19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

COURT COVERAGE
Sir:
In the past you have printed a number of letters pointing out the effects on various losing teams and individuals of your so-called cover jinx. Well, let me congratulate you on your March 4 cover of Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert. According to the jinx theory, neither should have reached even the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. But look what happened (For Love and Money, July 15).
MARK SMALL
Killeen, Texas

Sir:
Thank you for the great picture of Jimmy and Chrissie on your July 15 cover. It fits my dart board perfectly.
STEFAN WALTERS
Alexandria, Va.

Sir:
You people are incredible! Wimbledon is the biggest event in the tennis season, and you devote a story to only two of the eight big winners.

I think that others, such as women's doubles champions Evonne Goolagong and Peggy Michel, deserved at least a mention.
DONALD LENZ
Farmington, Conn.

NO PAWN
Sir:
From the time that Wilhelm Steinitz proclaimed himself world chess champion until the death of Dr. Alexander Alekhine in 1946 the world chess championship was the property of the world chess champion. He alone decided the terms of the match, and he alone picked the challenger.

Jos� Capablanca won the title in 1921 and did not accept a challenge until 1927, when he lost the title to Alekhine. Alekhine accepted more challenges than Capablanca but took care that his most logical opponent, Capablanca, would be denied a return match.

After the death of Alekhine in Portugal in 1946 the F�d�ration Internationale des �checs took over the administration of the world championship so that it is now possible for any challenger, in three years, to reach a point where his challenge for the world title must be accepted.

Grand-master chess is certainly much more exciting when Bobby Fischer (A King Takes Himself Off the Board—Maybe, July 15) is playing than when he is absent, and it is probably quite true that Fischer could promote his own championship match with suitable support from moneyed interests. But it is difficult to see what any other grand master would gain by supporting Fischer in a revolt against FIDE.

Bringing back the conditions that prevailed before FIDE took over the task of handling the tournaments and matches leading to the selection of a challenger would benefit no one, because even Fischer would lose in the long run.

It will be unfortunate if Fischer persists in his present stand, but it will be still worse if Fischer prevails upon any of the other masters to join him in promoting his own championship match.
WILLIAM WILCOCK
Jamestown, N.Y.