The Mechanics' Institute Chess Club during Fischer's Run to the World Championship!

by NM Kerry Lawless

1970: Near the end of March, after almost a two-year hiatus, GM Robert Fischer returned to play in the USSR vs The Rest of the World team match. He was slatted to play on 1st Board, but Bent Larsen objected. He had been playing and winning tournaments and considered himself the best player in the Western world. Fischer didn't argue; he stepped down to 2nd Board. He beat former world champion, GM Tigran Petrosian, 2 wins and 2 draws. Then Fischer played a 5-minute tournament at Herceg Novi; he came in 1st with a score of 17 wins, 4 draws, and 1 loss (to GM Victor Korchnoi). He was 4.5 points ahead of 2nd place GM Mikhail Tal, who had 14.5 points. Bobby then proceeded to win two major tournaments in a row. In April, he won Rovinj/Zagreb with a score of 13-4, GM Vlastimil Hort, GM Svetozar Gligoric, GM Vasily Smyslov, and GM Viktor Korchnoi were tied for 2nd with 11 points. The Buenos Aires Tournament, held in July, was won with a score of 15-2, 3.5 points ahead of 2nd place finisher IM Vladimir Tukmakov.

Playing 1st Board for the US team at the Siegen Olympiad in September, he scored 8 wins, 4 draws, and 1 loss (to GM Boris Spassky.) His last tournament of the year in November, the Palma de Mallorca Interzonal, was the most important; he won it with a score of 15 wins, 7 draws, and 1 loss (to GM Bent Larsen.) He was 3.5 points ahead of 2nd place Larsen, who had 15 points!

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Fischer's run of wins sparked chess interest around the world. Chess players became cool! Of course the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club, the premier Northern California chess club for over a century, was bursting at the seams with new and old players alike. Over the next couple of years, the MICC became even more crowded. During the day, business men came to play during their lunch and stayed for hours; they played for points on the ladder board. In the evening, players occupied most of the playing tables with clock and skittle games. Prodigies and older talents started soaking up rating points like sponges. The chess boom was just beginning!

(January 17-18) The Mechanics' Institute Amateur Tournament was won by Takashi Kurosaki (1897) (SF), Barry Kraft (1954) (San Rafael), and Rick Swanson (1695) (SF) who all tied for 1st with 4.5-.5. They won $55 each. Anthony Hanak (SF) and David Obstfeldt (1878) (SF) both scored 4-1 to win $15 each. The 60 player event was directed by Chess Room Director, Alan Bourke. The prize fund of $320 was divided among 23 winners.

(January to May) The M.I. entered two teams into the 1970 San Francisco Bay Area Chess League. 140 Total players competed in the league.

(July 3-5) The 7th Annual Arthur B. Stamer Tournament was won by IM Julio Kaplan (2408) (Berkeley), Gilbert Ramirez (2227) (Daly City), Dennis Fritzinger (2158) (SF), and Jairo Gutierrez (2108) (SF) who all tied for 1st with a score of 5.5-.5. They received $137.50 each. The tourney had 101 players and was directed by Mike Goodall. It had a total prize fund of $1190.

Expert: Art Wang (2122) (Oakland), Aki Kanamori (2109) (SF), Ed Syrett (2097) (Stanford) all had a score of 4.5-1.5 and received $53.33 each.

A: John Farwell (1820) (Ft. Ord) won with a score of 5-1 and received $60. Al Raymond (1964) (SF) and Anthony DiMilo (1830) (Rancho Cardova) tied for 2nd with scores of 4-2 and received $27.50 each.

B: Charles Pardini (1765) (SF) won with a score of 4.5-1.5 and received $45; Charles Maddigan (1796) (Oakland) came in 2nd with 3.5-2.5 and received $30. Kerry Lawless (1722*) (San Leandro), Elmo Mugnani (1704) (SF), Earle Ipsen (1698) (SF), Paul McEntire (Palo Alto), and Laroy O'Doan (1676) (Vallejo) had scores of 3-3 and received $3 each.

