June 1973 & 1998 'On the Cover'

Another month has passed, so let's have another look at U.S. chess magazine covers from 50 and 25 years ago. Both magazines featured the winners of super strong U.S. Swiss-system tournaments of their respective eras.

Left: '?'
Right: 'Minasian Sweeps the New York Open'

Chess Life & Review (50 Years Ago)

Grandmaster Arthur Bisguier, who won the powerful Lone Pine Tournament in California, which included five grandmasters. Story [inside]. Photo by Burt Hochberg.

The story inside was titled 'Bisguier Wins at Lone Pine'. It started,

[We are indebted to Isaac Kashdan's column in the Los Angeles Times for the story details and selected games. - Ed.]

Grandmaster Arthur Bisguier was the undisputed winner of the powerful Louis D. Statham Masters and Experts Tournament held for the third time in Lone Pine, California. With five grandmasters, the average rating of the tournament was 2322, highest ever for a Swiss in the U.S. and possibly the world.

Bisguier's play was strongly dynamic when necessary, careful and pragmatic when violence was not called for. Now living in a new home in Rock Hill, New York, Bisguier may count this fine victory as a highlight of his recent career.

The Lone Pine tournament also featured a year ago in May 1972 & 1997 'On the Cover' (May 2022): 'In the center, Svetozar Gligoric, winner of the Statham Tournament in Lone Pine, California.'

GM Bisguier was mentioned in last month's, May 1973 & 1998 'On the Cover' (May 2023): 'The reference to Arthur Bisguier is for that column ['Player of the Month'], which included a game where the GM lost in 21 moves playing White against Nakamura.' A more typical mention was last year's December 1972 & 1997 'On the Cover' (December 2022): 'Another Title for Arthur Bisguier', the 1997 U.S. Senior champion.

Chess Life (25 Years Ago)

Professional photographer Brian Killigrew was at the New York Open, when Artashes Minasian received a special prize from New York Open organizer Jose Cuchi (left) and Lladro USA representative Glenn Conciatori (right). This special edition chess set, handcrafted by Lladro (masters of porcelain art), has been awarded to Pablo San Segundo for winning the Championship of Spain, to Judit Polgar at Dos Hermanas (for her "Fighting Spirit"), and now to Minasian for winning the New York Open.

Lladro has come a long way since 1951, when three brothers, Juan, Jose, and Vicente, constructed their first kiln in Tavernes Blanques. Lladro USA is well-established in Moonachie, New Jersey; the Lladro Museum and Gallery is located on West 57th Street in New York City, exhibitions of their fine porcelain creations are held in Russia and Japan, and their fundraising commitment for the U.S. Special Olympics has resulted in even more praise directed towards the company, which now employs more than 2,000 people.

The three page tournament report on the 1998 New York Open was followed by a page and a half of games titled, 'Theoretical Disputes'. This is the first time we've seen Cuchi in this blog on a Chess Life cover, although he received a mention last year in July 1972 & 1997 'On the Cover' (July 2022): 'Jose Cuchi set a new record for organizing the strongest USCF rated event, the 15th New York Open.'