The Atlanta Constitution Atlanta, Georgia Friday, June 30, 1972 - Page 42
Absent Fischer Playing 'Nerves'?
Reykjavik, Iceland. (NYT) — American chess grandmaster, Bobby Fischer, expected here Thursday, again failed to show up. His championship match with Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union is scheduled to begin on Sunday, but although Fischer had been booked on a flight from New York, he never boarded the plane.
There was hope, however, that he would arrive on Friday. The worried members of the Icelandic Chess Federation, who have put considerable time and money into the match, are working on that hope. In any case, Fischer will have very little time to adjust his biological clock. Spassky, for instance, arrived here June 21.
Although Fischer did not arrive on the 9 a.m. plane, another American grandmaster did. He was Larry Evans, a former U.S. champion, here as a journalist. He said that he had not been in communication with Fischer, but he expressed confidence that he would show up for the match.
“Fischer is playing a war of nerves,” Evans said. “That is my personal theory. I would not even be surprised if Fischer does not turn up until Sunday, just before the game.” ([Theory? Evans wasn't as “close” to Fischer as he too often let on in public. His “theories” usually turned out to be wrong. That's why Bobby didn't need him as a second in Buenos Aires, witnessed testifying the same when Evans walked out halfway through the tournament and returned home. Then, in 1972, whilst training for the tournament with Spassky, Miguel Quinteros, it was reported was the close friend with Fischer at Grossinger's acting as a sparring partner for Fischer's training. Evans grieved himself green over not being chosen as Fischer's #1.])
Whether or not Evans is correct, there is no doubt that Fischer's tactics have built interest in the match almost to unbearable tension.
Even the normally suave and apparently unflappable Boris Spassky may be feeling the strain.
Wednesday, he snapped at photographers and for a while there was a yelling match, in the process, Fischer is assuming mythic proportions. His name is on the lips of everybody in Reykjavik.
In the meantime, many details of the match still remain to be settled. Fred Cramer of Milwaukee, Fischer's representative here, said that Fischer and his attorney were still negotiating with the Icelandic Chess Federation and the International Chess Federation over certain demands.
For example, Fischer has asked for 30 per cent of box office receipts. The Icelandic Chess Federation is not happy about this. If Fischer gets 30 per cent, Spassky is entitled to the same, and that would not leave much for the federation, which by the time the match is over will have put up nearly $200,000. That is about a dollar for every man, woman and child in the country.
With three days to go, everything is nearly ready. But will Bobby Fischer come? Or, having come, will he play?
