Dis-covering Bobby Fischer: Bobby Fischer's life in 1970s after the championship match
Bobby Fischer is probably the most interest-attracting chess player in history. After 1972, he was in reclusion. Very few is known about him. Why there is so many interest about him? To understand it, we have to know the background. We will not talk of his biography here, I will explain it briefly.
At least Since the turn of the century, Russian or Soviet chess players were dominating the world. With the establishment of the USSR, Soviets were miles ahead in chess. World Champions were from them, the top worthy contenders were again from them. For the USSR, it was a propoganda tool. Their dominance were thought unshakable, till...
In the year 1970, a tornado had been sparked. A man that was known as Bobby Fischer was taking the chess world by storm. After 2 years of inactivity, Bobby Fischer was to meet Iron Tigran, who was known as impossible to defeat. But that Iron Tiger was not strong enough to resist against the storm: In a 4 game mini-match, that assertedly invincible Iron Tiger was defeated two times, and then the Iron Tiger salvaged 2 draws.
Then, the storm went on. In the events like Herceg Novi blitz and Buones Aires tournaments, the storm swept the field.
In the September of 1970, the world champion from the USSR, Boris Spassky took on that storm. The Soviet Ambassador was watching the game, the world champion not only resisted Fische, but defeated him! The Soviet diplomat kissed the champion, due to beating that nearly unstoppable Bobby. The prestige of the Soviet Union was saved, at least for that moment.
"Which does not kill you makes you stronger" they said. After this defeat, that storm became a tornado. If you do not know what followed, you can find it on the internet easily. I am here to provide you with the things you hardly could find.
What happened after that tornado? Where did it disappear to?
What did Bobby Fischer do after his match in 1972? Let us dis-cover it together.
BOBBY ATTENDS BOBBY FISCHER DAY and gives speech
Source: Chess Life and Review, December 1972.
On the 22nd of September, 1972, Bobby Fischer day was held in New York. This day is covered by Chess Life and review’s December 1972 edition. Bobby Fischer was honoured by the City Mayor John V.Lindsay. Bobby Fischer gave a short speech there upon recieving his medal. Here is the footage of Bobby talking on his day: USA BOBBY FISHER And here is the link of the relevant release of the magazine: http://uscf1-nyc1.aodhosting.com/CL-AND-CR-ALL/CL-ALL/1972/1972_12.pdf
BOBBY AMONG THE SPORTSMEN OF THE YEAR 1972:
In the Soviet News Agency TASS’ “sportsman of the year award” 1972 Bobby Fischer got 4th place. The preceeding sportsmen were (in descending order): 1) Valery Borzov, a sprinter from the Soviet Union 2) Mark Spitz, an American swimmer 3) Alexander Nedven, a Soviet wrestler.
BOBBY'S FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH KARPOV: SAN ANTONIO 1972
Karpov narrated it in one of his interviews. He recalls Fischer came to the opening ceremony of the tournament, greeted the participants. Talked little and left.
Contemporary newspapers report about Bobby visiting the tournament in its last round, viewing the games that were being played. There, Bobby was asked some questions and Bobby answered them:
1) about why he did not join the San Antonio 1972 tournament, Bobby said the prize money was too little.
2) Bobby said the field was very good.
3) Bobby said that he is going to play in tournaments but which one will be his next tournament was not known yet.
4) Bobby said that he is enjoying his new life.
5) He declined to answer questions related to church, saying "it is my private life."
6) He was asked if he thinks whether Anatoly Karpov will be the next challenger, Bobby replied "I have hardly heard of him."
BOBBY'S PLAN FOR 1973 and 1974 and rematch with Spassky:
In September 1973, a year after he won the championship, according to Bobby’s attorney for 1974 Bobby Fischer was planning the following:
- An exhibition tour in Europe for $50 000 (fifty thousand).
- A match with the Dutch olympic team for $10 000 (ten thousand)
- A re-match with Boris in which the winner would get million dollars and the loser would get $150K and $200K.
Source: FISCHER TO GIVE CHESS EXHIBITIONS - The New York times, August 30 1973.
According to the same New York Times article
- Fischer was offered advertisement projects for $2.5 million
- Fischer was reported to be in a psychological crisis but his attorney, Stanley Rader, denied it saying “He is healthy.”
While in Philippines in October 1973, reports the New York Times’ 28th of OCtober 1973 edition, Fischer himself challenged Spassky into a rematch. The article quotes Fischer as following:
“I'm interested in a rematch. I want to put a stop to all talk that I'm resigning. This is not true. I want to challenge Spassky, The Russians have been saying I'm afraid of him. And so I'm challenging him to a rematch although I'm the world champion”
In the next section, I will talk of speculations of Fischer abandoning chess completely was out there as early as June 1973. The above quote shows those speculations were really in circulation.
