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Chess 15 May 1960, Sun The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California) Newspapers.com
Kristian Skold vs Paul Keres
Stockholm (1959/60), Stockholm SWE, rd 7, Jan-02
Spanish Game: Morphy Defense. Modern Steinitz Defense Siesta Variation (C74) 1-0
Chess 08 May 1960, Sun Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com
Chess Corner
By T. M. Cherington, Chess Editor
There is little chance that the world championship match will run the full course of 24 games, for challenger Mikhail Tahl has retained his three game lead into the last week of play.
Champion Mikhail Botvinnik has just a few days remaining of his 12-year tenure of the purple. He had a brief fall from grace when Vassily Smyslov wrested the globe and scepter from him, only to relinquish it a year later. Tahl, a 24-year-old Latvian, will be a colorful title-holder.
Clubs Backing Tourney
The resurgence of chess in the Argentine, which got its original impetus in the '30s with the influx of European masters such as Stahlberg, Wexler, Eliskases, Pilnik, Rossetto, Frydman, Becker and Bolbochan, is kept fresh and green with a plethora of master tournaments financed in the main by the clubs.
These organizations have considerable influence in government circles. For example, the tourney in Buenos Aires beginning June 10 in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Republic has been granted $10,000 by the state to help defray expenses.
Nine Nations Invited
Invitations have been extended to nine nations to send their masters with travel and living expenses guaranteed. If they are accepted, the playing roster will include Fischer and Lombardy of the U.S.; Smyslov, Petrosian, Botvinnik and Tahl of Russia; Gligoric of Yugoslavia; Szabo of Hungary; Larsen of Denmark, Pachmann of Czechoslovakia; Olafsson of Iceland; Uhlmann of West Germany and Unzicker of East Germany, a line up of the world's finest talent.
Substantial cash prizes will supplement the honors. These frequent top tourneys will of course, stimulate chess interest throughout the Pampas and we may reasonably expect the youth of Argentina to respond.
Number 328
FEN 3N4/B6R/8/3k4/8/8/3N4/7K w - - 0 1
White to play, mate in three moves.
T. Henderson is composer of 328, a three-mover. He centered the doomed Black King. Attacking from the Periphery for White are King, Rook, Bishop and Dual Knights.
1. Rf7 Kd6 2. Bd4 Kd5 3. Rd7#
1. Rf7 Ke5 2. Bc5 Kd5 3. Rf5#
Solution to number 327 is Knight to Queen two.
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Chess 08 May 1960, Sun The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) Newspapers.com
Chess Notebook
By LYMAN BURGESS
Two M.S.C.A. dates are coming up this month. The first is the annual Massachusetts vs. Connecticut match at the Boylston Chess Club, May 15. Dr. Joseph Platz, Hartford, spokesman for the visitors, has asked that the match be limited to 20 boards. Kazys Merkis, Bay State captain, hopes to raise the ante to at least 25. Connecticut won in 1956 and 1957; Massachusetts won in 1958 and 1959.
The second M.S.C.A. big-deal will be the Massachusetts state chess championship combined with the Massachusetts-open tournament to be held at the Cambridge Y.M.C.A., Central sq., over the week-end of May 27-30.
In the words of George Nute the tournament is “open to all chess players, male or female, young or old, good or bad.” Perhaps skilled and not so skilled would be a more; diplomatic designation for the third pairing.
Highest ranking player will be recognized as the open chess champion; highest ranking player from Massachusetts; will be state chess champion. All prizes will be in cash.
Entry fee is $10 in Class A and $5 in Class B. All entrants must be or become members of USCF and MSCA. Address inquiries and entries to: George L. Nute, 201 Hamilton, st., Cambridge 39, Mass., or, register at the tournament site at 7 p.m. Friday, May 27.
The tournament is to be a six-round Swiss under USCF rules with Harkness pairings. Time limit: 40 moves in two hours. Positively no adjudications.
Players are requested to bring sets and boards. Players are beseeched to bring clocks.
John Curdo, Lynn, is defending champion in both restricted and open senses. He came from behind to nose out David Scheffer, Cambridge; and Gediminas Sveikauskas, Harvard, who finished tied for second place. Andrew Browder won the 1959 B championship.
The Argentine Chess Federation, spurred by a large grant from the Argentine government has scheduled an ambitious international tournament to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the independence of Argentina. An elite list has been invited including Bobby Fischer and William Lombardy. The Soviet stars invited are: Mikhail Tal, Mikhail Botvinnik, Tigran Petrosian, and Vassily Smyslov. Other bids went to Svetozar Gligoric, Yugoslavia; Bent Larsen, Denmark; Laszlo Szabo, Hungary; Wolfgang Unzicker, East Germany; Wolfgang Uhlmann, West Germany; Fridrik Olafsson, Iceland; and Ludek Pachman, Czecho-Slovakia. If they all show up it will be the biggest thing since root beer.
