From: dcrosgr@uoft02.utoledo.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: Re: TO THE GM'S AT CHESS CHOW/CHESS LI
Date: 11 Dec 92 16:57:09 EST
Organization: University of Toledo, Computer Services

In article <1992Dec9.020018.24909@organpipe.uug.arizona.edu>, corleyj@helium.gas.uug.arizona.edu (Jason D Corley ) writes:
> In article <1992Dec7.220209.353@uoft02.utoledo.edu> dcrosgr@uoft02.utoledo.edu writes:
>>In article <1992Dec3.224905.329@midway.uchicago.edu>, hau4@ellis.uchicago.edu (sven  hauptfeld) writes:
>>> In article <1992Dec3.094039.1@woods.ulowell.edu> antonp@woods.ulowell.edu writes:
>>>>
>>>>Do we respect Fischer's $5 mil prize? Does more money mean
>>>>better play? Tell me, when Madonna was awarded a $100 million contract,
>>>>did you throw away all of your classical albums/CD's, and advise
>>>>your peers that Madonna's cash prize meant her music was far
>>>>superior?
>>>>
>>>>Pete Anton
>>> 
>>> I just wanted to repost this part because I think it is a very good point.
>>> 
>>> 	Sven
>>> 
>>
>>Why? He doens't MAKE a point. He tries to use a false analogy. One form of
>>music is not better than another.
>>
>>But, one player may be better than all the rest.
>>
>>A fact both of you have forgotten.
>>
>>DMC
> 
> Well no they didn't.  It's just not true.  I quote GM Andy Soltis in
> _Karl Marx Plays Chess_, a heck of a book every serious chessplayer
> (or even not-quite-so-serious chessplayer) should have:
> 
> "Why a particular opponent can score against you far more than logic,
> luck, or the rating system should allow--is something I have never
> fully understood.  But it happens to players at all levels of the
> game--to super-grandmasters as well as class-C players.
> 	Frank Marshall (1877-1944) used to say that he had "the Indian
> sign" on certain opponents.  Harry Nelson Pillsbury, his contemporary
> and rival, said he had "cousins" whom he never failed to beat.  The
> Soviets have analyzed the matter clinically as "the Problem of the
> Difficult Opponent."  A top GM of today, Victor Korchnoi, calls it
> "a psychological mystery".
> 	A hex can hang over anyone's head.  For more than two decades,
> Mikhail Botvinnik was the top Soviet player and one of the world's
> two or three best.  But he had a nemesis in the form of Ilya Kan,
> a moderately successful international master who is best remembered
> today for one thing---being able to wipe Botvinnik off the board...
> [game deleted]"
> 
> In other words, the rating system (as I'm sure any Fischerite will admit)
> is only an approximation--a guess at how well someone will play.  The
> only way someone can claim to be the absolute best chessplayer on the
> face of the earth is to:
> 1. Play anyone who asks. and
> 2. Win.
> Since this is impossible, the chessplaying community opts to have a
> world champion and candidate matches.  This champion is required to
> defend his title through specific rules and guidelines.
> 
> Bobby Fischer is not the greatest chessplayer on the planet.
> Here's news--there _ain't_ no greatest chessplayer.  Anywhere.
> 
> 	 Yours,
> 	jason
> 	Worst Chessplayer in the Southwest

Then I suppose ther is no Heavyweight Champion boxer either, and no World
Series Winner either?

Besides, what do any of these opinions have to do with the GMs defending their
claims against Fischer?

DMC

Hoping beyond hope SOMEONE will post something on point!