AOakland Tribune Oakland, California Sunday, April 09, 1972 - Page 12
Soviets Reply to Fischer's Demands on Chess Match
Moscow (AP) —The Soviet Chess Federation said Saturday it is willing to give financial guarantees that world champion Boris Spassky will keep his commitments to defend his title against American Bobby Fischer.
But the Russian body said in a telegram to the International Chess Federation —FIDE — that it is willing to do this only “provided such a step is also taken by the American side, and all Fischer's demands that arose after March 20 are considered annulled.”
The news agency Tass said the telegram was dispatched to the international body in response to a statement by FIDE “that the only chance to save the match is that the two sides … make a guarantee of $35,000 each.”
The telegram was the latest episode in a continuing disagreement on terms for the 24-game match.
Both Fischer and Spassky agreed March 20 that the match would begin in Belgrade June 22 and would be continued in Reykjavik, Iceland. The match had been split up because the participants could not agree on a single site for the entire match.
But on March 28, Fischer announced that he was no longer agreeable to the arrangement. He had asked for a share of any profits the organizers might accrue, and was turned down by both Belgrade and Reykjavik.
With the new demands, the Belgrade organizers also balked at getting the match under way by the agreed date. But they said Thursday they could “get the entire machine rolling again if the U.S. federation pledges $35,000 guaranteeing Fischer's appearance.
There has still been no financial guarantee from the Americans. The Russian federation apparently seeks to make a point that it is Fischer—and not Spassky—who is to blame for holding up preparations for the match.
