Poughkeepsie Journal Poughkeepsie, New York Saturday, August 31, 1963 - Page 6
Fischer Wins Opening Match
The New York State Chess Championships, with 57 players battling for the State title, began last night at the IBM Country club with about a dozen chess players from the Poughkeepsie area competing with some of the leading national stars in this four-day event, which will end Monday night.
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SEVEN GAMES will be played by each contestant in a Swiss system, whereby players with like scores are paired together from round to round until the winner of the most games out of seven will be proclaimed the champion. Among the leading contenders for the title is the current U.S. champion, Bobby Fischer, of Brooklyn, and two masters of international fame — Arthur Bisguier and James T. Sherwin, both of New York. All these players won their first round games in convincing fashion last night, as did Paul Steiner, one of the leading Poughkeepsie players. Dick Meyerson, also a top local expert, agreed to a draw in his first game with B. Yossie, New York City.
The tournament is being sponsored by the New York State Chess association and is under the directorship of Don Schultz, the Poughkeepsie chess champion, who is unable to play as a result of his capacity as manager of the tourney. Large cash prizes, trophies and the State title will be awarded to winning players at the conclusion of Monday's round.
Three women and an 11-year-old boy, Eugene Meyer, Kingston, who is reputed to be a chess prodigy, are competing.