APacific Daily News Agana Heights, Guam Tuesday, August 17, 1971 - Page 16
Call Russians Cheaters And Slanderers - Fischer Tears Into Russians
New York (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 28-year old American chess champion, charged Sunday that the Russians are cheaters at chess … and slanderers too but promised he would defeat Russia's world champion if he ever dared a confrontation. By cheating, Fischer meant the Russians arrange to keep a monopoly on the world title by not giving an outsider a chance at it.
Fischer, a prodigy since age 13, has to defeat Russia's Tigran Petrosian next month to get a crack at Russian world champion Boris Spassky.
In a nationally-televised interview Fischer called Petrosian a fat and arrogant guy who tries to impress his opponent …but a man who has weaknesses inside even though he aggressively pushes out his stomach.
Fischer has confidently predicted he can beat any Russian, including the world champion, and he added:
“The Russians cheat at chess to keep the world title. They have tried by every way to avoid me. They also slandered my name.”
His Columbia broadcasting interview asked Fischer: “And now you're going to get them?”
Fischer smiled: “Well, I'm gonna try to get them.”
Over the weekend, Hollands Dr. Max Euwe, President of the International Chess Federation, said he would give 60-40 odds that Fischer could beat Russia's Spassky.
Fischer was interviewed climbing out of a California swimming pool. He was asked how about drugs? In chess competition.
Fischer replied: “You got only one brain … start tampering with that …?
