The Times Shreveport, Louisiana Sunday, July 02, 1972 - Page 50
Chess Match Officially Open Despite Absence of Fischer by Ian Westergren
Reykjavik (UPI) — Officials Saturday formally declared play ready to begin Sunday in the world chess championship even though U.S. challenger Bobby Fischer had not yet shown up for his opening bout with champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union.
However, Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), said in the opening ceremony in Iceland's national theater he was convinced Fischer would arrive in time for the match at 4 p.m. (12 p.m. CDT).
He said it was possible under FIDE's rules to have the first of the 24 games postponed until Tuesday if Fischer wanted it. However, other sources said Fischer could be disqualified if he does not show up for the first game.
Lothar Schmidt, the German Grand Master serving as official arbiter at the match, said the first game could be postponed if the official match physician finds medical reason for Fischer to ask for a delay.
The 29-year-old challenger three times postponed his departure from New York without giving any explanation.
Some chess sources said he was playing a game of nerves, trying to upset the 35-year-old champion, who has been in Iceland since June 21 preparing for the marathon match which will include 24 games.
Others said Fischer was stalling because he was not happy with the money agreement both he and Spassky had accepted. The Icelandic organizers have put up $125,000 in prize money with five-eighths going to the winner and the rest to the loser.
The sources said Fischer suddenly demanded an additional 30 per cent share of the gate receipts but the Icelandic Chess Federation rejected it.
The drawing of lots to decide who is playing the white pieces in the first game was postponed until Sunday morning in the hope that the American challenger will be in town by then.
Spassky did not appear to be disturbed by the last-minute drama surrounding his first defense of the title he won from fellow countryman Tigran Petrosian in 1969.
He locked himself into his hotel with his assistants, who included two Russian grand masters, to relax prior to the first game.
Newsmen and photographers arriving to cover the match were told that they would not be allowed to report the games play by play and that all rights to still pictures in the hall had been sold to an American syndicate.
To get their accreditations newsmen were asked to sign a declaration that they were not going to give a play by play account and that they would limit themselves to three reports from each game. Many refused to sign and decided to buy tickets instead to get into the hall.
Ticket sales were not as brisk as expected. Apparently because the 210,000 chess-mad inhabitants of this island nation were still uncertain whether Fischer would show up.
Asked by newsmen whether he expected the match to begin Sunday, Spassky said, “I don't think so. But I don't know for sure and at this point I don't want to think about it.”
Plays Tennis
The handsome champion then left his hotel to play some tennis for relaxation.
At a news conference the Icelandic Chess Federation president said he had no guarantees that Fischer would show up for the first game Sunday.
“But he is not the sort of man who breaks his work,” Thorarinsson said.
He said there had been “some results” during his talks with Fischer's representatives “but we still have difficulties.”
He confirmed that Fischer had asked for an additional 30 per cent share of the gate receipts on top of the prize money and the 60 per cent of the net profit from the selling of television rights, which the players will share.
“But from a principle point of view it is unlikely that we would agree to this request,” he said.
He said any of the players had the right to ask for postponement of games three times, pleading illness, and “theoretically these could be the first three games.” But he added that it was up to the official match doctor to decide “and that would be difficult if the player is not in Iceland.”
