The Orlando Sentinel Orlando, Florida Sunday, July 16, 1972 - Page 62
Match Hangs On Forfeit; Sister To Advise Fischer
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) Boris Spassky fished for salmon and Bobby Fischer kept his Sabbath Saturday as chess officials scrambled to save the world championship.
After talks with officials of the International and Icelandic chess federations, Fischer's lawyer, Paul Marshal, announced the American challenger had withdrawn his objection to the presence of movie cameras in the playing hall “so long as they don't blow his mind.”
MARSHAL'S announcement came after the reported arrival in Iceland of Bobby's sister, Mrs. Joan Targ, who presumably was being brought over because of her influence over the intractable challenger.
Despite Fischer's concession on the cameras, odds remained heavily against resumption of the match today. Fischer has announced that he will not play unless Thursday's game—forfeited when he failed to show—was restored.
Marshal Saturday asked officials to reconsider their decision to uphold the referee in declaring the forfeit. Fischer boycotted the session, saying the cameras distracted him. Marshal said new evidence was being prepared that might stave off cancellation of the match. He wouldn't say what the evidence was. The committee went into closed session late in the day.
FISCHER'S FAILURE to turn up for his second encounter with the world champion gave Spassky a 2-0 lead. Spassky needs 12 points to retain the title. Fischer 12½.
The deadlock seemed unbreakable, but Fischer's attorneys and his second, the Rev. William Lombardy, were trying to find a way out.
One official connected with the International Chess Federation—FIDE—said he thought it was impossible to take the point away from Spassky.
Fischer said the noise from hidden movie cameras created “outrageous” playing conditions.
An engineer tested the noise level of the cameras and found no difference in the sound in the empty hall with or without the cameras running.
THE ICELANDIC organizers earlier agreed to remove the television and movie cameras, although revenue from the rights helped to raise the total prize money to $300,000 the richest chess championship in history.
Asked if Fischer planned to pack up and go home, Marshal replied: “No. Otherwise I wouldn't be here.”
Marshal arrived Saturday morning, joining another New York lawyer for Fischer, Andrew Davis.
Spassky went salmon fishing to get away from it all.
FISCHER, AS usual, was inaccessible. He was closeted in his hotel, presumably in quiet observance of the Sabbath his religion recognizes from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.
The feeling was that Fischer would not play the scheduled third game on Sunday. But no one knew for certain.
There were other developments. Americans here have been cabling friends in the United States, urging them to wire Fischer to stay in the match. The challenger is reported deluged with cablegrams from all over the world.
WITH RESUMPTION of the match doubtful, chess experts declared that failure to continue play will almost certainly wreck Fischer's chess career. They cited parallels in chess history of players being barred from organized chess for not abiding by rules. ★
