Fitchburg Sentinel Fitchburg, Massachusetts Tuesday, March 03, 1964 - Page 10
20-Year-Old Grandmaster Duels 56
(Caption):Chess Master In Action—Robert “Bobby” Fischer, standing with back to camera above, attracted a capacity crowd to the Wachusett Chess Club's exhibition last night in the First Parish Church Hall. The 20-year-old international grandmaster took on 56 opponents simultaneously during the evening. He also lectured to the group for an hour. Miss Laurent Messier of Nashua (N.H.), his pictured opponent above, was the lone member of the feminine sex to attempt to outmove Fischer.
A turnaway crowd, including 56 challengers and approximately 125 spectators from all over New England, gathered at the First Parish Church Hall last night to watch the International Chess Grandmaster Robert “Bobby” Fischer is an exhibition sponsored by the Wachusett Chess Club.
Playing 56 matches simultaneously, the 20-year-old Fischer won 49, lost five and played to two draws. The simultaneous play started at 8 and concluded at 11:40. From 7 to 8, Fischer lectured to the group and demonstrated his draw with former world champion Micheal Botvinnik, explaining every move.
Among those succeeding in besting the international grandmaster were: Harold Dondis of Belmont, president of the Massachusetts State Chess Assn. in 20 moves; Clarence Barber of Holden, George Bart of Concord (N.H.). Edward Martin of Harvard University in 38 moves and Dave Scheffer of Cambridge in 51 moves. Steven Brandwein of the Boylston Chess Club, Boston YMCU with a 2132 rating and Leland Hamilton of Clinton played Fischer to a draw.
Among the challengers were two other experts besides Brandwein with USCF ratings. Patrick Eberlein of Harvard University (2046) and George Berry of Dartmouth College (2096) both went down to defeat.
The Wachusett Chess Club provided 12 challengers and all 12 were beaten. Miss Laurent Messier of Nashua (N.H.) was the lone feminine challenger. She lost too.
James A. Fitzgerald served as master of ceremonies.
