Times Colonist Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Tuesday, April 18, 1972 - Page 8
Fischer's 'Whims' Annoy
(Caption: UNRESOLVED is the place and time of a 24-game match between Bobby Fischer, left, U.S. contender for the world chess championship, and Boris Spassky, Russian defender of the title.)
Moscow (AP) — The Soviet Union jumped into the international wrangle over the Boris Spassky-Bobby Fischer world championship chess match Tuesday, charging Fischer with “endless whims” and the International Chess Federation with “connivance.”
In a statement distributed by Tass, the Soviet Chess Federation said the U.S. challenger is “fully responsible” for jeopardizing his title match with the Soviet champion. It also accused Dr. Max Euwe of Amsterdam, president of the international federation, of playing favorites and catering to those “endless whims” of Fischer's. The question of where and whether the match will be held has become increasingly clouded since Fischer refused to comply with the original financial arrangements and demanded a cut of the profits for himself and Spassky in addition to prize money.
The 24-game match originally was scheduled to he split between Belgrade. Yugoslavia and Reykjavik. Iceland, beginning June 22 in Belgrade.
Belgrade pulled out after Fischer demanded more money.
Euwe said Sunday the first half of the match might be moved to Amsterdam.
The Iceland federation said it felt Fischer broke the original agreement, and therefore questioned his right to challenge Spassky.
Fischer's 'Whims' Annoy Tue, Apr 18, 1972 – 8 · Times Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com
Soviet hyperbole. Fischer requested one “whim”. Requesting a share of gate for himself and Spassky [One]. Not a lot to ask. Meanwhile, “endless” Soviet exaggerations Fischer ever said anything about “refusing to play in either Belgrade or Reykjavik,” illegal demands for 35k guarantees and cancellations of sites… the Soviet Chess Fed qualifies as the true “Prima Donna” of the chess world.