Spassky won the USSR chess championship 1973, here is Robert Byrne’s analysis of Spassky’s performance: Chess: Another Fischer‐Spassky? Possibly, Quite Possibly
On the 29th of November 1973 edition of the New York Times, the possibility of the special match between Spassky and Fischer is seemingly eliminated by the USSR Chess Federation Vice President Victor Baturinsky. Here is the quote attributed to Baturinsky:
“After noting that no official proposal for a rematch has been received by the Soviet Chess Federation and that competition to determine an official challenger is under way, Mr. Baturinsky asked, “In this context is there any need to comment further on reports that Fischer is allegedly going to challenge Spassky to a return match?””
On the 23rd of October 1973 edition of the New York Times Bobby Fischer says the following in the opening ceremony of the Manila 1973 Chess tournament:
“that's not true” of reports that he was no longer interested in defending the world chess championship that he won last year from Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. In Manila, where he helped open a chess tournament, Mr. Fischer said he would like to defend his title once a year and hang on to it until at least 1983. “Why don't the Russians challenge me?” he asked. “They can offer me a lot of money if they think they can beat me.”
Bobby Fischer made the ceremonial moves (directly on television and before a crowd of 10,000) in the Araneta Coliseum*, Quezon City, Metro Manila. Here is the link of the news report in advance by the NYT about Fischer performing ceremonial moves. Source: Notes on People The New York Times 4th of October, 1973.
Looking at an earlier news report, June 1973, it was already being discussed whether Fischer would ever play chess again, with some of his friends saying he does not follow chess tournaments anymore. Source: Fischer's Friends Wonder if He'll Play Chess Again
According to the same news article, Fischer did not accept 1 + 0.4 million dollars offer from International Hilton in Las Vegas for a rematch with Spassky or any other player Fischer himself would choose. + The offerers submitted all of the television rights to Fischer and his opponent, it was estimated that Fischer could have earned 2 million dollars from the match. It is reported Fischer instead asked for 10 million dollars.
The same article reports the following:
When he re turned from Reykjavik he had $2.5‐million cold in offers, and another $7‐million or so pending. All he had to do was sign his name. He didn't sign a thing.”
If we go into earlier months, Chess Life&Review’s January 1973 version had an interview held between Gligorich, Spassky and Fischer. Fischer confirmed that he wants to play one more match with Spassky, without waiting for 3 years for the next formal and official title defense. Here is an excerpt:
Gligoric: May I confirm' the opinion you expressed be· fore: would you have another match with Spassky?
Fischer: Definitely, yes. Definitely if the money is there, we afe going to have a return match, there's no question ...
Here is the link of the January 1973 edition of the Chess Life&Review: http://uscf1-nyc1.aodhosting.com/CL-AND-CR-ALL/CL-ALL/1973/1973_01.pdf
According to another The New York times article, October 7th, 1974 , American Grandmaster Robert Byrne similarly thought “Bobby would rather retire undefeated than risk the possibility of losing”. A week later, Bobby Fischer’s biographer Frank Brady rebutted Robert Byrne on the same newspaper, stating:
“His remarks are at the very least extravagant and certainly unkind.” … “Fischer is clearly obsessional about not compromising his principles even though he lost a minimum of $1,800,000 —the loser's share of the purse—by not giving in and probably as much as $3,200,000 since he undoubtedly would have defeated Karpov. It is the monomanical dedication to what he believes in that has forged him into the iron‐willed chessplayer that he is. Fischer has no fear of failing. He has fear of being forced into what are clearly concessions.”
You can read the whole article here: LETTER
BOBBY ON ATTENDING CHESS OLYMPIAD 1972 and 1974:
There was a chess olympiad in September 1972, Fischer did not attend it. The New York Times 27 September 1972 edition wrote that the lawyer of Bobby Fischer said Fischer would have played in the Olympiad for a reasonable amount instead of the $2K he was offered. The reasonable amount was, according to his attorney, $25K (twenty five thousand US dollars).
And concerning the 1974 Nice Chess Olympiad, 9th of April 1974 edition of the New York Times reported the following:
“The world chess champion, Bobby Fischer, has laid down the conditions under which he will agree to play in the chess olympiad in Nice, France, in June, and as usual, he wants to be alone, The organizers said yesterday that the American Chess Federation has informed them that Mr. Fischer will go to Nice only if his matches are played in a building completely separate from where the others are played. “A separate room in the same building will not be enough it has to be a separate building,” an organizers statement said. Now they'll have to consult with the International Chess Federation and the tournament referee be fore replying to Mr. Fischer's demands.”
