November 14, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 14 Nov 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

Let's Play Chess
Latvian Expert Wins Right To Take on World Champion
By William Oaker
Soviet Grandmaster, Mikhail Tal, of Latvia is the new challenger for the title of Chess Champion of the World, by virtue of his victory in the Challenger's Tourney recently completed in Yugoslavia.
He is scheduled to meet the present title holder, Mikhail Botvinnik, also of the U.S.S.R., in Moscow, some time next year.
Final standings in the Challenger's Tourney are as follows:
Mikhail Tal, U.S.S.R, 20-8; Paul Keres, U.S.S.R., 18½-9½; Tigran Petrosian, U.S.S.R., 15½-12½; Vassily Smyslov, U.S.S.R., 15-13; Bobby Fischer, U.S.A., 12½-15½; Svetozar Gligoric, Yugoslavia, 12½-15½; Fridrik Olafsson, Iceland, 10-18; Paul Benko, U.S.A., 8-20.
Results of round 28 were: Tal ½, Benko ½; Fischer 1, Smyslov 0; Olafsson 1, Keres 0; Petrosian 1, Gligoric 0.
Going into the last round, Tal needed only a draw to clinch first place, while Keres, who was one point behind needed to win and then hope that Tal would slip.
Benko went all out for the win against Tal. The Soviet star, however, was not content to play for a draw, even thought this was all he needed. Instead, he took the offense. After 22 moves had been played Benko was hopelessly lost positionally, besides being two pawns down. With the game in his pocket Tal then leaned across the table and offered the unhappy Benko a draw. Benko accepted. It was a moral defeat, even though he did pick up a half point.
Meanwhile, Keres, who was playing Olafsson, had slightly the better position. When the result of the Tal-Benko game was announced, he realized that the result of his game did not matter. He offered his opponent a draw also. Olafsson, however, refused. When the time for adjournment arrived, the young Icelander had the superior end game. Keres lost shortly after the resumption of play. It didn't matter.
The best game of the round was a fine effort which saw Brooklyn's Bobby Fischer beat former World Champion, Vassily Smyslov. Young Bobby proved one thing in this tournament. He can hold his own against the best the world has to offer. Unfortunately, holding one's own is not quite enough to gain the world's title, which is Bobby's goal. Constant winning is what is needed. However, he is still very young. He'll be back and twice as tough.
The big question now is: Who will win the 24-game match. In order to give our readers some basis of comparison, we shall publish some of the game of both Tal and Botvinnik in subsequent columns.
Incidentally, to the best of our knowledge, these two great players have never played each other.

November 21, 1959 Evening Post, Chess Notes, by A. W. O., Bristol, Avon, England

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Chess 21 Nov 1959, Sat Evening Post (Bristol, Avon, England) Newspapers.com

Quadruple
This week's game comes from the recently concluded world championship candidates tournament, a quaduple all-play-all, involving each player in 28 games against the other seven, the winner having the right to challenge world champion Botvinnik for his title. Twenty-two-year-old Mikhail Tal earned that right, with some devastating chess, and we here see him in action against American prodigy Bobby Fischer, who, at the tender age of 16, put up a remarkable performance to score 21½ points to Tal's 20.

Robert James Fischer vs Mikhail Tal
Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade Candidates (1959), Bled, Zagreb & Belgrade YUG, rd 13, Sep-28
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation (B90) 0-1

October 10, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 10 Oct 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

Let's Play Chess
U.S. Prodigy Defeats Estonian Grand Master for Third Time
By William Oaker
Paul Keres, of Estonia, who led the Challengers Tourney, in Yugoslavia, for 14 rounds, has finally give way to Mikhail Tal, of the USSR.
The 22-year-old Tal, who has twice won the championship of Russia, the first time at the age of 19, jumped into the lead in the 15th and 16th rounds, taking advantage of Keres' loss to 16-year-old Bobby Fischer of the U.S.A.
Standings after 16 rounds are as follows.

These last two rounds have both contained upsets, proving that there are no weak players in this event. The difference in strength between the first and last is barely perceptible, and only a long, drawn-out event such as this, would tend to reveal it.
Boy prodigy Bobby Fischer once again dumped the mighty Keres, this marks the third time that Bobby has caused the experienced Grandmaster to turn down his king, as against only one loss.
Fridrik Olafsson's defeat of Petrosian, in the 16th round is even more remarkable, since experts have agreed that this game is one of the finest contests played during the past decade. No, there are definitely no players who can be taken for granted in this tournament. Incidentally, this game lasted over 10 hours, before Petrosian surrendered.
There are still 12 rounds to go.

