Daily News New York, New York Wednesday, July 12, 1972 - Page 288
Few Men Left, Bobby and Boris Adjourn Game
Reykjavik, Iceland, July 11 (UPI)—After 4½ hours of play, the first game of the 24-game chess match between world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and Bobby Fischer was adjourned. Forty moves were made before adjournment. Rules call for the game to be completed tomorrow.
(At the time of adjournment, Fischer's position indicated he would have to fight for a draw, the Associated Press reported.)
At adjournment, Spassky had a bishop and three pawns, and Fischer had five pawns. Each player, of course, still had his king.
Fischer arrived eight minutes late for the start, ([due to delays in traffic, which could have been prevented had the promise to offer police protection, including escort in traffic been kept]) well under the hour allowed under the rules, and Spassky had already made his first move.
The audience gave Fischer a 30-second ovation when he stepped on stage. Despite his late arrival, he appeared relaxed. He shook hands with Spassky, sat down slowly in his special swivel chair flown here from New York, studied the board for two minutes, and then made his first move.
A Brisk Game
Spassky, playing white, opened with pawn to queen four, Fischer opened with his knight to king bishop three. From there, the game proceeded briskly, the players trading pawns in the 9th and 10th moves and queens in the 11th and 12th moves.
The match, being played for a $250,000 purse as well as the world title, already has been delayed twice from its originally scheduled starting date of July 2. The winner will receive $150,000, the loser $100,000. Both will share in revenue from television rights.
Fischer, 29, of Brooklyn, N.Y., did not show up in time for the original starting date nine days ago, remaining in New York in an unsuccessful attempt to force the Icelandic organizers of the match to add a percentage of the gate to the original $125,000 purse and 30% of the television rights.
Fischer, who had beaten three international grand masters to qualify as Spassky's opponent for the title, agreed to come to Reykjavik only after a British banker doubled the purse with a personal contribution of $125,000. Then Spassky demanded a personal apology for Fischer for the delay. The American gave it to him in a letter delivered during the weekend.
Despite the television arrangements, there was no filming of today's opening match because Fischer would not permit it. His spokesmen said, however, that televising of the rest of the games might be arranged.
The match could continue for 24 games. As champion, Spassky needs 12 points to win. Fischer needs 12½. One point is awarded for a victory, and one-half point is awarded to each player in a draw.
The games will be played on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. If games are adjourned, they will be completed on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Mondays.