In a 1982 release of the Soviet Chess magazine 64, whose editor was Anatoly Karpov at the time, featured a content from Anatoly Karpov in which Karpov said it is very unlikely Fischer will play chess again in the near future. Karpov addded Fischer’s nerves had deteriorated due to the 9 years of absence of activity.
MATCH NEGOTIATIONS WITH KARPOV: OFFICIAL and PRIVATE MATCH:
A match between Karpov and Fischer was very likely in the year 1976. Here is the course of the events:
- The idea of a private match between the two was proposed by Anatoly Karpov, after he assumed the world championship title. 15th of April, 1975 edition of the New York Times featured a news article which reported Anatoly Karpov initiating the process by inviting Fischer to hold talks about the terms between themselves. 4 days later the same newspaper reported the advance of the exchanges, Campomanes was the mediator between the two.
- In the year 1976 Karpov, Fischer and the FIDE president Campomanes held a meeting in Tokyo . Karpov narrates the three negotiated the match between Karpov and Fischer. According to Karpov, they had agreed on everything except the title of the match. Fischer insisted on the match to be named “Absolute championship of chess professionals.” Karpov believes “this was the final excuse for him not to play” because, says Karpov, he insisted to have the title of Absolute World Championship of Chess Professionals.” It seems the contemporary reports contradict Karpov.
- On 9th of September, 1976 New York Times reports Campomanes saying the match is very likely and the negotiations took a step further since their Tokyo meeting. The price quoted for the match is $3.5 million plus other ancillary rights such as radio and TV.
- According to another contemporary news article by the New York Times , August 29, 1976, article titled “Karpov and Fischer Meet To Discuss a Title Match”, after the Tokyo meeting the two kept on meeting and their next meeting was in Cordoba, Spain.
If the title of the match was the excuse of Fischer to not play, presumably he would not keep travelling abroad to meet Karpov only to negotiate for a match he is not going to play.
BOBBY'S DEMANDS DISCUSSED:
Some top level grandmasters of the time commentated on the demands of Fischer. Here are the ones covered in the New York Times on the 7th of October, 1974 :
- Anatoly Karpov: “the terms are ungentlemanly and unfeasible.” “To play until 10 victories is an awful thing.” “The match can last three or four months, and it is impossible to play chess so much; it will cease being an art and turn into forced labor.”
- Larry Evans: “unfair”.
- Bent Larsen: “his proposal was absolutely unrealistic”. “A five‐month match would be horrible for everybody involved —players, officials, journalists, readers, spectators — everybody,” … “The advance of chess does not depend on one person. If he does not want 10 play he is free to stay away from chess competition and everybody is free to fantasize about his reasons.”
- Svetozar Gligoric: It seems he supported Fischer’s demands. Here is what was quoted from him: “I would consider competing with Fischer under any circumstances, for it favors the popularization of the noble game.” To charges that an open‐ended match could bog down into an endless struggle, Gligoric said “a match of undertermined length would guarantee ever better, more competitive and exciting chess.”
- Years later, Gligorich in an interview said that Fischer's demands were very fair. It is taken from the book Finding Bobby Fischer.
Unrelated to the quoted news article, Botwinnik said Fischer’s demands are unsportsmanship. Korchnoi said they made sense and Fischer, as a world champion, deserved the 9–9 draw odds advantage. Here is the link of an article from 1976 about Korchnoi supporting Fischer: Russian Chess Star Seeks Dutch Asylum Soviet Press’ reaction to Korchnoi’s defection into the west: Soviet Scoffs at Korchnoi's Bid For Asylum in the Netherlands
- Bobby Fischer responded to the criticism to his demands on the November 1974 edition of Chess Life&Review magazine. Here is the link of the relevant edition of the Magazine: http://uscf1-nyc1.aodhosting.com/CL-AND-CR-ALL/CL-ALL/1974/1974_11.pdf You can read Bobby’s responses there. I am gonna touch here one point only:
“Here's my answer to Mr. Binder and then to you. Larry. Mr. Binder should have read more carefu lly, because he seems under t he illusion that if 9 wins to 9, r win the match. But I said 9 wins to 9 retains title. That's a big difference . If my match with Spassky would have been 12 to 12 he would have retained the title-not won the match (and not even having to win a single game a t that, if it so turned out every game was a draw). The money would be split equa lly and Ihe match declared a draw_but Spassky would have kept the title. Okay? Nothing unfa ir there ! Then Mr. Binder says, '·the challenger must win by at least two." Yes. But the champion must also win by a t least two. When the champion gets 9 points the match isn't automatically over, although at that stage his title Is securc. It continues until he wins 10 games unless the challenger wins 9 first to tie”
I am not able to source it now, here is the plan then FIDE president Max Euwe came up with that could compromise to all sides:
- First to score 10 wins, draws not counting.
