The Holland Evening Sentinel Holland, Michigan Wednesday, July 14, 1971 - Page 23
America, Prepare
When some startling international event occurs, it is likely to affect the quality of life in the nations which it affects. Usually these events come upon us suddenly and without warning and we accommodate ourselves after the fact rather than getting prepared for it.
But now there seems to be looming on the horizon an event of inestimable international importance, one unprecedented in American history, and we have time to prepare for it and get accustomed to the idea before the event occurs.
This unprecedented event is the likely victory of Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn in the world chess championship match to be played next spring. Fischer by all odds seems to be the favorite contender to meet the Russian World Champion Boris Spassky. Fischer has managed to beat all Russian contenders in the matches leading up to the championship match. Spassky, himself, recognizes Fischer as most logical contender.
Should Fischer beat Spassky next spring, and most experts agree that he will, he will be the first American chess champion ever. And it will be the first time in 25 years that the championship will be held by a non-Russian.
We don't know how many Americans watch the progress of chess tournaments with bated breath. We suspect there are very few. But it seems that an American victory would have great propaganda value if nothing else and prove that Americans can turn out the special kind of chess intellect as well as the Russians.
In this country we're more interested in the World Series than in chess tournaments. Not so in Russia; there the chess championship is equivalent to winning the series. If we could break into that league, it would do something great for the American ego.
