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For Fischer Fans
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Feb 26, 2014
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#24
Another prodigy, or pair of prodigies, were reminiscent in a way of Fischer. the Sarwers were fictionalized in the book "Searching for Bobby Fischer." This article has a relatively uncommon photo of Julia Sarwer.(right click and select "View Image" to read)
Feb 26, 2014
0
#25
Carmine Nigro, one of Fischer's first mentors. (right click and select "View Image" to read)
Wow, Larsen called it two years in advance: "'He will not defend his title.' Larsen did not elaborate"
Thank you batgirl. You are a true asset to this site.
Yes thanks batgirl, this is all interesting reading. The picture of Michael Sanchez looks a lot like Max Pomeranc in the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer -
I have my own personal trivia to add to that column.
I talked to Larry Evans during the Texas Open back in 86 and asked him if he thought Bobby Fischer would ever return. His response was "No, why would he take a chance on messing up his place in history".
Of course, Larry was proven wrong just 5 years later...
It was around. We had to use stones for pieces, and the arbiter had to keep throwing branches on the campfire so we could see. Whoever lost his game first had to keep watch for lions.
I used to think that if Fischer had been more well-rounded and had less psychological and sociological issues, or at least had found a productive way to deal with then outside of chess, he might have followed a path similar to Ken Rogoff or even Joshua Waitzkin.
I can across this 1975 news article on Michael Sanchez, a chess prodigy tutored by John Collins, just as Fischer had been, but, according to Collins, with possibly more potential. Mr. Sanchez grew up to be a successful buisinessman and from outwards appearances, a nice guy. This could have been Fischer in another reality:
Michael co-founded CMI Marketing out of respect and admiration for moms. As CEO, Michael plays a lead role in driving the company’s strategy, growth, and overall operations.
Prior to CMI, Michael was the co-founder and President of Do Something from 1993-1999. Do Something is the premier provider of youth-led leadership and citizenship initiatives in schools. Do Something has worked with more than two million students and 15,000 educators to improve young people’s leadership skills through meaningful involvement in their communities.
Michael also co-founded and served as the Chief Executive Officer of the profitable, ’94 Cup Daily, the nation’s only daily newspaper dedicated to the 1994 World Cup Soccer Tournament held in the United States.
Michael played soccer in college for the nation’s top ranked University of Virginia team and then professionally in Zimbabwe, where he also taught High School math.
As a child, Michael traveled around the country and the world as a top-ranked junior chess player. He received extensive media coverage as a chess prodigy, conducting dozens of chess exhibitions and earning a draw with the #3 ranked player in the world.
Michael graduated from Columbia Law School in 1993, with honors. He currently resides in New Jersey with his wife and three kids.
Also see HERE
People Magazine, June 9, 1975, wrote:
Michael Sanchez, an 8-year-old chess prodigy from Maplewood, N.J., started playing with his father at the age of 4. A year later, Mickey could not only checkmate Dad but was matching wits with masters and grandmasters. When he was 6 he played against Victor Korchnoi in a simultaneous match, and the Russian grandmaster, then ranked third in the world, asked for a draw after the 26th move. Under the tutelage of chess instructor John Collins, who used to coach Bobby Fischer, Mickey practices seven to eight hours every Saturday. "It's difficult to compare chess prodigies, but Mickey is probably stronger right now than Bobby was at 8," says Collins. "Bobby, however, wasn't receiving professional instruction." Mickey's phenomenal memory encompasses entire classic matches of the past. He enjoys competition and has an aggressive style. "Crazy things happen in wide-open games," says Mickey. "If the game doesn't go crazy, I go crazy." However, his dedication to chess is not single-minded. An exceptional student at Maplewood's Tuscan School, Mickey also has a passion for baseball. After he takes on the masters at the World Chess Open next month in New York, Mickey hopes to spend the summer pitching for the local Little League team.