AThe Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Saturday, July 24, 1965 - Page 26
Robert Fischer at United Nations
In a simultaneous at the United Nations Chess Club, Bobby Fischer won from 21, drew with 3, and lost to Louis Loayza, Peru, and Vladimir Vakula, USSR. Here is one of his victories.
Varied Viewpoints
D. Bjelicka, reporting for “Chess” on the Zagreb international, comments, “The Zagreb tourney was one of the strongest ever held in Yugoslavia or, indeed, anywhere. But there was no Bobby Fischer. The organizers asked me to write to ask him to take part in the tournament. His answer was: “I decline to play in Sarajevo and Zagreb.” He is very popular in Yugoslavia. If he had played, the tournament room would always have been full.”
During the tourney he went around quizzing some of the leading players on various points of general interest.
Petrosian: “It is very difficult to say. I should like to play somebody from outside the Soviet Union; but it will certainly not come about.“
Ivkov: “I believe, Tal or Spassky.”
Larsen: “Why not me? Portisch will beat Tal.”
Portisch: “Maybe Spassky.”
Bronstein: “Each of the eight has a chance — If he believes he has a chance.”
“What do you think of the system of competition for the world; championship?”
Petrosian: “Every system has its own faults.”
Gligoric: “It is difficult to find an ideal system. But I am for a tournament of the strongest players.”
Bronstein: “I am for any system in which all have the same opportunities.”
Ivkov: “A tournament of the strongest players is the only right way.”
“If Bobby Fischer had played here, what would have happened?”
Gligoric: “I got a letter from the U.S.A. in which I was asked for the bulletins from the tournament. They must have thought that Bobby was here it is a pity that he did not come. But I am not sure that he would have finished first.”
Bronstein: “When Bobby was seventeen I liked him. He played wonderfully, but now he is a retired gentleman. He ought to play in these tournaments.”
Larsen: “Bobby is greatly talented, but he would not have been first here.”
Ivkov: “If Bobby had played in the Candidates' tournament he would not have beaten any of the Soviet grandmasters in my opinion.”
Petrosian: “Bobby is always offering challenges. He'll give Botvinnik two points start. He'll play any Soviet grandmaster for $5,000.00. He'll give Nona a knight. Let him put the money on the table; I for one won't refuse to play him.”
