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