The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, December 17, 1961
Fischer, Reshevsky, Out of U.S. Title Chess
The United States chess championship tournament will start this afternoon at the Prince George Hotel in New York City. Missing from the entry list, with no stated reason, are champion Bobby Fischer and former champion Samuel Reshevsky, considered his chief rival.
Much of the glamor of the tournament is gone with the top stars out. Among the favorites will be former U.S. champions Arnold Denker and Larry Evans, and current U.S. Open Champion Pal Benko.
Others on the final list are Sidney Bernstein, Donald Byrne, Eliot Hearst, George Kramer, Edmar Mednis, Herbert Seidman, James T. Sherwin, Abe Turner, and Raymond Weinstein.