Endgame_ Bobby Fischer's Remarkable Rise And Fall Part 16

7 "You can't win "You can't win every every game. Just do your best game. Just do your best every every time." time." BFE, p. 5. BFE, p. 5.

8 "He would just get real quiet, twist that dog tag even more and immediately set up the pieces to play again." "He would just get real quiet, twist that dog tag even more and immediately set up the pieces to play again." Mike Franett, "The Man Who Knew Bobby Fischer," Mike Franett, "The Man Who Knew Bobby Fischer," Chess Chess, September 2001, pp. 810.

9 Regina called Bobby every day at an arranged time to see if he was all right Regina called Bobby every day at an arranged time to see if he was all right Press release, undated, circa March 1956, MCF. Press release, undated, circa March 1956, MCF.

10 "It gave me a big thrill" "It gave me a big thrill" BFE, p. 4. BFE, p. 4.

11 One player, William Schneider, said he was embarra.s.sed when he and Laucks-sporting his swastika One player, William Schneider, said he was embarra.s.sed when he and Laucks-sporting his swastika Interview of William Schneider by the author, circa 2005, New York. Interview of William Schneider by the author, circa 2005, New York.

12 Bobby gave a twelve-board simultaneous exhibition against members of the club and won ten and drew two Bobby gave a twelve-board simultaneous exhibition against members of the club and won ten and drew two BFE, p. 8. BFE, p. 8.

13 "The Cubans seem to take chess more seriously" "The Cubans seem to take chess more seriously" BFE, p. 5. BFE, p. 5.

14 The New York Times The New York Times took notice of the Log Cabin tour NYT took notice of the Log Cabin tour NYT, March 5, 1956. p. 36.

15 the unstructured routine enabled him the unstructured routine enabled him BFE, p. 5. BFE, p. 5.

16 he disliked "any kind of formality and ceremony." he disliked "any kind of formality and ceremony." BFE, p. 5. BFE, p. 5.

17 "Bobby Fischer rang my doorbell one afternoon" "Bobby Fischer rang my doorbell one afternoon" Collins, pp. 3435. Collins, pp. 3435.

18 The short, stunted man confined to a wheelchair and the growing boy went to movies The short, stunted man confined to a wheelchair and the growing boy went to movies Peter Marks, "The Man Who Was Fischer's Chess Mentor," Peter Marks, "The Man Who Was Fischer's Chess Mentor," Newsday Newsday, September 28, 1992, p. 39.

19 Bobby said that he always felt Nigro was more of a friend than a teacher Bobby said that he always felt Nigro was more of a friend than a teacher BFE, p. 2. BFE, p. 2.

20 With pupils, he'd often just set up a position and say, "Let's look at this" With pupils, he'd often just set up a position and say, "Let's look at this" Interview of Allen Kaufman by author, March 16, 2009. Interview of Allen Kaufman by author, March 16, 2009.

21 "I "I think Jack helped Bobby psychologically, with chess fightingness" think Jack helped Bobby psychologically, with chess fightingness" Interview of James T. Sherwin by author, February 29, 2009. Interview of James T. Sherwin by author, February 29, 2009.

22 "geniuses like Beethoven, Leonardo da Vinci" "geniuses like Beethoven, Leonardo da Vinci" Collins, pp. 4849. Collins, pp. 4849.

23 She persuaded Maurice Kasper of the Manhattan Chess Club to give her $125 toward Bobby's expenses She persuaded Maurice Kasper of the Manhattan Chess Club to give her $125 toward Bobby's expenses Letter from Regina Fischer to Maurice Kasper, June 24, 1956, MCF. Letter from Regina Fischer to Maurice Kasper, June 24, 1956, MCF.

24 Bobby played a twenty-one-game simultaneous exhibition Bobby played a twenty-one-game simultaneous exhibition International Photo, undated, FB. International Photo, undated, FB.

25 Some of America's youngest but strongest stars had ventured north of the border Some of America's youngest but strongest stars had ventured north of the border Interview of James Sherwin by author, February 27, 2009, by telephone. Interview of James Sherwin by author, February 27, 2009, by telephone.

