Carmine Nigro, 91: Bobby Fischer's 1st chess teacher
sankkuss
Carmine Nigro, 91, Bobby Fischer's First Chess Teacher, Dies
By DYLAN LOEB McCLAIN
Carmine Nigro, the first chess teacher of the former world champion Bobby
Fischer, died Aug. 16 at a hospice in Peachtree City, Ga. He was 91 and
lived in Peachtree City.
Mr. Nigro (pronounced NIGH- grow) met Mr. Fischer at a chess exhibition at
the Brooklyn Public Library in 1951 in which Max Pavey, a master, played
many challengers simultaneously. Mr. Fischer, then 8, played one of the
boards against Mr. Pavey.
Mr. Nigro, who was president of the Brooklyn Chess and Checkers Club,
noticed Mr. Fischer after he rapidly lost his game and burst into tears.
Years later, Mr. Fischer denied that he had cried. Soon after the exhibition
he became a student of Mr. Nigro's.
Mr. Fischer, whose father and mother had divorced when he was young and who
had no contact with his father, became a fixture at the Nigro household in
Brooklyn. Over the next three years, Mr. Fischer would go over at least once
during the week for a lesson, spend Saturdays with the Nigros and then go
into Manhattan with Mr. Nigro on Sundays to play chess in Washington Square
Park. This routine continued even after Mr. Fischer surpassed his teacher as
a player.
Mr. Fischer began spending less time with Mr. Nigro after he began being
tutored by John Collins, a master player. In 1956, Mr. Nigro moved his
family to Florida and lost regular contact with Mr. Fischer.
Still, Mr. Nigro left a lasting impression on Mr. Fischer. Mr. Fischer
dedicated his first book, "Bobby Fischer's Games of Chess," to Mr. Nigro and
wrote in the forward, "Mr. Nigro was possibly not the best player in the
world, but he was a very good teacher."
Carmine Domenico Nigro was born on Jan. 2, 1910, the second of three sons.
His parents were poor, and when he was 14, they could no longer afford to
care for him; he left home and dropped out of school to support himself.
For a time he lived with his older brother, and they studied music together,
Mr. Nigro eventually specializing in the saxophone and clarinet. Mr. Nigro
also began to frequent the Brooklyn Chess and Checkers Club, where he
usually played card games.
One night, when Mr. Nigro was in his late 20's, a chess master visiting the
club lost some bets to Mr. Nigro while playing bridge. Instead of paying Mr.
Nigro, the chess master taught him how to play chess.
In the late 1940's Mr. Nigro started a band, calling it Tommy Little and His
Orchestra. His son did not know where he got the name Tommy from, but
"little" referred to his stature; he was 5-foot-3. The band usually played
in Asbury Park, N.J., and was moderately successful. Eventually, however,
Mr. Nigro and his wife decided he needed a more stable source of income and
he became a stockbroker.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nigro was studying chess and playing regularly at the
Brooklyn Chess and Checkers Club. Eventually he rose to the rank of master,
unusual for someone who had learned the game so late.
Mr. Nigro's first wife, Anne, died in 1976. He is survived by his second
wife, Frances, known as Angie; a son, William, of Peachtree City; six
grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
RChamp7927
movie?
It is also typical of so many American lives--people overcoming the worst
conditions to become "somebodies" by using their brains and talents.
According to many sociological theories someone coming from Mr. Nigro's
background should have grown up to be a criminal or a drunk or a mental
basketcase. But then many sociologists don't take account of the individual
and the human spirit.
Hats off to Mr. Nigro! I wish I'd known about him long before now.
Bob Champ
brigidnelson
>
> What an extraordinarily interesting and varied life! Wouldn't it make a good
> movie?
> It is also typical of so many American lives--people overcoming the worst
> conditions to become "somebodies" by using their brains and talents.
>
It is *not* typical for people in this *american* society to overcome
bad conditions and make good on their potential. However when it does
*occasionally* happen the individual who made good becomes a symbol of
the *mythical* system of meritocracy where anyone with the skills,
determination, guts and brains can make it big.
But thank you for your lame attempt to help rationalize the social order
- where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer and if you can't
rise above your circumstances it's entirely your own fault. Oh, and by
the way, if you work you're working class.
brigid
RChamp7927
<It is *not* typical for people in this <*american* society to overcome bad
<conditions and make good on their <potential.
