The Orlando Sentinel Orlando, Florida Saturday, July 01, 1972 - Page 20
Iceland Says It Cannot Pay Fischer Any More
Reykjavik (Reuter) Iceland's Chess Federation announced Friday it could not pay 29-year-old American Bobby Fischer more money to play his challenge match here against Russian world champion Boris Spassky.
Federation Director Gudjon Ingi Stefansson was commenting on reports that the American has demanded 30 per cent of gate receipts for Sunday's match on top of an agreed share of a $125,000 purse.
UNDER THE existing arrangements, the winner of the match would receive five-eighths of the purse, and each player would also get 20 per cent of the film and television rights.
Stefansson said he had no idea why Fischer appeared to be delaying his flight to Iceland. Fischer reportedly booked a flight on one plane Wednesday and boarded another plane on Thursday, but he has not been seen in the Icelandic capital.
In any case, Stefansson added, even though Icelanders had the money for an extra payment, the rules of the contract prohibited the increased payment to guarantee Fischer's appearance.
IF ICELAND violated the contract by boosting Fischer's take Spassky could declare it void, Stefansson said. ([But why would Spassky do that? The Soviet Federation, however, would then seize upon the opportunity, having found its excuse to perpetuate their drama.])
When unconfirmed reports first circulated here last night that Fischer was refusing to play in the match unless he got the increase, Iceland's Chess Federation President Gudmunder Thorarinsson said “Fischer has accepted to come to Reykjavik and he is not the type of man to break his word.”
Fischer does not travel on a Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, and officials here say he must arrive by tonight for the match to start on schedule.
TENSION was running high among Icelandic chess officials here Friday. Some people feared Fischer might not make the trip to Iceland at all.
Some chess fans here say Fischer may be reluctant to play here because Reykjavik was chosen as the match venue only after a long dispute.
