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
Caption: Bobby Fischer plots move in match with Robert Byrne at Manhattan Chess Club. United States chess champion becomes fidgety as he ponders the movement.
Decision had not been made at this point but Fischer retained championship by gaining a draw in match.
15-Year-Old Student Draws Final Test With R. Byrne
Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn successfully defended his united States chess championship by drawing in the eleventh and final round of the Lessing J. Rosenwald Trophy tournament at the Manhattan Chess Club yesterday. The talented 15-year-old student at Erasmus Hall High School in Flatbush drew with Robert Byrne of Indianapolis, the elder of the two Byrne brothers, in twenty-eight moves.
Fischer was the only undefeated player in the tournament. He had established himself so strongly in first place, thanks to his eighty-six-move victory over Arthur B. Bisguier in the semi final round that he needed only a draw to clinch his triumph. This he accomplished amid the applause of the fans in the crowded room. The applause ended quickly to avoid interference with other players who were still bent over their boards.
The finish could hardly be termed romantic. First Byrne declined the offer of a draw made by Fischer, who had set up a King's Indian defense.
Later Byrne found he could make no headway against the champion's sound defense. The boy marvel thereupon agreed to the proposal to split the point, which left him safe in first place with a score of 8½—2½. He won six games and drew five. Samuel Reshevsky of Spring Valley, N.Y., drew with Paul Benko, a Hungarian refugee, and finished in second place. They had made only fourteen moves, without either gaining any advantage. Reshevsky's final score of 7½-3½ was made up of five games won, five drawn and one lost—to Fischer.
Fischer's defeat of the international grandmaster in the sixth round was the turning point in the tournament.
Raymond Weinstein, Brooklyn College, held Donald Byrne of Valparaiso, Ind., to a draw in forty moves. With three games left, the standing was as follows:
