The La Crosse Tribune La Crosse, Wisconsin Monday, July 03, 1972 - Page 17
Chess Match Postponed
by Stephen Broening, Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) - The International Chess Federation gave Bobby Fischer two days' grace Sunday to appear for the world chess championship as a friend of the reluctant challenger flew to the United States in an attempt to coax him to Reykjavik.
Fischer was believed in New York when Dr. Max Euwe, the international federation's president, announced the postponement. The first game in Fischer's 24-game match with world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union was set back from 5 p.m. Sunday—1 p.m. EDT—to the same time Tuesday.
Euwe said Fischer must show by noon Tuesday or risk forfeiting his chance at Spassky and the title.
Freystrinn Thorberbergsson, an Icelandic chess player and longtime friend of Fischer, flew to New York on Sunday night to try to persuade him to show up in time for the Tuesday match.
Thorberbergsson, arriving at Kennedy Airport without luggage, was reluctant to talk about the trip. He said only that he expected to remain in the United States two or three days and that he had come to see Fischer “as a friend” in an effort to persuade him to meet the deadline.
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. Fischer wants an additional 30 per cent of the gate receipts.
Faced 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.
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 stake 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.”
Euwe said “if Fischer is not here by Tuesday at noon at the drawing of lots he loses all rights.”
Fred Cramer, one of several Americans here claiming to speak for Fischer, said he had the impression the Russians wanted the match played.
Cramer claimed two telegrams supporting Fischer's claim of illness had been lost. He said one was from his physician, the other from the U.S. Chess Federation.
Chess Match Postponed 03 Jul 1972, Mon The La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com