I think you're way off the track here, Brigid
The reason so many people want to come to America is that they know that have a
chance here to become something more than peasants and menial workers. And
they do better themselves. They might not become millionaires but they do have
opportunities, and who knows, maybe a couple of generations down the line the
descendants of these people will be running corporations or working as
scientists or teaching at universities--or becoming chess teachers and
stockbrokers. These developments aren't unusual.
If you have brains and the willingness to work hard, you can make it in
America. That is no myth. I have seen it happen many times. I know people who
came from nothing and are now doing quite well.
<Oh, and by the way, if you work you're <working class.
Now, I'm not sure if this is meant as sarcasm or not. The truth is that
Americans at nearly all levels of society work hard.( I recently read where
Americans work longer and harder than people in any other developed society.)
There are Americans with lots of money who fritter away their lives chasing
pleasure, but they really are a minority.
The rich do get richer in America, but the poor get richer, too.
Bob Champ
MadCow57
a
chance here to become something more than peasants and menial workers. And
they do better themselves. They might not become millionaires but they do have
opportunities, and who knows, maybe a couple of generations down the line the
descendants of these people will be running corporations or working as
scientists or teaching at universities--or becoming chess teachers and
Right. They come not only for themselves, but they work those menial jobs so
their children rise above menial jobs. Many immigrants have made great
sacrifices for the next generation.
brigidnelson
>
> brigidnelson writes:
>
> <It is *not* typical for people in this <*american* society to overcome bad
> <conditions and make good on their <potential.
>
> I think you're way off the track here, Brigid
No, I'm not and the fact that I got so many similar knee-jerk responses
proves my point.
The reason so many people want to come to America is that they know
that have a
> chance here to become something more than peasants and menial workers. And
> they do better themselves.
It's true that many people immigrate with the goal of a higher standard
of living than they can have elsewhere. Sometimes they are successful
and sometimes they end up chained to bunks in sweatshops - slavery does
still exist in the USA.
They might not become millionaires but they do have
> opportunities, and who knows, maybe a couple of generations down the line the
> descendants of these people will be running corporations or working as
> scientists or teaching at universities--or becoming chess teachers and
> stockbrokers. These developments aren't unusual.
Do you have a cite for such a comment? Tell me how often does this
happen - or are you generalizing from one or two well-publicized cases?
> If you have brains and the willingness to work hard, you can make it in
> America. That is no myth. I have seen it happen many times. I know people who
> came from nothing and are now doing quite well.
Yes I know off people who have capitalized on opportunities as well.
That doesn't mean that everyone has an equal change to gain wealth. In
fact if you actually study the economic system we live with you will
find that a full 50% of the wealth in this country is inherited. People
who come from nothing and make it big are rare, but are useful
propaganda tools.
> <Oh, and by the way, if you work you're <working class.
>
> Now, I'm not sure if this is meant as sarcasm or not. The truth is that
> Americans at nearly all levels of society work hard.( I recently read where
> Americans work longer and harder than people in any other developed society.)
> There are Americans with lots of money who fritter away their lives chasing
> pleasure, but they really are a minority.
How dense can you be? The term working class is often used to describe
the blue collar worker while we forget that people who work in offices
and stare at computer screens all day are also working class. In fact
office workers often think of themselves as something more elevated than
the sanitation worker or the bus driver who in their eyes needs a union,
while the white collar worker does not - s/he believes that s/he is well
taken care of by her employer, a belief that does not usually hold up to
close scrutiny.
Americans do work harder than workers in other industrialized countries
- countries where workers are entitled to health care and time off. Who
benefits from this practice - is it the worker or the employer who
profits from their labor and doesn't *have* to provide benefits to their
employees?
> The rich do get richer in America, but the poor get richer, too.
Well, that just goes to show that you have been successfully
indoctrinated into the belief that those with wealth deserve it. There
really was no doubt about your beliefs before, was there?
brigid
brigidnelson
>
> On Mon, 03 Sep 2001 09:15:54 -0700, brigidnelson <irja...@teleport.com>
> wrote:
>
> >RChamp7927 wrote:
> >>
> >> What an extraordinarily interesting and varied life! Wouldn't it make a good
> >> movie?
> >> It is also typical of so many American lives--people overcoming the worst
> >> conditions to become "somebodies" by using their brains and talents.
