Chattanooga Daily Times Chattanooga, Tennessee Sunday, December 21, 1958
Evans Is Leader In Title Tourney - Goes Ahead 2-0, Trimming NYU Star in the Only Decision of Day By Hermann Helms © New York Times News Service
New York—Larry Evans, former chess champion of the United States and international grandmaster, was once again the only one able to win a game Saturday in the third round of the national title tournament for the Lessing J. Rosenwald trophy at the Manhattan Chess Club.
Evans defeated Edmar Mednis, New York university star, in 29 moves and retained the lead in a field of 12 with a score of 2-0, with one game pending from the second round.
This was the only definite result recorded, all the other matches being adjourned, to be played off on Monday. The fourth round will be contested Sunday afternoon, from 2 to 7 o'clock.
Evans played the Sicilian defense against Mednis who, bent on bringing about a wide-open game, castled on the queen's side of the board and then proceeded to launch a king's side attack. Evans castled on the king's wing and defended along normal lines. He succeeded in getting rid of both white bishops and, having found safety for his king, proceeded to undermine the position behind which the white king had retreated. Gradually he gained ground until his opponent was distinctly on the defensive.
Finally, Evans managed to establish a passed pawn on the king's bishop's file, which was on the point of queening when Mednis resigned.
James T. Sherwin, a New York attorney, made matters highly interesting for Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, 15-year-old holder of the United States championship, who again resorted to the king's Indian defense. They adjourned after 41 moves, at which time Fischer had a slight edge.
Under time pressure, Paul Benko, Hungarian refugee, spoiled a fine day's work in a queen's pawn opening with William Lombardy, world junior champion, who was a pawn behind close to adjournment time when his opponent went astray and lost a piece. Forty-one moves were recorded.
Arthur B. Bisguier, former national champion, was a pawn ahead of Donald Byrne of Valparaiso, Ind., when they adjourned after 40 moves. Charles Kalme, Philadelphia, intercollegiate champion, was on even terms with Raymond Weinstein of Brooklyn college after a session of 40 moves, when they adjourned.
Samuel Reshevsky, five times U.S. champion, postponed his game with Robert Byrne of Indianapolis.
Sherwin and Bisguier agreed to a draw in their game which had been adjourned in the first round after 40 moves.
The leading scores after three rounds: Evans, 2-0; Robert Byrne, Bisguier, Sherwin and Weinstein, each 1-1.
