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On May 21-23 (Memorial Day weekend), 1955, Fischer played in his first US Chess Federation tournament. He scored 3 points (out of 6) in the U.S.Amateur Championship in Lake Mohegan, New York (played at the Mohegan Country Club). His post-tournament provisional USCF rating was 1826.
On November 26, 1955, Fischer, age 12, gave his first simultaneous exhibition He played 12 members of the Yorktown, Chess Club (Yorktown Heights, New York) youth group at the Manhattan Chess Club. He won all 12 games in 2 hours and 20 minutes. He received a watch from the Manhattan Chess Club and a check from the Yorktown Chess Club. Fischer was mentioned in the December, 1955 issue of Chess Life for his simul exhibition.
Fischer was a member of the West Orange, New Jersey Log Cabin Chess Club. The club was founded and run by Forry Laucks (1897-1965).
In February 1956, Bobby traveled with the Log Cabin Chess Club to Cuba and even gave a simultaneous exhibition at the Capablanca Chess Club (winning 10 and drawing 2). His mother accompanied him and served as photographer for Chess Review. The Log Cabin Chess Club and Fischer also visited Philadelphia; St. Petersburg, Florida; Hollywood, Florida; Miami, Florida; Tampa, Florida; and Clinton, NC for simultaneous exhibitions. Norman Whitaker played board 1 for the Log Cabin Chess Club and Fischer played board 2. Fischer won 5, lost 1, and drew 1 during this exhibition match as board 2.
In July 1956, he took first place at the U.S. Junior Championship (July 1-7) in Philadelphia with 8 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. The event was held at the Franklin Mercantile Chess Club. Fischer's USCF rating after this event was 2321, making him a master at age 13 years, 3 months, 29 days. The rating was not published until August of 1956.
1956- Fischer took 2nd place in the blitz championship (won by Arthur Feuerstein). At 13 years and 4 months, he was the youngest player to win the U.S. Junior Championship. He won a typewriter for his efforts.
A few weeks later (July 17-28) he played in the 57th U.S. Open in Oklahoma City (102 players), winning 5 games, drawing 7 games and tied for 4th-8th place (won by Bisguier and Sherwin). His USCF rating was 2349 after this event.
In October he took 8th-9th place in the Rosenwald Memorial tournament in New York. His win against David Byrne won the brilliancy prize and has been called the game of the century. His USCF rating after the event was 2321.
In July 1957 he played in the U.S. Junior Championship in San Francisco and took first place and another typewriter. He also won the U.S. Junior Speed Championship. His USCF rating at the end of the US Junior Championship was 2298.
In August he tied for 1st-2nd at the 58th U.S. Open in Cleveland and won $750. His rating after the event was 2264.
In September he won the New Jersey Open championship with 8 wins and 1 draw, no losses. His USCF rating after the event was 2605.
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