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

'Great Chess Match' Ref Man Of Infinite Patience

The Times Herald Port Huron, Michigan Tuesday, August 29, 1972 - Page 19

'Great Chess Match' Ref Man Of Infinite Patience
By Julie Flint, Associated Press Writer
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — The man charged with keeping the peace between Bobby Fischer and chess champion Boris Spassky is a fastidious West German with impeccable manners and patience enough to try the devil.
Lothar Schmid, referee of the title match, has been managing the “chess mess of the century” for more than two months—first trying to get the temperamental American to the board, and then fighting to keep him there.
He has been caught in a maelstrom of demands and counter demands ranging from the ridiculous to the ridiculous—from the size of the squares on the chess board to the width of the margin around the squares.
Mild-mannered Schmid is at last showing signs of stress. He talks with longing of returning to his family and publishing house in Germany.
He has begged the Icelandic match organizers to insure him a seat on the first plane out of Reykjavik after the championship is won.
His hardest task was to find a man Fischer claimed was snoring—somewhere in the 2,500 seat auditorium.
“It is not always easy to pick the right man,” he says.
In his anxiety to silent spectators, Schmid has often cut a comic figure, a small man gesticulating frantically from a darkened corner of the huge playing stage, head-high to a potted fir tree.
His motions were interpreted by Fischer aides as recognition of failure to force proper conditions in the hall.
“I was doing it as a favor for Bobby,” Schmid said, angrily.
“I see I must not do so again.”
But he has no bone to pick with Fischer.
“He is like a naughty child but a father loves his children,” he explains. “He says, ‘Give me that or I'm going to take my ball away.’ I say to him, “Look, Bobby, take it easy,’ and he does.”
The person Schmid increasingly takes issue with is Fred Cramer. Fischer's outspoken spokesman, who has deluged him with strongly worded protest notes.
Although rated a grandmaster of chess played by mail as well as over the board, Schmid does not relish the task of scribe.
“I have many duties to attend to,” he says. “This is not the proper way to solve problems. It is normal to talk. Whenever I see Mr. Cramer, he tries to hide behind a big man.”
The Americans have accused Schmid of showing favoritism to Spassky. Cramer attacked him for dining with Ivo Nei, a Spassky second, and for playing bridge with the champion on a rest day.
“He wants to to talk only with him and to answer his letters,” Schmid countered. “But I may talk with both sides.”
Schmid does not attempt to conceal his sympathy for Spassky, who was apparently shaken early in the match by Fischer's behavior.
In the 13th game a blunder at the end of nine hours' play cost the champion a drawn position. As Fischer strode away Spassky sat alone at the board, seeming stunned.
After some minutes, Schmid walked over to him and took Fischer's empty chair. Gently, he suggested an alternative move. Slowly, Spassky reset the pieces and played to the draw.
“I said to him: ‘Boris, is there anything I can do?’” Schmid recalls. “But he just shook his head.”

'Great Chess Match' Ref Man Of Infinite Patience

'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