The Tribune Scranton, Pennsylvania Tuesday, July 04, 1972 - Page 2
Report Fischer Okays Spassky Chess Match
Reykjavik (UPI)—Icelandic Radio Monday night reported American challenger Bobby Fischer had accepted a new money offer from a British banker and would be prepared to come to Iceland to play world champion Boris Spassky for the chess world championship title.
However, Icelandic officials and Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), said they could not confirm the report.
(Fischer boarded a plane in New York Monday night and was expected to arrive in Reykjavik at 7:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. EDT) today.)
The radio said Fischer's lawyer, Paul Marshall, had contacted wealthy British investment banker Jim Slater, who offered earlier Monday to double the prize money to $250,000 to entice the 29-year-old, unpredictable American to play the 24-game series against the Russian world champion.
“I have heard nothing of this, but I have heard there are some stories in the London newspapers about this,” Dr. Euwe said. At the same time, he expressed fear that Spassky may not play, although he said he had no definite indications from the Russians.
He said he based this on Spassky's statement Monday, in which the world champion said he had never given permission for the match to be postponed.
The 24-game match between Fischer and the Russian world champion was scheduled to open Sunday but Fischer refused to board a plane until the sponsoring Icelandic Chess Federation promised him more money. Euwe reluctantly agreed to a 48-hour postponement Sunday, making the new deadline for the start of play Tuesday at 1 p.m. EDT.
Euwe said he expected Fischer to accept the new offer but reiterated that if he does not arrive before 8 a.m. EDT Tuesday he will be disqualified from the match.
