ANew York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, December 29, 1957
Fischer Annexes Lead In U.S. Chess
Bobby Fischer, 14-year-old national open chess champion from Brooklyn, gained the lead in the United States title tournament last night in the seventh round at the Marshall Chess Club.
In lifting his score to 5—1 the youngster administered the first defeat to James T. Sherwin, who for five rounds had set the pace. Sherwin, with 4—2, tied Edmar Mednis in fourth place, while William Lombardy, winning from Al Turner, took the second spot. The best score, however, is that of Samuel Reshevsky, who has 4—0.
Sherwin, with the black pieces, set up a Sicilian defense against which the open champion proceeded energetically after castling on the king's side of the board. Sherwin followed suit at his fourteenth turn and, with 16 Kt-Q5, Fischer offered the temporary sacrifice of a knight.
Queen Moved 3 Times
Complications began to set in and Sherwin was obliged to move his queen three times. Occupying the open QB file, Fischer increased his initiative. He posted his king's bishop strongly and then proceeded to capture two wing pawns. His thirtieth move contributed much to the intricacies in which Fischer's king's bishop played a destructive part.
The constant threat of check by discovery decided the issue in his favor after thirty-six moves.
Another upset of the seventh round was a defeat of Arthur B. Bisguier, the defending champion, by Herbert Seidman, one-time varsity star at Brooklyn College.
The latter started with the rarely essayed Scotch opening. Bisguier refrained from castling and was forced to move his king when Seidman checked on the thirteenth move. Thereafter, although queens were soon exchanged, Bisguier played the minor role.
Seidman's chances improved as he brought off a neat sacrifice of a knight on the twenty-third turn. This, however, forced the black king into the open with the result that Seidman not only recovered his piece, but also emerged with a superior force. Bisguier resigned after thirty-three moves.
Lombardy Wins Easily
The only other decision recorded was the victory gained by Lombardy, the world junior champion, over Turner, who tried his hand at the Caro-Kann defense. Lombardy held the initiative throughout and, capturing a couple of pawns, forced his opponent's resignation in thirty-nine moves.
