Chess by Isaac Kashdan 08 Jan 1961, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Fischer Wins Again To Retain U.S. Title
Bobby Fischer, who at 17 is the youngest international grandmaster in history has clinched the United States chess championship for the fourth year in succession, according to a report from the New York Times.
With one round to go, Fischer's score of 8-2 can no longer be equaled by any of his rivals in the tournament at the Hotel Empire in New York. He won eight games and drew against Charles Kalme, Samuel Reshevsky, Robert Byrne and Paul Benko.
The draw with Benko, which was agreed after 15 moves of the 10th round, was all Fischer needed. The one good break for the champion occurred in the previous round against Saidy.
In this game Saidy with the white pieces outplayed Fischer. Toward the end of the first session Saidy had the advantage of a passed pawn. He weakened in time pressure, however, to allow Fischer counterplay just before adjournment. Playing masterfully in the ending, Fischer finally triumphed in 59 moves.
In second place is Arthur Bisguier with a score of 6-4. Whether he can remain in that position is questionable, as he is scheduled to face Fischer in the final round. After a strong start, Bisguier lost two games in succession, to Hans Berliner and Raymond Weinstein.
Reshevsky and Weinstein are tied at 5½-3½. They are paired in the last round, which should make for an interesting battle. Each has an unfinished game, Reshevsky with Byrne and Weinstein with Kalme.
Reshevsky, boy wonder of the 1920s, who held the U.S. title for a number of years, is the only player besides Fischer to remain undefeated. But he won only twice while drawing seven games.
Following are the scores after 10 rounds, with several games adjourned, and a selection of games from the tournament
