AThe Sedalia Democrat Sedalia, Missouri Tuesday, July 11, 1972 - Page 1
Late Again, Fischer Now Plays Chess
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — The World Chess Championship began today without Bobby Fischer, the American challenger.
Champion Boris Spassky of Russia arrived exactly on time at 5 p.m., waited a minute, then calmly pushed his queen's pawn forward two spaces.
Referee Lothar Schmid of West Germany pushed the button on the time clock and the match had begun.
Fischer sometimes chooses to be late to tournaments and matches. It was not known where he was.
Then seven minutes after Spassky began the game, Fischer appeared from offstage left. With long strides he sped to the black leather swivel chair placed behind the white side of the board.
Applause which greeted Fischer's arrival arose in crescendo when Spassky moved forward from the side of the stage where he had been waiting to shake Fischer's hand.
The American took a minute to regard the board and the queen's pawn opening Spassky favors.
Fischer moved his queen's side knight to the queen's bishop three square.
Spassky seated himself and replied with a threat to the center of the board with his queen's bishop's pawn. Fischer pushed his king's pawn forward a square.
Fischer has three losses and two draws with Spassky in five previous games.
