Democrat and Chronicle Rochester, New York Tuesday, July 11, 1972 - Page 17
'Best Games Ever'
While most people were dismayed and surprised by Bobby Fischer's on-again, off-again antics before his world championship ([I'm not, after reading the newspapers and learning of the Soviet antics, as Fischer's friend Ken Smith called it “old hands”. For instance Belgrade/Reykjavik organizers refusing to communicate with Fischer pre-match, in spite of Edmondson's pleas. Or tell of Belgrade's illegal 35K USD guarantee the USCF refused to shell up because as Edmondson confirmed it was ILLEGAL. The Soviet/European counterparts had no respect for contractual obligations. After Belgrade withdraws, Euwe makes an offer, worldwide, “first come, first serve” and Australia's and Mexico's whopping bids of 225K and 175K were snubbed by the Soviet via pressure on Euwe to renege on his word, because the Soviet had no respect for contracts, or, USSR picking the fiercely Anti-American, notoriously racist, Iceland to demoralize Fischer. Plots to maneuver a blackout on media coverage, and schemes to get Fischer disqualified and replace Fischer with USSR's Petrosian. Not surprised at all that Fischer retaliated]) match with Russian champ Boris Spassky in Iceland, a local chess expert was amazed things have gone so smoothly.
Kenneth Rogoff, 19, of 435 Hillside Ave., said that many chess experts have picked Spassky to retain his championship, not because they think he could beat Fischer, but because they were counting on Fischer not to play. ([Soviet game plan, flood Western media with venomous invective published by Soviet saboteurs in Western press, aiming to demoralize Fischer, hoping he gets angry and quits. Not a shred of truth to most of the rubbish getting churned out in media.])
And Rogoff, the ninth ranked chess player in the United States, says that with Fischer's past tendency to walk out of major matches, he wouldn't be completely surprised if the match scheduled today never gets finished. ([and those Soviets are doing everything within their grasp to push Fischer's buttons, to make him do just that.])
But if it is completed, Rogoff is positive the young American will win.
“No doubt,” Rogoff said emphatically. “He's much stronger.”
“The only danger of Fischer not winning the match is if he loses the first game and somehow loses the second game and makes some excuse and walks out.”
Rogoff said that Spassky will be heavily favored for the first game since he drew white, while Fischer will probably be extremely aggressive and not content to draw the match.
“But Fischer's impossible to stop when he's white,” Rogoff added.
While he wasn't pleased with Fischer's behavior before the match ([and since Fischer was retaliating against the manipulative behavior of Soviets and those “old hands” in Belgrade and Reykjavik, Fischer merely “got even” with his tormentors. Good for him. I'm very disappointed in the behavior of the Soviets, who prefer manipulation instead of “fair play” and wait for their long overdue apologies for meddling and trying to throw the match in their favor!]), Rogoff said he still has to be credited with doing far more good than harm for the game, particularly in enhancing its popularity.
And Rogoff added that Fischer went through a grueling three-year qualification for the championship and wasn't paid for playing in the amateur affair.
“He is a professional chess player,” Rogoff said, “and he has to make a living at it.”
Rogoff, who is heading to Austria for a chess tournament, said he'll be looking forward to studying the games between Fischer and Spassky.
