January 15, 1959

• Nanaimo Daily News, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, Thursday, January 15, 1959 - Page 3 — Fifteen-Year-Old Chess Champ In World Finals — By Joseph MacSween, Canadian Press Staff Writer — New York (CP) — The thin shoulders of a Brooklyn schoolboy carry the main United States hopes of winning the world chess championship from Russia. The boy is Bobby Fischer, 15, and victory for him would be one of the biggest upsets in the ancient history of chess. “It would be nice,” is the way Bobby put it, with a rare grin at his own understatement. Bobby — who would prefer the more dignified Robert when he plays chess — recently retained the U.S. crown without losing a game. He won six games and drew five, playing as usual against the best American grownups. The world's youngest grand master of the game, he will next take part in an elimination tournament of international grand masters to decide who will challenge Mikhail Botvinnik, the 47-year-old Moscow electrical engineer who is king of them all.
  Called Genius “Bobby may not look it — he doesn't look like an intellectual — but he's a genius,” says Hans Kmoch, secretary of the Manhattan Chess Club, where the U.S. tournament is held. “He's professionally arrogant,” says one mildly critical associate. “He's a nice, fine, modest boy,” says Mrs. Grace L. Corey, administrative assistant of Erasmus Hall high school, where Bobby is a student. What does Bobby himself say? “I'll talk about nothing but chess,” said the master, distrustful and slightly belligerent when approached by a reporter. Tall and gangling, he has the typical adolescent slouch and harsh voice of the Brooklyn teenager. In looks he could well be a rock 'n' roll addict as a dedicated chess player. Read More

• The Austin Daily Herald, Austin, Minnesota, Thursday, January 15, 1959 - Page 4 — Austin Daily Herald's Pot Pourri — A HIGH school in Brooklyn decided that even though he had never given medals to anyone, the situation this time warranted a break in precedent. It gave a gold medal to one of its 15-year-old students, Bobby Fischer. No one said he didn't deserve it. For Bobby had just won the United States chess championship for the second year in a row. And last year he won the right to compete with the world's chess greats in a competition to decide who will challenge the present world champion next year. He is one of many American youngsters in fields where brains reign supreme. Read More

• The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, January 15, 1959 - Page 10 — Fischer Wins — Bobby Fischer, aged 15, has retained the United States championship in New York with 8½ out of 11; he did not lose a game. Reshevsky was second with 7½ losing only to Fischer.

January 16, 1959

• The Montana Standard, Butte, Montana, Friday, January 16, 1959 - Page 19 — Master At Chess — That whiz kid on the chess board, Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y., youth plays tennis at Grossinger, N.Y. after retaining his U.S. chess crown. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★

• Berwyn Life Berwyn, Illinois Friday, January 16, 1959 - Page 27 — Western Electric Chess Team Adds To Victory String — Anthony Vikrikas, 3220 S. 54th ave., is a member of the Western Electric company's chess team which has remained undefeated in Industrial Chess League competition and recently handed the Motorola team its first league defeat. -CONTINUED- Read More

January 17, 1959

• Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, January 17, 1959 - Page 15 — Chesser, 15, Does It Again; Wins U.S. Championship —A search for descriptive words to communicate the mental power and agility of Grand Master Robert Fischer, 15 years old, must fail. There remains only one recourse; the word “fischer” should be included in the dictionaries to define a phenomenon with which the English language never before has been burdened. Robert again has won the U.S. championship, this time without losing a game, defeating in the process Sam Reshevsky, champion of the Western World, in a partie of classic beauty. His opposition included, beside Reshevsky, Larry Evans, Arthur Bisguier, both Byrne brothers, William Lombardy, Pal Benko, Edmar Mednis and Charles Kalme, creme de la creme of American chess.
  THE RECORD proves that in addition to his triumphs in Europe last summer, in which he won a place in the Challenger's Round to select an opponent for World champion, he never has failed to win a tournament and he has entered them with the courage and abandon never before equaled in the history of chess. Eight times the giants of Russian chess have faced him across the board in the great tourneys of last year without winning a game from the Erasmus High School sophomore. We have scrutinized the photo on his Christmas card to find some evidence of his genius. He could profit from a haircut or even the use of a comb to organize the unruly black growth. And he has lost the deceptive child-like innocence as his face takes the set of young manhood.
  THE FIRST PART of the Fischer (White), Reshevsky (playing the Black side) game, of high significance to the world of chess, appears below. Last part next week. It is destined to countless analyses by the experts. We call attention to moves 7 to 13 in which Fischer traps and wins the Black Queen and forces Reshevsky's King from security, all in exchange for Bishop and Knight. Read More

• The News Paterson, New Jersey Saturday, January 17, 1959 - Page 13 — Fischer Wins U.S. Championship for Second Year — Fifteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, for the second year in succession, has won the United States Chess Championship. In total he won six games and drew five, he lost none. The line-up, reading like the Who's Who in American Chess, is as follows: Fischer, Reshevsky, Evans Dr. Byrne, Bisguier Lombardy, Sherwin, Benko, R. Byrne, Kalme, Weinstein and Mednis. It is of importance to notice, in thinking of the future, that of the top twelve listed above 10 belong to the so-called younger generation. The old-timer is Reshevsky and Benko is a Hungarian refugee. Read More

January 18, 1959

• The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, January 18, 1959 - Page 45 — Championship Games — The table of the U.S. Chess Championship Tournament below shows the solidity of Bobby Fischer's triumph. He was the only player not to lose a game outright and he scored victories against his top three opponents. Following are some hard-fought battles from the event. Read More

• New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, January 18, 1959 - Page 247 — Fischer, Uhlmann Top Chess Roosts; 15-Year-Old Boy Dominates U.S. Picture — East German Swept English Laurels — With the close of the tournaments in New York and Hastings the international chess scene now is quiet. Bobby Fischer retained his United States championship, while Wolfgang Uhlmann of East Germany gathered highest laurels in England. The first opportunity for them to meet would be during May when, according to a reliable report from Switzerland, a jubilee tournament will be staged in Muenchenstein. While this is virtually in Uhlmann's back yard, the distance and other considerations will operate adversely to the 15-year-old schoolboy now so effectively in a role recognized universally. Furthermore, Fischer doesn't want to miss his classes at Erasmus Hall High School. Here are two examples of his skill in the recent United States championship: … Fischer is not neglecting his practice. He excelled at rapid transit play in the weekly tournament at the Marshall Chess Club where, scoring 10½-2½, he shared the first two prizes with James T. Sherwin, No. 3 in the recent national competition. Jack W. Collins tied at 9½-3½ with Bernard Hill. Fifth prize went to Louis Levy, 9-4. Read More

• Express and News, San Antonio, Texas, Sunday, January 18, 1959 - Page 75 — Bobby Fischer Going Strong in U.S. National Championship — This is not the case with Bobby Fischer. He is in the midst of the U.S. National Championship, and going strong. With two rounds remaining, he is leading such notables as Reshevsky, Bisguier, Evans, Lombardy, Donald and Robert Byrne, Sherwin, Mednis, and Benko. And he is only 15! Surely a future world champion! Read More

• Hartford Courant Hartford, Connecticut Sunday, January 18, 1959 - Page 37 — Game Selection — This game is listed as the pivotal match of the Rosenwald Tournament recently concluded in New York City. Fischer-Reshevsky

• Beckley Post-Herald The Raleigh Register Beckley, West Virginia Sunday, January 18, 1959 - Page 17 — City-Wide Chess Tourney to Be Held on Friday — Plans were made for a city-wide chess tournament of all classes at a meeting of the Beckley Chessmen Thursday night in the WWNR studio lounge - CONTINUED -

• The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, January 18, 1959 - Page 53 — Chess Notebook — The final standings in the 1958-9 Rosenwald Tournament for the U.S. championship; 1, Fischer 8½-2½ 2, Reshevsky 7½-3½; 3, Sherwin 6½-4½; 4-7, Bisguier, D. Byrne, Evans and Lombardy 6-5; 8, Benko 5½-5½; 9-10, R. Byrne and Kalme, 4-7; 11-12, Mednis and Weinstein, 3-8. Read More

January 19, 1959

• The Vancouver Sun Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Monday, January 19, 1959 - Page 4 — Chess Isn't Everything — The picture which emerges of Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old American hopeful for the world chess championship, is a sad one. Here in his mid-teens is a young man with one interest—the game of chess. He lives it. He talks about it, writes about it. The youngest grand master of the game in the world, but he says, “the title doesn't make me play better chess.” Girls? “Girls don't play chess.” On a visit to Russia, where chess is almost the national game, the Russians were amazed. “We have to throw him out of the chess club once a day to get some sunshine.” Perhaps this single-minded devotion to the grand game is necessary to make him the master he is. And since it would be nice “to beat the Russians at their own game,” we in the West wish him well. But we can't help thinking of fishing trips and skiing down the lonely mountainside. Even high-but-not-highest school marks don't make up for football, or movies or, yes, rock 'n' roll. Or, for that matter, girls. Chess isn't everything. Read More

January 20, 1959

• The News Paterson, New Jersey Tuesday, January 20, 1959 - Page 23 — Tech's Chess Club Receives New Equipment — Chess players at Paterson Tech are happy to hear that eight sets of chess men and six tournament chess clocks have been purchased by the Student Council. -CONTINUED-

January 21, 1959

• The Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Wednesday, January 21, 1959 - Page 6 — Chess Champ to Defend City Title — A six-round Swiss style tournament will begin tomorrow night to determine the 1959 city chess champion, Dr. Griffith H. Parker, president of the Spokane chess club, announced yesterday. -CONTINUED- ★

January 22, 1959

• Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, Thursday, January 22, 1959 - Page 36 — We are indebted to the Illustrated London News… — “…One reason for the failure of the United States to finish better than fourth, probably, was Bobby Fischer's absence from the team. It is news to us, however, if the reason for his absence was “because he had not been guaranteed a big enough fee,” as the London weekly says. There was the little matter of Bobby's attending classes at Erasmus Hall. Even a chess prodigy in the USA isn't excused from school for weeks to play chess—and what “fees” does the London writer think American chess players get or expect for playing in tournaments? It was known of course, that Reshevsky's refusal, as an orthodox Jew, to play on Fridays and Saturdays and the refusal of the tournament organizers to schedule his matches on other days, was a big handicap to our team. The London magazine also says the most important matches, by chance, seemed to fall on the days he could not play. “If this were not enough,” says the News, our “next best player, William Lombardy, went driving a car without a license valid in Germany and involved himself in a minor accident. For several days he dared not start a game for fear that a summons to court might prevent him from finishing it!” Read More

January 23, 1959

• The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, January 23, 1959 - Page 4 — Bobby Fischer's Young Career — The Chess-Rattling game, which will probably be listed as “The” game of Bobby Fischer's young career, has caused no little comment. One reason, and no wonder, is that the typesetter erred in following the proper moves. In chess, and I surmise this one is a non-player, one out of place move will spoil the whole game. For the sake of chess lovers who missed this game we will re-submit it and hope for the best. … We can speculate about this game without end, and we can wonder why Reshevsky did not or did play a move, but let us not go overboard on this end. Let credit rest where it lies, with young Bobby Fischer for having taken advantage and planned this masterpiece of brevity. Read More

January 24, 1959

• Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, January 24, 1959 - Page 15 — Robert Fischer Wins Cherished Honor — After winning acclaim of the world of chess and enriching the literature of the royal game with brilliant masterpieces and establishing an unprecedented string of victories all in a few years, International Grand Master Robert Fischer now has won the cherished honor supreme. The Student Council of Erasmus High School in Brooklyn has awarded him a gold medal, presented in an impressive ceremony by Principal John McNeil. Read More

January 25, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, January 25, 1959 - Page 219 — Reshevsky Urges Match-Play Test — Contends Tournament Does Not Establish True Skill of Any Two Masters —At the conclusion of the last United States chess championship tournament, in which he was runner-up to Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, Samuel Reshevsky of Spring Valley, N.Y., conceded the cleverness of his 15-year-old rival and predicted a great future for him. However, he made the point the real test of the comparative skills of any two players could be had only in match rather than in tournament play. He reaffirmed that conviction last week before leaving for the Pacific Coast, where the leading players in Southern California are awaiting his visit. In the 1957-58 United States championship, Fischer got the decision when Reshevsky lost to William Lombardy in the final. In the recent tournament, the turning point came in the sixth round when Reshevsky's only loss was brought about by Fischer himself.
  Gist of Contention The gist of Reshevsky's contention is that in a set match between two opponents and without any intervention on the part of outsiders, the actual merit of the pair is most likely to be established. It was this method that prevailed when the late Frank J. Marshall retired and the United States Chess Federation took over. Reshevsky has been champion five times and Arnold S. Denker, Larry Evans and Arthur B. Bisguier once each. There has been discussion of the desirability of a Fischer-Reshevsky match, but so far nothing has come of it. It is true that if Fischer can get away to play in the world championship challengers' tournament, a try-out against Reshevsky would provide the ideal preparation. Meanwhile Reshevsky is enjoying a much-needed respite after his strenuous exertions here and abroad.
  Tourney for Yugoslavia Yugoslavia again will be the guest country for the challengers' tournament in September and October, although the exact locality has not been announced. It is reported that bids have been received from six resorts. Of these Bled is strongly favored. It will not be the first time for it to be the site of an important gathering of grandmasters. The goal of his one is the selection of the next opponent for Mikhail Botvinnik of the Soviet Union for the world championship. Fischer is one of eight who are eligible. Read More

• Express and News, San Antonio, Texas, Sunday, January 25, 1959 - Page 81 — Championship Chess: Bobby Fischer and Sicilian Defense — Bobby Fischer has added another feather to his cap, winning the U.S. national chess championship a full point ahead of Reshevsky and scoring six wins and five draws. He turned in fine games against Reshevsky, Bisguier, and Mednis. This moves us to predict that young Fischer will tie for fourth place in the forthcoming Candidate's Tournament, and this will be a tremendous feat. Remember the stellar lineup includes Tahl, Petrosian, Smyslov, Keres, Gligoric, Olafsson and Benko. The whole chess world knows that Fischer employs the Sicilian Defense almost exclusively. Will the Russians prepare traps in this opening? Undoubtedly. The following game presents a deep pitfall in which black stumbles headlong. Fischer confronted with the possibility of making the same error that Black does in this game, would probably neatly sidestep the danger. The queen sacrifice offered by White is piquant and fantastically clever, unleashing a flood of tactics. Read More

• The Corpus Christi Caller-Times Corpus Christi, Texas Sunday, January 25, 1959 - Page 39 — Chats on Chess — Physicians and Chess

January 27, 1959

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, Tuesday, January 27, 1959 - Page 33 — He's Chess Champ, But Still Just a Boy By Milt Freudenheim — New York, Jan. 27. The Chicago Daily News-Post-Dispatch Special Dispatch. Copyright 1959. — International grandmaster of chess Robert J. Fischer asked that presentation of his second consecutive United States championship cup be delayed briefly. The presentation would have conflicted with his preparations for midyear examinations at Erasmus High School, where 15-year-old Fischer is in his junior year. Bobby Fischer, said to be the youngest international grandmaster in the history of chess, won't slight his school work. “If I had a lot of money, I'd like to play in chess tournaments (and nothing else). But you can't make a living in chess,” he says. His prize as American champ was $600. It took the combined efforts of a television show, wealthy chess patrons, the United States Department and the Soviet Government to get him to Europe for big matches last year. And the fact that Bobby—away from the chess board—is just a typical, big, clumsy, shy, self-centered teen-aged kid from Brooklyn has cooled the ardor of would be patrons more than once. But the champ playing chess is another story. He held his own with some of the world's best at the interzonal tourney last summer at Portoroz, Yugoslavia. “Little Bobby,” as enthusiastic Yugoslav fans dubbed him, won the right to return in September 1959 for eight-man playoffs. The 1959 winner takes on world champion Mikhail Botvinnik of Russia in 1960. If by some combination of wizardry and good luck, a teenage American beats the Soviet world champion, the repercussions could be awesome. In contrast to the United States which ignores chess, and kids its experts, the Soviets teach the game in school. Russian champs are pampered, given soft jobs and movie-star treatment. But like competing with the Russians in sputniks and luniks, polishing up Bobby Fischer will not be easy. The six-foot, Chicago-born chess genius wishes the public would please go away. He may be the first boy his age in history to deliberately repel the advances of would-be biographers from Reader's Digest and the Saturday Evening Post. Bobby contends the press aims to use him in a conspiracy “to make chess players look like funny people.” Actually, he looks like the boy down the block, favoring bright flannel shirts, never a tie corduroy slacks, unshined shoes, crewcut brown hair needing a trim—even on an evening trip to a chess club in Manhattan. Bobby handles himself like a basketball player, long-limbed and loose jointed, dropping a chess piece into place in a fast game of “rapid transit” (10 seconds a move) or “blitz” (no pauses at all). He likes sports. Some New York reporters have shined up to him by taking him to hockey games or hitting tennis balls with him. A ski pro traded ski lessons for chess lessons with Bobby. At Erasmus High, he studied Russian to use in Moscow, “I'm pretty good at Spanish, and I like science, astronomy most of all,” he says. Born March 12, 1943, Bobby loved puzzles as a baby, according to his mother, Mrs. Regina Fischer, a nurse. His parents were divorced when he was 2. His sister taught him chess when he was 6. In fourth grade he won a scholarship to a Brooklyn school where his chess was encouraged. At the Brooklyn Chess Club, president Carmine Nigro “helped me more than anybody,” Bobby recalls. By the time he was 12, he was taking on big-timers at the Manhattan and Marshall Chess Clubs. He was 14 when he beat famed Samuel Reshevsky, then 46, for the United States championship the first time. Repeating the feat a second year sealed Bobby's achievement. It couldn't be “luck” twice. Short on friends his own age, Bobby spends most of his after school hours studying books on chess (which he remembers practically totally) and playing the game with adults. Winning chess demands athlete-type training, boning up on opponents' past games, planning strategy. That plus schoolwork puts a heavy strain on Bobby's time. For those who dare hope to checkmate the young champion, or others just interested in how he does it, book publishers Simon & Schuster are bringing out “Bobby Fischer's Games of Chess.” Nearing 16, surrounded by chess glory, Bobby is beginning to notice the world now and then. “The other night he even came up and shook hands with my wife,” said a pleased former champion old enough to be Bobby's grandfather. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

January 28, 1959

• Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, Wednesday, January 28, 1959 - Page 25 — Chess History Is Topic for Museum Film — An unusual color film on the history of chess will be shown at the Oakland Art Museum starting today, according to curator Paul Mills. Entitled “Passionate Pastime,” the film is narrated by Vincent Price, who explains that chess, like painting, music, wine, women and gambling, is a passion. The film traces the game from its known beginnings up to 14-year-old champion Bobby Fischer. A second color film on life along a Nigerian river, “Ai-Ye,” will also be shown. Read More

January 29, 1959

• The Guardian, London, Greater London, England, Thursday, January 29, 1959 - Page 10 — The U.S. Championship — It is one thing for an underestimated young player to put up a single outstanding performance, quite another for him to repeat it when all his opponents are making an extra effort. Yet Bobby Fischer, aged 15, had done so in retaining the United States championship without loss of a game. Among the also-rans were Reshevsky who is often regarded as the world's best grandmaster outside Russia, and Benko, who is, like Fischer one of the last eight in the world title eliminating tournament. The result in New York indicates that Fischer ought to put up a good showing this autumn against Smyslov, Tal, and company. His best wins were in long endings, so here is another all-grand master game from the tournament. Read More

January 30, 1959

• Coney Island Times Brooklyn, New York Friday, January 30, 1959 - Page 7 — Bobby Fischer Gold — The student council of Erasmus Hall High School has given a gold medal to the 15-year-old chess wizard Bobby Fischer… ★

January 31, 1959

• Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, January 31, 1959 - Page 15 — While reviewing the 1955-56-57 issues of chess journals for the opinion of the editors toward International Grandmaster Robert Fischer, we found several items in Baruch Wood's Chess…

