AMay 27 1963
The Standard-Star, New Rochelle, New York, Monday, May 27, 1963
DEMONSTRATING his prowess as a former U.S. chess champion at New Rochelle High School Friday afternoon, is Arthur Bisguier, standing. Among his 30 opponents from the Westchester High School Chess League and New Rochelle High School students, are, left to right, William Oncken of Mamaroneck High, Frank Kinger, Richard Sobel and Richard Ellbert, NRHS chess team members. Standing in background are left to right, Ronald Greene, league chess coordinator and coach of Woodlands High, and John Van Tielen, league coordinator and Rye Neck High School chess advisor.—Staff Photo by Paul Byrne.
Bisguier, Chess Ace, Beats 27 of 30 Opponents at NRHS
Arthur Bisguier, former U.S. chess champion and runner-up to Bobby Fischer in 1962, said checkmate 27 times in a simultaneous match against 30 opponents at New Rochelle High School Friday. In the four-hour exhibition he faced 25 players in the Winchester High School Chess League including the five-man team from New Rochelle, and five students selected from the audience.
The three exceptions consisted of a loss and two draws. The lone winner was William Roth Jr of 524 Fifth Ave., Mamaroneck, a member of the Rye Neck High School chess team. Playing Mr. Bisguier to a tie were John Lamberti of Woodlands High School and William Oncken of Mamaroneck High.
New Rochelleans who opposed the former champ unsuccessfully were the five chess team members, Frank Klinger, William Zucker, Richard Eilbert, Richard Sobel and Michael Albert, and five students chosen from the spectators, Marc Goldfisher, Jeffrey may, Fred Geldon, Irwin Gaines and William Bruner.
The three who put up the longest fight before capitulation were William Zucker, 47 moves, and Richard Eilbert, 46 moves. Frank Klinger was ahead at one point in his game, a rook to a bishop, but lost two pawns and eventually resigned when his opponent queened a pawn. Bill was also ahead at first, then went even, fell behind and surprisingly took an edge again before succumbing.
Richard fell behind by a pawn early in the game and although he played strongly, finally fell when Mr. Bisguier queened his free pawn.
Mr. Bisguier, an IBM engineer, started out in the Manhattan Chess Club, where he is still a member. he will be one of three Americans to represent the United States in the international championships in Europe this summer. The other two are Mr. Fischer and Samuel Reshevsky, who placed third in the 1962 U.S. championships.
Rye Neck High School was presented with the third place trophy in the Westchester League tournament. First place is still up for grabs, although New Rochelle High School has a 1½-½ lead over Scarsdale and needs only a tie in their match to win the championship.
SMILING HIS CONFIDENCE Friday at New Rochelle High School, where he was the only player out of 30 to beat former U.S. chess champion Arthur Bisguier, right, is William Roth Jr. of 524 Fifth Ave., Mamaroneck, a junior at Rye Neck High School and member of their chess team.—Staff Photo by Paul Byrne.
