The Baytown Sun Baytown, Texas Tuesday, September 04, 1962 - Page 4
Russians' Chess Rigging Tips Off Their Diplomacy 05 Sep 1962, Wed The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, Indiana) Newspapers.com
Washington Report
Washington — The young man who is perhaps the world's greatest chess player has a few observations that might be applicable to the fuzzy-minded strategists of the State Department.
It is doubtful that 19-year-old Bobby Fischer knows much of Vietnam or Katanga or Laos. His knowledge of disengagement and disarmament is limited. But Bobby Fischer knows well the Soviet disciples of Marx and Khrushchev. He knows, too, they aim to win, at any price.
He says bluntly what those at Foggy Bottom refuse to note: the Soviets cheat.
Fischer has vowed not to play in any further tournaments sponsored by the International Federation of Chess.
Fischer points to the recent candidates tournament at Curacao, designed to find an opponent for Russian Mikhail Botvinnik in next year's world championship.
Botvinnik has consistently turned down challenges from Fischer. He insisted instead on the eight-man Curacao tournament. There five Russians, one Yugoslav, and two Americans squared off for the right to meet him.
Fischer charges that Russian candidates played prearranged games that generally resulted in draws. This way, no Soviet stars could be charged with a defeat.
He points to one game between Tigran Petrosian, the tournament's eventual winner, and Paul Keres, both Russians, in which there was a clear win for Petrosian. A draw was offered and accepted.
Famed international Chessman Samuel Reshevsky, contacted by The New York Times, said that only a Russian could win the “unjust and unfair” Curacao tourney.
Observers at that meet report that Soviet players violated all rules by advising each other on moves against Fischer and Pal Benko, the other American. Protests to the referees fell upon deaf ears.
Reported New York Times correspondent Harold C. Schonberg:
“It is said in chess circles that Russian chess players do not play as individuals but as members of a team and that they will throw points to colleagues when necessary.”
The Soviets replied in characteristic fashion to Fischer's disclosures. The magazine Sovetsky Sport carried an article by “international chess referee” Prorvich who said:
“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.”
