Volume 40 , Number 1 Colorado Chess Informant January 2013
“ Excuse me , I am the Organizer of the annual ‘ Salute to Bobby Fischer Chess Tournament ’, best in the United States by the way , and I have come some 3800 miles , could you please vacate your seating briefly for my important photography report ?” I had an undeniable instinct people might take it the wrong way . I laughed at myself and walked away .
Ah yes , the Bokin Bookstore , at first thrilled to find it , but … why is it that some bookstores seem to find it a virtue to be a display of three things ? A completely bloated inventory . A monument to dust , and a detached cashier with the overpowering stench of bad music . It must be international because we have that right here on the west side of Colorado Springs . Located Bobby ’ s sleeping spot and the famous chair which was completely stacked with books which I might have bought if it were not so uncomfortable to sit in . How is it possible a taller man could sleep in such a furniture monstrosity ? Finally , some good luck . The book by Svetozar Gligoric entitled , “ Fischer vs . Spassky - The Chess Match of the Century ”, lying innocently upon a nearby pile of rubbish . I snatched that up faster than Bain Capital on a Union Workshop .
Church of Hallgrimur , Reykjavik
Grandmaster , Helgi Olaffson recently wrote in his book , “ Bobby Comes Home ” about a donation of the famous 1972 board to the National Museum of Iceland . What were the chances of this actually being displayed let alone it being there after all these years ? I did not like the odds but had to check it out and besides there would be interesting cultural displays to see anyway . Started on the top floor working my way down but most poignant were the short , low , well-built wooden huts designed for six men and a stove , that is it . The wealthier landowners had separate quarters for the boss and his mistress . Considering the cold and isolated conditions with no fancy modern amenities , we today have no concept what hard living really is . Many other fascinating National Treasurers and artifacts but you need to see them for yourself , truly worth every Krona ! Finally , near the end of the exhibit I asked a worker about “ the board ” and she instantly relayed where it was and as quickly and casually as possible flew down and was thrilled upon viewing not just the board but also the clock , chairs , score sheets , pictures , pieces , memorabilia of the official , and of course , a video all donated by the Icelandic Chess Federation . Can we spell Natural High ? People speaking in the hour long video included Fisher , Spassky , Max Euwe , Lather Schmidt , Henry Kissinger , Mayor Lindsey of New York , Regina Fischer , many Russian grand masters , Dick Cavett Johnny Carson , Bent Larson , the Targ Family and others . Most interesting was the large content of comments by Boris Spassky regarding his career and the Match . In short , here are a few revelations ; His happiest chess years were from 1964 to 1970 . He was never a member of the Communist Party . He always liked Bobby Fischer . All of this reminded me of something I believe important to convey to you dear reader . Yes , Bobby Fischer will always be the greatest chess player of
www . colorado-chess . com all time for all the obvious reasons , but Boris Spassky was more than a World Champion . He was a Gentleman Player and a beautiful human being in the truest sense . The kind of man one could count on to show up for a dinner and enjoy fascinating conversation . My Father instilled in me early on , the virtue of good sportsmanship . In some 42 years , I have behaved as he would have wanted me to . There have been a few exceptions and I regret that , but no one , in my opinion , was a better example of good sportsmanship and gentlemanly behavior than Boris Spassky !
On my last day I visited the tower of the Hallgrimur , the massively large stone church city land work mentioned earlier . Built in 1946 it was a reminder of what truly magnificent and stunning modern architecture can be if enough money and will power are applied . I selected a pew and prayed . How fortunate was I ? To come this far and see all that I had seen , and all that I felt and experienced was truly a gift not unnoticed , I gave thanks . In spite of my short comings , all these experiences in Iceland came my way . That moment in time was the most precious of all on the trip . I will never forget it .
After seating in Saga Class they give you a small champagne , yet again some things are truly international . Before takeoff they politely ask that all champagne be consumed . I pondered , is not drinking the champagne precisely at takeoff thee most appropriate moment ? Certainly I am not averse to pounding my double bubbly , but really ! I instinctively put my drink under cover and of course , acted naturally . As the Icelandair 757 roared from the earth ' s surface , I with not a little emotion toasted Bobby … I don ’ t know when , but I ’ ll be back , count on it ! k
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