From: fry@tara.harvard.edu (David Fry)
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: F-S II Wrap-Up
Date: 7 Nov 92 07:57:48 GMT
Article-I.D.: husc3.1992Nov7.025750.17194
Distribution: world
Organization: Harvard Math Department


There was a post match press conference today in Belgrade.  Some 
expected the details of the rumored Fischer-Polgar match to be 
released there, but no such luck.  Fischer didn't tip his hand as to 
what his future intentions were.  He wouldn't even discuss where he 
was going to be physically for the near future.  He said he wasn't 
worried about facing prosecution in this country for playing the 
match or for tax evasion.  "I understand they haven't done anything 
yet," he said. "I'm just taking a wait-and-see attitude.  I'll think 
about it when it happens. I will rest a few days, clear my head and 
decide on my next move."

The rumored proposals call for a twelve game match between the once 
and current prodigies, but Fischer insisted this week that he would 
not play a limited duration contest in which draws counted.  Some 
think Fischer may actually prefer to play in sanctioned tournaments, 
the AP reported.

There are consistent reports of bipartisan attempts to arrange a 
Fischer-Kasparov match.  Many insiders feel Kasparov would play, if 
Fischer would first prove himself against an opponent younger and 
stronger than Spassky.  Fischer grudgingly agreed earlier in the week 
that he could be brought to the board against the World Champion, but 
only on his terms.  "If we do play a match, I will dictate the 
conditions -- all the conditions," he said on Monday.  Mostly, he 
wants Kasparov to recognize his Championship that he feels he still 
holds.  "He (Kasparov) wrote me a letter a couple of years ago and he 
signed it 'your co-champion'.  He is not my co-champion...he's a 
criminal, he should be in jail."  The reader will remember that 
Fischer is convinced Karpov and Kasparov pre-arranged their 
championship matches.  He continued: "If everything works out, if 
he's willing to accede to all my conditions, after the Soviets pay me 
what they owe me, we can discuss it."  At Friday's news conference, 
Fischer continued to refer to himself as the World Champion.

For his part, Kasparov said recently, "there sits this poor fellow 
with whom you cannot converse normally, and what's more he plays bad 
chess."

Answering questions directly from the floor, unlike his usual 
practice of having written queries from the press to study 
beforehand, Fischer also had one of his patented anti-semitic 
remarks: "The world Jewry kept me out of chess while creeps and 
criminals like Karpov, Korchnoi and Kasparov had a privilege to play 
under the system."

At the news conference, Spassky said he was in general satisfied with 
the match, although he had hoped to win at least seven games.  "In 
some games, I was lucky. In some not. But, in the end, it was my 
fault."  He said he was considering writing a book about the match, 
and he praised the fighting spirit of the play.

Fischer praise Spassky, saying "It was a great match. Boris was a 
great opponent, a fair opponent."

Most experts felt the quality of play was below top-flight GM praxis, 
but said that Fischer showed signs of his old brilliance.  More 
experience will be needed, they agreed, before he can be written off 
entirely as a pretender to Kasparov's throne.  Jan Timman's comment 
was typical: "He has the strength but maybe not the concentration." 
Fischer said he was pleased with his play.

After the final game Thursday, Fischer was awarded a laurel wreath 
proclaiming him the World Champion.  At the time, Fischer said, "I am 
happy to be back playing chess and maybe Boris and me will play 
again."  Spassky said, "It's still a miracle for me, this match.  
Very surrealistic, even now.  As for my chess career, I think my 
future's in the past. But as for chess, this is tremendous."

At the closing ceremonies, the packed audience chanted "Bobby, 
Bobby!" and the two rivals hugged on stage.  "I thank the wonderful 
Yugoslav people.  You've been a great audience," the victor told 
them.  Fischer cried discreetly, wiping away a tear.

-----------------

I've enjoyed reporting the match for the net.  Thanks very much for 
all comments and kudos.  I'll try to keep an ear out for any 
interesting news about future Fischer developments and pass them on.  
If a Fischer - Polgar match develops and is covered by the major news 
services, I'll probably resume my .plan file coverage of the games, 
but I'll be removing the Fischer - Spassky information from my .plan 
shortly.

Fischer's behavior and political views are beyond defense, but I 
enjoy chess again because of his return, regardless of the sanity of 
the cause.  Maybe the K-K matches, the rise of young non-Soviets, and 
the new accelerated time controls should have drug me out of 
"retirement," but they didn't.  From anecdotal evidence I've heard 
from many sources, I'm sure I'm not alone and I think Spassky is 
right, this is god for chess.  Sure, it makes chess players look like 
crazies, but I think the good offsets the bad in this case.


David Fry                                  fry@math.harvard.edu
Division of Applied Sciences               fry@huma1.bitnet
Harvard University                      ...!harvard!huma1!fry
Cambridge, MA  02138