New York Times New York, New York, Tuesday, July 18, 1972 - Page 21
In Moscow, Fischer Is the Favorite of Many by Theodore Shabad
Moscow, July 17 — “When is Bobby Fischer going to stop ([abiding by rules that permitted Fischer to protest, even boycott and demand removal of cameras that were purposely placed to disrupt his concentration… against the rules of engagement and then further, organizers attempted to mislead via world press on the details of actual rules]) and get down to playing chess?” a Soviet fan asked the other day in the midst of the American challenger's protests about television cameras ([disruptively operated by men hired to purposely distract, both by visual and audible disruptions, well within Fischer's proximity]).
After the resumption of play and Fischer's victory over Boris Spassky, the fan did not seem disturbed.
“The game is what counts,” he said. “There will be losses and wins in these 24 games, and the strongest will win. Anyway, you know that many of us consider Fischer the favorite.”
The apparent relief displayed by the Russian now that the championship match in Reykjavik, Iceland, seemed to be under way again reflected the general temper of the ([Government-]) controlled Soviet press.
Newspapers have published brief factual reports in the last week as Fischer forfeited the second game because of his absence and then vainly protested the decision ([of biased committee members, numbering 3 against 4 in Soviet favor]). Most of the space has been given to listing and analyzing the moves of the games.
Soviet press commentators have been pointing out with self-satisfaction that the disputes have involved Fischer and his “compatriot” Chester Fox, a ([Soviet Sympathetic]) businessman who has exclusive television film rights for the match ([achieving the blackout on coverage, the Soviet desired]).
There has been no indication here, ([not publicly, by the government controlled newspapers, of course]) either in the official press or in fans' comments, that the Soviet government want to have Fischer eliminated on procedural grounds…
([While Fischer's feud with chess authorities made headlines, Spassky warred with Soviet officials in private. Among other points of dispute, they told him to leave Iceland and reclaim the title by default after Fischer violated some conditions. Spassky replied that he had no interest in winning on technicalities, only on the board. — Sun-Sentinel, Thursday, August 8, 1985])
… to protect Spassky ([to protect Soviet illusions of political supremacy]).
Such a charge was made yesterday by Fred Cramer, one of Fischer's aides. On the contrary, the impression gained here was that Fischer was the one who was ([simply following the rules, well within his right to demand removal of the disruptive crews of camera men in the auditorium, since they were purposely disrupting his concentration and led to the loss of match one]) and that Spassky and his aides were eager to see the match get under way—and may the best man win.