February 05, 1959

• The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, February 05, 1959 - Page 14 — World Title Prospects — The challengers' tournament for the world championship, to be held in Yugoslavia this autumn, holds out better prospects for the non-Russians than any of the three previous similar events. Fischer has just won the United States championship, Gligoric has been in consistently good form over the last year, and now Olafsson has scored a convincing victory at Beverwijk in Holland, ahead of three other grandmasters. Read More

February 07, 1959

• The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, February 07, 1959 - Page 37 — Reshevsky Unconvinced — While giving full credit to Bobby Fischer, the young Brooklynite who has twice headed him in tourney play for the American title, Samuel Reshevsky has expressed the opinion that superiority between two players can only be fully measured in match-play. Too much depends on the play of the other competitors in tourneys. At any rate he would welcome such a test. Sammy has never been beaten in the eight matches he has so far engaged in. Bobby has played only one match, winning easily from Rodolfo Cordosa, of the Philippines, at New York a year ago. Read More

• Spokane Chronicle Spokane, Washington Saturday, February 07, 1959 - Page 15 — Chess Play-Off Slated Thursday — It will be show-down night next Thursday for the city chess championship. A tie between Gordon Cornelius, defending champion, and Dr. David C. Groenig Thursday night in the fifth round of the tournament at the YMCA building force the play-off contest. Read More

February 08, 1959

• The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, February 08, 1959 - Page 51 — Reshevsky First, Fischer Second on New Rating List — The U.S. Chess Federation has just issued a new national rating list, covering tournament and match play through Sept. 30, 1958. Samuel Reshevsky of Spring Valley, N.Y. who has been the forerunner in American chess for a generation, is still at the head of the list with 2693 points. This is a slight drop from the 2713 mark he had on the last previous list, in March, 1958. U.S. Chess Champion Bobby Fischer, the 15-year-old Brooklyn lad, is again second on the rating list, with 2636 as against 2626 last year. Having placed ahead of Reshevsky in two successive championship tournaments, Fischer is evidently on the way up. New York players dominate the group of leading masters, placing 13 in the first 20. Leading Californian on the list is James B. Cross of Los Angeles, who advanced from 2306 to 2425 in a year's competition. Your editor (GM Isaac Kashdan) does not appear on the active list. His last rating was 2525. Following are the current leaders, with their 1958 points for comparison. The only newcomer is Paul Benko, former Hungarian chess champion and freedom fighter, who defected to the United States recently. Read More

• The Gazette Cedar Rapids, Iowa Sunday, February 08, 1959 - Page 8 — Chess Club Prexy Is Correspondence Player — Kenneth Grant, 43-year-old president of the Cedar Rapids Community Chess club, sits in the foreground of this picture while Mike Evanow and Helen Zhorne of Chelsea play a game of chess in the background… - CONTINUED -

• The Racine Journal-Times Sunday Bulletin, Racine, Wisconsin, Sunday, February 08, 1959 - Page 34 — Rosenwald Feature Game — Young Bobby Fischer, in winning the Rosenwald tournament for the second straight year, added insult to injury by defeating his chief rival, Reshevsky, with a trap that many “club” strength players would have seen. On only the ninth move Fischer sprung a trap that cost Reshevsky his queen for two minor pieces (the queen is worth at least three major pieces as a rule), and while the veteran struggled on for some 30 more moves he might have saved himself the trouble. When Reshevsky played 8 … N-R4 he unwittingly blocked his queen's escape path, and had to give it up to avoid a forced mate, 9. P-K5, N-K; 10. BxPch, KxB; 11. N-K6, KxN??; 12. Q-Q5ch, K-B4, P-N4ch and white mates in 3 more moves. ★ Read More

February 12, 1959

• Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, Thursday, February 12, 1959 - Page 6 — National Ratings List Two Grand Masters — “The nation's two grand masters in these ratings, which do not take into account competition outside this country, are Samuel Reshevsky, who retains his No. 1 rank, and Robert J. (Bobby) Fischer. Reshevsky's rating is 2693 and Fischer's 2636. Read More

February 13, 1959

• The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, February 13, 1959 - Page 26 — Ratings List — It has often been asked who are the top ranking players in the United States Chess Federation, which rates all active players in the country, here is their list of the top twenty players and their ratings. Samuel Reshevsky 2693, Robert J. Fischer 2636, J.T. Sherwin 2511, W.J. Lombardy 2509 … In the U.S. there are 2 Grandmasters, 12 senior masters and 78 masters. It takes 2600 points to make a grandmaster; 2400 to make a senior master; 2200 to list as a master and 2000 as an expert. After that we have classes of A, B & C. Read More

• The Journal Times, Racine, Wisconsin, Friday, February 13, 1959 - Page 19 — A Game Opponent — Studying the board in the mirror atop his iron lung, 17-year-old polio patient Bruce Campbell played a match with two-time U.S. chess champion Bobby Fischer, 15, of Brooklyn, N.Y. The game was played at a hospital on Welfare Island, N.Y. where Bruce called out his moves and Bobby made them, and, incidentally, won the match. ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

February 15, 1959

• Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sunday, February 15, 1959 - Page 13 — Let's Play Chess — (in jest) “I wonder if we can draft Fischer and Reshevsky to help us out?” -CONTINUED-

• The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, February 15, 1959 - Page 245 — Chess Club to Meet Three Evenings a Week — Starting Friday, meetings of the Santa Monica Chess Club will be held three evenings a week … -CONTINUED-

February 19, 1959

• The Courier Waterloo, Iowa Thursday, February 19, 1959 - Page 29 — Seventeen — “Your parents must sign, Sheldon, giving permission for you to engage in chess competition, assuming responsibility for injuries you may receive while playing the game.”

Seventeen by Bernard Lansky 19 Feb 1959, Thu The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) Newspapers.com

February 21, 1959

• Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, February 21, 1959 - Page 15 — Chess Play-offs to Select Botvinnik Opponent Sept. 6 — Chess by T.M. Cherington — The challenger's round to select an opponent for World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik will begin Sept. 6 at Bled in the Balkans. All 28 rounds are to be fought out in the Balkans. After 14 games at Bled, there will be seven in Zagreb and seven at Belgrade. By November the successful challenger should be known. In 1960 he gets his chance to take the crown held by Botvinnik for ten years except for a brief interlude when Vassily Smyslov held mace and scepter.
  MRS. MAX PAVEY, who was selected to represent the United States at negotiations with the Federation Internationale des Echecs after the recent death of her husband from accidental exposure to atomic radiation, has told International Grand Masters Robert Fischer and Pal Benko that America's hope for victory rests upon them. At the Stockholm meeting with Folke Rogard presiding, former English chess champion Harry Golombek was named to the important post of directory. A good selection for he has the judgment and experience for the exacting task. The stage then is set for a climax to the drama started two years ago by 15-year-old Fischer. The youth has yet to lose a tournament and he has entered them with abandon that would make the most courageous heart quell. Read More

February 22, 1959

• Express and News, San Antonio, Texas, Sunday, February 22, 1959 - Page 73 — Bobby Fischer and Chess Championship Title — Bobby Fischer of the U.S.A. defeated his title last month. Tahl has his work cut out, but we predict he will come through again…

March 01, 1959

• Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sunday, March 01, 1959 - Page 25 — Let's Play Chess - For Your Library — The book which all serious students of chess have been eagerly awaiting is just off the press. “1956 Interzonal Tournament Portoroz” is a compilation of the 210 games played in last year's Interzonal Tournament. Playing through these games you will see the world's greatest chess artists in action. Here you will find the brilliancies of Fischer, the annihilating attacks of Tal, the mathematical precision of Petrosian, the strategical skill of Gligoric, the iron determination of Benko, the coolness and calm of Olafsson, to name just a few of the famous grandmasters who participated. - CONTINUED - Read More

March 04, 1959

• The Journal News, White Plains, New York, Wednesday, March 04, 1959 - Page 10 — Ex-Chess Champion A Spring Valley Resident — Samuel Reshevsky Hopes to Recapture His American Title By Richard Einhorn —If chess is considered a sport, then Samuel Reshevsky of Spring Valley must be the most famous athlete in Rockland County. Mr. Reshevsky, five feet two inches tall, has dominated American chess since 1936. Now 47, he has been in the public eye longer than Joe Louis, Joe DiMaggio, or Ted Williams. Louis and DiMaggio, or Ted Williams. Louis and DiMaggio have retired, and Williams is near the end of the trail, but Reshevsky is playing as well as ever. His ambition is to become champion of the world. He is determined to win that honor although he has been stripped of his United States title by a high school boy of immense talent.
  Followers Optimistic Reshevsky's followers feel that his loss to a 15-year-old Bobby Fischer was a fluke, that the famed international grandmaster will gain revenge on his brilliant young rival. “I understand there are plans to arrange a match between Bobby Fischer and myself,” Reshevsky said last week. “I think everybody would like to see this match materialize.” But Fischer hasn't said he's willing. Like other leading American chess players, Reshevsky is starved for competition. He has gone for stretches of almost a year without playing in a tournament. “What we need are at least four big events a year. I expected more from our players who are now in their twenties, but they haven't had enough competition.” He said the best hope lies in young players like Bobby Fischer. “It is a tremendous thing for the future of American chess that Fischer is so young,” Reshevsky said. “Youngsters all over the country are getting better.”
  Likes Spring Valley Reshevsky said that moving to Spring Valley from New York was one of the best things that had ever happened to him. “It is quiet and peaceful,” he said. “A chess player needs rest and relaxation. You can hardly find a chess player in this town, though,” he added. Most of Reshevsky's time has been spent at home with his wife, Norma, and their three children. “Joel and Sylvia play chess,” he said proudly. “Only my two-year-old daughter doesn't.” Reshevsky came to the United States in 1920 from Poland after having toured Europe as a nine-year-old prodigy. But his parents and advisers made him take time out from chess to complete his education. He was a pitcher on his high school baseball team. Later he attended the University of Chicago, where he majored in mathematics. Reshevsky said he would like to go into the insurance business in New York. His training apart from chess was in accountancy. He owns a number of chess sets, but his favorite is an olivewood set he won last year in a tournament in Israel. Keeping his identity as a chess player, even when not playing a game, is no problem, he says. Every one of his dozens of neck-ties bears a chess symbol of some sort. Reshevsky's future hopes center on a match with Mikhail Botvinnik of the USSR, the reigning world's champion. Botvinnik is Reshevsky's age, and he too, has held his own against younger men. “Strange as it may seem,” Reshevsky said, “chess is a very taxing game. But if you have your health and lead a normal life you can remain a serious contender for many, many years. Botvinnik started at the same time I did.” Reshevsky's recent record against Botvinnik has been good. In a team match between the United States and the Soviet Union in Moscow, Reshevsky won one and drew the other of their encounters.
  Drew Four Games Reshevsky also drew four games in a team match in New York with Vassily Smyslov, a Russian who temporarily displaced Botvinnik as champion. Most experts rate Smyslov on a par with Botvinnik. “There isn't much to choose between Smyslov and Botvinnik,” Reshevsky said. Besides Botvinnik and Smyslov, there are at least two other Soviet players of world championship caliber. And still others are clamoring for their place in the sun. Why do the Russians have so many good players, Reshevsky was asked. “All the good players in the U.S.S.R. are subsidized,” he explained. “They can devote all their time to chess.” In a free enterprise system, he said, chess would have to be commercialized to permit players to compete full time. He said he hoped a promoter like Jack Kramer would sponsor touring groups of chess professionals.
  [EDITOR NOTE — Reporter Dick Einhorn, Columbia University, was formerly a Chess Master. He has defeated, in informal games, United States Champion Bobby Fischer, and former American champs, Larry Evans, Arthur Bisguier, and Arnold Denker.] Read More

March 06, 1959

• The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, March 06, 1959 - Page 30 — Chessically Yours — Eastside and Central battled to a draw, 4-4 in the Passaic Valley High School Chess League. Paterson Tech took a 4-2 lead against Clifton with two games adjourned. -CONTINUED-

March 08, 1959

• The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, March 08, 1959 - Page 28 — Soviet and Challengers Line Up — Tigran Petrosian won the 26th Soviet national chess championship. He was undefeated and topped ex-champion Mikhail Tahl by a full point. The rest of the field included Boris Spassky, Paul Keres, Mark Taimanov, Ewfim Geller, David Bronstein, Yuri Auerbach and A. Korchnoi. Petrosian, Tahl, Keres and ex-world champion Vassily Smyslov are the four Russian players who will compete in the challengers' tournament in Yugoslavia, during September and October. Bobby Fischer, Brooklyn; Paul Benko, New York (formerly of Hungary); Fridrik Olafsson, Iceland; and Svetozar Gligoric, Yugoslavia, complete the field. Read More

• Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sunday, March 08, 1959 - Page 96 — Let's Play Chess — Sicilian Defense - Here is one of Fischer's wins in the last Interzonal. Sanguineti vs. Fischer.

March 14, 1959

• Richmond Times-Dispatch Richmond, Virginia Saturday, March 14, 1959 - Page 14 — Chess Bid Accepted — Buenos Aires, March 13 -(AP)- The Argentine chess federation said Friday United States master Bob Fischer, just turned 16, has accepted an invitation to play in an international tourney in Mar del Plata later this month. The federation said Fischer would be accompanied by his mother. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Saturday, March 14, 1959 - Page 11 — U.S. Whiz Enters — Buenos Aires—(AP)—The Argentine Chess federation said yesterday U.S. Master Bob Fischer, just turned 16, has accepted an invitation to play in an international tourney in Mar del Plata later this month.

March 15, 1959

• The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, California, Sunday, March 15, 1959 - Page 28 — Bobby Fischer, Keeping Up With All the Latest Traps — Bobby Fischer, the 15-year-old Brooklyn champion of the United States held on to his title for the second year in a row. Bobby keeps up with all the latest traps in the opening. His victim in the sixth round was no one less than the great Sammy Reshevsky. ★ Read More

March 16, 1959

• The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana, Monday, March 16, 1959 - Page 12 — Yugoslavs Like U.S. Chess Whiz — Belgrade, March 15 (AP)—Yugoslavian chess fans are so wild about 16-year-old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn they have named one of their chess clubs after him and think he may endanger Soviet chess supremacy. This summer Yugoslavia will play host to one of the biggest events in world chess — the challengers' tournament. The winner will meet the world champion, Russia's grand master Mikhail Botvinnik for the title. Bobby became extremely popular in Yugoslavia last year when he played at Portoroz tournament and placed among the top entries for the challengers' tourney. Read More

March 20, 1959

• The York Dispatch York, Pennsylvania Friday, March 20, 1959 - Page 22 — Space Chess — 3-Dimensional Game Has 128 Pieces - West Orange, N.J., -(AP)-A three-dimensional chess game utilizing 128 pieces has been developed by J. David Marks—who says he wants to provide amusement for anyone fascinated by space relations. Some additions have been made to the chess board, such as the space knight, the hippogriff (a mythological crossbreed of an eagle, lion and horse), the fool, the favorite and the archbishop. ★ Read More

• The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, March 20, 1959 - Page 7 — Robert Fischer King Pawn Opening — Chessically Yours … behind the dark brown brick and ivy covered exterior is not unusual to find such as Fischer, Evans, Bisguier and other well known players passing the time in skittles. And side by side will be the potsters as Smith and Jones and Davis. For this is the place dedicated to Chess, and for long the hub of New Jersey activity. The Independent Chess Club of East Orange now publishes a weekly chess bulletin at 15 cents a copy. Editor is none other than Robert T. Durkin, of Knightmare fame. It is easily worth the pennies and it produces many interesting games. With all the items and articles about Bobby Fischer, the 15 year old chess wizard, the average player might ask, “How does he handle the opening?” With this in mind we checked some of his games and we find he liked the king pawn opening. Read More

March 22, 1959

• The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, March 22, 1959 - Page 94 — Chess for Children — Reinfeld, a prolific American writer and a master chess player, has refined his chess vocabulary down to the level of the beginner, and has produced a book for both the child and the novice adult. Unique is his intro- duction in which he explains that “there are no less than 169,518,829,100,544 quadrillion ways to play the first 10 moves of a game of chess,” but that even a youngster can learn from a few basic patterns. Proof of this is the fact that the current United States champion is Bobby Fischer, a 14-year-old. Read More

March 25, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, March 25, 1959 - Page 31 — Fischer Adjourns Opener — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 24 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old United States chess champion from Brooklyn, adjourned his opening game in the Argentine international chess tournament last night. Fischer made a tactical mistake against Jaime Emma and gave the 20-year-old lightly regarded Argentine player a chance to gain a draw. Read More

• The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, Wednesday, March 25, 1959 - Page 12 — U.S. Chess Champ Gains Draw In Match — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. chess champion from Brooklyn, adjourned his opening match in the first round of the Argentine International Chess Tournament Monday night. Apparently on the way to victory, Fischer made a serious tactical mistake against Argentine Jaime Emma which gave the 20-year-old lightly rated Argentine player, a chance to rally and gain the draw. ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

March 26, 1959

• The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, March 26, 1959 - Page 40 — Fischer Draws in Chess Play — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 25 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, America's 15-year-old chess master, figured in his second straight draw today in the international tournament here. Fischer, U.S. national champion from Brooklyn, drew with Luis Sanchez of Colombia in 41 moves. Previously the Brooklyn boy drew with Jaime Emma of Argentina in 46 moves. Ludek Pachman of Poland topped the standings with two straight victories. Today he beat Herman Pilnik, the Argentine champion, in 30 moves. Other results: Hector Rosetto, Argentina, defeated Jaime Emma, Argentina, 28 moves; Sousa Mendes, Brazil, drew with Raul Sanguineti, Argentina, 44 moves; Ruben Shocron, Argentina, defeated Argentino Redolfi, Argentina, 33 moves; Borislav Ivkov, Yugoslavia, defeated Bernardo Wexler, Argentina, 39 moves; Rene Latelier, Chile, drew with Miguel Najdorf, Argentina, 41 moves. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Logansport Press Logansport, Indiana Thursday, March 26, 1959 - Page 14 — State Chess Meet To Be Held Here In May — The annual tournament of the Indian State Chess association will be staged at the Capt. Logan hotel Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, it was announted Wednesday by Glen Donley, Lake Cicott, state president. - CONTINUED- Read More

March 27, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, March 27, 1959 - Page 31 — Fischer Bows In Chess — Pachman Tops Brooklyn Youth in 3d Round in Argentina — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 25 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the United States' teenage chess master, today failed for the third time to win a match in the international tournament. The 16-year-old Brooklyn youth was defeated by Czechoslovakia's Ludek Pachman in their third-round adjourned game. Pachman won in thirty-five moves for this third victory. He leads the standing. Previously, Fischer had to settle for draws in his two other matches. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, Friday, March 27, 1959 - Page 18 — U.S. Chess Champion Has Yet To Win Match — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP)—Bobby Fischer, America's 16-year-old chess master, still has failed to win a match in the international tournament here. After tieing his first two matches, the Brooklyn youth apparently was on the edge of losing the third. The match with Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia was adjourned Thursday after 41 moves with Pachman ahead. Experts said Pachman was in a good position to win. ★ Read More

March 28, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, March 28, 1959 - Page 21 — Fischer Chess Victor — Brooklyn Youth Beats Mendez in 38 Moves in Argentina — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 27 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old United States champion from Brooklyn, won for the first time today in the Argentine masters chess tournament. Fischer beat Brazil's Souza Mendez in thirty-eight moves. However, Fischer has only 2 points, compared to 3½ for Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia, the leader. Pachman, who won his first three matches, including one against Fischer, drew with Hector Rossetto of Argentina in a hard-fought game lasting seventy-four moves. ★ Read More

