AThe Daily Courier, Connellsville, Pennsylvania, Saturday, August 08, 1959
Bobby Fischer Hopes to Take Chess Laurels
By Bart Kinch, United Press International
New York (UPI)—The mother of America's chess prodigy, Bobby Fischer, who hopes to wrest the world's chess championship from Soviet Russia, appealed today for financial aid so her son can enter the playoffs in Yugoslavia.
Mrs. Regina Fischer of Brooklyn N.Y., said she and her 16-year-old son, the youngest international grand master in the world, have saved nearly $2000—half the amount needed to pay the expenses for the nearly two month long tournament.
“With another $2000 Bobby could be sure of being able to take part in this tournament,” Mrs. Fischer said.
Frank Brady, business manager of the U.S. Chess Federation said that if the Fischers do not raise the money within a few days Bobby probably will not be able to participate.
“Actually, the International Chess Federation has stated that formal notice of availability be forwarded to the federation's headquarters in Sweden by Aug. 3,” Brady said.
“However, there is a degree of flexibility in the date and I'm sure that if Bobby raises the money by Aug. 10 his formal guarantee that he will play will be accepted.”
The candidates tournament is scheduled to begin in Bled, Yugoslavia on Sept. 6 and will last until Oct. 31. This will be an elimination tournament and the winner will face the present world champion, Russia's Mikhail Botvinnik in 1960.
Mrs. Fischer said that from March to June Bobby represented the United States in international chess events in Argentina, Chile and Switzerland. He won $300 which he is using to help defray the expenses of the upcoming Yugoslav trip—if he can make it.
Note: Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, August 07, 1959
Mrs. Fischer said:
“I wish something could be done to assure his participation in this coming tournament.
“Bobby is devoted to chess. He has brought the United States to the top in international chess, where it belongs.
“If anybody wants to contribute anything it can be sent directly to Bobby Fischer in care of the U.S. Chess Federation, 80 E. 11th St., New York 3, N.Y.
“Every penny will be acknowledged and strictly, publicly accounted for.”
Yet, we soon discover these headlines:
Courier-Post Camden, New Jersey Monday, October 31, 1960
“Mrs. Regina Fischer of Brooklyn, whose son, Bobby, the U.S. chess champion, was sent to the current World Chess Olympics in Leipzig, East Germany, with only a one-way ticket, is suing the U.S. Chess Federation for an accounting of funds in its $50,000 annual budget. Harvey Breit, well-known Broadway playwright, paid Bobby's return-fare as a last-minute emergency measure, to insure his participation in the World Tournament. Mrs. Fischer says that neither the U.S. Chess Federation nor the American Chess Foundation has ever provided any funds to help defray Bobby's expenses…”
“Every penny will be acknowledged and strictly, publicly accounted for.” As any non-profit, tax-exempt should! Where did the money go after the fund-raising went all the way from the desks of Eleanor and Edith Kermit Roosevelt, circulation throughout millions of U.S. newspapers, thanks to Bart Kinch (UPI). Where did the money go?! After a mother goes on a letter-writing campaign which reached the nation, all the way to the federal powers that be, a hunger strike to raise funds to make it possible for her son to fairly compete, and puts her word to the nation, 'Every penny will be acknowledged and strictly, publicly accounted for.' The U.S. Chess feds were obligated to do the same if they accepted the donations that rolled in… and yet, there were no funds to assist young Fischer?
The Pittsburgh Press Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Wednesday, October 05, 1960
“Bobby Fischer, the young American chess champion, finally has been able to accept the invitation to play in Iceland's 60th anniversary chess tourney. His transportation expense problem was solved: Harvey Breit, the playwright, gave him the money for the plane trip”
Note: Let that sink in. All those harsh critics within chess circles, yet seemingly not one dime available from them to aid the youth, Bobby Fischer in his trip abroad. It took the generosity of an outsider to get young Fischer there, and a return trip. Disgraceful.
Fortunately Mr. Breit had the sense to donate the sponsorship directly to young Fischer, for if he had not, who knows whose pocket the funds would've ended up within!
