AThe Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, December 18, 1960
U.S. Title Tourney Starts In New York
The tournament for the United States chess championship will start this afternoon at the Empire Hotel in New York City, with 11 rounds to be contested through Jan. 5.
Defending champion Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, who at 17 is the youngest grandmaster in chess history, is favored to retain the title, which he has held for the last three years.
Strongest competition should come from former champion Samuel Reshevsky, recent victor in match play against Paul Benko, who is also a contender. William Lombardy, Robert Byrne, Arthur Bisguier and Raymond Weinstein, returned from the Chess Olympics at Leipzig, will all make their presence felt.
Also in the tournament are Hans Berliner, Charles Kalme, Anthony Saidy, Herbert Seidman and James Sherwin. Hans Kmoch, secretary of the Manhattan Chess Club, will be the tournament director.
The winner will have custody of a special trophy donated by Lessing J. Rosenwald. The top three players will be eligible for the interzonal tournament to determine the next challengers for the world championship.