William Gould, Providence, took the measure of Robert T. Durkin, Atlantic City, in the third round of the New England Amateur. Gould won third prize.
Robert Thomas Durkin (white) vs. William Gould (black)
King's Indian Defense: Semi-Averbakh System
Chess 07 May 1960, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com
The attention of the western world, of course, will be focused on 17-year-old United States Champion Bobby Fischer. Were it not for the Soviet players, we feel he should be the favorite to win. Nevertheless, taking into consideration the fact that he has improved greatly even since his strong showing in the Challengers Tourney, last year, we would not be surprised if he finished third.
Chess 06 May 1960, Fri The News (Paterson, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
Chessically Yours By Henry Overeem
The Mar del Plata international Chess Tournament followed the script of a Hollywood B movie. In the final round Spassky, the leader by ½ point, was held to a draw while Fischer won his game to earn a deadlock for first. The final standings of the players:
W L Fischer 13½ 1½ Spassky 13½ 1½ Bronstein 11½ 1½ Olafsson 10½ 4½ Bazan 9 6 Wexler 8½ 6½ Letelier 8 7 Redolfo 7½ 7½ Foguelman 6½ 8½ Incutto 6½ 8½ Bielicki 6 9 Eliskases 6 9 Del Monte 4 11 Marini 4 11 Gadia 3 12 Sadi 2 13
From the last report received it is Tal leading by 3 games over Botvinnik. This lead is sufficient at this stage of the match play to almost insure victory for only a complete break-down by Tal would help the present world's champion. The pressure is on Botvinnik to win and all too often the forcing player is apt to overextend himself.
The chess games from the recent State High School team tournament were both good and bad but all were interesting. The talent was mixed and all teams produced some excellent games and some which were not so excellent. However, it proves a point that no one has to be a world beater to obtain a fair score and lack of experience should not deter an individual or a team from participating. Every player emerges a batter player because of having been in it, the experience is invaluable and the play is fun.
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Chess 04 May 1960, Wed Courier-Post (Camden, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
Chess With Sam Laird
Mikhail Tal See Sure To Defeat Champion
It is almost a certainty now that Mikhail Tal, young Latvian challenger, will capture the world chess championship from Mikhail Botvinnik in their match at Moscow.
Winning the 17th game from the champion, Tal attained a 10-7 lead over the champion and needed but 2½ points more in the remaining seven games or less to win the crown. The match will end when one player gets 12½ points.
Tal's play throughout the match has been conducted with his characteristic aggressiveness. He has attacked vigorously from the start whenever he had the white pieces and has not had too much difficulty against Botvinnik's favorite Caro-Kann defense.
After 17 games Tal had five victories to his credit and the champion only two, the remaining 10 resulting in draws. The score of the 17th game is printed at the end of this column.
Results of the second round of the Woodbury Chess Club championship are as follows:
Drago (1½-½) and Cake (1½-½) drew;
Wood (2-0) defeated Carlson (1-1);
Lincoln (2-0) defeated Roth (1-1);
Meyer (2-0) defeated Garvey (1-1);
Harry Wright (1-1) defeated William Smailer (1-1);
Shindle (½-1½) drew with Fernandez (1½-½);
Worral (1-1) defeated King (1-1);
Herb Wright (1-1) defeated Frueh (1-1);
Kaimowitz (½-1½) and Ed Smailer (1½-½) drew;
Longacre (½-1½) drew with McCarrin (½-1½);
Plank (1-1) defeated Stankard (0-2);
Hagerman (1-1) defeated Mikhausen (0-2), and Wakeman (1-1) defeated Foster (0-2).
What promises to be one of the outstanding international tournaments in recent years will open in Buenos Aires June 10. Invitations have been sent to many of the world's leading stars and acceptances are expected from most of them. Fischer and Lombardy have received invitations to represent this country. Tal, Botvinnik, Petrosian and Smyslov have been invited for the Soviet Union.
Mikhail Tal vs Mikhail Botvinnik
Botvinnik - Tal World Championship Match (1960), Moscow URS, rd 17, Apr-26
Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation (B18) 1-0
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Chess 24 Apr 1960, Sun Express and News (San Antonio, Texas) Newspapers.com
Championship Chess by Blake Stevens, United States Expert
The attention of the chess world has now divided between the World Championship and the tournament now being conducted at Mar del Plata in Argentina. In the latter, Bobby Fischer of the United States is in second place at present with a score of 7-1, while Boris Spassky of the USSR is first with 7½-½.
Fischer lost his first game to Spassky and has won seven in a row, including a victory over Olafsson of Iceland. Spassky has drawn with Bronstein, the other Russian participant, who is in fifth place.
