The Gift of Chess

Notice to commercial publishers seeking use of images from this collection of chess-related archive blogs. For use of the many large color restorations, two conditions must be met: 1) It is YOUR responsibility to obtain written permissions for use from the current holders of rights over the original b/w photo. Then, 2) make a tax-deductible donation to The Gift of Chess in honor of Robert J. Fischer-Newspaper Archives. A donation in the amount of $250 USD or greater is requested for images above 2000 pixels and other special request items. For small images, such as for fair use on personal blogs, all credits must remain intact and a donation is still requested but negotiable. Please direct any photographs for restoration and special request (for best results, scanned and submitted at their highest possible resolution), including any additional questions to S. Mooney, at bobbynewspaperblogs•gmail. As highlighted in the ABC News feature, chess has numerous benefits for individuals, including enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, improving concentration and memory, and promoting social interaction and community building. Initiatives like The Gift of Chess have the potential to bring these benefits to a wider audience, particularly in areas where access to educational and recreational resources is limited.

Best of Chess Fischer Newspaper Archives
• Robert J. Fischer, 1955 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1956 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1957 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1958 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1959 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1960 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1961 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1962 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1963 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1964 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1965 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1966 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1967 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1968 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1969 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1970 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1971 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1972 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1973 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1974 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1975 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1976 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1977 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1978 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1979 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1980 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1981 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1982 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1983 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1984 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1985 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1986 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1987 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1988 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1989 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1990 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1991 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1992 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1993 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1994 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1995 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1996 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1997 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1998 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1999 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2000 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2001 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2002 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2003 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2004 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2005 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2006 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2007 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2008 bio + additional games
Chess Columns Additional Archives/Social Media

Articles from 1955 Index

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1953

Bobby Fischer, January 1953
Bobby Fischer, January 1953
Bobby Fischer, January 1953

Dan E Mayers vs Robert James Fischer

The young chess prodigy, Bobby Fischer, polishing off anothing hypothetical opponent.
The young chess prodigy, Bobby Fischer, polishing off anothing hypothetical opponent.
Young Fischer at what he loves and does best!

1954

Jacob Altusky vs Robert James Fischer

Robert James Fischer vs Jacob Altusky

1955

Anthony Wayne Conger vs Robert James Fischer

May 22, 1955

Albert Brown Humphrey vs Robert James Fischer

U.S. Junior Open 1955 Lincoln, Nebraska. Bobby Fischer, bottom row, right, first in line.
USA Junior Chess Championship 1955, Lincoln, Nebraska, at the YMCA. From left: Robert Fischer, Andy Starlis, Alexander Liepnieks, Kenwood Opp, Henry Gross, Larry Remlinger, Green.
Second row betw. A. Leipnieks & K. Opp-the winner of the tournament (9:1 score) Charles Kalme (Philadelphia).
Bobby Fischer plays a board game with the young Liepnieks, children of the Lincoln, Nebraska Open Junior Championship.  Photo created approximately July 1955.

July 15, 1955

Robert James Fischer vs Kenneth Warner

July 16, 1955

William Whisler vs Robert James Fischer

  • The Lincoln Star Lincoln, Nebraska Saturday, July 16, 1955 — Junior Chess Enthusiasts Begin National Play Here — Twenty-five young chess enthusiasts from all over the country scratched their heads and pondered their moves Friday evening as the first round of the 10th annual junior chess championship tournament got underway Read More

July 17, 1955

Jimmy Thomason vs Robert James Fischer

July 18, 1955

Robert James Fischer vs David Ames

July 21, 1955

Robert James Fischer vs Viktors Pupols

July 24, 1955

Robert James Fischer vs Franklin Saksena

July 25, 1955

  • Lincoln Journal Star Lincoln, Nebraska Monday, July 25, 1955 — Young Native of Latvia Wins Junior Chess Contest — A Philadelphia youth born in Latvia 15 years ago has won the 10th U.S. Junior Chess Championship. Charles Kalme earned $75 worth of prizes after winning nine of his 10 matches in the tournament at the Lincoln YMCA.

July 26, 1955

  • The Lincoln Star Lincoln, Nebraska Tuesday, July 26, 1955 — Ex-Latvian Wins Title — A special trophy for contestants 12 and younger went to Robert Fischer, New York.

October 03, 1955

  • New York Times, New York, NY, Monday, October 03, 1955 — Gets Park Chess Prize — Eastman Wins at Washington Sq.—Boy, 12, Near Top —Charles Eastman won first prize of a $100 savings bond yesterday afternoon in the final chess tournament of the season in Washington Square Park. But he had to share the limelight with Read More

October 05, 1955

  • Gettys Images - New York Daily News, Wednesday, October 05, 1955 — Young Bobby Fischer — Bobby Fischer, 12, of 560 Lincoln Place, knows how to move about home plate as a batter. Playmate Johnny Cohen is catching. Fischer also knows how to make his move on the chessboard. Already rated an expert player with an excellent chance of Read More

At Chess, He's on Ball. Bobby Fischer, 12, of 560 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, knows how to move about home plate as a batter.

