Deseret News and Salt Lake Telegram Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, August 09, 1956
U.S. Champion Captures Federation Title
Arthur B. Bisguier, United States chess champion, added to his laurels by capturing the Open Championship of the United States Chess Federation at Oklahoma City last week end. He drew with Edmar Mednis of New York in the 12th round to clinch the title with a score of 9½-2½. Bisguier defeated two of his chief rivals, Anthony F. Saidy of Fordham and Robert Steinmeyer of St. Louis in the 9th and 10th rounds to take the lead in the tournament.
He drew with James T. Sherwin of New York in the semi-final round and with Atillio Di Camillio of Philadelphia in the 6th round.
Sherwin equaled Bisguier's score of 9½-2½ but lost out under the median tie-breaking system. He lost but one game, to Steinmeyer, and drew with Saidy and DiCamillo as well as Bisguier.
Steinmeyer, who had been leading through most of the tournament, finally wound up in third place, with 9-3, when he defeated J. Theodorovitch of Toronto in the final round. His one loss was the crucial game with Bisguier, but he drew four.
United States Junior Champion Bobby Fischer, the 13-year-old Brooklynite, was one of five players who finished with a score of 8½-3½.
Others in this group were Di Camillio, Saidy, Mednis and S. Popel of Detroit.
Fischer, DiCamillo, and Mednis were the only undefeated players in the tournament, each scoring five wins and seven draws.
Ray Martin of Los Angeles and Henry Cross of San Francisco were the highest placed Californians, with 8-4.
Tied with them were Paul Brandts and Anthony E. Santasiere of New York, Edward T. McCormick of East Orange, N.J., Orest Popovich of Lakewood, N.J. and Theodorovich.
The Open Women's Championship was won by Mrs. Sonja Graf Stevenson of Los Angeles, who scored 6½ in the tournament.
Mrs. Mary Selensky of Philadelophia was second with 5½ points.
