As we discussed previously, the move-by-move coverage by PBS of the 1972 Bobbie Fischer-Boris Spassky Match evoked an extraordinary response, despite the apparent chess illiteracy of the American public.

Viewers quickly learned the moves and the basic rules. Those who didn’t, could, at the very least, follow the ebb and flow of each game with the help of a dramatic viewer-friendly presentation.

And people became involved to an unanticipated extent. Chess apparently is not congenial to couch potatoes.

Spouses copied down the moves for their counterparts, who were at work during the 1 to 6 p. m. broadcast, to review on their return home.

During the first game it quickly became obvious that Fischer’s position was hopeless. When it was suggested tongue-in-cheek that perhaps someone watching could find a move for him, hundreds of calls were received by the overworked switchboards.

At New York City bars, customers bet as much, or more, than $ 1,000 on the next move.

Something out-of-the-ordinary was happening. The Fischer-Spassky audience seemed to have a quality comparable to those of the most engaging sporting events.

Yet, during the 36 years that have passed, this initial and historic success of chess on TV has not been replicated.

Below is a win by Zaven Andriasian against Richard Vedder from the European Club Cup in Ohrid, Macedonia.