The Gift of Chess

Notice to commercial publishers seeking use of images from this collection of chess-related archive blogs. For use of the many large color restorations, two conditions must be met: 1) It is YOUR responsibility to obtain written permissions for use from the current holders of rights over the original b/w photo. Then, 2) make a tax-deductible donation to The Gift of Chess in honor of Robert J. Fischer-Newspaper Archives. A donation in the amount of $250 USD or greater is requested for images above 2000 pixels and other special request items. For small images, such as for fair use on personal blogs, all credits must remain intact and a donation is still requested but negotiable. Please direct any photographs for restoration and special request (for best results, scanned and submitted at their highest possible resolution), including any additional questions to S. Mooney, at bobbynewspaperblogs•gmail. As highlighted in the ABC News feature, chess has numerous benefits for individuals, including enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, improving concentration and memory, and promoting social interaction and community building. Initiatives like The Gift of Chess have the potential to bring these benefits to a wider audience, particularly in areas where access to educational and recreational resources is limited.

Best of Chess Fischer Newspaper Archives
• Robert J. Fischer, 1955 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1956 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1957 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1958 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1959 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1960 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1961 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1962 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1963 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1964 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1965 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1966 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1967 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1968 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1969 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1970 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1971 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1972 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1973 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1974 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1975 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1976 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1977 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1978 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1979 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1980 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1981 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1982 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1983 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1984 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1985 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1986 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1987 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1988 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1989 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1990 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1991 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1992 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1993 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1994 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1995 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1996 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1997 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1998 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1999 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2000 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2001 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2002 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2003 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2004 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2005 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2006 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2007 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2008 bio + additional games
Chess Columns Additional Archives/Social Media

Will he ever play again: Chess champion's friends wonder

Journal Gazette Mattoon, Illinois Tuesday, June 12, 1973 - Page 10 ()

Will he ever play again: Chess champion's friends wonder
By Harold C. Schonberg, 1973 New York Times News Service

New York—Friends of Bobby Fischer, the chess champion of the world are beginning to wonder if he will ever play again.
Since he won the title from Boris Spassky in Reykjavik, Iceland, last Sept. 1, Fischer has been in virtual seclusion. He has even turned down — or at least has not accepted — an offer of $1 million (plus $400,000 for his opponent and expenses) from the International Hotel in Las Vegas for a match. His opponent could be Spassky or, if the former champion was not available, any other opponent of Fischer's choice.
After a few public and television appearances on his return from Reykjavik, Fischer retired to an apartment in Pasadena, Calif., the site of the headquarters of the Worldwide Church of God. He saw very few people and refused to give interviews.
Recently there have been reports that Fischer has become disenchanted with Worldwide Church of God. He is now staying in Denver with a man who used to be associated with the church.
Contrary to general belief, Fischer has never been a member of the Worldwide Church of God, a fundamentalist group headed by Herbert W. Armstrong that “follows Biblical teachings 100 per cent.”
A church official said recently that Fischer “has observed the church's principles better than many of our members,” but that he has been a “contributor rather than an actual member.”
Fischer never has gone through the baptism ceremony.
Several months before his match with Spassky, Fischer said that when he became world champion he would not be like “those Russian commies.” He said he would not wait for the completion of the three-year cycle of formal elimination contests, but would defend his title two, or even three times a year “if the price is right.”
But he has refused all offers, including the spectacular $1.4 million contract offered by the Hilton organization. One person close to Fischer was careful to say that Fischer had not really rejected the offer. Rather, he said, Fischer had simply declined to reply to it.
Fischer keeps in touch with various friends by telephone. A night owl who sleeps most of the day and comes to life in the late afternoon, Fischer often telephones his friends at 4 A.M. wanting to talk.
It is hard to get anyone to comment about Fischer and impossible to get anyone to comment and then own up to the comment. Because, in the ingrown world of summit-level chess, those who can boast of having what passed for friendship with Fischer don't want to risk that rickety relationship.
“He expects to be entertained,” said a recipient of one phone call. “He's very suspicious and if he gets the idea that you are talking to others about him, you're off his list. He makes his own rules as he goes along. He has to have things his way — his way or no way. I myself don't think that Bobby will play any more.”
There have, however, been precedents for Fischer's “retirement” from chess. Before he returned to action in the Russia versus the World Tournament in 1970, he had been in seclusion for about 18 months. There are those who believe that when his chess hunger becomes strong, Fischer will again enter the arena.
But at least one person who recently spoke to him thinks otherwise.
“Bobby's in a state,” he said. “He is reclusive and suspicious, especially about the press. In any telephone conversation he is apt to say, ‘Are you going to pass this on to the papers?’ He is absolutely frightened of the press.”
Any person in occasional touch with Fischer says that for the first time in his life Bobby is not keeping abreast of the chess literature. He used to play over every major tournament. Now he is unfamiliar with the latest theoretical innovations.
“That,” said the friend, “is a bad sign.”

Will he ever play again: Chess champion's friends wonder

'til the world understands why Robert J. Fischer criticised the U.S./British and Russian military industry imperial alliance and their own Israeli Apartheid. Sarah Wilkinson explains:

Bobby Fischer, First Amendment, Freedom of Speech
What a sad story Fischer was,” typed a racist, pro-imperialist colonial troll who supports mega-corporation entities over human rights, police state policies & white supremacy.
To which I replied: “Really? I think he [Bob Fischer] stood up to the broken system of corruption and raised awareness! Whether on the Palestinian/Israel-British-U.S. Imperial Apartheid scam, the Bush wars of ‘7 countries in 5 years,’ illegally, unconstitutionally which constituted mass xenocide or his run in with police brutality in Pasadena, California-- right here in the U.S., police run rampant over the Constitution of the U.S., on oath they swore to uphold, but when Americans don't know the law, and the cops either don't know or worse, “don't care” -- then I think that's pretty darn “sad”. I think Mr. Fischer held out and fought the good fight, steadfast til the day he died, and may he Rest In Peace.
Educate yourself about U.S./State Laws --
https://www.youtube.com/@AuditTheAudit/videos
After which the troll posted a string of profanities, confirming there was never any genuine sentiment of “compassion” for Mr. Fischer, rather an intent to inflict further defamatory remarks.

This ongoing work is a tribute to the life and accomplishments of Robert “Bobby” Fischer who passionately loved and studied chess history. May his life continue to inspire many other future generations of chess enthusiasts and kibitzers, alike.

Robert J. Fischer, Kid Chess Wizard 1956March 9, 1943 - January 17, 2008

The photograph of Bobby Fischer (above) from the March 02, 1956 The Tampa Times was discovered by Sharon Mooney (Bobby Fischer Newspaper Archive editor) on February 01, 2018 while gathering research materials for this ongoing newspaper archive project. Along with lost games now being translated into Algebraic notation and extractions from over two centuries of newspapers, it is but one of the many lost treasures to be found in the pages of old newspapers since our social media presence was first established November 11, 2017.

Special Thanks