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

1972 August 05

The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana Saturday, August 05, 1972 - Page 3

Bobby Makes 'Shady' Move
New York (UPI)—The midnight sun of Iceland is getting to Bobby Fischer and interfering with his sleep.
Yesterday he ordered an eyeshade from Hammacher Schlemmer, the New York gift shop which specializes in everything from kayaks to crystal mugs.
The black rayon-and-cotton shades, held in place by an elastic string, cost $5.
Hammacher Schlemmer said it had airmailed two in case Fischer wanted to give one to his opponent, Boris Spassky.

Bobby Makes 'Shady' Move

The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana Saturday, August 05, 1972 - Page 3

Hypnotist Offers To Play Boris, Bobby Jointly
Reykjavik (UPI)—A British hypnotist has offered to play world chess champion Boris Spassky of Russia and challenger Bobby Fischer jointly for $300,000, a U.S. official said yesterday.
Fred Cramer, vice-president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Fischer aide in the current world championship match, said the challenge from Ronald Markham had been received.
“We will not disturb Bobby during the match, but that's the kind of money we like to talk about,” Cramer said. “We would like, however, to check his credit rating. It could be a publicity stunt.”
Markham said in Durban, South Africa, Thursday, that he was willing to play “blindfolded, with brass bands playing in the background and television cameras two inches from my nose.”
He said his challenge was prompted by the “prima donna atmosphere of the world championship game.”

Hypnotist Offers To Play Boris, Bobby Jointly

The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana Saturday, August 05, 1972 - Page 3

Chess Moves Listed For 10th Title Game
Reykjavik, Iceland (UPI) — The moves in the 10th game of the Boris Spassky-Bobby Fischer world chess championship: Fischer white; Spassky black.

Chess Moves Listed For 10th Title Game

The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana Saturday, August 05, 1972 - Page 3

Boris Bopped By Bobby; Russ Staggering On Ropes
Rekyjavik, Iceland (AP) — American challenger Bobby Fischer has battered his way past the halfway mark in his drive for the world chess title. He forced champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union to toss in the sponge after 56 moves of the 10th game yesterday.
For the Russian it was a humiliating defeat that grandmasters say has likely cost him his crown. He now trails the American by a score of 6½ to 3½. Fischer needs to win 12½ points to take the championship. Spassky needs 12 wins to retain it. A victory is worth one point, a draw half a point.
THE 11TH game of the match is set for tomorrow with Spassky playing the white. But Spassky has lost twice, drawn twice and won only once with the white pieces. Thus far, he has beaten Fischer only once. One of Spassky's wins was a forfeit.
Fischer exploited a classic-style Ruy Lopez opening into a systematic dismantlement of the Russian's defense until the champion conceded that checkmate was inevitable and resigned. The two shook hands. Fischer took a quick gulp of fruit juice and left the stage.
The game had been adjourned Thursday after 40 moves, and even then it had appeared to onlooking grandmasters that the Russian was in deep trouble. As the game resumed yesterday, David Levy, an international master, commented that if Spassky should lose it, “the whole match becomes a farce.”
THE 29-YEAR-OLD challenger from Brooklyn, N.Y., took fullest advantage of an edge in position, pushing his pawns relentlessly while picking off those of the champion. Spassky put up a two-hour fight but it was clear in the end game that he was looking at disaster. He had only one rook, a bishop and a pawn to Fischer's two rooks and two pawns.
Spassky showed up five minutes late, his appearance seeming to reflect his state of mind. He looked wan and for the first time the dapper Russian wore no necktie. The challenger had been pacing the stage, impatient to get on with the game.
AS THE TWO seated themselves, referee Lothar Schmid opened the sealed envelope containing Fischer's 41st move, decided upon the night before. Spassky, as a master, could have expected no other than Fischer's K-K2.
“That's the one,” exclaimed Jack Collins, Fischer's first chess teacher.
The move forced Spassky to move his threatened rook to his Q-4 and from then on for the Russia it was a hopeless, uphill defensive struggle. At the moment he had a forward pair of pawns on his queen's side, but Fischer gave him no opportunity to exploit them.
“This is terrible,” commented a Fischer aide. “Spassky is making a fool of himself. He should have resigned when they opened the sealed move.”
THERE had been little question of the outcome after the move was opened. Spassky had lost even the chance of a draw.
“Spassky is massacred,” cried grandmaster Svetozar Gligoric. “It is terrible that the world champion cannot even manage a draw.”

Boris Bopped By Bobby; Russ Staggering On Ropes

'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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