In his book “Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law”, famed defense attorney and law professor Alan Dershowitz recounts the only time he met Bobby Fischer:
Fischer was at staying at a place called Grossinger’s where he was training for his upcoming WCChamp title match against Boris Spassky. Dershowitz and family were staying there too for Passover. Dershowitz received a note from Fischer asking to meet, which Dershowitz was happy to do.
Fischer asked Dershowitz if Dershowitz could figure out a way for Fischer to copyright the moves of his chess games. Fischer also asked whether Dershowitz would do this without charge to for Fischer. Dershowitz found the question interesting in terms of the law. So Dershowitz agreed to research and write a legal memorandum for Fischer if, in return, Fischer would play one quick game of chess with Dershowitz’ son Elon. Fischer responded:
“I’m not a circus performer. I don’t perform for children.”
With his offer rejected, Dershowitz told Fischer to find another lawyer and to pay him the going rate. Dershowitz left and never saw Fischer again.
I wonder whether Fischer might have made a huge mistake in rejecting Dershowitz’ offer, because a couple decades later Fischer’s legal troubles with the US federal government might have been more manageable if he could have again called on Dershowitz, based on goodwill built with Dershowitz and son Elon.
By the way, Americans who think they understood court trials such as the Mike Tyson rape trial and the Klaus von Bulow attempted murder trial and the O.J. Simpson murder trial, might think differently if they read this book of Dershowitz’. Prosecutorial misconduct occurs on a scale that would make a even a cynic say “Wow!”.
Dershowitz barely discusses the fact that these prosecutors are virtually never punished for their crimes, as if they work in a zone that is off limits to legal punishment. Ironic.
“I’m not a circus performer. I don’t perform for children.”
Quintessential Fischer. At this time in his life he expected everyone, including Dershowitz in this instance, to comply with his wishes at no cost to him. However, to ask him for something was an imposition too great to be allowed !! Longtime friends that he had lived off were quickly thrown under the bus the first time he was offended. Fischer never built “goodwill” !
Have a hard time believing this tale. Every story I have heard about Fischer noted that he was good with kids. Kids were honest and not trying to exploit him like many of the adults he had to deal with. This is a story that makes Alan Dershowitz look good, but throws another negative anecdote onto the reputation of someone who cannot defend himself. Was there any corroboration in the book for the story? If not, then just add another bit of apochrypha to the legend of R.J. Fischer.
“Every story I have heard about Fischer noted that he was good with kids. Kids were honest and not trying to exploit him like many of the adults he had to deal with.”
This would be a side of Fischer I am unaware of. Where would I find examples of these stories ?
There are a number of books that relate anecdotes concerning his personality. Most cover his adult years or his games. Here are a few of them:
The Bobby Fischer I Knew, by Arnold Denker and Larry Parr
How to Get Better at Chess, by L. Evans, J. Silman, and Betty Roberts. Roberts relates one anecdote.
Frank Brady has written several books on Fischer. Life of Bobby Fischer and Endgame are two of them.
I cannot recall the author, but there is a book of pictures on Fischer from Reykjavik, in 1972 that also relates something about his affinity with animals, too.
Since most of his friends, out of loyalty to the man, kept mum about him, we can only go by the stories and gossip that float out there among competitors, acquaintances, and those who knew them. In the 70’s I heard many stories from the denizens of the Pittsburgh Chess Club as well as from masters all of whom were familiar with the New York chess scene. They indicated that Fischer could be suspicious and touchy with many adults. But with kids he was open and warm, playing games with them and showing them things. Fischer played simuls in many cities. He also gave lectures, which were deemed awesome by a friend of mine. There are stories in those places concerning his affability or lack thereof because he could be a moody person. None of this was written down. All are the stuff of legend. I discount the Dershowitz story because it was written in a way to make himself look good, while criticizing Fischer. It could also be that Dershowitz’s personality grated on Fischer, too. Once again, here was a person who wanted something from Fischer.
