The Orlando Sentinel Orlando, Florida Thursday, August 12, 1965 - Page 61
Chess Champ Angry With Fidel's Move
New York—Bobby Fischer, the United States chess champion, made it clear Wednesday he did not intend to be used by Premier Fidel Castro as a pawn in a propaganda contest.
The 22-year-old chess wizard sent a cable to Premier Castro saying he was withdrawing from the Capablanca International Tournament in Havana unless the premier disavows a statement attributed to him.
IT HAS BEEN reported Tuesday the premier regarded the United States’ refusal to allow Fischer to go to Havana as “a propagandistic victory for Cuba.”
Fischer cabled his withdrawal Wednesday afternoon, when it seemed certain he would participate in the tournament by telephone, teletype or cable. The tournament begins on Aug. 25.
In his cable, Fischer said:
“I OBJECT to your statements reported in The New York Times today claiming ‘propagandistic victory’ and hereby withdraw from Capablanca Tournament.
“I shall re-enter tournament only if you send immediate cable assuring me that you and your government seek and claim no political benefit from my participation and that no further political comments will issue from you concerning my participation.”
Fischer's lawyer, Andrew P. Davis, said his client was astonished to learn that Premier Castro was using the situation for anti-American propaganda.
The U.S. Department of State has refused a visa to Fischer to go to Cuba for the tournament on the ground that he is neither a businessman with long-standing interest in the Communist island, a bona fide journalist or on a humanitarian mission.