ADaily News New York, New York Friday, June 30, 1972 - Page 5
It Takes 2 to Play Chess & Bobby Hasn't Moved
By Gene Spagnoli
The continued absence of U.S. chess genius Bobby Fischer in Reykjavik, Iceland, where on Sunday he is due to begin his match against Russia's Boris Spassky for the world championship — at first attributed to temperament—might realistically be blamed on Fischer's last - minute demand for more money, informed sources said yesterday.
Fischer, 29, who canceled flight reservations last Sunday and again Wednesday, is reported to have issued an ultimatum to the Iceland Chess Federation several days ago for 30% of the gate receipts on top of the unprecedented pay-off to which he has already agreed.
Under the agreement, Fischer and Spassky will share a purse of $125,000, with the winner getting five eighths, in addition to receiving 20% apiece from the sale of television and film rights of the match.
Seemingly oblivious to Fischer's absence in Reykjavik, Spassky, who has been on the scene for the past 10 days, shrugged off the unexplained ramifications with a noncommittal, “If he doesn't come we will all go home. It's as simple as that.”
If and when he shows up, Fischer, who has been seeking the match for years, would be the first American ever to play in an official match for the world championship.
Asked precisely where Fischer was, Edmund Edmondson, executive director of the United States Chess Federation, said: “He's somewhere in the metropolitan area, but where I have no idea. I don't think that anyone will know if he will play until game time, 5 p.m. Icelandic time. He's putting on some kind of an act—for what I don't know.”
A scheduled Icelandic Airlines flight to Reykjavik left New York early today but an airline spokesman said Fischer was not aboard. Fischer was seen at the airport late last night but refused to talk to newsmen.
In Reykjavik, Chester Fox, who has the television and film rights to the championship, said: “I think Bobby will come here and I think he'll win. I saw him a couple of days ago and he's really ready—relaxed, calm and sure of himself.”
Fred Kramer of Minneapolis is acting for Fischer in Iceland. The Russians, who take their chess seriously, have sent a small squad to aid Spassky. His entourage includes two grand masters, an international master and a psychologist.
Spassky was asked recently about reports that he was demanding a room temperature of 21 degrees Centigrade —about 70 degrees Fahrenheit—while Fischer wanted 24 degrees.
Spassky said one solution would be to add 24 and 21 and divide by two.
The 24-game match—three games a week—could take two months if it runs its full course. The winner needs 12½ points.
