AThe Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, September 25, 1971 - Page 49
Not a First
When Bobby Fischer won the U.S.A. closed championship at New York a few years ago by defeating all his opponents this seemed like a new record. Later it was pointed out former world champions Emmanuel Lasker and José Capablanca set up 'picket fences' in important tourneys at N.Y. in 1893 and 1913.
Similarly Fischer's victories this year over M. Taimanov and B. Larsen by 6-0 scores in the current world series were hailed as something new in top flight competition. Without detracting from this remarkable accomplishment, it should be noted that Capablanca defeated Boris Kostic, Yugoslavia, 5-0 in their match at Havana in 1919. The match was to be one of eight games up but Kostic resigned after losing five games in succession. In previous tourney play they had drawn all their games and finished one-two in the tables. Kostic complained of the heat at Havana, as Lasker did in his title match with Capa there in 1921. On doctor's advice he resigned after 14 games, with the score 4-0 against him, and 10 draws.