- Unlimited number of games as Fischer wanted and FIDE congress agreed.
- In case of 9-9 score, 10 more games would be played. Whoever scores 10th win during those additional 10 games would win the match. If all these 10 games end in a draw, the match is drawn, Fischer retains the title and the money split equally.
Euwe attempted to satisfy all sides. Fischer would have it both ways: Both unlimited games and draw odds. The opposers also would have it both ways, both the champ and the challenger could win by 1 game only, neither side would have been forced to win by 2. Karpov could win by 1 game only, 10-9.
Unfortunately, Fischer did not respond to this proposal. As for FIDE's decisions on the match. Here is situation (taken from chessgames.com):
In September, 1973, Fred Cramer, Vice President (Zone 5) of FIDE, proposed that the world championship match be decided on 10 wins, draws not counting. He also proposed that the champion retains his title if it were a 9-9 tie. This became known as the Cramer proposal. Fischer telegrammed FIDE informing them that they should adopt the Cramer proposal.[1]
Opponents of the proposal argued that the unlimited format is impractical, and that the 9-9 rule affords the champion too great of an advantage. Proponents claimed that the proposal would encourage exciting chess (because draws do not count) and that it more accurately determined the better player. Fischer argued the merits of the proposal in a 1974 letter to FIDE:
The first player to win ten games, draws not counting, with unlimited number of games wins the match. If the score is nine wins to nine wins, draws not counting, the champion retains title and the match is declared drawn with the money split equally. Versus the old system of the best of 24 games wins the match (12.5 points) and if 12-12 the match is drawn with the champion retaining the title and prize fund is split equally. Draws do count in this system.The unlimited match favors the better player. This is the most important point, because in the limited game system the match outcome can turn on a very low number of wins, giving the weaker player a chance to "luck out." Also, in the limited game system the player who takes a game or two lead has an advantage out of all proportion. This creates an added element of chance. The player who wins the match should be the player who plays best over the long run, not the player who jumps off to an early lead.[2]
In June, 1974, the FIDE Congress in Nice approved the 10-win regulation and the elimination of draws from the scoring, but imposed a 36-game limit and rejected the 9-9 proposal. On June 27, 1974, Fischer sent a telegram from Pasadena, California to the FIDE Congress:
As I made clear in my telegram to the FIDE delegates, the match conditions I proposed were non-negotiable ... FIDE has decided against my participation in the 1975 World Chess Championship. I therefore resign my FIDE World Championship title.
In March, 1975, an extraordinary FIDE Congress was held in Bergen, Netherlands, and it was agreed to have an unlimited number of world championship games, but still refused the 9-9 rule (32 votes for it, and 35 votes against it). [3] Fischer, unwilling to budge, refused to defend his title.
DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE OFFICIAL MATCH:
For the 1975 match under the FIDE auspices, Fischer preferred to play in Manila, they offered 5 million prize money. Karpov on the other hand preferred to play in Ethiopia. In another article by the New York Times, February 4th, 1975, it is stated Karpov prefered Milan. The article gives the bids as follows: Mexico City - $400K (four hundred thousand dollars), Milan - $440K (four hundred and forty thousand dollars), Manila 5 million dollars. The 18th of February, 1975 edition of the New York Times, reported the Soviets rejected the bid of Manila’s 5 million dollars, the Soviet objection to the Manila bid reportedly was the fact that the telegram stating Fischer's preference for Manila had not been signed by him as required but by Col. Edmond B. Edmundson, executive director of the United States Chess Federation. Philadelphia Daily News also reported it on their 18/02/1975 iedition. They reported that Nikolai Ryndin, the cultural attache of the Soviet Embassy, said that the reason the Soviets objected to the site is "technical reasons." The Daily News similarly reported that Ryndin said that the reason they object to is Fischer's acceptance of the site is not signed by Fischer himself.
Karpov, a Russian, had expressed a preference for Milan, Italy, as the site. The same article reports it was now up to FIDE to decide and the match was scheduled to begin on the first of June.
Anatoly Karpov was informed of Fischer’s resignal when Karpov was playing tennis. Ed Edmondson, then the US chess federation executive, called Karpov “on-paper champion”, to which Karpov responded to in his press conference (personal translation, I speak Russian) with something like: “In fact the term on-paper champion fits Fischer who had not played a single game since he became world Champion.” Here is a footage prepared and broadcasted by the Soviet press:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW9i7gGf9bY
Going on with the private match advancements, here is what the New York Times quoted from Karpov on the 12th of April, 1973 (9 days after Fischer was stripped off of the title):
“The new world chess champion, Anatoly Karpov, is willing to play Bobby Fischer in a private match—though not the match that Mr. Fischer forfeited—but says he will not discuss it with United States Chess Federation officials. The match would take place only “on conditions we would precisely agree on between ourselves,” Mr. Karpov told an interviewer for 64, the weekly chess supplement of the newspaper Sovetsky Sport. He said that “psychological pressure” as well as “chess superiority” had earned Mr. Fischer his “right to be called the best” between 1970 and
“Besides splendid chess performances,” the 23‐year‐old Mr. Karpov said, “Fischer introduced into our creative world such fuss and con fusion that chess masters suddenly were in urgent need of diplomats, speakers and lawyers to prove once again the truth; which earlier was so simple and clear‐cut.”