There are players from the United States, Russia, Iceland, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, numbering 16 in all. The tournament will probably be 15 rounds in length and should prove highly interesting.
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Chess 23 Apr 1960, Sat Weekly Examiner (Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England) Newspapers.com
The annual Mar del Plata (South America) tournament has just ended in a tie between two outstanding young players, Bobby Fischer, of the USA, and B. Spassky, of Russia.
Either of these players may be a contender for the World Championship in the future.
Below is a game Spassky played in the 1957 Russian Championship. Although drawn, the game is full of imaginative play. Spassky sacrifices first the exchange, and later a piece to become a Rook down, relying not on any immediate combinative return, but on his centre pawns, which prove in the end to be full value for the sacrifice.
Boris Spassky vs Ratmir Kholmov
USSR Championship (1957), Moscow URS, rd 6, Jan-29
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation (E30) 1/2-1/2
Chess 23 Apr 1960, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com
Let's Play Chess
Fischer, Spassky in Draw In International Contest
By William Oaker
United States Champion Bobby Fischer, 17-year-old Brooklyn Grandmaster, tied for first place in the Mar del Plata International with Russian Grandmaster Boris Spassky. Their scores were 13½-1½.
Both players had won in round one of this 15-round event. In round two Spassky defeated Fischer. Then both players went on a winning rampage, until after round six Spassky had 6-0 and Fischer 5-1.
Spassky allowed a draw in round seven, while Fischer again won, which left Spassky with 6½-½ and Fischer with 6-1. The winning rampage continued until round 12 saw Spassky with 11½-½ and Fischer with 11-1.
In round 13 Spassky finally succumbed to the terrific strain and permitted a draw. Fischer again won. The scores Spassky 12-1, Fischer 12-1.
Fischer, however, then suffered a setback in round 14, letting a draw slip through his fingers, while Spassky won. This left Fischer trailing again by a half point with only one round remaining, but he came through with flying colors, winning his last round game while Spassky was held to a draw.
Both these players stood head and shoulders over the other 14 competitors in this star-studded event. Trailing in third place was Soviet Grandmaster David Bronstein, with 11½-3½. Fourth was Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland with 10½-4½.
The Brooklyn youngster won 13 games, lost one and drew one. Spassky won 12, lost none and drew three.
Both players seem to have run out of steam in the World Championship Match between titleholder Mikhail Botvinnik of Russia and challenger Mikhail Tal of Latvia.
Tal continues to hold his lead of two points after 14 rounds with a score of 8-6. Tal has won four games, Botvinnik two and there have been eight draws.
The adjourned game from round 12 ended in a draw despite Botvinnik's material advantage of a pawn in a queen and pawn ending.
In round 13, the players agreed to a draw after only 16 moves, and in round 14 they repeated with a draw after only 22 moves.
Tal, of course, with a two-point bulge, is only too happy to hold the draw. Botvinnik, however, has to try to win in order to keep his title. His failure to put up a fight in rounds 13 and 14 has been the cause of much dissatisfaction among Russian chess fans.
We suggest you take another crack at solving this, if you have not already done so, before looking at the solution below.
FEN r1bqk2r/ppppn1np/5pN1/b6Q/2BP4/2P5/P4PPP/RN2R1K1 w - - 0 1
White Mate in 3
1. B-B7ch! KxB
2. N-K5dbl.ch. K-K3
If black had played 2. … K-N1 or K-B1, then 3. Q-B7 would spell checkmate.
3. N-B7 discovered checkmate!
Solution:
1. Bf7+ Kxf7 2. Ne5+ Ke6 3. Nc4#
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Chess 17 Apr 1960, Sun Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas) Newspapers.com
Chess and Chessmen
By Kell C. Terry Jr.
Registration for the Cowtown Open chess tournament will be open until 9 a.m. June 4. In last week's column I stated that it would be open until noon, but in response to many requests, the registration has been changed to allow more time for the three rounds of play June 4. For additional information, write to chess editor, Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The Fort Worth Chess League will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Hilton Hotel. Please bring chess sets and boards. All interested chess players are invited to attend league meetings and see the entertainment advantages offered by organized competitive play.
In the Mar del Plata chess tournament in Argentina, Bobby Fischer, was second Friday with a score of 12½-1½ behind Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, who had a score of 13-1.
Postal Chess: Address all questions concerning chess, answers to problems or first moves.
Problem No. 41.
FEN 1q2kbr/4rp1p/p7/8/1p6/5Q2/PPP3PP/R4R1K w - - 0 1
White to move. What is the best move?
Game of the Week.
