The Gift of Chess

Notice to commercial publishers seeking use of images from this collection of chess-related archive blogs. For use of the many large color restorations, two conditions must be met: 1) It is YOUR responsibility to obtain written permissions for use from the current holders of rights over the original b/w photo. Then, 2) make a tax-deductible donation to The Gift of Chess in honor of Robert J. Fischer-Newspaper Archives. A donation in the amount of $250 USD or greater is requested for images above 2000 pixels and other special request items. For small images, such as for fair use on personal blogs, all credits must remain intact and a donation is still requested but negotiable. Please direct any photographs for restoration and special request (for best results, scanned and submitted at their highest possible resolution), including any additional questions to S. Mooney, at bobbynewspaperblogs•gmail. As highlighted in the ABC News feature, chess has numerous benefits for individuals, including enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, improving concentration and memory, and promoting social interaction and community building. Initiatives like The Gift of Chess have the potential to bring these benefits to a wider audience, particularly in areas where access to educational and recreational resources is limited.

Best of Chess Fischer Newspaper Archives
• Robert J. Fischer, 1955 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1956 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1957 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1958 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1959 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1960 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1961 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1962 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1963 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1964 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1965 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1966 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1967 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1968 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1969 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1970 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1971 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1972 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1973 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1974 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1975 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1976 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1977 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1978 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1979 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1980 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1981 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1982 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1983 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1984 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1985 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1986 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1987 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1988 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1989 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1990 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1991 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1992 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1993 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1994 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1995 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1996 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1997 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1998 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 1999 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2000 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2001 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2002 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2003 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2004 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2005 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2006 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2007 ➦
• Robert J. Fischer, 2008 ➦
Chess Columns Additional Archives/Social Media

Idle Rumors and Defamation Circulated About Robert Fischer, Confused As Fact by Public

The only “documented evidence” from typically reliable sources, regarding any personal connection between Robert Fischer and Henry Kissinger are disclosed in two following excerpts. In 1972, on his return to America, Fischer was unaware of the extent of the defamation and false stories cooked up in Moscow and poured into U.S.-World newspapers. The first mention by Fischer, is a New York Times Interview, September 23, 1972, spoken by Bobby, in jest. “First of all,” he said, “I want to deny a vicious rumor that's been going around—I think it was started by Moscow. It is not true that Henry Kissinger phoned me during the night to tell me the moves.” What can Fischer do about such wild rumors, but laugh along with them? The second reference to a supposed personal connection with Kissinger, again in jest, was scripted by comedians in Hollywood, designed to elicit laughter from the audience but not intended to be taken literally:
Bob Hope: Bobby, I heard that all through your match you were getting advice from Henry Kissinger. Is that true?
Bobby Fischer: That's right.
Bob Hope: Did it help?
Bobby Fischer: It will if I meet *Jill St. John.
https://youtu.be/LSWau3pTyIg?t=216

Certainly, Bob Hope shouldn't need to ask such a question if it had been confirmed by White House press aides. However, like the rumored “invitation to the White House” the best the New York Times could get, was officials declining comment.

*Jill St. John was a famous actress in 1960-1970s who dated Henry Kissinger.
Kissinger 'shared girlfriend' with mob lawyer
Washington. At the height of secret negotiations to end the Vietnam War in 1972, then US secretary of state Henry Kissinger allegedly shared an actress girlfriend (Jill St. John) with a Hollywood lawyer who became notorious for his mobster connections.”

