Chess Trivia IV
In 1946, the first USCF Chess Problem Tourney had 226 entries. (source: Chess Life, Sep 1, 1946, p. 1)
In July 1946, Larry Friedman (1930- ) won the first USCF Junior Tournament, held in Chicago. There were 32 juniors, from 14 to 19, in the event. Friedman also won in 1947. (source: Chess Life, Sep 1, 1946, p. 1)
In 1922, the Georgia-Florida Chess Association was formed. It turned into the Southeastern Chess Association in the early 1930s. In 1935, the Southern Chess Association (SCA) was created as a successor to the Southeastern Chess Association. At one time the SCA rivaled the US Chess Federation. (source: Chess Life, Nov 1, 1946, p. 7)
During World War II, there were wartime restrictions on amateur and shortwave radio transmissions. In 1946, after restrictions were lifted, the USCF announced the formation of a national chess radio league. (source: Chess Life, Nov 20, 1946, p. 1)
In 1931, the city government at St. Petersburg made available the building that housed the St. Petersburg Chess Club. It was the largest building in the south exclusively devoted to chess, and perhaps the largest so devoted in the United States. (source: Chess Life, Feb 5, 1947, p. 3)
In 1947, the 48th US Open was held in Corpus Christi, Texas. It had 86 entrants, which, at the time, was the largest national tournament ever held in the United States. Participants included champions of Canada, Colombia, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. The winner was Isaac Kashdan. (source: Chess Life, Sep 1, 1947, p. 2)
In 1948, the Cuban government gave $30,000 (over $357,000 in 2022) to buy a “Capablanca-Home” for a national chess club. (source: Chess Life, June 20, 1948, p. 3)
In 1948, FIDE admitted two members, New Zealand and Greece. The USCF had assisted in the formation of the new Greek Chess Federation and sponsored Greece into FIDE. (source: Chess Life, Sep 15, 1948, p. 1)
In 1948, the first California Open Chess Championship was held. It was organized by the new California State Chess Association. The winner was Jim Cross (1930- ) of Glendale. (source: Chess Life, Oct 5, 1948, p. 1)
In 1949, 40,000 youth played in the Junior Championship of Romania. (source: Chess Life, Apr 20, 1949, p. 3)
In 1949, Schachmatny in the USSR organized the first championship by mai in Russia, and permitted only 1,000 to enter. (source: Chess Life, May 20, 1949, p. 3)
In June 1950, the USA won a border match with Canada, scoring 132 to 83. There were 215 participants along the 3,000-mile border. The match was supposed to be played on 300 boards. Players in the Minneapolis-Winnipeg area were unable to play due to serious flooding in the area. (source: Chess Life, June 20, 1950, p. 1)
In August 1950, six players, returning from the US Open in Detroit, were injured in a car accident that could have killed them. Their car overturned on a rain-soaked road. The newly crowned US Open champion Arthur Bisguier suffered a broken rib and ahead gash. Larry Evans was very badly bruised and was hospitalized. Walter Shipman had his leg in a cast for an injured ankle, Kit Crittenden suffered a fractured collar bone. (source: Chess Life, Aug 5, 1950, p. 1)
In 1950, Miguel Najdorf set a new record for simultaneous play. At Sao Paulo, Brazil, he played 250 boards, winning 226 games, drawing 15, and losing 9. The exhibition lasted 11 hours and drew 2,000 spectators. The event was financed by the newspaper Gazeta Exportiva. (source: Chess Life, Oct 5, 1950, p. 1)
In 1950, the first USCF rating system was published. The top players were Reuben Fine (2817), S. Reshevsky (2734), A. Kevitz (2610), Arthur Dake (2598), Arnold Denker (2575), Isaac Kashdan (2574), and I.A. Horowitz (2558). (source: Chess Life, Nov 20, 1950, p. 3)
The London Terrace Chess Club in New York was the only penthouse chess Club in the world. This was an apartment complex in the Chelsea area of Manhattan. (source: Chess Life, Dec 20, 1950, p. 3)
In 1951, Cecil John Seddon Purdy (1906-1979) won the Australian championship. In the same year, John S. Purdy *1835-2011), the son of C.J.S. Purdy, won the Australian Junior Championship. This is the first time that the Senior and Junior National Chess Championships have been held simultaneously by father and son. In 1955, John S. Purdy won the Australian Championship at age 19, the youngest ever to win the Australian Championship. (sources: Chess Life, Mar 5, 1951, p. 1 and Feb 5, 1955, p. 1)
