ACourier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, Thursday, January 16, 1958
Bobby Fischer Leads Free World Players
Bobby Fischer's triumph in the U.S. National Championship is still the talk of the chess world this week.
The 14-year-old Brooklyn schoolboy has gained heights seldom if ever attained by a player his age. He holds an unprecedented “triple crown” in the National title, the U.S. Open, and the National Junior Championship.
Bobby's victory in the National is the most stunning of the three, because it came over Samuel Reshevsky, long regarded as champion of the free world. Although the two drew in their meeting in the National, Bobby finished a clear point ahead of the older star, and for the first time Sammy's claim to leadership in the Western world is definitely subject to dispute.
Final standings of the tournament found Fischer a point out in front at 10½-2½; Reshevsky second at 9½-3½; Sherwin, 9-4; Lombardy, 7½-5½; Berliner, 7-6; Denker, Feuerstein and Mednis tied at 6½-6½; Seidman, 6-7; Bernstein and Bisguier, 5-8; Di Camillo and Turner, 4½-8½, and Kramer, 3-10.
The title was not decided till the final night and Reshevsky had a chance to tie for first right down to the finish. In the 13th and final round Fischer accepted a draw offered him by Abe Turner after 18 moves. Reshevsky could have equaled his score by defeating William Lombardy, the junior world's champion. Instead Lombardy won an exciting game in 40 moves. It was Reshevsky's second defeat of the tournament. James T. Sherwin administering the other in the 10th round.
