The Gift of Chess

Notice to commercial publishers seeking use of images from this collection of chess-related archive blogs. For use of the many large color restorations, two conditions must be met: 1) It is YOUR responsibility to obtain written permissions for use from the current holders of rights over the original b/w photo. Then, 2) make a tax-deductible donation to The Gift of Chess in honor of Robert J. Fischer-Newspaper Archives. A donation in the amount of $250 USD or greater is requested for images above 2000 pixels and other special request items. For small images, such as for fair use on personal blogs, all credits must remain intact and a donation is still requested but negotiable. Please direct any photographs for restoration and special request (for best results, scanned and submitted at their highest possible resolution), including any additional questions to S. Mooney, at bobbynewspaperblogs•gmail. As highlighted in the ABC News feature, chess has numerous benefits for individuals, including enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, improving concentration and memory, and promoting social interaction and community building. Initiatives like The Gift of Chess have the potential to bring these benefits to a wider audience, particularly in areas where access to educational and recreational resources is limited.

Best of Chess Fischer Newspaper Archives
• Robert J. Fischer, 1955 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1956 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1957 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1958 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1959 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1960 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1961 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1962 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1963 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1964 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1965 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1966 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1967 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1968 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1969 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1970 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1971 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1972 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1973 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1974 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1975 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1976 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1977 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1978 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1979 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1980 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1981 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1982 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1983 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1984 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1985 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1986 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1987 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1988 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1989 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1990 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1991 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1992 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1993 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1994 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1995 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1996 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1997 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1998 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1999 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2000 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2001 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2002 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2003 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2004 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2005 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2006 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2007 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2008 bio + additional games
Chess Columns Additional Archives/Social Media

April 23, 1960 Let's Play Chess by William Oaker, The Montreal Star, Quebec, Canada

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ChessChess 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.
1960, Chess Problem 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#

'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:

Bobby Fischer, First Amendment, Freedom of Speech
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.

Robert J. Fischer, Kid Chess Wizard 1956March 9, 1943 - January 17, 2008

The 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.

Special Thanks