New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, January 19, 1963 - Page 14
Chess: Victory Keeps Reshevsky In The International Picture
At the start of the final round of the United States chess championship tournament recently completed at the Henry Hudson Hotel, the veteran Samuel Reshevsky was in danger of slipping entirely out of the international chess picture.
The leaders, Arthur Bisguier and Bobby Fischer, between them, were already assured of at least first place and a tie for second. Consequently, by the rules of the International Chess Federation they were automatically seeded into the next Interzonal tournament. The third seeded American player would be winner of third place.
Entering the final round against Pal Benko, Reshevsky had the indifferent score of 5½-4½, half a point behind William Addison, California champion, and Larry Evans, then United States champion, who were tied at 6-4. For Reshevsky to be included in the chance for third place, he had to win his final game, while Addison and Evans had to draw theirs. This is exactly what happened.
The historically significant game between Reshevsky and Benko is a bizarre melee of eight minor pieces, minus queens and rooks. With a pawn plus, Reshevsky's dogged perseverance finally overcame Benko's obstinate defense. Note the queer position of the four knight after White's 21 KtxP.
Fischer versus Reshevsky from the same event is a rare example of Weaver Adam's variation of the Sicilian defense, initiated by 6 P-KR3. Strategically, Reshevsky's opening play was sufficient. Tactically, however, he permitted White open lines for his rooks, which ultimately penetrated all enemy weak points in the end game.
Note that Black had to accelerate White's superiority by exchanging queens with 19…QxQ 20 RxQ, since 19 …QxP fails because of 20 QxKtP, 0-0 21 PxP, etc.
Time pressure, no doubt, caused Fischer to overlook an earlier win with 41 K-Bsq, which leads to mate or win of a piece.
