ASpringfield Leader and Press Springfield, Missouri Friday, June 30, 1972 - Page 1
Tass Blames Bobby Fischer for Situation Created by Soviets & Icelandic Chess Federation
The Soviet news agency Tass said there is no certainty that the world championship chess match will be held at all and it blamed the situation on Bobby Fischer, the American challenger to Russian Boris Spassky.
Further examples of Bobby Fischer being blamed for Soviet meddling…
Sun Sentinel, August 08, 1985: “While Fischer's feud with chess authorities made headlines, Spassky warred with Soviet officials in private. Among other points of dispute, they told him to leave Iceland and reclaim the title by default after Fischer violated some conditions. Spassky replied that he had no interest in winning on technicalities, only on the board. When Fischer boycotted the second game, the winner by default murmured, “It is a pity.”
Many observers thought Fischer's furor sapped Spassky's concentration, but Spassky says the job was done by Moscow. At any rate, Fischer beat him seven games to three with 11 draws. “I was very kind to Bobby,” Spassky jokes. More seriously, he says Fischer was the stronger player at that point in their careers, but “I could have resisted better.”
Spassky says Fischer invited him for a swim after the match but had to cancel at the last moment. Later, Fischer kept a promise to offer a rematch, but the Soviets would not let Spassky travel for it.”
