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 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1956 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1957 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1958 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1959 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1960 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1961 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1962 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1963 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1964 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1965 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1966 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1967 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1968 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1969 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1970 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1971 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1972 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1973 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1974 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1975 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1976 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1977 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1978 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1979 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1980 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1981 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1982 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1983 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1984 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1985 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1986 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1987 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1988 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1989 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1990 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1991 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1992 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1993 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1994 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1995 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1996 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1997 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1998 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1999 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2000 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2001 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2002 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2003 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2004 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2005 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2006 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2007 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2008 bio + additional games
Chess Columns Additional Archives/Social Media

Articles from 1959 Index

< Prev Next >

January 01 1959

  • Deseret News and Salt Lake Telegram Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, January 01, 1959 — Bobby Fischer Holds Lead In U.S. Tourney — Bobby Fischer, the teenage chess whiz defending his title, is holding the lead in the United States Chess Championship Tournament. Bobby, 15, of Brooklyn, is undefeated with a score of 6-2 at the completion Read More

  • The Guardian, London, Greater London, England, Thursday, January 01, 1959 — Fischer's Great Win — The 15-year-old United States champion, Bobby Fischer, has just brought off another astonishing victory in the current American championship by winning Reshevsky's queen in only twelve moves. Reshevsky is considered by many the Read More

  • The Times, San Mateo, California, Thursday, January 01, 1959 107 — Chess Champ — New York (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 15, won the national chess title Sunday for the second straight year.

  • Chattanooga Daily Times Chattanooga, Tennessee Thursday, January 01, 1959 — Fischer Leading In Chess Tourney — Youngster Is Point Ahead of 2 Chief Rivals ©New York Times News Service — New York—With one important exception, the leaders in the United States championship tournament for the Lessing J. Rosenwald Trophy won in the Read More

January 02 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Arthur Bisguier

  • The Minneapolis Star, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Friday, January 02, 1959 — People In Sports News: Samuel Reshevsky vs. Bobby Fischer — Samuel Reshevsky five times champion, moved into second place behind defending champion Bobby Fischer in the national chess tournament when he defeated James T. Sherwin for a 7-3 record. Fischer Read More

  • Battle Creek Enquirer, Battle Creek, Michigan, Friday, January 02, 1959 — Former Olivet Man Seeks Chess Crown — Olivet—Donald Byrne, a former English instructor at Olivet College, is still competing for the national chess championship in New York City. He defeated Brother Robert of Indianapolis in 53 moves in an adjourned match of Read More

  • Ironwood Daily Globe, Ironwood, Michigan, Friday, January 02, 1959 — Reshevsky in Second Place in Chess Match — New York (AP) — Veteran Samuel Reshevsky, five times former champion, moved into second place behind defending titleholder Bobby Fischer in the National Chess Tournament Thursday night when he defeated James T. Read More

January 03 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, January 03, 1959 — Fischer, Bisguier Adjourn In Chess — Defender and Former Holder of Title on Even Terms After Making 40 Moves — Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old United States chess champion, and Arthur B. Bisguier, former holder of the title, fought for five hours last night in the tenth round Read More

  • Vidette-Messenger of Porter County, Valparaiso, Indiana, Saturday, January 03, 1959 — Byrne Moves Up In Chess — New York (AP) — Donald Byrne of Valparaiso, Ind., defeated Charles Kalme of Philadelphia in 26 moves and Paul Benko, a Hungarian refugee, turned back Ray Weinstein of Brooklyn College in 40 moves Friday night in Read More

  • The News Paterson, New Jersey Saturday, January 03, 1959 — Chessically Yours by Henry Overeem — The youth of the country has taken over. Headed by the youngest, Fischer, and bunched close behind are Bisguire, Evans, Lombardy, Byrne, Sherwin, Mednis and others. For many years these names will be echoed where international Read More

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, January 03, 1959 — The Game of Kings - Prodigy's Good Start — Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old U.S.A. National Champion, has made a good start in defense of his title in the current Championship now taking place at the Manhattan C.C. in New York, with victories over James Sherwin and Read More

January 04 1959

Robert Eugene Byrne vs Robert James Fischer

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, January 04, 1959 — Fischer Sets Back Bisguier In Chess — 15-Year-Old Brooklyn Boy Needs Only Draw in Last Round to Retain Title —Taking eight-six moves in all, Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, the 15-year-old defending United States champion, defeated Arthur B. Bisguier in their adjourned Read More

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, January 04, 1959 — Sports Review of 1958 — A youngster dominated the chess scene in this country in 1958. Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old student at Erasmus Hall High School, Brooklyn, won the United States title. He gained additional honors in Europe. By finishing among the first six at the Read More

  • The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, January 04, 1959 — Bobby Fischer Nearing Second U.S. Chess Title — New York, Jan. 3 (AP)—Fifteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of New York moved within one-half point of winning his second straight national chess title tonight when he defeated Arthur B. Bisguier of New York in 86 moves. The Read More

  • The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, January 04, 1959 — Fischer In Lead, Beats Reshevsky — In the most sensational game to date in the tournament for the United States Chess Championship, 15-year-old Bobby Fischer, playing in defense of his title, defeated former champion Samuel Reshevsky, according to a Read More

  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, Sunday, January 04, 1959 — Chess Championship — At present writing, Bobby Fischer leads the field, having defeated Samuel Reshevsky in their match, and his score now is 5-2. Reshevsky and two others are tied for second place.

  • Press and Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton, New York, Sunday, January 04, 1959 — Chess Win Near — New York — (AP) — Fifteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of New York moved within one-half point of winning his second straight national chess championship tonight when he defeated Arthur B. Bisquier of New York in 86 moves. The victory in a 10th Read More

  • Poughkeepsie Journal, Poughkeepsie, New York, Sunday, January 04, 1959 — Boy, 15, Nears Chess Laurels —New York — (AP) — Fifteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of New York moved within one-half point of winning his second straight national chess championship last night when he defeated Arthur B. Bisguier of New York in 86 moves. The victory in Read More

  • The Racine Journal-Times Sunday Bulletin, Racine, Wisconsin, Sunday, January 04, 1959 — Nears 2D Title — New York —(AP)—Fifteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of New York moved within one-half point of winning his second straight national chess championship Saturday night when he defeated Arthur B. Bisguier of New York in 86 moves. Read More

  • Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sunday, January 04, 1959 — Results of the U.S. Championship Tournament — Results of the U.S. Championship Tournament — Here are the results of the U.S. Championship Tournament through the fifth round [with four games adjourned] Fischer [4-1]; Evans [3-1]; Reshevsky [3-2]; Read More

January 05 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, January 05, 1959 — Fischer Retains U.S. Chess Title; 15-Year-Old Student Draws Final Test With R. Byrne: Brooklyn Star Only Undefeated Player in Tourney — Decision had not been made at this point but Fischer retained championship by gaining a draw in match. Bobby Fischer of Read More

  • Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Monday, January 05, 1959 — Bobby Fischer Retains U.S. Chess Crown — New York, Jan. 4 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 15 year old Brooklyn whiz kid, retained his national chess championship Sunday when he drew with Robert Byrne of Indianapolis in 28 moves. That gave Fischer an 8½-2½ record. Bobby Read More

  • Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, Monday, January 05, 1959 — Chess — New York—Fifteen-year old Bobby Fischer won the national chess title for the second straight year.

  • Nanaimo Daily News, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, Monday, January 05, 1959 — Fischer Wins U.S. Chess Title — New York (CP)—Brooklyn's Bobby Fischer won the United States chess championship for the second time in a row Sunday night by drawing his 11th and final match against Robert Byrne of Indianapolis. The 15-year-old Read More

  • Press and Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton, New York, Monday, January 05, 1959 — Teenager Repeats World Chess Title: Old Men Stubborn … but Kid's Got It —New York—(AP)—An air of expectancy filled the arena and yet it was still. The spectators sized up the opponents. Their faces almost told their thoughts. Could he repeat, they wondered. Could Read More

  • The Minneapolis Star, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Monday, January 05, 1959 — Fischer Wins — New York—(AP)—Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old Brooklyn high school boy, won his second consecutive United States chess championship Sunday. He beat out Samuel Reshevsky, five-time champion, 8½-2½ to 7½-3½.

  • The Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Indiana, Monday, January 05, 1959 — Chess — Fifteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn won his second straight national championship in New York when he drew with Robert Byrne of Indianapolis in 28 moves. That gave Fischer an 8½-2½ record. Samuel Reshevsky of New York finished second with 7½-3½. Read More

January 06 1959

January 08 1959

  • Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, Thursday, January 08, 1959 — Bobby Fischer, 15, Wins U.S. Tourney Twice — At the age of 15, Bobby Fischer, Brooklyn high school student is two-time winner of the United States chess championship. Fischer went undefeated and successfully defended the title he won last year in the 11-round championship Read More

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, January 08, 1959 — Fischer To Get Medal — Erasmus Hall High to Honor U.S. Chess Champion — Bobby Fischer, a 15-year-old junior at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, has been asked to report to the principal's office at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon. It will be a pleasant visit. Last Read More

  • Star-Phoenix Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Thursday, January 08, 1959 — Plans Approved For Chess Event — Belgrade (AP) — The International Chess Federation has accepted the proposal of the Yugoslav federation that the Tournament of Candidates for the world championship be held at three places in Yugoslavia. According to the Read More

January 09 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, January 09, 1959 — A Medal for Bobby Fischer — They gave Bobby Fischer a gold medal yesterday at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. It was the first time in that school's long and honorable history that the Student Council has ever done such a thing, but then 15 year olds like Bobby Read More

  • The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, January 09, 1959 — The Rosenwald — The Rosenwald Tournament, the strongest Chess Tournament in the United States is coming to a climactic close. This tournament is invitational to only the top rated U.S. chess players, and it produces the undisputed United States champion. Last year, Read More

January 10 1959

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, January 10, 1959 — Fischer Retains U.S. Title — The 15-year-old Brooklyn marvel, Bobby Fischer, once more proved that he is top man in U.S. chess when he succeeded in retaining his national title in play at New York with a final score of 8½-2½ points. Among the twelve competitors, Read More

January 11 1959

  • Fort Lauderdale News, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sunday, January 11, 1959 — U.S. Championship —Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old chess genius from Brooklyn, successfully defended his title as U.S. Chess Champion with the convincing score of 8½-2½. He won six games and drew five. Samuel Reshevsky was runner-up with 7½-3½, scoring five Read More

  • The Journal Times, Racine, Wisconsin, Sunday, January 11, 1959 — Fischer Cops Rosenwald — Young Bobby Fischer, who last year won just about every American chess honor, including the U.S. championship (junior, open, and U.S. C.F.), forced Donald Byrne to accept a draw in the final round of this year's Rosenwald U.S.C.F. tournament to Read More

  • The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday, January 11, 1959 — Fischer Retains American Title — America's chess prodigy, Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, has done it again! The 15-year-old United States champion retained his title last week when he finished on top of the finest field this country could muster. It was the New York tournament Read More

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, January 11, 1959 — Bobby Fischer Successfully Defends Title at U.S. Chess Championship —Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn successfully defended his United States chess championship by drawing his 11th round of the Rosenwald Trophy tournament at the Manhattan Chess Club, Jan. 4. Fischer, a Read More

  • The 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 Read More

  • Express and News San Antonio, Texas Sunday, January 11, 1959 — Championship Chess — Once more we draw upon the games from the Portoroz Zonal Tournament. Here is a short but ferocious encounter abounding in tactical profundity, which strikes a weird imbalance in material and position and leaves the reader “up in the air.” Read More

January 15 1959

  • Nanaimo Daily News, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, Thursday, January 15, 1959 — Fifteen-Year-Old Chess Champ In World Finals — By Joseph MacSween, Canadian Press Staff Writer — New York (CP) — The thin shoulders of a Brooklyn schoolboy carry the main United States hopes of winning the world chess championship from Russia. Read More

  • The Austin Daily Herald, Austin, Minnesota, Thursday, January 15, 1959 — Austin Daily Herald's Pot Pourri — A High school in Brooklyn decided that even though he had never given medals to anyone, the situation this time warranted a break in precedent. It gave a gold medal to one of its 15-year-old students, Bobby Fischer. No one said he didn't Read More

  • The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, January 15, 1959 — Fischer Wins — Bobby Fischer, aged 15, has retained the United States championship in New York with 8½ out of 11; he did not lose a game. Reshevsky was second with 7½ losing only to Fischer.

January 16 1959

  • The Montana Standard, Butte, Montana, Friday, January 16, 1959 — Master At Chess — That whiz kid on the chess board, Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y., youth plays tennis at Grossinger, N.Y. after retaining his U.S. chess crown.