October 09, 1955

  • Daily News New York, New York Sunday, October 09, 1955 — At Chess, He's on Ball —Bobby Fischer, 12, of 560 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, knows how to move about home plate as a batter. Playmate Johnny Cohen is catching. Fischer also knows how to make his move on the chessboard. Already rated an expert player with an Read More

November 26, 1955

Bobby Fischer simultaneous exhibition held at the Manhattan Chess Club, November 26, 1955, New York.
Fischer exhibition 11/26/1955. William Lombardy watches on.
Christmas Greetings to the Liepnicks Family of Nebraska.

December 11, 1955

  • New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, December 11, 1955 — Chess 'War' On 12 Fronts — The simultaneous exhibition game is a common device for displaying the talents of a chess expert. Here, a particularly young one, Bobby Fischer, 12, of the Manhattan Chess Club, is shown playing twelve of the youth group Read More

December 1955 Bobby Fischer Chess Simultaneous Exhibition. The event was covered in Sunday, December 11, 1955, New York Times.

Chess 'War' On 12 Fronts

Back to 1955 Index

New York Times, New York, NY, Sunday, December 11, 1955

Chess 'War' On 12 Fronts

Chess 'War' On 12 Fronts
The simultaneous exhibition game is a common device for displaying the talents of a chess expert. Here, a particularly young one, Bobby Fischer, 12, of the Manhattan Chess Club, is shown playing twelve of the youth group (aged 7 to 12) of the Yorkstown, N.Y. Chess Club. He won all twelve games.

Young Bobby Fischer

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Gettys Images - New York Daily News, Wednesday, October 05, 1955

Young Bobby Fischer

Young Bobby Fischer
Bobby Fischer, 12, of 560 Lincoln Place, knows how to move about home plate as a batter. Playmate Johnny Cohen is catching. Fischer also knows how to make his move on the chessboard. Already rated an expert player with an excellent chance of someday winning international chess titles, the youngster began playing at 6. (Photo By: C.O. Mamay/NY Daily News via Getty Images)

Gets Park Chess Prize

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New York Times, New York, NY, Monday, October 03, 1955

Gets Park Chess Prize

Gets Park Chess Prize
Eastman Wins at Washington Sq.—Boy, 12, Near Top
Charles Eastman won first prize of a $100 savings bond yesterday afternoon in the final chess tournament of the season in Washington Square Park. But he had to share the limelight with 12-year-old Bobby Fischer, who had weather the month-long contest and thirty-two eliminations before being beaten.
Mr. Eastman, who lives at 128 West Eleventh Street, defeated Joe Livingston of 111 East Twenty-eighth Street in forty-five minutes. Mr. Livingston received a $50 bond. Charles Becker of 105-15 Sixty-sixth Road, Forest Hills, Queens, received a $25 bond for third place.
But many in the crowd of 400 onlookers seemed to think the best show was given by Bobby Fischer. Despite competition from his more mature and experienced adversaries, he was unbeaten until yesterday, when he came within fifteen players of the championship. He lives at 560 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn.
The contest, played under Swiss rules, involved sixty-six persons. Thirty-three were eliminated.

At Chess, He's on Ball

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Daily News New York, New York Sunday, October 09, 1955

At Chess, He's on BallAt Chess, He's on Ball 09 Oct 1955, Sun Daily News (New York, New York) Newspapers.com

At Chess, He's on Ball
Bobby Fischer, 12, of 560 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, knows how to move about home plate as a batter. Playmate Johnny Cohen is catching. Fischer also knows how to make his move () on the chessboard. Already rated an expert player with an excellent chance of some day winning international chess title, youngster began playing at 6. Besides his baseball ability, he is a speedy swimmer.
—Story on p. 20

Brooklyn Lad Rates High in Chess World
Brooklyn, whose Dodgers have scaled the baseball heights, might well have another world champ in the not-too-distant future.
Bobby Fischer, 12, of 560 Lincoln Place, is already rated an expert chess player with an excellent possibility of some day winning the international title.
Bobby, who has won quite a few awards, recently weathered a month-long competition and 32 eliminations at a tournament in Washington Square Park. He came within 15 players of the championship against adult competition.

Brooklyn Lad Rates High in Chess World Brooklyn Lad Rates High in Chess WorldBrooklyn Lad Rates High in Chess World 09 Oct 1955, Sun Daily News (New York, New York) Newspapers.com

Gift Started It
He began playing chess six years ago when his sister, Joan, now 18 and a student nurse at Brooklyn College, brought home a chess set and a book of rules.
Since then Bobby has spent all of his spare time with chess and has read just about every book he could find on the subject.
Two years ago he joined the Brooklyn Chess Club, which has its headquarters at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and has been tutored by the club president, Carmine Nigro.
Under Nigro, who predicts a bright future for the lad, Bobby flashed big-time form at the U.S. Amateur Tournament at Mohican Lake, N.Y., and in the U.S. Junior Tournament at Lincoln, Neb.

