Personality, Oct. 20, 1952

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By making one-night stands across the nation (sometimes facing 75 opponents at once), Reshevsky earns about as much as he did as an accountant. Financial pressures caused a minor uproar at this spring's tournament in Havana. The trophy for the championship of the free world was donated, ironically enough, by Argentina's dictatorial President Juan Peron. A boastful Argentine player told U.S. competitors that it was worth $2,000. When a Cuban player died, it was suggested that the cup remain in Havana as a memorial instead of being given to the champion. Reshevsky, who was leading the tournament at the time, demurred until he had at least seen the cup. This caused a good deal of anti-Reshevsky feeling. Explains Sammy: "Whhen I saw the cup and realized it was nothing more than the usual $100 trophy, I was glad to agree. I can afford to donate $100 to a good cause, but I'd want to think twice about donating $2,000." Finances also had a crippling effect on the U.S. team that finished in fifth place in the international team championships in Helsinki last August. Though headed by Reshevsky, the team was far from the best that could have been placed in the field because many of the top U.S. players could not afford the fare to Finland.

No one can satisfactorily explain what makes a great chess player. Having a mathematical bent is not enough. The leading U.S. masters come from all walks of life, and include a psychologist, a wholesale meat merchant, a chemist, an editor, a college student, a pharmacist and a soldier. There has never been a top woman player. Reshevsky thinks that women are too easily rattled to make strong players. Of composure and self-confidence, the two most important ingredients after ability, Reshevsky has a full measure. He displayed both when a spectator asked him to explain the one-sidedness of his match score against Argentina's Najdorf. Replied Sammy: "It's very simple. Najdorf is playing Reshevsky."