January 17 1959

  • Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, January 17, 1959 — Chesser, 15, Does It Again; Wins U.S. Championship —A search for descriptive words to communicate the mental power and agility of Grand Master Robert Fischer, 15 years old, must fail. There remains only one recourse; the word “fischer” should be included in the Read More

  • The News Paterson, New Jersey Saturday, January 17, 1959 — Fischer Wins U.S. Championship for Second Year — Fifteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, for the second year in succession, has won the United States Chess Championship. In total he won six games and drew five, he lost none. The line-up, reading like the Who's Who Read More

January 18 1959

  • The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, January 18, 1959 — Championship Games — The table of the U.S. Chess Championship Tournament below shows the solidity of Bobby Fischer's triumph. He was the only player not to lose a game outright and he scored victories against his top three opponents. Following Read More

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, January 18, 1959 — Fischer, Uhlmann Top Chess Roosts; 15-Year-Old Boy Dominates U.S. Picture — East German Swept English Laurels — With the close of the tournaments in New York and Hastings the international chess scene now is quiet. Bobby Fischer retained his United States Read More

  • Express and News, San Antonio, Texas, Sunday, January 18, 1959 — Bobby Fischer Going Strong in U.S. National Championship — This is not the case with Bobby Fischer. He is in the midst of the U.S. National Championship, and going strong. With two rounds remaining, he is leading such notables as Reshevsky, Bisguier, Evans, Read More

  • Hartford Courant Hartford, Connecticut Sunday, January 18, 1959 — Fischer-Reshevsky Game Selection — This game is listed as the pivotal match of the Rosenwald Tournament recently concluded in New York City. Fischer-Reshevsky

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, January 18, 1959 — Chess Notebook — The final standings in the 1958-9 Rosenwald Tournament for the U.S. championship; 1, Fischer 8½-2½ 2, Reshevsky 7½-3½; 3, Sherwin 6½-4½; 4-7, Bisguier, D. Byrne, Evans and Lombardy 6-5; 8, Benko 5½-5½; 9-10, R. Byrne and Kalme, Read More

January 19 1959

  • The Vancouver Sun Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Monday, January 19, 1959 — Chess Isn't Everything — The picture which emerges of Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old American hopeful for the world chess championship, is a sad one. Here in his mid-teens is a young man with one interest—the game of chess. He lives it. He talks about it, Read More

January 22 1959

Iron Lung Patient Playing Chess with Bobby Fischer
January 22, 1959, Iron Lung Patient Playing Chess with Bobby Fischer
Master At Chess—That whiz kid on the chess board, Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y., youth, plays table tennis at Grossinger, N.Y., after retaining his U.S. chess crown.
  • Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, Thursday, January 22, 1959 — We are indebted to the Illustrated London News… — “…One reason for the failure of the United States to finish better than fourth, probably, was Bobby Fischer's absence from the team. It is news to us, however, if the reason for his absence was “because he had not been Read More

January 23 1959

  • The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, January 23, 1959 — Bobby Fischer's Young Career — The Chess-Rattling game, which will probably be listed as “The” game of Bobby Fischer's young career, has caused no little comment. One reason, and no wonder, is that the typesetter erred in following the proper moves. In chess, and I surmise this Read More

January 24 1959

  • Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, January 24, 1959 — Robert Fischer Wins Cherished Honor — After winning acclaim of the world of chess and enriching the literature of the royal game with brilliant masterpieces and establishing an unprecedented string of victories all in a few years, International Grand Master Robert Read More

January 25 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, January 25, 1959 — Reshevsky Urges Match-Play Test — Contends Tournament Does Not Establish True Skill of Any Two Masters —At the conclusion of the last United States chess championship tournament, in which he was runner-up to Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, Samuel Reshevsky of Read More

  • Express and News, San Antonio, Texas, Sunday, January 25, 1959 — Championship Chess: Bobby Fischer and Sicilian Defense — Bobby Fischer has added another feather to his cap, winning the U.S. national chess championship a full point ahead of Reshevsky and scoring six wins and five draws. He turned in fine games against Reshevsky, Read More

January 27 1959

  • St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, Tuesday, January 27, 1959 — He's Chess Champ, But Still Just a Boy By Milt Freudenheim — New York, Jan. 27. The Chicago Daily News-Post-Dispatch Special Dispatch. Copyright 1959. — International grandmaster of chess Robert J. Fischer asked that presentation of his second consecutive United Read More

January 28 1959

  • Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, Wednesday, January 28, 1959 — Chess History Is Topic for Museum Film — An unusual color film on the history of chess will be shown at the Oakland Art Museum starting today, according to curator Paul Mills. Entitled “Passionate Pastime,” the film is narrated by Vincent Price, who explains that chess, like Read More

January 29 1959

  • The Guardian, London, Greater London, England, Thursday, January 29, 1959 — The U.S. Championship — It is one thing for an underestimated young player to put up a single outstanding performance, quite another for him to repeat it when all his opponents are making an extra effort. Yet Bobby Fischer, aged 15, had done so in retaining the Read More

January 30 1959

  • Coney Island Times Brooklyn, New York Friday, January 30, 1959 — Bobby Fischer Gold — The student council of Erasmus Hall High School has given a gold medal to the 15-year-old chess wizard Bobby Fischer…

January 31 1959

  • Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, January 31, 1959 — While reviewing the 1955-56-57 issues of chess journals for the opinion of the editors toward International Grandmaster Robert Fischer, we found several items in Baruch Wood's Chess…

February 1959

Bobby Fischer wins 1958-1959 U.S. National Chess Championship.
James T. Sherwin and Bobby Fischer, meeting in Round 3, had no idea thenn that they'd be third and first respectively.
Leo Kahn (center), who took the pictures on this page, contrives a self-portrait twixt Bill Lombardy and Fischer.
Chess could use a coliseum: onlookers could not see all the action as this partial glimpse of last round at Manhattan C. C. shows. Original b/w photo by Raoul Echeverria.

February 05 1959

  • The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, February 05, 1959 — World Title Prospects — The challengers' tournament for the world championship, to be held in Yugoslavia this autumn, holds out better prospects for the non-Russians than any of the three previous similar events. Fischer has just won the United States Read More

February 07 1959

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, February 07, 1959 — Reshevsky Unconvinced — While giving full credit to Bobby Fischer, the young Brooklynite who has twice headed him in tourney play for the American title, Samuel Reshevsky has expressed the opinion that superiority between two players can only be fully measured Read More

February 08 1959

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, February 08, 1959 — Reshevsky First, Fischer Second on New Rating List — The U.S. Chess Federation has just issued a new national rating list, covering tournament and match play through Sept. 30, 1958. Samuel Reshevsky of Spring Valley, N.Y. who has been the forerunner in Read More

  • The Racine Journal-Times Sunday Bulletin, Racine, Wisconsin, Sunday, February 08, 1959 — Rosenwald Feature Game — Young Bobby Fischer, in winning the Rosenwald tournament for the second straight year, added insult to injury by defeating his chief rival, Reshevsky, with a trap that many “club” strength players would have seen. On only Read More

February 12 1959

  • Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, Thursday, February 12, 1959 — National Ratings List Two Grand Masters — “The nation's two grand masters in these ratings, which do not take into account competition outside this country, are Samuel Reshevsky, who retains his No. 1 rank, and Robert J. (Bobby) Fischer. Reshevsky's rating is 2693 and Read More

February 13 1959

  • The Journal Times, Racine, Wisconsin, Friday, February 13, 1959 — A Game Opponent — Studying the board in the mirror atop his iron lung, 17-year-old polio patient Bruce Campbell played a match with two-time U.S. chess champion Bobby Fischer, 15, of Brooklyn, N.Y. The game was played at a hospital on Welfare Island, N.Y. where Bruce Read More

  • The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, February 13, 1959 — Ratings List — It has often been asked who are the top ranking players in the United States Chess Federation, which rates all active players in the country, here is their list of the top twenty players and their ratings. Samuel Reshevsky 2693, Robert J. Fischer 2636, J.T. Sherwin Read More

February 15 1959

  • Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sunday, February 15, 1959 — Let's Play Chess — (in jest) “I wonder if we can draft Fischer and Reshevsky to help us out?

February 21 1959

  • Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, February 21, 1959 — Chess Play-offs to Select Botvinnik Opponent Sept. 6 — Chess by T.M. Cherington — The challenger's round to select an opponent for World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik will begin Sept. 6 at Bled in the Balkans. All 28 rounds are to be fought out in the Read More

February 22 1959

  • Express and News, San Antonio, Texas, Sunday, February 22, 1959 — Bobby Fischer and Chess Championship Title — Bobby Fischer of the U.S.A. defeated his title last month. Tahl has his work cut out, but we predict he will come through again…

March 1959

Robert J. Fischer vs. Charles Kalme, December 19, 1958

March 01 1959

  • Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sunday, March 01, 1959 — Let's Play Chess - For Your Library — The book which all serious students of chess have been eagerly awaiting is just off the press. “1956 Interzonal Tournament Portoroz” is a compilation of the 210 games played in last year's Interzonal Tournament. Playing Read More

March 04 1959

  • The Journal News, White Plains, New York, Wednesday, March 04, 1959 — Ex-Chess Champion A Spring Valley Resident — Samuel Reshevsky Hopes to Recapture His American Title By Richard Einhorn —If chess is considered a sport, then Samuel Reshevsky of Spring Valley must be the most famous athlete in Rockland County. Mr. Reshevsky, five Read More

March 05 1959

'This issue of Chess Life Is Dedicated to Robert J. Fischer, America's Terrific Teen-Ager.'From the Rosenwald Tournament, 1958-1959 U.S. Chess Championship.

March 08 1959

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, March 08, 1959 — Soviet and Challengers Line Up — Tigran Petrosian won the 26th Soviet national chess championship. He was undefeated and topped ex-champion Mikhail Tahl by a full point. The rest of the field included Boris Spassky, Paul Keres, Mark Taimanov, Ewfim Geller, David Read More

  • Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sunday, March 08, 1959 — Let's Play Chess — Sicilian Defense - Here is one of Fischer's wins in the last Interzonal. Sanguineti vs. Fischer.

March 14 1959

  • Richmond Times-Dispatch Richmond, Virginia Saturday, March 14, 1959 — Chess Bid Accepted — Buenos Aires, March 13 -(AP)- The Argentine chess federation said Friday United States master Bob Fischer, just turned 16, has accepted an invitation to play in an international tourney in Mar del Plata later this month. The federation said Fischer Read More

  • The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Saturday, March 14, 1959 — U.S. Whiz Enters — Buenos Aires—(AP)—The Argentine Chess federation said yesterday U.S. Master Bob Fischer, just turned 16, has accepted an invitation to play in an international tourney in Mar del Plata later this month.

March 15 1959

  • The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, California, Sunday, March 15, 1959 — Bobby Fischer, Keeping Up With All the Latest Traps — Bobby Fischer, the 15-year-old Brooklyn champion of the United States held on to his title for the second year in a row. Bobby keeps up with all the latest traps in the opening. His victim in the sixth round was no one less Read More

March 16 1959

  • The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana, Monday, March 16, 1959 — Yugoslavs Like U.S. Chess Whiz — Belgrade, March 15 (AP)—Yugoslavian chess fans are so wild about 16-year-old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn they have named one of their chess clubs after him and think he may endanger Soviet chess supremacy. This summer Yugoslavia will play Read More

March 20 1959

  • The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, March 20, 1959 — Robert Fischer King Pawn Opening — Chessically Yours … behind the dark brown brick and ivy covered exterior is not unusual to find such as Fischer, Evans, Bisguier and other well known players passing the time in skittles. And side by side will be the patsters as Smith and Jones and Read More

March 22 1959

  • The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, March 22, 1959 — Chess for Children — Reinfeld, a prolific American writer and a master chess player, has refined his chess vocabulary down to the level of the beginner, and has produced a book for both the child and the novice adult. Unique is his introduction in which he explains that Read More

March 23 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Jaime Emma

March 24 1959

Luis Augusto Sanchez vs Robert James Fischer

March 25 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Ludek Pachman

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, March 25, 1959 — Fischer Adjourns Opener — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 24 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old United States chess champion from Brooklyn, adjourned his opening game in the Argentine international chess tournament last night. Fischer made a tactical mistake Read More

  • The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, Wednesday, March 25, 1959 — U.S. Chess Champ Gains Draw In Match — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. chess champion from Brooklyn, adjourned his opening match in the first round of the Argentine International Chess Tournament Monday night. Apparently on Read More

March 26 1959

Joao de Souza Mendes Jr. vs Robert James Fischer

  • The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, March 26, 1959 — Fischer Draws in Chess Play — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 25 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, America's 15-year-old chess master, figured in his second straight draw today in the international tournament here. Fischer, U.S. national champion from Brooklyn, drew with Luis Sanchez of Read More

March 27 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, March 27, 1959 — Fischer Bows In Chess — Pachman Tops Brooklyn Youth in 3d Round in Argentina — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 25 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the United States' teenage chess master, today failed for the third time to win a match in the international tournament. The 16-year-old Read More

  • The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, Friday, March 27, 1959 — U.S. Chess Champion Has Yet To Win Match — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP)—Bobby Fischer, America's 16-year-old chess master, still has failed to win a match in the international tournament here. After tieing his first two matches, the Brooklyn youth apparently Read More

March 28 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Rene Letelier Martner

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, March 28, 1959 — Fischer Chess Victor — Brooklyn Youth Beats Mendez in 38 Moves in Argentina — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 27 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old United States champion from Brooklyn, won for the first time today in the Argentine masters chess tournament. Fischer Read More

March 29 1959

Rodolfo Argentino Redolfi vs Robert James Fischer

March 30 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Ruben Shocron

March 31 1959

Miguel Najdorf vs Robert James Fischer

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, March 31, 1959 — Fischer Chess Victor — Defeats Redolfi in 40 Moves in Argentine Tourney — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 30 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 15-year-old United States chess champion from Brooklyn, today defeated Argentino Redolfi of Argentina in forty moves. Fischer is tied Read More

  • The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, Tuesday, March 31, 1959 — U.S. Chess Champion Defeats Argentinian — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 15-year-old U.S. chess champion from Brooklyn, Monday defeated Argentino Redolfi of Argentina in 40 moves. Fischer is tied for seventh place with three points in an Read More

April 01 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, April 01, 1959 — Fischer Takes Match — U.S. Chess Champion Defeats Shocron in Argentina — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 31 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, defeated Ruben Shocron of Argentina today in forty moves. The 15-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy Read More

  • Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Arizona, Wednesday, April 01, 1959 — Sports In Brief — CHESS — Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, yesterday defeated Ruben Shocron of Argentina in 40 moves. The 15-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy scored his third victory in an international tournament. He has drawn twice and lost twice and has Read More

  • Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Wednesday, April 01, 1959 — Fischer Victor Over Shocron — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP) — Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, yesterday defeated Ruben Shocron of Argentina in 40 moves. The 15-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy scored his third victory in an international tournament. He Read More

  • The Morning News, Wilmington, Delaware, Wednesday, April 01, 1959 — Fischer Chess Victor — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, March 31 (AP) — Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, today defeated Ruben Shocron of Argentina in 40 moves. The 15-year-old Brooklyn school boy scored his third victory in an international tournament. He Read More

April 02 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Raul Sanguineti

  • The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, April 02, 1959 — Fischer In Draw — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 1 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy who is the U.S. chess champion, drew with Miguel Najdorf of Argentina after 35 moves last night in the eighth round of the Argentine national tourney. In eight matches Read More

  • Courier-Post Camden, New Jersey Thursday, April 02, 1959 — U.S. Champion Bobby Fischer Warming Up For World's Championship Challengers' Tournament — U.S. Champion Bobby Fischer recently turned 16, is warming up for his appearance in the world's championship challengers' tournament this summer by taking part in Read More

April 03 1959

Herman Pilnik vs Robert James Fischer

April 04 1959

  • The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, Saturday, April 04, 1959 — Fischer Grabs 2nd In Chess Tournament — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy who is in the U.S. chess championship, moved into a tie for second place in the international tourney Thursday night by defeating Raul Read More

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, April 04, 1959 — Game of Kings - Zurich Plans International — Zurich, Switzerland, is planning an international tourney from May 19-June 8. Invitations are going out to experts from many countries. They particularly hope to have young Bobby Fischer, USA champion, but there is the question Read More

