AThe Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, January 11, 1959
Fischer Retains U.S. Championship
Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn successfully defended the U.S. chess championship which he acquired a year ago, emerging a point ahead of the field in the tournament at the Manhattan Chess Club, according to a report from the New York Times.
The brilliant 15-year-old schoolboy, now an international grandmaster, had for his last-round opponent Robert Byrne of Indianapolis. Fischer, the only undefeated player in the tournament, had established himself so strongly in first place that he needed only a draw in this final effort.
Byrne, who had a minus score and was anxious to redeem himself, made every effort to win, but could make no headway against the champion's stout defense. They agreed to a draw, after 28 moves, giving Fischer the winning score of 8½-2½, comprising six games won and five drawn.
In the 10th round Fischer won a vital game against former U.S. Champion Arthur B. Bisguier. The latter, playing the black side of a Ruy Lopez opening, became very aggressive, offering the sacrifice of a bishop which Fischer found it prudent to refuse.
At adjournment time the game had been equalized and a draw seemed in prospect. But the young champion applied himself to the task of extracting something out of nothing. In an ending with one rook and one pawn on each side, Fischer managed to win his opponent's pawn and advance his own, scoring the point after 88 moves.
Samuel Reshevsky, who had ruled American chess for years until Fischer came along, finished strongly to take second place with a total of 7½-3½. He could not overcome his loss to the champion, which accounted for the margin of victory. Reshevsky lost no other game, finishing with five wins and as many draws. …
