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
Page 49