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 ➦
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• Robert J. Fischer, 2008 ➦
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Edmund Trowbridge Dana, 1949

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December 05 1949

1949, California Chess Expert George Koltanowski Simultaneous Chess Exhibition Tournament

The Peninsula Times Tribune, Palo Alto, California, Monday, December 05, 1949

Palo Altans Get Stalemate
Koltanowski sets new record for chess games in 12 hours

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 5 (AP)—Chess Expert George Koltanowski claimed a new world record today for the number of chess games played in 12 hours but was tied by two Palo Altans and beaten by a San Jose State College student.
In 12 hours he completed 257 games in a mass exhibition and had started a total of 271. He finished them all before quitting. He wound up last night with a record of 251 games won three lost and 17 drawn. The previous 12 hour record was 226.
Koltanowski took on his opponents 37 at a time. They ranged in age from 9-year-old Alto Lu Townes of Santa Rosa to 70-year-old Henry Strob, retired Stockton businessman.
In the grueling exhibition Koltanowski was on his feet constantly walking from chess board to chess board except for short rest periods and a brief whirl in a wheel chair. The occasion was a chess festival staged by the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Santa Rosa master lost to Les Talcott, 21-year-old San Jose State College student; Andy Buschine, San Jose waterworks maintenance operator and Robert Wilson, San Francisco letter carrier.
Those getting a draw included Strob; Francis Mills, Pacific Grove; Robert Holton, Santa Rosa Junior College student; M. E. Mattingly, Stockton contractor; George B. Oakes, Salinas lettuce worker; Frank S. Morsman, Palo Alto junior college student; Edmund T. Dana, 63 Palo Alto; Lionel Wolfson, Sebastol, secretary of the Petaluma Chess Club.


Recommended Books

Understanding Chess by William Lombardy Chess Duels, My Games with the World Champions, by Yasser Seirawan No Regrets: Fischer-Spassky 1992, by Yasser Seirawan Chess Fundamentals, by Jose Capablanca Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess, by Bobby Fischer My 60 Memorable Games, by Bobby Fischer Bobby Fischer Games of Chess, by Bobby Fischer The Modern Chess Self Tutor, by David Bronstein Russians versus Fischer, by Mikhail Tal, Plisetsky, Taimanov, et al

'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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