ASunday Gazette-Mail Charleston, West Virginia Sunday, November 04, 1962 - Page 42
Speaking of Chess 04 Nov 1962, Sun Sunday Gazette-Mail (Charleston, West Virginia) Newspapers.com
Yankee Prestige Going Downhill
The international chess prestige of the United States is not so impressive as it was earlier in 1962. Bobby Fischer's second place finish behind Tal at Bled was followed by his even more spectacular winning of the candidates tournament at Stockholm, ahead of a distinguished contingent of Soviet grandmasters. Much was expected of Fischer in the following challengers tournament at Curacao, Dutch West Indies.
Then the tide turned against American chess. Bobby could do no better than finish fourth at Curacao, and the three players who excelled his score were all from the USSR. More heartbreakers were to come later.
In the Chess Olympics (the international team championship) the players representing the USA could finish only in fourth place, behind Russia. Yugoslavia, and Argentina: a final-round 1 to 3 loss to Yugoslavia being the final crusher. The Americans also lost to the USSR, 2½ to 1½. Had Fischer properly exploited his superior position against Botvinnik at board one, the match would have been drawn but Bobby only drew, instead of winning.
Next month the annual national chess championship tournament will be held in New York City. The players to that event are seeded and no foreign masters are ever contestants. So this title will stay in the USA, anyway.