Then on the 20th of August 1975 edition of the New York Times there is a context about the possibility of match still existing. Here is the link: Notes on People
The 14th of August 1976 edition of the New York times have the following about the negoations between Karpov and Fischer:
“Anatoly Karpov “cannot understand where reports came from” that he and Bobby Fischer agreed on a date for an exhibition chess match when they met in Tokyo two weeks ago. In an interview with Sovetsky Sport, the official Soviet sport daily, the world champion said yesterday that their conversation “had a general character,” but he did not deny outright that the two had agreed to play Mr. Karpov won his title from Mr. Fischer by default in 1975.”
On the 10th of August 1976 edition of the New York Times, Anatoly Karpov is quoted as saying that he will give up the title in case Bobby Fischer wins their unofficial match they are negoatiatiing in Tokyo. FIDE president Max Euwe is quoted as saying that he does not think the match will take place.
According to a Soviet magazine Nedelya, the idea of private match was still there between the two as late as 1978. Last issue of April 1979 of the weekly Soviet magaine Nedelya has the following statements attributed to Anatoly Karpov, Karpov narrates his meeting with Fischer that took place a year ago (1978) (in Russian): "He (Fischer) suggested that we play an unofficial match. We talked about the rules and regulation, but no compromising solution acceptable to both sides was found. Naturally, it would be interesting to play with Fischer, both for me, and, I suppose, the whole chess world. I would welcome his return to the major chess league"
On the 4th of April, 1979 edition of The Times Herald newspaper from Michigan reports that then New York Mayor Edward Kmoch recieved a visit from then World Champion Anatoly Karpov. There, Anatoly Karpov told that he is ready to meet Bobby Fischer, but not to play there. On being asked if he is ready to play a match with Fischer, Karpov replied "of course but it depends on the terms."
On this visit, New York Mayor Edward Kmoch issued the following statements:
Wherever you are, Bobby, come back and defend us
Bobby, our city and our country look to you as our greatest champion. There is no American better able to meet the challenge posed by the top-level play of our distinguished visitor today. Bobby we need you back.
MILLION DOLLAR MATCH WITH GLIGORICH IN 1979?
A local newspaper from New York, Rochester, named Democrat and Chronicle, 14th of May 1979 reports that a match between Fischer and Gligorich that was scheduled to take place in that years spring (1979) is unlikely to materialise. The news includes the following:
The Yugoslav grandmaster confessed privately at the Lone Pine International Tournament a few weeks ago, that a million dollars in prize money is available, but Fischer is not.
20/10/1978 edition of the The evening sun, a Baltimore based newspaper, reports the following about this possible match:
Belgrade, Yugoslavia (AP)—Chances are good that 37-year-old American chess ace Bobby Fischer will stage a comeback soon, a Yugoslav chess official predicts. If he gets a crack at the title, many believe he'd clobber 27-year-old world champion Anatoly Karpov, a Russian.
Fischer arrived in Yugoslavia Monday after six years in retirement to discuss his comeback, meet with his old friend Svetozar Gligoric and consider playing Gligoric or taking part in a tournament, Milos Milovanovic, president of the Serbian Chess Federation, said.
He said that Fischer was shown Belgrade's new convention center as a possible site for a match, that talks with the American are expected to end Monday and that full details will be published by the Yugoslav Chess Federation.
So, it means In 1978 Fischer travelled to Yugoslavia and discussed joining a chess tournament, as well as playing a match with Gligorich.
Same day issue of the News-Press Fort Myers, a Florida based newspaper, has a report reporting the same things.
So, how did this event go Gligorich narrated this event and how this match broke down. Gligorich gave interview in Antwerp in 1989. Here is what he said in that interview:
'There were many psychological mistakes, also by the Yugoslavs, although they were very well-intentioned. But he is very sensitive. And some other things happened in Europe. He was on a private visit in Berlin, with a chess player and organizer, who afterwards published an interview with him with photos which had been taken for his family album. Fischer saw this interview on the airplane and was disgusted. The match wasn't cancelled immediately, but hechanged his conditions and they were impossible to meet.
