Reshevsky’s Tournament Debut - 1922

Samuel Reshevsky, the legendary chess prodigy who was born in Poland and later immigrated to the United States, made his tournament debut at the age of 10 years old.  The site was the Chess Club International in New York City and the date was October 8th, 1922.

The youngster’s opponent was Charles Jaffe, a very accomplished and seasoned American chess player.  Reshevsky (then spelled “Rzeschewski”) played the black side of a Ruy Lopez.  The game was initially adjourned with little Reshevsky enjoying an advantageous position and an additional pawn.  Jaffe would eventally equalize the position after play resumed and the result was a hard fought 59-move draw.

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