26 "I knew I should have won!" "I knew I should have won!" From "Let's Play Chess," by William Oaker; clipping from unidentified newspaper, January 18, 1958. FB. From "Let's Play Chess," by William Oaker; clipping from unidentified newspaper, January 18, 1958. FB.

27 Freud held that dream content Freud held that dream content Freud, pp. 35051. Freud, pp. 35051.

28 "I had no idea that I was talking to a future world's champion" "I had no idea that I was talking to a future world's champion" Interview of Larry Evans by author, January 2010, by telephone. Interview of Larry Evans by author, January 2010, by telephone.

29 "I'll stop coming" "I'll stop coming" Author's conversation with Regina Fischer, circa 1958, New York. Author's conversation with Regina Fischer, circa 1958, New York.

30 "Industry!" Regina yelled at Bobby "Industry!" Regina yelled at Bobby Conversation between author and Regina Fischer, circa 1956, New York. Conversation between author and Regina Fischer, circa 1956, New York.

31 Bobby's remembrance of Streisand? "There was this mousey little girl" Bobby's remembrance of Streisand? "There was this mousey little girl" Andersen, p. 41. Andersen, p. 41.

32 Indeed, he'd already begun making frequent visits to the Marshall Indeed, he'd already begun making frequent visits to the Marshall Recollection of author. Recollection of author.

33 It was at this club that Cuba's brilliant Jose Raul Capablanca gave his last exhibition It was at this club that Cuba's brilliant Jose Raul Capablanca gave his last exhibition Archives of the Marshall Chess Club, MCF. Archives of the Marshall Chess Club, MCF.

34 Bobby's habitual mufti of T-s.h.i.+rt, wrinkled pants, and sneakers was considered an outrage by Caroline Marshall Bobby's habitual mufti of T-s.h.i.+rt, wrinkled pants, and sneakers was considered an outrage by Caroline Marshall Author's conversation with Caroline Marshall, May 1964. Author's conversation with Caroline Marshall, May 1964.

35 Dark-haired, elegant in speech and dress, the twenty-five-year-old Byrne invariably held a cigarette between two fingers Dark-haired, elegant in speech and dress, the twenty-five-year-old Byrne invariably held a cigarette between two fingers Observation of author, and Golombek, Observation of author, and Golombek, Golombek's Encyclopedia Golombek's Encyclopedia, p. 52.

36 "The onlookers were invited to sit right next to you" "The onlookers were invited to sit right next to you" BFE, p. 3. BFE, p. 3.

37 Then, suddenly, he moved his knight to a square where it could be snapped off CL Then, suddenly, he moved his knight to a square where it could be snapped off CL, December 1956, p. 374.

28 "It was extraordinary: The game and Bobby's youth were an unbeatable combination." "It was extraordinary: The game and Bobby's youth were an unbeatable combination." Interview of Allen Kaufman by author, March 16, 2009. Interview of Allen Kaufman by author, March 16, 2009.

39 As the game progressed, Bobby had only twenty minutes remaining on his clock to make the required forty moves CR As the game progressed, Bobby had only twenty minutes remaining on his clock to make the required forty moves CR, December 1956, p. 374.

40 He wasn't absolutely certain he could see the full consequences of allowing Byrne to take his queen He wasn't absolutely certain he could see the full consequences of allowing Byrne to take his queen Fischer, Fischer, My 60 Memorable Games My 60 Memorable Games, p. 65.

41 "Impossible! Byrne is losing to a 13-year-old n.o.body." Hammond Times "Impossible! Byrne is losing to a 13-year-old n.o.body." Hammond Times, February 24, 1957, p. 15.

42 Yet, other than the rapidity with which he was responding to Byrne's moves, Bobby showed little emotion NYT Yet, other than the rapidity with which he was responding to Byrne's moves, Bobby showed little emotion NYT, October 18, 1956, p. 44.

43 "Bobby Fischer's [performance] sparkles with stupendous originality." CR "Bobby Fischer's [performance] sparkles with stupendous originality." CR, December 1956, p. 374.

