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 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1956 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1957 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1958 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1959 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1960 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1961 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1962 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1963 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1964 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1965 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1966 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1967 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1968 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1969 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1970 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1971 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1972 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1973 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1974 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1975 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1976 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1977 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1978 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1979 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1980 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1981 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1982 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1983 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1984 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1985 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1986 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1987 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1988 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1989 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1990 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1991 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1992 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1993 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1994 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1995 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1996 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1997 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1998 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1999 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2000 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2001 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2002 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2003 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2004 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2005 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2006 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2007 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2008 ➦
Chess Columns
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Showing posts with label Chess Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chess Games. Show all posts

The Spectacle of Sacrifices

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The Chess Corner, Detroit Free Press by William J. Bult

Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan Sunday, March 14, 1965 - Page 18

The Chess Corner: The Spectacle of Sacrifices
“…The brilliant point—reached after the sacrifice of three pieces. You probably will recognize the similarity of this position to the game Fischer-Benko in this column on Feb. 7. The threatening mate leaves Black only with…”

The Chess Corner: The Spectacle of Sacrifices

'Profile Of A Prodigy' Put Spotlight on Bobby

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The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, September 12, 1965 - Page 52

'Profile Of A Prodigy' Put Spotlight on Bobby
“The publication date coincides nicely with the Capablanca Memorial Tournament now being staged at Havana, and the fiery Fischer, as usual, is in the star role. Denied a visa to visit Cuba by the State Department, Fischer his cabling his moves from New York, and this novelty alone is getting him headlines around the world.”
Brady was serving as Fischer's referee in the tournament until the U.S. champion fired him in a fit of anger. Brady said he received a call from Fischer's attorney saying it “disturbed Fischer's concentration” to have Brady in the same room with him. Whether the feud is genuine or something dreamed up by a publicity agent I am not prepared to say. But I repeat, Brady couldn't have chosen a better time.”

[EDIT: Since when did Bobby Fischer have a “Publicity Agent” to muddle his private life? How much did Brady's book financially net Bobby? Answer: $0.
Since Brady knew Bobby so well, then why didn't Brady simply collaborate with Bobby, obtain the inside scoop from the horse' mouth, and produce a novel worthy of Fischer's approval? Then the public could have really gotten their money's worth! When the press maligned Bobby, in spite of his repeated attempts to refute mischaracterizations, eventually driven into exile and deprived of basic human rights, —was all that too, a “publicity stunt”?]

“The problem is the book I wrote about him,” said Brady. “He didn't like it. It isn't flattering.”
Well, no honest appraisal of Bobby Fischer could be entirely flattering.”

[EDIT: And neither is an honest appraisal of Frank Brady, as The San Francisco Examiner, California Sunday, September 05, 1965 published its own psychoanalytical appraisal of Brady's strange issue with “possessiveness” and “personal ownership” over Fischer's life... as if Bobby were exclusive “personal property” in a book review aptly titled “Nobody's Pawn”. H.E.F. Donohue asks pertinent questions and throws the bleak portrait painted of Fischer into a new light while encouraging the reader to ask deeper questions about Brady's motives and intent.]

“Declaring at the very beginning of the book that he is no scholar, an admission with which I am not inclined to quarrel … fascinating, stubborn, rebellious, incomparably gifted young international grandmaster.”

[EDIT: And if the book was half as accurate as Brady would like people to think it is, Fischer, who read it, clearly didn't agree. Throw in “brutally honest,”. If Fischer didn't like the book there was a reason. Aside of Brady's obvious failure to properly assess Fischer, there's the matter that out of personal respect for Mr. Fischer, Brady didn't seem to feel the need to obtain Fischer's personal consent… friends do that… people who respect you, do that… before going to press with such a book. In fact, they would ask you to read the manuscript, and offer any suggestions… Brady didn't do that. Why? For one who claims to have been “so close” and “a friend,” obtaining Fischer's consent would seemingly been simple.]

'Profile Of A Prodigy' Put Spotlight on Bobby

Robert Fischer at United Nations

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The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, July 24, 1965 - Page 26

Robert Fischer at United Nations
In a simultaneous at the United Nations Chess Club, Bobby Fischer won from 21, drew with 3, and lost to Louis Loayza, Peru, and Vladimir Vakula, USSR. Here is one of his victories.

Varied Viewpoints
D. Bjelicka, reporting for “Chess” on the Zagreb international, comments, “The Zagreb tourney was one of the strongest ever held in Yugoslavia or, indeed, anywhere. But there was no Bobby Fischer. The organizers asked me to write to ask him to take part in the tournament. His answer was: “I decline to play in Sarajevo and Zagreb.” He is very popular in Yugoslavia. If he had played, the tournament room would always have been full.”
During the tourney he went around quizzing some of the leading players on various points of general interest.

“Who do you think will win the right to challenge Petrosian for the world title?”
Petrosian: “It is very difficult to say. I should like to play somebody from outside the Soviet Union; but it will certainly not come about.“
Ivkov: “I believe, Tal or Spassky.”
Larsen: “Why not me? Portisch will beat Tal.”
Portisch: “Maybe Spassky.”
Bronstein: “Each of the eight has a chance — If he believes he has a chance.”

“What do you think of the system of competition for the world; championship?”
Petrosian: “Every system has its own faults.”
Gligoric: “It is difficult to find an ideal system. But I am for a tournament of the strongest players.”
Bronstein: “I am for any system in which all have the same opportunities.”
Ivkov: “A tournament of the strongest players is the only right way.”