October 24, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 24 Oct 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

Let's Play Chess
Mathematical Chance Held By Two Near Tourney End
By William Oaker
The struggle for first place in the Challengers Tourney, now drawing to a conclusion in Bled, Yugoslavia, has reached a climax in the 24th round, as only two players retain a mathematical chance of taking first prize and thus qualifying for a match for the World Championship.
Mikhail Tal and Paul Keres, both U.S.S.R. Grandmasters, are locked in a struggle of the 64 squares.
After 21 rounds, the 22-year-old Tal led the middle-aged Keres by one-and-a-half points. The big question was could the older man catch the youngster who has twice been proclaimed Soviet champion, the first time at the age of 19. He has since become the most feared competitor in the world.
In the 22nd round both players succeeded in winning, Tal defeating former world champion Vassily Smyslov, of the U.S.S.R. and Keres beating U.S. champion, 16-year-old Bobby Fischer. In the 23rd round, however, Keres lost to Smyslov while Tal turned back Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia.
It was felt that Keres' long quest for the world title had come to an end but in the 24th round, these two rivals met in an individual game. After five hours of play, Keres had won a pawn, and the game was adjourned. Expert opinion considers that the older man will probably win this game. They are playing it to a finish this morning.
Should Tal succeed in turning the tables as he has done again and again during his remarkable career, he would then lead by 3½ points with only four rounds remaining. Should he draw, he would retain his present lead of 2½ points. Either of these results is virtually to concede the tournament to him. Should Keres win, however, it would leave his hopes still glowing, however feebly.

October 31, 1959 Chess For All by G. Chesters, Chronicle, Crewe, Cheshire, England

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Chess 31 Oct 1959, Sat Chronicle (Crewe, Cheshire, England) Newspapers.com

Chess For All
By G. Chesters The Candidates' Tournament is drawing to its close with the young Russian, M. Tal, still in the lead. There are three rounds to go in this 28-round contest, the winner of which plays Michael Botvinnik for the world championship.
Tal has 18 points, though from his last two games he has only picked up half a point, having lost to Paul Keres, and drawn with Olafsson, of Iceland. Keres (15½) lies second, having taken three points from Tal in their four encounters. Smyzlov (14) is producing some great chess in the second half of the tourney. Then comes Petroshan (13½) and Gligoric (11½), both tiring. We are told remarkable recoveries have been made by 16-year-old U.S.A. champion. Bobby Fischer, and by Olafsson, and that the stateless Benko is out of his class.
Throughout the tournament Tal has played his usual daring sacrificial game. He delights in sacrifices and complicated combinations. Here is a game which well illustrates his ability to seize upon his opponent's errors and to punish him severely and quickly for them.

In the diagrammed position, Bobby Fischer quickly puts an end to his opponent's struggles by exploiting the fact that he has a Pawn on the seventh. Can you see the winning line?

October 16, 1959 Chessically Yours by Henry Overeem Paterson, New Jersey

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Chess 16 Oct 1959, Fri The News (Paterson, New Jersey) Newspapers.com

Chessically Yours
By Henry Overeem
In the Challenger's Tournament, in which the winner plays the World Champion for the title, it is Tal the Terrible leading the field. He has a two-game edge over his nearest rival, Keres. So it once again begins to appear like an all Russian chess match for the World's Championship.
Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn is down in 6th, too far back at this stage to seriously challenge the frontrunners.
Counting the win points this is how the line-up appears:
Tal—13, Keres—11, Gligoric—10, Petrosian—9½, Smyslov—9, Fischer—8, Benko—6½, Olafsson—5.

Everyone is anxiously awaiting the slow arrival of games played in the challenger's tournament, especially the ones involving Fischer. The week, through the courtesy of the Bulletin we have the second one ready. This one is Fischer's win over Keres, against a King's Indian Defense. However, though unusual it may be for a Grandmaster it looks as if 24. B-N5 is actually a blunder. He apparently did not notice the queen split and that he could not regain the lost piece!

Paul Keres vs Robert James Fischer
Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade Candidates (1959), Bled, Zagreb & Belgrade YUG, rd 15, Oct-03
Indian Game: London System (A48) 0-1

October 17, 1959 Chess For All by G. Chesters, Chester Chronicle, and Cheshire and North Wales General Advertiser, Chester, Cheshire, England

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Chess 17 Oct 1959, Sat Chester Chronicle, and Cheshire and North Wales General Advertiser (Chester, Cheshire, England) Newspapers.com

In the Candidates' Tournament, the winner of which plays M. Botvinnik for the World Champion, M. Tal, of U.S.S.R., has a clear two-points' lead over P. Keres, with ten rounds to go. Then comes Gligoric, Petroshan, Smyzlov, and, in sixth place, Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old U.S.A. champion. This may be news to you if you don't listen to the excellent weekly chess programme on the wireless each Sunday.