March 31, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, March 31, 1959 - Page 37 — Fischer Chess Victor — Defeats Redolfi in 40 Moves in Argentine Tourney — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 30 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 15-year-old United States chess champion from Brooklyn, today defeated Argentino Redolfi of Argentina in forty moves. Fischer is tied for seventh place with 3 points in an international tournament. He has won two matches, lost two and drawn twice. Ludek Pachman, the Czech grand master, continues unbeaten in the tournament. He defeated Jacobo Bolbochan of Argentina in thirty-seven moves. Pachman leads the field of fifteen with 5 points on four victories and two draws. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, Tuesday, March 31, 1959 - Page 11 — U.S. Chess Champion Defeats Argentinian — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old U.S. chess champion from Brooklyn, Monday defeated Argentino Redolfi of Argentina in 40 moves. Fischer is tied for seventh place with three points in an international tournament. He has won two matches, lost two and drawn twice. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

April 01, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, April 01, 1959 - Page 50 — Fischer Takes Match — U.S. Chess Champion Defeats Shocron in Argentina — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 31 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, defeated Ruben Shocron of Argentina today in forty moves. The 15-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy scored his third victory in the international tournament. He has drawn twice and lost twice for 4 points. Ludek Pachman, a Czech grand master, and Yugoslavia's Borislax Ivkov drew in twenty moves. Both are undefeated. Pachman, having played one more game than Ivkov, leads the tournament with 5½ points. Ivkov has 4½. Read More

• Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Wednesday, April 01, 1959 - Page 21 — Fischer Victor Over Shocron — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP) — Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, yesterday defeated Ruben Shocron of Argentina in 40 moves. The 15-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy scored his third victory in an international tournament. He has drawn twice and lost twice and has four points. Ludek Pachman, the Czech grand master, and Yugoslavia's Boris Ivkov, drew in 20 moves. Both are undefeated. Pachman, having played one more game than Ivkov, leads the tournament with 5½ points. Ivkov has 4½. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Morning News, Wilmington, Delaware, Wednesday, April 01, 1959 - Page 40 — Fischer Chess Victor — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 31 (AP) — Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, today defeated Ruben Shocron of Argentina in 40 moves. The 15-year-old Brooklyn school boy scored his third victory in an international tournament. He has drawn twice and lost twice and has four points. ★ Read More

April 02, 1959

• The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, April 02, 1959 - Page 34 — Fischer In Draw — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 1 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy who is the U.S. chess champion, drew with Miguel Najdorf of Argentina after 35 moves last night in the eighth round of the Argentine national tourney. In eight matches Fischer has won three, drawn three and lost two for 4½ points. He is in a tie for fourth place in the 15-man field. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• Courier-Post Camden, New Jersey Thursday, April 02, 1959 - Page 16 — U.S. Champion Bobby Fischer Warming Up For World's Championship Challengers' Tournament — U.S. Champion Bobby Fischer recently turned 16, is warming up for his appearance in the world's championship challengers' tournament this summer by taking part in the current international tourney at Mar del Plata, Argentina. So far he is having his troubles, having lost twice, drawn twice and won three times for a total of 4 points. Ludek Pachmann of Czechoslovakia leads the tournament with 5½ points and is undefeated. Read More

April 04, 1959

• The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, Saturday, April 04, 1959 - Page 10 — Fischer Grabs 2nd In Chess Tournament — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy who is in the U.S. chess championship, moved into a tie for second place in the international tourney Thursday night by defeating Raul Sanguineti of Argentina in 68 moves. The triump gave Fischer 5½ points, just a half-point behind the three leaders—Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia, Luedek Pachman of Czechoslovakia and Miguel Najdorf of Argentina. Rene Letelier of Chile and Hector Rossetto of Argentina are tied with Fischer. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, April 04, 1959 - Page 31 — Game of Kings - Zurich Plans International — Zurich, Switzerland, is planning an international tourney from May 19-June 8. Invitations are going out to experts from many countries. They particularly hope to have young Bobby Fischer, USA champion, but there is the question of school examinations for him. Even the more important Challengers tourney, slated for Yugoslavia, Sept.-Oct. next, poses a serious decision as participation will cut two months off his school term, and Bobby is not prodigious outside of chess.
  Dr. Alexander Rueb, one of the founders and first president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is dead at The Hague at the age of 76. Read More

April 05, 1959

• The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, April 05, 1959 - Page 64 — Fischer Turns Up In Mar Del Plata — A week ago there was a report that the brilliant American chess champion, 15-year-old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, had mysteriously disappeared. He turned up calmly playing in the international master tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentina. Bobby started off poorly. He drew his first two games against Emma of Argentina and L. Sanchez of Colombia. He was then set back by Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia. In the fourth round Fischer scored his first full point at the expense of Mendez of Brazil. Pachman won his first three games to take the lead in the early stages. Others in the tournament are B. Ivkov of Yugoslavia, Letelier of Chile and an Argentine delegation including M. Najdorf, H. Pilnik, H. Rosetto and R. Sanguinetti. Read More

• Chattanooga Daily Times Chattanooga, Tennessee Sunday, April 05, 1959 - Page 52 — Brooklyn Schoolboy, 16, Chess Contender — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn who lost his first two games in an international chess tourney here, won again Friday night and now is unbeaten in eight straight. His triumph in 41 moves over Herman Pilnik, Argentine champion, kept him in a tie for second place with Miguel Najdorf, also of Argentina. Each has 6½ points. The 16-year-old Brooklyn school boy, U.S. champion, and Najdorf trail Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia by half-a-point. A victory counts one point, a draw a half point. Fischer has played 10 of his 14 matches, Ivkov and Najdorf have played nine. Read More

• The Jackson Sun, Jackson, Tennessee, Sunday, April 05, 1959 - Page 16 — Fischer Wins — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP) — U.S. champion Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, who lost his first two games in an international chess tourney here, won again Friday night and now is unbeaten in eight straight. The 16-year-old schoolboy's triumph kept him in a tie for second place. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Tampa Tribune, Tampa, Florida, Sunday, April 05, 1959 - Page 55 — Young U.S. Chess Champ Wins Eighth Straight In Meet — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 4, (AP) — U.S. Champion Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, who lost his first two games in an international chess tourney here, won again last night and now is unbeaten in eight straight. His triumph in 41 moves over Herman Pilnik, Argentine champion, kept him in a tie for second place with Miguel Najdorf, also of Argentina. Each has 6½ points. The 16-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy and Najdorf trail Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia by half-a-point. A victory counts one point, a draw a half point. Fischer has played 10 of his 14 matches. Ivkov and Najdorf nine. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

April 07, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, April 07, 1959 - Page 44 — Fischer Chess Victor — U.S. Champion Tops Rossetto in 37 Moves in Argentina — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 6 (AP)—Brooklyn's Bobby Fischer ran his unbeaten streak to nine matches by defeating Hector Rossetto of Argentina in an international chess tournament. Fischer, the United States champion, won in thirty-seven moves last night. The 16-year-old player has a record of six victories, three draws and two defeats for 7½ points. A victory counts a point and a draw a half-point. Bobby is in fourth place, a point behind the unbeaten leader, Miguel Najdorf of Argentina. Najdorf defeated Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia in forty-two moves. Ivkov and Ludek Pachman, the Czech master, are tied for second place with 8 points. Read More

• The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, April 07, 1959 - Page 23 — Boy Chess Champ Beats Argentine — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 6 (AP).—Brooklyn's Bobby Fischer ran his unbeaten streak to nine matches by defeating Hector Rossetto of Argentina in an international chess tournament. Fischer, the United States champion, won in 37 moves last night. The 16-year-old marvel now has a record of six victories, three draws and two defeats for 7½ points. Bobby is in fourth place, only a point behind the unbeaten leader, Miguel Najdorf, of Argentina. ★ Read More

• Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Tuesday, April 07, 1959 - Page 3 — Fischer Runs String to 9 — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP)—Brooklyn's Bobby Fischer ran his unbeaten streak to nine matches by defeating Hector Rossetto of Argentina in an international chess tournament. Fischer, the United States' champion, won in 37 moves last night. The 16-year-old marvel now has a record of six victories, three draws and two defeats for 7½ points. Bobby is in fourth place, only a point behind the unbeaten leader, Miguel Najdorf of Argentina. Najdorf defeated Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia in 42 moves. Ivkov and Ludek Pachman, the Czech master, are tied for second place with eight points each. The next round will be played Tuesday night. Read More

• The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Tuesday, April 07, 1959 - Page 34 — No More Long, Drawn-Out Duels: Chess Now Fast Game For Young Players by J.A. Burgess — Youth has taken over professional chess from East to the West. The Russian champion Mikhail Tahl won his title at the age of 19 and the American champion, Bobby Fischer, became champion at the age of 14. These are extremes but the trend is definite and perhaps soon chess will be like baseball and football in which a player is “old” at 35. The trend has been gradual but an idea of the inroads youth has made can be had by comparing two famous tournaments held in New York, the International of 1924 and the recent United States championship. In the 1924 event, the average age of the contestants was 42 and the first prize was won by the oldest player participating—55-year-old Dr. Emanuel Lasker. In the recent U.S. tournament the average age was 26 and the title went to the youngest player, Bobby Fischer, now 15 years old! What is this young crop like? In school, they excel in studies. An exception to this rule is provided by national champion Fischer, a pupil at Erasmus Hall High School, Brooklyn, who confesses to no liking for school because “it keeps me away from chess.” He is only an average scholar. (“I'm not very good at math.”) Beyond chess many of the boys are voracious readers of everything from Joyce, Eliot and Pasternak to the Baker Street Irregulars. In aspirations we come to a great divide between the good-to-excellent -to- great young chessplayers and their non-playing contemporaries. Teen-age masters aspire mostly to careers in engineering, the arts, medicine, law, government and teaching. No salesmen, no business administration majors, no airline pilots or bricklayers. Of today's whiz kids, Fischer simply aspires to be world chess champion, a goal which, judging from his work in the past two years, he is entirely capable of achieving. Arthur Freeman, former Boston champion, now at Harvard, is majoring in English with one eye on teaching and the other on writing. Geddy Sveikasukas, who for years played for the Lithuanian Chess Club of South Boston, is studying government at Harvard. David Ames of Quincy and Jim O'Keefe of Charlestown are engineering hopefuls. Why do they play chess? Perhaps the clearest answer to this was given by O'Keefe, who said: “It's impossible to play a perfect game of chess, but every time you play you are striving for that ideal. I think what comprises the charm and appeal of chess is the mirage of possible perfection. I would say that the prime cause of chessplaying is intellectual challenge and the prime product, stimulation.”
  All the players consulted believed chess honed the mind to a finer edge; all felt that chess was an aid to study. But the consensus seems to be that the desire to play must be controlled firmly at first to keep it from developing into a mania. It seems it's possible to become a chess bum as well as a tennis bum, and it's much less profitable here. Most of the boys play in team matches as well as in tournaments. Some engage in postal chess and all of them seem to play a great deal of quick chess with clocks. Five-minute chess is the rage right now. In this variation each player has five minutes to make all the moves in a game. Even if a player has a winning position, if he does not complete the game in the required time, he is lost. This type of chess is said to be good practice for improving quick “sight” of the board. So chess has become a fast game for the young. And the public view of a chess contest at long last will be no longer the spectacle of two old men with nothing to do and endless time in which to do it over a chessboard. Read More

April 09, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, April 09, 1959 - Page 39 — Fischer Turns Back Argentine In Chess — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 8 (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn won again last night in the Argentine international chess tournament and remained tied for second place with Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia with only two rounds to play. Fischer, 16, the United States champion, and Ivkov have 8½ points each. Miguel Najdorf of Argentina leads with 9. Fischer's latest victim was Bernardo Wexler of Argentina. In his match with Najdorf, Fischer resorted to his favorite King's Indian defense and held his own until the Argentine agreed to a draw. Fischer was at his best in a flash finish with Ruben Shocron of Argentina, whose defense of a Ruy Lopez kept Fischer at bay for forty moves until a shock move brought a sudden conclusion. Read More

• The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Thursday, April 09, 1959 - Page 35 — U.S. Chess Champ 2nd — Mar Del Plata, Argentina—(AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, won again Tuesday night in the Argentine international chess tournament and remains tied for second place with Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia with only two rounds of play left. Fischer, who is the U.S. champion although only 16, and Ivkov have 8½ points each. Miguel Najdorf of Argentina, leads with 9. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, April 09, 1959 - Page 53 — Fischer Winner — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 8 (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn won again last night in the Argentine International Chess Tournament and remains tied for second place with Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia with only two rounds of play left. Fischer, who is the U.S. champion although only 16, and Ivkov have 8½ points each. Miguel Najdorf of Argentina leads with 9. Fischer's latest victim was Bernardo Wexler of Argentina. The match went 38 moves. Read More

• Pensacola News Journal, Pensacola, Florida, Thursday, April 09, 1959 - Page 21 — Tied For Second — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn won again Wednesday night in the Argentine International Chess Tournament and remains tied for second place with Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia with only two rounds of play left.

April 10, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, April 10, 1959 - Page 41 — 2 Share Honors In Chess Tourney — Pachman, Najdorf Deadlock in Argentina — Fischer Ties for Third Place — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 9 (AP) — Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia and Miguel Najdorf of Argentina tied for first place in an international chess tournament that ended today. Each wound up with 10½ points. Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old Brooklynite, tied for third with Yugoslavia's Borislav Ivkov at 10 points. In his final match Fischer drew with Ivkov. Last night Fischer defeated Jacobo Bolbochan of Argentina in fifty-six moves.
  Fischer Score Listed Among Bobby Fischer's defeated opponents was Herman Pilnik of Buenos Aires who, next to Najdorf, is the oldest of the competitors at Mar del Plata. The United States champion resorted to a line in the Sicilian defense, of which he is fond and has been well-tested. Pilnik gave a good account of himself for forty-one moves but was outwitted in a rook-and-bishop ending. Najdorf faced with an English opening adopted by Hector Rossetto of Argentina, chose the King's Indian defense. This match was stubbornly contested, but Najdorf succeeded in capturing a pawn and gained the verdict in a rook-and-pawn ending after fifty-nine moves.
  …
  Maurice J. Kasper was re-elected president of the Manhattan Chess Club last night. Morris Steinberg, Edward W. Turner and Mrs. Cecil Wertheim were chosen as vice presidents. Read More

• Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Friday, April 10, 1959 - Page 22 — Fischer Ties For Third in Chess — Buenos Aires (AP) —Grand Masters Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia and Miguel Najdorf of Argentina tied for the first place in the International Chess Tournament which ended yesterday. Each wound up with 10½ points. Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old New Yorker, tied for third with Yugoslavia's Borislav Ivkov, each with 10 points. In his final match Fischer drew with Ivkov. ★ / ★ Read More

• The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, Friday, April 10, 1959 - Page 55 — Fischer Stays In Title Hunt — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 9 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy, won again last night in the Argentine International Chess Tournament and remains one of four title contenders with only one round of play remaining. Fischer defeated Jacobo Bolbochan of Argentina in 56 moves. His last foe is Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia. The two are tied for second place at 9½ points behind Ludek Pachman, international grand master from Czechoslovakia, who has 10 points. Miguel Najdorf of Argentina is fourth with nine points plus one adjourned game which will be finished later. Najdorf and Pachman are opponents in the final round. Read More

April 11, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, April 11, 1959 - Page 18 — Najdorf Record In Chess Studied — Argentine Is Only Player at Mar del Plata to Finish With No Setbacks — Of the fifteen players in the international chess masters tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentina, Miguel Najdorf of Buenos Aires, who shared first place with Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia, was the only one who did not lose a game. His score was 10½—3½. Two defeats in the first part of the tournament prevented the 16-year-old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn from finishing higher than a tie for third at 10—4 with Boris Ivkov of Yugoslavia, a former world junior champion. Read More

April 12, 1959

• The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, April 12, 1959 - Page 73 — Fischer Advances In Argentine Chess — Bobby Fischer, brilliant young American chess champion, is making a bid for victory after a poor start in the international master tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentine. Winning five of his last six games, Fischer has advanced to fourth place with a 7-4 score. Miguel Najdorf of Buenos Aires is alone in first place with a tally of 8-3. Second and third places are shared by Boris Ivkov of Yugoslavia and Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia, each having 7½-3½. Rene Letelier of Chile and Hector Rosetto of Argentina are close to the leaders, with 6½-4½. Three rounds remain to be completed. Read More

April 16, 1959

• The Guardian, London, Greater London, England, Thursday, April 16, 1959 - Page 7 — Mar del Plata Tournament — Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old American champion, tied for third prize with Ivkov (Yugoslavia) in the annual tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentina. He was half a point behind Najdorf (Argentina) and Pachman (Czechoslovakia). In view of Fischer's limited international experience, this result marks him once more at a threat to the Russian world title contenders. Read More

April 17, 1959

• Anderson Herald Anderson, Indiana Friday, April 17, 1959 - Page 20 — Anderson Turns Back Marion Team in Chess — Andersen bested Marion, 4-1 in a high school chess meet played here yesterday - CONTINUED -

April 18, 1959

• Intelligencer Journal Lancaster, Pennsylvania Saturday, April 18, 1959 - Page 16 — Red Roses Scores Chess Match Win — The Red Rose Chess Club scored its second victory of the season over York's team Friday, scoring a 6-4 victory in the return match. - CONTINUED - ★

• The Sandusky Register Sandusky, Ohio Saturday, April 18, 1959 - Page 11 — Chess Explained to B-H Kiwanis — Berlin Heights — “Chess is a mental war between two opponents,” said Crawford Perry in explaining the fundamentals of the ancient game of chess at Berlin Heights Kiwanis Club meeting Thursday evening. Perry then told of the history of the game and described the chess program in Huron schools. When Perry completed his talks, some of the members decided to put their new-found knowledge to use, and then to their chagrin, lost games in as few as five moves. - CONTINUED - Read More

• The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, April 18, 1959 - Page 31 — Robert Fischer During Easter Holiday School Vacation — Taking advantage of the Easter holidays, USA champion, Bobby Fischer, is competing at Mar del Plata, Argentina, where top scores are: M. Najdorf, 8½-2½; B. Ivkov (Yugoslavia), and L. Pachmann (Czechoslovakia), 8-3 each; R. Fischer, 7½-3½. Read More

April 19, 1959

• The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, April 19, 1959 - Page 67 — Najdorf, Pachman Tie In Argentina — “…Two defeats in the early rounds of the tournament prevented United States chess champion Bobby Fischer from finishing higher than a tie for third at 10-4 with Boris Ivkov of Yugoslavia. Fischer, 15 year old Brooklyn boy who took time off from school to participate, lost to Pachman and to Rene Letelier of Chile. In the latter game, published below, Fischer started out well, gaining a pawn through a sharp sacrificial combination. But the game drifted into a drawn ending. Evidently not satisfied with this conclusion, Fischer tried to win, miscalculated and surrendered a vital point. Read More

• The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, California, Sunday, April 19, 1959 - Page 46 — Gossip from Holland — (The following was taken from the Australian “Chess World,” so ably edited by C.J.S. Purdy.) Writing in a Dutch paper, Donner speaks of the impossibility of making much personal contact with Bobby Fischer during the interzonal. He begrudged even the time off for meals, and after a last hurried bite would rush off to his room to analyze or to prepare an opening.
  Donner adds, “But I do not see much possibility of his further advance.” That is absurd. When you get natural genius allied to an infinite capacity for working at the chosen art, you get an Alekhine—or a Fischer.
  Natural Genius When you get only the natural genius, or high talent, you get a Pomar. There is a chance that Fischer may undermine his health—but we don't think Donner meant that. To prophesy that Fischer will become world champion would be silly—but to prophesy (by implication) that he won't is ever sillier. It would appear that Fischer's chief obstacle is likely to be Tal, who is not only a genius but seems a very robust character, and is only seven years older. ★ Read More

• The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, April 19, 1959 - Page 38 — Bobby Fischer in Mar Del Plata Tournament vs. School Truancy Regulations — “With rumors rife that U.S. champion Bobby Fischer will find it impossible to go to Yugoslavia for the challengers' tournament next September because he can't spare the time from school, it comes as a mildly shocking surprise to find the lad competing in Argentina's Mar del Plata fixture.” Read More