“If Bobby Fischer had played here, what would have happened?”
Gligoric: “I got a letter from the U.S.A. in which I was asked for the bulletins from the tournament. They must have thought that Bobby was here it is a pity that he did not come. But I am not sure that he would have finished first.”
Bronstein: “When Bobby was seventeen I liked him. He played wonderfully, but now he is a retired gentleman. He ought to play in these tournaments.”
Larsen: “Bobby is greatly talented, but he would not have been first here.”
Ivkov: “If Bobby had played in the Candidates' tournament he would not have beaten any of the Soviet grandmasters in my opinion.”
Petrosian: “Bobby is always offering challenges. He'll give Botvinnik two points start. He'll play any Soviet grandmaster for $5,000.00. He'll give Nona a knight. Let him put the money on the table; I for one won't refuse to play him.”

Robert Fischer at United Nations

Fischer Wins Again

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The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, September 05, 1965 - Page 46

Fischer Wins Again
U.S. chess champion Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y., playing in his first international tournament in two years, is bowling over the opposition in his best style.
Playing by teletype at the Marshall Chess Club in New York, Fischer is competing in the Capablanca Memorial Tournament in Havana, Cuba, with the other 21 masters and grand-masters in that city.
Fischer has won three games, against former world champion Vassily Smyslov of the USSR, Georghiu Tringov of Bulgaria and Heinz Lehmann of West Germany. He drew with Victor Ciocoltea of Rumania and is expected to win in unfinished games against Alberic O'Kelly of Belgium and Robert Wade of England. Following is one of the games.

Fischer Wins Again

Fischer Now Tied For Second In Capablanca Chess Tourney

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The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, September 05, 1965 - Page 18

Fischer Now Tied For Second In Capablanca Chess Tourney
Bobby Fischer, the stormy petrel of American chess and U.S. champion, moved up to second place in the Capablanca Memorial Tournament at Havana Friday after playing to a draw with Britain's Robert Wade.
The draw was agreed upon after Fischer's 69th move in his adjourned game with Wade. The American is competing in the tourney by cable because the U.S. State Department would not grant him permission to visit Communist Cuba.
Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia remained in the lead with a score of 5½ to 1½. Fischer and Russia's Vassily Smyslov were in second place with scores of 5 to 2. Russia's Ratmir Kholmov is fourth with 4½-1½ and one adjourned game.
Fischer's seventh-round match with Bruno Parma of Yugoslavia ended in a draw Thursday night after the 34th move. Earlier in the day his adjourned fourth-round game with Alberic O'Kelly of Belgium ended the same way.
Fischer will continue play today with an eighth-round match with Hungary's Lazlo Szabo.
This stunning win by Fischer over Bulgaria's Georghiu Tringov in the Capablanca Memorial already has been hailed as an immortal gem. Experts have described the game as one of “great brilliance and theoretical importance.”

Fischer Now Tied For Second In Capablanca Chess Tourney

Chess: Fischer Played 26 Experts and Had Only Two Losses

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The Province Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Saturday, July 03, 1965 - Page 55

Chess: Fischer Played 26 Experts and Had Only Two Losses
Grand Master Bobby Fischer, the 22 year - old United States champion, recently faced 21 international experts, members of the United Nations chess club, plus five local players, in a simultaneous exhibition at the Church Centre of the United Nations.
The event, arranged through the courtesy of TAG, Inc., a producer of games, found the champion in spirited form.
Fischer played 1 P-K4 every board and ended with 21 wins, three draws and two losses, to the club secretary, Luis Loayza of Peru, and to Vladimir Vakula of the Soviet Union.
The following games are from the exhibition.
Fischer encountered a stubborn, if unorthodox, opponent, when Gerardo Martinez, as Black in a French Defence, played the bizarre 2 … B-N5ch.
This loss of time allowed Fischer to obtain the bishop-pair after 9 NxB, QxN. After 11, B-Q2, moreover, White was completely developed and lead an attack in hand.
Black was not overawed and refused to crumple easily. He even managed a sort of counter with 14 … P-N5.
But after 18 Q-K1ch, K-B1, it appeared that Black had reached the end of his rope. Note 23 … PxB, saddling Black with tripled pawns. But Black had no choice: If 23 … QxB; 24 Q-K8 would mate.
Fischer's star move was 27 P-Q5, giving up a pawn to establish his knight on a dominant square with 28 N-Q4. Still Black refused to concede the hopelessness of his position and forced White to play cautiously after 33 … B-R6; 34 R-B2.
Finally, White's 36 N-B3 could not he overcome. Had Black tried 36 … R-B5; 37 QN3 could not be overcome. Had Black tried 36 … R-B5; 37 Q-N3 would have sufficed.
Loayza as Black in a Caro-Kann, organized his defences confidentially and actively reached a middle game where White's impending king-side assault was countered by a dangerous queen-side demonstration.
The climax was 17 … P-QB4; 18 P-KN4, PxP.

Chess: Fischer Played 26 Experts and Had Only Two Losses

Recommended Books

Understanding Chess by William Lombardy Chess Duels, My Games with the World Champions, by Yasser Seirawan No Regrets: Fischer-Spassky 1992, by Yasser Seirawan Chess Fundamentals, by Jose Capablanca Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess, by Bobby Fischer My 60 Memorable Games, by Bobby Fischer Bobby Fischer Games of Chess, by Bobby Fischer The Modern Chess Self Tutor, by David Bronstein Russians versus Fischer, by Mikhail Tal, Plisetsky, Taimanov, et al

'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.

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