AThe Burlington Free Press Burlington, Vermont Monday, July 03, 1972 - Page 24
Chess King Fischer Must Decide by Tuesday
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) - Bobby Fischer was given a Tuesday noon deadline to appear for the world chess championship or forfeit his chance for the title.
The ultimatum, announced Sunday by Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, meant a two-day postponement of Fischer's encounter with world champion Boris Spassky of Russia. The match was to have started at 5 p.m. Sunday, Iceland time.
Euwe said a friend of the American challenger was leaving for New York “to talk with him.”
“He will try to convince him to appear. I can't say who it is,” he added.
Fischer refused to play the match after officials of the Icelandic Chess Federation balked at his last-minute demands for more money, in addition to a record purse already contracted for.
Fischer and Spassky were to have a guaranteed share of $125,000 — the winner taking five-eighths — plus 30 per cent each of income from the sale of film and television rights. This alone was 10 times greater than any prize money ever paid to a chess player. ([Not failing to mention, Australia offered $225,000 and Mexico bid $175,000 but the Soviet delegation were seeking to censor coverage of the match to salvage their prestige at the expense of the game and good sportsmanship. In other words, they're sore losers, poor sportsmanship.]) Fischer wants additional 30 per cent of the gate receipts.
Faces with a decision of disqualifying Fischer immediately or granting reprieve, Euwe chose the path he said would best protect the host organization.
Fischer's representatives here had asked for a postponement on the basis of illness. They said the American was suffering fatigue.
The rules require that a postponement for illness must be certified by a doctor that the host organization chooses. Typical of confusion surrounding preparations for the match, the federation doctor, Ulfar Thordarson, left for his country house early Sunday morning.
The Russian side reluctantly accepted Euwe's decision. Spassky was asked what he thought of the situation and the 35-year-old champion replied: “I came to play.”
At a late afternoon news conference where he announced the decision on the postponement, Euwe said: “I think there will be no play at all. That is my personal opinion.”
Euwe had said earlier that cancellation would be “a great loss in many respects for the Icelandic organizers who have a great investment at state and for the game of chess itself.”
Americans claiming to represent Fischer here did not want Fischer disqualified.
“One of the troubles is that there is no one here who can act on the authority of Fischer,” Euwe added.
“The situation is extremely difficult.”
By his tone Euwe seemed to favor the alternative he described as “just postponing the first game for two days. And if Fischer is not here by Tuesday at noon at the drawing of lots he loses all right.”
Chess King Fischer Must Decide by Tuesday 03 Jul 1972, Mon The Burlington Free Press (Burlington, Vermont) Newspapers.com
