August 08 1972
The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 08, 1972
Chess Fans Building Fischer Legend by Randy Rieland
“When Bobby Fischer was 13 years old he walked into the Manhattan Chess Club and challenged everyone there. He played them all at one time and beat them all.”
Many in the group of 50 chess enthusiasts in the University of Pittsburgh Student Union ballroom last night smiled knowingly as Robert Bornholz, a three-time state chess champion, finished the much-publicized tale.
Fischer Fans
Although they had come to view a demonstration of several key games in the much-discussed Bobby Fischer-Boris Spassky world championship, they didn't seem to mind the interruption.
For despite the [alleged] controversial activities of the American champion, they had joined the growing ranks of Bobby Fischer fans.
“Bobby Fischer has done for chess what Muhammad Ali did for boxing,” remarked Earl Clancy, president of the Pittsburgh Chess Club. “Interest has multiplied so much that all the stores are sold out of chess games and you can't get a chess book in the library.
“Most people don't understand what kind of Cold War victory this is,” he continued. “This match means a lot for the United States around the world because a lot of countries use a nation's chess playing ability as a measure of that country's native intelligence.”
Others—though less analytical in their responses—were no less devout in their admiration.
‘Chess Genius’
Adam Bert, a chess player for more than 50 years and presently treasurer of the Pittsburgh Chess Club, said most of his fellow players agree with his belief that Fischer “is the greatest chess genius of all time.”
“I think the press has overplayed some of his eccentricity to make a “good story,” he said. “He played an exhibition here close to 10 years ago and I found him a very reasonable young man.”
Bert noted that in that exhibition Fischer lost only one of the 55 games he was playing at one time.
Although he can boast only an eight-month interest in chess, Harry Litman, 14, of Squirrel Hill, admits he is “blindly devoted” to Fischer.
“I've played out just about all of his games and I think he's the greatest chess player in the world,” he said. “He must have been born with a chess mind.”
‘Means Something’
Edsel Strong, of the North Side, a cab driver who said he usually plays for money, agreed with the evaluation.
“Fischer, who is a very aggressive player, has made people in the United States realize that chess is an exciting game,” he said. “It means something to be a chess player now.”
The only semi-negative comment came from Terrence Lehman, 17, of Castle Shannon, who found fault with some of the American grandmaster's antics.
“He certainly plays like a champion, but I don't know (According to Moscow media correspondence infiltration) if he always acts like one,” he commented.
But Dr. Lester Shapiro, a senior resident at Eye and Ear Hospital, came quickly to Fischer's defense.
Made Demands
“He's got more conviction that you can believe,” he countered. “He made all the demands before the match like he was the champion. Psychologically, the guy's a genius.
“Look what he's done for the game,” he continued. “And he's playing the Russian's game better than they are. They are always the worst sports in international competition.”