44 Bobby's game appeared in newspapers throughout the country and chess magazines around the world Bobby's game appeared in newspapers throughout the country and chess magazines around the world Kasparov, p. 213. Kasparov, p. 213.

45 The British magazine The British magazine Chess Chess relaxed its stiff upper lip, calling Bobby's effort a game of "great depth and brilliancy" Chess relaxed its stiff upper lip, calling Bobby's effort a game of "great depth and brilliancy" Chess, November 9, 1956.

46 Chess Life Chess Life proclaimed Bobby's victory nothing short of "fantastic" CL proclaimed Bobby's victory nothing short of "fantastic" CL, November 5, 1956, p. 3.

47 "I just made the moves I thought were best." "I just made the moves I thought were best." AP wire story, February 24, 1957. AP wire story, February 24, 1957.

48 David Lawson, a seventy-year-old American whose accent betrayed his Scottish birth NYT David Lawson, a seventy-year-old American whose accent betrayed his Scottish birth NYT, December 28, 2008.

49 Lawson's preference for dinner was Luchow's Lawson's preference for dinner was Luchow's Author's conversation with David Lawson, December 1963, New York. Author's conversation with David Lawson, December 1963, New York.

50 "Many people imagine that the chess club..." "Many people imagine that the chess club..." BFE, p. 12. BFE, p. 12.

51 "The King stands for the boy's p.e.n.i.s" "The King stands for the boy's p.e.n.i.s" Reuben Fine, Reuben Fine, The Psychology of the Chess Player The Psychology of the Chess Player (New York: Dover Books, 1956), p. 12. (New York: Dover Books, 1956), p. 12.

52 "You've tricked me" "You've tricked me" Fine, Fine, Bobby Fischer's Conquest of the World's Chess Champions.h.i.+p Bobby Fischer's Conquest of the World's Chess Champions.h.i.+p, pp. 2425.

53 "it becomes one of the ironic twists of history" "it becomes one of the ironic twists of history" Ibid. Ibid.

54 "Ask me something unusual" NYT "Ask me something unusual" NYT, February 23, 1958, p. SM 38.

55 "I went to the phone booth and called my mother..." "I went to the phone booth and called my mother..." BFE, p. 12. BFE, p. 12.

56 "it was the t.i.tle that really mattered" "it was the t.i.tle that really mattered" BFE, p. 13. BFE, p. 13.

57 "it was, of course, ridiculous for us to consider," "it was, of course, ridiculous for us to consider," BFE, p. 13. BFE, p. 13.

58 "Bobby Fischer should finish slightly over the center mark" CR "Bobby Fischer should finish slightly over the center mark" CR, January 1958, p. 12.

59 "Reshevsky's busted." NYT "Reshevsky's busted." NYT, February 23, 1958, p. SM 38.

Chapter 4: The American Wunderkind.

Letters to Bobby's teacher, Jack Collins, and to his mother, about his visit to Moscow, followed by his entry into the Interzonal, Portoro 1958, illuminated how he felt about his first international tournament. The FBI files on Regina Fischer and the KGB files as paraphrased in the book Russians Versus Fischer Russians Versus Fischer also added further evaluative information. also added further evaluative information.

1 hoping to supply information to the House Un-American Activities Committee hoping to supply information to the House Un-American Activities Committee Letter to FBI under FOI Act, sent July 24, 2009. Letter to FBI under FOI Act, sent July 24, 2009.

2 To others he proclaimed To others he proclaimed Shakhmatny Bulletin Shakhmatny Bulletin "the best chess magazine in the world" "the best chess magazine in the world" Johnson, p. 131. Johnson, p. 131.

3 Bobby made a mental note of which openings being played around the world won more games than others Bobby made a mental note of which openings being played around the world won more games than others Fischer, Fischer, My 60 Memorable Games My 60 Memorable Games, p. 18.

4 At the Four Continents, Bobby bought a hardcover Russian-language copy of At the Four Continents, Bobby bought a hardcover Russian-language copy of The Soviet School of Chess The Soviet School of Chess for $2 for $2. Kotov and Yudovich, p. 8.