April 05 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Hector Decio Rossetto

  • The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, April 05, 1959 — Fischer Turns Up In Mar Del Plata — A week ago there was a report that the brilliant American chess champion, 15-year-old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, had mysteriously disappeared. He turned up calmly playing in the international master tournament at Mar del Plata, Read More

  • Chattanooga Daily Times Chattanooga, Tennessee Sunday, April 05, 1959 — Brooklyn Schoolboy, 16, Chess Contender — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn who lost his first two games in an international chess tourney here, won again Friday night and now is unbeaten in eight straight. His triumph in 41 moves over Read More

  • The Jackson Sun, Jackson, Tennessee, Sunday, April 05, 1959 — Fischer Wins — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP) — U.S. champion Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, who lost his first two games in an international chess tourney here, won again Friday night and now is unbeaten in eight straight. The 16-year-old schoolboy's triumph kept him in a tie for second Read More

  • The Tampa Tribune, Tampa, Florida, Sunday, April 05, 1959 — Young U.S. Chess Champ Wins Eighth Straight In Meet — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 4, (AP) — U.S. Champion Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, who lost his first two games in an international chess tourney here, won again last night and now is unbeaten in eight straight. His triumph Read More

April 07 1959

Bernardo Wexler vs Robert James Fischer

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, April 07, 1959 — Fischer Chess Victor — U.S. Champion Tops Rossetto in 37 Moves in Argentina — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 6 (AP)—Brooklyn's Bobby Fischer ran his unbeaten streak to nine matches by defeating Hector Rossetto of Argentina in an international chess tournament. Fischer, Read More

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, April 07, 1959 — Boy Chess Champ Beats Argentine — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 6 (AP).—Brooklyn's Bobby Fischer ran his unbeaten streak to nine matches by defeating Hector Rossetto of Argentina in an international chess tournament. Fischer, the United States champion, won Read More

  • Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Tuesday, April 07, 1959 — Fischer Runs String to 9 — Mar Del Plata, Argentina (AP)—Brooklyn's Bobby Fischer ran his unbeaten streak to nine matches by defeating Hector Rossetto of Argentina in an international chess tournament. Fischer, the United States' champion, won in 37 moves last Read More

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Tuesday, April 07, 1959 — No More Long, Drawn-Out Duels: Chess Now Fast Game For Young Players by J.A. Burgess — Youth has taken over professional chess from East to the West. The Russian champion Mikhail Tahl won his title at the age of 19 and the American champion, Bobby Fischer, became Read More

April 08 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Jacobo Bolbochan

April 09 1959

Borislav Ivkov vs Robert James Fischer

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, April 09, 1959 — Fischer Turns Back Argentine In Chess — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 8 (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn won again last night in the Argentine international chess tournament and remained tied for second place with Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia with only two rounds to play. Read More

  • The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Thursday, April 09, 1959 — U.S. Chess Champ 2nd — Mar Del Plata, Argentina—(AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, won again Tuesday night in the Argentine international chess tournament and remains tied for second place with Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia with only two rounds of play left. Fischer, Read More

  • The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, April 09, 1959 — Fischer Winner — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 8 (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn won again last night in the Argentine International Chess Tournament and remains tied for second place with Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia with only two rounds of play left. Fischer, who Read More

  • Pensacola News Journal, Pensacola, Florida, Thursday, April 09, 1959 — Tied For Second — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn won again Wednesday night in the Argentine International Chess Tournament and remains tied for second place with Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia with only two rounds of play left.

April 10 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, April 10, 1959 — 2 Share Honors In Chess Tourney — Pachman, Najdorf Deadlock in Argentina — Fischer Ties for Third Place — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 9 (AP) — Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia and Miguel Najdorf of Argentina tied for first place in an international chess tournament that Read More

  • Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Friday, April 10, 1959 — Fischer Ties For Third in Chess — Buenos Aires (AP) —Grand Masters Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia and Miguel Najdorf of Argentina tied for the first place in the International Chess Tournament which ended yesterday. Each wound up with 10½ points. Bobby Fischer, Read More

  • The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, Friday, April 10, 1959 — Fischer Stays In Title Hunt — Mar Del Plata, Argentina, April 9 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy, won again last night in the Argentine International Chess Tournament and remains one of four title contenders with only one round of play remaining. Fischer Read More

April 11 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, April 11, 1959 — Najdorf Record In Chess Studied — Argentine Is Only Player at Mar del Plata to Finish With No Setbacks — Of the fifteen players in the international chess masters tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentina, Miguel Najdorf of Buenos Aires, who shared first place Read More

April 12 1959

  • The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, April 12, 1959 — Fischer Advances In Argentine Chess — Bobby Fischer, brilliant young American chess champion, is making a bid for victory after a poor start in the international master tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentine. Winning five of his last six games, Fischer has advanced to Read More

April 16 1959

  • The Guardian, London, Greater London, England, Thursday, April 16, 1959 — Mar del Plata Tournament — Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old American champion, tied for third prize with Ivkov (Yugoslavia) in the annual tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentina. He was half a point behind Najdorf (Argentina) and Pachman (Czechoslovakia). Read More

April 18 1959

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, April 18, 1959 — Robert Fischer During Easter Holiday School Vacation — Taking advantage of the Easter holidays, USA champion, Bobby Fischer, is competing at Mar del Plata, Argentina, where top scores are: M. Najdorf, 8½-2½; B. Ivkov (Yugoslavia), and L. Pachmann Read More

April 19 1959

  • The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, April 19, 1959 — Najdorf, Pachman Tie In Argentina — “…Two defeats in the early rounds of the tournament prevented United States chess champion Bobby Fischer from finishing higher than a tie for third at 10-4 with Boris Ivkov of Yugoslavia. Fischer, 15 year old Brooklyn boy who Read More

  • The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, California, Sunday, April 19, 1959 — Gossip from Holland — (The following was taken from the Australian “Chess World,” so ably edited by C.J.S. Purdy.) Writing in a Dutch paper, Donner speaks of the impossibility of making much personal contact with Bobby Fischer during the interzonal. He begrudged even the Read More

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, April 19, 1959 — Bobby Fischer in Mar Del Plata Tournament vs. School Truancy Regulations — “With rumors rife that U.S. champion Bobby Fischer will find it impossible to go to Yugoslavia for the challengers' tournament next September because he can't spare the time from Read More

April 20 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Luis Augusto Sanchez

  • Des Moines Tribune, Des Moines, Iowa, Monday, April 20, 1959 — Chess Star, 16, Balks—Money —Santiago, Chile (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. chess ace, almost walked out of the Santiago international tournament Monday because he was interested in cash on the line, not trophies. In fact, Bobby did quit for a short time, but was Read More

April 21 1959

Joao de Souza Mendes Jr. vs Robert James Fischer

April 22 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Borislav Ivkov

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, April 22, 1959 — Fischer Plays Draw In Chess — Santiago, Chile, April 21 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States champion from Brooklyn, and Agusto Sanchez of Colombia drew in forty-one moves in their opening match of an international chess tournament last night. The Read More

  • Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Wednesday, April 22, 1959 — Fischer Draws — Santiago, Chile (AP) — Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. champion from Brooklyn, and Agusto Sanchez of Colombia, drew in 41 moves in their opening match of an international chess tournament last night. The 13-round tournament will end May 6. Read More

  • The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, Wednesday, April 22, 1959 — U.S. Chess Champ In Draw — Santiago, Chile, April 21 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. champion from Brooklyn, and Agusto Sanchez of Colombia, drew in 41 moves in their opening match of an International Chess Tournament Monday night. The 13-round tournament Read More

April 23 1959

Raul Sanguineti vs Robert James Fischer

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, April 23, 1959 — Fischer Has Advantage — Enjoys Edge Over Brazilian as Chess Match Adjourns — Santiago, Chile, April 22 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion from Brooklyn, has played two matches so far without decision in the international tournament here. The Read More

  • Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, Thursday, April 23, 1959 — Bobby Fischer Competing In Tourney at Santiago — After finishing second to Ludek Pachman, of Czechoslovakia, in the international chess tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentina, Bobby Fischer now is taking part in another international tourney at Santiago, Chile. The Read More

  • Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Thursday, April 23, 1959 — Fischer's Chess Match Suspended — Santiago, Chile (AP) — Bobby Fischer, the U.S. champion from Brooklyn, has played two matches so far without decision in the International Chess Tournament here. The 16-year-old schoolboy's match with J. de Souza Mendes of Brazil Read More

April 24 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, April 24, 1959 — Fischer Adjourns With Ivkov — Santiago, Chili, April 23 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion from Brooklyn, played his third straight suspended game in an international tournament today. Fischer and Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia adjourned their Read More

  • The Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, Florida, Friday, April 24, 1959 — Fischer Wins Again — Santiago, Chile (AP) Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. chess champion from Brooklyn, played his third straight suspended game in the international chess tournament yesterday. Fischer and Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia suspended their match after 43 moves.

April 25 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Moises Stekel Grunberg

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, April 25, 1959 — Fischer Foe Has Edge — Sanguinetti Adjourns After 42 Moves in Santiago Chess — Santiago, Chile, April 24 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion from Brooklyn, and Raul Sanguinetti, an Argentine master, suspended their match in the Arturo Read More

  • The Post-Standard, Syracuse, New York, Saturday, April 25, 1959 — Chess Match Suspended — Santiago, Chile (AP) — Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. chess champion from Brooklyn, and Raul Sanguinetti, Argentine master, suspended their match in the Arturo Alessandri Palma international tourney Friday night after 42 moves.

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, April 25, 1959 — Tie at Mar Del Plata — Miguel Najdorf and Ludek Pachman, Argentine and Czech grandmasters, shared top honors in the Mar del Plata, Argentina, international, 10½-3½ pts each. Najdorf was the only player to go through without a loss. Bobby Fischer, U.S.A. champion, Read More

April 26 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, April 26, 1959 — Fischer Victor in Chess — Santiago, Chile, April 25 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old chess player from Brooklyn, defeated M. Stekel of Chile in a tournament today.

  • The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, April 26, 1959 — Fischer In Santiago — Bobby Fischer, youthful U.S. chess champion, flew north after completing the tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentina, and stopped off for another international event at Santiago, Chile. Here Fischer will be called upon to face some of the same Read More

  • Poughkeepsie Journal, Poughkeepsie, New York, Sunday, April 26, 1959 — First Match at Santiago — Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old chess wizard from Brooklyn, wins his first match in the International tournament at Santiago, Chile.

April 27 1959

  • Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Monday, April 27, 1959 — Fischer Wins Chess Match Over Stekel — Santiago, Chile (AP) — Bobby Fischer 16-year-old chess wizard from Brooklyn, won his first match in the international tournament Saturday when he defeated M. Stekel of Chile. The victory gave Fischer one point compared to three Read More

April 28 1959

Ludek Pachman vs Robert James Fischer

April 29 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Rene Letelier Martner

  • The Tampa Tribune Tampa, Florida Wednesday, April 29, 1959 — Beats Boy Wonder — Santiago, Chile, April 28. (AP)—Czechoslovak chess Champion Ludek Pachmann today defeated Robert Fischer, boy wonder champion of the United States, at his 44th move in the sixth round of the international chess tournament.

April 30 1959

Julio Salas Romo vs Robert James Fischer

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, April 30, 1959 — Fischer Chess Victor — Defeats Letelier in Seventh Round of Santiago Play — Santiago, Chile, April 29 (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, the 16-year-old United States champion, won his seventh round match in the Arturo Alessandri Palma international chess tournament Read More

  • Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, Thursday, April 30, 1959 — Bobby Fischer at Santiago, Chile Interzonal Tournament — Bobby Fischer's first four games in the international tournament at Santiago, Chile, have all been adjourned. In at least one, against Raul Sanguinetti, of Argentina, Bobby seemed to have a losing position. Sanguinetti and Read More

  • Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Thursday, April 30, 1959 — Fischer Defeats Chilean Champ — Santiago, Chile (AP) — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y., 16-year-old United States champion, won his seventh round match in the Arturo Alessandri Palma International Chess Tournament yesterday. Young Fischer defeated the Chilean Read More

  • The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, April 30, 1959 — Wins Chess Match — Santiago, Chile, April 29 (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y., 16-year-old United States champion, won his seventh round match in the Arturo Alessandri Palma International Chess Tournament today. Young Fischer defeated the Chilean Read More

  • Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Thursday, April 30, 1959 — Fischer of Brooklyn Won Seventh Round — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, 16 year old United States champion, won his seventh round match in the Arturo Alessandri Palma International chess tournament in Santiago, Chile.

  • The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, April 30, 1959 — Last-Round Jitters — The last round of a big chess tournament puts an extra strain on possible prize-winners, and the number of players who can keep a cool head are few. At the Bognor tournament the Southern Counties championship was decided when Green, in a Read More

May 01 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Rodrigo Flores Alvarez

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, May 01, 1959 — Fischer Match Suspended — Santiago, Chile, April 30 (AP)—The chess match between Jose Salas Romo of Chile and Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn in the Arturo Alessandri Palma tourney last night was suspended and will be completed later. Fischer is in fourth place with 4 points. Read More

  • Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Friday, May 01, 1959 — Match Suspended — Santiago, Chile (AP) — The chess match involving Jose Salas Romo of Chile and Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn in the Arturo Alessandri Palma tourney Wednesday night was suspended and will be completed later, perhaps this weekend. Fischer is in fourth Read More

May 02 1959

Carlos Jauregui vs Robert James Fischer

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, May 02, 1959 — Chess Stars Adjourn — Fischer Halts Match Against Flores After 40 Moves — Santiago, Chile, May 1 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States champion from Brooklyn adjourned his match with Roberto Flores of Chile in the Arturo Alessandri Palma international Read More

  • The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Saturday, May 02, 1959 — Young U.S. Chess Ace Halts Match Holds Tie — Santiago, Chile —(AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. champion from Brooklyn, N.Y., adjourned his match with Roberto Flores of Chile in the Arturo Alessandri Palma International Chess tournament yesterday after 40 moves. Read More

  • Express and News, San Antonio, Texas, Saturday, May 02, 1959 — Argentinian Chess Tournament Results — Miguel Najdorf and L. Pachman shared top honors at the recently completed Argentinian chess tournament. A tie was registered for third and fourth positions between Boris Ivkov and the U.S.A.'s own Bobby Fischer, followed Read More

May 03 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, May 03, 1959 — Chilean Beats Fischer — U.S. Chess Champion Bows to Juaregui in 40 Moves — Santiago, Chile, May 2 (AP) — Carlos Jauregui of Chile defeated Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old United States champion from Brooklyn, on the fortieth move of their game in the international chess Read More

  • The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday, May 03, 1959 — Chess Tournament — We expect to have a strong field which will add to the interest of the tournament. The last here attracted such masters as Bobby Fischer, William Lombardy, Nicholas Rossolino, and Hans Berliner.

