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 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1956 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1957 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1958 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1959 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1960 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1961 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1962 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1963 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1964 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1965 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1966 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1967 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1968 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1969 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1970 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1971 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1972 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1973 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1974 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1975 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1976 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1977 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1978 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1979 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1980 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1981 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1982 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1983 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1984 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1985 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1986 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1987 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1988 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1989 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1990 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1991 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1992 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1993 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1994 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1995 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1996 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1997 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1998 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1999 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2000 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2001 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2002 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2003 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2004 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2005 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2006 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2007 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2008 bio + additional games
Chess Columns Additional Archives/Social Media

The Big Chess Battle

Back to 1971 News Articles

The Province Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Friday, May 21, 1971 - Page 45-46

The Big Chess Battle
Eyes of the chess world are on Vancouver — site of quarter-final elimination play between American Bobby Fischer and Mark Taimanov of the Soviet Union. The controversy that delayed start of play toward the world title matches, and how Canada came to host the action, is featured in the story below.
On Pages 4 and 5, a profile of Al Horowitz, who is here from New York to cover the match; assessment of early play by Fischer and Taimanov in Horowitz's column that runs regularly in Spotlight; and a report on the first game, the game that set the scene for the playoff.
The chess piece on Spotlight's cover is from a hand-carved ivory set of Chinese origin, between 150 and 250 years old, owned by Ford's Antiques on Granville …

The Big Chess Battle

The controversy that preceded the current world chess championship elimination match at the University of B.C. really wasn't anything out of the ordinary in itself. When the stakes are this big, pre-game sparring can be found in any competition, be it boxing or chess.
What was unusual, however, was the heat with which one Soviet delegate attacked his host, the Canadian Chess Federation.
Looking back at Alexander Kotov's accusation that Canada was inhospitable toward his delegation, one can only assume that it was an emotional outburst and that he must have regrets now.
In the first place, Canada is doing everyone concerned no small favor by hosting the match. It is going to tremendous expense for an event it did not ask to hold.
After Bobby Fischer and Mark Taimanov were matched at Palma de Majorca, Spain, last year, the U.S. and Russian chess federations could not agree on a site for the competition. Sites in Russia, the U.S., Holland, Spain, Venezuela and Italy were all unsatisfactory and it was not until all these were rejected that the World Chess Federation approached Canada. Both the U.S. and Soviet federations were reportedly delighted at the prospect of playing in Canada. The Canadian federation therefore could not decline.
Vancouver was the natural choice. It is Canada's chess capital.
Holding the competition wasn't going to be just a simple matter of arranging hotel reservations, a few official events, tours and finding suitable facilities for the actual match. Prize money would have to be paid as well as picking up the competitors' expense tab.
And Canada is not just paying the prescribed minimum in prize money, $232 to the winner and $139 to the loser, which the Communist countries always pay. The winner here will receive $1,250 and the loser $750. That's $2,000 worth of hospitality just for openers.
You can count fares, hotel bills, plus 1,000 and one more items on top of that. All that just to do everyone concerned a favor.
For its troubles, the Canadian Chess Federation got the back of Kotov's hand. The Canadian officials are to be complimented for keeping their cool and biting back the obvious answers.
The person who most notably kept his cool was Fischer who has a reputation of a thin skin and easy provocation into walkouts. Was this perhaps Kotov's intent in finding so much to quibble about with the University of B.C. Graduate Centre facilities? The Russians have provoke Fischer into previous walkouts. Experts the world over concede that Fischer is the strongest threat the Soviets have faced since the Second World War.
On of the major complaints the Russians had with the Graduate Center's TV room was that none of the windows would open to allow fresh air in. In the end they agreed to the Student Union Building auditorium where there are no windows.
Behind the squabble over facilities, of course, is Fischer's oft-stated contention that the Russians don't play the game according to the rule book. There have been many previous storms over claims the Russians communicate among themselves during the course of games, a practice strictly forbidden by the rules. It was for this reason, therefore that the intimate Graduate Center facilities had been chosen beforehand. They had long ago been approved by the world body.
The SUB building fortunately combines many of the advantages of the smaller room. Play is being conducted on the indirectly lighted stage, with the auditorium darkened and no spectators allowed in the first four rows. Sign language should be impossible. Also the players have their own washrooms with no one allowed into the area other than Fischer and Taimanov. In other words, if Fischer should lose the match he will not be able to claim that he was playing a team rather than one man.
As far as facilities are concerned, neither Fischer or Taimanov should have reason to complain now. They might, however be somewhat disappointed in the apparent lack of public interest in the match.
Were the match held in a European country, for instance, it would be comparable to the public clamor during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The current match is page one news in Russia, Yugoslavia and as far away as Buenos Aires.
As far as Canada's reputation goes, Bozidar Kazic of Yugoslavia, chief arbiter for the match, said the competition will do nothing but enhance this country's “already splendid” reputation. U.S. Chess Federation executive director Ed Edmondson agreed that “Canada has been the perfect host.”

The Big Chess Battle

'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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