October 31, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 31 Oct 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

Let's Play Chess
Chess Final Problematical With Solitary Round to Go
By William Oaker
With only one round remaining in the Challenger's tourney, at Bled, Yugoslavia, the result still remains in doubt, as Paul Keres has staged a tremendous comeback, to draw within one point of the young Soviet star, Mikhail Tal.
However, he did it the hard way, by defeating Tal, himself, in the 24th round, thus drawing within a point-and-a-half of the leader with four rounds to go. Neither player made any headway in the 25th round, with both drawing their respective games. In round 26, however, Keres defeated Paul Benko, of the U.S.A., while Tal could only draw against Tigran Petrosian, of the Soviet Union.
Thus the stage was set for the 27th round. Tal had 18½ and Keres had 17½.
Keres was paired with Svetozar Gligoric, of Yugoslavia, while Tal had to face Bobby Fischer, of the U.S.A. This latter game was one of the most exciting games in the 28-round tourney. More than 3,000 spectators were on hand.
At first, the 16-year-old Brooklyn wizard seemed more than equal to the occasion. By the time 25 moves had been made, Tal was in a hopeless position — hopeless, that is, for anyone but Tal. Calling forth his marvelous ability to create bewildering complications, he arrived at a position so distorted that, it was beyond anyone's ability to analyze. As usually happens, his opponent slipped instead of the Russian. When the adjournment was reached, Fischer had a lost end game. Tal had once again worked his magic.
Meanwhile, Keres was playing the game of his life, and he gradually crushed his opponent with a positional bind.
Now, with the last round coming up, everything hangs by the result of two individual games. Tal is scheduled to play Benko, while Keres is paired against Olafsson, of Iceland. In order for Keres to win the tourney he must defeat Olafsson and hope that Tal succumbs to Benko. Should Tal win or draw, of course, then he will be the youngest player to ever qualify to play in a match for the world championship.

October 17, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 17 Oct 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

September 19, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 19 Sep 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

Let's Play Chess
World Challenger Tourney Starts at Grueling Pace
By William Oaker
The Challenger's Tourney, now being held in Bled, Yugoslavia, has already turned into a hammer-and-tongs struggle.
Involving the world's eight top Grandmasters, it is anyone's guess who will be the eventual winner and thus qualify for a match against World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik, of Russia.
Taking part in this 28-round event are former World Champion Vassily Smyslov, Paul Keres, Mikhail Tal and Tigran Petrosian, all of Russia; Svetozar Gligoric, of Yugoslavia; Fridrik Olafsson, of Iceland, Paul Benko and boy wonder Bobby Fischer, both of the United States.
With tournaments of this calibre, the usual thing is to find a great many draws. This has not been the case so far, however. In the first round, Bobby Fischer started everyone by defeating Paul Keres, and thus leaped into an immediate early lead. Not to be set back, however, Keres promptly defeated Smyslov in the second round. Smyslov, by way of rebuttal, then proceeded to defeat Tal, when then turned around and defeated Fischer. Young Bobby, by this time having also lost to Petrosian, took it out on Gligoric, by crushing the Yugoslavian Grandmaster in 37 moves. Gligoric, not to be outdone, then started things all over again by beating Smyslov.
It is customary for such players to take it easy in the early rounds, relying on half-points to keep them in contention, rather than taking risks by shooting for early wins. One of the key factors in determining the eventual winner will undoubtedly be fatigue. With each player meeting every other player four times, and the tourney lasting nearly two months, this factor is very important. However, no contestant seems willing to show mercy. It has taken each of them four long years to reach the final event and now is no time to spare the horses.
Tigran Petrosian is the only player to date not to lose, but with players as tough as these, it is doubtful that this will continue for long. He is in first place, closely followed by Tal. In third is Keres, with Bobby Fischer right behind in fourth place.

September 25, 1959 Chessically Yours by Henry Overeem Paterson, New Jersey

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Chess 25 Sep 1959, Fri The News (Paterson, New Jersey) Newspapers.com

The eyes of the chess world are still focused on Yugoslavia, where the Challenger's tournament is in progress. American eyes, as well as all wondering eyes, are upon 16 year old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn. The burning question is, “How will he fare against the Soviet grandmaster?”

His most recent success is that he held the former world champion, Symslov, to a draw. He has beaten such as Gligoric and Keres. Lost to Petrosian and Olafsson, and tied Benko.

The leader had been Petrosian until he fell before the strategy of Gligoric and was outplayed by Olafsson.
The Fischer-Gligoric game has come to us and chess players might be curious to see how Fischer captured this one against the Yugoslavian champion, second only to Russia in chess might.

