Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Florida, Sunday, January 07, 1962 - Page 30
New U.S. Chess Champ Wants Botvinnik Match 07 Jan 1962, Sun Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Florida) Newspapers.com
New U.S. Chess Champ Wants Botvinnik Match
NEW YORK (AP) — Larry Evans, newly crowned U.S. chess champion, says he'd like to match moves with the world champion, Mikhail Botvinnik of Russia.
“The Russians are the best chess players and the United States players are second best. But we're gaining on them,” Evans said Friday night after recapturing the title he had held from 1951 to 1954.
The 29-year-old New York City native won the 1961 title with four victories and seven draws in 11 matches for a cumulative total of 7½-3½.
Robert Byrne of Indianapolis, placed second in the tourney with a 7-4 score.
“There was a lot of tension in the finish. I could have been overtaken at any point if I had lost,” said Evans, a tournament competitor for 16 years.
Bobby Fischer of New York City, who won the U.S. title four years in a row — beginning at the age of 14 — did not defend his championship this year. He offered no explanation for his absence.
Three players who tied with 6½-4½ scores are Pal Benko, James T. Sherwin and Herbert Seidman, all of New York City.
