New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, December 31, 1959
Byrne Sets Back Denker In Chess
Indianapolis Student Beats 1944 Victor in 37 Moves at U.S. Title Tourney
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 S. Denker.
Denker, the 1944 champion, lost in the tenth round of the national championship tournament for the Lessing J. Rosenwald trophy at the Manhattan Chess Club.
Byrne strengthened his hold on third place and, with a score of 6—3, became a threat to the two leaders.
Reshevsky Beats Sherwin
Reshevsky, on the black side of a Sicilian defense, defeated James T. Sherwin in forty-one moves at the close of the night session. Reshevsky then had a score of 7—2. Fischer had 7½—1½.
Fischer also consumed five hours in a tough struggle with Paul Benko. They adjourned after forty-one moves in an approximately even rook and pawn ending.
Arthur B. Bisguier, a former title-holder, won in thirty moves from Robin Ault of Cranford, N.J. and held fourth place in the standing with 5-4.
Byrne played the King's Indian defense against Denker, both castling on the king's side of the board. The former Yale player drove back his opponent's queen bishop and then exchanged a knight for it. While Denker lost time capturing a distant pawn, Byrne got control of the open king's file and, with knight and bishop supporting, won smartly in thirty-seven moves.
Najdorf Variation Used
Reshevsky followed the Najdorf variation in the Sicilian defense and castled on the queen's side. Sherwin followed suit. Queens were exchanged on the sixteenth move. Superior maneuvering netted Reshevsky two pawns. In the ending each had two bishops but Reshevsky still had the advantage in pawns, by 6—4, and Sherwin decided to resign.
Two other games were adjourned: Herbert Seidman and Raymond Weinstein and Sidney Bernstein and Edmar Mednis.
There will be no play today and adjourned games are scheduled for 3 P.M. tomorrow at the Manhattan Chess Club.