• The Observer London, Greater London, England Sunday, April 19, 1959 - Page 11 — Chess Competitions — Emanuel Lasker - It is some eighteen years since the death of that versatile genius, Emanuel Lasker, a man who held the world championship title for twenty-seven years and was possibly the most successful tournament player of all times…

April 20, 1959

• Des Moines Tribune, Des Moines, Iowa, Monday, April 20, 1959 - Page 9 — Chess Star, 16, Balks—Money —Santiago, Chile (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. chess ace, almost walked out of the Santiago international tournament Monday because he was interested in cash on the line, not trophies. In fact, Bobby did quit for a short time, but was persuaded to reenter. But he's not happy.
  “I came here with the understanding there would be $2,000 in cash prizes,” he complained. “But when I got here I found there would be $1,000 in cash and the rest in trophies and other stuff which wouldn't interest me.” Dionisio Gajardo Gajardo of the Chilean Chess Federation was assigned to sooth the Brooklyn high school lad's feelings.
  “He is very difficult to deal with,” Gajardo Gajardo sighed. “But I am sure it was just a case of misunderstanding. There are many other international players here and they are going to play in the tournament whether much money is involved or not.”
  Bobby listened to Gajardo Gajardo's pleas and then scowled:
  “Well, it looks like I'd just as well play. After all, I came here. But someone got things fouled up somewhere. When I was in Argentina for the Mar Del Plata tournament, I was told the prize money here would be $2,000.”
  Other big names entered include Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia, Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia, Hermann Pilnik of Argentina, Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina, and Joao De Souza Mendes of Brazil.
  Bobby's mother, Mrs. Regina Fischer, is along and she is solidly behind her offspring.
  “It's different with some of those Iron Curtain players,” she pointed out. “They get paid by their governments. Bobby doesn't and this trip costs lots of money.” ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

April 22, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, April 22, 1959 - Page 40 — Fischer Plays Draw In Chess — Santiago, Chile, April 21 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States champion from Brooklyn, and Agusto Sanchez of Colombia drew in forty-one moves in their opening match of an international chess tournament last night. The thirteen-round tournament will end May 6. Read More

• Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Wednesday, April 22, 1959 - Page 19 — Fischer Draws — Santiago, Chile (AP) — Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. champion from Brooklyn, and Agusto Sanchez of Colombia, drew in 41 moves in their opening match of an international chess tournament last night. The 13-round tournament will end May 6. Read More

• The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, Wednesday, April 22, 1959 - Page 23 — U.S. Chess Champ In Draw — Santiago, Chile, April 21 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. champion from Brooklyn, and Agusto Sanchez of Colombia, drew in 41 moves in their opening match of an International Chess Tournament Monday night. The 13-round tournament will end May 6. ★ / ★ Read More

April 23, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, April 23, 1959 - Page 38 — Fischer Has Advantage — Enjoys Edge Over Brazilian as Chess Match Adjourns — Santiago, Chile, April 22 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion from Brooklyn, has played two matches so far without decision in the inter- national tournament here. The 16-year-old schoolboy's match with J. de Souza Mendes of Brazil last night was suspended after forty-one moves. Fischer held the superior position. Fischer first match, with Augusto Sanches of Colombia, also was suspended after forty-one moves on Monday. Read More

• Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, Thursday, April 23, 1959 - Page 23 — Bobby Fischer Competing In Tourney at Santiago — After finishing second to Ludek Pachman, of Czechoslovakia, in the international chess tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentina, Bobby Fischer now is taking part in another international tourney at Santiago, Chile. The 16-year-old U.S. champion hopes to reverse the decision Pachman scored over him at Mar del Plata, which was responsible for his failure to win that tournament. Other well known players competing at Santiago include Borislav Ivkov, of Yugoslavia; Hermann Pilnik and Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina, and Joao de Souza Mendes, of Brazil. Fischer, whose first game at Santiago was adjourned, was reported earlier this week to have been on the verge of withdrawing from the tournament over a financial misunderstanding. The Brooklyn schoolboy was quoted as saying he went to Santiago under the impression there would be $2000 in cash prizes, but that when he got there he found there was only $1000 in cash, the rest being “in trophies and other stuff which wouldn't interest me.” Disappointment over the small amount of cash almost caused Bobby to return home, but he decided to play. This may make it sound as if our youthful champion is interested mainly in whatever financial rewards he can get out of chess (which in the past, in this country, have been pitifully small for any of our stars). But his mother, Mrs. Regina Fischer, who is accompanying him on his South American trip, points out that while the Iron Curtain stars and some from other countries get subsidized by their governments, Bobby doesn't — “and this trip costs lots of money.” It is a legitimate argument. Bobby and his family are far from rich. The amount of money he can pick up in a tournament is important to them.
  ★ ★ ★
  Following is one of Fischer's victories at Mar del Plata. In time trouble, he seemed to near defeat till he offered A. Redolfi of Argentina a bishop sacrifice which Redolfi unwisely accepted. The trap closed instantly. Read More

• Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Thursday, April 23, 1959 - Page 21 — Fischer's Chess Match Suspended — Santiago, Chile (AP) — Bobby Fischer, the U.S. champion from Brooklyn, has played two matches so far without decision in the International Chess Tournament here. The 16-year-old schoolboy's match with J. de Souza Mendes of Brazil Tuesday night was suspended after 41 moves. Fischer held the superior position. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

April 24, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, April 24, 1959 - Page 31 — Fischer Adjourns With Ivkov — Santiago, Chili, April 23 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion from Brooklyn, played his third straight suspended game in an international tournament today. Fischer and Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia adjourned their match after forty-three moves. Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina and Carlos Jauregui of Chili remained tied for first place when they drew in twenty-three moves. Read More

• The Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, Florida, Friday, April 24, 1959 - Page 40 — Fischer Wins Again — Santiago, Chile (AP) Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. chess champion from Brooklyn, played his third straight suspended game in the international chess tournament yesterday. Fischer and Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia suspended their match after 43 moves. ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

April 25, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, April 25, 1959 - Page 18 — Fischer Foe Has Edge — Sanguinetti Adjourns After 42 Moves in Santiago Chess — Santiago, Chile, April 24 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion from Brooklyn, and Raul Sanguinetti, an Argentine master, suspended their match in the Arturo Alessandri Palma international tourney last night after forty-two moves. It was the fourth straight game in which Fischer and an opponent failed to reached a decision in the tourney. Sanguinetti had the superior position when the match was halted. At the end he sacrificed a rook to crown a queen. Read More

• The Post-Standard, Syracuse, New York, Saturday, April 25, 1959 - Page 10 — Chess Match Suspended — Santiago, Chile (AP) — Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. chess champion from Brooklyn, and Raul Sanguinetti, Argentine master, suspended their match in the Arturo Alessandri Palma international tourney Friday night after 42 moves. Read More

• The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, April 25, 1959 - Page 32 — Tie at Mar Del Plata — Miguel Najdorf and Ludek Pachman, Argentine and Czech grandmasters, shared top honors in the Mar del Plata, Argentina, international, 10½-3½ pts each. Najdorf was the only player to go through without a loss. Bobby Fischer, U.S.A. champion, and Boris Ivkov, Yugoslavia, former world junior champion tied for 3/4th places with 10-4 pts. each. Fischer, after scoring only one point in his first four games, made a remarkable recovery to come within half a point of the top scores. Repeatedly in situations where all seems lost young Fischer shows the heart of a true champion in fighting quality, resourcefulness and 'sang froid'. Here is a case in point from the 1958 international at Portoroz. Read More

And The Wheels Go Around 25 Apr 1959, Sat Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) Newspapers.com

• Edmonton Journal Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Saturday, April 25, 1959 - Page 22 — Mental Gymnastics of Chess Interest 131 Scona 'Thinkers' — Strathcona's 131-member chess club has been “taking on” all comers lately, with the result that a strong team has been gradually built up. Last week, the chess squad again defeated Bonnie Doon.

April 26, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, April 26, 1959 - Page 264 — Fischer Victor in Chess — Santiago, Chile, April 25 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old chess player from Brooklyn, defeated M. Stekel of Chile in a tournament today.

• The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, April 26, 1959 - Page 48 — Fischer In Santiago — Bobby Fischer, youthful U.S. chess champion, flew north after completing the tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentina, and stopped off for another international event at Santiago, Chile. Here Fischer will be called upon to face some of the same opponents he encountered in the Argentine resort. On the list are Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia, Boris Ivkov of Yugoslavia, Joao de Souza Mendes of Brazil and Hermann Pilnik and Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina. Fischer, who took time off from Erasmus High School in Brooklyn to develop his chess career, will continue busy for some months. He is due in Zurich, Switzerland for a tournament from May 19 to June 8. This will be part of a jubilee celebration in that city. The major event for which Fischer is preparing is the candidates tournament to determine a challenger for the world chess championship. The American ace is one of eight grandmasters who will compete for that honor in Yugoslavia in a quadruple round-robin tournament which will last from Sept. 6 to Oct. 31. Fischer played erratically in Mar del Plata, losing two of his first five games, then scoring seven wins and a draw of his last eight. The following games are from the event. Read More

• Poughkeepsie Journal, Poughkeepsie, New York, Sunday, April 26, 1959 - Page 4 — First Match at Santiago — Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old chess wizard from Brooklyn, wins his first match in the International tournament at Santiago, Chile.

April 27, 1959

• Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Monday, April 27, 1959 - Page 12 — Fischer Wins Chess Match Over Stekel — Santiago, Chile (AP) — Bobby Fischer 16-year-old chess wizard from Brooklyn, won his first match in the international tournament Saturday when he defeated M. Stekel of Chile. The victory gave Fischer one point compared to three by Ludek Pachmann of Czechslovakia, the leader. Read More

April 29, 1959

• The Tampa Tribune Tampa, Florida Wednesday, April 29, 1959 - Page 21 — Beats Boy Wonder — Santiago, Chile, April 28. (AP)—Czechoslovak chess Champion Ludek Pachmann today defeated Robert Fischer, boy wonder champion of the United States, at his 44th move in the sixth round of the international chess tournament. ★

April 30, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, April 30, 1959 - Page 42 — Fischer Chess Victor — Defeats Letelier in Seventh Round of Santiago Play — Santiago, Chile, April 29 (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, the 16-year-old United States champion, won his seventh round match in the Arturo Alessandri Palma international chess tournament today. Fischer defeated the Chilean champion, Rene Letelier, who resigned after thirty-six moves. Yugoslavia's Borislav Ivkov maintained his lead in the tournament by defeating Joao Mendes Souza of Brazil in forty-four moves. Herman Pilnik of Argentina and Ludek Pachmann of Czechoslovakia drew after thirty-six moves; Augusto Sanchez of Colombia and Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina drew after thirty-four moves and Walter Adler and M. Steckel, both of Chile, suspended their match after forty-two moves. ★ / ★ Read More

• Deseret News and Salt Lake Telegram Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, April 30, 1959 - Page 1 — Pawnpushers Launch S.L. Club Contest — Seventeen local chess devotees began matching wits Wednesday night in a tournament that will determine the champion player of the Salt Lake Chess Club.

• Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, Thursday, April 30, 1959 - Page 12 — Bobby Fischer at Santiago, Chile Interzonal Tournament — Bobby Fischer's first four games in the international tournament at Santiago, Chile, have all been adjourned. In at least one, against Raul Sanguinetti, of Argentina, Bobby seemed to have a losing position. Sanguinetti and Carlos Jauregui, of Chile, were tied for the tournament lead. Read More

• Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Thursday, April 30, 1959 - Page 25 — Fischer Defeats Chilean Champ — Santiago, Chile (AP) — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y., 16-year-old United States champion, won his seventh round match in the Arturo Alessandri Palma International Chess Tournament yesterday. Young Fischer defeated the Chilean champion, Rene Letelier, who abandoned after 36 moves. Yugoslavia's master Borislav Ivkov maintained his lead in the tournament by defeating Joao Mendes Souza of Brazil. Souza was forced to abandon after 44 moves. Read More

• The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, April 30, 1959 - Page 49 — Wins Chess Match — Santiago, Chile, April 29 (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y., 16-year-old United States champion, won his seventh round match in the Arturo Alessandri Palma International Chess Tournament today. Young Fischer defeated the Chilean champion, Rene Letelier, who abandoned after 36 moves. ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Thursday, April 30, 1959 - Page 74 — Fischer of Brooklyn Won Seventh Round — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, 16 year old United States champion, won his seventh round match in the Arturo Alessandri Palma International chess tournament in Santiago, Chile.

• The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, April 30, 1959 - Page 5 — Last-Round Jitters — The last round of a big chess tournament puts an extra strain on possible prize-winners, and the number of players who can keep a cool head are few. At the Bognor tournament the Southern Counties championship was decided when Green, in a winning position left a rook en prise against Pritchard; and an equally interesting case occurred at Mar del Plata recently. The two leaders, the experienced grandmasters Pachman and Najdorf, drew their game decorously in 17 moves: but the two youngsters Ivkov and Fischer, who were half a point behind, both made strenuous efforts to beat each other. Ivkov had a winning position, but ruined it, and then Fischer in turn missed chance after chance and finally to be content to draw. However the United States champion's play is continuing to progress. Here is one of his wins from Mar del Plata, which illustrates the modern way of attack with the Ruy Lopez. Read More

May 01, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, May 01, 1959 - Page 26 — Fischer Match Suspended — Santiago, Chile, April 30 (AP)—The chess match between Jose Salas Romo of Chile and Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn in the Arturo Alessandri Palma tourney last night was suspended and will be completed later. Fischer is in fourth place with 4 points. Read More

• Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Friday, May 01, 1959 - Page 24 — Match Suspended — Santiago, Chile (AP) — The chess match involving Jose Salas Romo of Chile and Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn in the Arturo Alessandri Palma tourney Wednesday night was suspended and will be completed later, perhaps this weekend. Fischer is in fourth place with 4 points. ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Indiana Gazette Indiana, Pennsylvania Friday, May 01, 1959 - Page 19 — Jackets Cops Chess Match — Marion Center - Ralph Hoover's Marion Center chess team held onto second place in the Indiana County League here yesterday with a 4-1 victory over Blairsville … - CONTINUED - ★

May 02, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, May 02, 1959 - Page 17 — Chess Stars Adjourn — Fischer Halts Match Against Flores After 40 Moves — Santiago, Chile, May 1 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States champion from Brooklyn adjourned his match with Roberto Flores of Chile in the Arturo Alessandri Palma international chess tournament today after forty moves. It was the second match adjourned by Fischer, who remained tied with Flores for fourth place. Each player has four points. Fischer, in nine matches, has won four, lost three and adjourned two. Borislav Ivkov, Yugoslavia's champion, defeated Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina in thirty-five moves. He holds a half-point lead with 6½ points. Behind him, each with 6 points, are Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia, and Sanguinetti. Read More

• The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Saturday, May 02, 1959 - Page 13 — Young U.S. Chess Ace Halts Match Holds Tie — Santiago, Chile —(AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. champion from Brooklyn, N.Y., adjourned his match with Roberto Flores of Chile in the Arturo Alessandri Palma International Chess tournament yesterday after 40 moves. It was the second match adjourned by Fischer, who remained tied with Flores for fourth place, each with four points. Fischer, in nine matches, has won four, lost three and adjourned two. Borislav Ivkov, Yugoslavia's champion, defeated Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina in 35 moves and holds a half-point lead with 6½ points. Behind him, each with six points, are Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia and Sanguinetti. Read More

• Express and News, San Antonio, Texas, Saturday, May 02, 1959 - Page 57 — Argentinian Chess Tournament Results — Miguel Najdorf and L. Pachman shared top honors at the recently completed Argentinian chess tournament. A tie was registered for third and fourth positions between Boris Ivkov and the U.S.A.'s own Bobby Fischer, followed by a dozen strong South American masters.
  A good show for Fischer, who started off badly with two losses in the early rounds. This result will place more followers in Fischer's camp who will be eager to cheer him on in his trial by fire, the World Candidates' Tournament. Read More

May 03, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, May 03, 1959 - Page 239 — Chilean Beats Fischer — U.S. Chess Champion Bows to Juaregui in 40 Moves — Santiago, Chile, May 2 (AP) — Carlos Jauregui of Chile defeated Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old United States champion from Brooklyn, on the fortieth move of their game in the international chess tournament last night. It was Fischer's second loss in ten games. He has won four. Four have been adjourned. Borislav Ivkov, champion of Yugoslavia, held the tournament lead and remained unbeaten when he defeated Robert Stekel of Chile in thirty-five moves today. Ivkov has won three games and drawn three. Ludek Pachmann of Czechoslovakia is second, Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina third, and Fischer, Jauregui, Roberto Flores of Chile and Herman Pilnik of Argentina tied for fourth. Read More

• The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday, May 03, 1959 - Page 52 — Chess Tournament — We expect to have a strong field which will add to the interest of the tournament. The last here attracted such masters as Bobby Fischer, William Lombardy, Nicholas Rossolino, and Hans Berliner.

• The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, May 03, 1959 - Page 274 — Your Move - Older Chess Players Bow to Lad, 15 — Walter, son of the Walter Cunninghams, 165 Sandra Ave., is the champion player of the San Gabriel Chess Club, emulating the United States champion, Bobby Fischer, 15, of New York … - CONTINUED -

May 04, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, May 04, 1959 - Page 45 — Fischer Wins, Draws — Beats Romo and Splits Point With Flores in Chess — Santiago, Chile, May 3 (AP) — Bobby Fischer, the United States' 16-year-old chess champion, won one game and tied another last night in the tournament here. The Brooklyn youth defeated Julio Salas Romo of Chile and split a point with Rodrigo Flores of Chile on the sixty-second move. Herman Pilnik of Argentina moved into contention by scoring two victories. He defeated Rene Latelier of Chile and Robert Stekel of Chile. Both were adjourned games. Pilnik is now tied for fourth place with 6 points. Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia leads with 7½. Fischer is in fifth place with 5½. ★ Read More

• Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Florida, Monday, May 04, 1959 - Page 40 — Fischer Defeats Romo In Chile — Santiago, Chile (AP) — Bobby Fischer, the United States' 16-year-old chess master, won one game and tied another Saturday night in the International Chess Tournament here. The Brooklyn prodigy defeated Julio Salas Romo of Chile and tied with Rodrigo Flores of Chile on the 62nd move. Herman Pilnik of Argentina moved into contention by scoring two successive victories. He won over Rene Letelier of Chile and Robert Stekel of Chile. Both were suspended games. Pilnik is now tied for fourth place with 6 points. Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia leads with 7½. Fischer is in fifth place with 5½. ★ / ★ Read More

May 05, 1959

• The Hays Daily News Hays, Kansas Tuesday, May 05, 1959 - Page 3 — Hitchhiker Jailed — A hitchhiker, jailed in Russell last week on a vagrancy count, almost won the Open Mid-Continent Chess tournament being held there. When it was learned the vagrant was a player the sheriff entered him in the tourney. He won three games, tied one and lost one. He didn't leave town as a hitchhiker. Other chess players gave him a ride to Kansas City. Read More

May 06, 1959

• The Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah, Wednesday, May 06, 1959 - Page 50 — Keeps Chess Lead. — Santiago, Chile, May 5 (AP)—Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia, maintained his lead Tuesday in the Arturo Alessandri Palma international chess tourney by a drew with second place Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia. The match lasted only 13 moves and is the shortest in the tournament. Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, the United States champion, was idle Tuesday. He is sixth in the 13-man field after 10 rounds of play. ★ / ★ Read More

• The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Wednesday, May 06, 1959 - Page 25 — New Yorker Loses Chess Match — Sofia, Bulgaria, May 5 (AP)—Mrs. Gisela Kahan Gresser of New York, was beaten in the third round of the Women's World Chess Championships Tuesday by Paounka Todorova of Bulgaria. The championships are being played in the Bulgarian town of Plovdin. Mrs. Gresser made a superior start but lost a valuable piece in an error. The Bulgarian woman managed to gain a lead and presser her advantage until Mrs. Gresser conceded defeat, the Bulgarian news agency B.T.A. said. Read More

