AThe Windsor Star Windsor, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, July 05, 1972 - Page 24
Apology by Fischer May Be Too Late by Star Wire Services
Reykjavik, Iceland — Bobby Fischer has apologized to Boris Spassky for delaying the start of their $300,000 match, but Fischer's change of heart may have come too late to save their world championship battle.
Fischer said he had the greatest respect for Spassky as a man and a player, but the championship series now hinges upon resolving the Soviet Chess Federation's demand that Fischer forfeit the first of 24 games to the reigning world champion.
“If the Soviets insist on this penalty I believe the whole match is off,” said Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
“The Soviet demand came in a telegram to Euwe and cited one paragraph of the agreement to play signed by both Fischer ([no, I really don't think so, says an article from the New York Times, dated July 03, 1972, Chess Title Match Put Off Two Days On Plea by Fischer by Harold C. Schonberg, “The 29-year-old American has never signed a contract—he never signs anything—but he did send the International Chess Federation a telegram saying he would play the match in Iceland, under protest. That telegram would constitute legal acceptance, in the opinion of Dr. Euwe. The Icelandic Chess Federation stands to lose at least $75,000 is the match is not held.”]) and Spassky in which they agreed that a player who does not turn up within one hour of the game time forfeits the game.
Euwe said the telegram arrived shortly after Fischer, who has remained in seclusion since he arrived in Reykjavik early Tuesday, issued his apology.
Earlier in the day, the Russians broke off the talks with Fischer's representatives which started Tuesday after Spassky triggered the second postponement of the series by saying Fischer had insulted him by not showing up for the pre-match ceremonies. Spassky then said he would not play until FIDE punished Fischer and Fischer had personally apologized.
The reason for the breakup was not immediately disclosed but Spassky's representatives said they would explain later at a news conference.
The championship was scheduled to start Sunday, but Fischer, a 29-year-old chess genius from Brooklyn, failed to turn up, mostly because he wanted more money than the $125,000 purse put up by the organizers.
All appeared saved when a British millionaire banker—and chess fan—dug into his own pocket to offer another $125,000. Fischer was on the next plane to Reykjavik and arrived Tuesday morning, where he quickly left the airport not to be seen since.
Apology by Fischer May Be Too Late 05 Jul 1972, Wed The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com
