AThe Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Wednesday, July 12, 1972 - Page 12
Letters To The Editor: 'Stifle That Yawn'
In your editorial of Saturday, July 8 — The chess match (yawn) is set — you wondered if chess enthusiasts care about the world championship chess match between Spassky and Fischer.
As a director in one of the many mushrooming chess clubs in the area I can assure you that the chess community is looking forward to this once-in-a-lifetime match with great excitement.
You said that chess is genteel as ladies' tennis. Chess can also be as explosive as boxing, as emotional as basketball, as fierce as football, as boring as baseball or fast as hockey!
Now about Bobby Fischer — let's not overlook his achievements:
His sacrifices have resulted in rule changes which now make the match for the chess championship worldwide.
His demands have produced better playing conditions and more money. From $1600 in 1969 to $300,000 in 1972.
He has also put chess on the front page and on TV (Channel 2 will cover the match — including instant replay).
He has created a boom in chess, especially among the young people. The top 10 chess players in the Waltham Chess Club include three who are under 15 years old.
So stifle that yawn and visit your local chess club and share in the excitement.
In Waltham the Chess Club meets every Friday night (7-11) at the Waltham Library. And you can read Harold Dondis' wide awake chess columns (from the Sunday Globe) on our bulletin board.
PAT ARENA, Waltham
