AThe Des Moines Register Des Moines, Iowa Wednesday, July 05, 1972 - Page 02
Chess Match in Doubt; Spassky Orders Apology by Joe Alex Morris, Jr.
Reykjavik, Iceland — The stalled world chess championship was further jeopardized Tuesday by a Russian demand that American challenger Bobby Fischer apologize before his first match with titleholder Boris Spassky.
The Soviets, criticizing the way the match has been handled, stepped up their attacks shortly after the 29-year-old American arrived. They demanded — and got — a second delay in the opening game, and it was not completely clear whether they would agree to play Thursday.
If not, International Chess Federation President, Dr. Max Euwe warned, “I shall have to take measures” against the Russians, and he spoke of an ultimatum to get Spassky to the chess board. Fred Cramer of the American team here indicated Fischer would not give in to the Russian demand.
“I can not see Fischer apologizing.” he said. “He feels he's done nothing wrong.”
To Gain Edge?
It was not clear if the Russians simply were adopting tactics to gain the psychological edge for the 35-year-old Spassky. The Americans had asked for the postponement of the first 24 matches for the world crown last Sunday.
“I am not clear on what the situation is,” confessed Euwe. “I don't understand it myself.”
But chief arbiter Lothar Schmid said the Russians were demanding “unspecified punishment” for Fischer for his defiance of international rules. The Soviets handed Schmid a formal complaint, which attacked both Fischer and Euwe.
The Russians said Euwe should have disqualified Fischer when he failed to arrive Sunday for the first game. At the time, Euwe broke the rules to save the match, but the Russians made no objection.
Both Euwe and Schmid refused to specify what the Russian complaints were, and Euwe indicated they were vague. “They said there were certain problems, but when he asked what they were, they didn't tell us,” Euwe said.
But Yugoslav grand master Svetozar Gligoric, a friend of both Spassky and Fischer, said the Russians wanted the American to apologize for his behavior. Fischer refused to come to Iceland until a British banker doubled the prize money Monday.
“Spassky is the titleholder,” Gligoric said. “He feels the challenger should apologize.”
Arrives Tuesday
Fischer arrived early Tuesday morning from New York having appropriated a whole row of seats on the jet for himself. He was whisked directly into a waiting Mercedes limousine, surrounded by police, who kept photographers at bay. He did not go through immigration, but went directly to a new luxury bungalow which was built for the first prize winner in next fall's state lottery. He appeared shortly thereafter in slacks and T-shirt to ask his police guard about missing pieces of luggage.
Then he slept, as his aides met with the Russians over their differences, including the Russian demand that Fischer apologize.
Fischer did not show up for the drawing of lots scheduled for noon, to see who will move first on the chess board. Spassky did.
Will Decide When
Asked whether he had asked for a two-day postponement, the Russian champion said, “I still want to play. But I will decide when.”
During the days of dispute and bad temper which preceded Fischer's arrival, Spassky had been the picture of courtesy and understanding. When approached by newsmen, he had no bad words for Fischer, a man he respects as a chess player.
There was another indication that Spassky's moves possibly were being plotted in Moscow. After an attempt to come to terms with Fischer's people at a private meeting Tuesday afternoon, Spassky and his second, Yefim Geller, drove grimly to the Soviet Embassy, presumably for consultations.
Fischer was represented in negotiations by lawyer Paul Marshall and Father William Lombardy, who will be his second when the match starts. The talks will continue Wednesday.
Although Euwe said the show finally must start Thursday — four days late — it was obvious it could not start until the Americans and the Russians settled their differences. Beyond that, Fischer still has to approve the arrangements for the game, a possible major hurdle.
In New York, meanwhile, Col. E. B. Edmondson, director of the U.S. Chess Federation, said if Fischer or Spassky fails to show up for Thursday's match, the title should go to the other by default. He said that if neither showed up, “the title should be declared vacant and they should start all over.”
