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The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, California, Sunday, October 11, 1959
MENTION was made here two weeks ago of America's amazing young David taking part in the challengers chess tournament in Yugoslavia to pick an opponent for world champion Mikhail Botvinnik, a Russian.
He is Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, only 16 years old, the first person his age ever to participate in such stratospheric chess circles. I pointed out that since chess is Russia's national game, an impressive score by Bobby would be a tremendous propaganda coup for us.
Well, Bobby the other day astounded the chess world by defeating the Soviets' formidable Paul Keres — and in only 27 moves! Keres is ranked among the top four or five chess grandmasters in the world. Only Botvinnik ever has defeated Keres in so few moves.
Latest reports however indicate Bobby has fallen behind in the tournament itself and probably will have to wait a few more years before he has another crack at a chance for the world title match.
