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

Spassky Rated Edge: Fischer's Risky Move Changed Chess Picture

Back to 1972 News Articles

Lansing State Journal Lansing, Michigan Wednesday, July 12, 1972 - Page 14

Spassky Rated Edge by Stephens Broening
Fischer's Risky Move Changed Chess Picture
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — Defending champion Boris Spassky was favored by the experts to beat American challenger Bobby Fischer in the opening game of the world chess match when play resumes this afternoon.
The opener of the richest chess competition in history adjourned Tuesday night after 4 hours and 34 minutes of play and 40 moves by each player.
THE GAME was to resume at 5 p.m.—1 p.m. EDT.
Referee Lothar Schmid of West Germany will make Spassky's 41st move. The Russian wrote it on a slip of paper and handed it to him in a sealed envelope at the adjournment.
The two competitors, their seconds and chess enthusiasts throughout the world spent part of the overnight break analyzing possibilities for the 11 pieces remaining on the green-and-white chessboard in Reykjavik's sports hall: king and five pawns for Fischer; king, bishop and three pawns and a bishop for Spassky.
THE MATCH had appeared headed for a draw until Fischer tried to seize the initiative on his 29th move.
The lanky Brooklyn, N.Y., challenger galloped his bishop down a long black diagonal to snatch an unprotected pawn Spassky had offered. A few moves later the bishop was trapped and lost in exchange for two pawns.
U.S. grandmaster Robert Byrne said it was a blunder and commented, “Fischer is going to have trouble making a draw. I don't see how Spassky can lose.”
ANALYZING THE game for The Associated Press, international grandmaster Isaac Kashdan termed Fischer's move “a rare miscalculation by the American genius.” He said it gave Spassky good prospects for a win.
Svetozar Gligoric, the Yugoslav grandmaster present at the tournament, said “It is doubtful whether black can save a draw.” Spassky, who had the first move, is playing the white pieces, Fischer the black.
Fischer has played Spassky five times in the past, losing all three times he played the black pieces and getting draws both times he played the whites and had the advantage of the first move. But London bookies have made the 29-year-old American the favorite over the 35-year-old Russian in the 24-game championship.
A DRAW counts half a point and a win a point. To dethrone Spassky, Fischer needs 12½ points while the Russian can retain his crown with 12 points. The winner will get $153,125 in prize money, the loser $91,875, and in addition they will divide equally an estimated $55,000 or more from film and television sales.
The second game of the match is scheduled for Thursday and the third Sunday. The contest may last two months.
Photo Caption: Duplicate Board Shows Status of Spassky-Fischer Chess Match (UPI Photo)

Duplicate Board Shows Status of Spassky-Fischer Chess MatchDuplicate Board Shows Status of Spassky-Fischer Chess Match 12 Jul 1972, Wed Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Newspapers.com Spassky Rated EdgeSpassky Rated Edge 12 Jul 1972, Wed Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Newspapers.com
Duplicates · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

'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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