ANew York Times, New York, New York, Friday, August 18, 1961 - Page 27
Absent Fischer Loses Chess
He Fails to Appear, Forfeiting Series to Reshevsky
By Deane McGowen
Bobby Fischer, the 18-year-old United States chess champion, failed to show up yesterday for the thirteenth game of his series with Samuel Reshevsky. The move not only cost the young Brooklynite the forfeiture of the game but also the sixteen-match series.
Fischer had been scheduled to resume the series with the 49-year-old Reshevsky at the Empire Hotel, Broadway and Sixty-third Street. Al Horowitz, the publisher of Chess Review and the referee, started the clock promptly at 5:15 P.M. Under the rules, Fischer had one hour to appear. He did not.
At the expiration of the time limit, Horowitz announced to the thirty-odd spectators present, “The thirteenth game is a forfeit in abeyance, pending a review by the arbiter.”
The arbiter, Walter J. Fried, president of the sponsoring American Chess Foundation, then conferred with Horowitz and Sidney Wallach, a director of the foundation.
Series Begun July 16
Fried, who had entered the ballroom of the hotel at 6 P.M., then said, “We are going to remove the forfeiture by abeyance right now and declare Reshevsky the winner of the series.”
The series between the two grandmasters, for a purse of about $8,000, began in New York only July 16, then shifted to Los Angeles after four games. The winner was to receive 65 per cent, the loser 35.
After eleven games the players were tied with 5½ points each. Fischer then was adjudged to have forfeited the twelfth game in Los Angeles when he refused to play last Sunday at 11 A.M.
Fischer contended that the game originally had been scheduled for 8:30 the preceding evening, then shifted to 9:30 P.M., then to 1 P.M. Sunday and then advanced to 11. Fischer balked. The forfeit gave Reshevsky the lead, 6½ to 5½.
Fischer also was directed to return to New York to resume the series on Tuesday at the Empire Hotel. He did not appear at that time and subsequently was warned to do so yesterday or face action by the foundation.
After yesterday's forfeit, Fried said:
“Fischer held a pistol at our heads by threatening not to play. First, he said he would not perform until the forfeiture in Los Angeles had been removed.
“We urged him to play, pending a decision on the forfeiture after we had heard all the available information from the Los Angeles referee, Irving Rivise, and officials connected with the games there.
“But Fischer would not consent to play under that arrangement. Then he told us he would not play unless this game was to be the twelfth, not the thirteenth.”
Fischer sent a telegram yesterday to Fried. Received about 4:15 P.M., it read:
“I protest your requirement that I proceed with the thirteenth game prior to a decision on the illegal forfeiture of the twelfth game.
“The rescheduling of the twelfth game was without my consent and the breach of contract therefore was not mine.
“I request that the match continue with the twelfth game, failure of which will cause me to institute action for damages for breach of contract.”
After Fried pronounced Reshevsky the victor, he sent the following telegram to Fischer at his Brooklyn home:
“By reason of your successive failure to appear at scheduled games and your flagrant disregard of your written commitments, I have today declared Samuel Reshevsky the winner of the match.”
Fried said he believed the foundation had given Fischer every chance to continue the match. Asked whether the sponsor would take legal action, he said he did not think that would be necessary.
Reshevsky, the 5-foot 2-inch former United States champion and once a boy prodigy himself, commented:
“It's unfortunate it had to happen this way, but it couldn't be helped.”
Asked whether he was ready to meet his young rival again, he replied: “I have not given that any thought. I cannot say now. There has not been any discussion of a future match.”
One spectator, Bill Lombardy, a 23-year-old Morris High graduate now studying for the priesthood at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, expressed dissent with the official action. Lombardy is ranked second in the United States behind Fischer and was a member of the United States student team that finished second to the Soviet Union in a tournament at Helsinki, Finland, last month.
“I think there should have been a little more leeway,” Lombardy said. “It appeared that the officials threatened him [Fischer]. I know Bobby well enough to know he would not consent to play any game at 11 o'clock in the morning.”
Victory Called ‘Hollow’
He continued:
“Reshevsky did not have to accept this forfeit and victory. I feel it is a hollow victory for him.
“When only two men are involved in a match, it seems that the officials could schedule the games at a time suitable for both players. In a tournament it's different. People must appear at the scheduled time, otherwise the whole tournament schedule is thrown off stride. Then forfeits are necessary and just.
“This is a regrettable situation. Bobby should at least shown up to explain his feelings in person even if he chose not to play.”
Mrs. Betty Deitchman, director of the Manhattan Chess Club who was in the group at the Empire Hotel, pointed out that the schedule of games seemed to bear out Fischer's contention.
The schedule, as posted on the Manhattan Club board, listed the twelfth game for last Saturday night at 8:30. Reshevsky, an orthodox Jew, does not compete on the Jewish Sabbath, which does not end until dark. The officials therefore began shifting the playing times, according to Fischer.