May 07, 1959

• The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, May 07, 1959 - Page 5 — Russian Chess Supremacy — The Russians seem to specialize in administering severe defeats to any promising young players appearing in the West. Masters like Gligoric, Unzicker, Ivkov, and Larsen have all suffered in this way, and the only ones who have done constantly well against the Russians are the American champion, Fischer, and Olafsson of Iceland. Portisch, the Hungarian champion, who is only 22, was recently second at Hastings and ahead of Szabo in Budapest. Immediately after these successes, he represented Budapest in a match against Leningrad, and the result was the following debacle. Read More

May 08, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, May 08, 1959 - Page 36 — Chess Ends In Tie — Ivkov, Pachman Share First Place in Chile Tourney — Santiago, Chile, May 7 (AP)—Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia and Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia tied for first place in the Arturo Alessandri Palma international chess tournament, which ended last night. Each won seven games, tied four and lost one. Herman Pilnik of Argentina finished third while the United States champion, Bobby Fischer was tied for fourth with five games won, five tied and two lost. In the deadlock with Fischer were Argentina's Raul Sanquinetti and Augusto Sanchez of Colombia. Fischer closed the tourney by defeating Walter Ader of Chile in thirty-six moves. Pilnik won six games, tied four and lost two. Read More

• The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, May 08, 1959 - Page 31 — Bobby Fischer in Chile Tied at Fourth — From Chile comes word that Bobby Fischer is tied for fourth, present standings, in the Arturo Alessandri Palm International Chess Tournament. He is tied with Flores. Borislav Ivkov is first with Ludek Pachman second. They are from Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia respectively. Fischer has to date won four, lost three and two others are adjourned. Read More

• Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Fairbanks, Alaska Friday, May 08, 1959 - Page 6 — Soldier Will Vie for Interior Chess Title — The chess champion of Ladd Air Force Back, Sp4 Ronald A. Dodge of Co. A, 40th Armor, will play in a tournament for the championship of the Interior… - CONTINUED -

• The Herald-News Passaic, New Jersey Friday, May 08, 1959 - Page 68 — Passaic Receives Chess Trophy — The Passaic High School chess club was awarded a trophy yesterday to signify their winning of the Passaic County Chess Club championship. Eight Passaic County high schools participated in the tournament this year. The trophy was presented by William Van Hassle … -CONTINUED- ★ / ★ Read More

• Alton Evening Telegraph Alton, Illinois Friday, May 08, 1959 - Page 8 — East Alton Sets Chess Tourney For May 16-17 — East Alton—The first annual Southwestern Illinois Chess Tournament promoted by the East Alton Chess Club and sponsored under the auspices of the Community Center, directed by Bob Steele, will be held May 16-17… -CONTINUED-

• The Troy Record Troy, New York Saturday, May 09, 1959 - Page 11 — Ferd'nand

Ferd'nand 09 May 1959, Sat The Troy Record (Troy, New York) Newspapers.com

May 09, 1959

• Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, May 09, 1959 - Page 15 — Chess: The Russians are undertaking a series of tournaments — The Russians are undertaking a series of tournaments in preparation for the great international matches scheduled this fall and winter. They are pointing particularly for the Challengers Round for the world championship duel. The Russians hope to improve their record against International Grand Master Robert Fischer whom they opposed in eight games in recent tourneys without once defeating him. Twelve competitors from six nations comprise the first of the matches. Included among the players are the stalwarts of Soviet chess: Smyslov, Keres, Tal and Petrosian. There is no reason to believe that a more mature Fischer will do less than his magnificent performance of last year. Read More

May 10, 1959

• The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, May 10, 1959 - Page 75 — Santiago Tournament — After six rounds of the international masters tournament at Santiago, Chile, Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia is leading with 4½-½ and one game adjourned. Boris Ivkov of Yugoslavia and Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina are tied at 4½-1½ U.S. Champion Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy, again started poorly, as he did in the recent Mar del Plata tournament. Fischer lost to the three leaders and won three games for an even score. He is tied with R. Flores and C. Jauregui of Chile. Six rounds remain to be completed. Following are games from the event. Read More

May 13, 1959

• Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Fairbanks, Alaska Wednesday, May 13, 1959 - Page 8 Chess Title Match Still Stalemated — The Alaska championship chess tournament between Sp4 Ronald A. Dodge of Ladd AFB and Shane O'Neill is still statemated… -CONTINUED-

May 14, 1959

• The Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, Thursday, May 14, 1959 - Page 4 — A Smile or Two — Illusion shattering, that's what it is. — We had been under the impression that the world's chess wizards thought of nothing but Reti's opening, Falkbeer's counter gambit, Giocco's piano, higher mathematics and perfect games of the past masters, never of such mundane things as money. Then came the shocker from Chile. Bobby Fischer, 16, has caused a stir in the Santiago International Tournament. He kicked when he found awards in the meet include only one thousand dollars in cash plus “trophies and other stuff” in which he proclaimed no interest. Bobby is an American boy, of course.—Miami Herald. ★ / ★ Read More

May 15, 1959

• The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, May 15, 1959 - Page 30 — Tournament Results in Santiago — Keeping up with other tournaments around: Jaurequi of Chile defeated Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, the U.S. champion in 40 moves. This is in the international tournament being held in Santiago, Chile. Ivkov of Yugoslavia had been the leader until he too was defeated by another Chilean, Leterier. This has put Pachman of Czechoslovakia in the lead. Fischer is tied for fifth, this in spite of the fact that he has been beaten only twice. Read More

May 16, 1959

• The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, May 16, 1959 - Page 15 — Fischer Not Hot in Chile — After completing play at Mar del Plata, where he tied for 3/4th places, Bobby Fischer, young American champion, accepted an invitation to a master tourney at Santiago, Chile. So far he has four wins, against three losses and two draws, with several games adjourned. Boris Ivkov, Yugoslavia leads with 6½ points, followed by L. Pachman, Czechoslovakia, and A. Sanguinetti, Argentina, 6 pts. each. Read More

• Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, May 16, 1959 - Page 15 — Loss of Fischer in Argentina Prove Champ Is Only Human — To prove that he is human, International Grand Master Robert Fischer lost four games in the tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentina. He finished after Miguel Najdorf of the Argentine and V. Pachman of Czechoslovakia, who drew for first. Fischer's losses were to Pachman, Paul Sanguinetti of Argentina, Boris Ivkov of Yugoslavia and Carlos Jaurengui of Chile. His opponents in the Challengers Round next Fall will give these losses close scrutiny for signs of weakness. In the Ivkov game, Fischer playing White ventured with 1. P-K4 which was met with the French Defense 1. P-K3, favorite response of World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik. After 52 moves, Fischer considered his chances hopeless and resigned. The young American champion favored us with the published rushes of the scores with his comments... After a tournament at Santiago, Chile, Fischer will fly to Zurich for a tourney in connection with the Jubilee Celebration of that city. The Russians will be waiting for him in force. Read More

May 17, 1959

• The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, May 17, 1959 - Page 70 — Santiago Tournament — The latest report from the international masters tournament at Santiago, Chile, had Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia take the lead when he defeated Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina. His closest rival, Boris Ivkov of Yugoslavia, lost in the semifinal round to Rene Letelier of Chile. Bobby Fischer, U.S. Champion, was not in good form and suffered four losses to Pachman, Ivkov, Sanguinetti and Carlos Jauregui of Chile. Read More

• The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, May 17, 1959 - Page 43 — The King's Men — by Merrill Dowden.

• New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, May 17, 1959 - Page 247 — Fischer To Play In Zurich Chess — Rest Expected to Help U.S. Champion Regain Form After Santiago Loss — In spite of his disappointing showing at Santiago, Chile, Bobby Fischer, chess champion of the United States, is expected to be in top form again after a much-needed rest in the West Indies. He is due in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday to play in the Swiss international jubilee tournament until June 8. There he will encounter two of the most powerful Soviet grand masters—Vassily Smyslov and Paul Keres—in the field of sixteen. Fischer has been anxious to play these two Russians ever since the rank of grand master was bestowed upon him by the International Chess Federation. At Santiago, Fischer suffered four losses. He cannot afford to drop that number of points and rank as high at Zurich as he did at Portoroz, Mar del Plata, or the two contests for the United States championship, both of which he won. Read More

May 18, 1959

• Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Fairbanks, Alaska Monday, May 18, 1959 - Page 6 — Alaska Chess Match Tied At 6-6 — The Battle for the Alaska Chess Championship between Shane O'Neill of Fairbanks and Sp4 Ronald Dodge of Ladd is all tied up again after four games over … -CONTINUED-

May 20, 1959

• Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Wednesday, May 20, 1959 - Page 18 — Match Adjourned — Zurich, Switzerland (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old American chess champion from Brooklyn, and Edgar Walther of Switzerland adjourned their first round game in the International Chess Tournament here yesterday.

• New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, May 20, 1959 - Page 45 — Fischer Adjourns In Weak Position — U.S. Chess Champion Faces Swiss at Zurich—Gligoric and Donner Triumph — Only two decisions in eight games of the Jubilee international chess masters tournament were registered in the opening round in Zurich, according to a report received last night through Swiss news sources. The two winners were Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia and Hein Donner of the Netherlands. Six other games were adjourned. Bobby Fischer, United States champion, experienced rough handling on the black side of a Sicilian defense that he set up against Edgar Walther, one of the six Swiss competitors. The 16-year-old American was kept on the defensive throughout, but lost two pawns. His outlook upon resumption is not encouraging. Paul Keres, one of the two Russians engaged, played the black side of a Ruy Lopez. He had the superior position against Max Blau of Switzerland after forty-one moves. The other Soviet representative, Mikhail Tal, went astray against Edwin Bhend of Switzerland in undertaking a doubtful sacrifice. After forty-two moves, the Russian adjourned in a precarious ending. Read More

May 21, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, May 21, 1959 - Page 38 — Fischer Rallies in Chess Match Before 2d Adjournment at Zurich — Bobby Fischer, the United States champion, held his own for fifty-seven moves and was still going strong when a second adjournment was taken yesterday in his first-round match of the Jubilee chess tournament, according to a report received from Zurich. Being two clear pawns behind after forty-two moves in his match with Edgar Walther of Switzerland, the 16-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy had a real problem on his hands. However, he not only held his opponent at bay but also reached a position in which he was regarded as having a chance for a draw. … Paired in the second round with Bhend, Fischer played to another adjournment in forty-one moves. Fischer, with the white pieces against a Sicilian defense, captured a pawn and reached a rook ending, in which he sealed his move. Bhend was left with a slight chance to draw. Read More

• Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Thursday, May 21, 1959 - Page 33 — Fischer's Chess Match Adjourned — Zurich (AP)—Bobby Fischer of New York remained pointless in the international chess tournament yesterday after adjourning his match with Edwin Bhend of Switzerland. Tied for the lead after two rounds with 1½ points each were Gedeon Barcza of Hungary, Andreas Dueckstein of Austria, Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia, and Paul Keres of Russia. Read More

• The Knoxville News-Sentinel Knoxville, Tennessee Thursday, May 21, 1959 - Page 40 — Zurich, Switzerland — Bobby Fischer of New York remains pointless in the international chess tournament.

May 22, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, May 22, 1959 - Page 22 — Fischer, Gligoric Share Chess Lead — U.S. Champion Scores Twice and Gains Draw on Third Day of Zurich Tourney — A splendid recovery from an unpromising beginning enabled the United States chess champion, Bobby Fischer, to show his true form on the third day of the international jubilee tournament in Zurich, according to a report which reached here last night through Swiss news sources. The 16-year-old Erasmus Hall High School, Brooklyn, student cleared up three games, winning two and drawing one. He now is tied for the lead with Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia, with a score of 2½—½. Fischer, playing an adjourned game with Edgar Walther of Switzerland, drew after 67 moves. Walther's advantage of two pawns was neutralized by the fact that there were bishops commanding squares of different colors on the board. Next Fischer accepted the resignation of Edwin Bhend of Switzerland, who was a pawn behind in an adjourned second-round match. Forty-one moves had been recorded. Fischer's opponent in the third round was Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland against whom the American set up a King's Indian defense. The Icelander, facing two advanced pawns and pressed for time, resigned after 40 moves. Gligoric won brilliantly in 29 moves from Dr. Erwin Nievergelt of Switzerland, who resorted to a Sicilian defense. Read More

• The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, Friday, May 22, 1959 - Page 22 — Fischer Leads In Chess — Zurich, Switzerland, May 21 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, Brooklyn teenager, and Svetozar Gligoric, of Yugoslavia, took the lead in the International Chess Tournament tonight with a ½ point margin over Russia's Mikhail Tal. ★

• The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Friday, May 22, 1959 - Page 44 — Brooklyn Chess Ace Tied In International Meet — Zurich, Switzerland — (AP) — Bobby Fischer, Brooklyn teen-ager and Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia took the lead in the International chess tournament last night with ½ point margin over Russia's Mikhail Tal. Fischer, U.S. champion, beat Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland after 40 moves. Gligoric defeated Erwin Nievergelt of Switzerland after 29 moves. Tal beat Ben Larsen of Denmark in 41 moves. Earlier Fischer tied his twice-postponed first round match against Edgar Walther, and won his second-round match with Edwin Bhend when the Swiss abandoned soon after the resumption of play. Read More

May 23, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, May 23, 1959 - Page 21 — Olafsson Draws In Zurich Chess — Shares Point With Walther in Adjourned Game After Ten Hours of Play — Six adjourned games, completing three rounds of the jubilee international chess masters tournament in Zurich, were finished yesterday, according to a report received from Switzerland. The highlight of the session was a draw lasting, in all, ten hours between Edgar Walther of Switzerland and Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland. The Icelander had a knight opposed to a bishop in the ending, wherein neither could prevail. Each had a score of 1½—1½. Tied at 2—1 were two Russians, Paul Keres and Mikhail Tal; Gedeon Barcza of Hungary, Dieter Keller of Switzerland and Wolfgang Unzicker of West Germany. Bobby Fischer, United States, and Svetozar Gligoric, Yugoslavia, each 2½—½, remained deadlocked for first. Read More

• The News, Frederick, Maryland, Saturday, May 23, 1959 - Page 3 — Fischer Leads At Chess — Zurich, Switzerland (AP) — Bobby Fischer, U.S. national champion from Brooklyn took a clear lead in the International Chess Tournament here Saturday night when he beat Josef Kupper of Switzerland in a fourth round game. Fischer has 3½ points in the standing. His leading rivals, Paul Keres and Mikhail Tal of Russia have three each and Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia has two. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, May 23, 1959 - Page 15 — Game Adjourned by Fischer In Swiss Chess Tournament — The first round has been completed in the Switzerland Jubilee International Chess Tournament at Zurich — International Grand Master Robert Fischer adjourned his game with Edgar Walther of Switzerland and Svetozar Gligoric won against Bent Larsen of Denmark. Hein Donner of Holland chalked up a win against Joseph Kupper of Switzerland. Sixteen players are entered with Russia represented by two contestants. The entrants, in addition to the above nations, are the United States, Yugoslavia, Austria, Hungary, West Germany and Iceland. The tourney will continue into June. Read More

• The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, May 23, 1959 - Page 49 — Fischer For Zurich — U.S.A. champion Bobby Fischer, has accepted the invitation to play in the Zurich International (May 19-June 8), in which several Soviet stars are expected to compete. From Santiago, Chile, International, 1959.

May 24, 1959

• The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, May 24, 1959 - Page 26 — Bobby Fischer Spanks Bent Larsen — “Bobby Fischer's Games of Chess,” by Bobby Fischer; Simon and Schuster, New York; $2.95. The alpha of modern chess, Dr. Emanuel Lasker (1868-1941), was honored by S. & S. with the publication of Dr. Hannak's biography which was highly touted in this space April 5. Ten days later they tried to do the same for the boy who threatens to be the omega of modern chess, Bobby Fischer, U.S. champion, international grandmaster and hope of the western chess world. This first collection of Fischer's tournament play contains 34 games; 13 from the 1957-8 U.S. championship, one from the third Rosenwald tournament and Bobby's 20 games from the famous 1958 interzonal. Fischer has annotated the first 14, the interzonal games are given raw. The book also contains complete cross-tables of the two tournaments involved and a delightful chess autobiography. “Bobby Fischer's Games of Chess” are the product of a first class chess intelligence.
  Since the publication of this book Fischer successfully defended his U.S. title. Then in April he tied for third place a half point behind the winners in the annual Mar del Plata, Argentina, tournament. Later Bobby played in a tourney at Santiago, Chile, where he lost four games and so suffered his first setback since he stated his dazzling rise in the Summer of 1956.
  Fischer is now playing in a tournament in Zurich. Vassily Smyslov and Paul Keres are also playing in Switzerland; thus Bobby will meet the only competitors in the coming challengers tournament he has not yet played.
  In 1895 Dr. Tarrasch protested vigorously to the tournament committee at Hastings the participation of one H.N. Pillsbury. Pillsbury, was, of course, admitted and won the tournament, defeating Dr. Tarrasch en route. In 1911 Dr. Bernstein protested Capablanca's playing at San Sebastian; Capa won and defeated Dr. Bernstein. At Portoroz, 1958 Bent Larsen, Denmark, told Fridrik Olafsson that he, Larsen, would “spank that baby, Fischer.” Naturally the baby spanked Larsen.
  —
  This game was played in the eighth round of the Interzonal, Fischer went on to win one of the qualifying places in the challengers; Larsen, a pre-tournament favorite, never recovered and placed 16th with a minus score. Read More

• Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, Sunday, May 24, 1959 - Page 31 — Interzonal Contest — A contest prior to the World's Championship has already started in Zurich, Switzerland. Ten players from 16 countries will play. The United States entry is Bobby Fischer, whose first encounter was a Swedish player. … Bobby Fischer's Games — Another book by the same publishers, selling for $2.95. There are 34 games in the book, 13 from the U.S. Championship Tournament in 1957-1958. Also the prize-winning game from the Rosenwald Trophy Tournament; then Fischer's 20 games played in the Interzonal Tournament last year in Portoroz. Read More

• New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, May 24, 1959 - Page 256 — Fischer Defeats Kupper In Zurich — U.S. Star Gains Undisputed Possession of 1st Place in Chess Tournament — Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion, defeated Josef Kupper of Switzerland in twenty-five moves to gain undisputed possession of first place in the jubilee international masters tournament at Zurich, according to a report from Swiss news sources last night. The talented young Erasmus Hall High School student devised a fine combination against the Sicilian defense set up by his opponent. Fischer sacrificed at his twentieth turn and, give moves later, forced Kupper's resignation. The Brooklyn youth now has a 3½-½ total. Fischer was helped to the top by Paul Keres of the Soviet Union who defeated Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia in 38 moves of a Ruy Lopez. Gligoric, who had been tied with Fischer, dropped to fourth place in the standing. Keres tied at 3-1 for second place with Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union, Tal, on the black side of a Sicilian defense, won in 36 moves from Wolfgang Unzicker of West Germany. The only other fourth-round victor was Hein Donner of the Netherlands, who won a pawn from Dr. Erwin Nievergelt, Switzerland and scored in 38 moves. Read More

• Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, Sunday, May 24, 1959 - Page 24 — U.S. Youth Takes Chess Tourney Lead — Zurich, Switzerland, May 23—(UPI)—Bobby Fischer, at 16 the youngest grand master in the world and the youngest participant in the International Chess tournament here, took the lead after the fourth round here tonight. The young American defeated Switzerland's Josef Kupper in only 25 moves to total 3½ points in four rounds. Read More

May 25, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, May 25, 1959 - Page 39 — Blau Holds Fischer To Draw At Zurich — The United States champion, Bobby Fischer, drew last night in the fifth round of the Jubilee chess tournament in Zurich with Max Blau, oldest of the six Swiss competitors, in twenty-three moves, according to a report received here through Swiss news sources. Read More

