Florida Today Cocoa, Florida Wednesday, June 28, 1972 - Page 1C
Chess Moves To Television
You can come out into the sun and rejoice, chess players, because your sport finally has hit the “big time.” In other words, after hundreds of years of being reserved for the intelligentsia, chess is going on network television.
The event is the world championship, which is scheduled to begin this Sunday in one if the sports capitals of the world —Reykjavik, Iceland.
The contestants are “Broadway” Bobby Fischer of America and Boris “Boom Boom” Spassky of the Soviet Union. Television, in its subtle way, is billing it as the “Chess Match of the Century.”
Orlando's Channel 24 will carry all Sunday matches, starting at approximately 1 p.m. and running until a decision or adjournment at 6 p.m. I'm told the Central Brevard cable hookup provides channel 24 (as channel 4). If you can't get channel 24, Wide World of Sports will show the highlights on July 8.
Fischer and Spassky are the best players in the world today. More than that, they have just two common bonds — chess and a mutual hatred.
From Spassky's point of view, Fischer is an arrogant savage without any couth.
From Fischer's point of view, Spassky is a snob and a chicken.
Instant Replay?
If television can capture the personalities of these two masters, it could be intriguing. However, if the TV people attempt to force the round game of chess into the square hole of conventional sports telecasting, the world championship may win an Emmy for best comedy of the year.
The coverage could turn out to be something like this…
“Hi there, sports fans… This is Frank Brady in beautiful downtown Reykjavik, where the sun never sets on the action game of chess.
“While you were watching a commercial for refrigerators, the first match between Fischer and Spassky got underway after the toss of the coin. Fischer won the toss and took black, so Spassky kicked off with his traditional opening of P-Q4 or pawn to Queen four for you housewives out there in videoland.
“Fischer has taken 15 minutes without making his first move, so that gives us a little time to give you an instant replay of Spassky's first move. To analyze our slow-motion, split-screen instant replay, let's call on my renowned colleague Wilfred Hyde Thames…”
“Ah, thank you, Frank. Ah, it certainly is a pleasure to be here in Reykjavik where Sol never descends on the dynamic conflict of two men commanding their armies in this game which is so symbolic of Man's eternal warlike nature and, ah…”
Coming to Grips
“Wilfred, please…”
“Ah, yes, quite right … Ah, as you can see in the instant replay of Spassky's first move, he prefers to grip the pieces with the thumb and forefinger of his right hand —moving them in a slow, deliberate manner … Now, ah, notice as Spassky places the pawn into its new space how he hesitates and takes one final, searching look before releasing his grip.”
“Isn't that something, folks! Tell us, Wilfred, how does Fischer's style contrast with Spassky's?”
“Ah, yes, quite right … Well, when Fischer decides to make his first move, you will notice he covers the pawn with his entire hand and moves quickly and aggressively…”
“Wonderful, Wilfred, but unfortunately we have run out of time and will have to sign off before Fischer's first move.
“However, you fans should stay tuned because we have a real treat in store for you … By popular demand, we're repeating ‘Heidi!’”
