The Daily Times Salisbury, Maryland Thursday, January 20, 1972 - Page 14
From the Sidelines: Check and Mate by Rick Cullen, Times Sports Editor
The call is placed to the Park - Sheraton Hotel in New York City.
The telephone in room 2267 rings three times before there is an answer.
“Hellllllooo,” answers the victim of the early (9 a.m.) call.
After explaining my business and purpose for calling, Bobby Fischer reluctantly agrees to a brief interview. And brief it was — as if he were paying for the call.
In almost any other country, Bobby Fischer would be rated a genuine sports hero on a par with Joe Namath, Ted Williams or Jerry West. But in this country, outside of a few blurbs in the newspapers and a spread in Life, Bobby Fischer is virtually unknown.
Mysterious and controversial, famous and infamous, one-time child prodigy and current U.S. chess champion, Fischer lives in hotel and motel rooms. He has no permanent residence, even though he was born [in Chicago] and raised in Brooklyn.
Some time before June 30, he will challenge the reigning world chess champion, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, for the title. The date the time and the place has not yet been determined.
There is little doubt that at age 28, Bobby Fischer is one of the best chess players in the world. Before meeting Tigran Petrosian for a match that ended recently, Fischer had won 20 straight games, most of them against fellow grandmasters. This is an incredible feat; it would be compared to bowling 20 straight 300 games or pitching 20 consecutive no-hitters.
In Argentina, where the Petrosian-Fischer match was held, fans lined up for tickets 12 hours before match time. The enthusiasm is everywhere except the U.S.
How does Fischer feel about the lack of interest in chess in this country.
“I think its pathetic. Everywhere in the world chess is regarded highly, but not here. I don't suspect it will ever really catch on here, even if I do become the champion.”
Fischer feels chess is a national sport and should be recognized. “I feel its comparable to basketball. Basketball players pass the ball around until they find an opening. Like chess, like the mating attack.”
He also believes a champion chess player must be in top physical condition. You have to concentrate in a tournament for five hours at a time, day after day. And when there's an adjournment, he said, you've gotta stay up late analyzing strategy. The tension and the need for stamina are brutal. One mental lapse and you're through. At the age of 40, he said, most chess players are over the hill. Just can't hack the strain.
“Are we about through?”
Just a couple more questions please.
“OK, but get on with them.”
At what age did you first become interested in chess?
“Six.”
Understand you are a high school dropout. Why?
“Why what?”
Why did you drop out of school?
“The tournament demands became too pressing. Are we about through?”
Any plans for retirement?
“Retirement! What could I do if I quit playing chess. No way. Are you through now? I was up all night and don't feel like an interview this morning — especially at this hour.”
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