5 When Bobby was 14, he gave an interview to a visiting Russian journalist CR When Bobby was 14, he gave an interview to a visiting Russian journalist CR, January 1959, p. 8.

6 "I watch what your grandmasters do." CR "I watch what your grandmasters do." CR, January 1959, p. 8.

7 Bobby pored over Buschke's holdings for hours, looking for that one book PRO Bobby pored over Buschke's holdings for hours, looking for that one book PRO, p. 11.

8 When Bobby won the U.S. Champions.h.i.+p, Buschke gave him a $100 gift certificate PRO When Bobby won the U.S. Champions.h.i.+p, Buschke gave him a $100 gift certificate PRO, p. 27.

9 Her oft-quoted statement that she'd tried everything Her oft-quoted statement that she'd tried everything Johnson, p. 127. Johnson, p. 127.

10 She also compiled the addresses and telephone numbers She also compiled the addresses and telephone numbers Copies of various address books of Regina Fischer. MCF. Copies of various address books of Regina Fischer. MCF.

11 I. A. Horowitz, the editor of I. A. Horowitz, the editor of Chess Review, Chess Review, claimed that she was a "pain in the neck" claimed that she was a "pain in the neck" Author's conversation with I. A. Horowitz, July 1972, New York. Author's conversation with I. A. Horowitz, July 1972, New York.

12 "I hope Bobby will become a great chess champion" "I hope Bobby will become a great chess champion" Letter from Regina Fischer to Maurice Kasper, October 1, 1957, MCF. Letter from Regina Fischer to Maurice Kasper, October 1, 1957, MCF.

13 "Keep it up but don't wear yourself down at it. Swim, nap." "Keep it up but don't wear yourself down at it. Swim, nap." Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, August 8, 1958, MCF. Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, August 8, 1958, MCF.

14 The The $64,000 Question $64,000 Question was so popular that even President Eisenhower watched it every week was so popular that even President Eisenhower watched it every week Metz, Robert, Metz, Robert, CBS: Reflections in a Bloodshot Eye CBS: Reflections in a Bloodshot Eye (New York: NAL, 1976), p. 78. (New York: NAL, 1976), p. 78.

15 "It made interesting conversation while it lasted, anyway." "It made interesting conversation while it lasted, anyway." Bobby reflecting on The $64,000 Question in an essay he wrote, circa 1958, MCF. Bobby reflecting on The $64,000 Question in an essay he wrote, circa 1958, MCF.

16 "I'm not afraid of anything," Regina answered, "and I have nothing to hide." "I'm not afraid of anything," Regina answered, "and I have nothing to hide." FBI file, p. 139. FBI file, p. 139.

17 Consequently, there was a sweeping investigation taking place of her activities, past and present Consequently, there was a sweeping investigation taking place of her activities, past and present FBI file. FBI file.

18 The confidential FBI report on Regina The confidential FBI report on Regina FBI. FBI.

19 Undercover agents rifled through Joan Fischer's records at Brooklyn College Undercover agents rifled through Joan Fischer's records at Brooklyn College FBI. FBI.

20 "My mother," said Joan Fischer, "is a professional protester." "My mother," said Joan Fischer, "is a professional protester." Joan Fischer, undated and unsourced clipping, FB. Joan Fischer, undated and unsourced clipping, FB.

21 Regina had been "kicked out" of the Communist Party Regina had been "kicked out" of the Communist Party FBI report to the director from SAC, NY100-102290, August 24, 1953, p. 1. FBI report to the director from SAC, NY100-102290, August 24, 1953, p. 1.

22 She sent a letter directly to Premier Nikita Khrushchev She sent a letter directly to Premier Nikita Khrushchev Johnson, p. 128. Johnson, p. 128.

23 Agents and informers continued to spy on the Fischers Agents and informers continued to spy on the Fischers FBI report to the director from SAC, NY100-102290, August 24, 1953, p. 2. FBI report to the director from SAC, NY100-102290, August 24, 1953, p. 2.

