tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post8827822342044140617..comments2024-01-29T14:44:29.902-05:00Comments on Castling Queen Side: International Symposium on Bobby Fischer - Day 2Pollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747958243702670987noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-69463559391555450862009-03-11T16:14:00.000-04:002009-03-11T16:14:00.000-04:00Estragon: Thank you for bringing that up. Dr. Bra...Estragon: Thank you for bringing that up. Dr. Brady did mention the incident regarding the rescheduling of the match, and the contribution that incident may have made to Fischer's refusal to play. I neglected to mention that in my report, because I think I was focused on the idea of appearance demand being met in the second tournament, and that everyone benefited from that.Pollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747958243702670987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-65911744430804853242009-03-11T00:16:00.000-04:002009-03-11T00:16:00.000-04:00There may be more to Fischer's refusal to play in ...There may be more to Fischer's refusal to play in the First Piatigorsky Cup. The amount he demanded, $2000, was completely unheard-of at the time for a "mere" grandmaster. It all probably goes back to the aborted match with Reshevsky a couple of years earlier, also sponsored by the Piatigorskys.<BR/><BR/>In addition to chess, the Piatigorskys were also patrons of the symphony, and there was a major concert scheduled during the match. They decided to move the start time up to 11 a.m. so the game's session would be over in time to make the event (at which the Piatigorskys were to be introduced in the audience - Gregor was himself a cellist of international reputation). This was done without consulting Fischer, a late riser who was doubly miffed because the Piatigorskys had already made concessions so Reshevsky wouldn't have to play on the Jewish Sabbath. He demanded the game either adhere to the published schedule or be rescheduled to a time more amenable to him, but was rebuffed and walked out (I think his first actual walkout).<BR/><BR/>The match was tied at the time, and Fischer forfeited some of the guaranteed money by failing to complete it. The $2000 demand was probably a message to the Piatigorskys that he had not and would not forget.<BR/><BR/>The $2000 to everyone in 1966 (2nd Cup) was their way of extending the olive branch to Fischer without appearing to kowtow to him. It was easily afforded, as Mrs. Piatigorsky was an heir to the Rothschild banking fortune.Estragonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10429699109866973316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-3021387827084944572009-03-08T22:12:00.000-04:002009-03-08T22:12:00.000-04:00Ellen: I'm not sure whether the various papers wil...Ellen: I'm not sure whether the various papers will be published or not. Frank Brady would be the one to ask. <BR/><BR/>The Capablanca table that has the misspelled Fischer plaque on it was used as the speaker's podium during the event. It was duly noted that the plaque says Fisher, not Fischer. I would hope at some point the plaque will be replaced. I played on that table a few weeks ago on a Thursday night, but I was too busy get smashed by Alec Getz to notice it. I guess it takes someone not playing to notice these things.Pollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747958243702670987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-39554501436255514272009-03-08T15:24:00.000-04:002009-03-08T15:24:00.000-04:00The last presentation -- about the probability tha...The last presentation -- about the probability that Fischer had a Jewish father -- sounds fascinating. Are the presenters going to publish their research somewhere? It puts Fishcher's anti-Semitism into an interesting Freudian perspective. Fischer is such an interesting character. My husband and I grew up in the 1960s and 1970s and we both had a copy of "Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess." Would our kids be playing today if we hadn't been exposed to chess through Fischer/Spassky? I don't know. One funny side note: Kids were at Marshall last Wednesday night and the 7-year-old (who was hanging out while the older one played in a tournament) came home and announced: "they spelled Bobby Fischer's name wrong on the plaque at the Marshall" Apparently on the plaque it is spelled "Fisher." <BR/><BR/>EllenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com