May 26, 1959

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, May 26, 1959 - Page 17 — Strictly Personal — Chess the Most Underpaid Intellectual Profession By Sydney Harris — Little Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old chess champion, nearly walked out of an international tournament in Chile last month, when he learned that the prize money had been cut in half. “More trophies don't interest me,” he grunted. If Bobby had read a few histories of the royal game, he would have been neither disappointed nor surprised. Chess is probably the most underpaid intellectual profession known to man, and the total annual earnings of the greatest masters wouldn't keep a Hollywood starlet in brassieres. In the melancholy history of chess, most masters have died in poverty, Steinitz, the finest player of the 19th century, ended his life as a charity case. The man who took the crown away from him, Emmanuel Lasker, was so embittered by his meager chess earnings that, in 1930's, he applied to Ely Culbertson for a diploma as a bridge teacher. AND THE most brilliant player of our time, Alekhine, spent his declining years in playing games for coffee and cigaret money in seedy, sour-smelling clubs. Only two world's champion's within memory have been able to live with a modicum of prosperity. Capablanca was at an early age given a diplomatic post by his Cuban government, for which he did little except play chess and build up nebulous “good will” for his country. And in Russia, Botvinnik for years was given a handsome government salary as an engineer, although most of his engineering was performed over the chess-board. ONE REASON for Russia's latter-day pre-eminence in chess is that it supports its fine players the way we support baseball and football figures, who are not supposed to do anything but contribute to the greater glory of the sport. Most of the first-rate American players have been so busy scrounging for a living that they have had neither the time nor the energy to prepare fully for championship tournaments. The Russians beat us not by brains, but by subsidy. I hope little Bobby has more sense than to try to make a career out of chess in this country. It simply cannot be done. Americans look upon chess as a freakish activity, not deserving the awesome respect we accord to baseball, hockey, football and six-day bike races. We are willing to pay anything but a display of brains. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, May 26, 1959 - Page 42 — Kupper and Larsen Play Draw In Chess — Five rounds of the Jubilee international chess masters tournament in Zurich were completed yesterday. The only adjourned game pending, between Josef Kupper of Switzerland and Bent Larsen of Denmark, was drawn, according to a report received through Swiss news sources. Kupper had a slight advantage in position at adjournment, but Larsen succeeded in equalizing. Read More

May 27, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, May 27, 1959 - Page 46 — Keres, Tal Draw In Zurich Chess — Soviet Union Players Stay in Lead—Fischer and Larsen Adjourn Game — Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion, played to an adjournment in forty-two moves with Bent Larsen of Denmark in the jubilee tournament at Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday. Paul Keres and Mikhail Tal, the two Soviet Union grandmasters, who had been tied with the Brooklyn student for first-place, met in another match and drew in twenty-two moves. As each of the two Soviet Union players gained half a point, they remained at the top of the standing with 4½—1½ scores. Fischer, at 4—1, is tied with Gedeon Barcza of Hungary. Fischer, who played white against the Sicilian defense, emerged with two bishops opposed to a couple of knights. when they adjourned, the prospects of a draw loomed. Barcza had the black side of a Reti opening with Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland who, after forty-one moves, had a slightly favorable position. Keres played the English opening against, Tal, and they agreed to divide a point after twenty-two moves. The two sixth-round winners were Wolfgang Unzicker of West Germany, who sacrificed a knight to get the upper hand, and Andreas Duckstein of Austria, whose French defense yielded him two pawns. … Fischer Baffles Rivals — The scores of two games won by Fischer at Zurich were received yesterday. Against Josef Kupper of Switzerland, the Brooklyn youth offered the sacrifice of a bishop for a pawn to gain access to the king, forcing Kupper to resign. Against Olafsson he advanced a couple of connected passed pawns to capture a knight. Pressed for time, Olafsson resigned. Read More

• Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno, Nevada, Wednesday, May 27, 1959 - Page 35 — Chess Whiz Kid Adjourns Match — Zurich, May 27. (AP)—Bobby Fischer of New York, top threat to the two Russians leaders, adjourned his match against Denmark's Bent Larsen after 42 moves in the International Chess Tournament. The Russians, Paul Keres and Mikhail Tal, tied after 23 moves in the sixth round and remain tied for the overall lead with 4½ points each. ★ Read More

May 28, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, May 28, 1959 - Page 38 — Fischer Is Victor In Zurich Chess — Turns Back Duckstein in 22 Moves—Tal Tops Keller and Leads in Tourney — Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, defeated Andreas Duckstein of Austria in 22 moves in the seventh round of the jubilee tournament in Zurich, according to a report received through Swiss news sources last night. The 16-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy against resorted to the Sicilian defense, winning a pawn and the exchange. Earlier, Fischer had a second session with Bent Larsen of Denmark, adjourned from the sixth round, but another adjournment was taken after 59 moves. Fischer, with a score of 5—1, now is second to Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union with 5½—1½. Tal defeated Dieter Keller of Switzerland in 34 moves. Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia gained 1½ points to tie Paul Keres of the Soviet Union for third at 5—2. … Details of the fifth-round game drawn by Fischer against Max Blau of Switzerland in 23 moves were received yesterday and showed the youth's opponent versed in the intricacies of the Sicilian defense. The play was reduced to a queen and bishop on each side, making further efforts superfluous. Read More

• The Des Moines Register Des Moines, Iowa Thursday, May 28, 1959 - Page 17 — Fischer Wins — Zurich (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn defeated Andreas Dueckstein of Austria after 27 moves Wednesday in the seventh round of the International Chess tournament. ★ / ★

• The Guardian, London, Greater London, England, Thursday, May 28, 1959 - Page 4 — Zurich Tournament — One of the most important tournaments of the year, involving five of the eight world title contenders, is now in progress in Zurich. After three rounds, the 16-year-old American champion Bobby Fischer shares the lead with Gligoric (Yugoslavia) with 2½, followed by Barcza (Hungary), Keller (Switzerland), Unzicker (Germany), and Keres and Tal (Russia)… Read More

May 29, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, May 29, 1959 - Page 20 — Fischer Adjourns Two Chess Games — Puts Off Tests With Larsen and Unzicker—Tal Beats Walther at Zurich — Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old United States chess champion yesterday continued his bid for top honors in the jubilee international tournament in Zurich. He adjourned two games and remained in second place, according to a report from Switzerland. Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union defeated Edgar Walther of Switzerland and stayed in first place with 6½—1½. Fischer, 5—1, had a third session in his sixth-round game with Bent Larsen of Denmark and adjourned after eighty-one moves when the Brooklyn youth refused a draw offered by Larsen. Next, Fischer opposed Wolfgang Unzicker of West Germany in the eighth round and adopted his favorite Ruy Lopez. Read More

• Casper Star-Tribune, Casper, Wyoming, Friday, May 29, 1959 - Page 11 — Bobby Fischer at Work — He speaks only chess — 16-Year-Old Chess Champ Is Typical Teenage Type By Ward Cannel (NEA Staff Correspondent) — New York (NEA)— Despite warnings from writers, photographers, publicists, TV personnel, editors, publishers, tourists and just plain folks who said it couldn't be done, I have successfully seen and talked to Bobby Fischer - Warning: Overtly Negative Propaganda/Lack of Sportsmanship - Continues… ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

May 30, 1959

• The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, Saturday, May 30, 1959 - Page 12 — Fischer Wins Match — Zurich, Switzerland, May 29 (AP)—Schoolboy Bobby Fischer, of Brooklyn, won one match today and drew in another to pull into a tie for first place in an international chess tournament.

• New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, May 30, 1959 - Page 13 — Fischer Ties Tal For Lead In Chess — Brooklyn Youth Draws With Larsen in 92 Moves and Beats Unzicker in 66 — Bobby Fischer gained 1½ points yesterday in the Jubilee international chess masters tournament, it was reported from Zurich, and tied Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union for the lead at 6½—½. The Brooklyn schoolboy drew with Bent Larsen, 24 years old, of Denmark in ninety-two moves. It was the fourth session of their sixth-round game. Fischer had declined a draw after eighty-one moves. Larsen declined at the eighty-ninth. Fischer then resumed his eighth-round game with Wolfgang Unzicker of West Germany, who was a pawn behind. Fischer soon took another pawn and scored in sixty-six moves. Paul Keres of the Soviet Union and Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia won adjourned games, tying at 6—2 for third place. Read More

• Pensacola News Journal, Pensacola, Florida, Saturday, May 30, 1959 - Page 11 — Fischer Gains Tie In Chess Tourney — Zurich, Switzerland (AP) — Schoolboy Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn won one match Friday and drew in another to pull into a tie for first place in an international chess tournament. The U.S. champion drew with Bent Larsen of Denmark and defeated Wolfgang Unzicker of Germany. Fischer and Russian grand master Mikhail Tal each have 6½ points. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

May 31, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, May 31, 1959 - Page 193 — Fischer Adjourns 9th-Round Match — He Holds Slight Edge Over Barcza After 42 Moves in Zurich Chess — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, the United States chess champion, adjourned his ninth-round match in the jubilee international tournament in Zurich, according to a report reaching here last night through Swiss news sources. His opponent in an English opening was Gedeon Barcza of Hungary, who had a slightly inferior position when the session ended after forty-two moves. The positions of Fischer and Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union, tied for the lead at 6½—1½, remained unchanged. Tal adjourned his game with Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland in a queen-and-rook ending after forty-one moves. Likewise, Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia and Paul Keres of Russia continued in a tie for third place at 6—2. Both adjourned their ninth-round games. Wolfgang Unzicker of West Germany defeated Dr. Erwin Nievergelt of Switzerland in twenty-nine moves and moved up to fifth place. Read More

• Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, Sunday, May 31, 1959 - Page 21 — Game of the Century — Taken from the book “Bobby Fischer's Games of Chess” and is entitled, “The Game of the Century” played in the Rosenwald Trophy Tournament in 1956. This was awarded first brilliancy prize.

• Lansing State Journal, Lansing, Michigan, Sunday, May 31, 1959 - Page 24 — Tips From 15-Year-Old Champion — Keep Other Thoughts Away, Says Fischer — By Kitte Turmell — When you're playing chess—and other competitive games —you have to learn to keep all other thoughts out of your mind. That's a tip from Bobby Fischer, who recently became the youngest player ever to win the title “International Chess Grand Master.”. Fifteen years old, and a junior at Erasmus Hall high school in Brooklyn, N.Y. Bobby has been described by the secretary of the Manhattan Chess club, one of the largest organizations of its kind in America, as the “most interesting chess personality in the world.” Already United States champion, Bobby traveled to Yugoslavia to compete in an international tournament. By tying for fifth place, he qualified for the next Challenger's Tournament—which, in turn, will decide who will meet the Soviet Union's Mikhail Botvinnik in 1960 for the world title.
  FOLLOWS OWN ADVICE Bobby, obviously, follows his own advice. Reporters covering the Yugoslavian tournament noted that in a difficult game he sits for hours hunched over the board. Although he often plays with speed and imagination, according to the experts, in one match he pondered for an hour and a half before making the move that saved him from defeat. “You've got to concentrate on the game you're playing—not on anything else—not even the game you won or lost yesterday,” he declared. “I feel upset if I lose a game—I don't like to lose. But I just try to play the next won to win. You can't let one defeat get you. Some players fall apart when defeated, but I know that if I'm still thinking about the game I lost yesterday, I'm going to lose today's game, too.” Bobby is inclined to belittle his new title. All it means, he says, is that “you placed well in international competition.” In the old days, he adds, when there were only about five grand masters in the world, the title meant more than it does today, when there are perhaps 40. But others consider it unusual achievement for one his age. Nowhere in the world are chess audiences quiet enough for Bobby. Watchers insist, he reports with some bitterness, on applauding at the end of a match, thereby disturbing other players who are still competing. “In Europe nearly everyone plays chess—but especially in Yugoslavia, where it's almost a national game. They chased me for autographs the way Americans chase a baseball player.” Bobby started his chess career at the age of six when his sister showed him the moves. By nine or 10 he was playing seriously. Anyone who is really interested can learn the game, he insists. All you need are books on the subject and an inexpensive chess set. No one who plays seriously uses an expensive or fancy set—they're too interested in the game to worry about possible damage, he says. Where no chess clubs are available to teen-agers, experts suggest “chess by correspondence. Two of the largest organizations providing this are the Chess Review, at 134 W. 72 st., New York 23, N.Y. and the Correspondents' Chess League of America, 816 S. Cecelia st., Sioux City 6, Ia. Jack Straley Battell, executive editor of the Chess Review, reports that there are more first class teen-age players in the United States today than ever before. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, May 31, 1959 - Page 73 — Fischer Tied For Lead In Zurich Tournament —Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. chess champion, is tied for first place with a score of 4-1 after five rounds of the Jubilee International Masters Tournament in Zurich, Switzerland, according to a report from the New York Times. Sharing the top position are two Russian grandmasters Paul Keres and Mikhail Tal, and Gedeon Barcza of Hungary. Fischer, with only two weeks' rest after competing in tournaments in Mar del Plata, Argentina and Santiago, Chile, experienced rough going in his first-round match against Edgar Walther, one of six Swiss competitors in the Zurich event. At adjournment time Fischer had lost two pawns, with little prospect of recovery. But he battled on through three sessions and 67 moves, finally obtaining a draw. Opposite colored bishops helped neutralize the difference in pawns. In the second round Fischer defeated Edwin Bhend of Switzerland, winning a pawn and reaching a winning rook ending. Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland was Fischer's opponent in the third round. Faced with two advanced pawns and pressed for time, Olafsson resigned after 40 moves.
  Santiago Tourney Boris Ivkov of Yugoslavia and Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia shared top honors with 9-3 scores in the recently completed masters tournament at Santiago, Chile. Herman Pilnik of Argentina was third with 8-4. Bobby Fischer, with a total of 7½-4½, finished tied with August Sanchez of Colombia and Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina. One of Fischer's better games at Santiago was against Rene Letelier of Chile, who had defeated the youngster at Mar del Plata. Read More

June 01, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, June 01, 1959 - Page 30 — Tal Wins Twice In Zurich Chess — Regains Lead at 8½-1½—Fischer Beats Nievergelt, Adjourns With Barcza — With two victories yesterday, Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union again took the lead in the Jubilee international chess tournament at Zurich, according to a report received here. The Russian won in sixty-four moves from Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland in a game adjourned from the ninth round. He then downed Max Blau of Switzerland in the tenth round, winning an interesting end-game in thirty-five moves. Tal's score is 8½—1½. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Bobby Fischer, United States champion, adjourned a second time with Gedeon Barcza in the ninth round. After fifty-nine moves, Fischer still had a slightly favorable position in a rook ending, with three pawns on each side. Fischer next took on Dr. Erwin Nievergelt of Switzerland in the tenth round and won on the white side of a Sicilian defense in forty-two moves. This left Fischer in second place with 7½—1½. Paul Keres climbed into third place with 7½—2½ after a draw in sixty moves with Bent Larsen of Denmark in the ninth round and a defeat of Wolfgang Unzicker of West Germany in the tenth. Read More

June 02, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, June 02, 1959 - Page 43 — Fischer Draws In 95-Move Game — Barcza of Hungary Repels U.S. Champion's Attacks in Zurich Chess — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn was held to a draw by Gedeon Barcza of Hungary yesterday in the longest game so far in the Jubilee chess tournament, according to a report from Zurich. For ninety-five moves the young United States champion attempted to pierce Barcza's defenses. They had resumed play in the adjourned ninth-round contest with a queen and three pawns each. Each lost two more pawns in the final session. The game, the only one played, completed ten of the fifteen rounds. Fischer is second with a score of 8—2. Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union leads at 8½—1½. Read More

• The Tampa Tribune Tampa, Florida Tuesday, June 02, 1959 - Page 22 — Draw In Chess Match — Zurich, Switzerland, June 1. (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the U.S. champion from New York, today was held to a draw by Gedeon Barcza of Hungary after 96 moves in their twice adjourned match in an international chess tournament. Fischer dropped into second place, a half point behind Russian grand master Mikhail Tal who has eight and one-half points. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

June 03, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, June 03, 1959 - Page 42 — Fischer Suffers First Chess Loss — U.S. Champion Is Beaten by Gligoric Who Ties Him for Second at Zurich — After surviving ten rounds without a loss, Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, met his first defeat yesterday in the eleventh round of the jubilee tournament at Zurich, according to Swiss news sources. The 16-year-old Erasmus Hall High School star bowed to Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia on the black side of a Sicilian defense in thirty-nine moves. The Brooklyn youth, a pawn down in the ending, was unable to recover. He missed a drawing line at the twenty-fourth move. Gligoric, at 8—3, joined Fischer in second place. This left Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union at the top of the standing with 8½—1½. Tal adjourned his game with Andreas Duckstein of Austria, who had the inferior position. Paul Keres of the Soviet Union, fourth with 7½—2½, ran into a snag with Dr. Erwin Nievergelt of Switzerland, who was two pawns ahead at the time of adjournment. … The match in which Fischer defeated Andreas Duckstein of Austria in the seventh round was surprisingly brief, as shown in the score just received by air mail. The United States champion had the black side of a Sicilian defense and, after both had castled on the king's side, brought out his queen for effective maneuvering on both wings. Fischer won a pawn and was on the point of winning the exchange when Duckstein saw fit to resign after twenty-two moves. Read More

• Asbury Park Press Asbury Park, New Jersey Wednesday, June 03, 1959 - Page 18 — Fischer Is Chess Victim — Zurich, Switzerland (AP)—Bobby Fischer, U.S. champion from New York, was defeated by Yugoslavia's Svetozar Gligoric after 39 moves Sicilian opening in the 11th round of the International Chess Tournament yesterday. It was Fischer's first defeat in the 10-nation tournament and seriously impaired his chances of overtaking the leader, Russian Mikhail Tal. Tal's game against Andreas Dueckstein of Austria was adjourned after 47 moves Nimzoindian Defense. But even if Tal loses this game, he will remain one-half point ahead of Fischer and Gligoric, who are tied for second place in the over-all standings. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

June 04, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, June 04, 1959 - Page 38 — Tal Wins, Increases Zurich Chess Lead — Dr. Erwin Nievergelt of Switzerland defeated Dieter Keller of Switzerland, who overstepped the time limit and resigned after thirty-nine moves, in the twelfth round of the jubilee international chess tournament in Zurich, yesterday according to a report received here from Switzerland. Bobby Fischer, United States champion, and Paul Keres of the Soviet Union played a Ruy Lopez for forty-one moves and adjourned in a rook and bishop ending. Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union likewise failed to reach a decision with Gedeon Barcza of Hungary. Svetozar Gligoric, Yugoslavia, had the better of the position with Hein Donner of the Netherlands. In an earlier session three adjourned games from the eleventh round were decided. Tal defeated Andreas Duckstein, Austria, in 57 moves and increased his lead. Paul Keres, Russia, was held to a draw by Nievergelt, also in fifty-seven moves. Read More

• The News Journal Wilmington, Delaware Thursday, June 04, 1959 - Page 6 — Fischer Eyes Second In Chess Tournament — Zurich, Switzerland, June 4 (AP).—Russian Grand Master Mikhail Tal was comfortably leading after the 12th round of the international chess tournament here today with young Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Paul Keres of Russia still fighting for second place. All games of the 12th round were finished this morning with the exception of the Fischer-Keres meeting which was again adjourned after 59 moves. Fischer, playing the Spanish opening seemed to have a slightly better position, but reliable predictions are almost impossible in chess. Fischer and Keres were in third positions with 8 points each and one adjourned game. If the game ends in a draw they will both advance into second place with Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia. Read More

