Remember Sammy Reshevsky
Because he was who he was, Bobby Fischer is frequently remembered and mentioned in the chess community. Well, he rose spectacularly to the top, downing 20 top Grand masters (GMs) in a row, setting a probably unbeatable record. In America, his domination was absolute. He won all eight U.S. Championships in which he played; one, by 11zip. He lost only three of his 90 games in those events.
Perhaps due to the enormity of Fischer’s achievements, it is all too easy to forget about and under-appreciate another chess giant who played a major starring role in much of American chess history: Sammy Reshevsky. As with Fischer, he was a youth standout. In fact, before he was 10, he had traveled throughout the U.S. playing many foes at the same time. In addition to these simultaneous exhibitions, he also participated in the New York Masters’ Tournament, a unique occurrence then for one so young.
Behind only Fischer in the number of U.S. Championship titles he held, Reshevsky, who died in 1992, wore our national chess crown seven times. On the international level, he was considered one of a few who had good chances to become the World Champion; he came close. In 1948, after Alexander Alekhine died while champion, Reshevsky was one of five contenders chosen to compete for the title; he came in third; Mikhail Botvinnik won. Then, in 1953, he tied for second at the Candidates Tournament to determine a challenger for Botvinnik.
His chess longevity and stamina was clear; he crossed swords with Emanuel Lasker, the second World Champion, and all the following classical title-holders through Anatoly Karpov, the 12th champion. He was able to achieve at least one draw or win against every one of them. One of his most notable victories is included with this column. It was over Jose Capablanca, the player who went for years without suffering a single loss.
No love lost
In 1957, Reshevsky defeated then-U.S. Champion Arthur Bisguier in a match. That was the year the tide turned against him; Fischer arrived at the U.S. Championship. Just 14, he took and kept the title for himself, becoming the youngest-ever champion, a still-standing record.
Adding insult to injury in the very next championship, Fischer trapped Reshevsky’s queen in the opening, going on from there to win the title. Just before a major event a few years later, Reshevsky was memorably quoted as saying, “I would settle for 19th place — if Fischer placed 20th.” It was not until 1969 that Reshevsky won the crown again; Fischer was no longer participating.
In 1961, Jacqueline Piatigorsky, one of California’s most noted chess supporters, helped organize a match between the two. After 11 games, they had held each other even, both having suffered two defeats along with seven draws. Sadly for chess, a dispute arose with Fischer over match conditions, and he refused to continue if not given his way. Much to Fischer’s dismay, Reshevsky was given the winner’s moneys by forfeit.
Game of the week
Reshevsky - Capablanca Margate, 1935
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.cxd5 exd5 6.e3 Be7 7.Bd3 0–0 8.Qc2 c5 9.Nf3 c4 10.Bf5 Re8 11.0–0 g6 12.Bh3 Nf8 13.Bxc8 Rxc8 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.b3 Qa5 16.b4 Qd8 17.Qa4 a6 18.b5 Re6 19.Rab1 Rb8 20.Rb2 Be7 21.bxa6 Rxa6 22.Qc2 Ne6 23.Rfb1 Ra7 24.a4 Nc7 25.Ne5 Qe8 26.f4 f6 27.Ng4 Qd7 28.h3 Kg7 29.Nf2 Ba3 30.Ra2 Bd6 31.Nfd1 f5 32.Nb5 Ra5 33.Nxc7 Bxc7 34.Nc3 Qd6 35.Qf2 b6 36.Qf3 Rd8 37.Rab2 Qe7 38.Rb4 Rd7 39.Kh1 Bd8 40.g4 fxg4 41.hxg4 Qd6 42.Kg1 Bc7 43.Kf2 Rf7 44.g5 Bd8 45.Ke2 Bxg5 46.Rxb6 Qa3 47.Kd2 Be7 48.Rb7 Rxa4 49.Qxd5 Ra5 50.Qxc4 Rh5 51.Kd3 Qa8 52.Qe6 Qa3 53.Rd7 Rhf5 54.Rb3 Qa1 55.Rxe7 Qf1+ 56.Kd2 1–0