This game was won by William Jarnagan from International Master William Lombardy in a 47-board simultaneous exhibition in Boston. Lombardy lost only two other games and those to rated masters. Jarnagan, one of Fort Worth's stronger players, has performed creditable feat in conquering one of America's strongest chess masters.
William Lombardy (white) vs. William Jarnagan (black)
Petrov's Defense
Chess 16 Apr 1960, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com
Let's Play Chess
Tal Extends Lead Two Points In World Championship Play
By William Oaker
Only one more game has been completed during the week's play for the World Championship between title holder Mikhail Botvinnik and challenger Mikhail Tal. The result was a win for Tal in 72 moves, thus extending his lead to two points.
The elder Botvinnik, visibly showing the fatigue which a long series of tournament imposes, asked for a postponement after he lost to Tal in round 11. Suffering from a heavy cold, Botvinnik was excused and the twelfth game did not get under way until the middle of the week.
Game 12 now stands adjourned after 41 moves. Expert opinion has it that the champion has the better position.
The score after 11 rounds, with one game incomplete, is Tal 6½, Botvinnik 4½.
It should be noted that the number of games which a match is to last has a great effect on the final outcome. Had this been scheduled as a 12-game match, Tal would already have been proclaimed the Chess Champion of the World.
Bobby Fischer
The Mar del Plata International Tournament, in Argentina, has turned into a fantastic race to the wire between 17-year-old United States Champion Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky, one of Russia's top-rated grandmasters.
Last week, we erred in stating that Fischer and Spassky had not played as yet in this exciting event. Actually they met in the second round and Spassky was the victor.
Round one saw both players win against their respective opponents. In round two Spassky defeated Fischer. It was like the beginning of a marathon race in which one of the favorites stumbles and falls near the beginning and then picks himself up and takes after the leader.
Rounds three, four, five and six saw both players winning and gradually pulling away from the rest of the field. Spassky had a score of 6-0 and Fischer had 5-1. In the seventh round Spassky allowed a draw to Grandmaster David Bronstein of the U.S.S.R., while Fischer won. Then both players took off on another winning spree.
The score after 11 rounds sees Spassky with 11½-½ and Fischer with 10-1. Far back in third place is Bronstein with 8-3, and fourth is Fridrik Olafsson, of Iceland with 7½-3½.
How Good Are You?
FEN r1bqk2r/ppppn1np/5pN1/b6Q/2BP4/2P5/P4PPP/RN2R1K1 w - - 0 1
White to Play and Mate
This position is not hard to solve. Rather it is tricky. Believe it or not, it is a forced mate in three moves.
Solution:
1. Bf7+ Kxf7 2. Ne5+ Ke6 3. Nc4#
1. Bf7+ Kxf7 2. Ne5+ Kg8 3. Qf7#
Chess 09 Apr 1960, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com
Let's Play Chess
Botvinnik Stages Comeback Draws Within Point of Tal
By William Oaker
World Chess Champion Mikhail Botvinnik shows promise of a spectacular comeback in his 24-game title bout with Mikhail Tal.
After trailing by a score of 5-2 after seven games, the champion suddenly won the eighth and ninth games to draw within one point of the challenger. The tenth game was a hard-fought draw.
Tal has run up against an opponent whom he is going to have great difficulty in defeating. We refer not to Botvinnik, but to Tal's own ego.
After winning the first game, Tal wisely decided to play it cozy and to hold the draw—to make Botvinnik come to him. After drawing the next four games, Botvinnik finally broke under to severe pressure of being forced into trying to win. He switched to a combinative style and took his chances. The result was two quick losses which saw Tal leading by a score of 5-2.
The eighth game, however, saw a strange switch. Tal suddenly changed his approach. Instead of sitting back and making Botvinnik come to him, he took the initiative into his own hands. He sacrificed a pawn for a wild and wooly position. Botvinnik survived the storm and emerged with a won end game.
In game nine Tal once again declined to play it safe. He sacrificed a piece unsoundly and although Botvinnik had a few uncomfortable moments, the champion managed to once again survive the storm, and emerge battered but victorious.
Game number 10 saw Tal settle down into the style which is certain to give Botvinnik the greatest trouble. He played it tight all the way, like a hockey team with two goal lead and only 10 minutes left in playing time. It paid off when Botvinnik lost a pawn, but managed to scrape through with a drawn ending.
The score after 10 rounds: Tal, 5½; Botvinnik 4½.
Tal should beat Botvinnik because he is a little the better at tactics and is able to keep a clearer head during complications. Also, Botvinnik will probably begin to tire as the match goes on. But, we must emphasize that he is only a little better. He is not so much better than he can simply walk all over the champion, as he tried during the eighth and ninth games. For his sake we hope he can keep his ego under control. For Botvinnik's sake, we hope he can't.
Bobby Fischer
Brooklyn boy wonder Bobby Fischer, is busy proving that he is a grandmaster in every sense of the word.
