The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, September 02, 1962 - Page 16
Russians Deny They Cheated 02 Sep 1962, Sun The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) Newspapers.com
Russians Deny They Cheated
Charges by United States Grandmaster Bobby Fischer that the Russians had used collusive tactics in chess tournaments, reported in this column two weeks ago, have brought a hot denial from Moscow.
Said the sports newspaper Sovetsky:
“It is well known that lies run on short legs. And on such legs it is hard to keep up with those who are ahead.”
Fischer made the collusion charges after the recently concluded Candidates Tournament in Curacao held to establish a challenger to meet Mikhail Botvinnik for the world's title next year.
Fischer placed fourth in the tournament, which was won by Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union. Two other Soviet players, Paul Keres and Yefim Geller, who were tied for second place, are now engaged in an eight-game play-off match here.
Alluding to Fischer's threat not to take part in any tournament sponsored by F.I.D.E. (the international Chess Federation), the Sovetsky article said the Russians had long urged a change in the present arrangements for the world championship.
Under the Soviet proposal the present Candidates Tournament would be replaced by a series of matches between winners of interzonal competitions.
Alexander Alekhine, one of the greatest of champions, played this remarkable game without sight of the board.
