AThe Minneapolis Star Minneapolis, Minnesota Thursday, July 06, 1972 - Page 22
Fischer Apologizes; Chess Start Scheduled
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — Bobby Fischer sent a written apology to Boris Spassky today. Organizers of the world chess championship match said the two will meet for their first game Sunday night.
The American challenger, in a letter delivered by hand this morning to the world chess champion from the Soviet Union, apologized for his “disrespectful behavior.”
Fischer, whose delayed arrival doubled the prize money for both him and Spassky but also started an avalanche of confusion, asked the Russian to “accept my sincerest apology.”
“I simply became carried away by my petty dispute over money with the Icelandic chess organizers,” he wrote.
The written apology was a chief condition posed by the Soviet before Spassky would play.
Fischer told Spassky: “I have offended you and your country, the Soviet Union, where chess has a prestigious position.”
The American also apologized to Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, the Icelanders, “the thousands of fans around the world and especially to the millions of fans and the many friends I have in the United States.”
However, Fischer brushed aside a demand from the Soviet Chess Federation that he forfeit the first match because of his tardy arrival. He said this “would place me at a tremendous handicap” and he didn't believe the “world's champion desires such an advantage in order to play me.”
“I know you to be a sportsman and a gentleman, and I am looking forward to some exciting chess games with you,” Fischer concluded.
