AThe Berkshire Eagle Pittsfield, Massachusetts Wednesday, July 28, 1971 - Page 22
Rough Year For The Russians 30 Jul 1971, Fri Bennington Banner (Bennington, Vermont) Newspapers.com
Bobby Fischer March on Moscow
There is no question but that the Russians are apprehensive, if not downright scared. It isn't Nixon and Mao; it's Bobby Fischer and Spassky.
The big question in the Kremlin right now is whether or not the 28-year-old American chess genius can unseat world champion Boris (could there be any other first name for a Soviet chess champ?) Spassky. Riding the crest of smashing victories over Mark Taimanov (6-0) and Bent Larsen (6-0), seem to have enough momentum to overcome the best of the borscht circuit.
Although he has been the Vida Blue of American chess for the past 14 years, Fischer's fame has been garnered more from his bad-boy antics than from his playing achievements. Always a loner and distrustful of other people, he has stalked out of competitions in high dudgeon or been eliminated after low endeavor. It is only then that the press medium has commented on his ability, or occasionally with feature articles that stressed his temperament.
Other nations of the world, especially Russia where chess is a way of life, know more about Fischer and his capabilities than nearly all Americans. If Bobby can work his way to the finals and then beat Spassky, which is no mean task, he will probably get the attention he so richly deserves, though it is doubtful that any of the TV networks will give him live coverage by satellite as they do for such important events as golf matches and football games.
Then, of course, he will also face the problem of becoming the darling of all (??? The USSR had more akin with Fascist/Rightwing regimes; i.e., mega-death tolls, slave labor, oppressive invasion of privacy, censorship, prioritizing military profits over the lives of individuals or citizens than the genuine Social Democratic left) the right-wing organizations in this country, who don't care who or what you are so long as you beat the Soviet Union at something. The Rev. Carl McIntyre might even give a parade in Washington in his honor. Terribly difficult game, chess. For a variety of reasons.