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, May 03, 1959 — Your Move - Older Chess Players Bow to Lad, 15 — Walter, son of the Walter Cunninghams, 165 Sandra Ave., is the champion player of the San Gabriel Chess Club, emulating the United States champion, Bobby Fischer, 15, of New York. In Semifinals. Walter learned Read More

May 04 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, May 04, 1959 — Fischer Wins, Draws — Beats Romo and Splits Point With Flores in Chess — Santiago, Chile, May 3 (AP) — Bobby Fischer, the United States' 16-year-old chess champion, won one game and tied another last night in the tournament here. The Brooklyn youth defeated Julio Salas Read More

  • Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Florida, Monday, May 04, 1959 — Fischer Defeats Romo In Chile — Santiago, Chile (AP) — Bobby Fischer, the United States' 16-year-old chess master, won one game and tied another Saturday night in the International Chess Tournament here. The Brooklyn prodigy defeated Julio Salas Romo of Chile and tied Read More

May 05 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Herman Pilnik

May 06 1959

Walter Ader Hausman vs Robert James Fischer

  • The Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah, Wednesday, May 06, 1959 — Keeps Chess Lead. — Santiago, Chile, May 5 (AP)—Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia, maintained his lead Tuesday in the Arturo Alessandri Palma international chess tourney by a drew with second place Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia. The match lasted only 13 moves and is the Read More

May 07 1959

  • The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, May 07, 1959 — Russian Chess Supremacy — The Russians seem to specialize in administering severe defeats to any promising young players appearing in the West. Masters like Gligoric, Unzicker, Ivkov, and Larsen have all suffered in this way, and the only ones who have done Read More

May 08 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, May 08, 1959 — Chess Ends In Tie — Ivkov, Pachman Share First Place in Chile Tourney — Santiago, Chile, May 7 (AP)—Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia and Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia tied for first place in the Arturo Alessandri Palma international chess tournament, which ended last Read More

  • The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, May 08, 1959 — Bobby Fischer in Chile Tied at Fourth — From Chile comes word that Bobby Fischer is tied for fourth, present standings, in the Arturo Alessandri Palm International Chess Tournament. He is tied with Flores. Borislav Ivkov is first with Ludek Pachman second. They are from Yugoslavia and Read More

May 09 1959

May 10 1959

  • The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, May 10, 1959 — Santiago Tournament — After six rounds of the international masters tournament at Santiago, Chile, Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia is leading with 4½-½ and one game adjourned. Boris Ivkov of Yugoslavia and Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina are tied at 4½-1½. U.S. Read More

May 14 1959

  • The Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, Thursday, May 14, 1959 — A Smile or Two — Illusion shattering, that's what it is. — We had been under the impression that the world's chess wizards thought of nothing but Reti's opening, Falkbeer's counter gambit, Giocco's piano, higher mathematics and perfect games of the past masters, never of such Read More

May 15 1959

  • The News Paterson, New Jersey Friday, May 15, 1959 — Tournament Results in Santiago — Keeping up with other tournaments around: Jaurequi of Chile defeated Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, the U.S. champion in 40 moves. This is in the international tournament being held in Santiago, Chile. Ivkov of Yugoslavia had been the leader until Read More

May 16 1959

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, May 16, 1959 — Fischer Not Hot in Chile — After completing play at Mar del Plata, where he tied for 3/4th places, Bobby Fischer, young American champion, accepted an invitation to a master tourney at Santiago, Chile. So far he has four wins, against three losses and two draws, Read More

  • Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, May 16, 1959 — Loss of Fischer in Argentina Prove Champ Is Only Human — To prove that he is human, International Grand Master Robert Fischer lost four games in the tournament at Mar del Plata, Argentina. He finished after Miguel Najdorf of the Argentine and V. Pachman of Read More

May 17 1959

  • The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, May 17, 1959 — Santiago Tournament — The latest report from the international masters tournament at Santiago, Chile, had Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia take the lead when he defeated Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina. His closest rival, Boris Ivkov of Yugoslavia, lost in the semifinal round to Read More

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, May 17, 1959 — Fischer To Play In Zurich Chess — Rest Expected to Help U.S. Champion Regain Form After Santiago Loss — In spite of his disappointing showing at Santiago, Chile, Bobby Fischer, chess champion of the United States, is expected to be in top form again after a much-needed rest in Read More

May 19 1959

Bobby Fischer, World Chess Jubilee Tournament, Zurich 1959
Bobby Fischer, Zurich Chess Tournament, held from May 19-June 8, 1959. Then, the 16-year-old Bobby Fischer was the world's youngest grandmaster. Original b/w photo from the 150 Jahre Schach-Gesellschaft Zurich.
The match between Edgar Walther and Bobby Fischer at Zurich, May 19, 1959. Mikhail Tal stands near in close observation.
Bobby Fischer peers over Tal's shoulder during his match with Edwin Bhend, May 19, 1959.

Edgar Walther vs Robert James Fischer

May 20 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Edwin Bhend

Bobby Fischer contemplates on his next move at the international chess tournament at the Congress House in Zurich, Switzerland, May 19, 1959.
American chess champion Bobby Fischer in Zurich, May 19, or 20, 1959.
Bobby Fischer contemplates on his next move at the international chess tournament at the Congress House in Zurich, Switzerland, May 19, 1959
International Chess Tournament Zürich, 1959: Sixteen year old Bobby Fischer
Robert James Fischer at Zurich, May 19, 1959, in play with Edgar Walther of Switzerland, during first round held in city's Kongreßhaus.
International Chess Tournament Zürich, 1959: Sixteen year old Bobby Fischer
  • Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Wednesday, May 20, 1959 — Match Adjourned — Zurich, Switzerland (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old American chess champion from Brooklyn, and Edgar Walther of Switzerland adjourned their first round game in the International Chess Tournament here yesterday.

International Chess Tournament Zürich, May 20, 1959: Sixteen-year-old Bobby Fischer
  • New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, May 20, 1959 — Fischer Adjourns In Weak Position — U.S. Chess Champion Faces Swiss at Zurich—Gligoric and Donner Triumph — Only two decisions in eight games of the Jubilee international chess masters tournament were registered in the opening round in Zurich, according to a Read More

May 21 1959

Fridrik Olafsson vs Robert James Fischer

International Chess Tournament Zürich, 1959: Olafsson against sixteen-year-old Bobby Fischer
International Chess Tournament Zürich, 1959: Sixteen-year-old Bobby Fischer
International Chess Tournament Zürich, 1959: Bent Larsen against Mikhail Tal; standing in the back: Bobby Fischer
  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, May 21, 1959 — Fischer Rallies in Chess Match Before 2d Adjournment at Zurich — Bobby Fischer, the United States champion, held his own for fifty-seven moves and was still going strong when a second adjournment was taken yesterday in his first-round match of the Jubilee chess tournament, according Read More

  • Asbury Park Press, Asbury Park, New Jersey, Thursday, May 21, 1959 — Fischer's Chess Match Adjourned — Zurich (AP)—Bobby Fischer of New York remained pointless in the international chess tournament yesterday after adjourning his match with Edwin Bhend of Switzerland. Tied for the lead after two rounds with 1½ points each were Gedeon Read More

  • The Knoxville News-Sentinel Knoxville, Tennessee Thursday, May 21, 1959 — Zurich, Switzerland — Bobby Fischer of New York remains pointless in the international chess tournament.

May 22 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, May 22, 1959 — Fischer, Gligoric Share Chess Lead — U.S. Champion Scores Twice and Gains Draw on Third Day of Zurich Tourney — A splendid recovery from an unpromising beginning enabled the United States chess champion, Bobby Fischer, to show his true form on the third day of the Read More

  • The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, Friday, May 22, 1959 — Fischer Leads In Chess — Zurich, Switzerland, May 21 (AP)—Bobby Fischer, Brooklyn teenager, and Svetozar Gligoric, of Yugoslavia, took the lead in the International Chess Tournament tonight with a ½ point margin over Russia's Mikhail Tal.

  • The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Friday, May 22, 1959 — Brooklyn Chess Ace Tied In International Meet — Zurich, Switzerland — (AP) — Bobby Fischer, Brooklyn teen-ager and Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia took the lead in the International chess tournament last night with ½ point margin over Russia's Mikhail Tal. Fischer, U.S. champion, Read More

May 23 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Josef Kupper

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, May 23, 1959 — Olafsson Draws In Zurich Chess — Shares Point With Walther in Adjourned Game After Ten Hours of Play — Six adjourned games, completing three rounds of the jubilee international chess masters tournament in Zurich, were finished yesterday, according Read More

  • The News, Frederick, Maryland, Saturday, May 23, 1959 — Fischer Leads At Chess — Zurich, Switzerland (AP) — Bobby Fischer, U.S. national champion from Brooklyn took a clear lead in the International Chess Tournament here Saturday night when he beat Josef Kupper of Switzerland in a fourth round game. Fischer has 3½ points Read More

  • Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, May 23, 1959 — Game Adjourned by Fischer In Swiss Chess Tournament — The first round has been completed in the Switzerland Jubilee International Chess Tournament at Zurich — International Grand Master Robert Fischer adjourned his game with Edgar Walther of Switzerland and Read More

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, May 23, 1959 — Fischer For Zurich — U.S.A. champion Bobby Fischer, has accepted the invitation to play in the Zurich International (May 19-June 8), in which several Soviet stars are expected to compete. From Santiago, Chile, International, 1959.

May 24 1959

Max Blau vs Robert James Fischer

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, May 24, 1959 — Bobby Fischer Spanks Bent Larsen — “Bobby Fischer's Games of Chess,” by Bobby Fischer; Simon and Schuster, New York; $2.95. The alpha of modern chess, Dr. Emanuel Lasker (1868-1941), was honored by S. & S. with the publication of Dr. Hannak's biography which was Read More

  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, Sunday, May 24, 1959 — Interzonal Contest — A contest prior to the World's Championship has already started in Zurich, Switzerland. Ten players from 16 countries will play. The United States entry is Bobby Fischer, whose first encounter was a Swedish player. … Bobby Fischer's Games — Another book Read More

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, May 24, 1959 — Fischer Defeats Kupper In Zurich — U.S. Star Gains Undisputed Possession of 1st Place in Chess Tournament — Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion, defeated Josef Kupper of Switzerland in twenty-five moves to gain undisputed possession of first place in Read More

  • Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, Sunday, May 24, 1959 — U.S. Youth Takes Chess Tourney Lead — Zurich, Switzerland, May 23—(UPI)—Bobby Fischer, at 16 the youngest grand master in the world and the youngest participant in the International Chess tournament here, took the lead after the fourth round here tonight. The young Read More

May 25 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, May 25, 1959 — Blau Holds Fischer To Draw At Zurich — The United States champion, Bobby Fischer, drew last night in the fifth round of the Jubilee chess tournament in Zurich with Max Blau, oldest of the six Swiss competitors, in twenty-three moves, according to a report received here through Read More

May 26 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Bent Larsen

  • Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, May 26, 1959 — Strictly Personal — Chess the Most Underpaid Intellectual Profession By Sydney Harris — Little Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old chess champion, nearly walked out of an international tournament in Chile last month, when he learned that the prize money had Read More

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, May 26, 1959 — Kupper and Larsen Play Draw In Chess — Five rounds of the Jubilee international chess masters tournament in Zurich were completed yesterday. The only adjourned game pending, between Josef Kupper of Switzerland and Bent Larsen of Denmark, was drawn, according to a report Read More

May 27 1959

Andreas Dueckstein vs Robert James Fischer

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, May 27, 1959 — Keres, Tal Draw In Zurich Chess — Soviet Union Players Stay in Lead—Fischer and Larsen Adjourn Game — Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion, played to an adjournment in forty-two moves with Bent Larsen of Denmark in the jubilee Read More

  • Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno, Nevada, Wednesday, May 27, 1959 — Chess Whiz Kid Adjourns Match — Zurich, May 27. (AP)—Bobby Fischer of New York, top threat to the two Russians leaders, adjourned his match against Denmark's Bent Larsen after 42 moves in the International Chess Tournament. The Russians, Paul Keres and Mikhail Tal, tied Read More

May 28 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Wolfgang Unzicker

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, May 28, 1959 — Fischer Is Victor In Zurich Chess — Turns Back Duckstein in 22 Moves—Tal Tops Keller and Leads in Tourney — Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, defeated Andreas Duckstein of Austria in 22 moves in the seventh round of the jubilee tournament in Zurich, according Read More

  • The Des Moines Register Des Moines, Iowa Thursday, May 28, 1959 — Fischer Wins — Zurich (AP)—Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn defeated Andreas Dueckstein of Austria after 27 moves Wednesday in the seventh round of the International Chess tournament.

  • The Guardian, London, Greater London, England, Thursday, May 28, 1959 — Zurich Tournament — One of the most important tournaments of the year, involving five of the eight world title contenders, is now in progress in Zurich. After three rounds, the 16-year-old American champion Bobby Fischer shares the lead with Gligoric Read More

May 29 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, May 29, 1959 — Fischer Adjourns Two Chess Games — Puts Off Tests With Larsen and Unzicker—Tal Beats Walther at Zurich — Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old United States chess champion yesterday continued his bid for top honors in the jubilee international tournament in Zurich. He adjourned two games Read More

  • Casper Star-Tribune, Casper, Wyoming, Friday, May 29, 1959 — Bobby Fischer at Work — He speaks only chess — 16-Year-Old Chess Champ Is Typical Teenage Type By Ward Cannel (NEA Staff Correspondent) — New York (NEA)— Despite warnings from writers, photographers, publicists, TV personnel, editors, publishers, tourists and just plain Read More

May 30 1959

Gedeon Barcza vs Robert James Fischer

  • The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, Saturday, May 30, 1959 — Fischer Wins Match — Zurich, Switzerland, May 29 (AP)—Schoolboy Bobby Fischer, of Brooklyn, won one match today and drew in another to pull into a tie for first place in an international chess tournament.