In March 1951, the second USCF rating list was published. The top active players were Reuben Fine (2817), Sam Reshevsky (2734), Arthur Dake (2598), and I.A. Horowitz (2558). (source: Chess Life, Mar 5, 1951, p. 3)
In Oct 1951, the third USCF rating list was published. The top active players were Sam Reshevsky (2747), Reuben Fine (2711), I. A. Horowitz (2565), Larry Evans (2554), Arthur Dake (2539), and Arnold Denker (2504). (source: Chess Life, Oct 5, 1951, p. 3)
In 1952, an anonymous benefactor donated $38,000 for the express purpose of protecting the chess players in Central Park from the elements. Central Park had 16 cement chess tables and benches. (source: Chess Life, Jan 5, 1952, p. 2)
In 1952, Raymond McGill, an African-American, applied in person for membership in the Chicago Chess and Checkers Club. His cash for membership dues was rejected and he was asked to file a written application for membership, which White people did not have to do. (source: Chess Life, Feb 20, 1952, p. 2)
In 1952, the Correspondence Chess League of America (CCLA) had a membership of over 1,200 active members – it largest membership since the formation of the CCLA in 1909. (source: Chess Life, Mar 5, 1952, p. 2)
In March 1952, the fourth USCF rating was published. The top active players were Sam Reshevsky (2734), Reuben Fine (2676), Larry Evans (2660), I. A. Horowitz (2545), Arthur Dake (2510), Arnold Denker (2504), and Max Pavey (2502). (source: Chess Life, Mar 5, 1952, p. 3)
In April 1953, there were 47 chess columns in the US and Canada. (source: Chess Life, Apr 20, 1953, p. 1)
At the 1953 US Open in Milwaukee, Arthur Bisguier overturned a glass full of water while making a move. Spectators helped mop up the water on the table and chess board. After the table was dried, Bisguier gave a sigh of relief and quipped, “I was afraid the game would be called account of wet grounds.” (source: Chess Life, Sep 5, 1953, p. 9)
In December 1953, the top rated active USCF players were Reshevsky (2739), Robert Byrne (2601), George Kramer (2564), Donald Byrne (2544), Arnold Denker (2538), and Nicolas Rossolimo (2513). (source: Chess Life, Dec 20, 1953, p. 5)
In March 1954, the first Canadian Rating List was published in the Canadian Chess Chat. It showed 4 Canadian masters (Anderson, Yanofsky, Bohatirchuk, and Vaitonis) and 24 Canadian experts. (source: Chess Life, May 20, 1954, p. 2)
Efim Geller (1925-1998) served as an aviator during World War II. In 1954, he was a Professor of Agriculture at the University of Odessa. He earned a doctorate in physical education. (source: Chess Life, July 5, 1954, p. 4)
In 1954, the International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF), officially recognized by FIDE, awarded the first ICCF Grandmaster titles to Purdy (Australia), Malmgren (Sweden), Napolitano (Italy), and Barda (Norway). (source: Chess Life, Oct 5, 1954, p. 2)
In 1955, for the first time in its history, the USCF took punitive action against a USCF member by voting the expulsion of Norman T. Whitaker from membership. Whitaker attacked the character and integrity of USCF officials. Whitaker then initiated a civil against the USCF and sued the USCF for $100,000 in damages. (sources: Chess Life, April 1955, p. 1 and May 20, 1955, p. 1)
In April 1955, the top active USCF players were Reshevsky (2766), Evans (2629), Robert Byrne (2621), Bisguier (2587) Donald Byrne (2587), and Herman Steiner (2507). The top women were Gisela Gresser (2116), Mona Karff (2040), and Sonja Graf-Stevenson (2006). ( (source: Chess Life, Apr 20, 1955, p. 1)
In 1955, the Brooklyn Eagle newspaper ended publication. In 1893, it established a chess column conducted by Hermann Helms (1870-1963) from Oct 15, 1893 to April, 1955. (source: Chess Life, May 5, 1955, p. 2)
In 1952, the USCF had 1,100 members. By 1955, it had doubled to 2,300 members. (source: Chess Life, July 20, 1955, p. 3)
