AFreeport Journal-Standard Freeport, Illinois Friday, June 07, 1974 - Page 18
Bobby Fischer Leads Quiet Life After Gaining World Chess Title
By Tim Jones, Dispatch of the Times London
LONDON — When Robert James Fischer crushed Boris Spassky to become, on September 1, 1972, the world chess champion, it seemed that a new golden age was about to dawn on the royal game. Fischer, the highest rated player ever, the ego crusher, the all-American boy, promised to put up his title at least twice a year.
Players, professionals and wood-pushers alike, looked forward to a plethora of scintillating games, full of invention and innovation which would expand chess knowledge.
Commercial concerns looked forward to increased profits as the strangest American hero of all time cheerfully collected their checks as he promoted their products. Fischer was to become the riches and most prolific champion in the history of the game.
Unfortunately that did not happen, for Bobby Fischer has not moved a single pawn in anger since the day he achieved his life ambition and wrested the crown from the Russians whom he distrusts so much.
Since his victory, Fischer appears to have been consumed in and by the Worldwide Church of God, a closed fundamentalist, California-based religious organization which celebrates the sabbath on Saturday and adheres to the dietary laws of the Old Testament.
But Fischer, according to American reports, had upset strict elders of the church by receiving privileges which are not normally accorded to an acolyte. Not unnaturally, when the head of the church, Garner Ted Armstrong, realized how famous his convert was he ordered special treatment for the star of Reykjavik and made a well-appointed flat available to him.
After Fischer had offered to pay 20 per cent of his income as a tithe, instead of the compulsory 10 per cent, the elders relaxed their rules to the extent of allowing him to date a girl who was a non-believer. But they were always accompanied by a chaperone.
Fischer, 31, who had devoted most of his adolescent and adult life to chess, appeared to lose all interest in the game and even declined a dinner invitation by Dr. Henry Kissinger on the ground that he was “too busy.”
After returning from Iceland, Fischer seemed embarrassed by the the publicity and adulation which surrounded his every action and after making an impulsive appearance on the Bob Hope show he disappeared into the monastic privacy of the Worldwide Church of God headquarters at Pasadena. A private security force employed by the church ensured that he was protected from journalists and other unwanted visitors.
He emerged in a flurry of fan worship last October when he flew to Manila as the guest of President Marcos and exchanged a few chess moves with his host at the beginning of an international tournament. Then he returned to Pasadena.
His behavior and inactivity have led to rumors that he will not defend his title, as the rules insist he must, next year against the winner of the challengers' tournament.
Victor Korchnoi of the U.S.S.R. has already defeated former world champion Tigran Petrosian in one semi-final and in the other Spassky was defeated by his fellow countryman Anatoly Karpov, regarded by some as the player most likely to give Fischer problems over the board.
As the candidates still battle for the right to challenge, no one knows whether Fischer will defend his title. And even if he decides to, will any country or sponsor be able to meet his incessant demands for more money and “perfect” playing conditions?
No one knows the answers to these questions. Chess fans can only agree that, if Fischer is dropping out, the game will be poorer for the passing of its only superstar.
