AThe Ogden Standard-Examiner Ogden, Utah Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 4
Bobby Fischer Still Not in Iceland; Adviser Says He'll Play Russian
New York (UPI)—America's chess wizard Bobby Fischer will be in Reykjavik, Iceland, in time for the start of the world chess championships Sunday, a Fischer adviser said Wednesday.
The reassurances came after Fischer failed to show up at the airport for any flights leaving for Iceland. He had been scheduled to leave for the world championships Wednesday night.
The adviser, already in Reykjavik making preparations for the start of the championship match against Russian chess master Boris Spassky, refused to specify Fischer's arrival time. But he did say Fischer would be there in time for the match.
A spokesman for Pan-Am said Fischer had been expected aboard the weekly Pan-Am flight to Iceland, but that he never showed up at the airport.
Pan-Am has just one regularly scheduled flight to Reykjavik a week, but Icelandic Airlines has two flights daily from Kennedy airport.
Fischer caused consternation among Icelandic officials last weekend when he failed to arrive on schedule. He is understood to be staying at a New York Hotel, “confident” of victory in the championships.
In Reykjavik newsmen and welcoming officials waited in vain at Reykjavik Airport when the Pan Am plane landed. Fischer was not aboard.
Chess sources in the Icelandic capital said Fischer might delay his arrival until Sunday just a few hours before the first game is scheduled at 1 p.m. EDT.
If so, he will miss the official opening ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, officials said.
