AAlbuquerque Journal Albuquerque, New Mexico Wednesday, July 05, 1972 - Page 2
Boris Spassky Takes Turn At Stalling
Reykjavik (UPI) — World chess champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union Tuesday took his turn at stalling the twice-postponed championship match with his unpredictable American challenger, Bobby Fischer.
The Russian champion, perturbed when Fischer failed to show up for the drawing after his flight from New York Tuesday morning, delivered a protest to chess officials and stomped out of the room, followed by his advisers.
Fischer, 29, tired from the flight, was sleeping in a villa provided by the Icelandic organizers.
Spassky's walkout forced another postponement of the world championship match until Thursday, at the earliest. The match is worth a total prize of $250,000 to be apportioned between the two contenders. The winner is to get $150,000 and the loser $100,000—if they play.
Although the contents of Spassky's formal protest were not immediately known—they were written in Russian—informed chess sources said the documents demanded that the International Chess Federation (FIDE) punish Fischer for his failure to turn up for the first scheduled game Sunday and demanded a personal apology from Fischer.
Spassky, 35, had charged that he and the Soviet Union were “insulted” by Fischer's reluctance to come to the match and demanded he be punished before they began play for the title.
Later, he told newsmen he did not plan to walk out of the match. “I want to play if we can just find a solution.” he said.
U.S. chess officials said Fischer, in hiding at his villa, told them he was “ready and eager to play.”
The Icelandic Chess Federation said the island country's 210,000 chess-mad inhabitants were waiting in suspense for the match to begin. The federation stands to lose revenue from tickets sales if the match is scrapped.
Representatives of Spassky and Fischer met for two and one-half hours late Tuesday but failed to resolve differences.
Attorney Paul Marshall, who with the Rev. William Lombardy, spoke for Fischer said Spassky's advisers submitted two statements — one by Spassky and the other from the Soviet Chess Federation.
“The matter is so delicate that I don't want to reveal the contents,” Marshall said. He added that the discussions “were frank and we will hopefully be able to resume them tomorrow.”
“We are hopeful that we will solve the problems tomorrow so that the match can be played.” Marshall said. He refused to answer questions from newsmen and hurriedly left the conference room with the Rev. Lombardy, a Catholic priest and a chess grand master.
The Russians refused to comment.
The incident was touched off when Spassky arrived for the drawing of lots. When he found Fischer was not there — he was sleeping after his trans-Atlantic flight — Spassky delivered his protest and stomped out of the room, followed by his advisers.
