AThe Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts, Thursday, July 06, 1972 - Page 53
Fischer Contrite, Chess Match Set (Starts Sunday or Tuesday) by Harold Dondis, Globe Staff
Reykjavik, Iceland — Another in the endless lines of hurdles has been crossed and the world chess championship will start either Sunday or next Tuesday.
Lothar Schmid, arbiter of the match said the draw of lots to decide who is to play white in the first of the 24 games in the $250,000 match will be held at 8 p.m. (4 p.m. EDT) today.
Bobby Fischer, the late arriving American who is recognized by most experts as the world's greatest player, in a rare show of humility apologized to world champion Boris Spassky, the disgruntled Russian.
In a written apology to Spassky and Soviet grandmaster Yefim Geller, Fischer said he was sorry he insulted Spassky and the Soviet people by disrupting the championship.
But the Russians have toughened their stand. Russian domination in the chess world that dates back to 1948 is seriously threatened if both sides finally agree to the 24-game match that should be finished sometime before Christmas.
The president of the International Chess Federation, Dr. Max Euwe, sharply condemned the American challenger and had suggested the match be put off so that Spassky can regain his composure after so many anxious days of waiting for Fischer.
“He's living in another world,” said Dr. Euwe of Fischer. There is a possibility the match will have to be split into two parts so the world championship could be played in Skopje, Yugoslavia, starting Sept 18.
Dr. Euwe wrote a confession of abject guilt for allowing the delay. “I violated the rules, I apologize. I'm very guilty,” he said.
The Russians, who wanted Fischer to forfeit the first match, also demanded the president condemn the 29-year-old American which he did quickly. “Is there anyone who would not condemn Fischer?” he asked. “Even his friends say his behavior is inexcusable.” ([And who doesn't condemn the Soviets for their selection of a racist haven, as the site of the 1972 world chess match? No condemnation by FIDE, Iceland forbid black personnel to serve on Icelandic soil? That's for starters of a long winding list of “apologies” that should be forthcoming from all penitent parties involved.])
