New York Times, New York, New York, April 05, 1972 - Page 42
Fischer Announces He Is Ready to Play For the World Title
Bobby Fischer has notified the International Chess Federation—in a cablegram received moments before the deadline set for his disqualification—that he is ready to play for the world championship chess title on the terms already set by the federation.
Fischer denied that he ever intended not to appear for the match against Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and said he was sorry about any misunderstandings that might have arisen.
The cable was received Monday night by the International Chess Federation. Last week it was reported in the international press that Fischer had made new demands involving money. The federation threatened to disqualify him unless he agreed to all conditions by Tuesday.
At Grossinger's, where Fischer is training for the match, he was said to have spent several hours with Svetozar Gligoric, a Yugoslav grandmaster and long a friend and admirer, and it is believed Gligoric may have been instrumental in helping Fischer come to a decision.
The title match was supposed to start in Belgrade on June 22. After 12 games (the playing schedule calls for three games a week) and a two-week interim, the match was to resume in Reykjavik, Iceland, on August 6. The challenger must get 12½ points to take the title, with a draw counting as a half point and a victory a full point.
Col. Edmund E. Edmondson, head of the United States Chess Federation, indicated the start might have to be delayed a week or two.
Several details still remain to be settled. The amount of the purse is not at issue, but Fischer feels a delay of about two weeks before resuming the match in Reykjavik is too long.
Last week Fischer was quoted as saying he wanted a share of the proceeds in addition to his share of the purse. The purse, put up by Belgrade and Reykjavik, is $138,000—the largest in chess history—of which the winner gets 62½ per cent.
Fischer was not available yesterday for comment.
