AThe Pantagraph Bloomington, Illinois Friday, July 14, 1972 - Page 4
Fischer's Moves Purposeful
Editor, The Pantagraph,
I read with interest your comments on the world's chess championship and the American master, Bobby Fischer. There are some important aspects of the game of chess as well as some aspects of Fischer's personality that you may have overlooked.
First, chess, as played by International Grandmasters is more than a game. It is an art which requires that conditions for the matches be perfect. Because of the pride the players (most notably Fischer) take in their art, the high prizes now offered (thanks again to Fischer's efforts) and the International prestige on the line, disagreements such as have occurred are not mere quibbling at all.
Fischer's current protest was aimed at the organizers of the tournament, perhaps to show the big-wigs that run the game that the most important people in chess are the players. When his legitimate protest threatened damage to the game, the people of Iceland, the American chess image and additionally threatened Russian-American relations, Bobby did the honorable thing, and relented.
The Pantagraph comment implies that the game of chess does not have much of a following in America. I disagree. While chess does not rival football or basketball for publicity and participation, it is a growing art from in this country, and I feel that a daily or bi-weekly column on chess should be offered in your paper to supplement the growing interest in chess in our area.
Stephen E. Brown, Manchester Hall, Normal.