In 1955, Charles Kalme (1939-2002) of Philadelphia won the US Junior Championship (opened to players under 21). At the time, he became the youngest player to hold the junior title at age 15. He scored 9-1. The event was held at the Lincoln, Nebraska, YMCA. Larry Remlinger, age 13, won a trophy for the best player 14 and under, taking 2nd place. Bobby Fischer, age 12, gained custody of the special trophy for ranking player 12 or under. There were no cash prizes. Kalme was awarded a suit of clothes. Remlinger was awarded a Wittnauer wristwatch. Robert Cross, age 20, was given a Motorola portable radio for 3rd place. Ronald Gross, age 19, was given a leather briefcase for 4th place. Viktors Pupols was given a silver spoon, engraved with the Nebraska Capitol Building. Barton Lewis was given a painting. Fischer, rated 1830, took 20th in the 25-player event.. (source: Chess Life, Aug 5, 1955, p. 1)
In 1955, Nicolas Rossolimo (1910-1975) ties for 1st with Reshevsky, and won the US Open in Long Beach on tiebreak. First prize for Rossolimo was a Buick automobile. Reshevsky’s prize was $1,000 ($11,000 in today’s currency) (source: Chess Life, Sep 5, 1955, p. 1)
In 1955, Bobby Fischer was the youngest member of the Manhattan Chess Club. In late 1955, he gave a 12-board simultaneous exhibition at the club rooms, and won 9-0. His opponents were kids from the Yorkshire Chess Group. The Manhattan CC gave Fischer a watch for his efforts. (source: Chess Life, Dec 20, 1955, p. 2)
In 1955, Arthur Bisguier (1929-2017) returned from chess-playing in Europe, where he lost 70 pounds. He previously served in Europe from 1951 to 1953 while an enlisted man in the U.S. Army. (source: Chess Life, Dec 20, 1955, p. 2)
On November 25, 1955, Herman Steiner (1905-1955) died of a heart attack two hours after finishing his 5th round game with William Addison (62-move draw) in the California State Championship, being played in Los Angeles. Steiner won the California State Championship in 1953 and 1954, and was defending his title. The event was cancelled by the wish of the other players as a gesture of sorrow. (source: Chess Life, Jan 5, 1956, p. 7)
In January 1956, Bill Lombardy won the first Greater New York Open on tiebreak over Ariel Mengarini. The Class B Trophy went to 12-year-old Bobby Fischer, scoring 5-2. In the final round, he thought for a long time, then decided on a move, shifted a piece on the board, and punched the chess clock on the next table. The event was held at the Churchill Chess Club, a little-known club in midtown Manhattan. (source: Chess Life, Feb 5, 1956, p. 1)
In 1956, Bobby Fischer was a member of the Log Cabin Chess Club in Orange, New Jersey. In early 1956, the Log Cabin CC played a match in Clinton, NC, losing 3-4, and then traveled to Florida and had a match with the St. Petersburg Chess Club. The Log Cabin CC lost 1.5 to 5.5. The only winner was 12-year-old Fischer. The Log Cabin CC and Fischer eventually left Florida and traveled to Cuba to play chess. (source: Chess Life, Mar 5, 1956, p. 2)
In 1956, Louis Persinger (1887-1966), age 60, a famous violinist and active chess player, married one of his pupils who was only 18 years old. In 1941, he won the first USCF correspondence chess tournament. (source: Chess Life, Mar 5, 1956, p. 2)
In 1956, George Koltanowski gave a 60-board simul at San Quentin Prison in California. Kolty has been giving simuls at the prison every year since 1947. The San Quentin Chess Club has over 150 members and a large chess library. San Quentin edited their own chess magazine, Chess Nuts. (source: Chess Life, Apr 5, 1956, p. 3)
In June 1956, the top 2 players at the North Carolina Open Championship (Kit Crittenden and Don Burdick) won an all-expenses paid fishing trip to the Gulf Stream at the height of the sailfish and king mackerel season. (sources: Chess Life, May 5, 1956, p. 2 and July 5, 1956, p. 1)
In May 1956, the top USCF players were Reshevsky (2663), Evans (2593), Robert Byrne (2590), Donald Byrne (2557), Rossolimo (2533), Bisguier (2529), and Kasdan (2525). Bobby Fischer’s was 1726. (source: Chess Life, May 20, 1956, p. 2)
In May 1956, the U.S, Amateur
Championship was held at Asbury Park, NJ.
John Hudson won on tiebreak over Harry Lyman and J. Cotter. Bobby Fischer took 21st place out
of 88 players. (source: Chess Life, June 20, 1956, p. 8)
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