The Parsons Sun Parsons, Kansas Wednesday, July 05, 1972 - Page 10
Fischer Is ‘Sorry’ For Chess Delay
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — Bobby Fischer apologized today for delaying the start of his $300,000 chess match with world champion Boris Spassky of Russia.
The American, whose dispute over prize money forced organizers to postpone the world championship round, said he had the greatest respect for Spassky as a man and as a player.
The statement, prepared by Fischer's lawyers, was read to newsmen by Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation— FIDE.
It was not known whether this would be sufficient to overcome Soviet objections to starting the match.
Euwe said later, however, the Soviet Chess Federation had cabled him demanding that he call the first game a loss for Fischer because of the American's late arrival. This would give Spassky a significant but not insurmountable advantage at the outset of the 24-game match.
In a statement Tuesday, Spassky said he would consider starting play only if Fischer paid the penalty for his behavior.
Spassky told The Associated Press this afternoon he still did not know whether the match would begin Thursday. He said there would be an announcement by the Russian delegation later.
“We are sorry the world championship was delayed,” Fischer's apology began. “My problems were not with Spassky whom I respect as a man and admire as a player.”
What Spassky meant when he demanded “just punishment” for Fischer, he would not say. There were unconfirmed reports the Russians wanted Fischer to be penalized with a loss of the first game.
After holding out for more money and getting it, the American challenger came to Iceland for the postponed opening match Tuesday. But Spassky walked out of the noon drawing to decide who would move first because Fischer was not present. He had sent his second, a Roman Catholic priest.
Officials announced a new 48-hour postponement of the opener, originally scheduled for last Sunday. They hoped both players would be ready to meet on Thursday.
Fischer arrived in Reykjavik early Tuesday. The Icelandic Chess Federation had rejected his demand for 30 per cent of the gate receipts, but he agreed to come after a London investment banker doubled the $125,000 purse which he and Spassky will divide.
The 29-year-old American grandmaster was resting from the overnight flight in a guarded villa at the edge of town when Spassky counterattacked in the holdout department.
The 35-year-old Soviet champion read a prepared statement calling the American's conduct insulting and intolerable. It said Fischer, by refusing to appear at the opening ceremony last weekend, had insulted Spassky personally and the Soviet Chess Federation and had jeopardized his right to play for the title. The statement demanded that Fischer be punished.
However, Max Euwe, president of the international federation, said the Soviets had not formally requested punishment.
“What should I do?” he asked.
“Put him in the corner?”
Fischer was staying away from newsmen and did not comment on the Soviet statement.
With the contribution from the London banker, James D. Slater, the winner is to get $156,250 and the loser $93,750. In addition, each player will get another $75,000 from the television and film rights.
