AWisconsin State Journal Madison, Wisconsin Wednesday, July 05, 1972 - Page 1
Fischer Shows Up In Iceland, Goes to Bed; Now Boris Is Mad by Harold C. Schonberg
(NYTimes) — Reykjavik, Iceland — Bobby Fischer arrived here Tuesday morning, said nothing, and went to bed.
He slept through a day that saw another postponement of his world championship chess match with Boris Spassky, a display of temperament from the Russian delegation, and a good possibility that the opening game will take place on Thursday.
NOW THAT the financial aspects of the match have been settled, it appears that the issues separating both parties are personal. The Russians are objecting to what they regard as Fischer's high-handed behavior, and are also calling Dr. Max Euwe's competence into question. Euwe is president of the International Chess Federation.
Possibly the Soviets are now engaged in their own war of nerves. Fischer made them wait, so now they will make Fischer wait, and see what that does to his equilibrium.
The Russians, headed by Spassky, the world champion, emerged angrily from a morning meeting with Euwe.
SPASSKY SAID later that in his opinion Euwe had committed any number of procedural errors. He also said he wanted an apology from Fischer. “I represent not only myself but also the Russian people,” he said.
The champion was echoing remarks made earlier in the day by the Russian chess federation, which has been attacking Euwe and also condemning Fischer's “money mania” and “selfishness.”
Euwe, 71, said that he head received a cable of protest from the Russian chess federation. The tall, courtly former world's chess champion told a news conference that the attack did not bother him. He refused to disclose the exact wording of the telegram.
“FIRST the Americans attacked me, and now the Russians,” Euwe said. “Therefore I know I am following a correct middle course.”
Arriving with Fischer this morning were the Rev. William Lombardy and Paul Marshall. Fr. Lombardy, a Catholic priest and an international grandmaster in chess, will act as Fischer's second. Marshall is Fischer's attorney.
Both disappeared into a series of conferences with the Russians to discuss grievances outlined by Spassky in a message to the American group.
FRO. LOMBARDY said at an evening news conference that negotiations, though delicate, were proceeding on a friendly basis. A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, he said, and he hoped that all issues would them be satisfactorily resolved. If they are, the match can start on Thursday.
Several grandmasters, in discussing the Russian tactics, had varying opinions on the subject. One school of thought held that Spassky should have demanded a game tonight, while Fischer was still in the process of adjusting his biological clock. Others said no, that Spassky was too angry to play his best game and should wait until he simmers down.
Spassky, these experts said, is more of an attacking player than the precise Fischer, and in his eagerness to punish the American he might launch an unsound attack that would be suicidal.
Fischer Shows Up In Iceland, Goes to Bed; Now Boris Is Mad 05 Jul 1972, Wed Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com
Bobby Finally Makes Trip to Iceland 05 Jul 1972, Wed Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com
