AJuly 28 1939
The Windsor Star, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Friday, July 28, 1939
Winnipeg School Boy, 15, To Play Chess Masters 28 Jul 1939, Fri The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com
Winnipeg School Boy, 15, To Play Chess Masters
NEW YORK, July 28. Abie Yanofsky, a tall, eager Winnipeg high school boy of 15, sails for the Argentine tonight to compete with world chess champions, carrying with him first prize in the consolation tournament of the American Chess Federation.
The Manitoban, who for the past 10 days has aroused wide interest in Manhattan chess circles by his invariably exciting and astute play, last night emerged undefeated from the seventh and final round of the consolation tournament, with five wins and two draws.
He qualified for the finals of the chess federation championship tournament last week, but tied with two others. Instead of playing off their tie they tossed a coin, and in the game of chance young Abie was less successful than in the game of skill.
In addition to Yanofsky, the Canadian team is composed of Haakon Opsahl, Temiscamingue, Que., Abraham Helman, 32, Winnipeg, who owns a delicatessen, Walter Holowach, of Edmonton, a violin teacher, and J. S. Morrison, Toronto, captain of the team, a commercial artist. Miss Anabelle Lougheed, Toronto, who is head of a business college, also sails to play in the women's championship tournament.
August 18 1939
The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Friday, August 18, 1939
Yanofsky and Brother Meet for First Time 18 Aug 1939, Fri The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com
Yanofsky and Brother Meet for First Time
Buenos Aires, August 17.—(CP)—The world chess championship matches have given Abie Yanofsky, 15, Winnipeg chess prodigy, a chance to meet his 38-year-old brother, Israel, who came to Argentina in 1922 from Russia.
The Winnipeg player was not yet born when the older brother settled in South America, and their meeting yesterday, when the Canadian chess team arrived, was their first.
It proved to be more than that for young Abie, who last month created a highly favorable impression in the American Chess Federation matches at New York. Argentine immigration authorities refused to allow the Winnipeg high school student to land, because he was a minor.
His older brother overcame these technicalities by assuming responsibility for him while he is here.
The other Canadian team members landed without difficulty and today were busy preparing for their important series of matches which being August 23.
Members of the Canadian team are John S. Morrison, Toronto, captain; Haakon Opsahl, Temiskaming, Ont.; Abraham Helman, Winnipeg; Walter Holowack, Edmonton, Yanofsky and Miss Annabelle Lougheed, Toronto.
August 30 1939
The Gazette, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Wednesday, August 30, 1939
Yanofsky Defeats Brazil Chess Star 30 Aug 1939, Wed The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com
YANOFSKY DEFEATS BRAZIL CHESS STAR
Winnipeg Boy Only Canadian to Win in Four World Title Matches
Buenos Aires, August 29.—(CP)—Canada captured one of four games today against Brazil in the fifth qualifying round of the world team chess championship tournament. Sole winner for the Dominion was Winnipeg's Abie Yanofsky, 13, who defeated Walter Cruz. Haakon Opsahl, Temiskaming. Ont., lost to Souza Mendes, Walter Holowack, Edmonton, to Oswaldo Cruz and John Morrison, Toronto, to Silva Rocha.
With two days to go before the finals begin, Canada has won seven of its 20 games in group “A” where the powerful Bohemia-Moravia team is leading with 16 of its 20 games won. Although the Canadians are now conceded no chance of qualifying for the play-off for the coveted Hamilton Russell trophy, they have attracted wide attention by their plucky and often astute play.
Of five games played young Yanofsky, a high school student, has won two, lost two and drawn one. Morrison has won one, lost three and drawn one. Opsahl has lost three and drawn two and Holowack, who played four games lost two and drew two. Abraham Helman, Winnipeg, who played in round three, lost his game.
In the fourth round of the women's singles, Miss Annabelle Lougheed of Toronto lost today to Ingeborg Anderson of Sweden. Leading the women's event is Vera Menchik, Great Britain, Miss Carrasco, Chile, Sonja Graff, a free agent entry, all having won their four games. Miss Lougheed has won one and lost three. May Karff, United States, has placed second thus far, with three out of four.
An outstanding match today was the encounter between France and Germany. Alexander Alekhine, world champion, defeated the renowned Herr Eliskases, while Germany's Engel defeated Gromer. The two remaining games were drawn. In group “A,” with Bohemia-Moravia leading, Great Britain has fourth and Canada fifth place. Latvia led group “B,” The Netherlands group “C” and Sweden group “D.”
Tiny Iceland is one place ahead of Eire in group “C” ranking fifth.
October 23 1939
The Winnipeg Tribune, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Monday, October 23, 1939
CHESS PRODIGY RETURNS: Abe Yanofsky, 15-year-old Winnipeg chess prodigy, returned home Sunday morning from Buenos Aires where he played for the Canadian team in the International tournament. He is pictured above on his arrival home with Harry, a younger brother, his mother and Alderman Gray.
The Montreal Star, Montreal, Quebec, Canada · Monday, October 23, 1939
Yanofsky Near Master Class 23 Oct 1939, Mon The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com
Yanofsky Near Master Class
High Rating Predicted For Chess Prodigy Of Winnipeg
TORONTO Oct 23—(C.P.)— Some day Abie Yanofsky will be a chess master but the 15-year-old Winnipeg prodigy is a year or so away from that exalted position.
Abie was a sensation in the international team championship at Buenos Aires and was acclaimed by such master as World Champion Alexander Alekhine and Savielly Tartakower as a remarkable player.
Bernard Freedman secretary of the Canadian Chess Federation explained what Yanofsky has to accomplish to become a master. Freedman just returned from New York after welcoming the Canadian team whose captain, John Morrison of Toronto is the only Canadian who ever has been officially recognized by the International Chess Federation (F.I.D.E.) as a master.
Morrison obtained ranking years ago in England but is not considered to be among present-day masters however mainly due to the fact that he seldom competes in major tournaments.
One of two possible achievements will place Yanofsky in the masters' class according to Freedman. The youthful high school student will have to meet one of the recognized present-day masters in a challenge series of matches in which he must gain a certain percentage of victories or he must defeat a master in an international tournament and finish that tournament with a better average than the defeated master to gain recognition.
Recognition as a master can be granted only by the International Federation.
