4/15/2005 -
ChessBase reports that Fischer is settling down in Iceland. He
enjoys the food, open space and fresh air. There are reports that Bobby will
play a match with his friend Pal Benko. Lets recall that in 1969, Bobby
refused to play in the US championship tournament. He felt it was too short
of an event. This tournament was a zonal and a qualifying event for
the 1972 world championship cycle. The top finishers qualified for the 1970
interzonal. So Bobby was out of the 1972 cycle. The top finishers of
the 1969 US championship were: Sammy Reshevsky, William Addison, and Pal
Benko. USCF President Ed Edmonson asked Pal Benko to step aside and
allow Bobby to take his place at the 1970 Interzonal. Benko realizing that
Bobby had a great chance at winning, stepped aside. Fischer and Benko did
have their problems early in Bobby's career. During the 1962 Curacao
Interzonal, Fischer and Benko got into a fight over Arthur Bisguier time.
Arthur was there to help with analysis. Fischer and Benko got into a
heated discussion and and blows were exchanged.
When asked about his greatest game, Bobby recalled the game of the
century against Donald Byrne. He said his opponent didn't make any mistakes.
Bobby also said he took a big risk with 11..Na4. This game was played early
in Bobby's career. It was dubbed the game of the century by Hans Kmoch.
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