AThe Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle Milwaukee, Wisconsin Friday, April 26, 1963 - Page 2
How Fischer Won
In a later January column, I reported that Bobby Fischer won the United States Chess Championship of 1962-63. Now, however, there is a complete analysis of Bobby's victory in the February issue of Chess Review. It was Bobby's fifth victory in this important championship and it is worth reporting in greater detail.
In all, Fischer won six games, drew four and lost one, his very first game against Edmar Mednis. He won from Sammy Reshevsky, from Addison, Steinmeyer, Sherwin, Berliner, and Bisguier. He drew with Benko, Byrne, Rossolimo and Evans. In the final round, he and Bisguier were tied for first. Not too much — except pride — was involved in this last game, because on the basis of their performances, both Fischer and Bisguier had qualified for the Interzone finals.
Bisguier got up a Berlin Defense against Fischer's Ruy Lopez. For a while Bisguier had a little bulge against Fischer. According to some experts he had a winning game. Then, as often happens, he made a mistake and Fischer took quick advantage of this error and in 37 moves he won.
The fifth round provided the highlight of the match, for it was then that Fischer met Sammy Reshevsky. These two masters have been the best American players in decades and they haven't met very often, except for the big match they had not long ago, in which there was a hassle and Fischer refused to complete the series of games and Reshevsky was named the winner. Fischer was convinced he had been robbed and Reshevsky accepted the victory as his due.
Fischer's confidence was well placed even though in his loss to Mednis he was defeated for the first time in a U.S. Championship. Against Reshevsky he showed little caution. Early in the game, he exchanged Queens with Reshevsky and then he moved his Pawns about in seemingly careless fashion. But by the time the game was adjourned, it was clear that Fischer held a commanding lead, with his Rooks dominating the game. When the two men got together again, Reshevsky yielded after 5 moves and Fischer had hurled his most dangerous foe. Reshevsky said he has never played a worse game. Fischer merely smiled and took the victory.
When it was all over, Fischer was No. 1 and Reshevsky had tied for third, fourth and fifth with Addison and Evans. He was obviously past his prime and Fischer stood alone at the top.