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, May 30, 1959 — Fischer Ties Tal For Lead In Chess — Brooklyn Youth Draws With Larsen in 92 Moves and Beats Unzicker in 66 — Bobby Fischer gained 1½ points yesterday in the Jubilee international chess masters tournament, it was reported from Zurich, and tied Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union Read More

  • Pensacola News Journal, Pensacola, Florida, Saturday, May 30, 1959 — Fischer Gains Tie In Chess Tourney — Zurich, Switzerland (AP) — Schoolboy Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn won one match Friday and drew in another to pull into a tie for first place in an international chess tournament. The U.S. champion drew with Bent Larsen of Read More

May 31 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Erwin Nievergelt

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, May 31, 1959 — Fischer Adjourns 9th-Round Match — He Holds Slight Edge Over Barcza After 42 Moves in Zurich Chess — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, the United States chess champion, adjourned his ninth-round match in the jubilee international tournament in Zurich, according to a report Read More

  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, Sunday, May 31, 1959 — Game of the Century — Taken from the book “Bobby Fischer's Games of Chess” and is entitled, “The Game of the Century” played in the Rosenwald Trophy Tournament in 1956. This was awarded first brilliancy prize.

  • Lansing State Journal, Lansing, Michigan, Sunday, May 31, 1959 — Tips From 15-Year-Old Champion — Keep Other Thoughts Away, Says Fischer — By Kitte Turmell — When you're playing chess—and other competitive games —you have to learn to keep all other thoughts out of your mind. That's a tip from Bobby Fischer, who recently became the Read More

  • The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, May 31, 1959 — Fischer Tied For Lead In Zurich Tournament —Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. chess champion, is tied for first place with a score of 4-1 after five rounds of the Jubilee International Masters Tournament in Zurich, Switzerland, according to a report from the New York Read More

June 01 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, June 01, 1959 — Tal Wins Twice In Zurich Chess — Regains Lead at 8½-1½—Fischer Beats Nievergelt, Adjourns With Barcza — With two victories yesterday, Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union again took the lead in the Jubilee international chess tournament at Zurich, according to a report received Read More

June 02 1959

Svetozar Gligoric vs Robert James Fischer

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, June 02, 1959 — Fischer Draws In 95-Move Game — Barcza of Hungary Repels U.S. Champion's Attacks in Zurich Chess — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn was held to a draw by Gedeon Barcza of Hungary yesterday in the longest game so far in the Jubilee chess tournament, according to a report from Read More

  • The Tampa Tribune Tampa, Florida Tuesday, June 02, 1959 — Draw In Chess Match — Zurich, Switzerland, June 1. (AP)—Bobby Fischer, the U.S. champion from New York, today was held to a draw by Gedeon Barcza of Hungary after 96 moves in their twice adjourned match in an international chess tournament. Fischer dropped into second Read More

June 03 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Paul Keres

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, June 03, 1959 — Fischer Suffers First Chess Loss — U.S. Champion Is Beaten by Gligoric Who Ties Him for Second at Zurich — After surviving ten rounds without a loss, Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, met his first defeat yesterday in the eleventh round of the jubilee Read More

  • Asbury Park Press Asbury Park, New Jersey Wednesday, June 03, 1959 — Fischer Is Chess Victim — Zurich, Switzerland (AP)—Bobby Fischer, U.S. champion from New York, was defeated by Yugoslavia's Svetozar Gligoric after 39 moves Sicilian opening in the 11th round of the International Chess Tournament yesterday. It was Fischer's first defeat in Read More

June 04 1959

Jan Hein Donner vs Robert James Fischer

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, June 04, 1959 — Tal Wins, Increases Zurich Chess Lead — Dr. Erwin Nievergelt of Switzerland defeated Dieter Keller of Switzerland, who overstepped the time limit and resigned after thirty-nine moves, in the twelfth round of the jubilee international chess tournament in Zurich, yesterday according Read More

  • The News Journal Wilmington, Delaware Thursday, June 04, 1959 — Fischer Eyes Second In Chess Tournament — Zurich, Switzerland, June 4 (AP).—Russian Grand Master Mikhail Tal was comfortably leading after the 12th round of the international chess tournament here today with young Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Paul Keres of Read More

  • Tampa Bay Times St. Petersburg, Florida Thursday, June 04, 1959 — Tal Increases Chess Lead Over Fischer — Zurich, Switzerland (AP)—Russian grand master Mikhail Tal yesterday increased his lead over America's Bobby Fischer and Yugoslavia's Svetozar Gligoric as the International Chess Tournament went into its 12th round. Tal beat Austria's Read More

  • Fort Worth Star-Telegram Fort Worth, Texas Thursday, June 04, 1959 — Soviet Chess Master Holding Tourney Lead — Zurich, Switzerland, June 4 (AP) —Russian grand master Mikhail Tal was comfortably leading after the 12th round of the international chess tournament here today with young Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Paul Keres of Read More

June 05 1959

Bobby Fischer, U.S. Chess Champion, and Czechoslovak champion, Ludek Pachman, at it again in Santiago, Chile.
  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, June 05, 1959 — Fischer Defeats Donner In Chess — Wins in 44 Moves at Zurich—Keres Keeps Pace by Overcoming Keller — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, the 16-year-old United States chess champion, and Paul Keres of the Soviet Union were both winners in the thirteenth round of the jubilee Read More

  • Asbury Park Press Asbury Park, New Jersey Friday, June 05, 1959 — Fischer Point Down In Chess Tournament — Zurich, Switzerland (AP) — United States Champion Bobby Fischer of New York advanced within one point of the leading Mikhail Tal of Russia in the International Chess Tournament by defeating the Netherland's Hein Donner in 44 Read More

June 06 1959

Robert James Fischer vs Dieter Keller

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, June 06, 1959 — 2 Russians Beaten In Chess At Zurich — Both Soviet players suffered unexpected defeats in the Jubilee chess tournament yesterday, according to a report from Zurich, Switzerland. Mikhail Tal was beaten by Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia. Bobby Fischer, the United States Read More

  • Asbury Park Press Asbury Park, New Jersey Saturday, June 06, 1959 — Fischer and Tal Tied in Chess — Zurich, Switzerland (AP) —Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old American chess champion from Brooklyn, tied Russian Grand Master Mikhail Tal for first place in the International Chess Tournament last night. Fischer caught Tal by beating another Russian, Read More

  • The News Paterson, New Jersey Saturday, June 06, 1959 — Reports of Bobby Fischer in Zurich — From reports Bobby Fischer is still doing well at Zurich. He is tied for first with Tal. One half point behind, also tied, are Gligoric and Keres. Fischer is in fast company here, a collection of the world's best. A good showing here will do much to boost Read More

  • Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, June 06, 1959 — Zurich, Switzerland Jubilee Tournament One Third Through -- Standing of Players — The Zurich (Switzerland) Jubilee tournament is one-third through, and is holding the close attention of the world of chess, mostly because of Robert Fischer's name on the Read More

June 07 1959

Mikhail Tal vs Robert James Fischer

Mikhail Tal and Bobby Fischer exchange a cordial greeting and handshake before for their match in the International Chess Tournament at Zürich, June 07, 1959
Bobby Fischer and Mikhail Tal take their place at the table during the International chess tournament at the Congress House in Zurich, Switzerland, on June 07, 1959
Mikhail Tal (with Bobby Fischer playing the black pieces) prepares for his first move of their game in the International Chess Tournament at Zürich, June 07, 1959
Mikhail Tal makes his opening move against Bobby Fischer in Zurich, June 07, 1959.
American chess wonder Bobby Fischer (left), June 07, 1959, during the decisive final match against Mikhail Tal (Soviet Union) at the International Chess Tournament at the Kongresshaus in Zurich.
Bobby Fischer, aged 16, plays Russian Mikhail Tal at an international chess tournament in Zurich June 07, 1959.
Bobby Fischer, aged 16, plays Russian Mikhail Tal at an international chess tournament in Zurich June 07, 1959.
Robert Fischer and Mikhail Tal share a handshake at the conclusion of the final-round, Zurich 1959. The draw allowed Tal to move into 1st place.
International Chess Tournament Zürich, 1959: Svetozar Gligoric; standing: Bobby Fischer
  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, June 07, 1959 — Tal Tops Donner In Zurich Chess — Russian Takes Lead After 14 Rounds—Fischer Adjourns Game With Keller —Mikhail Tal, Soviet grandmaster at chess, was in first place yesterday after winning in twenty-eight moves from Hein Donner of the Netherlands in the fourteenth round of Read More

  • The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana, Sunday, June 07, 1959 — Fischer's Games, Lasker's Biography Issued — There are two interesting chess books on the market now. One is the life and games of Emmanuel Lasker, the other is the games of chess Bobby Fischer has played. No two grandmasters could be more different. Bobby Fischer, now Read More

  • Oakland Tribune Oakland, California Sunday, June 07, 1959 — Russian Leader in Chess Tourney — Zurich, Switzerland, June 6—(AP)—Russian grand master Mikhail Tal took over the lead in the international chess tournament today when 16-year old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y., adjourned his match. Tal boosted his point total to 11 Read More

  • The Sunday News Ridgewood, New Jersey Sunday, June 07, 1959 — Big 4 May Stalemate, But Brooklyn Aims at Checkmate — Chess devotees are chortling with glee over the exploits of 17-year-old Bobby Fischer, the Brooklyn genius tied for first place with Mikhail Tal of Russia in the world tournament being held in Zurich. It is somehow wrong Read More

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, June 07, 1959 — Tal Leads At Zurich, Fischer Close Second — Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union took the lead after 10 rounds in the Jubilee International Masters Tournament in Zurich, Switzerland, according to a report form the New York Times. Tal won eight games, drew with his compatriot, Read More

June 08 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, June 08, 1959 — Tal and Fischer Draw At Zurich — Russian Clinches at Least Tie for Chess Honors — Gligoric in Contention — Zurich, Switzerland, June 7 (AP)—Bobby Fischer of New York and Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union played to a draw in the fifteenth and last round of the international chess Read More

  • Reno Gazette-Journal Reno, Nevada Monday, June 08, 1959 — Fischer Ties Russian Star — Zurich, Switzerland, June 8. (AP)—Bobby Fischer of New York and Russian Grand Master Mikhail Tal drew in their game in the 15th and last round of the international chess tournament Sunday. Tal, who led for most of the tournament finished with a winning Read More

  • Daily News New York, New York Monday, June 08, 1959 — Fischer Defeated — Zurich, Switzerland, June 7 (AP).—Dieter Keller of Switzerland today defeated Bobby Fischer, the U.S. champion from New York, in the 58th move of an adjourned match. The upset dropped the 16-year-old boy wonder to third place in an international Read More

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Monday, June 08, 1959 — On The Move — Bobby Fischer of New York, 16-year-old chess phenom, drew with Russian grand master Mikhail Tal in the last round of the international tournament at Zurich, Switzerland. Tal already has clinched the tournament. Fischer stands to finish second or third. Read More

  • The Des Moines Register Des Moines, Iowa Monday, June 08, 1959 — Fischer Loses — Zurich, Switzerland (AP)—Dieter Keller of Switzerland Sunday defeated Bobby Fischer, U.S. champion from New York, in chess. The upset dropped the 16-year-old Fischer to third in an international tournament.

  • The Times Shreveport, Louisiana Monday, June 08, 1959 — Fischer in Draw With Red Player — Zurich, Switzerland, June 7 (AP). Bobby Fischer of New York and Russian grand master Mikhail Tal drew in their game in the 15th and last round of the international chess tournament tonight. Tal, who led for most of the tournament finished with a Read More

June 09 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, June 09, 1959 — Tal, Soviet Union, Is Zurich Victor — Triumphs in Chess Tourney When Gligoric Is Held to Draw by Kupper — Mikhail Tal, a 23-year-old Latvian-born international grandmaster at chess representing the Soviet Union in the Jubilee tournament at Zurich, yesterday emerged as the Read More

  • Asbury Park Press Asbury Park, New Jersey Tuesday, June 09, 1959 — Russian Wins Chess Crown — Zurich, Switzerland (AP)—Russia's grand master Mikhail Tal became the winner of the International Chess Tournament yesterday when Yugoslavia's Svetorzar Gligoric failed to win his final game. Gligoric tied with Swiss Josef Kupper after 55 Read More

  • The Missoulian Missoula, Montana Tuesday, June 09, 1959 — Wins Chess Tourney — Zurich, Switzerland (AP)—Russia's grandmaster Mikhail Tal became the winner of the International Chess Tournament Monday when Yugoslavia's Svetozar Gligoric failed to win his final game. Gligoric tied with Swiss Josef-Kupper after 55 moves in an adjourned Read More

  • Richmond Times-Dispatch Richmond, Virginia Tuesday, June 09, 1959 — Russian Is Victor In Chess Tourney — Zurich, Switzerland, June 9—(AP)—Russia's grandmaster Mikhail Tal became the winner of the international chess tournament Monday when Yugoslavia's Svetozar Gligoric failed to win his final game. Gligoric tied with Swiss Josef Kupper Read More

June 11 1959

  • Deseret News and Salt Lake Telegram Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, June 11, 1959 — U.S. Youth, 16, Tied For First In Swiss Test — After 13 rounds of play, the incredible 16-year-old Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn is tied for first place in the important jubilee Chess Tournament in Zurich, Switzerland. The tournament which includes five of the eight Read More

  • The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, June 11, 1959 — The Ruy Lopez — “With both Fischer and Gligoric comparing well with the Russians, the possibility of the first non-Russian challenger since 1948 is improving. Russian wins at Zurich The Russian grandmaster Tal, aged 22, has just achieved another success by winning Read More

  • Courier-Post Camden, New Jersey Thursday, June 11, 1959 — Mikhail Tal, Paul Keres vs. Bobby FischerMikhail Tal, 23-year-old Latvian who has twice held the Soviet Union championship, captured the Jubilee tournament at Zurich, Switzerland, over a field of 15 others. His final score was 11½-3½. A close second at 11-4 was the Read More

June 13 1959

  • Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, June 13, 1959 — Fischer Has Chess Record Similar to Belgian Count's — Count Alberic O'Kelly de Galway, Belgian chess champion, a few years ago established a reputation of entering every tournament he could schedule. He compiled a record of high scores in the process. Read More

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday, June 13, 1959 — Fischer at Santiago and ZurichSantiago, Chile International Young Bobby Fischer, the U.S. champion, tied for third, instead of for fourth place, reported earlier on the Santiago tourney. After inaccurate dispatches received from South America, Hermann Helms, of Read More

June 14 1959

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, June 14, 1959 — Tal Wins At Zurich; Fischer Is Third — Mikhail Tal, 23-year-old Latvian-born grandmaster representing the Soviet Union, won first prize in the Jubilee International Masters Tournament in Zurich, Switzerland, according to a report from the New York Times. Tal finished Read More

  • Hartford Courant Hartford, Connecticut Sunday, June 14, 1959 — Jubilee Tournament — The annual Jubilee Tournament at Zurich has been concluded. The winner was Tal of Russia with 11½ points. Second was Gligoric of Yugoslavia. Third place showed a tie between Bobby Fischer of New York and Keres of Russia.

