New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, December 30, 1959
Fischer Defeats Mednis In Chess
Triumphs in 40 Moves and Keeps Lead at 7½-1½ in U.S. Tourney Here
Bobby Fischer, the defending champion, and Samuel Reshevsky, an international grandmaster, triumphed in the ninth round of the United States chess championship at the Manhattan Chess Club last night.
Fischer, after an eventful forty moves with Edmar Mednis, a former New York University star, remained in the lead with a score of 7½—1½. Reshevsky, pitted against Robin Ault of Cranford, N.J., scored in twenty-one moves to remain second with 6—2.
Fischer resorted to the Sicilian defense and Mednis castled on the Queen's side of the board. This turned out to be disastrous for him in the long run.
Mednis Uses Pressure
Nevertheless, Mednis exerted pressure on the king's side, as the champion had posted his king at K2. With all of his major pieces massed on the queen's knight's file, Fischer found an ingenious way of breaking through and winning the white queen.
Reshevsky elected to play a close opening, to which Ault reacted with the Gruenfield defense. Both castled on the king's side of the board and Ault retreated with king to rook square. A pretty sacrifice of a knight at his twentieth move destroyed Ault's position so that he resigned a move later.
Robert Byrne of the University of Indianapolis defeated Raymond Weinstein of Brooklyn in a Nimzo-Indian defense, adopted by the latter, in forty-nine moves. Byrne offered up a knight on the twenty-third move, which Weinstein dared not capture because of a threatened checkmate.
Byrne Gains Exchange
However, Byrne gained the exchange and went on to win. The point gained by Byrne placed him third in the standing with 5—3.
With his own king beleaguered, Sidney Bernstein, after opening irregularly, sprang a forced checkmate against Herbert Seidman, conqueror of Reshevsky, by sacrificing his queen after twenty-six moves.
Arthur B. Bisguier won from Arnold S. Denker in a Nimzo-Indian defense in forty-two moves after capturing one of his opponent's knights.
Pal Benko essayed the English opening against James T. Sherwin, who turned it into a King's Indian defense. They adjourned after forty moves.