Also, Gligorich narrates Fischer had beard in his visit to Belgrade in 1978. He says Fischer was treated like a statesman, he did not go through passport control, he was catered with Mercedes Bens, upon landing the Yugoslav officials took Fischer directly to the villa arranged for him, only Gligorich knew the place of the villa and spent some time there.
COURT CASES RELATED TO BOBBY FISCHER:
CHESTER FOX SUES BOBBY:
In 1975 Chester Fox sued Bobby Fischer for [allegedly] sabotaging the filming rights of the company during the World Chess Championship match of 1972. It is reported on the 6th of October 1972 edition of the New York Times: Bobby Fischer Sued For $3.25‐Million Over Chess Filming The company was claiming 3 million dollars for damages and 250 000 for punitive damages. Here is the link of another news article about Chester Fox suing Fischer: Fox Plans to Sue The New York Times, 16th of August 1972.
23rd of June 1974 article of the New York Times gives some details about this case. You can read the article, here is my summary:
The case was subjected to repeated delays due to Fischer not co-operating or even talking to his lawyers. His lawyers was unable to talk to him and his lawyer Paul G.Marshall withdrew from the case. Then on the 7th of January 1975 edition of the New York times some updates are given about this court case. Here is the link of the article: Notes on People And here is the related text:
“Bobby Fischer, who has proven so elusive in legal matters that a $3.25‐million damage suit against him has been delayed repeatedly since 1972, was ordered yesterday to appear personally to testify in State Supreme Court. Justice Hyman Korn granted a motion made on behalf of Chester Fox, who had held the rights to film Fischer's 1972 world‐championship chess match in Iceland and sued after the player barred the movie cameras. The judge's order followed unsuccessful efforts to get Fischer to make a deposition in California. No date was set for Fischer's appearance on the stand.”
BJELICA FINED FOR CREATING FAKE STORIES ABOUT BOBBY FISCHER:
Then on the 28th of March 1973 edition of the New York Times there is another case related to Bobby Fischer. According to the report, a magazine named Plavi Vjesnik of Zagreb was publishing fake stories about Bobby Fischer, thus they were ordered to pay Bobby 360 dollars. The articles were being written by Dimitrije Bjelica, who was described as a journalist and friend of Bobby Fischer. Here is the link of the NYT article: Notes on People
BOBBY FISCHER SUES THE BOOK "Bobby Fischer against the world":
On the 27th of November 1975 edition of the New York Times, There is a news about Bobby Fischer winning a court case concerning his own priacy he filed against a a book author named “Bobby Fischer against the world.” Here is the digitised version of the text:
In one of his infrequent public :appearances, Bobby Fischer was in a Los Angeles courtroom this week, from his home in Pasadena, and won the opening move in his $20‐million invasion‐of‐privacy suit against Brad Darrach, author of “Bobby Fischer vs. the Rest of the World,” and the book's publishers.. The court ruled that, because of the dethroned chess champion's “modest” financial means, the case could be tried in Los Angeles instead of New York ‐‐ provided that the “almost unintelligible” complaint, originally filed by Mr. Fisher him self, be rewritten by his law‐
As for what happened of this sue, there is a on The Evening Sun's 01/04/1977 issue. It reports the case was dismissed. It also reports that the amount Fischer sued was five million dollars. Also, after this incident it is reported that Fischer said that he will not pay his income taxes untill he gets justice in this case.
BOBBY ACCUSED OF ASSUALTING A WOMAN:
Then there is another report of a case related to Bobby Fischer on the 16th of April 1978 edition of the New York Times. This time Fischer is accused of assaulting a woman. The charges were dismissed but Bobby still paid cash to the woman. Besides this court case, the content includes some things about Fischer’s relation with a church and his behaviours. Here is the link if you want to read: Headliners 2nd of July 1977 edition of the New York Times also have some content about Bobby Fischer’s relationship with the church. The article says Fischer accused the church of accepting more than $90,000 of his money and as having criticized the elder Mr. Armstrong for using “Madison Avenue” proselytizing techniques to gain control of church members’ minds. It is also said Fischer spent 5 years with them. Here is the link of the relevant edition: Church Founder Excommunicates His Son, Garner Ted Armstrong
Arizona Republic Phoenix reported a similar (or same?) case on the 2nd of November, 1977. There, Fischer is again sought by police for hitting a woman, the woman is reported to be a magazine writer. The reason, reportedly, is Fischer was unhappy of a story about his affiliation with the World Wide Church of God. The woman's surnamed is given as Mrs. Ruiz. It is reported that she claimed "Fischer, 34, invaded her apartment and ordered her to sign a statement saying she did not inform him that a tape recorder was being used in the interview for Ambassador Report." It is reported that she refused to do so and Fischer struck at his face.