C: Lee Henderson (1527*) (Rohnert Park) won with a score of 3.5-2.5 and received $30. George Currie (1466#) (SF), Larry Shapiro (1403#) (SF), King Low (1593) (SF), and John Narcisi (1576) (Oakland) scored 2-4 and received $7.50 each.

(September) George Kane (2107) and (2nd correction) Jude Acers (2136) played a match. George won with a score of 3.5-1.5. They played in a little room, in the outer hallway, opposite the office door. The room is no longer there.

(October 10-11) MI Fall Rating Tournament. C. Bill Jones (2033) and J. Wallan tied for 1st with 3.5-.5.

(November 7-8) The Northern California Qualifying Tournament for the State Championship was won by Dennis Fritzinger (2205) (SF) with a score of 5-0; he received $175. GM Walter Browne (2475) (Berkeley) and John Grefe (2188) (Berkeley) tied for 2nd with a score of 4.5-.5 and received $52.50 each. 51 Players competed in the event. The tournament was directed by Charles Savery.

Expert: William Bills (2188) (SF), David Blohm (2162) (Berkeley), Peter Gould (2157) (Palo Alto), and C. Bill Jones (2033) (Redwood City) scored 4-1 and received $16.25 each.

A: Bernard Lainson (1978) (Monterey) won with a score of 4-1; he received $35. Craig Barnes (1886) (Berkeley) and Rod Bobo (1874) (Fresno) both scored 3.5-1.5 and received $10 each.

B: Bradley Mills (1663) (Santa Cruz) won with a score of 3-2 and received $18. Curtis Wilson (Lafayette) and Eugene Lien (1778) (Berkeley) both scored 2.5-2.5 and received $8 each.

C: Marcos Costa (1579*) (Albany) and Ronald Smith (1547*) (Mt. View) scored 3-2 and received $18 each.

Unrated: Gency Anima (SF) scored 3-2 and received $25.

(November 14) GM Walter Browne (2475) gave a 32 game, 4 hour, simultaneous exhibition. He won 28, drew Luis Givt and Randell Feliciano (1678), and lost to Charles Pardini (1765) and Gary Johnson.

(December 12-13) The San Francisco City Championship was won by GM Walter Browne (2493) (Berkeley) with a 5-0 score and he received $175. Tied for 2nd were James Tarjan (2354), Ted Syrett (2097), Donald Dean (2086), C. Bill Jones (2109), and Larry Hughes who scored 4-1 and $35 each. Michael Goodall directed the 58 players. The tourney had a prize fund of $515.

A: Max Wilkerson (1996) and Anthony DiMilo (1975) both scored 3.5-1.5 and received $27.50 each.

B: Charles Pardini (1765) scored 3.5-1.5 and received $25. Geremy Ets-Hokin (1671) and Curtis Wilson (1798) both scored 2.5-2.5 and received $7.50 each.

C: Gary Tuttle (1538) scored 2.5-2.5 and received $20. Marcos Costa (1541) and Frank Flynn (1565*) both scored 2-3 and received $5 each.

Unrated: Gency Anima scored 3.5-1.5 and received $25. Theodore Sailor scored 3-2 and received $15.

SF City Championship, December 12, 1970

GM Walter Browne (2493)-Takashi Kurosaki (2092)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8.Bb3 Qc7 9. f3 a6 10. Qd2 b5 11. O-O-O Bb7 12. h4 Na5 13. h5 Nxb3+ 14. axb3 Rac8 15. Kb1 Bc6 16. Nf5 gxf5 17. h6 b4 18. hxg7 Rfd8 19. Bd4 f4 20. Bxf6 exf6 21. Qf2 bxc3 22. Qh4 Kxg7 23. Qh6+ Kg8 24. Rh4 f5 25. exf5 1-0

Position after Black's move, 15...Bc6. White to move.

(December 27-29) California State Championship was won by Dennis Fritzinger (2264) (SF) and Charles Henin (2199) (Sherman Oaks) who tied for 1st with scores of 6-3 and each received $125. The total prize fund was $600.

