The Danville Register Danville, Virginia Thursday, July 06, 1972 - Page 1
Further Postponement Suggested: Fischer Apologizes For Chess Delay But Russians Want It in Writing
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — Bobby Fischer apologized Wednesday for delaying the start of the $250,000 world championship chess match, but the Russians demanded apologies in writing.
Takes Some Of Blame
With the confrontation threatening never to reach the checkered board, President Max Euwe of the International Chess Federation—FIDE—took some of the blame and suggested a further postponement until next week for the dust to settle.
Euwe said he had allowed Fischer's tardy arrival—he got here Tuesday—because “Fischer is quite another person. He's living in another world.” Euwe said he realized titleholder Boris Spassky was “very upset” and would like to give him a week before the first game.
At Stake
Fischer's holdout for more money brought takings for both winner and loser to the highest amount ever in world championship chess. The winner will get $231,250 and the loser $168,750.
The 24-game series between Spassky of the Soviet Union and the 29-year-old American challenger was to have begun last Sunday. It was put off for two days because of Fischer's holdout, then delayed until Thursday by Soviet objections to the American's conduct.
Promise To Be Strict
Euwe admitted Wednesday he had violated the rules in allowing delays in the starting date, and promised strict rule enforcement from now on, He then suggested the further postponement and said the match may even have to be split into parts to avoid conflict with the world chess Olympiad set to begin in September at Skopje, Yugoslavia.
The first apology of the day was made in Fischer's name on the demand of Spassky, who said the American's conduct had “insulted me personally and the country I represent.”
He's Sorry
Fischer said he was sorry he'd caused any trouble for Spassky, who he respected as a man and admired as a chess player.
The Russians, unsatisfied, demanded his excuses in writing.
Further Postponement Suggested: Fischer Apologizes For Chess Delay But Russians Want It in Writing 06 Jul 1972, Thu The Danville Register (Danville, Virginia) Newspapers.com
Chess 06 Jul 1972, Thu The Danville Register (Danville, Virginia) Newspapers.com
In addition to Fischer's written apologies, the Soviets wanted Euwe to condemn the American's conduct and accept blame for violating FIDE rules.
This happened at a news conference called by Yefim Geller, the Soviet grandmaster acting as Spassky's second. Speaking for the absent world champion, Geller said Spassky would return home if the demands were not met.
Geller spoke hours after Fischer had declared he was sorry.
One of the packed audience in a hotel bar stepped Euwe, a tall, 71-year-old Dutchman and former world chess champion. He made his way to the speaker's table, and sat down at Geller's right.
Taking a microphone from the table in front of him, Euwe said he condemned Fischer, conceded he had broken the rules and added: “I apologize.”
Asked by a newsman if the Russians were satisfied, Geller said they wanted it all in writing.
Euwe reached to his inside pocket for a pen and said, “I can write it now.” He began drafting a letter as the news conference continued.
At one point, Geller confirmed that the Soviet Chess Federation had told Euwe should award the first game of the match to Spassky by forfeit. Euwe looked up from his paper and said he didn't consider the request to be official.
Geller, smiling as the questioning turned in circles, said he didn't think Spassky would accept the award even if Euwe offered it.
Do the Russians insist on it anyway? “Yes,” Geller said.
When it appeared that the Soviets would be ready to start play Thursday, assuming Fischer's written apologies were in hand, Euwe created a new tangle.
After explaining why he allowed Fischer the delay, Euwe said: “I know Spassky is very upset by all this, and I would not like to make him play tomorrow,” Euwe said.
“I would like to give him a week. Then we'd have to split the match into 12-game halves. The second part could come later in the year. Or we could have 16 games now and the rest afterward.”
Fulfillment of the Russian demand that Fischer forfeit the first game would give Spassky a 1-0 score advantage in the score at the outset. The 24 games are scored one point for a win, a split point for a draw and nothing for a loss. Spassky needs 12 points to retain his title. Fischer 12.5 to defeat him.
Chess experts said that in such a long match a lost point was a disadvantage Fischer probably could overcome at the Italian marble chess board on the stage of Reykjavik's 2,500-seat Sports Palace.
From the frequent trips by Spassky and Geller to the gray three-story Soviet Embassy here, it was apparent the Soviet pre-match game was being played on directives from Moscow.
The maximum aim of the Soviet officials could be to obtain an initial scoring advantage that hopefully would permit the title to stay in Russia. The title has been won by Soviet players since 1948 in competitions that paid well in prestige, but only a few thousand dollars in money.
Or they might be playing more modestly to regain the psychological advantage for their champion. This would mean that in the end they would accept a decision by Euwe not to penalize the American.
