AThe Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Wednesday, July 05, 1972 - Page 51
Fischer Apologizes, But . . . Spassky's Turn to Stall
Reykjavik, Iceland — American challenger Bobby Fischer issued a qualified apology today for his late arrival here to play Russian Boris Spassky for the world chess title — but there was no immediate sign that it would break the deadlock holding up the start of play.
The long-awaited 24-game series was due to start yesterday but the opening game was postponed when the Soviet titleholder refused to play, saying that Fischer's arrival two days after the opening ceremony was an insult for which the unpredictable American should be punished.
Spassky today restated this position in a revised version of his previous comments read to the press by Dr. Max Euwe, Dutch president of the world Chess Federation.
He said that Fischer “must take a just punishment” and that “only after that will I consider the possibility of playing the match.”
Fischer, he said, had violated the rules of common behavior, insulted him and the Russian people, and fully discredited himself.
Euwe said that before deciding how to act, the federation would like to know exactly what kind of punishment the Soviet aide wanted to impose on the challenger. ([Excessively juvenile Soviet antics, spiteful. “Sour Grapes” they know Fischer will win, so they will seek every opportunity to disgrace the challenger who was correct to boycott their troublesome meddling throughout January 1972 up to the start of the match, and they whine over Fischer's delay of two days.])
A statement by Fischer was then read to the press conference by his second, Rev. William Lombardy, in which he said he was sorry the championship had been delayed but did not concede any responsibility for the holdup.
Fischer said: “We are sorry that the world championship was delayed. The problems causing delays were not with the world champion Spassky, whom I respect and admire as a man and a player.
“If grandmaster Spassky or the Soviet people were inconvenienced or discomfited I am indeed unhappy for I had not the slightest intention of these occurrences.”
Fr. Lombardy added that the 29-year-old American was now anxious to proceed with the championship and wanted to present a copy of his message to Spassky when the lots were drawn for who played white in the opening game.
Euwe has expressed the hope that the series can get under way tomorrow. But today he indicated that the matter was now very much in the hands of the Soviets. ([Who will drain every drop of opportunity from this bad situation, aiming for the opportunity to make them much worse.])
Spassky told an Icelandic Radio interviewer before the press conference given by Euwe that the situation was “now very difficult” but that he had no plans to leave Iceland at the moment.
There was speculation here today that the Russians may settle for Fischer being reprimanded by the world Federation rather than formally disciplined through a fine or some form of suspension after the contest.
Fr. Lombardy said he doubted if anything financial would be involved in such a measure.
Fischer himself, staying well away from the hubbub of publicity in a rented luxury villa, emerged early today to be driven around in a police car to look at the championship facilities. Fred Kramer, president of the American Chess Federation, told reporters.
Fischer had not been inside the exhibition hall where the match was to be played, he added. “I looked (the facilities) over for him but I'm authorized to complain, not to approve.”
Fischer Apologizes, But . . . 05 Jul 1972, Wed The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) Newspapers.com
Soviet Stall After Fischer Apologizes 05 Jul 1972, Wed The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) Newspapers.com
