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The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washington, Sunday, January 10, 1960
Ancient Game, but Young Local Group
Chess is, of course one of the most ancient of games. A handy reference book says it is “played in one form or another in all parts of the civilized world, and come down from so great antiquity that its origin is lost in obscurity.” It also is more a science than a game.
In the face of such venerable antecedents, the Spokane Chess club is a mere sprite, because it was formed less than 10 years ago (Nov. 18, 1950) by Dr. Griffith Parker. On secretary George Priebe's ladder the other night Dr. Parker stood fifth behind president Kittredge; Dr. David Groenig, who will be defending his city title this week; Frank Ashley, last years' “wood-pushers' champ,” the equivalent of the duffers' champion in golf, and Sgt. Jesee Tuggle, who gives the military representation.
Chess is a game at which Russians excel, for reasons which no one ever has made clear to me (I am also seeking elucidation on the hows and whys of our acquiring a national debt). The Russ have done so for years and continue to do so. In the most recent meeting of international masters Russians finished 1-2-3-4.
There followed then an unresolved tie for fifth and sixth, and in fifth place in this listing was Robert Fischer, the Brooklyn teen-ager. Because of his lack of years and possession of talent, there are those who have predicted that Fischer will rank among the masters of all time before his chess career is finished.
