AOakland Tribune Oakland, California Thursday, May 11, 1972 - Page 18
Ideological Chess Duel?
The World Chess Championship between the young American grandmaster Bobby Fischer and the current champion Boris Spassky of Russia is taking on the aspects of an ideological duel between the two super powers.
After six months' search, the pair finally agreed on Reykjavik, Iceland as the site of the 24-game match. Next thing we'll know is that they can't decide on the shape of the chess table.
While all of this has been going on, the participants and some of their fellow countrymen have engaged in the sort of name calling and propaganda long familiar to U.S.-Russian forays.
The Soviet Union has charged Fischer with “connivance” and “endless whims” and said he was only interested in capitalistic gain. Fischer said he would not play the match unless it were held in the free world.
How much of these exchanges before the July 2 match is psychology in the form of one-up-manship is not easily determined, but the battle of wits and steeled nerves is expected to last through all of the lengthy games.
Fischer has been called a lot of things including erratic, egocentric, a genius, a wizard, temperamental, sullen, unpredictable, patient, a prima donna, highly controversial and “a machine.” But one this is certain, he represents the best chance of any challenger in the last 10 years to wrest the title away from the Russians.
The chess match between the two probably will be as bitter as it is brilliant as they pursue the most coveted title of best player in the world.
As one observer put it, chess “is absolutely living. Chess is a game that represents all the successes and failures of life.”
Perhaps that's why the Russians and the Americans place such value on winning the championship and why the match has taken on the added intrigue of exploiting ideological differences.
Ideological Chess Duel? Thu, May 11, 1972 – 18 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) · Newspapers.com
