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Chess by Isaac Kashdan 09 Sep 1956, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Ramirez Wins Open at Santa Barbara
Gilbert Ramirez, 18-year-old San Francisco star, outscored a record-breaking contingent of 96 players from all parts of the State to take the California Open Chess Championship, in the tournament completed last week end in Santa Barbara.
Ramirez tired in game points at 6-1 with Kurt Bendit of San Francisco and Robert Cross of Santa Monica. The tie-breaking Sonneborn–Berger system was used, and here Ramirez scored 28¼ points to 27½ for Bendit and 26¼ for Cross.
The crucial game found Ramirez and Cross matched together in the last round. A win for either player would have meant the title. Cross, apparently in the belief that a draw was sufficient for him, steered the game into safe channels, and the draw soon became inevitable.
In the meantime, Bendit, whom neither of the leaders had reckoned with, won his last game from George Hunnex of Elsinore, to wind up with six points and second prize. Just behind the leaders was William G. Addison of San Francisco, alone at 5½-1½.
No less than 14 players were tied at 5-2. Phil D. Smith of Fresno led this group after the tie-breaking formula was applied. Just below him were Charles Bagby of San Francisco. Robert Brieger of San Diego and Donald J. Foley of San Jose.