June 18 1959

  • Deseret News and Salt Lake Telegram Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, June 18, 1959 — Bobby Fischer Ties For 3rd At Zurich — After being tied for first place at the end of the 13th round, the incredible 16-year-old Bobby Fischer lost the 14th round and tied in the 15th and final round. With this bad luck (or play, as the case may be), Bobby Read More

  • Courier-Post Camden, New Jersey Thursday, June 18, 1959 — Log Cabin Club to Mark Its Silver Anniversary — In honor of the silver anniversary of the Log Cabin Chess Club, the U.S. Chess Federation will hold a seeded championship tournament for men and women there Aug. 7 to 23. … Players expected to take part include Bobby Fischer, Read More

  • The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, June 18, 1959 — Chess - The Zurich Tournament — The close finish at Zurich indicates that the world championship candidates' tournament in Yugoslavia later this year will see a serious challenge to the Russian hegemony by Gligoric (Yugoslavia) and Fischer (United States). The Read More

June 20 1959

  • Express and News San Antonio, Texas Saturday, June 20, 1959 — Championship Chess By Blake Stevens, Texas State Champion —Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old chess genius, is in the middle of another important chess tournament. After winning the U.S. Open, the U.S. Absolute, and qualifying in the Candidate's Tournament at Read More

  • Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday, June 20, 1959 — Zurich Jubilee Tournament — Robert Fischer finished in the money at the Zurich Jubilee tournament, defeating Paul Keres which gives him a plus score against a dozen of the best players in Russia. To date they have never defeated Fischer.

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday, June 20, 1959 — Fischer Third at Zurich — Mikhail Tal, USSR, added another to his growing list of victories by winning the strong Zurich tourney, 11½-3½, ahead of Svetozar Gligoric, Yugoslavia, 11-4. Bobby Fischer, USA, tied with Paul Keres, USSR, for third. 10½-4½ each. He defeated Read More

June 21 1959

  • Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, June 21, 1959 — Young U.S. Chess Star Did Well By Edward M. Foy — The United States' 16-year-old chess champion, Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, made a fine showing in the recently completed international tournament at Zurich, Switzerland, by finishing in a third-place tie. One of the two Read More

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, June 21, 1959 — Bobby Fischer at 1959 Jubilee Tournament — Mikhail Tal, U.S.S.R., won the Jubilee tournament at Zurich with a score of 11½-3½. Second was Svetozar Gligoric, Yugoslavia, with 11-4. U.S. champion Bobby Fischer and Paul Keres, U.S.S.R., tied for third, 10½-4½.

June 25 1959

  • Deseret News and Salt Lake Telegram Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, June 25, 1959 — Myth Exploded of Dull, Slow Playing — The first is that chess is played only by old, old men, and the second is that a game of chess goes on for hours, days, or even months. Of the first myth we have previously written, and once noted that of 30 state Read More

June 27 1959

  • Express and News San Antonio, Texas Saturday, June 27, 1959 — A Fine Feat - Placed Third in Interzonal Tourney — Bobby Fischer tied for third place at the Interzonal Tournament at Zurich, with Paul Keres of Russia, behind Tal of Russia (1st) and Gligoric from Hungary (2nd). Another fine feat for the 16-year-old Brooklyn boy.

June 28 1959

  • The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, June 28, 1959 — Book by U.S. Champion Bobby Fischer Contains His Best Tournament Games — This seems to be the season for spawning chess books, and today we have another for review—a fledgling book by a fledgling player. But this author, while a fledgling in years, is a giant in chess stature. Read More

July 04 1959

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday, July 04, 1959 — Bobby Fischer vs. Dieter Keller and Josef Kupper — Bobby Fischer did not lose to J. Kupper at Zurich, as reported earlier, but to D. Keller. On the contrary, Kupper came a cropper in short order against Fischer's brilliant attack. Items A collection of 34 games of Bobby Fischer, Read More

July 05 1959

  • Express and News, San Antonio, Texas, Sunday, July 05, 1959 — Bobby Fischer at Zurich — At Zurich, Bobby Fischer played steady, cool chess, and always obtained equality in the opening, from the Black side, either in the Sicilian Defense (his game against Duckstein) or in the King's Indian Defense (as in today's game). After attaining Read More

  • The Corpus Christi Caller-Times Corpus Christi, Texas Sunday, July 05, 1959 — Chats on Chess — The present champion of the United States is Bobby Fischer, who won the title at the tender age of 14 and has repeated it again this year. As yet, he is too young to have many stories written about him …

July 12 1959

  • The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday, July 12, 1959 — The King's Men: World Title Hope Seen In Fischer — By Merrill Dowden — Inasmuch as a crystal ball is not included in the equipage of this department, and I am not exactly proficient in palmistry or the reading of tea leaves, I usually shy away from prognosticating as one Read More

  • Hartford Courant Hartford, Connecticut Sunday, July 12, 1959 — News of Bobby Fischer — Playing at Mar del Plata a few months ago, Fischer tied for third place, following Najdorf and Pachman. Then, a little later, at Santiago, Chile, he lost four games, which is more than he lost in international tournaments, but managed to secure a three- Read More

  • Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, July 12, 1959 — Anniversary of Log Cabin Club — This tournament should bring up another meeting between Samuel Reshevsky and U.S. champion 16-year-old Bobby Fischer. Other contestants will probably include Bill Lombardy, James Sherwin, Larry Evans, Arthur Bisguier, Pal Benko, etc.

July 18 1959

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday, July 18, 1959 — World Junior Championship — No word yet as to the U.S.A. Bill Lombardy, who won at Toronto in 1957, is now beyond the age limit, and Bobby Fischer, although conveniently available in Europe, has moved out of that league. More than thirty countries are expected to be represented. Read More

July 19 1959

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, July 19, 1959 — Chess Career of Bobby Fischer — The chess career of Bobby Fischer should reach some sort of climax in Yugoslavia soon. Bobby, born in 1943, started chess tournament play seriously in 1955. He played in the 1955 U.S. Junior championship at Lincoln and made an even Read More

  • Express and News San Antonio, Texas Sunday, July 19, 1959 — Another Zurich Game — The United States representative to the Zurich International, Bobby Fischer, lost only two games, one to a tail-ender and the other to runner-up, S. Gligoric. You will probably agree, after playing over the game, that losing it was certainly no Read More

July 26 1959

  • Hartford Courant Hartford, Connecticut Sunday, July 26, 1959 — Pocket Chess Set — The United States Chess Federation, 80 East 11th St., New York City, is selling handsome leather pocket chess sets, personally autographed by Bobby Fischer, at a price of $4.95. Bobby states that this is the best pocket chess set he has ever seen in any of the Read More

August 02 1959

  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, Sunday, August 02, 1959 — Young Contender — The thirty-four chess games scored in this book represent the first collection of important tournament games played by the author, U.S. Open Chess Champion for 1958 and 1959, possible contender for the World Championship in the near future Read More

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, August 02, 1959 — Fischer's Endgames —The tournament in honor of the silver anniversary of the Log Cabin Chess Club will begin Aug. 7 E. Forry Laucks, founder of the club, has donated a large prize fund and hopes to lure most of the top ten players in the country to Orange, N.J., for the Read More

  • Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, August 02, 1959 — State Junior Chess Player Scores Well — After two rounds there were a whole flock of players with 2-0 scores, including such well-known masters as Arthur Bisguier, Paul Benko, Hans Berliner and Olaf Ulvestad. Apparently neither Samuel Reshevsky nor Bobby Fischer is competing.

August 07 1959

  • The Miami News, Miami, Florida, Friday, August 07, 1959 — How About Check, Mate? — The mother of America's chess prodigy, Bobby Fischer, who hopes to wrest the world's chess championship from Russia, appealed today for financial aid so her son can enter the playoffs in Yugoslavia. Mrs. Regina Fischer, of Brooklyn, said she and Read More

August 08 1959

  • The Daily Courier, Connellsville, Pennsylvania, Saturday, August 08, 1959 — Bobby Fischer Hopes to Take Chess Laurels — 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 Read More

August 09 1959

  • Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Florida, Sunday, August 09, 1959 — Chess Genius Without Pin Money, Says Mom — From a letter to the editor this department learned its favorite athlete, Bobby Fischer, the chess genius, is still over in Yugoslavia and that his mother, Mrs. Regina Fischer, a nurse living in Brooklyn, is much concerned over Read More

August 10 1959

  • Des Moines Tribune, Des Moines, Iowa, Monday, August 10, 1959 — No Money for Travel For Our Chess Champ — Sixteen-year-old Bobby Fischer, reigning United States chess champion, won the right last year to compete in European matches designed to pick a challenger for World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik of the Soviet Union. Young Read More

August 16 1959

  • The Austin American Austin, Texas Sunday, August 16, 1959 — U.S. Chess Genius 'Tied' for Funds by Edith Kermit Roosevelt — Were 16-year old Chess Genius Bobby Fischer to visit Russia, he would probably win more kudos than Vice President Nixon and Jazz Man Louis Armstrong put together. Chess in Russia is a national pastime. It is taught in Read More

  • Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, August 16, 1959 — Log Cabin Chess — The 25th anniversary tournament of the Log Cabin Chess Club is under way, but the field, in spite of the cash prize fund, is not as strong as had been hoped. Neither U.S. champion Bobby Fischer nor grandmaster Samuel Reshevsky are listed among the Read More

  • The Press Democrat Santa Rosa, California Sunday, August 16, 1959 — Sicilian Defense — The originality in this game is shown by Bobby Fischer when he pushes the KBP to B5, and later on exchanges pieces on Q5. The sacrifice on his 20th move must have been a shock to his opponent. It is neat. But what is even more striking is the way the Read More

August 21 1959

  • St. Louis Post-Dispatch St. Louis, Missouri Friday, August 21, 1959 — Chess Funds Needed by Eleanor Roosevelt — ONE MOTHER who is doing her very best to help her son is Mrs. Regina Fischer of Brooklyn, N.Y. Her son is Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion, and his current predicament is a shortage of funds. As our Read More

August 23 1959

  • The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana Sunday, August 23, 1959 — Young Hoosiers Take To Chess — NOT UNTIL the last two Olympic Games did Russia assert itself as a power in international sports. But there is one game the Soviets have dominated for more than 30 years. That's chess. A fine crop of young American players now is Read More

August 30 1959

  • Hartford Courant Hartford, Connecticut Sunday, August 30, 1959 — Silver Anniversary of Log Cabin Chess Club — The United States Seeded Tournament in honor of the Silver Anniversary of the Log Cabin Chess Club of West Orange, N. J. was scheduled from Aug. 7 to Aug. 23 and should now be concluded. Results have not been heard Read More

  • The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, August 30, 1959 — Zurich International Tournament: Another Stellar Performance — In the great Zurich International Grandmasters Tournament, the American champion, 16-year-old Bobby Fischer, has turned in another stellar performance and now looks like a better bet than ever to Read More

September 04 1959

September 06 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, September 06, 1959 — Draw Set Today In Chess Tourney: Pairings for Challengers' Play in World Event to Be Decided at Bled —This is the fateful day on which eight of the leading grandmasters, assembled in Bled, Yugoslavia, under the auspices of the International Chess Federation, will draw Read More

  • Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sunday, September 06, 1959 — New Book — Every devotee of the royal game will welcome the publication of Bobby Fischer's “Games of Chess.” The 15-year-old chess prodigy has penetratingly analyzed 13 of his games from the 1957 U.S. Championship, as well as the prize-winning “Game of the Read More

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, September 06, 1959 — Challengers Start Play in Yugoslavia — The most important international chess tournament of the year, which will select a challenger for the world championship, will start Sept. 7 in Bled, Yugoslavia. Eight of the strongest grandmasters in the world will be competing for Read More

September 07 1959

The Candidates tournament of 1959 was held in Bled, Zagreb and Belgrade.
Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade Candidates (1959). Yugoslavia, September 07-October 29, 1959.
4th Candidates Tournament, 1959, Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade players and arbiter, Tigran Petrosian, Harry Golombek (arbiter), Mikhail Tal, Svetozar Gligoric, Vasily Smyslov, Pal Benko, Bobby Fischer, Fridrik Olafsson, Paul Keres.
Paul Keres of the Soviet Union in play against Bobby Fischer of the U.S.A. in the Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade Candidates, 1959. Pal Benko of the U.S., arms folded, looks on.

September 08 1959

September 09 1959

September 10 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, September 10, 1959 — Fischer of Brooklyn Takes Chess Match From Keres at Bled — An impressive triumph was scored yesterday in Bled, Yugoslavia, by Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion. As expected, he won his first-round game in the world championship Read More

  • Tampa Bay Times St. Petersburg, Florida Thursday, September 10, 1959 — Chess Whiz, 16, Wins Match In International — Sixteen-year-old Bobby Fischer of New York, the world's youngest chess grandmaster, yesterday defeated Soviet grandmaster Paul Keres in an adjourned first round match of the International Challengers Tournament. Read More

September 11 1959

  • The Courier Waterloo, Iowa Friday, September 11, 1959 — Think Yank Boy To Get Draw In Chess Meet — Teen-age Bobby Fischer and Paul Benko, both grandmasters from New York, adjourned their match in the International Challengers' Chess tournament Thursday. When the match was adjourned, Benko had a slight advantage over his Read More

September 12 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, September 12, 1959 — Fischer Defeats Gligoric At Bled — Aggressive tactics in yesterday's fourth round at Bled, earned another triumph for Bobby Fischer, the United States champion, in the world championship challengers' tournament, according to a report received last night from Read More

  • The Troy Record Troy, New York Saturday, September 12, 1959 — N.Y. Pair Moves Into Chess Lead — Bobby Fischer, 16, and Paul Benko, both of New York, moved into a tie for first place yesterday in the challengers chess tournament with two points each. Fischer defeated Yugoslav Champion Svetozar Gligoric in a fourth round match and Read More

September 13 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, September 13, 1959 — Fischer Gains Draw With Benko In Chess — A perpetual check, enforced by Bobby Fischer, United States chess champion, brought about a draw with Paul Benko, a Hungarian refugee of New York, yesterday, when they finished their third-round adjourned game in the world Read More

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, September 13, 1959 — Fischer Wins, Loses In Challengers' Tourney — Decisive results were the order of the day as play started in Bled, Yugoslavia, in the tournament to select a challenger for the world championship title now held by Mikhail Botwinnik of Russia. Seven wins and one draw Read More

  • Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, September 13, 1959 — Simultaneous Exhibition — The annual East-West chess match, matches with Huntington (and other cities), the annual rapid-transit city championship tournament, a simultaneous exhibition featuring some noted chess master (Wren, Fischer, Reshevsky, Murtha, etc.) Read More

  • The Journal Times Racine, Wisconsin Sunday, September 13, 1959 — Master Chess — Some Russians have been writing in chess periodicals that Tal may be a new class of player, a “super grandmaster.” Here is an important win over the man who beat Bobby Fischer. Tal makes material seem unimportant, and the game swims in combinations.

  • Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois Sunday, September 13, 1959 — New Yorkers Fischer, Benko Draw in Chess — Bobby Fischer and Paul Benko, both from New York, drew after 49 moves in their third round match in the International Challengers' chess tournament Saturday. Each has 2.5 points.

  • The South Bend Tribune South Bend, Indiana Sunday, September 13, 1959 — Chess Match Ends In Draw —Bobby Fischer and Paul Benko, both from New York, drew after 49 moves in their third round match in the International Challengers' Chess Tournament Saturday. The match had been adjourned with a small advantage for Benko, but Fischer Read More

September 14 1959

September 15 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, September 15, 1959 — Fischer's Match Adjourns In Bled — Unable to make any headway against Fridrik Olafsson of Reykjavik in the fifth round yesterday, Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, again played to an adjournment in the world championship challengers' tournament in Bled, Read More

September 16 1959

September 17 1959

September 18 1959

September 19 1959

September 20 1959

  • Sunday Gazette-Mail, Charleston, West Virginia, Sunday, September 20, 1959 — Selection of a Challenger to Face Mikhail Botvinnik — The Tournament to produce a challenger for a title match with World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik is now under way in Yugoslavia. The games will be played in more than one location, starting with Bled — Read More

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, September 20, 1959 — Smyslov Play In Deadlock: American and Russian Draw in 7th-Round Adjourned Game of Chess Event — Bobby Fischer, United States chess champion, played to a draw with Vassily Smyslov of the Soviet Union in their seventh-round adjourned game in the challengers' Read More

September 22 1959

September 23 1959

September 25 1959

September 26 1959

September 27 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, September 27, 1959 — Gligoric Defeats Fischer In Chess: Olafsson's Game With U.S. Youth Adjourned Again—Benko Upsets Smyslov — The United States chess champion, Bobby Fischer, figured in two adjourned games of the world championship challengers' tournament in Bled yesterday. Read More

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, September 27, 1959 — Challengers Tournament at Bled, Yugoslavia — After eight completed rounds, Paul Keres and Mikhail Tal, both of the Soviet Union, were tied for the lead with scores of 5½-2½. Tal had gained most ground with successive victories against U.S. chess champion Read More

  • The Racine Journal-Times Sunday Bulletin Racine, Wisconsin Sunday, September 27, 1959 — World Candidates — In round 10 of the World's Candidates tournament at Bled, Bobby Fischer dropped Pal Benko to last place in the 8-man field with a victory over his fellow American. Fischer sacrificed a pawn and won in 27 moves against Benko's Read More

  • Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, September 27, 1959 — Challengers Tournament, Bled Yugoslavia — With ten of fourteen rounds of play complete in the challengers tournament at Bled, Yugoslavia, it has become quite apparent that the United States' 16-year-old chess champion Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, will not Read More

  • The Orlando Sentinel Orlando, Florida Sunday, September 27, 1959 — Fischer Concedes Defeat — Bobby Fischer, young U.S. contender in the international chess tourney, conceded defeat yesterday in his adjourned match with Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia without taking his seat at the table.

September 29 1959

September 30 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, September 30, 1959 — Draw By Fischer In Chess Likely: U.S. Champion Adjourns in 14th-Round Game Against Smyslov in 41 Moves — The United States chess champion, Bobby Fischer, and Vassily Smyslov, a former world champion from the Soviet Union, met for the second time yesterday in Read More

  • The Times Record Troy, New York Wednesday, September 30, 1959 — Match Adjourned — The 14th round chess match between Bobby Fischer, the U.S. champion from Brooklyn, and Russia's Vassily Smyslov was adjourned yesterday. Fischer was in a better position. They are among the eight competing in the world challengers' tournament.

October 01 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, October 01, 1959 — Fischer Picks Up 1½ Chess Points: Brooklynite Scores Victory and Draw in Yugoslavia —The first half of the world championship challengers' chess tournament concluded yesterday at Bled, according to a report from Yugoslavia. The leader, Paul Keres of the Soviet Union, Read More

  • The Tennessean Nashville, Tennessee Thursday, October 01, 1959 — Fischer Wins in Chess —Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old American champion from Brooklyn, gained a victory and a draw yesterday in two adjourned matches in the World Challengers Chess tournament. The youngster won from Iceland's Fridrik Olafsson on the 7th Read More

October 02 1959

October 03 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, October 03, 1959 — Fischer To Face Keres: U.S. Chess Champion to Play Tonight in Zagreb Match — Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, will meet Paul Keres of the Soviet Union tonight in the fifteenth round at Zagreb, Yugoslavia, in the challengers' tourney. Fischer now is in Read More

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday, October 03, 1959 — Paul Keres in World Challengers Tourney — Paul Keres, Estonian-Russian grandmaster, holds the leadership in the World Challengers tourney at Bled, Yugoslavia, after 12 rounds, with an 8½-3½ pt. score. Keres, at 43 years, is the oldest competitor. He was already world famous Read More

October 04 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, October 04, 1959 — Fischer Tops Keres In Yugoslav Chess — Bobby Fischer, the champion of the United States, defeated Paul Keres of the Soviet Union in the fifteenth round of the world championship chess challengers' tournament at Zagreb yesterday, according to Yugoslav news sources. Read More

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, October 04, 1959 — Keres Takes Lead In Challengers' Chess —Soviet grandmaster Paul Keres, former Estonian boy wonder, now at 43 the oldest man in the event, has established a full point lead after 12 rounds of the Challengers' Tournament at Bled, Yugoslavia. With seven Read More

  • Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, October 04, 1959 — Challengers Chess Tournament in Bled, Yugoslavia — At the mid-point, after fourteen complete rounds, U.S. champion Bobby Fischer was fifth with 5½ to 8½. Paul Keres of the USSR led with 10 to 4, followed by two fellows-Soviets, Mikhail Tal (9½ to 4½) and Tigran Petrosian Read More

  • The Ogden Standard-Examiner Ogden, Utah Sunday, October 04, 1959 — U.S. Teenager Whips Russ Champ In Chess World Championships — Teen-age U.S. chess champion Bobby Fischer from Brooklyn, N.Y. last night stunned the chess world with a thrilling three-hour victory over Soviet grand master Paul Keres in the candidates' Read More

  • The Racine Journal-Times Sunday Bulletin Racine, Wisconsin Sunday, October 04, 1959 — Candidates Tournament — After 12 rounds of play Paul Keres retains his lead in the Challenger's event now under way at Bled, Yugoslavia, with Tal second, in round 11 Bobby Fischer of the U.S. lost to Gligoric, and dropped back to seventh place. Fischer Read More

  • The Cincinnati Enquirer Cincinnati, Ohio Sunday, October 04, 1959 — Beats Soviet Chess Master — Teenage U.S. Chess Champion Bobby Fischer, Brooklyn, N.Y. tonight stunned the chess world with a thrilling three-hour victory over Soviet Grand Master Paul Keres in the Candidates' Tournament for the chess world championships. Read More

  • Express and News San Antonio, Texas Sunday, October 04, 1959 — Candidates Tournament — Bobby Fischer started out like a ball of fire, registering 2½ points out of 4 with a draw with Benko, loss to Petrosian, and wins against Keres and Gligoric, then he suffered at the hands of Tal, Olafsson and Keres, and may have a loss with Smyslov. It Read More

October 05 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, October 05, 1959 — Fischer Adjourns Petrosian Match — Bobby Fischer and Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union adjourned after forty-one moves yesterday in the challengers' chess tournament at Bled. Yugoslavia, according to a report received here. Fischer, the United States champion, played Read More

October 06 1959

October 07 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, October 07, 1959 — Tal Defeats Keres In Chess At Zagreb — Mikhail Tal of Moscow strongly entrenched in first place in the challengers' chess tournament at Zagreb, won for the first time from Paul Keres of the Soviet Union in the seventeenth round, according to a report from Yugoslavia Read More

October 08 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, October 08, 1959 — Tal Adds To Lead In Chess Tourney — Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union strengthened his lead in the challengers' chess tournament at Zagreb yesterday. He defeated Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland in an eighteenth-round match, according to a report received from Yugoslavia. The Read More

October 09 1959

October 10 1959

  • Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Mississippi, Saturday, October 10, 1959 — U.S. Draws With Reds — Bobby Fischer, the U.S. chess champion, drew Thursday in his match with Soviet champion Tigran Petrosjan in the continuation of their adjourned match from the 16th round.

October 11 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, October 11, 1959 — Olafsson Holds Fischer To Draw — Point Split After 40 Moves at Zagreb—Petrosian and Tal in a Deadlock — Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn and Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland drew in forty moves in the challengers chess tournament yesterday, according to a report from Zagreb, Read More

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, October 11, 1959 — Bobby Fischer's Second at Challengers' Tournament — Bobby Fischer disappointed his many boosters with his collapse in the second quarter of the marathon challengers' tournament in Yugoslavia. With the change to Zagreb he opened with a win over Paul Keres (again), Read More

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, October 11, 1959 — Tal Heads List In Yugoslav Tourney — Mikhail Tal was the star of the week in the Challengers' Tournament in Yugoslavia, marking up three wins and a draw to take his place at the head of the list, according to reports from the New York Times. Tal has fared best against Read More

  • The Racine Journal-Times Sunday Bulletin Racine, Wisconsin Sunday, October 11, 1959 — Candidates Tournament — Paul Keres now shares the lead with Tal in the world candidates tournament now under way in Europe. Tal moved into a tie with Keres by escaping from a bad position against Smyslov and salvaging a draw, while Bobby Fischer Read More

  • The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, October 11, 1959 — New Chess Book Gives Basic Rules — “New Chess Book Gives Basic Rules” reads: “Bobby Fischer, the young American champion, is so popular in Yugoslavia that a chess club has been named after him, Chess Review reports. The Yugoslavs are said to be hopeful that Read More

  • Express and News San Antonio, Texas Sunday, October 11, 1959 — Candidates Tournament in Progress — At the last count, Bobby Fischer has a score of 4-6 in the Candidates Tournament now in progress. Behind him is Olafsson with 3½-6½ and tied with him are Smyslov and Benko, so he is in good company. In fourth place is Gligoric Read More

October 12 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, October 12, 1959 — Tal Downs Fischer In Chess At Zagreb — Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion, was defeated by Mikhail Tal of the Soviet Union in the twentieth round of the challengers' tournament at Zagreb yesterday. According to a report from Yugoslavia, the Read More

October 13 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, October 13, 1959 — Keres Sets Back Benko, Gligoric: Victories Keep Soviet Star in Second Place Behind Tal in Zagreb Chess — Paul Keres of the Soviet Union won both of his adjourned games yesterday in the world chess challengers' tournament at Zagreb, according to a report received through Read More

  • Arizona Republic Phoenix, Arizona Tuesday, October 13, 1959 — Fischer Holds Sixth — Bobby Fischer, young United States champion from Brooklyn, was idle yesterday as adjourned games from the 19th and 20th rounds in the International Chess Challengers Tournament were played off. He remains in sixth place with 8.5 points. Mikhail Read More

October 14 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, October 14, 1959 — Tal and Keres Gain In Chess At Zagreb — The two Soviet stars, Mikhail Tal and Paul Keres, gained decisive victories in the twenty-first round of the challengers' chess tournament yesterday, according to a report from Yugoslavia. In matches at Zagreb, Tal, who is first in the Read More

October 15 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, October 15, 1959 — Smyslov Sets Back Fischer in 48 Moves At Yugoslav Chess — Vassily Smyslov, the Soviet grandmaster and a former world champion, yesterday won his adjourned game with Bobby Fischer, the United States champion, after forty-eight moves in the twenty-first round of Read More

October 17 1959

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday, October 17, 1959 — Tal In The Saddle — Paul Keres' loss to Bobby Fischer, U.S. champion, in the 15th round of the Challengers tourney at Zagreb, Yugoslavia, gave Mikhail Tal the leadership.