In 1972, Fischer was laughing along with the sordid rumors and had not grasped the extent of the damage Moscow's negative press had inflicted on his reputation back home during the July-September 1972 tournament. By 1974, Life Magazine's Brad Darrach (notorious for smear journalism) had written another fictitious novel, riddled with defamatory, insulting mischaracterization of Robert Fischer. By this point Fischer was avoiding the press, and growing angry toward those spreading vile character defamation, and by 1977 sued Darrach/Life Magazine.
Unfortunately, the damage was done. The public believed the falsehoods that were spewed by Moscow throughout the Spring and Summer months of 1972, while Fischer was isolated behind the Iron Curtain of Soviet controlled Icelandic Chess Federation. When Fischer's lawsuit was heard in court, he did not receive justice against Darrach's defamation. Imagine that! Financial profit from libel and character defamation, or that Darrach was protected by an army of Life Magazine lawyers.
In 2005, it was reported: “Fischer would later report that he was ‘laughed out of court’ and, it was that turning point, Fischer began to view the justice system as a farce: ‘I got laughed out of court,’ he said. ‘This is when I began to realize what kind of a country America was then … it's just a sham democracy. … That's when I started to part company with the U.S.’”

Idle Rumors and Defamation Circulated About Robert Fischer, Confused As Fact by Public

Who's responsible for pressing the fraudulent belief there was a connection between Robert Fischer and Kissinger, anyway? Brad Darrach? Larry Evans? The more important fact here is that people around the world blame Kissinger for prolonging the Vietnam war among other crimes, directly responsible for the deaths of millions. Moscow, would have loved for any connection between Fischer, as a scapegoat and war criminal Kissinger to be seared into the minds of people worldwide, but Fischer would eventually go on with his life and denounce war criminals the likes of Kissinger.

The Jury is out until better documented evidence is available. Larry Evans and Brad Darrach are hardly qualified as reliable sources.

Recommended Books

Understanding Chess by William Lombardy Chess Duels, My Games with the World Champions, by Yasser Seirawan No Regrets: Fischer-Spassky 1992, by Yasser Seirawan Chess Fundamentals, by Jose Capablanca Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess, by Bobby Fischer My 60 Memorable Games, by Bobby Fischer Bobby Fischer Games of Chess, by Bobby Fischer The Modern Chess Self Tutor, by David Bronstein Russians versus Fischer, by Mikhail Tal, Plisetsky, Taimanov, et al

'til the world understands why Robert J. Fischer criticised the U.S./British and Russian military industry imperial alliance and their own Israeli Apartheid. Sarah Wilkinson explains:

Bobby Fischer, First Amendment, Freedom of Speech
What a sad story Fischer was,” typed a racist, pro-imperialist colonial troll who supports mega-corporation entities over human rights, police state policies & white supremacy.
To which I replied: “Really? I think he [Bob Fischer] stood up to the broken system of corruption and raised awareness! Whether on the Palestinian/Israel-British-U.S. Imperial Apartheid scam, the Bush wars of ‘7 countries in 5 years,’ illegally, unconstitutionally which constituted mass xenocide or his run in with police brutality in Pasadena, California-- right here in the U.S., police run rampant over the Constitution of the U.S., on oath they swore to uphold, but when Americans don't know the law, and the cops either don't know or worse, “don't care” -- then I think that's pretty darn “sad”. I think Mr. Fischer held out and fought the good fight, steadfast til the day he died, and may he Rest In Peace.
Educate yourself about U.S./State Laws --
https://www.youtube.com/@AuditTheAudit/videos
After which the troll posted a string of profanities, confirming there was never any genuine sentiment of “compassion” for Mr. Fischer, rather an intent to inflict further defamatory remarks.

This ongoing work is a tribute to the life and accomplishments of Robert “Bobby” Fischer who passionately loved and studied chess history. May his life continue to inspire many other future generations of chess enthusiasts and kibitzers, alike.

Robert J. Fischer, Kid Chess Wizard 1956March 9, 1943 - January 17, 2008

The photograph of Bobby Fischer (above) from the March 02, 1956 The Tampa Times was discovered by Sharon Mooney (Bobby Fischer Newspaper Archive editor) on February 01, 2018 while gathering research materials for this ongoing newspaper archive project. Along with lost games now being translated into Algebraic notation and extractions from over two centuries of newspapers, it is but one of the many lost treasures to be found in the pages of old newspapers since our social media presence was first established November 11, 2017.

Special Thanks