ANew 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, “I do not think the tournament has been set up according to international procedure. I'm participating, however, because it's an opportunity I wouldn't want to miss.”
Fischer, from Brooklyn, disagreed with a five-man committee which made the pairings and then notified the contestants. Fischer claimed a public drawing should have taken place, with the contestants attending. This, he said, is required by international chess rules.
The committee and Fischer couldn't resolve the difference and Saidy was picked to replace Fischer. The tournament starts tomorrow at the West Side Y.M.C.A.
Fischer has taken part in three national championship tourneys, winning the last two. Each was conducted without a public drawing of pairings.
