AApril 29 1964
The Fresno Bee, Fresno, California, Wednesday, April 29, 1964
Fresno Champion Prefers 'Wild, Exciting' Rapid Transit Chess
By Karl M. Kidder, Bee Photo.
A day or so before his wedding in 1949, Robert E. Baker broke the news to his affianced that on two nights of every week he would not be at home, no matter what. She thought he was joking but found out during the honeymoon he was not.
Baker is a chess player. In fact, he is a champion, but is not what he refers to, wistfully, as a “rated expert.” It is quite likely he never will achieve the latter distinction.
“I just don't have the time to study,” explains the 42 year old Fresnan who lives at 2963 East Austin Way and who works nights as chief transmission man for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company. “Chess is an ever changing game and if you hope to keep up with it you have to study.”
Beat 800
The Fresnan achieved championship status in the most recent nationwide Bell System correspondence tournament in which he bested 800 of an estimated 3,000 eligible players. The first time he competed, the year of his marriage, he was “wiped out.”
“I started again in 1954,” he says, “but I started cautiously. Then through the years, by winning a few sections here and a few there, I got into the top echelon of competition.”
Correspondence, or cross country chess, takes weeks to conclude. Moves are made by postcard, and each player has a maximum of 72 hours to figure out each move, record it on a card and mail it to his opponent. Baker much prefers “speed” chess played face to face.
Takes 10 Minutes
“The more casual type of game takes three to four hours to play,” he explains. “The type I enjoy takes about 10 minutes and you play against the clock. We call it rapid transit chess.”
“It is wild and exciting. It can be frustrating too. Particularly when you lose. One's ego suffers more in chess, perhaps, than in any other game, particularly if you think you are good. In speed chess you can be losing, then suddenly you turn around and win.”
Why is he so interested in the game? Baker thought for a minute, then said:
“Chess is ever changing. It is interesting to read about how the experts plays it, watch and study their moves, then try to pattern your own play after their's. There is little, if any luck involved.
“I guess you'd say it is relaxing. It certain is distracting and there is a satisfaction in having something resolved. I believe there are too many things left hanging—you know? Never completed in life. Each game of chess is played to an ultimate conclusion.”
There is much satisfaction in the game, he thinks, whether you win or lose. It requires concentration because a move made early in the game can mean waiting or losing a few plays later.
His most recent win in the postal chess tourney required nearly 10 years of trying and working up to the championship flights. During that time he was improving his abilities by playing against fellow members of the Fresno Chess Club, and teaching the game to his children.
He thinks Jana, 9, Corey, 10, and Betsy, 12, are coming along fine and he welcomes their interests because chess as he puts it, “helps develop the ability to think analytically, as well as demonstrating the wisdom of thinking and planning ahead.”
Mrs. Baker, so far, has not been caught up with his or the children's enthusiasm for the game.
Began In 1948
Actually, Baker's interest was not kindled until he came to Fresno from Sacramento, in 1948. He learned the basic moves while attending high school in Oakland.
Like others as deeply interested in chess as he is now, he is looking ahead to the state tournament, usually held in Fresno over the Labor Day weekend. He tied for fourth a year ago, and has his sights raised higher for the 1964 classic.
Most of all, he is looking ahead to the pretournament sessions of rapid transit chess. In this form, players can get through six rounds of chess in three hours, whereas the other sometimes takes three or four days before a champion is crowned.