After seven rounds in the Mar del Plata tourney, he is in a close second place with a score of 6-1, and has already dumped two leading grandmasters Fridrik Olafsson and Eric Eliskases.
Leading the tourney is Russian Grandmaster Boris Spassky with 6½-½. Fischer and Spassky have not met in the event as yet.
FEN r1bq3k/ppp3pp/6B1/8/3PP3/8/PbP3PP/R3QRK1 w - - 0 1
Solution: 1. Qh4 Qg8 2. Rf8 Bxd4+ 3. Qh1 h6 4. Rxg8+ Kxg8 5. Qd8#
This is a very instructive position. If you failed to solve it perhaps one hint will show you the way. It is an example of taking advantage of a back rank weakness. Now, have another go at it before looking at the solution.
The key move for white is 1. Q-R4!
Black cannot play 1. … QxQ because of 2. R-B8 checkmate. White is also threatening 2. QxRP checkmate. There is only one black defence. 1. … Q-N1 2. R-B8!
Another crushing move. This time the threat is 3. QxRP checkmate, since the black queen in pinned. Also black cannot play 2. … QxR, because the queen would no longer be guarding the rook pawn and hence the mate. The only other move is 2. … P-R3 whereupon he would be mated by 3. RxQ check, KxR; 4. Q-Q8 checkmate.
Chess 09 Apr 1960, Sat Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com
Championship Chess Match Now 5-4 in Favor of Tahl
By T. M. Cherington, Chess Editor
World champion Mikhail Botvinnik won the eighth game in the title match, the ninth was a draw and the standing at present favors Tahl 5-4.
At Mar del Plata in the Argentine, Boris Spassky, youthful Russian Grand Master, leads 6-0. In second place, 5-1, is American champion Robert Fischer. His one loss was to Spassky, Bronstein, the other Russian entry, a one-time challenger for world honors, is in sixth place.
FOR A 17-YEAR-OLD, Fischer has established a record for participation in major tourneys. He is gaining experience and confidence, necessary to capture the World championship which most observers believe he will do.
For the seventh time Laszlo Szabo has won the Hungarian championship after a play-off of a triple tie with Gideon Barcza and J. Portisch.
Martin S. Lubell, editor of EN PASSANT, Pittsburgh Chess Club periodical, replied to an opinion by James Schroeder in the OHIO CHESS BULLETIN in which Bill Byland's courage was disparaged in a game against R. Kause in the Tri-State tourney.
TO QUOTE Schroeder, “Byland… made no effort to win… although he had the White pieces…directed every move to dull equality. Kause on the contrary made every effort to complicate the game by adopting a provocative defense. This effort was in vain in view of his opponent's fear stricken play.”
New rules of logic will have to be devised to solve the above quotation. Even Schroeder's implications are not clear. Does he mean that Kause should have been priveleged to play both sides of the board or that Byland could sustain honor only by resigning?
We forgive Schroeder, for we understand that a draw match can be very frustrating.
Number 325
FEN 6N1/8/4p3/1p2B3/1K2k3/8/7Q/8 w - - 0 1
Solution:
1. Qf2 Kxe5 2. Nf6 Kd6 3. Qc5#
1. Qf2 Kd5 2. Qe2 Kc6 3. Qxb5#
With two Pawns for defense, the Black King resists mate until the third move. Composer G. Szabo powered White with Regal Twosome, Mount and Clergy.
Solution to number 324 is Queen to Queen square.
Chess 02 Apr 1960, Sat Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com
SRO Sign Out at Botvinnik, Thal Vie for Chess Crown
By T. M. Cherington, Chess Editor
Seventeen games remain in the world championship match between Michael Botvinnik and challenger Mikhail Thal. The down at the heels Pushkin Theatre in Moscow has the SRO sign out at every gate.
Several other auditoriums are filled as well, with giant boards recording the moves as they are made. Grand Masters analyze for the fans in an atmosphere of excitement comparable to Stanley cup playoffs or the World Series.
Seven games have been played—four draws and three wins by Thal, a very substantial advantage in such a tourney.
Thal's Victory in game one was the White side of a French Defense. His win in game six was on the Ebonys of a King's Indian Defense of the Queen's Gambit.
The drawn games were second, Queen's Pawn Opening; third, Caro-Kann (1. P-K4 P-QB3); fourth, Nimzo-Indian; fifth, another Caro-Kann.
Thal won the seventh game with Caro-Kann, playing white.
At Mar del Plata in the Argentine a great international match is underway. The facilities and financial arrangements have attracted a fine roster of Masters. Russia has sent David Bronstein and Boris Spassky, two of their best.
