The Progress-Index from Petersburg, Virginia • Page 7

A I. Jhe Progreis-lndeg, Petersburg, Toung American Hopes To Become First Non-Russian Chess IR, N.Y. (AP) sittinff WVJI 1972 GHOSSINGER, N.Y. (AP) Bobby Fischer, America's hope for the world chess championship, rushed into the vast brightly. lit dining room at Grossmger's, a giant resort tucked away in the CatskUls.

He been ensconsed for three weeks at the hotel, a sprawling cluster of recreational facilities, Ping Pong tables, pin ball machines, Pepsi dispensers, indoor miniature golf courses, swimming pool, ski slope and convention rooms. At age 29, he's poised for a crack at the world title in a goal since the his brilliant, but uneven, career. time is it?" he asked sitting down at a small table. He was pale and his eyes were darker looking than usual. His hair was damp and neatly combed.

He wore a.blue suit and black tie, printed with galloping red stallions. He'd made the 8 p.m. dinner deadline by one minute, x. He usua Uy comes Hying in, the last person in the dining room. He's always on the run," said the dining room hostess.

If Fischer's running, it's partly from the tension. He challenges Russian Boris Spaasky for the title in a grueling 24- game match, beginning June 22, Belgrade, Yugoslavia. The international chess world has shown extraordinary inter- est in this match. Some seven countries bid for it. Usually, there are only two or three bids.

Prize money for the match is set at $138,500, with per cent to the winner. Fischer beat Tigran Petro- sian, Russian ex-world champion, in the semifinals. If he beats Spaasky he will become the first non-Russian to hold the world title in 25 years and the first official American title holder. This is it. This is the big a man who's grown up obsessed with the complex moves of 32 chessmen around a checkered board.

Fischer usually dines alone in Grossinger's banquet hall, filled with family-size tables, fake flowers, joking conventioneers, families with sullen-looking teen-agers and bubbly children in pink crocheted outfits. "The whoie theory of a hotel is a giant communal enterprise. But Bobby remains a solitary figure," says a hotel representative. Solitude can be hard to find in this active, noisy hotel, exuding "fun-time frob'c and joie de vivre." A long-time meeting place for celebrities, potentates and politicians, it caters to conventions and arranges special singles weekends. But Fischer finds solitude, threading his way through a group of commercial photographers, with their blue, convention name tags.

They have gathered after dinner around the grand piano to sing, "I AP Wirephoto Bobby Fischer Takes A Break From His Study Of The Coming Match Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now." He walks by their exhibits of complex camera equipment and past the bar where are busy drinking Russian vodka. When Fischer is more relaxed, he's good company- quick, funny and interested in other people. But this weekend, he wasn't giving interviews. He mostly stays in his room, saying in a soft voice, "I gotta study. I gotta study." Many hotel employes see him as a non- talkative, absorbed in his work, but still polite.

He asked the maitre d'hotel how much he should tip. When left to decide for himself, he gave the man $100 and said to spread it around to the others He got $55 back. "He's a gentle boy," says th maitre d'. "If the conversation lags, he gets up and says 'See. He makes very few concessions to the social amenities, which is refreshing in this day," says a hotel employee.

His regimen Is private. He' does physical fit ness exercises in his room, bu doesn't work out at the hote health He usually when no one else ii, around. He's polite when guests come to say keeps to himself. He says skiing is too much trouble, but he plays table ten nis, bowls and goes to the mov ies occasionally. He often enters the Olympic COMPLETE STOCK OF PORCH, GARDEN PATIO FURNITURE NOW ON DISPLAY 400 N.

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size indoor pool at the last hour. "He's got it down to a science, like everything else he does. The pool closes at 6:15. He waits until 6:05. He swims three or four laps and leaves," says life guard Eddie Torres.

Fischer also is the last one out of the men's health club. "He's always in a corner, to himself," says Mike Farcus at the club, adding that Fischer can be a sore loser at table tennis, slamming down his racket when he losses. "It's usually 2 p.m. when he gets up," says Lillian Sterc staff chambermaid. "I knock on the door at 1:30 and then sit and wait on the stairs until he comes out He's polite and nice.

'And he's very good looking," she says, breaking into giggles. Why did Fischer come to Grossingers? It's a scene from his younger days, for one thing. "This was the first hotel he ever stayed at," says an employee. His mother, Regina Fischer, brought him to the hotel when he won the U.S. championship at age 14.

Today, Fischer is slaying as the guest of the hotel. If he re- JCPenney The values are here everyday. Decorate With Penneys Time Payment Plan. mains in his room in the two- story Tudor-style cottage until June, he'll have the longest run of any guest on record. "I've met the greatest figure skaters in the world.

Florence Chadwick trained here. I've known great golfers like Sam Snead. They were as dedicated as Bobby but they've had other interests," says Paul Grossinger, chief executive of the Grossinger Corp. Fischer does have other interests. He knows pop music.

He likes the Motown sound! He's bought a camera. He reads news magazines, and has been know to buy Playboy. He OH, YES. WE ARE DOING BUSINESS! Federal Stare Returns FISHER'S BOOKEEPING TAX SERVICE By Appointment Only 526-7885 Weekdays Call After P.M. Saturday A All Day.

asked how many girls were I weekend, perhaps just out of coming to the next singles curiosity. But for now his big goal ii keeping fit for the title. WALNUT HILL PLAZA 2 MILES ON RT. 301 SOUTH Love's Wayside Furniture Open 10:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M Daily Saturday fo 5:30 See The Largest Selection Of QUALITY BEDROOM FURNITURE In The Tri-City Area In Cherry, Maple, Mahogany, Oak Pine, and other woods.

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