October 18 1959

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, October 18, 1959 — Retains Hold on Sixth Place — U.S. champion Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn retained his hold on sixth place, in which he seems secure. He drew four times in succession, starting with an adjourned 16th-round game against Tigran Petrosian of Russia. After a difficult Read More

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, October 18, 1959 — Bobby Fischer vs Paul Keres — The New York Times said of Bobby Fischer's second victory over Paul Keres in the 15th round at Zagreb: “Fischer… capitalized on the acquisitiveness of his opponent in most effective manner. Keres went out of his way to capture a Read More

October 19 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, October 19, 1959 — Tal Beats Smyslov, Lifts Lead In Chess — It was the only game of the twenty-second round that reached a decision. Three games were adjourned and will be played off tomorrow. Paul Keres of the Soviet Union, in second place with 14-7, played Bobby Fischer, the Read More

October 20 1959

October 21 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, October 21, 1959 — Keres' Careful End Game Beats Fischer in 55 Moves at Belgrade —Paul Keres of the Soviet Union, second in the challengers' chess tournament in Belgrade, defeated the United States champion, Bobby Fischer, last night in the twenty-third round, according to a report from Read More

October 22 1959

October 23 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, October 23, 1959 — Tal and Keres Gain Draws in Belgrade — The two leaders in the challengers' chess tournament in Belgrade each played games of less than twenty moves in the twenty-fifth round, according to a report received last night from Yugoslavia. The Soviet Union's Mikhail Tal, still first by Read More

October 24 1959

October 25 1959

  • The Journal Times Racine, Wisconsin Sunday, October 25, 1959 — Fischer vs. Smyslov: 21st Round at Candidates Tournament — Although too far behind to have any hope of catching the leaders, former world champion Vassily Smyslov appeared to have recovered from his disastrous slump in the early rounds. In his 21st-round game Read More

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, October 25, 1959 — Bobby Fischer in Final Rounds at Candidates Tournament — Tal's margin has been amassed mainly against the four non-Russians in the tournament against whom he has scored an amazing tally of 12 wins and one draw. He has taken three points each from U.S. Read More

  • Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, October 25, 1959 — Bobby Will Be Back —The 16-Year-Old champion of the United States, Bobby Fischer, now has a 9 to 14 record, good enough for sixth place in this eight-player battle of the chess giants. Fischer lost in round 23 to Keres, giving Bobby a 2 to 2 record against the Soviet Read More

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, October 25, 1959 — Yugoslavia Tournament, Tal, Fischer, Keres — The Russians finally got to Bobby Fischer. During the current tournament in Yugoslavia Tal and Petrosian have dealt him nothing but curves and goose eggs. He has done well enough against Keres (2-1) and he managed to Read More

October 26 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, October 26, 1959 — Tal And Petrosian Play Draw In Chess — Bobby Fischer, the United States champion, played white against a Caro Kann defense adopted by Fridrik Olafsson of Iceland. An adjournment was taken after forty-one moves. Vasily Smyslov, Soviet Union, lost to the King's Indian defense Read More

October 27 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, October 27, 1959 — Fischer And Tal Adjourn In Chess — With all four of the games adjourned in the twenty-seventh and semi-final round of the chess challengers' tournament last night, no changes took place in the standing, according to a report from Belgrade. The games will be played off today. Read More

October 28 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, October 28, 1959 — Tal Beats Fischer And Retains Lead — Mikhail Tal and Paul Keres, Soviet grand masters, were still first and second, respectively, in the challengers' chess tournament at Belgrade last night after the completion of twenty-seven rounds, according to a report from Read More

  • The Guardian London, Greater London, England Wednesday, October 28, 1959 — Fischer's fine play against Tal in chess tournament — The Fischer-Tal excitement began when Fischer launched his onslaught. He gave up a pawn so as to keep Tal's centre open and then a piece with the same object. Just when it seemed that his attack could not Read More

October 29 1959

Vasily Smyslov and Bobby Fischer at the Bled-Zagreb-Belgrade Candidates, 1959.
Video Clip: Smyslov-Fischer, 1959
Fischer being photographed after final round win over Smyslov.

October 30 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, October 30, 1959 — Tal Takes Challengers' Chess With a Draw in Closing Match: Fischer Beats Smyslov —A much finer performance was that of Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States champion from Brooklyn. On the black side of a Sicilian defense, he defeated Vasily Smyslov, a former world Read More

  • The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Friday, October 30, 1959 — Mikhail Tal, Latvian Grand Master — Mikhail Tal, Latvian grand master, won the World Chess Challenger's Tournament at Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Bobby Fischer of the U.S. moved into sixth place.

  • The Indianapolis News Indianapolis, Indiana Friday, October 30, 1959 — Chess, Mikhail Tal Won the World Challengers Tournament — Mikhail Tal, 23-year-old Latvian grand master, won the world challengers tournament at Belgrade. This earned him the right to meet world champion Mikhail Botvinnik, Russian grand master, for the title next year. Read More

October 31 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, October 31, 1959 — New Chess Challenger — Our own Bobby Fischer finished with a score of 12½ games won against 15½ lost. This was an enormously impressive performance for a 16-year-old lad playing against the world's best players. And the fact that Bobby chalked up victories Read More

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, October 31, 1959 — Petrosian Takes Final Chess Game —Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union beat Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia in forty-five moves to finish third in the world chess challengers' tournament, according to a report yesterday from Belgrade. Gligoric dropped into a tie for fifth with Bobby Read More

  • Asbury Park Press Asbury Park, New Jersey Saturday, October 31, 1959 — Fischer 5th In Chess Tournament — Bobby Fischer, 16, the world's youngest chess Grand Master and champion of the United States, yesterday became symbolically the world's best chess player from the Western Hemisphere. This is result of the last match played Read More

November 01 1959

  • The Journal Times Racine, Wisconsin Sunday, November 01, 1959 — World Candidates Tournament — Mikhail Tal lost ½ point of his 1½ point lead in round 26 as he drew with Petrosian while Paul Keres was winning from Pal Benko of the U.S. but Tal will be hard to beat since he faces Benko and Fischer in the final two rounds, with Benko in Read More

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, November 01, 1959 — Tal Point Ahead In Challengers' Chess — In the 27th round Tal was paired with 16-year-old Bobby Fischer, U.S. chess champion for the last two years. Fischer, who had lost three straight to Tal, attacked vigorously with the white pieces, sacrificing a pawn and a Read More

  • Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sunday, November 01, 1959 — Candidates Tournament Taking Place in Yugoslavia — The four leaders are Russians, proving once again that nation's supremacy in the world of chess. Many of Bobby Fischer's supporters will be disappointed by his showing in this event. Yet they must remember that Read More

November 02 1959

  • The News Journal Wilmington, Delaware Monday, November 02, 1959 — Russia's National Game — In the 1959 competition the winner was 24-year-old Mikhail Tal, and other Russians finished second, third and fourth. The American entrant, Bobby Fischer, was sixth of the eight contestants. Even that was a good showing for a 16-year-old. Read More

November 03 1959

  • The Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Indiana, Tuesday, November 03, 1959 — Sport Shorts: Chess — Bobby Fischer, 16, the world's youngest grand master and champion of the United States, is symbolically the best player from the Western Hemisphere. The last match completed in the world challengers tournament at Belgrade in which Russian Read More

November 07 1959

  • The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday, November 07, 1959 — Bobby Fischer vs Mikhail Tal Title Challenger — In the closing rounds Tal drew with Petrosian, defeated Fischer, and drew with Benko, while his closest rival, Paul Keres, Estonian-Russian grand-master, defeated both Benko and Gligoric but in the final round fell to low-ranked Read More

November 08 1959

  • Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, November 08, 1959 — The Players Final Standing — So we find the players from the Soviet Union capturing the first four places, all with plus scores, as against four contestants. There was a clear gap of 2½ points between fourth and fifth positions. The Soviet grand masters (a Read More

  • Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sunday, November 08, 1959 — Grandmaster Draws —Bobby Fischer of the United States and Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia tied for fifth and six places. Fredrich Olafsson of Icleand came in seventh, and Paul Benko, formerly of Hungary and now of the USA, was eighth. It is refreshing to Read More

November 15 1959

  • The Journal Times Racine, Wisconsin Sunday, November 15, 1959 — Candidates Game — Candidates tournament winner Mikhail Tal owes much of his victory to the fact that he scored 4-0 over U.S. champ Bobby Fischer in their four games. Paul Keres, who finished second, split with Fischer, winning two and losing two with no draws.

November 26 1959

November 29 1959

  • The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, November 29, 1959 — William Lombardy — Lombardy has compiled in the past few years a record in national and international events that has been surpassed only by Bobby Fischer. In 1957 Lombardy won the world junior championship with a clean score, 11—0; a rare feat. He has competed in Read More

December 1959

Mikhail Tahl (here in center), flanked by Petrosyan (right) and Fischer (left), won the right to contest with World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik for his title in 1960
Robert J. Fischer, 1959
Bobby Fischer meditating on play during a game, according to the caption furnished us by the Yugoslav photographer.

December 03 1959

  • Republican and Herald Pottsville, Pennsylvania Thursday, December 03, 1959 — U.S. Artist Offers Space Chess Set as Gift for Khrushchev — Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy who has held the title for the last two years, will be favored to retain the championship. He recently returned from Yugoslavia, where he tied with Read More

December 06 1959

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, December 06, 1959 — U.S. Chess Championship — Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy who has held the title for the last two years, will be favored to retain the championship. He recently returned from Yugoslavia, where he tied with Svetozar Gligoric for fifth place in the powerful Read More

December 11 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, December 11, 1959 — Chess Group Balks At Fischer Demand — Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion, had until Sunday to reconsider his refusal to play in this year's championship unless the pairings are redrawn in his presence. A five-man committee of the United States Chess Read More

December 13 1959

  • Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, December 13, 1959 — U.S. Chess Championship Tournament — The U.S Chess Championship Tournament gets under way in New York City next Friday, December 18. The following entries are definite: Arthur Bisguier, James T. Sherwin, Sidney Bernstein, Herbert Seidman, Arnold Read More

  • The Journal Times Racine, Wisconsin Sunday, December 13, 1959 — Fischer-Tal — Bobby Fischer had more than his share of troubles against Candidates Tournament winner Tal, failing to gain even a draw in four games. One reason might be Fischer's adherence to his favorite 6. B-QB4 in the Sicilian, which Tal had little trouble in refuting. The Read More

December 16 1959

December 17 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, December 17, 1959 — Replacement Sides With Fischer Stand —Bobby Fischer, the national chess champion, who was dropped from this year's tournament after a dispute on the pairings, was supported in his stand yesterday by his replacement. Anthony F. Saidy of Douglaston, Queens said, Read More

December 19 1959

December 20 1959

  • The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, December 27, 1959 — The King's Men: U.S. Hopes For Title Are Dashed — Fischer Fifth As Tahl Tops Tournament by Merrill Dowden — Once again the hopes of Americans everywhere for bringing the chess championship of the world to the United States have gone a-glimmering. A few weeks Read More

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, December 20, 1959 — Reshevsky Wins First Game In Title Tourney — At the moment of writing it is uncertain whether the brilliant defending champion, 16-year-old Bobby Fischer, will participate in the tournament. He objected to the fact that pairings were made and the schedule arranged Read More

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, December 20, 1959 — Chess — The spotlight in the year's chess activities was monopolized largely by Bobby Fischer, a 16-year-old student at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. Fischer started 1959 by retaining the United States championship and the Lessing J. Rosenwald Challenge Trophy. Read More

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, December 20, 1959 — Fischer Achieves Fortunate Draw: Hard-Pressed by Byrne in U.S. Chess, Defender Splits Point on Technicality — Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old defender, was brilliantly outplayed by Robert Byrne of Indianapolis, but nevertheless drew in forty moves in the United States chess Read More

December 21 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, December 21, 1959 — Reshevsky Draws With Benko In 16 Moves in U.S. Chess Play — Bobby Fischer, the defender, Arthur B. Bisguier and James T. Sherwin adjourned their games. Fischer halted play after forty-two moves with Raymond Weinstein in an even ending. Bisguier is a pawn ahead with Read More

December 22 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, December 22, 1959 — Fischer A Victor Ties For Second: U.S. Chess Champion Beats Bisguier in 60 Moves —The United States chess champion, Bobby Fischer, defending his title in the annual tournament for the Lessing J. Rosenwald trophy, scored his first victory of the competition last night. The Read More

December 24 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, December 24, 1959 — Fischer Assumes Title Chess Lead — Bobby Fischer, the 16-year-old United States chess champion, set the pace last night in the fifth round of the national championship tournament for the Lessing J. Rosenwald trophy at the Manhattan Chess Club. He defeated Robin Read More

December 25 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Friday, December 25, 1959 — Pawn Line Break Wins For Fischer: Champion's Maneuver Key To Victory Over Ault in U.S. Title Chess — After five rounds, with five adjourned games still pending, Bobby Fischer, the defending champion, and Samuel Reshevsky are first and second, respectively. Herbert Read More

December 26 1959

December 27 1959

  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, December 27, 1959 — Fischer In Tourney; Reshevsky Leads — The big news at the start of the tournament for the United States Chess Championship was that Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old defending titleholder, would participate after all. The youngster had withdrawn because of his Read More

  • The Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts, Sunday, December 27, 1959 — United States Chess Championship Pairing Difficulties — United States chess champion Bobby Fischer threatened to withdraw from the current championship tournament on a point of procedure. After being notified by mail of the pairings for the tournament, Fischer insisted Read More

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, December 27, 1959 — Fischer, Sherwin Draw in 35 Moves: Defending Champion Keeps Lead in National Chess — Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, still was undefeated after six rounds in the national title tournament for the Lessing J. Rosenwald trophy at the Manhattan Chess Club. Read More

  • Sunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, December 27, 1959 — National Chess Championship Tournament —Apparently the defending champion, 16-year-old Bobby Fischer, almost did not compete due to an objection on his part to the manner of making the pairings. Bobby wanted it done as they did in Europe. The matter was Read More

December 28 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, December 28, 1959 — Fischer Sets Back Seidman in Chess —Bobby Fischer and Samuel Reshevsky, the favorites in the United States championship, won seventh-round games last night at the Marshall Chess Club. Fischer, the defending champion, defeated Herbert Seidman in seventeen Read More

  • The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Monday, December 28, 1959 — Chess Is Used As 'Parallel Bars' — Goodman believes chess is a game for young and vigorous people. He points out that the present United States champion, Bobby Fischer, is only 16 and that chess immortal Paul Morphy was in his prime at 20.

December 29 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, December 29, 1959 — Fischer Extends His Lead In Chess: Champion Beats Bernstein in 38 Moves — Bobby Fischer, defending his title, scored his fifth victory of the United States championship tournament at the Marshall Chess Club last night. Bobby defeated a fellow Brooklynite, Sidney Bernstein, Read More

December 30 1959

December 31 1959

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, December 31, 1959 — Byrne Sets Back Denker In Chess — While Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, and Samuel Reshevsky, his chief rival, were kept busy last night by their opponents, Robert Byrne of the University of Indianapolis crept up on them with a fine victory over Arnold Read More

Book Listings

Political Propaganda · Smear Campaign: These articles were part of politically-motivated smear campaign of Bobby Fischer, spanning 1960's till his death in 2008. Sources often cited 1962, Ralph Ginzburg (sued by Presidential Candidate Barry Goldwater for defamation); Ronald Gross who claimed he ‘moved to New York’ to substantiate his sordid rumors about Fischer. (Search Chess Grand Master Isaac Kashdan's Los Angeles Times chess column which meticulously documents the 1950's-1970's residency of Ronald Gross as 'Compton, California'.)

1,000,000 bribe offered to “take down” Israel's critics (State PROPAGANDA). In 1980, you could earn as much spreading propaganda, as you could winning a chess tournament!
For examples where Chess has been sold out for a political agenda and deception, see and

'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.

Special Thanks