Playing Right Now
Last February he tied for third, fourth and fifth place in the Brooklyn Chess Club Tournament, and he is slated for ever greater things, according to Nigro, in the club's current tournament.
An eighth grade pupil at Brooklyn Community-Woodward School, 321 Clinton Ave., Bobby stands out in athletics as well as studies. He is talented baseball player and a speedy swimmer.
And his teacher say he is one of the most promising painters among the students.

Duplicates

Young Native of Latvia Wins Junior Chess Contest

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Lincoln Journal Star Lincoln, Nebraska Monday, July 25, 1955

Young Native of Latvia Wins Junior Chess Contest Young Native of Latvia Wins Junior Chess ContestYoung Native of Latvia Wins Junior Chess Contest 25 Jul 1955, Mon Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) Newspapers.com

Young Native of Latvia Wins Junior Chess Contest
A Philadelphia youth born in Latvia 15 years ago has won the 10th U.S. Junior Chess Championship.
Charles Kalme earned $75 worth of prizes after winning nine of his 10 matches in the tournament at the Lincoln YMCA.
Larry Remlinger, 13, of Long Beach, Calif., placed second with a 7½-2½ score. Third was Robert Cross, 20, of Santa Monica, Calif., with 7-3.
Andy Staklis, 16, of Lincoln and Ronald Gross, 19, of Compton, Calif., tied for fourth.
Other high finishers in the meet, which attracted 25 entries, were John Rinaldo, 16, of Long Beach, Calif.; Robert Lorber, 16, of Reseda, Calif., Sanford Greene, 18, of New York; Victor Pupols, 20, of Tacoma, Wash.; and Barton Lewis, 20, of Lincoln.
A special trophy for contestants 12 and younger went to Robert Fischer of New York.
Alexander Liepnieks was director of the tournament, which began July 15.

Duplicates

Junior Chess Enthusiasts Begin National Play Here

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The Lincoln Star Lincoln, Nebraska Saturday, July 16, 1955

Junior Chess Enthusiasts Begin National Play Here Junior Chess Enthusiasts Begin National Play HereJunior Chess Enthusiasts Begin National Play Here 16 Jul 1955, Sat The Lincoln Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) Newspapers.com

Junior Chess Enthusiasts Begin National Play Here
Twenty-five young chess enthusiasts from all over the country scratched their heads and pondered their moves Friday evening as the first round of the 10th annual junior chess championship tournament got underway at the YMCA.
The youngsters, many of them experts, range in age from 12 to 20 and come from as far away as New York City, Texas and California.
Under the joint sponsorship of the U.S. Chess Federation and the Lincoln Chess Club, the 10-round tournament lasts until July 24.
Tournament director is Alex Liepnieks of Lincoln who is also the Nebraska State Chess champion. Ten prizes will be awarded to the winners plus trophies.
Lincolnite
Four Lincoln lads are entered in the meet. They are Jim Dick, 15; Andris Staklis, 16; John Winkleman, 14, and Barton Lewis, 20.
First round results played Friday evening: Kenneth Warner, 17, Bakersfield, Calif., over Robert Fischer, 12, New York City.

'til the world understands why Robert J. Fischer criticised the U.S./British and Russian military industry imperial alliance and their own Israeli Apartheid. Sarah Wilkinson explains:

Bobby Fischer, First Amendment, Freedom of Speech
What a sad story Fischer was,” typed a racist, pro-imperialist colonial troll who supports mega-corporation entities over human rights, police state policies & white supremacy.
To which I replied: “Really? I think he [Bob Fischer] stood up to the broken system of corruption and raised awareness! Whether on the Palestinian/Israel-British-U.S. Imperial Apartheid scam, the Bush wars of ‘7 countries in 5 years,’ illegally, unconstitutionally which constituted mass xenocide or his run in with police brutality in Pasadena, California-- right here in the U.S., police run rampant over the Constitution of the U.S., on oath they swore to uphold, but when Americans don't know the law, and the cops either don't know or worse, “don't care” -- then I think that's pretty darn “sad”. I think Mr. Fischer held out and fought the good fight, steadfast til the day he died, and may he Rest In Peace.
Educate yourself about U.S./State Laws --
https://www.youtube.com/@AuditTheAudit/videos
After which the troll posted a string of profanities, confirming there was never any genuine sentiment of “compassion” for Mr. Fischer, rather an intent to inflict further defamatory remarks.

This ongoing work is a tribute to the life and accomplishments of Robert “Bobby” Fischer who passionately loved and studied chess history. May his life continue to inspire many other future generations of chess enthusiasts and kibitzers, alike.

Robert J. Fischer, Kid Chess Wizard 1956March 9, 1943 - January 17, 2008

The photograph of Bobby Fischer (above) from the March 02, 1956 The Tampa Times was discovered by Sharon Mooney (Bobby Fischer Newspaper Archive editor) on February 01, 2018 while gathering research materials for this ongoing newspaper archive project. Along with lost games now being translated into Algebraic notation and extractions from over two centuries of newspapers, it is but one of the many lost treasures to be found in the pages of old newspapers since our social media presence was first established November 11, 2017.

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