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

Chess Championship: Fischer's conduct is price of genius

The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tuesday, August 08, 1972 - Page 8

Chess Championship: Fischer's conduct is price of genius
To the editor:
Bobby Fischer's chess games are a unique source of pleasure. He is not merely successful: his games are more profound than any other player in the history of the game. Fischer's devastatingly high caliber of play can only be achieved by superb natural talent, years of hard work, and an overpowering, burning ambition.
Bring an experienced tournament player myself, I know how difficult it is to retain the intense fighting spirit so necessary for consistent success.
Bobby Fischer's fighting spirit is a product of a sensitive, suspicious nature that makes him appear eccentric. This is a small price to pay for the ability to create chess masterpieces of incredible beauty and brilliance.
Steven Wexler
Penn State Chess Team, 1972 United States Team Champions, Huntingdon Valley

To the Editor:
I have read with some dismay several letters and editorials criticizing Bobby Fischer. I find these criticisms outrageous.
After all, what did America ever do for Bobby Fischer? He is where he is today through his own efforts and skill. He is probably the greatest chess player in the world and that is no mean achievement.
So many Americans criticize Fischer and yet dote on the good-guy athletes and pay them millions for the questionable talent of hitting a ball with a bat or throwing a ludicrous elliptical ball.
Could the reason for Fischer's unpopularity in his own country be his rejection of planned mediocrity (he dropped out of high school)? Is Fischer an embarrassing fault in our Brave New World American style? In truth, America does not deserve Fischer; America's national heroes are Joe Namaths, not world champion chess players.
John P. O'Neill
Philadelphia.

To the Editor:
Who really cares whether your correspondent Henry J. Rigler of Philadelphia is proud of Bobby Fischer or not? For that matter, who cares if Bobby Fischer brags, throws temper tantrums, psychs out his opponents, requires a special chair, or dislikes the knowledge of having inconspicuous television cameras present at the World Chess Tournament in Iceland?
You can call this “absurd conduct,” “juvenile behavior,” or what you will. But all of this is beside the point. The man is a genius. If he is the best chess player in the world and can prove it (he seems to be doing do with relative ease), then he has earned the right to be recognized as such.
It is about time we recognize ability, talent, and genius in this country for what it is rather than applaud those who merely put forth the best show of humility and conformity to rules and decorum and the American way.
Jacqueline Susann follows all the rules of popular writing today and she is a millionairess. Herman Melville did not follow the rules in his time and he died poor and forgotten. But who will society remember in the long run?
If decisions were left to the Riglers of this world, then where would we be today if George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Tom Paine, and other revolutionaries had decided that the British were right after all with their handsome red coats, straight-line battle formations, and taxes; and that maybe it was rather “imprudent” or “impulsive” to act against them in such an unbecoming manner?
Neil R. Grobman
Philadelphia.

Fischer's conduct is price of genius

'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