AFitchburg Sentinel Fitchburg, Massachusetts Monday, July 17, 1972 - Page 8
Fischer Remembered As “Courteous, Friendly, and Carried Himself As a Perfect Gentleman”
Fitchburg, Massachusetts (AP) Bobby Fischer, the American chess grandmaster playing for the world championship in Iceland, is remembered as “a perfect gentleman” by men who played him in 1964.
The remembrance came from Fischer's appearance in March 1964 (for a $250 honorarium) at the Wachusett Chess Club.
Fischer took on 56 opponents at one time, and over 45 minutes beat 49, lost to five and had two draws.
Clarence A. Barber of Holden, one of the five who defeated Fischer, said the master was “courteous, friendly and carried himself as a perfect gentleman.”
When it became apparent to Fischer that he was going to lose, Fischer “took a long look at the board, looked at me, then said ‘Congratulations’ shook my hand and went on to the next board.” Barber said.
“There were no tantrums, no signs of distress on Fischer's face,” Barber said.
Additionally, no such accounts exist in contemporary 1964 Fitchburg newspapers. Wild story made up in 1972 by some person craving attention and “15 minutes of fame.” A poor reflection on that individual.
