Breaking News! John Gotti as chess enthusiast!

This is a little "fun fact" and story I'd like to share with the community.  I've heard rumors before that John Gotti (head of the Gambino "Family" from 1985 to his death in 2002) was an avid chess player.  I never really thought much of it.

Apparently, a new book has come out where a former associate and friend of Gotti's detailed how the future crime boss became quite enthusiastic about the game starting in 1972 and idolized Bobby Fischer.  Gotti furhtermore apparently encouraged fellow mobsters to take up chess, and kept playing chess throughout his rise up the ranks of the mob. 

In any case, you can read a newspaper article about this book here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2182335/The-secret-obsessions-John-Gotti-waged-600-bets-Scrabble-3-000-Monopoly-buy-in.html

There was another cosa nostra member (of much less fame) that was well-known for being a pretty good chess player.  That was Dominic "Sonny Black" Neapolitano of the Bonnanno "Family" in the 1970s.  You might have seen his character portrayed by Michael Madsen in the film Donnie Brasco.  

In any case, read the article, its fascinating.

There's an article about Gotti in the latest New In Chess magazine, but it doesn't have nearly as much info as the link you posted. Thanks!

Excellent.  Thanks for the link.

 As a history and  mob enthusiast very interesting.Thanks Johnny.

Where are you from, Roundyracer? 

and EDIT:  I just re-read the article and have two minor "corrections" to make, even though I'm not some kinda expert on this or anything.

The article mentions "associates" Foxy and Jerothe.  Foxy and Jerothe were the same guy, Ronald "Foxy" Jerothe, a childhood friend of Gotti's.

And also, the article references "Charles Fatico."  Fatico was in fact Carmine Fatico, who was Gotti's direct supervisor, or capo, as they are known.

And I can totally see those guys calling the Parker Brother's hotline concerning disputes about game rules.  Wiseguys, even though they lead a life of crime mostly, are extreme sticklers about "rules," in any of their pursuits, as there are legions of mob "rules" that cosa nostra guys have to respect and follow all the time doing whatever it is they do.

Alabama most of my life,but born in the Windy.

Oh yeah, my father was born in Chicago too.  Anyway, I'm glad you appreciated the article.

Too bad gotti was still an animal, an awful husband and father, a murderer, drug dealer etc. The fact that he played chess doesn't make me think highly of this awful human being.