AMuncie Evening Press Muncie, Indiana Monday, July 03, 1972 - Page 9
Chessman Fischer Fails to Check In by Ian Westergren
Reykjavik, Iceland (UPI) - Bobby Fischer's time runs out at 8 a.m. EDT Tuesday.
Fischer, the 29-year-old Brooklyn chess genius, must turn up in Reykjavik by then or lose the right to challenge Soviet titleholder Boris Spassky for the world championship, a match that has generated wider interest than any chess game in history.
Fischer, apparently bargaining for more money, was hiding out in New York while the great debate of “will he show up or won't he?” raged.
The 24-game series was to have started Sunday. But when Fischer didn't show the president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), Dr. Max Euwe, announced that he was postponing the deadline until noon Tuesday (8 a.m. EDT). If Fischer does not appear for the drawing of lots scheduled for that time, he will be disqualified and lose his right to challenge the 35-year-old Russian for the world chess title.
Friend Flies to N.Y. to Persuade Bobby
An Icelandic friend of Fischer, Freystrinn Thorbergsson, flew to New York Sunday to try to persuade the American grand master to return with him. He said he was acting as “a friend of Bobby Fischer” and said only “I know where to find him.” He refused to answer other questions.
Fischer, who has kept the Icelandic organizers nervously rushing to Keflavik international airport to meet every flight from New York for a week, simply did not show up Sunday.
Officially there was no explanation. He has not been in touch with the Icelandic Chess Federation or FIDE since he sent a cable through the U.S. Chess Federation some time back saying he would show up for the match “under protest.”
Four times since then, Fischer has canceled bookings on flights to Iceland.
The Icelandic federation, which stands to lose much money if the match does not come off, pleaded for Fischer Sunday and convinced Euwe to postpone the start of the match 48 hours to give Fischer a last chance.