Miguel Najdorf, Erich Eliskases, and Bernardo Wexler are the best known entrants from Latin America. Europe is represented by Wolfgang Unzicker, Bent Larsen and Laszlo Szabo. The American entrant is Robert Fischer, current and three-time U.S. champion. He is on leave from Erasmus High School in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Chess-conscious Cuba is on target for the Soviet which has sent Paul Keres to Havana as a cultural representative. The choice of the Estonian Grand Master was good for Keres is ingratiating.
Number 324
FEN 8/3R4/8/8/Q2Nk3/8/3b3P/1K6 w - - 0 1
Black King with Bishop for defense is mated in three moves by the White forces consisting of Royal Household, Rook, Knight and Pawn. The composer of 324 is A. W. Daniel.
Solution:
1. Qd1 Kd3 2. Rd5 Kc4 3. Qb3#
Solution to number 323 is Queen to Queen Knight square.
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Chess 27 Mar 1960, Sun The Journal Times (Racine, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com
Rosenwald Game
Of interest to chessplayers in the U.S. was the following game, played in the Rosenwald tournament, between the United States' two representatives in the world's candidates tournament. Fischer proved his superiority over Benko, by beating him at his own game, in a rook and pawn ending.
Robert James Fischer vs Pal Benko
United States Championship (1959/60), New York, NY USA, rd 10, Dec-30
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer. Classical Variation (B63) 1-0
World Championship
In the Botvinnik-Tal 24 game championship match now under way in Moscow, Tal opened with white and won in the first game. The second, third and fourth games were drawn, and Tal now leads 2½-1½.
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Chess 27 Mar 1960, Sun The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) Newspapers.com
Bobby Fischer will play in Argentina at the famous Mar del Plata annual tournament which begins Tuesday. It is expected the field will be limited to 20 and will, as usual, be drawn mainly from the international elite. Already entered are David Bronstein and Boris Spassky of the U.S.S.R.; Fridrik Olafsson, Iceland, and two Argentine grandmasters, Miguel Najdorf and Erik Eliskases. Wolfgang Unzicker, East Germany; Bent Larsen, Denmark and Laszlo Szabo, Hungary, have also received invitations.
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Chess 05 Mar 1960, Sat Chronicle (Crewe, Cheshire, England) Newspapers.com
CHESS FOR ALL
(By G CHESTERS)
CHESHIRE JUNIORS have once again hit the headlines by a convincing win in the Northern Counties' Jamboree. This was held last Saturday in the Manchester Chess Club's rooms Lancashire and Yorkshire making up the opposition.
The British Chess Federation splits itself up into five Unions: Western Counties Southern Midlands Northern and the Welsh C.C.U. A Union is composed of several counties the three counties named above being the strongest in the Northern Counties' C.C.U.
A Jamboree is a team event in which three or more teams take part. Each player plays only one game. With just three teams participating the event is quite easy to organise. Of the twelve Cheshire boys six played Lancashire and six played Yorkshire opponents. The remaining six Lancashire boys played the remaining six boys from Yorkshire. Of the three top boards; two play each other the third being opposed to one of the three second boards.
Cheshire finished with eight points, 2½ points ahead of Lancashire with Yorkshire last with only 4½. Below are the scores of the Cheshire players, many of whose names will be familiar to regular readers: P. D. Yerbury (1), M. R. Hudson (1), both of Caldy Grange; G. Chesters (½) of Crewe; D. I. W. Reynolds (0), of Wallasey; R. H. Mellor (1), of Stockport; P. C. Chatwin (0), of Preston; V. W. Knox (1), of Wallasey; N. J. Birdsall (1), of Caldy; B. McDonagh (½); P. Jeal (1), both of Stockport; J. S. Edwards (0), of Chester; and, on board twelve, G. K. Sandiford (1), of Manchester.
The Cheshire team will now play in the British Counties' Jamboree in London on April 9. There will be one county from each of the other four Unions participating. Devon, according to the weekly chess programme on Network Three (Sunday at 4 p.m.), will almost certainly represent the West. Staffordshire (not Warwickshire) surprisingly won the Midlands' Jamboree.
Some news from the international front. The International Tournament at Riga in December was won by Spassky, ahead of fellow Russians Mikemas, Tolush, and Tal (2½ points behind the leader). No British or U.S. players took part. Young genius Bobby Fischer again won the U.S. Championship, ahead of Byrne, Reshevsky, and (the now no longer “statelessrdquo;?) Benko. For the sixth time, the Canadian Championship has been won by Abe Yanofsky, with eleven out of eleven!
The diagrammed position occurred in a North Staffs League match. White played 1. B—B4ch K—Rl; 2. QxQ? overlooking the decisive 2. RxNP After 2. RxNP, play might have continued 2. … QxQ; 3. BxQ NxB; 4. RxB dis.ch. N—Q4; 5. NxN PxR (if P—R4; 6. N—B7 dis.ch. K— R2; 7. R-N7 mate); 6. N—B7 dis.ch. K—Nl; 7. N—R6 mate.
