Wisconsin State Journal Madison, Wisconsin Wednesday, July 12, 1972 - Page 12
Fischer Was Making Psychological Move
Sirs—It is certainly the prerogative of The Wisconsin State Journal to support whomever it wishes in the world championship chess matches, and I won't say a thing about that. But the editorial in the July 6 edition shows that the newspaper has at least one editorial writer who knows very little about championship chess matches.
Chess is very much a war of nerves. Anything one player can do to shake the confidence of the other or put him at a psychological disadvantage is generally done. In a short match, say seven games, one played each day, if one player happens to win the first two games he has a very good chance of winning the entire match whether he is actually that good a player or not. Bobby Fischer summed it up well one time when he said “I like to make them squirm.” ([“I don't believe in psychology. I believe in good moves.” — Robert Fischer. Bobby accomplished that with his chess moves, not psychological tricks and mind games which the Soviets were quite fond of using to gain unfair leverage over competitors.])
Well, Spassky won the first round in the big upcoming match. He succeeded in having the match held in Iceland. ([Again, the Soviet contribution to spoiling the match for Fischer, with Iceland's fevered Anti-American chauvinism and racism.]) Fischer would have preferred New York, London, Paris, or even Moscow ([Wrong on two counts]) — some large city with some things to do at night and during the times the actual matches are not in session. There are few things to do in Iceland. Also, Spassky is accompanied to Iceland by some 30 close friends, while Fischer has only one — another psychological advantage for a match that will probably last two or three months.
So Fischer's actions in delaying the match were not arrogance, they were an attempt to put Spassky on edge and, therefore, even out the psychological advantage. Time will tell in the coming weeks and months of the match if the attempt was successful. The actions also resulted in more money for both opponents, not just Fischer as you hinted.—W. R. Luellen, 716 Odana Lane, Madison, Wis.
Fischer Was Making Psychological Move 12 Jul 1972, Wed Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com
