New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, September 11, 1972 - Page 28
New Wealth Expected to Foster Big Shift in Fischer's Life-Style
Bobby Fischer is planning to change his life-style substantially now that he is the world chess champion, Life magazine says in its issue out today.
An article entitled “Can This Be Bobby Fischer?” predicts that the heretofore unpredictable 29-year-old champion will buy an expensive car and a house in California with his new-found wealth, and will begin “a social life that includes women.”
“Now that I'm champion I'm going to see more girls,” Life quotes Fischer as confiding to its reporter. The article says that Fischer “has never been quite so complete a stranger to sex as people supposed” but that he has always put chess before everything.
The “big new fact” in Fischer's life, according to the magazine, is money. Offers from commercial sources for Fischer chess sets, records, books, exhibitions and a chess special on television could generate more than $10-million for Fischer, who, in his pre-champion days earned about $20,000 a year. But Fischer has not yet signed a contract.
“I want to make money,” he is quoted by Life as having said, “but I hate to see the creeps gathering around.”
His primary goal is to win respect for chess, Life says.
“Chess masters should play under superb conditions and be paid as well as top athletes, Fischer told Life. “Whatever Muhammad Ali gets, next time I want more.”
The author of the article, Brad Darrach, a Life staff member, accompanied Fischer to Iceland, where Fischer won the championship. Fischer reportedly had an arrangement with Life not to give interviews to reporters from other news organizations during the championship match, which ended with his victory over Boris Spassky 10 days ago.