Also reported is the following:
She told police that Fischer had agreed to be interviewed by the magazine and had talked for hours with reporters while a tape recorder was in plain view.
The story, titled “Bobby Fischer Speaks Out!” quotes Fischer as saying he paid the church $94,315 in eight years.
“We don't know where Fischer is,” said Johnson. “We're trying to contact his lawyer so that he can surrender on the warrant. If he won't, then we'll have to find out where he is and arrest him.”
Fischer was stripped of his world chess title in 1975 and has become a recluse.
Fischer's attorney Stan Rader, said Fischer was unavailable for comment.
But Rader said he was preparing a suit against Ambassador Report for “violation of Mr. Fischer's rights.”
The attorney said Fischer agreed to talk to reporters for the magazine, but specified that nothing he said was for publication. Fischer contends he was tape recorded more than once without his knowledge.
Unauthorized publication of his comments represents an “invasion of privacy and is slanderous or libelous,” the attorney said.
“Mr. Fischer is very experienced in dealing with reporters, journalists and writers and made himself perfectly clear to the people at the Ambassador Report,” Rader said.
BOBBY HIDING FROM THE POLICE:
Bobby was hiding from the police. The New York Times 09/11/1977 edition reports it. According to the article, “Mr. Fischer is being sought on a warrant for batter, treapassing and disturbing the peace, all misdemeanors. He was named in a complaint brought by an author, Holly Ruiz, who said he punched her after she quoted critical statements that he allegedly made about the church during conversations about the religious movement.”
MATCH WITH KORCHNOI?
In the year 1977 (and as long as 1981) Viktor Korchnoi was trying to set up a match with Bobby Fischer. Israel was going to be the sponsor of the match (in case it took place). Here is the New York Times report of this news: Korchnoi Seeks Chess Match With Fischer 9nth of January, 1977 edition.
A Virginia based newspaper Daily Press Newport News reports the following on their 12/02/1978 issue:
- Korchnoi visited Fischer in South Pasadena, California.
- The two met there to negotiate a private match.
- Reports Korchnoi's statements. "Korchnoi found Bobby to be very sharp in his chess thinking and au courant with the latest theoretical developments."
The Indiana Gazette's (from Pennsylvania) 10/08/1977 edition also has this news. Here is the report:
Offer Made To Bobby Fischer For Chess Match
New York (AP)—Former world chess champion Bobby Fischer may be battling Victor Korchnoi — if Fischer will settle for the $3 million offered by a West German financier.
A Dutch paper quotes Korchnoi, a Soviet emigre to West Germany, as saying that financier Wilfried Hilgert is ready to pay Fischer $3 million for the match, which could take place next February.
“I've been in contact with Fischer and in early September I'll go to America to meet him and fix further details,” the paper quotes Korchnoi.
An Iowa based newspaper also reported it on the 25th of August issue. They state that the match was being planned to be played in February 1978. The newspaper states that according to a Dutch newspaper, Willfried Hilgert from West Germany agreed to pay three million dollars to Fischer so that Fischer plays the match. In the earlier New York Times' report (09/01/1977), the speculations about 3 millions dollars was there but Korchnoi denied it.
On the 14/9/1977 issue of the "Lansing state journal", a Michigan based journal, Korchnoi said that "$350,000 match in West Germany has been mentioned."
As for what followed for this match, I have found some newspaper reports. Here are they:
* 18 January, 1979, The York Daily report newspaper publisheded the following:
Fischer asked to play match in Israel
A parliament member who once helped arrange a spy swap is now taking on an even more delicate task — he's trying to arrange a chess match between former champion Bobby Fischer and Soviet defector Viktor Korchnoi in Israel.
A spokesman for parliamentarian Shmuel Flatto-Sharon said Wednesday an invitation was sent Tuesday to Fischer in Pasadena, Calif. Korchnoi arrived in Israel for a 10-day visit Sunday for a series of exhibition matches.
“We would very much like to secure your agreement to play four chess matches here in Israel at the time of your convenience.” the invitation said. Proceeds from the matches will be donated to the Israeli army fund, it said.
Flatto-Sharon helped arrange a swap in April of three persons jailed for spying in Mozambique, East Germany and the United States.
As for the rest of how the match negotiations advanced (or failed), there are some [not verified?] speculations. Two of them being:
- Fischer accused Korchnoi of spying him, then did no longer respond to match negotiations - this consequence is partially confirmed by Korchnoi, in his interview he gave in Tillburg in 1986. He did say that Fischer accused him of spying, due to Korchnoi telling the press about his conversations with Fischer. Korchnoi says this was the last time they had talked.
- Fischer wanted Korchnoi to act as go-between for a private match with Korchnoi - I am yet to source this claim.
