Tom Fineberg, the heart of chess on the South Side of Chicago for decades, died Sunday, May 27th, at the age of 89. My condolences to Tom’s family, friends, and the thousands of students he nurtured.
Will update this post when we get more info.
Those of us who knew Tom will miss his wit and wisdom. I foundly remember what I have always referred to as “Fineberg cards”. His hand made pairing cards for use in the nicely run small tournaments at the old Tuley Park field house. Also, I remember his giant scroll that he would have at ICA meetings. This was a list for up to 18 months in advance of all of the chess tournaments he was planning on running.
I am certain others will have other good things to remember about him.
For all that you brought to so many in the chess community thank you Tom. Rest in Peace.
Larry S. Cohen
An interesting tidbit about Tom - many chessplayers may not know (although many Chicago old-timers know) that Tom worked on the Manhattan Project.
This has actually been separately documented by Alexander Vassiliev, a Russian journalist and espionage historian, who has published two books on the KGB’s work in America: Spies: The Rise and Fall of the KGB in America, co-authored with John Earl Haynes and Harvey Klehr, and The Haunted Wood: Soviet Espionage in America: the Stalin Era, co-authored with Allen Weinstein.
According to Vassiliev’s notes: Fineberg, Thomas A.: Target of recruitment. Described as a physicist at Manhattan atomic project Los Alamos, studied at University of Chicago. Cover name in Vassiliev’s notebooks: “Dorian”.
I had just posted the same thing on Facebook earlier today. Not all targets were recruited. 
And not all Venona identifications were certain, as these Venona notes explain.
NM Dan Mayers is also a veteran of the Manhattan Project.
Hadn’t seen the FB post; and didn’t mean to imply recruitment in case anyone read it that way.
My favorite Tom and Maxine story occurred in the year of their 50th wedding anniversary. They were visiting the U.S. Open, where Tom always managed to get named as a Delegate and spoke on various issues on the floor.
Somewhere in the area there was a swimsuit competition, where the winner was to be determined by audience vote. Tom and Maxine thought it would be great fun if she were to enter the competition. Now, Maxine had a great body for the age of 70, but let’s face it, everyone else in the contest was around 20. Each contestant was to parade around the stage in her swimsuit, then give a short spiel, telling about herself and why she should win.
Maxine did a decent job of showing herself off, then told the audience that she and Tom were on their annual visit to the U.S. Open chess tournament, and this year were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
Of course, when the audience heard this, they simply melted. Maxine won the contest hands down.
Bill Smythe
On another wedding anniversary, they asked their friends (in lieu of gifts) to make contributions to the Illinois Chess Association.
Careful, Bill. NTYK, the Massachussetts contributor will be advocating the that Executive Board should put an end to such nonsense.
There’s a very nice tribute from Daaim Shabazz on The Chess Drum.
Target of recruitment meant the Ruskies wanted him, but couldn’t get him.
It has been 3 weeks now since this thread was started. Tom Fineberg was an integral part and participant for many years in and on the Illinois Chess scene, and present at many an ICA meeting. I find it shameful that the ICA web site has as yet not posted a thing about his passing. Maybe the current board members do not remember him at all, but still something should have been on the state’s web site about his passing.
Larry S. Cohen
If the ICA website seems just a little less “with it” than it seemed a few months ago, it may be because Maret Thorpe has reduced her role in it. (A little burnout, perhaps?) She recently received an Outstanding Service award from ICA, probably partially because it was obvious that hers would be a difficult act to follow.
Maret is comparatively non-political, posting on these forums only occasionally. When she does, her common sense has a beautiful soft-spoken way of drowning out some of the half-baked ideas presented by many of the rest of us.
Maret derives her pleasure from serving chess and chess players. If she can help out ICA, even from her chosen greater distance than before, it would be a beautiful thing.
Bill Smythe
I thought Tom Sprandel was the web master for the ICA web site. Also, isn’t there someone else [besides Maret] who is listed as the ICA web site editor in charge of content? Maret has always done a good job, except this is not her job.
-Larry S. Cohen
It’s your job, Larry. Write it and I’ll make sure it’s posted promptly.