Julius Loftsson (2160) (LA) 5.5-3.5

Harry Mayer (2156) (Oakland) 5.4

Ross Stoutenborough (2288) (Riverside) 5-4

Donald Dean (2086) (Oakland) 4.5-4.5

Erik Osbun (2184) (San Jose), 4.5-4.5

Kim Commons (2212) (LA), 3.5-5.5

William Bragg (1967) (Santa Monica), 3-6

Michael Ewell (2007) (Monterey), 2-7

Mechanics' Institute Chess Room Director, Raymond J. Conway, and Guthrie McClain directed the 10 player event, held under the auspices of the California State Chess Federation. Martin E. Morrison, USCF Region VIII Vice-President, said, "Henin, the previous years champion, lost his chance for a clear win by an unsound sacrifice in the final round."

1971: GM Robert Fischer shutout of GM Mark Taimanov, in May, by a score of 6-0 was totally unexpected. Even the Soviets expected Bobby to win, but not like this. The Candidate results started appearing in the local newspapers. The second Candidates match in July, with GM Bent Larson, ended with an unprecedented second score of 6-0. The chess world went crazy. Bent later admitted that he tried to win drawn positions; definitely a bad idea. In the third match, from late September and into October, GM Tigran Petrosian managed to break Bobby's winning streak, but still lost the match 6.5-2.5.

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Many times Northern California and San Francisco champion, and long time MI member, Carroll Mather Capps died on January 15.

(January-April) San Francisco Bay Area Team Tournament results. There were still unfinished games still to be played.

(June 5-6) The Mechanics' Institute Summer Rating Tournament was won by Dennis Fritzinger (2265), Craig Barnes (2081), and Charles Pardini (2003) who tied for 1st with 4-0. Richard Shorman directed the event.

(July 3-5) The 8th Annual Arthur B. Stamer Memorial was won by Jim McCormick (2199) and David Blohm (2135) who tied for 1st with 5.5-.5. They each received $225. Charles Pardini directed the 94 player, $1,000 prize fund event.

(August 23) GM Florin Gheorghiu gave a simultaneous exhibition and scored 20 wins and 4 draws; with Alan Benson (2028) (Oakland), Fred Demanuele (Toronto, Canada), Roger Gabrielson (1816) (Berkeley), and John Peterson (1868) (San Jose).

(September 17) IM Hans Ree (The Netherlands) gave a 30-board simul scoring 19 wins, 5 loses, and 6 draws. Winners were Rendon Holloway (1691*) (Newark), William Bills (2172) (SF), Marcos Costa (1725) (Albany), Walter Heaton (1871) (SF), and Martin Sullivan (1432#) (San Leandro). Players with half-points were Alan Benson (2028) (Oakland), Harry Overholtzer (1816) (SF), Kevin Fong (1639) (SF), Albert Curz (SF), Romulo Aguilar (SF), and Steve Sawyer (1989) (SF).

(October 23-25) The 1st Annual Carroll M. Capps Memorial was directed by Alan Benson and Charles Pardini. 81 Players participated in the event which had a $1,100 prize fund.

Open: IM J. Kaplan (2438) (Berkeley) won with a score of 5.5-.5, he received $300. Dennis Fritzinger (2214) (Berkeley) and Eleuterio Alsasua (Unrated) (SF) tied for 2nd with a 5-1 score; they received $100 each.

Expert: David Forthoffer (2116) (Berkeley) and Rex Wilcox (2195) (SF) tied with a 5-1 score and received $100 each. William Bills (2170) (SF), C. Bill Jones (2115) (Redwood City), Max Burkett (2083) (SF), and Tom Maser (Berkeley) scored 4.5-1.5 and received $7.50 each.

A: Norman Wood (1998) (Vallejo), John Jaffray (1932) (SF), Randall Hough (1895) (Stockton), Gencey Anima (1969) (SF) all scored 4-2 and received $28.75 each.

B: Marcos Costa (1729) (Albany) won the 1st B prize of $45 with a scored of 4-2. Randall Feliciano (1705) (SF), Ronald Watson (1692#) (SF), Andy Rood (1771#) (Stanford), Earl Phillips (San Bernardino), and Gary Kobliska (1682*) (Berkeley) all scored 3-3 and received $9 each.

