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

That's A Big IF

Back to 1972 News Articles

That's A Big IF

From The Age Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Friday, July 21, 1972 we get this bit of distortion, and one of the prime culprits behind spreading sensational fiction is none other than one of Fischer's arch rivals, Larry Evans. Larry Evans was Robert Fischer's “second” in Argentina during the Petrosian-Fischer quarter final tournament in 1971. Reported by numerous chess columnists in 1971, Evans threw a tantrum, because Fischer didn't need him. Evans returned home halfway through the tournament! Meanwhile, when the matter arose again about Evans serving as Fischer's second in Reykjavik, Fischer refused, according to Evans himself. One condition being that Fischer forbid Evans to write about him and/or publish.

Evans remained disgruntled from that time forward, using every available opportunity to bad-mouth and smear Fischer in the press and spread false stories, but always using Fischer's notoriety to bolster his own career and publicity interests. Such as this bit that Evans circulated without evidence, and mentioned in The Age, 7/21/1972, “In Washington, the usually conservative evening newspaper the STAR claimed earlier this week that White House aide Dr. Kissinger had made an 11th-hour intervention last Monday with a telephone appeal to Fischer not to walk out of the series. ([Really? Who's trying to claim Fischer was actually the one with the “attitude problem”? What about those rule-breaking Soviet and Icelandic organizers refusing to remove disruptive camera men and nearly jeopardized the tournament?]) The newspaper's special correspondent in Reykjavik, LARRY EVANS, solemnly reported that Dr. Kissinger told Fischer that America's honor was at stake, and that there was also the little matter of U.S. military bases in Iceland. IF THE REPORT WAS CORRECT…”

… and that's a big “If”.

Larry Evans was also complicit in spreading false news stories from August 14, 1972 that falsely alleged Nixon extended a White House invitation to Fischer. There was no truth to the claim and the New York Times even notes on August 7, 1972 when it did its own follow up investigation: “White House press aides declined comment on the reported invitation yesterday.” (See New York Times “White House Reported To Invite Fischer”.)

When the White House declines comment, it's further supporting evidence that Fischer was never extended an invitation, which justified the resentment Fischer often expressed toward Richard Nixon, in later years. Larry Evans reported falsely in his column, embellishing on Brad Darrach and Harry Benson's fables, that Nixon enlisted the services of Harry Benson (imagine that! Does the President of the most powerful nation in the world actually need, or think so highly of a couple of Life reporters, to enlist their aide to serve as White House courier-liaisons?!) yet, that's precisely what Larry Evans, Brad Darrach and Harry Benson released in the press, claiming Nixon sent the invitation through Harry Benson. Larry Evans followed up by claiming Fischer simply “forgot” it.

There is no evidence Kissinger, Nixon or the White House had anything at all to do with Fischer during his tournament in Iceland, unless Kissinger comes forward and personally confirmed he ever made a phone call. Short of that, nothing except a couple scurrilous reports by attention-craving columnists like Evans and Darrach.

The only confirmation beyond White House officials stating “No Comment” is a report released September 04, 1972 confirming: “Fischer received a congratulatory telegram from President Nixon. Aides to Fischer said the new champion shuffled his feet and broke into a big smile as he read the telegram, despite the fact that it did not extend a White House dinner invitation”.

Robert J. Fischer, an American, would justifiably grow bitter in his resentment toward Richard Nixon's refusal to give the due acknowledgement for the intellectual feat accomplished for American prestige, during the summer of 1972.

That's A Big IF

'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.

Special Thanks