The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, September 01, 1963 - Page 24
Records In Open Chess
With most of our space taken up for a number of weeks by the absorbing activity of the Piatigorsky Cup Tournament, we did not report on a number of events in other parts of the country.
Two major open tournaments took place over the July 4th weekend, both showing record attendance. This is in line with the increasing chess interest through the country.
A surprise entrant in the Western Open at Bay City, Mich., was U.S. champion Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn. He played much the best chess, carrying off the first prize with a score of 7½-½.
Fischer's one draw was against Dr. Paul Poschel of Ann Arbor, Mich. Among others, Fischer defeated Donald Byrne of State College, Pa., and Arthur Bisguier and Hans Berliner of New York.
Defending champion Robert Byrne of Indianapolis and the 1960 winner, Dr. Stephen Popel of Fargo, N.D., tied for second place with 7-1. Tied at 6½-1½ were Berliner, Bisguier, Edward Formanek of Chicago and Dr. Erich Marchand of Rochester, N.Y.
The tournament was sponsored by the Milwaukee Chess Foundation and the Hoffmann Houses Corp. of Bay City. The prize fund of $2,500 helped to attract an entry list of 161 from 18 states and Canada. It was directed by Ernest Olfe of Milwaukee.
Fischer was of course the center of attraction, and his excellent behavior throughout was in vivid contrast to past occasions. Between tournament games he would play and analyze with anyone interested, and endlessly sign autographs.
