The Gift of Chess

Notice to commercial publishers seeking use of images from this collection of chess-related archive blogs. For use of the many large color restorations, two conditions must be met: 1) It is YOUR responsibility to obtain written permissions for use from the current holders of rights over the original b/w photo. Then, 2) make a tax-deductible donation to The Gift of Chess in honor of Robert J. Fischer-Newspaper Archives. A donation in the amount of $250 USD or greater is requested for images above 2000 pixels and other special request items. For small images, such as for fair use on personal blogs, all credits must remain intact and a donation is still requested but negotiable. Please direct any photographs for restoration and special request (for best results, scanned and submitted at their highest possible resolution), including any additional questions to S. Mooney, at bobbynewspaperblogs•gmail. As highlighted in the ABC News feature, chess has numerous benefits for individuals, including enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, improving concentration and memory, and promoting social interaction and community building. Initiatives like The Gift of Chess have the potential to bring these benefits to a wider audience, particularly in areas where access to educational and recreational resources is limited.

Best of Chess Fischer Newspaper Archives
• Robert J. Fischer, 1955 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1956 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1957 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1958 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1959 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1960 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1961 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1962 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1963 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1964 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1965 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1966 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1967 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1968 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1969 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1970 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1971 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1972 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1973 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1974 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1975 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1976 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1977 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1978 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1979 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1980 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1981 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1982 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1983 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1984 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1985 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1986 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1987 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1988 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1989 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1990 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1991 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1992 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1993 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1994 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1995 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1996 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1997 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1998 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1999 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2000 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2001 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2002 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2003 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2004 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2005 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2006 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2007 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2008 bio + additional games
Chess Columns Additional Archives/Social Media

Fischer Is Indicted Over Chess Match

Back to 1992 News Articles

New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, December 16, 1992 - Page 3

Fischer Is Indicted Over Chess Match
Games With Spassky Violated Embargo on Yugoslavia Government Charges

By Stephan Labaton
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 — Bobby Fischer, the mercurial chess master who returned to the game professionally in September after 20 years, was indicted today on charges that he had violated economic sanctions against Yugoslavia by playing a match there.
A Federal grand jury here handed up the single-count indictment that accused Mr. Fischer of violating an executive order issued by President Bush in June that restricted commercial relations with what remains of Yugoslavia.
In the match, Mr. Fischer defeated the Russian-born grandmaster Boris Spassky in an exhibition rematch of their celebrated 1972 world championship.
Immediately after the indictment, Federal officials issued a warrant for his arrest.
Mr. Fischer, who was believed to be in the former Yugoslav federation faces the choice of living in exile or returning to the United States for a trial that could result in up to 10 years in prison and a fine as high as $250,000.

Prosecution No Surprise
Action against Mr. Fischer appeared a virtual certainty after his brooding and bitter news conference in September in Sveti Stevan, Yugoslavia, 70 miles from the killing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a former Yugoslav Republic. He produced a Treasury Department letter ordering him not to play and warning of possible prosecution, held it up and spit at it.
The indictment came as Mr. Fischer appeared ready to resume a more active playing schedule. When he captured the championship 20 years ago, his strategic brilliance and relentless accuracy earned him the reputation as one of the greatest chess players ever. His most recent performance reflected an inconsistent, though promising foray back into the game.

Trial or Exile
Prosecutors said that since he had also violated a United Nations economic sanctions measure they would try to have him extradited if he traveled outside of the former Yugoslav federation, although experts in international law said that would be very difficult.
“Mr. Fischer faces the choice or returning to this country or being checkmated to Yugoslavia,” said Jay B. Stephens, the United States Attorney in Washington, who said that the Government could also try to seize his winnings of $3.35 million and 10 percent of the match's royalties.
International law scholars expressed surprise that, of all the possible violations of the economic embargo by arms salesmen and other commercial ventures, the Administration had chosen to go after a former chess champion.
“I'm amazed,” said Andreas F. Lowenfeld, a professor of international law at New York University who was a deputy legal adviser at the State Department in the 1960's. “With all the criminals in the world, it's hard to believe you go after Bobby Fischer. I understand you want to be serious about economic sanctions. But he would not be my prime target.”
But Mr. Stephens defended the indictment for conveying an important message about the devastation in the former Yugoslavia.
He said, “There is violence and there is ethnic cleansing. The world community has indicated that economic sanctions should be imposed and, in being imposed, should be enforced.”

Fischer Is Indicted Over Chess Match

'til the world understands why Robert J. Fischer criticised the U.S./British and Russian military industry imperial alliance and their own Israeli Apartheid. Sarah Wilkinson explains:

Bobby Fischer, First Amendment, Freedom of Speech
What a sad story Fischer was,” typed a racist, pro-imperialist colonial troll who supports mega-corporation entities over human rights, police state policies & white supremacy.
To which I replied: “Really? I think he [Bob Fischer] stood up to the broken system of corruption and raised awareness! Whether on the Palestinian/Israel-British-U.S. Imperial Apartheid scam, the Bush wars of ‘7 countries in 5 years,’ illegally, unconstitutionally which constituted mass xenocide or his run in with police brutality in Pasadena, California-- right here in the U.S., police run rampant over the Constitution of the U.S., on oath they swore to uphold, but when Americans don't know the law, and the cops either don't know or worse, “don't care” -- then I think that's pretty darn “sad”. I think Mr. Fischer held out and fought the good fight, steadfast til the day he died, and may he Rest In Peace.
Educate yourself about U.S./State Laws --
https://www.youtube.com/@AuditTheAudit/videos
After which the troll posted a string of profanities, confirming there was never any genuine sentiment of “compassion” for Mr. Fischer, rather an intent to inflict further defamatory remarks.

This ongoing work is a tribute to the life and accomplishments of Robert “Bobby” Fischer who passionately loved and studied chess history. May his life continue to inspire many other future generations of chess enthusiasts and kibitzers, alike.

Robert J. Fischer, Kid Chess Wizard 1956March 9, 1943 - January 17, 2008

The photograph of Bobby Fischer (above) from the March 02, 1956 The Tampa Times was discovered by Sharon Mooney (Bobby Fischer Newspaper Archive editor) on February 01, 2018 while gathering research materials for this ongoing newspaper archive project. Along with lost games now being translated into Algebraic notation and extractions from over two centuries of newspapers, it is but one of the many lost treasures to be found in the pages of old newspapers since our social media presence was first established November 11, 2017.

Special Thanks