Peter Jonathan Winston was an American chess player who disappeared from New York City, New York on January 26, 1978. It is believed his deteriorating mental health in his last few years led to his disappearance.
Background[]
Peter Winston was born on March 18, 1958, in New York City to Leonard and Florence Winston. Leonard taught chemistry at Columbia University, and Florence had a master's degree from Columbia University's Teacher's College and acted in Broadway plays periodically if she was not teaching. He had an older sister, Wynde, who went to High School of the Performing Arts and later Goddard College, where a young Stephen King noticed her acting abilities. In 1967, Leonard unexpectedly died of a heart attack. Despite the sudden death, Peter seemed stoic about his death.
Alongside his family, Peter received attention for his intellect. In December 1964, The Saturday Evening Post had an article titled "BOY GENIUS" about Peter, who attended Sands Point Elementary School in Long Island. According to the author, Gilbert Millstein, he detailed several of Peter's achievements, such as: learning the alphabet by studying the spines of the Encyclopedia Britannica and reading the volumes mere months after that; mastering fractions by the age of 3; telling people what day of the week their birthday would fall on in any given year using the "calendar in his head", giving a detailed presentation of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy based on newspaper and TV accounts; and even arguing about the existence of God with another classmate.
Peter's classmates and teachers remembered him as "the smartest person they ever knew" and an eccentric. Peter always brought the same lunch: salami wrapped in tinfoil, milk, and a banana. He wore hunter boots when others wore penny loafers, and he generally broadcast baseball games to himself. He also loved to question authority, so much so that his 6th grade science teacher threatened to "put a rock in his skull." Additionally, even though he was 6, he still slept in a crib in his parents' room.
Chess[]
In a hotel conference room in 1972, Peter played against Walter Browne, a six-time US champion who was awarded the title Grandmaster by FIDE in 1970.Despite bystanders noting Peter's "lack of physical coordination that belied a singular concentration," he defeated Browne after 37 moves. Peter's victory was a such a surprise that it would be discussed in chess circles for years and be referred to simply as "The Game."
Peter lived in a rundown apartment on Bleecker Street. He shared it with a roommate who kept to himself, and he played poker or blitz chess for cash with friends until the late hours. With two friends, Charles Hertan and Mike Polowan, they hung out at his apartment, Mahmoun's Falafel around the corner, or over in Washington Square Park listening to music.
Disappearance[]
In late January 1978, Hertan received a phone call from Peter. According to Hertan, Peter wanted him to come over to his apartment, but he sounded like someone in the middle of a manic episode. Although Hertan was in New Jersey at the time, he returned a week later, around January 25, 1978, to see him. When Hertan went to see Peter, he described the latter as looking terrible and his eyes darting around; he had not taken his medication. Peter wanted to go to the Meadowlands to be in the harness races. Despite his hesitance, Hertan reluctantly agreed to go with Peter. While taking the bus from the Port Authority, they sang the Moodies' "Melancholy Man". While singing, Hertan knew something was wrong with Peter. At the track, Peter gambled and lost his money. After midnight, Hertan grew tired and wanted to leave. As a result, Peter got angry and suddenly left. Although concerned, Hertan thought to himself that Peter was an adult and could fend for himself, so he returned home. From a payphone, he called a rival named John Fedorowicz and asked to pick him up. Fedorowicz said he had neither a car nor a license. Regardless, he stated, "And if I did know how to drive, I wouldn’t pick you up anyway!". Peter then called Wynde, who agreed to pick him up and bring him to her apartment. The next morning, she told him he could stay with her, but he had to get mental help. Peter reacted by screaming, tearing down the stairs, and leaving the apartment with no identification, money, or luggage. He went to the home of another friend, who invited him to lunch with his family. During lunch, the family was worried about his demeanor. According to them, he talked about going to Texas to meet Walter Korn, the author of the "chess bible," Modern Chess Openings, who Peter believed was God. According to Mike, the friend's parents were so disturbed that they called his mother. Peter left soon after and has not been seen or heard from again.
Characteristics[]
- Dark curly blonde hair.
- Hazel eyes.
Sources[]
- Observer (July 18, 2012)
- Peter Winston on Wikipedia