ANew York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, July 06, 1972 - Page 31
Russians Disdain Fischer For Concern With Money
Moscow, July 5—A Soviet newspaper editor buttonholed an American at a reception today and said:
“It is a money-grubbing society like yours that produces a Bobby Fischer. If anything like this ever happened in the Soviet Union, the pressure of public opinion would never stand for it.”
The Russian was commenting on the impasse in Reykjavik, Iceland, where the long-awaited 24-game world-chess championship match has been held up, first by the United States challengers delayed arrival and then by the refusal of the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky, the world champion, to start playing.
Apology Unreported
News of a qualified apology issued today on behalf of Fischer by his second, the Rev. William Lombardy, was not reported by the controlled Soviet media. It was assumed the form of the apology had not satisfied the Russians and that they would insist on further amends by the American challenger before agreeing to play. But this was unclear.
“He should not be allowed to get away with it,” a Russian remarked, alluding to Fischer's demand for a bigger share of the gate receipts. This demand had caused postponement of the scheduled opening of the chess match on Sunday.
It was only after James D. Slater, a London investment banker, offered $125,000 in additional prize money that the American decided to fly to Reykjavik yesterday. By then, however, Spassky insisted that the challenger be penalized for failure to start the match on time.
Some chess fans here have suggested that the present impasse be resolved by giving Spassky the first game by default on the ground that Fischer had not shown up as provided by the rules.
The American's apparent emphasis on prize money has been difficult for Russians to understand. The Soviet editor, in alluding to the ethics of capitalist society, spoke of the problem in highly ideological terms, making no allowance for personal idiosyncrasies as possible factors in Fischer's case.
But even less ideologically minded chess fans here have accused Fischer of dragging the game of chess from the lofty esteem in which it is held here to the level of betting on the horses and other money-oriented sporting events. ([And Soviet subsidization wasn't about financial and personal profit to the players? Mere love of a sport affords to put bread on the table and shelter over the head? Let's see them live without money! Why should organizers rake in the lion's share of profits?])
The Soviet media have also been critical of Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, for not adopting a sterner attitude toward Fischer's actions. ([Perhaps like Belgrade, make up rumors, and spread them in hopes of disqualifying Fischer and replacing with a Soviet?])
Reflecting a growing impatience over what has been viewed by Soviet officials as kid-glove treatment given to Fischer by the world federation, the Government newspaper Izvestia published a letter tonight under the headline “How Much More Can Anyone Fuss?” ([Indeed. Creating drama, a fuss and squabble seems all that the USSR, Belgrade and Reykjavik have accomplished up to this point between themselves. Fischer has said very little actually. You know, how they always repeat the lines how Fischer altogether avoids reporters and won't grant interviews…?])
The letter, by members of the chess club of Moscow's big Likhachev automotive plant, said:
“The officials of the world federation contend that they are concerned mainly with the game of chess and preservation of sportsmanship in the conduct of all matches. One of the most effective contributions they could make to the sportsmanlike purity of chess is to call Fischer to order. He has been openly introducing into the game a spirit of sordid utilitarianism, money-grubbing and tactlessness.” ([And those who have came from the former Soviet Union, have not?])