> >>
> >
> >It is *not* typical for people in this *american* society to overcome
> >bad conditions and make good on their potential.
>
> that story is typical of society at large is a different question. And I
> think the answer is, whether or not it is typical, but sure happens a lot.
It does? Do you have any proof of this or are you thinking of the few
cases you've heard about. Have you heard of the term "propaganda", do
you know why it's used?
> > However when it does
> >*occasionally* happen the individual who made good becomes a symbol of
> >the *mythical* system of meritocracy where anyone with the skills,
> >determination, guts and brains can make it big.
>
> It is no myth. Again, it happens all the time, and probably more often in
> the USA than in any other country in the world.
Again - Really?
> >But thank you for your lame attempt to help rationalize the social order
> >- where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer and if you can't
> >rise above your circumstances it's entirely your own fault. Oh, and by
> >the way, if you work you're working class.
>
> So then, what other country's "social order" would you like us to emulate?
Why do you feel that we must "emulate" an already existing social
order. Why is it so difficult for you to imagine that our own society
could be made better if there was less economic disparity? What
advantage do you see in denying the rights of the working classes in
favor of the economically powerful minority?
brigid
MadCow57
Damn, you're lucky Senator McCarthy is dead (to bring this back on topic).
RChamp7927
>> I think you're way off the track here, Brigid
>
>No, I'm not and the fact that I got so many similar knee-jerk responses
>proves my point.
>
You mean the fact that people disagree with you proves that you are right?
That's a queer conclusion indeed.
> The reason so many people want to come to America is that they know
>that have a
>> chance here to become something more than peasants and menial workers. And
>> they do better themselves.
>
>It's true that many people immigrate with the goal of a higher standard
>of living than they can have elsewhere. Sometimes they are successful
>and sometimes they end up chained to bunks in sweatshops - slavery does
>still exist in the USA.
>
> They might not become millionaires but they do have
>> opportunities, and who knows, maybe a couple of generations down the line
>the
>> descendants of these people will be running corporations or working as
>> scientists or teaching at universities--or becoming chess teachers and
>> stockbrokers. These developments aren't unusual.
>
>Do you have a cite for such a comment? Tell me how often does this
>happen - or are you generalizing from one or two well-publicized cases?
No, I'm talking about people I actually know. For instance, my
brother-in-law's family came to this country from one of the poorest sections
of Mexico. His father worked hard in a sink-making factory in Chicago and
saved enough to give his son an education. My brother-in-law is now an
engineer with an international firm. Two generations ago my own family (on
both sides) were subsistence farmers in the upper South. At present I teach
English at an eastern university, and have brothers and sisters who are in
medicine and photography. I am sure that the situation with my family and my
brother-in-law's is no anomaly. I know of schoolmates and old acquaintances
who have similar experiences, but there's no need extending the list.
>> If you have brains and the willingness to work hard, you can make it in
>> America. That is no myth. I have seen it happen many times. I know people
>who
>> came from nothing and are now doing quite well.
>
>Yes I know off people who have capitalized on opportunities as well.
>That doesn't mean that everyone has an equal change to gain wealth. In
>fact if you actually study the economic system we live with you will
>find that a full 50% of the wealth in this country is inherited. People
>who come from nothing and make it big are rare, but are useful
>propaganda tools.
The fact that you know people who have capitalized on opportunities is quite
germane. The fact is that everyone knows such people. That is why I say that
this situation is not untypical in America. It is certainly not rare.
You are right that equality isn't part of the equation. But that isn't because
the system doesn't provide opportunities. There are people who are not going to
make it, for a variety of reasons. They don't have the ability, they don't
have the determination, they get caught up in unrealistic expectations, they
don't plan or they plan extravagantly, they don't see opportunity. Many of
these people would be lost in any society.
I really don't care if half the wealth in America is inherited. I don't know
that we are necessarily talking about great wealth here anyway--at least I'm
not. I'm talking about the chance people have to do work that satisifies them,
to earn a good living, to educate their children (and further educate
themselves), to pursue their interests. I see people doing these things
everywhere I look, and have no doubt that others are dong so all across the
country.
I don't really need stats. to tell me what my own eyes see.
>
>> <Oh, and by the way, if you work you're <working class.