C: Michael Koblentz (1505#) (Berkeley) scored 4-2 and received $30. Michael Pool (1459) (SF), Martin Sullivan (1432#) (San Leandro), and Jack Nitzberg (1335#) (San Rafael) all scored 2.5-3.5 and received $10 each.

Unrated: Romulo Aguilar (SF) and Alan Hawkins (Hayward) scored 3-3 and received $22.50 each.

Senior: Boris Popov (SF) won with a score of 4-2; he received $30.

Brilliancy Award: Borel Menas (2013) (SF) who only scored 3-3, receive the award because of two games he played.

(December 2) Alan Bourke (2215) - Jude Acers (2408) Third match game at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club. (The ratings were supplied by Jude.)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9. Na3 d5 10. exd5 Bxa3 11. bxa3 Qa5 12. Qd2 Nd4 13. Bd3 Bh3 14.O-O Nf3+ 15. gxf3 Rg8+ 0-1

Position after White's move, 13. Bd3. Black to move.

(December 4-5) The Northern California Championship was won by Jim Tarjan (2403) (Berkeley) and Dennis Fritzinger (2202) (Redwood City) with scores of 4.5-.5. It was directed by Alan Benson.

1972: GM Robert Fischer beat GM Boris Spassky, 12.5-8.5, to win the World Championship, held from July into September. Fischer fever raised chess popularity, in the US, to levels never seen before or since.

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(May 13-14) The Summer Rating Tournament was 4-Round tourney with 63 players, and it was directed by Charles Pardini. (The time control was 40 moves in 2 hours and it had a $5 entry.)

 (May 28) At the 1972 California State Chess Federation meeting, held at the Mechanics' Institute, MI members Guthrie McClain and Henry Gross, and Chess Room Director Ray Conway were elected to the Northern California Board of Directors for 1972.

(June 17) Larry Gilden (2313), chess master and philosopher, gave a very interesting lecture and simultaneous exhibition on 26 boards, losing to Frank Eng (SF) and drawing with Eugene S. Lien (1681) (Berkeley), David H. Krause (2050) (Mill Valley), Joe Tracy (SF), and Elsie Lee (SF).

(June 21) James Tarjan (2374) gave a 14-board simultaneous exhibition and scored 13 wins and 1 draw to Kevin Fong (1716) (SF).

(July 1-4⁾ The 9th Annual Arthur B. Stamer Memorial Open was won by Rex Wilcox by a score of 7-1. Alan Benson directed the event which had a prize fund of $1500. It was played at the rate of 40/2.

(October 21-23) 2nd Carrol M. Capps Memorial Open was won by Craig Barnes by a score of 6-0. The 102 player event was directed by Roy Hoppe with assistance by Raymund Conway, Director of the Mechanics' Institute Chess Room. The prize fund was $1,130.

When I came back from a Navy tour of duty in late 1972, I was astounded by the number of chess players a the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club. The chess room was so packed that it was difficult walking from one side of the room to the other. I remember a crowd around chessmaster Larry Gilden. He was expounding on a game and he was explaining the moves in philosophic terms; not chess jargon. Players were eating it up. A few days later I had a chess lesson from him. He gave me insight into the full power of a fiancettoed Bishop; i.e., potential control along the entire long diagonal. In payment, I took him to an all you can eat Chinese deli, around the corner. Except for Jude Acers, Larry was the most prodigious eater I have ever seen! I was based on Treasure Island, so as I was going home to celebrate Christmas, on Christmas day, I took a little detour to the MI Chess Room. I expected the room to be empty, but to my surprise Expert Robert Hammie was playing over games. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing speed chess. I had recently zoomed up to 1990 USCF after doing well in some A sections. But, couldn't hold my own in our 5-minute games. I remember losing 3 out of 5, or it might have been 3.5 out of 5; he was a very good speed player. It was one of the best Christmases I ever had!

Paul and Jay Whitehead in front of the ladderboard.