The Courier-News Bridgewater, New Jersey Thursday, July 06, 1972 - Page 30
Sports: Another Holdout by John Belis
Did you ever think you'd see the day when a chess player was a holdout? Bobby Fischer, the American chess wizard, proved that anything can happen when he failed to show up on time this week for his world championship match against titleholder Boris Spassky of Russia.
Reportedly, Fischer first balked because he objected to the site for the showdown—Reykjavik, Iceland.
A later report said that Fischer was holding out for more prize money. And when a British banker offered to add $150,000 to the post, Fischer caught the next flight to Iceland.
While many idealists expressed surprise and dismay over Fischer's behavior, I wondered how the hard corps chess enthusiasts regarded the situation. I decided to ask my friend Fred, a genuine crusader for the game (in chess circles he's known as the Checkmate Kid).
“Fred” I said, “were you and your friends disillusioned by the Bobby Fischer fiasco?”
He pounced on the question. “Certainly not! This is the best thing that ever happened to the sport, it shows that we're going big time. Didn't the baseball players strike this season and didn't the professional football players threaten to go on strike a few years ago?
“Look at the superstars in all the other sports. Willie Mays, Joe Namath, Wilt Chamberlain, Bobby Hull—they all get paid plenty. Why shouldn't our players get top money?”
What Is A Sport?
“But,” I protested, “are you sure that chess is a sport?”
For a moment, I thought there was a fire in his eyes. “Of course it is! It requires mental toughness, agility and long hours of training. Look how hard Fischer trained for his match against Spassky. You think that boxers work hard when they're preparing for a fight—that's nothing compared to what a chess player goes through.”
I was still doubtful. “I'm sure that all of what you say is true, Fred, but I still can't seem to get used to calling chess a sport. It doesn't demand any athletic ability, there isn't even any running involved.”
Now he was turning nasty. “All you sportswriters are the same, you're prejudiced. How much running is involved in golf—it's a glorified two-mile hike. And what about bowling—a bunch of fat guys drinking beer, sm*k*ng c*g*rs and rolling balls on the floor. That takes a lot of athletic ability.
“And where's your defense in golf or bowling? Chess has offered offense and defense and we observe the rules of sportsmanship.”
I could see that he was getting upset so I decided to pursue a different tact.
“Your arguments certainly are convincing,” I admitted, “but, assuming that it is a sport, you don't think it has a chance of attaining the popularity of the er— … more conventional sports, do you?”
“Ridiculous. Of course chess can have broad popular appear,” he maintained. “First of all, unlike football, baseball and basketball, chess is played world-wide. The game has endured for centuries and it has a richer tradition than any of the so-called leading sports.”
“You do have a point, Fred, but surely you'll admit that chess is strictly a participant sport. There can't be a whole lot of spectator interest.”
He jumped to his feet. “That's your fault, why don't we ever see chess stories on the sports pages? All we need is good public relations work and more exposure on television to make professional chess a real bonanza.
T.V. to the Rescue
“The T.V. dollar can do it. Look at the professional golf tour and the bowling circuit. Ten years ago, how many tournaments were there, and how much money was at stake? Television contracts did a world of good for other sports and they'll do the same thing for chess.”
This took me by surprise. “You mean that pretty soon we'll be seeing chess tournaments on Wide World of Sports? Somehow I can't imagine Howard Cosell reporting from boardside.”
“Not just tournaments,” said Fred, dreaming the Impossible Dream, “we may even start a chess league. All the big cities will have teams. Madison Square Garden, Boston Garden, Chicago Stadium, the Los Angeles Forum—they'll all be sold out for every match. Believe me, it can happen.
Another Holdout 06 Jul 1972, Thu The Courier-News (Bridgewater, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
What Is a Sport? 06 Jul 1972, Thu The Courier-News (Bridgewater, New Jersey) Newspapers.com
