AThe Guardian Journal, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, Thursday, December 27, 1956
11 Countries At Chess Congress
More than 130 competitors from Great Britain and ten Continental countries assembled at Hastings, Sussex, yesterday for the 32nd International Christmas Chess Congress, opening at St. Leonards this afternoon.
The congress, which will be opened by Sir Clarence Sadd, deputy president of the British Chess Federation lasts until January 5.
Mr. Frank Rhoden, the congress director, said yesterday that difficulties regarding a visa for Laszlo Szabo, the Hungarian master, had been overcome and he had received a telegram stating that Szabo and another Hungarian player, Koberl, were expected to arrive at London Airport from Belgrade.
There will be no Russians in the premier tournament this year. They had been invited to sent two masters, but said they could not do so as their own championship is being held at the same time.
Mr. Rhodes said that he was indignant at a report in an article in the New York Times that 13-year-old Bobby Fischer, the “chess wonder,” of Brooklyn, had been refused a place in the premier tournament.
Mr. Rhoden said that the boy was invited but the Americans replied that funds were not available to send him to England. After his place had been filled the Americans said the necessary funds had been raised, but none of the other international players in the premier tournament was prepared to withdraw.
Mr. Rhoden, who has been the congress director for the past four years, said that he was resigning after this congress.
