Chess 08 Jan 1961, Sun Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com
Chess Has Benefited From Robert Fischer
By T. M. Cherington, Chess Editor
Most chess fans need not stretch their memories too far to recall the depression years, the invasion of Ethiopia by Mussolini's legions, the invasion of Poland and consequent war declarations, Pearl Harbor, Dunkirk, the clamour for a second front.
All these passed into history before Robert Fischer was born on March 9, 1943. Today he is 17.
He was granted the title “International Grand Master” several years ago because the Federation International des Echecs could hardly do less.
In 1950 when Robert was 7, his mother sent a letter to the Brooklyn Eagle (now defunct) inquiring if they knew of any 7 year olds to play chess with her son. It proved significant for the Royal Game and particularly American Chess that the appeal was answered by Herman Helms, dean of American chess and the chess editor of the “Eagle.”
Progress came quickly and in 1956 when Robert was 13, he entered the U.S. Junior Championships, while still a grade school student and won, 8½-1½. Same year he won the Eastern States Chess Championship in Washington, where several of his opponents were Masters and most were experts.
The following year having become a mature 14 and a student at Erasmus High School he won in succession: New Jersey Open, the U.S. Open Championship and the U.S. Championship.
Followers of this column are familiar with his successful fight through the preliminaries to a place in the final Challengers Round for the World Championship. He could retire now with a record unequaled in the history of the Royal Game.
The highest rating a chess player can achieve is Grand Master, a term invented by the Czar of all the Russias. International Grand Master is the designation just below. By denying him the highest style, the Federation succeeded in indicting only itself.
When informed of his induction into the chess peerage two years ago as an International Grand Master, Robert said, “They shoulda made me a Grand Master.”
How right he was. The Federation International des Echecs cannot make any one anything. Robert Fischer is a Grand Master, one of the greatest of them. The Federation may recognize the facts or ignore them; they sit in judgment only on their own competence.
The Pittsburgh Chess Club cordially invites all chess enthusiasts to the special “Visitors' Nights” on Thursday and Jan. 19, at the Downtown YMCA. Over the board play will be available to visitors.
Number 362
FEN 8/B5R1/8/8/1KP1k3/7B/4P3/8 w - - 0 1
White to play and checkmate in three moves. Composer of 362, a three mover, was H. Hosey Davis. Solitary Black King on King five is at Bay. White has King, Rook, two Bishops and two Pawns.
Solution: 1. Bd7 Ke5; 2. Be3 Ke4; 3. Re7#
Solution to 361 is King to Knight two.
