I am trying to ascertain if 9-year-old Judit Polgar played a certain Tobias Stone in the 1985 New York Open, and if possible to get the game score.
Mr. Stone, or “Stoney” as he was known among bridge and gaming professionals, was a world-class bridge player for about 40 years, the partner of Alvin Roth. I noticed his name on the wall charts at the NY Open back in '85, found his table, and had a very nice chat with him. He and Judit were playing in the unrated section, which Judit won. The last chess tournament he’d played in was Atlantic City, in 1935.
I remember that Tobias came in second at the NY Open unrated, but it may have been 10th. Such is my memory these days.
Anyway, I have been in touch with a bridge pro who is friends with Stoney and sees him every few weeks. Mr. Stone is in his 90s and supposedly still sharp. He had a reputation years ago for having a photographic memory. I’d like his friends to present him with the game he played against Judit, if indeed he played one against her, to see if he remembers. I’m betting on Stoney to recall all the important details.
Angelo DePalma