ADes Moines Tribune, Des Moines, Iowa, Monday, April 20, 1959
Chess Star, 16, Balks—Money
Santiago, Chile (AP)—Bobby Fischer, 16-year-old U.S. chess ace, almost walked out of the Santiago international tournament Monday because he was interested in cash on the line, not trophies.
In fact, Bobby did quit for a short time, but was persuaded to reenter. But he's not happy.
“I came here with the understanding there would be $2,000 in cash prizes,” he complained. “But when I got here I found there would be $1,000 in cash and the rest in trophies and other stuff which wouldn't interest me.”
Dionisio Gajardo Gajardo of the Chilean Chess Federation was assigned to sooth the Brooklyn high school lad's feelings.
“He is very difficult to deal with,” Gajardo Gajardo sighed. “But I am sure it was just a case of misunderstanding. There are many other international players here and they are going to play in the tournament whether much money is involved or not.”
Bobby listened to Gajardo Gajardo's pleas and then scowled:
“Well, it looks like I'd just as well play. After all, I came here. But someone got things fouled up somewhere. When I was in Argentina for the Mar Del Plata tournament, I was told the prize money here would be $2,000.”
Other big names entered include Ludek Pachman of Czechoslovakia, Borislav Ivkov of Yugoslavia, Hermann Pilnik of Argentina, Raul Sanguinetti of Argentina, and Joao De Souza Mendes of Brazil.
Bobby's mother, Mrs. Regina Fischer, is along and she is solidly behind her offspring.
“It's different with some of those Iron Curtain players,” she pointed out. “They get paid by their governments. Bobby doesn't and this trip costs lots of money.”
