Chess at 10 Seconds per Move

    In 1943, in the U.S. the war heavily influenced the daily news, but Hollywood dominated the entertainment world with morale-boosting films and swing music and jazz kept the home front dancing. 

    Frank Sinatra (the Voice) launched his solo career in 1943, complete with screaming teenage fans, known as bobby soxers. Many movie stars did not serve in World War II, but many did. For those who didn’t, the primary reasons were age, physical and mental health disqualifications, studio contracts, and government assignments that kept them in Hollywood. 

    As for the studio contracts, the major studios held strict contracts on actors and sometimes “heavily lobbied” draft boards to prevent them from bring drafted. For example, John Wayne was deferred due to his age, family dependency and a knee problem. The draft age was 18-45 and Wayne was only 36 years old in 1943 and his studio (Republic Pictures) fiercely fought to keep him in Hollywood. 

    Many stars “wanted” to serve but failed military physicals. Errol Flynn attempted to enlist but was rejected due to chronic health issues, including tuberculosis, recurring malaria, and an enlarged heart. Frank Sinatra was rejected in December 1943 because of a perforated eardrum and Army psychiatric files noted he displayed "emotional instability" and was considered unacceptable. He was manic-depressive, a condition characterized by extreme mood swings and emotional extremes. 

    The government itself discouraged some major celebrities from entering combat, arguing that they could best serve the country by remaining in Hollywood to make morale-boosting movies or by traveling on USO tours to entertain the troops. 

    Even so, many prominent actors saw active combat roles. Jimmy Stewart flew dozens of bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Europe, Henry Fonda served as a naval intelligence officer and Clark Gable served as a gunner on combat missions.

    In 1943, chess activity was limired by the war with international play largely suspended, but domestic and there was some tournaments in occupied territories. World Champion Alexander Alekhine lived primarily in Europe, playing in tournaments organized by the Axis powers in Prague and Salzburg and eventually made his way to Spain and Portugal. 

    The Soviet Union heavily prioritized chess as a cultural tool and held events in Sverdlovsk (won by Botvinnik), Kuibyshev (won by Konstantinopolsky) and the ongoing Moscow Championship. It was also the year Bobby Fischer was born. 

    The following game was played in the 1943, Y.S. Lightening Championship in New York City. Playing at the rate of ten seconds per move, 47 players competed. The winner, Reuben Fine, scored +20 -0 =2. The runner-up, U.S. Champion Samuel Reshevsky, lost only one game in the finals. The following game shows how quick the sight of the board world class players have.