September 26, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 26 Sep 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

Let's Play Chess
Noted Estonian Grandmaster Leads Challenger Tourney
By William Oaker
Paul Keres, 46-year-old Estonian Grandmaster, has taken the lead in the Challengers Tourney, according to reports from Yugoslavia.
The Soviet player, with a score of 7-3, after completion of 10 rounds, is a full point ahead of the rest of the field.
The complete standings, to date, are Keres, 7-3; Tigran Petrosian, USSR, and Mikhail Tal, USSR, 6-4; Svetozar Gligoric, Yugoslavia, 5½-4½; Paul Benko, USA, and Bobby Fischer, USA, and Vassily Smyslov, USSR, 4-6; and Fridrik Olafsson, Iceland, 3½-6½.
The individual results from each round are as follows:
Round 1: Fischer 1, Keres, 0; Petrosian 1, Olafsson 0; Benko ½, Gligoric ½; Smyslov 1, Tal 0.
Round 2: Keres 1, Smyslov 0; Tal 1, Gligoric 0; Petrosian 1, Fischer 0; Benko 1, Olafsson 0.
Round 3: Smyslov ½, Petrosian ½; Keres 1, Tal 0; Benko ½, Fischer ½; Gligoric ½, Olafsson ½.
Round 4: Fischer 1, Gligoric 0; Tal 1, Olafsson 0; Smyslov ½, Benko ½; Petrosian 1, Keres 0.
Round 5: Gligoric 1, Smyslov 0; Petrosian ½, Tal ½; Olafsson 1, Fischer 0; Keres 1, Benko 0.
Round 6: Tal 1, Fischer 0; Keres ½, Gligoric ½; Smyslov ½, Olafsson ½; Petrosian ½, Benko ½.
Round 7: Tal 1, Benko 0; Smyslov ½, Fischer ½; Keres 1, Olafsson 0; Gligoric 1, Petrosian 0.
Round 8: Tal 1, Smyslov 0; Keres 1, Fischer 0; Gligoric 1, Benko 0; Olafsson 1, Petrosian 0.
Round 9: Petrosian 1, Fischer 0; Gligoric ½, Tal ½; Keres ½, Smyslov ½; Olafsson ½, Benko ½.
The results from round 10 are not yet available.
So far the tournament has been one of sharp ups and downs. Petrosian, as will be noticed, had not lost a game in the first six rounds. He then suddenly was upset twice. Gligoric, on the other hand, started miserably only to suddenly bounce back into contention.
There are unfortunately no weak sisters in this event. It is just as possible for Keres to lose to Olafsson, as to anyone else.
Another important factor is the length of an event. There are still 18 rounds to go. Age will be a determining factor during the last six or seven rounds. Keres, Smyslov, Gligoric and Benko are all in their forties. Petrosian, Tal, and Olafsson are in their twenties, while Bobby Fischer is not yet 17. It would not be too far off to suggest that Keres' stamina will give out in a few more rounds, whereas a youngster like Fischer could still be going strong at the end.

September 19, 1959 Chess by Harry Golombek, Liverpool Daily Post, Liverpool, Merseyside, England

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Chess 19 Sep 1959, Sat Liverpool Daily Post (Merseyside ed.) (Liverpool, Merseyside, England) Newspapers.com

A new weekly chess column by H. Golombek (above), a former British Champion and one of the three players who shared first place in this year's British Chess Championship, makes its first appearance here. Though specially intended for players, even beginners at the game, the column will from time to time include problems as well. One is given today.

Chess by Harry Golombek
To-day, Chess Is A Young Man's Game
A REMARKABLE feature of present-day chess is the way in which young players have come so rapidly to the forefront of the international and national scene. Quite a large proportion of the world's leading chessmasters are in their early twenties.
In the United Kingdom there are the British champion, Jonathan Penrose, and also the gifted Essex player, Peter Clarke; in the Soviet Union you find the Soviet champion, Tal, and the Soviet grandmaster, Boris Spassky; in the Argentine there is Oscar Panno; in Denmark, Bent Larsen, and in Iceland, Fridrik Olafsson.
But the most outstanding case of all is that of sixteen-year-old Bobby Fischer, who has already won the United States championship twice in succession ahead of the formidable Sammy Reshevsky, and in a career extending over some four years has acquired every honor attainable in the American chess world and had a large number of successes in the international field as well.
Last year, by coming equal fifth in the Interzonal Tournament at Portoroz in Yugoslavia, he qualified to participate in the World Championship Candidates' Tournament that will also take place in Yugoslavia this year, during September and October. The other competitors will be Tal, Keres, Petrosian and Smyslov, all from the U.S.S.R.; Olafsson of Iceland, Gligoric of Yugoslavia, and Benko, a Hungarian now resident in the United States.
The winner of this tournament will have the right to challenge the world champion, Botvinnik, to a match for the title, and though one can hardly expect Bobby Fischer to become the challenger at such an early age, there is no doubt that he will acquit himself well in the event and also that it will not be long before he becomes a favourite for the world championship title itself.
The imaginative and attacking chess he plays is to be seen in the following game from this year's international tournament at Mar del Plata in the Argentine: Game No. 1, White Fischer, Black Shocron; Ruy Lopez, Morphy Defense.