From the diagram White played 1. B—B4 ch. Why can't Black play 1. … NxB?
Note that White could have played immediately 1. RxPch KxR (or K—Rl); 2. Q—Q2, winning Black's Queen.
Answer: After 1. B-B4ch … NxB; 2. QxNch. wins the Black Queen.
H. Reynolds.
J. R. Cadwallader to play.
Crewe v. Penkhull, Feb. 1960.
FEN r4rk1/ppp1R1pp/1b1p3q/n4p2/6b1/2QB1N2/PB3PPP/5RK1 w - - 0 1
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Chess 05 Mar 1960, Sat The Chronicle (Nantwich, Cheshire, England) Newspapers.com
CHESS FOR ALL
(By G CHESTERS)
CHESHIRE JUNIORS have once again hit the headlines by a convincing win in the Northern Counties' Jamboree. This was held last Saturday in the Manchester Chess Club's rooms Lancashire and Yorkshire making up the opposition.
The British Chess Federation splits itself up into five Unions: Western Counties Southern Midlands Northern and the Welsh C.C.U. A Union is composed of several counties the three counties named above being the strongest in the Northern Counties' C.C.U.
A Jamboree is a team event in which three or more teams take part. Each player plays only one game. With just three teams participating the event is quite easy to organise. Of the twelve Cheshire boys six played Lancashire and six played Yorkshire opponents. The remaining six Lancashire boys played the remaining six boys from Yorkshire. Of the three top boards; two play each other the third being opposed to one of the three second boards.
Cheshire finished with eight points, 2½ points ahead of Lancashire with Yorkshire last with only 4½. Below are the scores of the Cheshire players, many of whose names will be familiar to regular readers: P. D. Yerbury (1), M. R. Hudson (1), both of Caldy Grange; G. Chesters (½) of Crewe; D. I. W. Reynolds (0), of Wallasey; R. H. Mellor (1), of Stockport; P. C. Chatwin (0), of Preston; V. W. Knox (1), of Wallasey; N. J. Birdsall (1), of Caldy; B. McDonagh (½); P. Jeal (1), both of Stockport; J. S. Edwards (0), of Chester; and, on board twelve, G. K. Sandiford (1), of Manchester.
The Cheshire team will now play in the British Counties' Jamboree in London on April 9. There will be one county from each of the other four Unions participating. Devon, according to the weekly chess programme on Network Three (Sunday at 4 p.m.), will almost certainly represent the West. Staffordshire (not Warwickshire) surprisingly won the Midlands' Jamboree.
Some news from the international front. The International Tournament at Riga in December was won by Spassky, ahead of fellow Russians Mikemas, Tolush, and Tal (2½ points behind the leader). No British or U.S. players took part. Young genius Bobby Fischer again won the U.S. Championship, ahead of Byrne, Reshevsky, and (the now no longer “statelessrdquo;?) Benko. For the sixth time, the Canadian Championship has been won by Abe Yanofsky, with eleven out of eleven!
The diagrammed position occurred in a North Staffs League match. White played 1. B—B4ch K—Rl; 2. QxQ? overlooking the decisive 2. RxNP After 2. RxNP, play might have continued 2. … QxQ; 3. BxQ NxB; 4. RxB dis.ch. N—Q4; 5. NxN PxR (if P—R4; 6. N—B7 dis.ch. K— R2; 7. R-N7 mate); 6. N—B7 dis.ch. K—Nl; 7. N—R6 mate.
From the diagram White played 1. B—B4 ch. Why can't Black play 1. … NxB?
Note that White could have played immediately 1. RxPch KxR (or K—Rl); 2. Q—Q2, winning Black's Queen.
Answer: After 1. B-B4ch … NxB; 2. QxNch. wins the Black Queen.
H. Reynolds.
J. R. Cadwallader to play.
Crewe v. Penkhull, Feb. 1960.
FEN r4rk1/ppp1R1pp/1b1p3q/n4p2/6b1/2QB1N2/PB3PPP/5RK1 w - - 0 1
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Chess 27 Feb 1960, Sat Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com
Child Chess Centers Decree Meets Opposition in Russia
By T.M. Cherington, Chess Editor
A controversy is raging in the USSR over the decree of the Union of Sports Societies and Organizations for the immediate establishment of chess training centers for children. They are enlisted in the thousands in a search for genius.
Responsibility can be laid to the door of Brooklyn's Erasmus High School student. International Grand Master Robert Fischer. It might have gone unnoticed except that Grand Master Vassily Panov challenged the propriety of the decree in an article in Izvestia. He appealed for its vacation by the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences and the Ministry of Education and Health.
