ANew York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, July 29, 1956
Bisguier Annexes Open Chess Title
Tie With Sherwin at 9½-2½ Broken by Median System —Steinmeyer Third
Special to The New York Times.
Oklahoma City, July 28—Arthur B. Bisguier of New York today captured the national open chess championship. He drew by agreement in the twelfth and final round with Edmar Mednis, the New York State champion, in ten moves.
Bisguier's final score of 9½—2½ was equaled by James T. Sherwin of New York. Under the median system of tie-breaking the title went to Bisguier, who is also the United States champion.
Sherwin defeated Edgar T. McCormick of East Orange, N. J. in the final round.
Robert Steinmeyer of St. Louis gained third place with a score of 9-3, when he defeated J. Theodorovitch of Toronto in thirty-one moves.
Bobby Fischer, 13 years old, of Brooklyn, undefeated throughout the twelve rounds, wound up as one of five players with a score of 8½-3½. He won from Jeremiah F. Donovan of Brooklyn in the final session.
Others in Fischer's group, and also undefeated, were Atillio Di Camillo of Philadelphia, Mednis, Anthony F. Saidy of Fordham and Douglaston, Queens, and S. Popel of Detroit. Popel defeated Brian Owens of Great Neck, L. I., in forty-four moves. Saidy and Di Camillo drew in thirty-four moves.
Paul Brandts and Anthony E. Santasiere, both of New York, finished with scores of 8-4. Others with that score were Henry Gross of San Francisco, Ray Martin of Santa Monica, Calif.; McCormick, Orest Popovich, Lakewood, N. J., and Theodorovitch.