Robert James Fischer vs Ruben Shocron
Mar del Plata (1959), Mar del Plata ARG, rd 7, Mar-30
Spanish Game: Closed Variations. Chigorin Defense (C97) 1-0

August 22, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 22 Aug 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

The Montreal Star, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Saturday, August 22, 1959

Bobby Fischer
It is possible that 16-year-old American Grandmaster Bobby Fischer, scheduled to play in the Challengers tournament next month, may not take part. The reason: insufficient money to finance his trip.
Bobby is financed by the American Chess Federation, which has been unable to collect sufficient funds so far.
According to a letter from his mother, Bobby, who is the only player qualified to take part in the event—one of the strongest ever held—is not subsidized by his government. Players from other countries, she says, are amazed when they learn the youngster has so little financial support.
Mrs. Fischer has written letters to newspapers throughout the United States, explaining the situation, in the hope the American people might sympathize. It will be a shame if nothing is done.

July 05, 1959 Chats on Chess by George Koltanowski, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Corpus Christi, Texas

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Chess 05 Jul 1959, Sun Corpus Christi Caller-Times (Corpus Christi, Texas) Newspapers.com

The present champion of the United States is Bobby Fischer, who won the title at the tender age of 14 and has repeated it against this year. As yet, he is too young to have had many stories written about him, but it is known that as recently as two or three years ago, whenever he would lose a game, he would retire to a corner of the room and cry. He now has better control over his feelings and much more confidence in his ability, so much so that when he was queried before hand as to what he thought of his chances against the Russian players in the Challengers' Tournament, he shrugged his shoulders and replied, “They're good too.”

June 20, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 20 Jun 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

Let's Play Chess
Young Russian Grandmaster Captures Zurich Tourney
By William Oaker
Russian Victor Mikhail Tal, 23-year-old Russian Grandmaster, has won the Jubilee Tournament at Zurich, Switzerland, it has been learned.
The young Grandmaster, who won the championship of the Soviet Union at the age of 19, and who is considered the favorite to dethrone the present world champion, finished with a final score of 11½-3½.
Following closely on his heels was Svetozar Gligoric, of Yugoslavia, only a half-point behind, while only a half-point behind him came 16-year-old Bobby Fischer, youthful champion of the United States who tied for third and fourth place with Paul Keres, of Russia.
Tal lost early in the tourney to also-run Bhend, of Switzerland, but went on from there without loss, winning nine and drawing five.
The remarkable “Bobby,” who had been somewhat out of form in recent events in Argentina and Chile, was almost unbeatable for most of the tournament. He had not lost a single game until the 10th round, when he was beaten by Gligoric. He later dropped a point to Kupper, of Switzerland, ending up with eight wins, five draws and two losses.
The youth has decided to remain in Europe giving exhibitions until the Challengers Tourney, in September.

May 02, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 02 May 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

Bobby Fischer
United States Chess champion 16-year-old Bobby Fischer, of Brooklyn, N.Y., seems to be creating for himself a lot of unfavorable publicity.
He has been criticized in the N.Y. press over the following incident. Invited to play in an international tournament in Chile, the young grandmaster was told that the prize money would amount to $2,000. When he arrived he discovered that the prize money was actually only $1,000 with the other thousand being spent on elaborate trophies.
He promptly refused to take part, declaring that “all that junk” was of little use to him. He was referring to the trophies. It was reported that he raised a fuss which embarrassed many of the tournament officials, until one of them persuaded him to play.
“I might as well,” he said, “since I am here anyway.”
The tournament is now under way and he shows a score of three adjourned games after three rounds.
The criticism in the press took the form of such classic headlines as “Fischer wants Silver Lining on Ivory Tower.”
No critic, unfortunately, has taken into consideration that a professional chess player must earn his bread and butter by his ability to win games. Tournaments are held all over the world. In most cases the players must pay their own expenses and take their chances of being able to carry off a high cash prize in order to make a profit. In short, it is like any other professional sport.
The youth traveled to Chile to take part in a tournament secure in his ability to carry off a high prize. His decision to take part was based on the prize money. When a player is misled as to the amount of the prizes actually is, it leaves him out on a limb. He has no guarantee of winning enough money to justify the trip even with the amount of $2,000 since even the greatest can have a bad day just as in any other contest.
If an average citizen were to be sold an object at one price and then was sent a bill for twice that amount he would be justified in sending it back. Unfortunately for Bobby Fischer he could not really carry out his threat not to take part, since he has already invested in this tournament by traveling to the scene.
Bobby Fischer has another goal to reach by playing in these tournaments. He is qualified to play in the Challengers' Tournament in Europe this summer. Somehow he has to raise the money to get there and for other expenses.

May 10, 1959 Chats on Chess by George Koltanowski, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Corpus Christi, Texas

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Chess 10 May 1959, Sun Corpus Christi Times (Corpus Christi, Texas) Newspapers.com

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.

April 18, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 18 Apr 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

Chess prodigy, 16-year-old Bobby Fischer, came within an eyelash of winning the Mar del Plata Masters Tournament in Argentina, last week, but had to content himself with a tie for 3rd and 4th, only a half point out of first.
First, with 10½ points were Grandmaster Miguel Najdorf, of Argentina, and Ludek Pachman, of Czechoslovakia. Next, with 10 points were Grandmaster Bobby Fischer, of the United State and Boris Ivkov, of Yugoslavia.