• Tampa Bay Times St. Petersburg, Florida Thursday, June 04, 1959 - Page 22 — Tal Increases Chess Lead Over Fischer — Zurich, Switzerland (AP)—Russian grand master Mikhail Tal yesterday increased his lead over America's Bobby Fischer and Yugoslavia's Svetozar Gligoric as the International Chess Tournament went into its 12th round. Tal beat Austria's Andreas Dueckstein after 57 moves in an adjourned 11th round game and now leads with 9½ points. Russia's Paul Keres drew even with Fischer, Brooklyn teenager, and Gligoric after he tied with Switzerland's Erwin Nievergelt in another adjourned 11th round game. Keres, Fischer and Gligoric are in second place with eight points each. Twelfth-round matches adjourned yesterday included those between Fischer and Keres, Gligoric and Hein Donner of the Netherlands, and Tal and Hungary's Gedeon Barcza. ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• Fort Worth Star-Telegram Fort Worth, Texas Thursday, June 04, 1959 - Page 60 — Soviet Chess Master Holding Tourney Lead — Zurich, Switzerland, June 4 (AP) —Russian grand master Mikhail Tal was comfortably leading after the 12th round of the international chess tournament here today with young Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Paul Keres of Russia still fighting for second place. All games of the 12th round were finished this morning with the exception of the Fischer-Keres meeting which was again adjourned after 59 moves. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

June 05, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, June 05, 1959 - Page 23 — Fischer Defeats Donner In Chess — Wins in 44 Moves at Zurich—Keres Keeps Pace by Overcoming Keller — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, the 16-year-old United States chess champion, and Paul Keres of the Soviet Union were both winners in the thirteenth round of the jubilee tournament in Zurich, according to a report last night from Switzerland. The rivals advanced from third to second in the standing with scores of 9—3 each, one (illegible) below Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union with 10—2. Fischer, adopting the King's Indian defense, defeated Hein Donner of the Netherlands in forty-four moves. The American won two pawns and exploited the minor positional advantage he obtained. Keres brought off a neat combination, involving the sacrifice of a piece, against Dieter Keller of Switzerland. The latter played the Petroff defense and resigned after 38 moves. Read More

• Asbury Park Press Asbury Park, New Jersey Friday, June 05, 1959 - Page 25 — Fischer Point Down In Chess Tournament — Zurich, Switzerland (AP) — United States Champion Bobby Fischer of New York advanced within one point of the leading Mikhail Tal of Russia in the International Chess Tournament by defeating the Netherland's Hein Donner in 44 moves last night. After 13 rounds, Fischer was tied with Paul Keres of Russia with nine points to 10 for Tal. ★ / ★ Read More

June 06, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, June 06, 1959 - Page 17 — 2 Russians Beaten In Chess At Zurich — Both Soviet players suffered unexpected defeats in the Jubilee chess tournament yesterday, according to a report from Zurich, Switzerland. Mikhail Tal was beaten by Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia. Bobby Fischer, the United States champion, defeated Paul Keres, and moved into a tie for first place with Tal at 10—3. Two of the fifteen rounds remain to be played. The Fischer-Keres game had been adjourned twice from the twelfth round with the 16-year-old Brooklyn boy a pawn ahead. Fischer captured a second pawn and won in eighty-one moves. Tal had the white side of a Ruy Lopez. He had adjourned in a position so unfavorable that he resigned after forty-two moves. Gligoric, at 9½—3½, took third place. … A passed pawn enabled Svetozar Gligoric to win his eleventh-round game with Bobby Fischer, according ot the score of the game, which arrived yesterday. Read More

• Asbury Park Press Asbury Park, New Jersey Saturday, June 06, 1959 - Page 13 — Fischer and Tal Tied in Chess — Zurich, Switzerland (AP) —Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old American chess champion from Brooklyn, tied Russian Grand Master Mikhail Tal for first place in the International Chess Tournament last night. Fischer caught Tal by beating another Russian, Grand Master Paul Keres, after 81 moves in a game adjourned from the 12th round two days ago. Tal was beaten by Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia in a game adjourned from the 13th round Thursday. Tal and Fischer each have 10 points. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The News Paterson, New Jersey Saturday, June 06, 1959 - Page 19 — Reports of Bobby Fischer in Zurich — From reports Bobby Fischer is still doing well at Zurich. He is tied for first with Tal. One half point behind, also tied, are Gligoric and Keres. Fischer is in fast company here, a collection of the world's best. A good showing here will do much to boost U.S. chess prestige. Read More

• Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, June 06, 1959 - Page 15 — Zurich, Switzerland Jubilee Tournament One Third Through -- Standing of Players — The Zurich (Switzerland) Jubilee tournament is one-third through, and is holding the close attention of the world of chess, mostly because of Robert Fischer's name on the roster of 16 players. DRAWN FOR FIRST with only one game in the minus column are International Grand Master Fischer, 16, and Gedeon Barcza of Hungary. They are closely followed by two Russians, Mikhail Tahl and Paul Keres, who are drawn at 4½-1½. West German champion Wolfgang Unzicker is next followed by Gligoric, Olafssen, Walther and Duckstein. Fischer's hard games are still ahead—if any of them can be said to be easy. Read More

June 07, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, June 07, 1959 - Page 252 — Tal Tops Donner In Zurich Chess — Russian Takes Lead After 14 Rounds—Fischer Adjourns Game With Keller —Mikhail Tal, Soviet grandmaster at chess, was in first place yesterday after winning in twenty-eight moves from Hein Donner of the Netherlands in the fourteenth round of the Jubilee tournament in Zurich, according to a report from Switzerland. He broke a tie with Bobby Fischer, United States champion, who adjourned his game with Dieter Keller of Switzerland after forty-one moves. Tal resorted to the Benoni Counter Gambit and captured a pawn. Donner found himself in difficulty and surrendered sooner than expected. Fischer played his favorite Ruy Lopez against Keller. Fischer lost a pawn on the twenty-seventh move and another on the thirty-fourth. Paul Keres of the Soviet Union on the black side of a Ruy Lopez, won the exchange from Edgar Walther of Switzerland, who gave in after forty-one moves. The added point gave third place in the standing to Keres, with Svetozar Gligoric, Yugoslavia, fourth. Gligoric, having an advantage, adjourned with Edwin Bhend of Switzerland. Bent Larsen of Denmark and Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland were the other fourteenth-round winners. Today's program will finish adjourned games and start the fifteenth and final round, in which Fischer and Tal are paired. …
  Zurich Scores Listed The latest selection of scores received from Zurich includes the draw between the United States champion, Bobby Fischer and Gedeon Barcza of Hungary, which required ninety-five moves. It was the longest game of the tournament to date. Also included is the struggle between Fischer and Wolfgang Unzicker of West Germany, which the Erasmus Hall High School student won after sixty-five moves. In addition, the full details of Fischer's defeat of Dr. Edwin Nievergelt of Switzerland are at hand. Read More

• The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana, Sunday, June 07, 1959 - Page 60 — Fischer's Games, Lasker's Biography Issued — There are two interesting chess books on the market now. One is the life and games of Emmanuel Lasker, the other is the games of chess Bobby Fischer has played. No two grandmasters could be more different. Bobby Fischer, now 16, was the youngest grandmaster of all time. Seeming to have no other interest, he's still going strong in his bid for the world championship. Lasker, on the other hand, was a philosopher, mathematician, poet and, though he intensely disliked the game, was for 28 years (from 1894) the world's chess champion. As different as the chess players are the books. Fischer's annotated by himself, is about his own meteoric chess career (May 1955 to May 1958): the games themselves with the author's comments at strategic moves. The book about Lasker is both a biography of his personal life and its relation to his life of chess, including more than 100 of his greatest games. Written by Dr. J. Hannak (in German) and translated by Albert Einstein, it is considered the standard work on Lasker. (Unfortunately there are an annoying number of typographical errors in the text). Fischer is obviously a brilliant chess player; Lasker was brilliant in many ways. Readers primarily interested in modern chess motifs will want Fischer's book; those interested in the lives of the important and near-great men will want the book about Lasker. Both make valuable additions to chess libraries. — KC ★ Read More

• Oakland Tribune Oakland, California Sunday, June 07, 1959 - Page 61 — Russian Leader in Chess Tourney — Zurich, Switzerland, June 6—(AP)—Russian grand master Mikhail Tal took over the lead in the international chess tournament today when 16-year old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y., adjourned his match. Tal boosted his point total to 11 points when he defeated Hein Donner of the Netherlands in 29 moves. Fischer remained in second place with 10 points after adjourning his match with Dieter Keller of Switzerland. The Fischer-Keller match with Keller in an advantageous position will be completed tomorrow before Fischer and Tal tangle in the final round. ★ / ★ Read More

• The Sunday News Ridgewood, New Jersey Sunday, June 07, 1959 - Page 3 — Big 4 May Stalemate, But Brooklyn Aims at Checkmate — Chess devotees are chortling with glee over the exploits of 17-year-old Bobby Fischer, the Brooklyn genius tied for first place with Mikhail Tal of Russia in the world tournament being held in Zurich. It is somehow wrong to speak of chess players chortling with glee. Undoubtedly, that is not what they do. But young Fischer is certainly a genius at the game, which has been called the “highest intellectual struggle”. At 17, he is competing on equal terms with the Russian masters. Thirteen rounds (or games) have been played and Fischer, always at or near the top of the scoring, has pulled even. It is a remarkable feat, no matter how the final standings emerge. In the first place, playing this kind of chess requires a uniquely analytical mind. And secondly, playing with the Russians, abroad, calls for poise that youths of Fischer's age rarely possess. Chess is by no means a “spectator” sport. Those who have observed important matches say they are conducted in what can only be called a deathly hush. The rules are strict and on mistake or the loss of a pawn usually means defeat when the opponent is an “international grandmaster.” That's the title Fischer has earned during his brief chess career. This boy is in effect representing the U.S. in the tournament, although, as I understand it, the funds allowing him to make the trip were contributed by private sources. I don't imagine the same is true of the two Russians playing in the tourney. Probably the Soviet government is paying for their trip. Many of the greatest players in the world are Russians, and generally speaking, the game there is more popular than anywhere else in the world. It is also possible that the Russian players are accompanied by “analysts,” expert chess players who study adjourned games and advise the player in his successive combination of moves. Fischer's eminence in the heady world of chess may well put the U.S. back into the forefront of the game, which at various times has been dominated by a Cuban, a Frenchman, the Russians and others. One of the best American players, Sammy Reshevsky, is not competing in the tournament. He has played in other years but always at the same disadvantage: paying his own way, lacking analysts, and so forth. Reshevsky, a chess genius at nine years of age, toured the U.S. in 1920-21, playing 10, 15, or 20 opponents simultaneously and winning 90 per cent of the games. He played 15 simultaneous games in Paterson, winning 14 and drawing one. The greatest American player, in many minds, was Paul Morphy, who lived in New Orleans and became world champion at the time of the Civil War. Some experts on the game consider Morphy the greatest player who ever lived, which is saying a lot in a few words since it is an ancient pastime thought to have originated in India. In any event, Bobby Fischer, the Brooklyn school boy, has the kind of mind that goes with playing rarified championship chess. Maybe the Russians will change their school system. Read More

• The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, June 07, 1959 - Page 48 — Tal Leads At Zurich, Fischer Close Second — Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union took the lead after 10 rounds in the Jubilee International Masters Tournament in Zurich, Switzerland, according to a report form the New York Times. Tal won eight games, drew with his compatriot, Paul Keres, and lost to Edwin Bhend of Switzerland, for a score of 8½-1½. Tal is playing aggressive, energetic chess. His loss was due to overreaching in an attacking game. Youthful U.S. champion Bobby Fischer is in second place with a score of 8-2, comprising six wins and draws against Bent Larsen of Denmark, Gedeon Barcza of Hungary and Max Blau and Edgar Walther of Switzerland. Fischer has been the hardest working competitor in the tournament. His draw with Larsen lasted four sessions and 92 moves. Fischer had declined the offer of a draw after 81 moves. Larsen then declined a counteroffer on his 89th turn, but there was no longer any winning prospect. Having completed this marathon contest, Fischer promptly entered an even longer one. It took 95 moves to establish his draw against Barcza. For a long stretch the players maneuvered in an ending with queen and three pawns each, but neither side could break through. Keres, the only other undefeated player in the tournament, is third with 7½-2½. Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia follows with 7-3. He has two losses, to Keres and Barcza. Five rounds remain to be completed. Following is the standing after 10 rounds … Read More

• Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, June 07, 1959 - Page 64 — Speaking of Chess - Chess Continues During Summer — The summer months usually see a slackening in local chess but this year there seems to be more activity than usual after the end of the City Chess Tournament … CONTINUED

June 08, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, June 08, 1959 - Page 37 — Tal and Fischer Draw At Zurich — Russian Clinches at Least Tie for Chess Honors — Gligoric in Contention — Zurich, Switzerland, June 7 (AP)—Bobby Fischer of New York and Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union played to a draw in the fifteenth and last round of the international chess tournament tonight. Tal, who led for most of the tournament, finished with 11½ points. Fischer, 16-year-old United States champion, wound up with 10½. Earlier, Dieter Keller of Switzerland beat Fischer in fifty-eight moves in an adjourned match. Yugoslavia's Svetoza. Gligoric, with 10½ points, did not finish his game with Josef Kupper of Switzerland. If he beats Kupper tomorrow, when adjourned games will be completed, he will share first place with Tal. If he loses he will share second place with Fischer. A draw will give him second place, undisputed. Fischer's loss to Keller had been foreseen, according to a report received from Zurich Sunday night. Keller was two pawns ahead of his Brooklyn rival when the fourteenth-round contest was adjourned. He soon made that distinct advantage tell. Gligoric won his fourteenth-round game with Edwin Bhend of Switzerland, without resuming play, in forty-two moves. Read More

• Reno Gazette-Journal Reno, Nevada Monday, June 08, 1959 - Page 16 — Fischer Ties Russian Star — Zurich, Switzerland, June 8. (AP)—Bobby Fischer of New York and Russian Grand Master Mikhail Tal drew in their game in the 15th and last round of the international chess tournament Sunday. Tal, who led for most of the tournament finished with a winning total of 11½ points. Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. champion, wound up with 10½. But Yugoslavia's Svetozar Gligoric, who has accumulated 10½ points in 14 rounds did not finish his game against Josef Kupper of Switzerland. Read More

• Daily News New York, New York Monday, June 08, 1959 - Page 21 — Fischer Defeated — Zurich, Switzerland, June 7 (AP).—Dieter Keller of Switzerland today defeated Bobby Fischer, the U.S. champion from New York, in the 58th move of an adjourned match. The upset dropped the 16-year-old boy wonder to third place in an international chess tournament. Fischer has 10 points. ★ / ★ Read More

• The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Monday, June 08, 1959 - Page 27 — On The Move — Bobby Fischer of New York, 16-year-old chess phenom, drew with Russian grand master Mikhail Tal in the last round of the international tournament at Zurich, Switzerland. Tal already has clinched the tournament. Fischer stands to finish second or third. Read More

• The Des Moines Register Des Moines, Iowa Monday, June 08, 1959 - Page 19 — Fischer Loses — Zurich, Switzerland (AP)—Dieter Keller of Switzerland Sunday defeated Bobby Fischer, U.S. champion from New York, in chess. The upset dropped the 16-year-old Fischer to third in an international tournament. ★

• The Times Shreveport, Louisiana Monday, June 08, 1959 - Page 7 — Fischer in Draw With Red Player — Zurich, Switzerland, June 7 (AP). Bobby Fischer of New York and Russian grand master Mikhail Tal drew in their game in the 15th and last round of the international chess tournament tonight. Tal, who led for most of the tournament finished with a winning total of 11½ points. Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. champion, wound up with 10½. But Yugoslavia's Svetozar Gligoric, who has accumulated 10½ points in 14 rounds did not finish his game against Josef Kupper of Switzerland. If he beats Kupper tomorrow when adjourned games are completed he will share first place with Tal. If he loses he will share second place with the crew-cut American. A draw will give him second place. ★ / ★ Read More

June 09, 1959

• New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, June 09, 1959 - Page 49 — Tal, Soviet Union, Is Zurich Victor — Triumphs in Chess Tourney When Gligoric Is Held to Draw by Kupper — Mikhail Tal, a 23-year-old Latvian-born international grandmaster at chess representing the Soviet Union in the Jubilee tournament at Zurich, yesterday emerged as the winner of first prize, according to reports from Switzerland. Tal had a score of 11½—3½. Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia, who had a chance to tie Tal, was held to a draw in fifty-five moves by Josef Kupper of Switzerland in their adjourned fifteenth-round game. This left Gligoric in the runner-up position a score of 11—4. Paul Keres, the other representative of the Soviet Union, drew his adjourned game with Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland in fifty-eight moves and tied for third place, at 10½—4½, with Bobby Fischer, the United States champion. The 16-year-old Brooklyn youth had defeated Keres in eighty-one moves in the twelfth round. Winners in other adjourned games played-off yesterday were Edwin Bhend and Dieter Keller of Switzerland, and Wolfgang Unzicker of West Germany, all with the white pieces. The tournament formally wound up with the presentation of prizes at a reception in the Municipal Congress Building. Fischer, whose resourceful play had made a deep impression, was warmly applauded. He won eight games, drew five and lost two. Read More

• Asbury Park Press Asbury Park, New Jersey Tuesday, June 09, 1959 - Page 20 — Russian Wins Chess Crown — Zurich, Switzerland (AP)—Russia's grand master Mikhail Tal became the winner of the International Chess Tournament yesterday when Yugoslavia's Svetorzar Gligoric failed to win his final game. Gligoric tied with Swiss Josef Kupper after 55 moves in an adjourned game. This left him with only 11 points in the over-all final standings compared with Tal's 11½ Bobby Fischer of New York and Russia's Paul Keres tied for third place with 10½ points each. Fischer, twice American champion will meet Tal, Gligoric and Keres again in Yugoslavia later this year. The winner of that tournament will be entitled to challenge Russia's world champion, Mikhail Botvinnik, in 1960. Read More

• The Missoulian Missoula, Montana Tuesday, June 09, 1959 - Page 12 — Wins Chess Tourney — Zurich, Switzerland (AP)—Russia's grandmaster Mikhail Tal became the winner of the International Chess Tournament Monday when Yugoslavia's Svetozar Gligoric failed to win his final game. Gligoric tied with Swiss Josef-Kupper after 55 moves in an adjourned game. This left him with only 11 points in the overall final standings compared with Tal's 11½. Bobby Fischer of New York and Russa's Paul Keres tied for third place with 10½ points each. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• Richmond Times-Dispatch Richmond, Virginia Tuesday, June 09, 1959 - Page 22 — Russian Is Victor In Chess Tourney — Zurich, Switzerland, June 9—(AP)—Russia's grandmaster Mikhail Tal became the winner of the international chess tournament Monday when Yugoslavia's Svetozar Gligoric failed to win his final game. Gligoric tied with Swiss Josef Kupper after 55 moves in an adjourned game. This left him with only 11 points in the overall final standings compared with Tal's 11½. Bobby Fischer of New York and Russia's Paul Keres tied for third place with 10½ points each. Fischer, twice American champion will meet Tal, Gligoric and Keres again in Yugoslavia later this year. The winner of that tournament will be entitled to challenge Russia's world champion, Mikhail Botvinnik, in 1960. Tal won the interzonal tournament in Portoroz, Yugoslavia, within the world chess champions last year with Gligoric second. Fischer, who earned the title of a grand master of chess of the international chess federation in Portoroz when he was not yet 16 years old, was hampered by fatigue during the later stages of the Zurich tourney. For most of the competition he had to finish adjourned games in the morning before starting in the next round the same afternoon. He complained he did not get enough sleep. Read More

June 11, 1959

• Deseret News and Salt Lake Telegram Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, June 11, 1959 - Page 13 — U.S. Youth, 16, Tied For First In Swiss Test — After 13 rounds of play, the incredible 16-year-old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn is tied for first place in the important jubilee Chess Tournament in Zurich, Switzerland. The tournament which includes five of the eight world title contenders has only two more rounds to go. Both Soviet players, Mikhail Tal and Paul Keres, suffered losses in their 13th round of play. Tal was defeated by Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia. Fischer, the United States champion, defeated Keres after surviving 10 rounds without a loss, Fischer met his first defeat in the 11th round to Gligoric on the black side of a Sicilian defense in 39 moves. Read More