>>
>> Now, I'm not sure if this is meant as sarcasm or not. The truth is that
>> Americans at nearly all levels of society work hard.( I recently read where
>> Americans work longer and harder than people in any other developed
>society.)
>> There are Americans with lots of money who fritter away their lives chasing
>> pleasure, but they really are a minority.
>
>How dense can you be? The term working class is often used to describe
>the blue collar worker while we forget that people who work in offices
>and stare at computer screens all day are also working class. In fact
>office workers often think of themselves as something more elevated than
>the sanitation worker or the bus driver who in their eyes needs a union,
>while the white collar worker does not - s/he believes that s/he is well
>taken care of by her employer, a belief that does not usually hold up to
>close scrutiny.
Well, I try not to engage in these epithets, so I'll let your rudeness pass.
Your comment about the working class came at the end of a paragraph that was
laden with sarcasm, so I was unsure how to read it. I know full well what
constitutes the working, middle, and upper classes. My only point was that
people in all these classes work hard, just in different ways. You seem to
believe, however, that moving across classes is all but impossible. That
simply isn't true. People can move up in class and down in class. The "class
barrier" is permeable in America to an extent that it is nowhere else.
>
>Americans do work harder than workers in other industrialized countries
>- countries where workers are entitled to health care and time off. Who
>benefits from this practice - is it the worker or the employer who
>profits from their labor and doesn't *have* to provide benefits to their
>employees?
>
Americans don't necessarily work long and hard because they don't get time off.
They do so because they want the money or because their work interests them or
because they believe in giving full value for the amount they are paid. You
seem to believe that they only work hard because they have to, because some
slave-boss is standing over them.
As for the poor there are many government programs that benefit them.
>> The rich do get richer in America, but the poor get richer, too.
>
>Well, that just goes to show that you have been successfully
>indoctrinated into the belief that those with wealth deserve it. There
>really was no doubt about your beliefs before, was there?
>
>
No, I don't believe that everyone who has wealth deserves it. Some of the
wealthy are clods. That doesn't mean, however, that I want to abolish a system
in which people have the chance to become wealthy if that is what they want. I
do believe that the creation of wealth benefits everyone, not just a few.
Well, Brigid, old sod, I don't plan to carry on this conversation because it is
a good deal off topic. I do wish you would see, however, that Mr. Nigro, whose
demise started this thread, was not untypical. He didn't become a man of
wealth, as far as I know, but he overcame a poor background and reached a
position where he could benefit both himself and society. He lived a good life
despite his origins. And that is what America really promises--not that you
will become wealthy but that you need not stay poor.
Bob Champ
brigidnelson
Now you've gone and made me *blush*.
brigidnelson
>
> On Tue, 04 Sep 2001 10:23:50 -0700, brigidnelson <irja...@teleport.com>
> wrote:
>
> >Why do you feel that we must "emulate" an already existing social
> >order. Why is it so difficult for you to imagine that our own society
> >could be made better if there was less economic disparity? What
> >advantage do you see in denying the rights of the working classes in
> >favor of the economically powerful minority?
>
> it so difficult for you to imagine not loading your questions?
>
Just trying to save bandwidth - and I'm a lousy typist.
brigid
PirateJohn
<irja...@teleport.com> writes:
>Why do you feel that we must "emulate" an already existing social
>order. Why is it so difficult for you to imagine that our own society
>could be made better if there was less economic disparity? What
>advantage do you see in denying the rights of the working classes in
>favor of the economically powerful minority?
Bobbie Champ and the infamous and sleezy David Carson are sterotypical
Republicans and come across almost as an advertisement for what's wrong with
their ilk. Simple-minded solutions for complex problems. Even the brighter
members of the GOP (i.e. not the online variety) are beginning to realize that
the economic disparities that exist in US society are creating a powderkeg that
will explode within the next 5 years.
Look at the current GOP party for the truth to konservative thinking. Colin
Powell and Ms. Rice are head and shoulders brighter and more accomplished than
the turkey that the Republican leadership have put into the White House. While
the idiot son of a wealthy family with a history of trading with the enemy
takes a 1 month vacation Mr. Powell and Ms. Rice continue to do all the work.
Fair?? No way ...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pirat...@aol.com
Keeper of the Humour List at http://members.aol.com/PirateJohn/pirate1.html
"Mother, mother ocean... I have heard your call" - Jimmy Buffett, A Pirate
Looks At Forty.