April 11, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 11 Apr 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

Bobby Fischer
Brooklyn boy wonder, Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old champion of almost everything in the United States, is at it again.
After 11 rounds in the star-studded Mar Del Plata International, the youngster is only one point out of first place, and a half point out of second.
Leading are Miguel Najdorf, Argentine Grandmaster, with 8½-2½, closely followed by Boris Ivkov, Yugoslavian Grandmaster, and Ludek Pachman, Czechoslovakian International Master, each with 8-3. Bobby has 7½-3½.
The youngster started badly, drawing his first two games, losing his next two and drawing again. Since then, however, he has turned into the most feared player in the tournament with six straight wins, which has lifted him from last place to the point where he is now snapping at the leaders' heels.
Whether he actually wins this tournament or not is not too important. It is important, however, that he has once again proven that he is among the leading players of the world, despite his youth.

April 05, 1959 Chats on Chess by George Koltanowski, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Corpus Christi, Texas

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Chats On Chess 05 Apr 1959, Sun Corpus Christi Caller-Times (Corpus Christi, Texas) Newspapers.com

How Bobby Does It
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.

February 14, 1959 Chess, Cheshire Observer, Chester, Chesire, England

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Chess 14 Feb 1959, Sat Cheshire Observer (Chester, Cheshire, England) Newspapers.com

February 14, 1959 Let's Play Chess by Frank Anderson, The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

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Chess 14 Feb 1959, Sat The Hamilton Spectator (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com

February 07, 1959 Evening Post, Chess Notes, by A. W. O., Bristol, Avon, England

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Chess 07 Feb 1959, Sat Evening Post (Bristol, Avon, England) Newspapers.com

YOUNGSTERS…
Shortly after writing last week of Bobby Fischer, the 15-year-old chess champion of the U.S., I read in “Chess” (2s, 8d, post free from Sutton Coldfield) of Ernest Kim, whose youthful exploits over the chessboard make Bobby Fischer look a greybeard. At the age of five, Ernest Kim has beaten everybody else in his hometown at Tashkent, Central Asia.
And they play good chess in Central Asia these days!

January 24, 1959 Chess Notes by D. G. H., Coventry Evening Telegraph, Coventry, West Midlands, England

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Chess 24 Jan 1959, Sat Coventry Evening Telegraph (Coventry, West Midlands, England) Newspapers.com

PRODIGY BEATS MASTER
The news that 15 years old Bobby Fischer has won the American championship again, ahead of S. Reshevsky, the American Grandmaster, commonly thought to be the strongest player in the West, has led me to think about this phenomenon of the child chess prodigy.
Fischer, of course, is not unique. Reshevsky himself was a child prodigy and toured Europe giving simultaneous displays at a very early age.
Finally his parents took him to the U.S.A., where after a few tournament games he gave up chess to study, but took it up again later with what seemed undiminished power.
Another recent child prodigy was Arturo Pomar, who played in an international tournament in London in 1946 at the age of 14, scoring five and a half points in a field which included Tartakower and Bernstein. Pomar also seems to have retained his powers, now being the Spanish champion.

January 10, 1959 Checkers and Chess by Charles Crompton, The Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Checkers and Chess 10 Jan 1959, Sat The Toronto Star (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com

Items
Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old Brooklyn student, successfully defended his U.S. championship title in the Lessing J. Rosenwald trophy tournament concluded last Sunday at the Manhattan Chess club. Fischer scored six wins and five draws for an 8½-3½ total. Samuel Reshevsky who lost only to Fischer, was second with 7½-3½.

January 10, 1959 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 10 Jan 1959, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

Fischer Wins
15-year-old Bobby Fischer, of Brooklyn, N.Y., successfully maintained his lead in the United States championship and finished in first place with a score of 8½-2½. He won six, drew five and lost none.
Second was Sammy Reshevsky, with 7½-3½, who lost only to Fischer.
Other standings were 3rd Larry Evans, and 4th, Donald Byrne.

January 03, 1959 Chess Notes by D. G. H., Coventry Evening Telegraph, Coventry, West Midlands, England

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Chess 03 Jan 1959, Sat Coventry Evening Telegraph (Coventry, West Midlands, England) Newspapers.com

Coventry Evening Telegraph, Coventry, West Midlands, England

Chess Notes … by D. G. H. Top Players Are Absent
The line-up in the premier tournament at the 34th International Hastings Chess Congress this week is without a number of the leading players expected.
The competitors were: L. Portisch (Hungary), M. Radoicic (Yugoslavia), A. Duckstein (Austria), W. Uhlmann (East Germany), K. Darga (West Germany), G. Fuster (Canada), E. Gereben (stateless, formerly Hungary), R. G. Wade (New Zealand), L. W. Barden and P. H. Clarke (Great Britain).
The 15 years old American prodigy, Bobby Fischer, was asked, but could not play as he had to catch up on his schoolwork. J. Penrose, the British champion, also decided that he had better keep on with his studies on psychology at London.
The proposed Russian players, world champion, Botvinnik, and the Russian champion, Tal, also declined, as the Russian Championships begin immediately after the end of the congress.
Finally, Olafsson, who had accepted, cancelled his acceptance one week before the congress was to begin.
Gereben and Fuster, who were originally playing in the Premier Reserves Major, the section after the Premier, were called in to fill the gap.