SUN-TELEGRAPH chess fans will be surprised to hear that Chess Review recommends chess instruction for children in the United States. How the press will react to that idea could astonish even Pravda.
We always have thought that 20 minutes a day to master the rudiments of the piano, preferably, or other musical instrument should be required of every grade school child, Chess, our fans will agree, has no place in school curricula.
Loss of international junior tourneys in recent years has much to do with he sudden concern in Russia for the development of youthful talent.
Political conniving and unsocialistic influence also has played its part in match failures.
FOR EXAMPLE, in the 1957 World Junior championship won by American Bill Lombardy, who described his 11-game victory without loss or draw, for this column. Russia was represented by V. Selimanov.
Your chess editor Interviewed 17-year-old Selimanov to discover why an unknown player was selected for the trip to North America when there was a plethora of “powerhouse” junior chessers ready and anxious to compete. The answer was very convincing. Selimanov's step-father was Vassily Smyslov, then world champion.
Number 320
FEN 8/8/3K4/3N4/5B2/5k2/3Q4/8 w - - 0 1
Solution:
1. Bg5 Ke4 2. Ne3 Kf3 3. Qg2#
1. Bg5 Kg3 2. Ne3 Kf3 3. Qg2#
1. Bg5 Kg4 2. Kg2+ Kf5 3. Ne7#
The unsupported Black King is mated in three moves by Regal Missiles, Bishop and Knight. Composer E. Pradignat set the problem.
Solution to number 319 is King to Queen eight.
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Chess 26 Feb 1960, Fri The News (Paterson, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
In the recent U.S. championships, Seidman pulls this one against Fischer, and it may be interesting to see how the young grandmaster handles the challenge. Black even adopts the old Mieses line, QxP, rather than the accepted present day N-KB3 as the second reply.
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Chess 12 Feb 1960, Fri The News (Paterson, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
Chessically Yours by Henry Overeem
For the average woodpusher, myself included, it is hard to understand the so-called grand master draws. In this instance I refer in particular to the recent Benko-Reshevsky draw in tne Rosenwald. This happened early in the tournament, and at the time Reshevsky must have known that if he hoped to outscore Fischer he would need every half-point. Yet in this placid and very tame game he meekly settles for a draw. Both white and black seem over-cautious. Against a player of Reshevsky's calibre perhaps we should not blame Benko too much, thougn both are grandmasters in their own right. At the time of the short, 16 move, draw both sides had interesting counterplay, I do know that players of lesser rating would have slugged it out and accepted a draw only when it became forced. Some Leagues even specify that no draws can be agreed upon until after 40 moves and or four hours of playing time has elapsed. I would like to see a ruling such as this in grandmaster play, it would stimulate more aggressive play and certainly far, more interesting.
'til the world understands why Robert J. Fischer criticised the U.S./British and Russian military industry imperial alliance and their own Israeli Apartheid. Sarah Wilkinson explains: Tweets by swilkinsonbc |
 “What a sad story Fischer was,” typed a racist, pro-imperialist colonial troll who supports mega-corporation entities over human rights, police state policies & white supremacy. |
To which I replied: “Really? I think he [Bob Fischer] stood up to the broken system of corruption and raised awareness! Whether on the Palestinian/Israel-British-U.S. Imperial Apartheid scam, the Bush wars of ‘7 countries in 5 years,’ illegally, unconstitutionally which constituted mass xenocide or his run in with police brutality in Pasadena, California-- right here in the U.S., police run rampant over the Constitution of the U.S., on oath they swore to uphold, but when Americans don't know the law, and the cops either don't know or worse, “don't care” -- then I think that's pretty darn “sad”. I think Mr. Fischer held out and fought the good fight, steadfast til the day he died, and may he Rest In Peace. Educate yourself about U.S./State Laws -- https://www.youtube.com/@AuditTheAudit/videos After which the troll posted a string of profanities, confirming there was never any genuine sentiment of “compassion” for Mr. Fischer, rather an intent to inflict further defamatory remarks. |
This ongoing work is a tribute to the life and accomplishments of Robert “Bobby” Fischer who passionately loved and studied chess history. May his life continue to inspire many other future generations of chess enthusiasts and kibitzers, alike.
March 9, 1943 - January 17, 2008The photograph of Bobby Fischer (above) from the March 02, 1956 The Tampa Times was discovered by Sharon Mooney (Bobby Fischer Newspaper Archive editor) on February 01, 2018 while gathering research materials for this ongoing newspaper archive project. Along with lost games now being translated into Algebraic notation and extractions from over two centuries of newspapers, it is but one of the many lost treasures to be found in the pages of old newspapers since our social media presence was first established November 11, 2017.
