Author: Gustave Littman vs Samuel Herman Reshevsky signed by Reshevsky
Year: 1940
Publisher: United States Chess Federation
Place: New York
Description:
(10 3/4" x 7") original score sheet in Samuel Herman Reshevsky's hand with score and signed at the top by Samuel Reshevsky. Played 1940 Round 8, Dutch Defense: Stonewall. General Variation (A92), 62 moves, of the tournament which was won by Reshevsky. With a press photograph of Reshevsky.
The 1940 US bi-annual championship was played the Astor Hotel in New York City April 27th to 19th. The following were invited to play without having to qualify in preliminary events: Reshevsky, Marshall, Simonson, Denker, Hanauer, Kupchlk, Fine, Kashdan, Horowitz, Dake, Littman, Adams, Polland, plus one player to be selected from the Chicago area chess clubs and one from those In California. Former champion Frank Marshall decided not to compete and injuries from a bad auto accident prevented Horowitz from playing.
In one of the most bitterly fought contests in the history of the championship, Samuel Reshevsky won for the third successive time, but he needed all of the technical skill for which he was noted. Reshevsky was in poor health during the tournament, but in spite of that he didn’t lose a game. He was a half point ahead of Fine going into the last round and needed only a draw to keep his title.
Fine and Reshevsky met in the last round. Fine had white and the opening was a Two Knights Defense in which Reshevsky seemed unable to find his bearings and after 26 moves Fine was a Pawn up with the better position, but inexact play allowed Reshesvky to escape with a draw and keep his title.
Condition:
Some folds in the sheet, some edge wear else very good.