January 24, 1959 Chess, Cheshire Observer, Chester, Chesire, England

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Chess 24 Jan 1959, Sat Cheshire Observer (Chester, Cheshire, England) Newspapers.com

CHESS
Hastings tournament
The annual invitation tournament held at Hastings, last week, was won by W. Uhlmann, of Eastern Germany. There were no Russian entries because, of the Russian Championship now in progress.
U.S.A. CHAMPIONSHIP
For the second year in succession, this event was won by the boy wonder, Bobby Fischer, now aged 15!
A TRAP
The following amusing game was shown to me by Mr. S. A. Senior, who assures me it actually happened! Black captures White's Queen and immediately loses.

PHILIDOR'S DEFENCE

Descriptive 1. P-K4 P-K4 2. N-KB3 P-Q3 3. B-B4 B-N5 4. O-O N-K2 5. NxP BxQ 6. BxKBPmate

Algebraic 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Bg4 4. 0-0 Ne7 5. Nxe5 Bxd1 6. Bxf7#

B.B.C. CHESS
A further series of chess programmes is now in progress (Tuesday, Network III) and is proving very interesting to the ordinary club player.
Enquiries and comments welcomed.

November 01, 1958 Montreal Gazette The Game of Kings by D.M. LeDain

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Game of Kings 01 Nov 1958, Sat The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

October 02, 1958 Chess News and Views by Leonard Barden, The Sutton and Cheam Advertiser, etc., Sutton, London, England

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Chess 02 Oct 1958, Thu The Sutton and Cheam Advertiser, etc. (Sutton, London, England) Newspapers.com

October 11, 1958 Montreal Gazette The Game of Kings by D.M. LeDain

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The Game of Kings 11 Oct 1958, Sat The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

September 28, 1958 It's Your Move by Russ Kime, The Journal-Times, Racine, Wisconsin

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It's Your Move 28 Sep 1958, Sun The Racine Journal-Times Sunday Bulletin (Racine, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com

September 27, 1958 Montreal Gazette The Game of Kings by D.M. LeDain

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Game of Kings 27 Sep 1958, Sat The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

August 16, 1958 Montreal Gazette The Game of Kings by D.M. LeDain

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The Game of Kings 16 Aug 1958, Sat The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

August 23, 1958 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 23 Aug 1958, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

August 07, 1958 Chess News and Views by Leonard Barden, The Sutton and Cheam Advertiser, etc., Sutton, London, England

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Chess 07 Aug 1958, Thu The Sutton and Cheam Advertiser, etc. (Sutton, London, England) Newspapers.com

January 25, 1958 Let's Play Chess by Frank Anderson, The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

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Chess 25 Jan 1958, Sat The Hamilton Spectator (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com

Bobby Fischer, the 14-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy who is the U.S. Open title holder, has created a sensation by winning the very strong closed championship held at the Manhattan Chess Club in New York. Throughout the 14-player event, young Fischer and experienced international Grandmaster Samuel Reshevsky were battling it out for the lead. They quickly went into a lead from the other players and matched win after win until Reshevsky lost to Jim Sherwin in the tenth round.
Going into the final round Fischer, was leading Reshevsky by half a point and, showing Fischer's clan, we see him offer Abe Turner a draw on the eighteenth move. This put the issue squarely up to Reshevsky who had to win against the world junior champion, William Lombardy, in order to even tie Fischer. This latter match was most exciting with Lombardy engineering a beautifully timed and dangerous assault against Reshevsky's king.
Eventually this pressure paid off and Reshevsky went down to his second defeat. Fischer now holds all the main titles in the U.S. He is Junior, Senior, Closed and Open Champion, all at the age of 14! He is undoubtedly heading for a Grandmaster title and has every chance to be the youngest grandmaster in chess history. Both Fischer and Reshevsky qualified for the right to represent the U.S. in the World Championship Interzonal Tournament to be held in Yugoslavia next year.
It is obvious that Fischer is a true chess prodigy. In the history of chess we have had only three other genuine chess prodigies—Paul Morphy (the American champion of the last century), Jose R. Capablanca (the Cuban world champion who won from his father at the age of four!) and Samuel Reshevsky who toured the world giving simultaneous exhibitions at the age of seven! It is singularly poetic that former prodigy Reshevsky should be deposed by present prodigy Fischer. One fact is quite clear in this situation. The U.S. has a great chance for a future world champion.