24 As it developed, Bobby was never questioned, but the fear had been implanted As it developed, Bobby was never questioned, but the fear had been implanted Preliminary interview of Bobby Fischer for the film Preliminary interview of Bobby Fischer for the film My Friend Bobby My Friend Bobby. Interview is in "Chapters from the Film," outtakes not used in the final release copy. Reykjavik, Iceland, 2009.

25 The agent remained throughout the broadcast but did not reveal his true ident.i.ty The agent remained throughout the broadcast but did not reveal his true ident.i.ty FBI report to the director from SAC, NY100-102290, May 23, 1958, p. 1. FBI report to the director from SAC, NY100-102290, May 23, 1958, p. 1.

26 he tripped with youthful awkwardness on the microphone wire while making his exit from the stage I've Got a Secret he tripped with youthful awkwardness on the microphone wire while making his exit from the stage I've Got a Secret footage, CBS, March 26, 1958. footage, CBS, March 26, 1958.

27 "If I have to wear a tie, I won't go," New York World-Telegram and Sun "If I have to wear a tie, I won't go," New York World-Telegram and Sun, June 12, 1958.

28 "The eighth wonder of the world," Bobby wrote to Jack Collins "The eighth wonder of the world," Bobby wrote to Jack Collins Postcard from Bobby Fischer to Jack Collins, June 21, 1958, JWC. Postcard from Bobby Fischer to Jack Collins, June 21, 1958, JWC.

29 Nevertheless, he played some seven-minute games Nevertheless, he played some seven-minute games Postcard, circa 1958, JWC. Postcard, circa 1958, JWC.

30 Before boarding the plane to Russia, Bobby plugged cotton into his ears Before boarding the plane to Russia, Bobby plugged cotton into his ears Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, June 18, 1958, MCF. Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, June 18, 1958, MCF.

31 Moscow's finest hotel, the National Moscow's finest hotel, the National. Background promotional material from the Hotel National, circa 2009.

32 "Call me," she wrote to Bobby. "It's on the house." He didn't "Call me," she wrote to Bobby. "It's on the house." He didn't. Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, June 30, 1958, MCF.

33 His mission was to play as many masters as possible His mission was to play as many masters as possible Letter to Parkhito from Regina Fischer, June 2, 1958, MCF. Letter to Parkhito from Regina Fischer, June 2, 1958, MCF.

34 Everyone wanted to see the American wunderkind Everyone wanted to see the American wunderkind Interview of Lev Khariton by author, April 17, 2009, New York. Interview of Lev Khariton by author, April 17, 2009, New York.

35 Finally, Tigran Petrosian was, on a semi-official basis, summoned to the club Golombek, Golombek's Encyclopedia Finally, Tigran Petrosian was, on a semi-official basis, summoned to the club Golombek, Golombek's Encyclopedia, pp. 23637.

36 "None. You are our guest," Abramov frostily replied, "and we don't pay fees to guests." "None. You are our guest," Abramov frostily replied, "and we don't pay fees to guests." Abramov to Fischer, in Johnson, p. 128. Abramov to Fischer, in Johnson, p. 128.

37 Many years later, Bobby indicated that Many years later, Bobby indicated that Author's conversation with Bobby Fischer, circa 1964, New York. Author's conversation with Bobby Fischer, circa 1964, New York.

38 When the Soviet Union had agreed to invite Bobby to Moscow When the Soviet Union had agreed to invite Bobby to Moscow Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, circa June 1958, MCF. Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, circa June 1958, MCF.

39 He likened himself to his hero Paul Morphy Chessworld He likened himself to his hero Paul Morphy Chessworld, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1964, pp. 4046.

40 he was fed up "with these Russian pigs" he was fed up "with these Russian pigs" Johnson, p. 128. Johnson, p. 128.

41 "I don't like Russian hospitality and the people themselves. It seems they don't like me either." "I don't like Russian hospitality and the people themselves. It seems they don't like me either." Postcard from Bobby Fischer to Jack Collins, July 1958, JWC. Postcard from Bobby Fischer to Jack Collins, July 1958, JWC.

42 In mid-July, one hundred thousand irate Soviet citizens NYT In mid-July, one hundred thousand irate Soviet citizens NYT, July 19, 1958, p. 1.