Lubbock Avalanche-Journal from Lubbock, Texas • Page 83

GAME IS OBSESSION WITH LONELY 'YOVNC, MAN Evening, March 24, 1972-LUBBOCK AVAUHCHE.JOUIIH4l-i.13 bby Fischer: America's Hope For World Chess Title 05 1 8 1 SWC laWe He's polilc and cwr si-iwd Hschcr, America's hope says life guarci Mdle Tows' whin Wn rackct 1 Ani! I'l'Vcc. His her l4ini Fis" KC 5 1W)l) i)u( 1ms tho World chess phamnlnn. nuiii.ni. IMC." she savs. i cl IIK longest runiintprctils, says Paul (5ros- lifpn krinm IM liinr GROSSINGER.

N.Y. Bobby Fischer, America's hope for tho world chess championship, rushed Into the vast, brightly lit dining room at GrossJngcr's, a giant resort tucked away in the Catskills. He's hecn ensconscd 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 and con venlion rooms, At age 29, he's poised tor a crack at the world title in chess, a goal since the beginning of his brilliant but uneven, career. "What time is it?" he asked sitting down at a small table. He was palo and his eyes were darker, leaking than usual.

His hiilr was damp and neatly combed. He wore it blue suit and black tie, printed with galloping red stallions. Hiiivly It He'd made the 8 p.m. dinner deadline by one minute. "He usually comes flying in, the List person in the dining room.

He's always on the run," said the dining room'hostess. If Fischer's running, it's part)y from the tension, jlu challenges Russian Boris Spansky for the title in a grueling' 24- Ramc match, beginning June 22, The international chess world has shown extraordinary interest in this match. Some seven countries bid for it. Usually, there are only, 'two or three bids, money for the match is set at "with per. cent to the winner.

Fischer beat Tigrnn 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. The, One This is it.

This is the big a man who's grown up obsessed with the complex movoS'Of 32 chessmen around a checkered board. Fischer usually dines alone Grossinger's banquet hall, filled with family-size tables, fake flowers, jokinq conventioneers, families with sullcn-lookint; teen-agers and bubbly children in pink crocheted outfit's. "The whole 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 frolic and joie dc vivro." A long-time meeting place celebrities, potentates and politicians, it caters to conventions and arranges special singles weekends.

rimls Solitude Hut 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 sing, Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now." He walks by their exhibits of complex camera equipment and past the bar where t-uests arc 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, gotta study." Many hotel employes see him as a non- talkative, absorbed in his work, but still polite.

He asked the maitre d'holcl how much he should tip. When left to decide for himself, he save the man S100 and said to spread it around to the others. He got 555 back. "He's a gentle boy," says the maitre d'. 'If the conversation lags, he gets up and says 'See ya." He makes very few concessions to the social amenities, which is refreshing in this day." says a hotel employee.

-Simple Regimen His regimen i private. He docs physical fit)ness exercises in his room, but doesn't work out at the hotel Uicalth club. He usually when no one else is around. He's polite when guests ccme to sny keeps to himself. He says skiing is too much trouble, but he plays table len- nis, bowls and goes to the movies occasionally.

He often enters tfie Olympic size indoor pool at the last hour. "He's got it down to a science, like everything else he docs. The pool closes at 6:15. 4 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 thcelub, adding (hat Fischer can be a -ore loser at tennis, slamming down his rackct losses.

"It's usually p.m. when he gels up," says Lillian Stcrc, stuff chambermaid. "I knock oil the door at 1:30 and then sit inc," she says, breaking into ligglfs. Why dlil Fischer come to it's scene from for one thing. his younger Porter Arrested In YMGA Fire NEW YORK (AP) An em- ploye of the YMCA's Sloane House, where four persons died ma fire Wednesday night, was arrested -Thursday and charged with arson and murder, the chief fire marshal said.

Ho was identified as Francisco Ramos, 27, of the Bronx, ,1, porter at the hotel on 34th Street between Slh and 9th avenues. The multiple alarm fire did most of its damage on the seventh floor of Ihc 11-slory, room building. Twenty persons required hospital treatment. or i her, him i'i holel when he won Hie U.S. chain.i ll skaters in the worfd, Floreiire staying as; Chad wick trained here, f've pionship day, the guest uniilius Hobby hut they've: bud other in un i i 1tpl ils Paul becii know lo Uiy'Phiyiwy.

'lie guc.st on iccoid. (sinf-or, chief executive ol the askc-d liw i.Miiiy girls were 'I've met (he greatest figure Grossingcr Corp, jforniivj; to (ho IHJKL singto.s Fischer does have, oilier perhaps ju.sl out Shop DAILY 9:30 TO 6 SATURDAY 9 'TIL 0 tcrcsls. He music UurlosHy. i i iinniuu i vc ipresis. lie Know.s pop UI 11 vi fashion up where price is down EX.

tt Where Else can you Outfit Entire Family of 4 in Easter Footwear for Less than $24? if mi I VVS. ri -'V' ft 1 01 The Children's Choice Try Them on For Size! Focus on the Feminine: You'll Find Soft Curves. Heels Shaped Just Soi 3.99 GIRtS' SPRING SANDALS AND GHILl.tE TIES BOYS' TWO-TONE BROWN OXFORD WITH PERFS titile feel step out on Easier to tune lhat's young and lively From a 0ay knnKly cut-out sling or a red, while and brioM blue strop sandal to a silly ghlllle tie lead Ihe Easter parade in Sr'Jn 35 the youn 9 enl we ve chosen a 2-1one brogue oxford like Dads with perfed toe, sloped Sizes 8V5-3. WITH BUCKLES AND TIES CRISS-CROSS STRAP OR CUT-OUT SANDALS PRACTICAL PUMPS THAT GO WITH ANYTHING DRESS UP IN A CASUAL WAY THIS SPRING 7.99 Mens dress collection a casual "air." Grained while monk strop looks g-eaf with the new knit fashions. 2-tone brown oxford with pert trim has candy lace.

Sizes 6V- to 12. THE CLASSIC BAREFOOT LOOK BACK WITH A HEEL 3.99 CHARGE IT AT 1015 IROADWAY 3109 IE. 4TH ST. ke to wear shoes ln ht lealher straps, Thars all there Is to it and Isn mat great. Sizes 5 to 10 2125 50TH STREET.