ADaily News New York, New York Sunday, June 11, 1972 - Page 152
Chess Champs Stalemated?
By Robert Byrne
FAR AND AWAY, some of the most intricate and dazzling moves in the world championship chess match between the incumbent Soviet king, Boris Spassky, and the clean-cut American challenger, Bobby Fischer, have already been played—and the match doesn't even start until three weeks from today.
These are the off-board maneuvers involving where and under what conditions Boris and Bobby will duel with their kings, queens, castles and whatnot.
There's been a five-months hassle involving the International Chess Federation, the U.S. Chess Federation and some of the biggest people in Yugoslavia. Repercussions have been felt as far away as Sarajevo, cockpit of WWI, where there was reckless talk of locating the match, and Grossinger's deep in the Catskills, where the 29-year-old Bobby has been getting into condition like the pugs who occasionally work out there.
At this writing—and the italicized this is very important—plans call for Boris and Bobby to meet in beautiful downtown Reykjavik, beginning July 2. Iceland hasn't known this much excitement since the last time the international iceberg watchers tossed a convention there.
Superbowl Superhassle
But wait! There's some disquieting news about this Superbowl of Chess from Belgrade where the first half of the match had originally been scheduled to he held. Belgrade backed out of the deal after the U.S. Chess Federation failed to come up with a $38,000 guarantee that Fischer would show for the match.
“The refusal of the U.S. Chess Federation to give the guarantee is evident proof that they also are not certain that Fischer will play the title match with Spassky,” a 50-page “White Book” charges.
The document was issued by “Chess Informant,” a magazine, and the Yugoslav Export Bank, who had been the scheduled angels of the title match and originally put up $152,000 prize money for the bout.
The “White Book” reprinted a series of cables between Bobby and Belgrade after the International Chess Federation (FIDE) had already agreed on financial arrangements for the match.
Fischer's Move, Financially
“I will not abide by them (the arrangements),” Fischer is quoted as cabling the Belgrade organizers. “Unless you agree that all monies over your total expenses to the match go to me and the Russians, I will not play your match in Yugoslavia.”
Later, ([Earlier, April 05, 1972 : https://www.nytimes.com/1972/04/05/archives/fischer-announces-he-is-ready-to-play-for-the-world-title.html, “Fischer denied that he ever intended not to appear for the match against Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and said he was sorry about any misunderstandings that might have arisen.” The cable was received Monday night by the International Chess Federation]) allegedly hurled another defi. “Your financial offer is out of the question and I will not play Spassky in Belgrade.”
This refusal, the “White Book” said, “endangered the seriousness of the whole match. Having shown our maximum patience and willingness … we could only state that all real possibilities to organize the match in Belgrade from June 22 to July 18 had been exhausted.”
Ironically, the Reykjavik organizers apparently were slower to react to Fischer's demands—and they ended up with the entire match for less money than they had originally offered. Under their bid, the winner will get $78,125 out
of a $125,000 purse, and the loser will get the rest.
This is possibly the first championship chess match in history where the arrangements have overshadowed the players, so now for a word about Bobby and Boris.
It was just 15 years ago that a schoolboy aged 14, clad in dungarees, tee shirt and sneakers, strode wet-nosed into the Manhattan Chess Club—and won the first of his eight U.S. championships. The Dizzy Dean of the chess world, Bobby has often awarded himself the title of “unofficial world champion” during the past 10 years and he hasn't been hesitant to charge that the Russians—who are to chess what Great Britain is to cricket—have “cheated at their national pastime.”
According to Bobby, their team has played for draws against each other while going for the kill when pitted against Western grandmasters. At the last two world championships, which are only held every three years, he went on strike.
At the 1968 Chess Olympiad, officials rejected his demands for better playing conditions, and he stormed out. He even announced his retirement “to plot my revenge,” but after leisurely second thought, rejoined active competition in a year and a half, now with a “sense of mission.”