• The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, June 11, 1959 - Page 7 — The Ruy Lopez — “With both Fischer and Gligoric comparing well with the Russians, the possibility of the first non-Russian challenger since 1948 is improving. Russian wins at Zurich The Russian grandmaster Tal, aged 22, has just achieved another success by winning first prize at Zurich. He scored 11½ out of 15, ahead of Gligoric (Yugoslavia) 11, Fischer (United States) and Keres (Russia) 10½, Larsen (Denmark) and Unzicker (Germany) 9½. Bobby Fischer, aged 16, was level with Tal two rounds before the end but then fell back. Fischer beat Keres and drew with Tal, and now has the enviable record of a win and five draws in six games with Russian grandmasters. Read More

• Courier-Post Camden, New Jersey Thursday, June 11, 1959 - Page 21 — Mikhail Tal, Paul Keres vs. Bobby Fischer — Mikhail Tal, 23-year-old Latvian who has twice held the Soviet Union championship, captured the Jubilee tournament at Zurich, Switzerland, over a field of 15 others. His final score was 11½-3½. A close second at 11-4 was the Yugoslav grandmaster Svetozar Gligoric. America's brilliant young champion Bobby Fischer finished in a tie with the veteran Paul Keres, of Russia, at 10½-4½. However, in their match in the 12th round the 16-year-old Bobby defeated Keres in 81 moves. Bobby's play during the tournament was spectacular and at the awarding of prizes he drew the biggest hand of any of the competitors. He had 8 victories, 5 draws and 2 defeats. One of his losses was to Gligoric and the other, which cost him dearly, was in the 14th round to Dieter Keller, of Switzerland, who finished 12th in the final standings. Read More

June 13, 1959

• Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, June 13, 1959 - Page 15 — Fischer Has Chess Record Similar to Belgian Count's — Count Alberic O'Kelly de Galway, Belgian chess champion, a few years ago established a reputation of entering every tournament he could schedule. He compiled a record of high scores in the process. International Grand Master Robert Fischer, 16-year-old junior at Erasmus High School, Brooklyn, N.Y. and U.S. champion twice running, has played in every tournament he could persuade his school to permit him to attend. Last month Fischer finished in the money in both Latin American tournaments, each a tough and demanding contest. WHEREVER HE appears he is the special target of the opposing masters who considered themselves successful if they can score a win against Fischer, regardless of their standings. In the Zurich tourney, 11 games of the 15-game round robin have been played. Leading is Mikhail Tahl, former Russian champion with the score of 8½ to 1½. Fischer is second, drawn with Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia, 8-3, followed in order by Paul Keres, Barcza, Larsen, Olafssen, Unzicker, Donner, Bhend, Kupper, Keller, Walther, Duckstein, Blau and Nievergelt. FISCHER'S SCORE represents one loss (to Gligoric), four draws and six wins. In this, as well as several recent tourneys, Fischer has shown a preference for the Sicilian defense against openings of 1. P-K4. The Sicilian sidewinder 1. ...P-QB4 rapidly develops into a fighting game in which draws are less frequent than in the usual tournament opening, the Queen's Gambit. Since Fischer has favored the Sicilian, it has undergone close analysis to exploit its possibilities. Read More

• The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday, June 13, 1959 - Page 51 — Fischer at Santiago and Zurich — Santiago, Chile International Young Bobby Fischer, the U.S. champion, tied for third, instead of for fourth place, reported earlier on the Santiago tourney. After inaccurate dispatches received from South America, Hermann Helms, of the N.Y. Times, has kindly relayed on the established final standing. Fischer, besides losing to the two leaders, also dropped games to Sanguinetti and Jauregui.
  Fischer High at Zurich Bobby Fischer remained undefeated after ten completed rounds of the Zurich international in which 16 are competing. Fischer is half a point behind Mikhail Tal, Russian grandmaster, who leads 8½-1½ pts. Tal started off with a loss to E. Bhend, Switzerland, in the first round! Other top scores: P. Keres, USSR 7½-2½; S. Gligoric, Yugoslavia, 7-3; G. Barcza, Hungary, 6½-3½, and F. Olafsson, Iceland, 6-4. Read More

June 14, 1959

• The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, June 14, 1959 - Page 84 — Tal Wins At Zurich; Fischer Is Third — Mikhail Tal, 23-year-old Latvian-born grandmaster representing the Soviet Union, won first prize in the Jubilee International Masters Tournament in Zurich, Switzerland, according to a report from the New York Times. Tal finished with a score of 11½-3½. After losing in an early round to Edwin Bhend of Switzerland, Tal took command and was in the lead most of the way. But in the 13th round he was defeated by Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia. At that point, Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old United States chess champion, moved up to tie for first with Tal, both having scores of 10-3. Gligoric was then third with 9½-3½ and Paul Keres of Russia, who had just lost an 81-move adjourned game to Fischer, was fourth with 9-4. Came the last two rounds. Tal won handily against Hein Donner of the Netherlands and in his final game drew against Fischer. Gligoric, winning against Bhend in Round 14, could have tied for first prize with one more victory. But Josef Kupper of Switzerland held him to a draw. The final tally for Gligoric was 11-4, enough for second place. Fischer, who had come through a series of arduous adjourned games, was evidently tired. He lost in the 14th round to Dieter Keller of Switzerland. The draw with Tal allowed Fischer to tie for third with Keres, with scores of 10½-4½. Fischer's only other loss was to Gligoric. He won eight games and drew five. Keres lost but one, to Fischer, won seven and drew as many. Read More

• Hartford Courant Hartford, Connecticut Sunday, June 14, 1959 - Page 27 — Jubilee Tournament — The annual Jubilee Tournament at Zurich has been concluded. The winner was Tal of Russia with 11½ points. Second was Gligoric of Yugoslavia. Third place showed a tie between Bobby Fischer of New York and Keres of Russia.

• Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, June 14, 1959 - Page 67 — Speaking of Chess — The 1959 State Chess Congress will be the 20th anniversary tournament of the series and it is quite fitting that this year's event should be staged in Charleston…

• The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, June 14, 1959 — Analytical Thinker — Harry Borochow, former state champion and master emeritus of U.S. Chess Federation, is honorary member of Valley Chess Club.

June 16, 1959

• Democrat and Chronicle Rochester, New York Tuesday, June 16, 1959 - Page 26 — Chess Club Wins — The Rochester Chess Club defeated the Erie, Pa., Chess Club 7½ to 2½, at Buffalo Sunday. Rochester Winners were Dr. Max Herzberger, Joseph G. Rosenstein, the Rev. John Poluikis, Thomas Pratuch, Jonathan Soloman, Patrick Eberlein and Edward Rosenthal. Read More

June 18, 1959

• Deseret News and Salt Lake Telegram Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, June 18, 1959 - Page 61 — Bobby Fischer Ties For 3rd At Zurich — After being tied for first place at the end of the 13th round, the incredible 16-year-old Bobby Fischer lost the 14th round and tied in the 15th and final round. With this bad luck (or play, as the case may be), Bobby finished the Jubilee Chess Tournament in Zurich in a tie for third place with Paul Keres. Mikhail Tal, a 23-year-old Latvian born international grandmaster and two-time USSR champion, won the tournament with a score of 11½-3½. Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia, who had a chance to tie Tal, was held to a draw in 55 moves by Josef Kupper of Switzerland in their 15th round game. This left Gligoric in the runner-up position with a score of 11-4. Paul Keres, the other representative of the Soviet Union, drew his games with Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland in 58 moves to gain the tie with Fischer with a score of 10½-4½. The tournament formally wound up with the presentation of prizes at a reception in the Municipal Congress Building. Bobby, whose resourceful play had made a deep impression on the other international grandmasters, was warmly applauded. Bobby won eight games, drew five and lost two. Read More

• Courier-Post Camden, New Jersey Thursday, June 18, 1959 - Page 12 — Log Cabin Club to Mark Its Silver Anniversary — In honor of the silver anniversary of the Log Cabin Chess Club, the U.S. Chess Federation will hold a seeded championship tournament for men and women there Aug. 7 to 23. … Players expected to take part include Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old national champion … There is some question at the moment about Fischer's plans for the summer. He is remaining in Zurich, Switzerland, for the time being after finishing third in the Jubilee Tournament there in which five of the international grandmasters took part who will play in the world's championship challengers' tourney in Yugoslavia next fall. Bobby's mother prefers that he stay in Europe during the summer and he is much in demand there for exhibitions. Thus his return to the United States to play at West Orange is uncertain. Read More

• The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, June 18, 1959 - Page 7 — Chess - The Zurich Tournament — The close finish at Zurich indicates that the world championship candidates' tournament in Yugoslavia later this year will see a serious challenge to the Russian hegemony by Gligoric (Yugoslavia) and Fischer (United States). The scales, nevertheless remain heavily weighted in favour of the Russians. Fischer's performance at Zurich was his best so far; he defeated the grandmasters Keres, Olafsson, and Unzicker, and but for his impetuosity in attack against Keller in the penultimate round might well have tied Tal for first prize. Against the lesser masters he was devastating, as instanced by the game below (Fischer vs. Kupper, Sicilian Defense). Read More

June 20, 1959

• Express and News San Antonio, Texas Saturday, June 20, 1959 - Page 54 — Championship Chess By Blake Stevens, Texas State Champion —Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old chess genius, is in the middle of another important chess tournament. After winning the U.S. Open, the U.S. Absolute, and qualifying in the Candidate's Tournament at Portoroz, Yugoslavia, he went to South America and tied for third, behind Najdorf and Pachman. This disappointed many of his followers! And Fischer only 16! Already there is a sense of great expectations every time he participates in a big tournament. The chess world has accepted the fact that Fischer is good, very good, and now it appears the adjectives will have to be more glowingly superlative.
  Zurich Fischer is restless. He finishes one tournament and is ready to move on to the next. On one occasion he completed a tournament, barely caught a plane in time to enter a following tournament. Older players like a little rest in between, and some need it, as tournaments are trying, sometimes to the point of nervous exhaustion. This does not bother Fischer. In fact, at Zurich, he has played long games (against Larsen, 85 moves; against Barcza, 95), with what looks like a deliberate attempt to wear down his senior competition. Since youth is a weapon more fitted to Fischer's hands than any other player, why not use it to full advantage? We know Bobby has patience and tenacity, but resiliency? Resiliency is the ability to bounce back after a loss. In golf it is the ability to regain one's composure after a bad hole. Fischer has lost a few games in his major tournament career. (I can think of three), and his score after the loss was satisfactory so it can be assumed that he possesses this quality. He had a score of 8-2 at Zurich, but met Gligorich who defeated him. Tal, that barracuda, is leading with 9½-1½, a phenomenal score when you consider he lost his first round game Tied with Fischer is Gligorich and Keres, followed by Larsen, Barcza, Olafsson, Unzicker, Donner, Bhend, (who beat Tal), Kupper, Keller, Walther, Duckstein, Blau, and Nievergelt. Four rounds remaining. Fischer is scheduled to play the Russian Grandmaster, Paul Keres, next. A tie for second or third would be a fine achievement. We will report the outcome soon. Read More

• Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, June 20, 1959 - Page 15 — Zurich Jubilee Tournament — Robert Fischer finished in the money at the Zurich Jubilee tournament, defeating Paul Keres which gives him a plus score against a dozen of the best players in Russia. To date they have never defeated Fischer.

• The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday, June 20, 1959 - Page 23 — Fischer Third at Zurich — Mikhail Tal, USSR, added another to his growing list of victories by winning the strong Zurich tourney, 11½-3½, ahead of Svetozar Gligoric, Yugoslavia, 11-4. Bobby Fischer, USA, tied with Paul Keres, USSR, for third. 10½-4½ each. He defeated Keres in the 12th round, a long battle of 81 moves. His losses were to Gligoric and Kupper. Read More

June 21, 1959

• Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, June 21, 1959 - Page 63 — Young U.S. Chess Star Did Well By Edward M. Foy — The United States' 16-year-old chess champion, Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, made a fine showing in the recently completed international tournament at Zurich, Switzerland, by finishing in a third-place tie. One of the two Soviet Union representatives, Mikhail Tal, a Latvian, captured first prize in the 16-player field, scoring 11½ to 3½; one half point ahead of second-place Svetozar Gligoric, of Yugoslavia. Young Fischer tied for third prize with the other member of the two-man Soviet contingent, the Estonian, Paul Keres. Both Fischer and Keres scored 10½ to 4½ but the American had the satisfaction of winning their individual game, in 31 moves in round twelve. And a tournament victory over Grandmaster Keres is quite an achievement — even for another grandmaster. Larsen of Denmark, Unzicker of West Germany, and Barcza of Hungary tied for fifth position with 9½ to 5½ scores. Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland scored 8 to 7. The other eight contestants scored less than even in wing and losses. Fischer's performance at Zurich was an improvement over his other two international appearances during the past couple of months. He scored 10 to 4 to tie for third place at Mar Del Plata in Argentina; and, slipping somewhat, dropped to a fifth-place tie with 7½ to 4½ at Santiago, Chile. Incidentally, Bobby is so popular in Yugoslavia, where he played in the inter-zonal tourney last year, that the Yugoslavs have named a chess club after him. Read More

• The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, June 21, 1959 - Page 30 — Bobby Fischer at 1959 Jubilee Tournament — Mikhail Tal, U.S.S.R., won the Jubilee tournament at Zurich with a score of 11½-3½. Second was Svetozar Gligoric, Yugoslavia, with 11-4. U.S. champion Bobby Fischer and Paul Keres, U.S.S.R., tied for third, 10½-4½. Read More

June 25, 1959

• Deseret News and Salt Lake Telegram Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, June 25, 1959 - Page 56 — Myth Exploded of Dull, Slow Playing — The first is that chess is played only by old, old men, and the second is that a game of chess goes on for hours, days, or even months. Of the first myth we have previously written, and once noted that of 30 state champions across the nation, more than half of them were under 20. Bobby Fischer, for example, the United States champion, is only 16 and a senior in high school in Brooklyn. […] There are 34 exciting games in the new book, “Bobby Fischer's Games of Chess,” published by Simon and Schuster. The 13 games from the USA Championship Tournament 1957-58 and the prize-winning “Game of the Century” from the Third Rosenwald Trophy Tournament are penetratingly analyzed by Fischer. His annotations provide invaluable instruction to the chess player of either average or advanced ability. In addition, this book includes the scores of Fischer's 20 games (without annotations) from the 1958 Portoroz International Tournament in which he played against the world's elite in chess, including Tal, Gligorich, Petrosyan and Bronstein. The games in this book disclose Fischer's brilliance in middle and end-game strategy, and also the latest and soundest treatments of popular openings — in particular, the Sicilian and King's Indian Defenses. By playing these games over, the reader will become familiar with the patterns of the latest and soundest lines in chess, and will automatically begin to make stronger moves in his own games. Read More

June 27, 1959

• Express and News San Antonio, Texas Saturday, June 27, 1959 - Page 53 — A Fine Feat - Placed Third in Interzonal Tourney — Bobby Fischer tied for third place at the Interzonal Tournament at Zurich, with Paul Keres of Russia, behind Tal of Russia (1st) and Gligoric from Hungary (2nd). Another fine feat for the 16-year-old Brooklyn boy. Read More

June 28, 1959

• The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, June 28, 1959 - Page 35 — Book by U.S. Champion Bobby Fischer Contains His Best Tournament Games — This seems to be the season for spawning chess books, and today we have another for review—a fledgling book by a fledgling player. But this author, while a fledgling in years, is a giant in chess stature. He is 16-year-old Bobby Fischer, reigning American champion and the youngest international grandmaster of all time. It is particularly gratifying, therefore, to report that the New York publishing firm of Simon and Schuster has now put into book form at $2.95, the first collection of celebrated tournament games played by young Fischer. There are 34 in all. Most games are thoroughly analyzed by Bobby, and each annotation provides an insight into the kind of thinking that has thrust the American prodigy into the top echelon of his contemporaries and made him an international celebrity. Included are the 13 games from the United States Championship Tournament of 1957-58 and the “Game of the Century” from the Third Rosenwald Trophy Tournament. In addition, the book carries Fischer's 20 games from the 1958 Portoroz Interzonal in which he played against the world's elite—among them Tal, Gligorich, Petrosyan, and Bronstein. One objection to the selection of games: There are too many draws. Read More

July 04, 1959

• The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday, July 04, 1959 - Page 20 — Bobby Fischer vs. Dieter Keller and Josef Kupper — Bobby Fischer did not lose to J. Kupper at Zurich, as reported earlier, but to D. Keller. On the contrary, Kupper came a cropper in short order against Fischer's brilliant attack. Items A collection of 34 games of Bobby Fischer, many annotated by the Brooklyn boy-wonder, has been published by Simon & Schuster, N.Y. The boy will be kept busy in Europe during the summer giving exhibitions until the start of the Challengers tourney in September in Yugoslavia. Manhattan C.C. regained the team championship of the Metropolitan Chess League of N.Y., defeating Marshall C.C. in the final round. Read More

July 05, 1959

• Express and News, San Antonio, Texas, Sunday, July 05, 1959 - Page 74 — Bobby Fischer at Zurich — At Zurich, Bobby Fischer played steady, cool chess, and always obtained equality in the opening, from the Black side, either in the Sicilian Defense (his game against Duckstein) or in the King's Indian Defense (as in today's game). After attaining equality, he employed a clever strategem—he did nothing! And like all true mullets rising to the bait, his opponents tried to force the issue, counting on their experience to over-run this baby (Fischer is only 16). This is the story behind many of the games in this tournament and to re-enforce my point, here is another example. Precision play by the young aspirant to the chess throne. Read More

• The Corpus Christi Caller-Times Corpus Christi, Texas Sunday, July 05, 1959 - Page 51 — Chats on Chess — The present champion of the United States is Bobby Fischer, who won the title at the tender age of 14 and has repeated it again this year. As yet, he is too young to have many stories written about him …

July 12, 1959

• The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday, July 12, 1959 - Page 37 — The King's Men: World Title Hope Seen In Fischer — By Merrill Dowden — Inasmuch as a crystal ball is not included in the equipage of this department, and I am not exactly proficient in palmistry or the reading of tea leaves, I usually shy away from prognosticating as one would the plague. However, for this once I'm crawling to the very tip of a very long limb (leaving plenty of room for the saw behind) to predict: 1. That the United States will produce a world chess champion within the next decade. 2. That our champion will be one Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, who now has reached the ripe old age of 16. Maybe that phrase, “next decade,” seems that I'm giving myself plenty of rope, but it must be remembered that more than a century has elapsed since we produced our first and only world champion, Paul Morphy. Bobby, whose “Fischer's Games of Chess” was reviewed in this column a couple weeks ago, already has taken a long step toward the championship. He is the present United States titlist, and is generally regarded as the strongest player for his age in history. Bobby lost no time in getting started to fame and fortune through the royal game. Born in Chicago on March 9, 1943, he learned the chess moves in 1949 from his sister Joan, then 11. “She often bought different games at a candy store,”Bobby writes, “and one day happened to buy a chess set. We figured out the moves from the directions that came with the set. And Bobby has been figuring them out ever since, to the consternation of almost every opponent he has faced. Read More

• Hartford Courant Hartford, Connecticut Sunday, July 12, 1959 - Page 41 — News of Bobby Fischer — Playing at Mar del Plata a few months ago, Fischer tied for third place, following Najdorf and Pachman. Then, a little later, at Santiago, Chile, he lost four games, which is more than he lost in international tournaments, but managed to secure a three-way tie for fourth place. The more recent tournament at Zurich has been concluded, and the final standing of the first few players; Tal 11½-3½; Gligoric 11-4; Fischer 10½-4½; Keres 10½-4½; Other players were Larsen, Unzicker, Barcza, Olafsson, Kupper, Bhend, Donner, Keller, Duckstein, Walther, Blau, Nievergelt. Read More

July 12, 1959

• Press and Sun-Bulletin Binghamton, New York Sunday, July 12, 1959 - Page 43 “Them We Can Leave Alone”