January 04, 1958 Checkers and Chess by Charles Crompton, The Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Chess 04 Jan 1958, Sat The Toronto Star (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com

U.S. Championship
After seven incomplete rounds of play in the 1957 U.S. championship tournament now in progress at New York's Marshall Chess club. Bobby Fischer, 14, leads with a score of 5-1. In second place is world junior champion William Lombardy, with 4½-2½. Third is Samuel Reshevsky with 4-0. Reshevsky's three adjourned games include one with Fischer. Other scores to date are as follows: Mednis and Sherwin, each 4-2; Bernstein, 3-2; Bisguier and Seidman, each 3-4; Denker, 2½-2½; Berliner, 2½-3½; Feuerstein, 2½-4½; Turner, 1-6; DiCamillo, ½-1½; Kramer, ½-4½.

January 25, 1958 The Montreal Star, Let's Play Chess by William Oaker

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Chess 25 Jan 1958, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com

Let's Play Chess
'Bolt From Blue' Is Success
By William Oaker
In this position, white, who is United States champion Bobby Fischer, had worked long and hard to advance his queen-pawn to its present resting place on the seventh rank. Unfortunately, it looks like it has been all in vain. It appears to be lost.
Bobby has become notorious for his “bolt from the blue” moves. This position is a good example. White plays.
1. B-B7!
It is a sad fact that the bishop cannot be taken. For example: 1. … RxB, 2. R-K8 check, QxR 3. PxQ making a new queen, and leaving black helpless. Or 1. … QxB, 2. R-K8 check K-R2, 3. P-Q8 making a new queen, leaving white miles ahead in material.
It is worse than that. Black's queen is attacked by the offensive bishop. He can not now take the QP because of 2. QxQ and the rook is cut off by that horrible bishop, from the defence of the queen.
The unkindest cut of all of course is the fact that when the queen moves white promotes a new queen.

Bobby Fischer
An interesting antecdote has come our way from William Hornung, currently tournament director of the Montreal Championship.
Bobby Fischer, who was then 13, was staying at Mr. Hornung's home while taking part in the Montreal Open Championship two summers ago.
In the last round he was playing Frank Anderson, champion of Canada and both players agreed to an early draw. After it was over and Bobby went back to the Hornung home, all he could think about was his position with Anderson. It was bothering him.
He set it up on the board, and after a few minutes came to the conclusion that he might have won it if he had played on.
A good blindfold player, the uncertain position stayed in his mind during supper, and throughout the evening. “Did he want to go to a ball game, or see a bit of Montreal?” No. He could only sit and think about his position.
Bedtime came. Bobby, like most boys, fell instantly asleep, and like most boys, was a terror to get up in the morning. Finally, with Mrs. Hornung hauling him on his feet, and the swirls of fog clearing from his brain, he opened his eyes.
A sleepy look greeted Mrs. Hornung, when suddenly, as if struck by a pin, he exclaimed, “I've got it!” he raced to a chess board, rapidly reconstructed the position from memory, and rattled off a series of grandmasterish and complicated variations.
“I knew I should have beaten Anderson,” he said.
Commented Mr. Hornung: “That boy! He even plays expert chess while he's sleeping.”

November 23, 1957 Checkers and Chess by Charles Crompton, The Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Chess 23 Nov 1957, Sat The Toronto Star (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com

In a recent match at New York, 14-year-old Bobby Fischer defeated Rodolfo Cardoso by 6-2, winning five games while drawing two and losing one.

February 02, 1957 Let's Play Chess by Frank Anderson, The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

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Chess 02 Feb 1957, Sat The Hamilton Spectator (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com

Hastings Tournament
Fortunately this famous English event came off, although earlier reports indicated it might be cancelled. The contestants were: A. O'Kelly de Galway, Belgium; F. Olafsson, Iceland; Bent Larsen, Denmark; L. Szabo, Hungary; S. Gligoric, Yugoslavia; R. Toran, Spain and the following British experts: C. H. Alexander, D. Horseman, P. Clarke and J. Penrose. The attempt to have Bobby Fischer play was unsuccessful because of previous commitments. The new Grandmaster Bent Larsen scored a good success by tying Gligoric for the first with 6½-2½ each. Next came Olafsson and O'Kelly each with 6-3. Gligoric was the only undefeated player, inflicting Olafsson's only loss in the final round.

July 12, 1959 Speaking of Chess, Sunday Gazette-Mail, Charleston, West Virginia by Edward M. Foy

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Chess 12 Jul 1959, Sun Sunday Gazette-Mail (Charleston, West Virginia) Newspapers.com

May 02, 1959 Chess by Blake Stevens Express and News, San Antonio, Texas

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Chess 02 May 1959, Sat Express and News (San Antonio, Texas) Newspapers.com