As of now, I did not find anything to back-up on these two speculations.
Samuel Reshevsky, longtime chess rival of Bobby Fischer, wrote an article about the 21st game of the match between Fischer and Spassky. You can read it on this link: What Could Have Been Had the Play Resumed - The New York Times, 2nd of Septem ber, 1972. 11th of September 1981 edition of the New York Times has an article in which Reshevsky is quoted about Bobby Fischer as “I have played all the best players of this century, and they were all powerful, but I would have to put him No. 1,'' ''If he came back, it would contribute a lot to the game.''” Here is the link of the article: OLD GRANDMASTER PROVES HE STILL HAS THE TOUCH Reshevsky analysyng chess of 19th century: CHESS: Paul Morphy in 19th Century Devised Modern Principles
The new york times 29th of October, 1972 has an article written by Robert Byrne. The article attibutes an analysis to Svetozar Gligoric if you want to read it here is the link: Ches: Spassky's Problem Is Solved (But Too Late) by Gligoric Gligoric makes some assessments about the match.
The New York Times 15th of August 1972 has some quotes from gransmasters about the match. Here is some sayings by other grandmasters during the match: The Nobility of Chess: Every Grandmaster Is a King
A magazine named Chess Life editor writing about Bobby Fischer in 1977: Letters To the Editor
SOME EVENTS FROM 1970S ABOUT BORIS SPASSKY:
5th of November 1972 edition of the New York Times has a news which is Barely related to Fischer but I decided to share it anyway:
“MOSCOW, Nov. 4 (Reuters) —Valeri Chekhov, a 17‐year‐old Moscow schoolboy, has taken a leaf out of Bobby Fischer's book by beating the former world chess champion, Boris Spassky, the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda reported yesterday. He was playing the Soviet grandmaster at the same time as five other young players, representing the Moscow Pioneers, the Soviet equvalent of Boy Scouts.”
Here is the link of the article: Spassky Loses Again
It seems after Spassky lost the title to Fischer he was given a second class flighht ticket to Moscov, so says the New York Times 11th of September 1972 edition: Spassky Flies Home On 2d‐Class Ticket; Finds the Air Chilly
The only concession authorities made to him was that he did not have to open his bags for customs inspection. … He had to wait in line for passport control, get up for his bags and fill in a declaration saying he was carrying no arms or ammunition.
“I asked Bobby if he was going to play in San Antonio, and he said no, the money wasn't enough,” Spassky said.
Here is the 1 minute footage of the post match interview of Spassky: ICELAND BORIS SPASSKY There Spassky states Fischer won because Fischer was better. He says he does not regret the loss. He says he will rest and the title was a burden to him. And he states how Fischer’s lateness affected him, he says he was affected by that.
In 1974 Spassky played Byrne and gave a simul in the USA. Here is a footage from the simul: USA SPASSKY | AP Archive Spassky’s coach during the match Nikolai Krogius wrote that Fischer got a camera as a gift at the end of the match and asked the gifter to gift Spassky a camera too. The New York Times article from the 8th of September reports Fischer sent Spassky a camera as a gift.
Here is the NYT article about the visit and the simul: Spasshy Visiting City on Business and Pleasure
Here is the footage from Spassky’s visit to Puerto Rico: PUERTO RICO CHESS
Here is an another report by the NYT about Spassky’s marriage to a French woman being balked by the Soviets: Spassky Says Soviet Is Balking Marriage To a Frenchwoman
Another 1978 article including Fischer, Karpov and Korchnoi: GRUDGE MATCH IN BAGUIO CITY
In the year 1977 Fischer played against a computer named Greenblatt. Robert Byrne published an analysis of those games in the year 1978. If you want to read here is the link: Chess:
At the end of the year 1974 Bobby Fischer probably attended the funeral of Morris J.Kasper, who was the founder of the American Chess Federation. Here is New York Times article about him: MORRIS J. KASPER, CHESS PATRON, 72 New York Times, December the 15th, 1974.
In 1976 US Chess Championship a teenager named Rhode asserted he could beat Bobby Fischer. Link of the NYT article about the event: Chess Lions and Lambs Clash
For now these are enough, I will write the part 2 of this series. More to come:
- Bobby Fischer in 80s.
- Revelations of a woman who acted as a mediator between the organiser and sponsor of the 1992 match.
- Fischer visiting Budapest
- Fischer and Karpov later meeting in Budapest.
- Bobby Fischer negotiating simul against IBM Deep Blue (1990s).
- Bobby Fischer interrogated by the Philippines police (1990s).
- Bobby Fischer sharing an analysis in 2006.
- Bobby Fischer offering marriage to a young woman and woman declining (1980s)
