The Capital Annapolis, Maryland Thursday, April 27, 1972 - Page 4
Chess
Sir: Bobby Fischer is probably the strongest chess player in the world today—possibly the greatest player in the history of the game. Back in the 1950's, we played for the same team in New Jersey, Forry Laucks' Log Cabin Chess Club, so as an old “teammate” I feel compelled to counter some of the bad press he's received lately.
The newspapers have portrayed his on-again-off-again match with Boris Spassky for the world's championship as the antics of an eccentric, spoiled brat.
First, Fischer is no longer the child wonder. He is a man in his late twenties, approximately the same age as Spassky.
Second, Fischer knows exactly what he is doing. Several years ago, he withdrew from international competition, claiming the Russians were guilty of collusion. The press booed.
To understand Fischer's position, it should be understood that the Russians monopolized chess tournaments simply because there were more Russian top-ranked chess players than the rest of the world combined. This was not because Russians were innately better chess players. It was their national sport, such as baseball is our national sport. Therefore they had a bigger base from which gifted players could develop.
With a preponderance of Russians playing in a tournament, it was theoretically possible for the Russians to throw games to one of their leading players while playing their hearts out against the rest of the world. Fischer, who was a participant in several of these tournaments, spoke of it as more than a “possibility”. That the world body governing international tournaments eventually enacted procedures to prevent such possibilities is a justification and a tribute to Fischer's stand.
The basis for his current conduct is money. Last year, this marvel of the chess world, this champion of the highest cerebral arts, pulled in about $15,000. When you reflect how some biological freak cashes in on his 7-foot body for a $100,000 contract, or men become millionaires by knocking little white balls across the sward, it does seem shameful that Fischer should be so greedy.
The point is that chess masters have always been poorly rewarded. The Russians would prefer it this way. Their best players are on civil service, and if the poor remuneration discourages the rest of the world, so much the better.
Hopefully, Fischer will change this, too.
DICK HAEFNER
7 Southgate Ave. Annapolis