To get a crack at Spassky, Bobby swept through three preliminary matches. He eliminated a Soviet and a Danish opponent, each by 6-0, and at the exalted grandmaster level of competition, such shutouts are unheard of. Then he tackled Tigran Petrosian, the wily Armenian, who has been hailed as the greatest defensive player in the 400-year record history of chess.
Under Bobby's attack, Tigran's defenses crumbled and he lost Mission definitely accomplished.
Russia's Rule Threatened
Now, with the upcoming 24 - game match with Spassky, Bobby Fischer is threatening the Soviet's 23 unbroken years of world chess supremacy. And Bobby, no doubt about it, is the most aggressive title challenger in chess history—and the Russians realize it.
I was in Moscow when Spassky was warming up for Bobby by taking part in the Alekhine Memorial Tournament. Bobby had been invited too, but declined. Presumably, he didn't want to give away any of the new opening secrets he intends to spring on Spassky.
Most comments from Spassky's friends sounded more like a farewell to a doomed man. The most enthusiastic came from former world champion Mikhail Tal and all he said was. “Bobby won't have it so easy with Spassky.”
Spassky himself was so preoccupied with thoughts of Bobby that he had difficulty in concentrating on the opponent across the board from him. As a result, Petrosian, whom Spassky defeated for the title in 1969, gave the absentminded master a drubbing in their game.
However, Spassky, by and large, is a relaxed, easy-going person with an approach to chess which he describes as “contemplative.” He also has a fine sense of humor and his pantomimes of his fellow grandmasters are hilarious.
At the same time, while he may disclaim Fischer's wolf-like ferocity, he's no quitter. You just don't get to the top in world chess without fantastic competitive drive. Spassky has has a reputation for being able to bounce back
after a loss, which is something few of his colleagues can manage.
Contrasted to Bobby's total absorption in the game, Spassky seems almost lazy in studying the latest opening wrinkles. He spends only three or four hours a day on them. But he has the support of a great team working for him, whereas Fischer does his analysis by himself.
When Bobby was tackling Petrosian, in fact, Larry Evans, his second, left for his home in Nevada two-thirds of the way through the match. Evans, three-time U.S. champion and author of the latest edition of modern chess openings, just wasn't being used.
By contrast, Spassky has such brilliant helpers as grandmaster Igor Bondarevsky, long retired from active play but the presiding spirit of the Spassky team, Reportedly, Bondarevsky was responsible for the choice of defenses that Boris used so successfully against Petrosian in winning the championship match. And, though he is one of Spassky's formidable rivals, Efim Geller gives his services to the team.
During competition, Spassky relaxes in the same manner as Fischer, keeping in top physical condition by running, swimming and playing tennis and soccer. For intellectual relaxation, he has a weakness for American science fiction.
Can Bobby take him? I am already on record as predicting that Fischer will beat Spassky to become the first American World Champion since Paul Morphy the U.S. chess genius of a century ago.
But, please! Just don't ask me one thing—will the match really come off now without further hassling?
“…allegedly hurled another defi…”
- Robert Byrne. (So easy to print copies of authentic telegraphs, don't you think? rather than all this evasive hearsay.)
al·leg·ed·ly; (adverb) used to convey that something is claimed to be the case or have taken place, although there is no proof. [Definition from Oxford Languages]
“I will not abide by them (the arrangements),” Fischer is quoted as cabling the Belgrade organizers."
“Quoted”? Byrne does not say, “Fischer said,” as in looking at an actual photograph of a telegram, Byrne says, “Fischer is quoted as cabling. . .” Surely original photocopies, along with verification from the telegraph agency are provided? All that comes to my mind, is those certain “Old Hands” Ken Smith predicted were hard at work, to disqualify and replace Fischer.
After reading Ken Smith's testimony (cited by several chess columnists, who mention he is ready to provide actual...
Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Saturday, March 6, 2021
