Weekly Chasidic Story #787 (s5773-16 / 11 Tevet 5773) The Orthodox-Jewish International Grandmaster The Orthodox-Jewish International Grandmaster
Reshevsky was famous for his slow and thoughtful moves, contemplating every move and strategizing every step, sometimes for hours. At the age of six, he already could play against as many as 30 players at a time, moving quickly from board to board and could remember and repeat all 30 games afterwards, move by move. At the age of eight, he competed against older contestants and won. He was featured in newspapers and branded as a chess prodigy. He was known as "Shmulik der vunder kind"-Samuel the wonder child. He was a descendant of the rabbinic genius, Rabbi Yonasan Eibshitz, who descended from the great Kabbalist, Rabbi Isaac Luria, the Arizal of Tzefat. Sammy Reshevsky grew up in an observant home, and throughout his
life and fame, remained faithful to his Judaism and Torah, refusing to ever
play chess on the Sabbath or Holidays. Reshevsky once asked Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak for his blessing for success in a particular chess match. The Rebbe responded that he would grant his wish if he would resolve to study Torah every day. Reshevsky readily agreed, and indeed, the blessing the Rebbe granted was fulfilled. Living in Crown Heights in the 1940's, Sammy prayed in the central Lubavitch synagogue at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NY. Once, at a Sabbath gathering (farbrengen in Yiddish), in 1948, the Rebbe, in recognition of his presence, explained the spiritual meaning behind the chess game (see link at bottom of article).
On a side note, here is a interesting tidbit: in 1984, the Lubavitcher Rebbe
requested Reshevsky to try and help his colleague Bobby Fischer get out of his
world-famous depression and isolation, and also to help him in relation to his
Judaism. Bobby had already been out of public life for a few years, and was
known to be living reclusively in Los Angeles. Soon after Reshevsky received
the Rebbe's letter, he traveled to Los Angeles to play at a tournament. As soon
as he arrived, he phoned Bobby and related the Rebbe's request to him. Bobby
immediately agreed to see him. This was very unusual, since he did not often
receive visitors. Their meeting lasted three hours, during which Bobby asked
many serious questions about Judaism.
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