1972 June 29

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The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 2

Chess Champ Objects
Russia's Boris Spassky storms off tennis court at Reykjavik, Iceland, disturbed by the presence of newsmen. Spassky, who will defend his chess title against Bobby Fischer of the United States next week, later returned to the court. Both he and Fischer have been in rigorous physical training.

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Greeley Daily Tribune Greeley, Colorado Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 38

Will Bobby Fischer Show Up For Chess Match in Iceland
By Ann Hencken
Associated Press Writer
New York (AP) — Bobby Fischer's flight reservation to Reykjavik, Iceland, has been canceled again. The American chess star is scheduled to play Russia's Boris Spassky there for the world championship in chess.
There are just a few more flights In Iceland before the chess match is scheduled to start next Sunday.
Will Fischer show up for the match?
“He said he was going,” grandmaster Larry Evans said Wednesday evening before boarding a plane for Iceland.
However, Chester Fox, who has exclusive visual rights to the match, and his lawyer, Richard Stein, were not so definite. And Fischer couldn't be reached for comment.
A reporter asked Fox and Stein after they met with Fischer here Wednesday evening whether the chess champ was definitely going to show up.
“I think so,” said Fox, before taking off for Reykjavik.
“You said too much,” Stein told Fox.
Why did Fox say too much? Stein answered that “unless you have firm commitments” there should be no comments.
Stein added that although this is a big moment for Fischer, he has walked out on matches before.
Stein said he did ask Fischer if he would show tip for the match. But he refused to give Fischer's answer.
Stein and Fox said they met with Fischer “to discuss different considerations” of the coming match. Stein said the meeting was very satisfying. Fox said he was very happy about it.
“I think he's in a good frame of mind,” Fox said of Fischer.
Stein said he had asked if he shouldn't be in Iceland early, to adjust to the climate. But Fischer replied that a climate change used to bother him, but it doesn't now.
Fox has bought worldwide visual rights to the games from the Icelandic Chess Federation and plans to film the match. Fred Cramer, a friend of Fischer's and past president of the U.S. Chess Federation, said Sunday that Fischer objected to the type of lighting proposed for filming the match.
On Sunday, Fischer canceled his flight to Iceland, without explanation. Cramer, who was to have flown with Fischer, went on to Reykjavik. Fox said Wednesday evening there are no lighting problems. “If he has any problems he didn't confide in me,” said Fox.
Meanwhile, news agencies and television services were protesting restrictions on move-by-move coverage and in-play photographs of the contenders announced in Reykjavik on Wednesday by the organizers of the match.
Gudmundur Thorarinsson, chairman of the Icelandic Chess Federation, said the restrictions were made because photographic and move-by-move coverage rights had been sold.
He said journalists would he allowed to transmit move-by-move reports only three times during each game and that newsmen would be required to sign a pledge to abide by the agreement to get accreditation.
The Associated Press and United Press International said they were lodging protests against any curtailment of news coverage. TelePrompter Manhattan Cable TV and Channel 13-WNDT New York, which have announced plans for telecasts based on move by move wire service reports, also protested.
The federation has sold U.S. broadcast television rights to the American Broadcasting Company, which plans to use the film on its Wide World of Sports program. However, Rome Arledge, president of ABC Sports, said its coverage would be “condensed, limited,” and he had no objections to the other organizations' move-by-move coverage.

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The Orlando Sentinel Orlando, Florida Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 18

Fischer Not On Flight
New York — Chess whiz Bobby Fischer, expected to leave Wednesday night for the world chess championships, failed to show up for either flight leaving for Iceland.
One of his advisers, already in Reykjavik to prepare for the start of the championship match Sunday against the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky, said 29-year-old Fischer would be there in time to play but refused lo specify his arrival time.

ICELANDIC Airlines has two flights daily from Kennedy Airport. Pan Am has one flight a week, leaving every Wednesday night. It was understood Fischer was to be aboard the Pan Am flight but he did not arrive at the airport, according to Pan Am spokesmen.
It was understood that Fischer was in New York, staying at a hotel, and “confident” of victory in the matches.

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The Orlando Sentinel Orlando, Florida Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 18

([Soviet Censorship]) Coverage Of Chess Match Restricted
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP)
Organizers of the Bobby Fischer-Boris Spassky world championship chess match will restrict move-by-move coverage and photographs of the contenders inside the contest hall, it was announced Wednesday.
The announcement brought protests from news wire services and from two television outlets which are planning in-depth accounts of the 24-game match based on move-by-move reports from The Associated Press. The first game is scheduled for Sunday.
GUDMUNDUR Thorarinsson, chairman of the Icelandic Chess Federation, said the restrictions were decreed because photographic and move-by-move coverage rights had been sold.
Channel 24 In Orlando had been scheduled to receive the move-by-move analysis from Channel 13 in New York. Ronald Morrisseau, Channel 24 executive vice president and general manager, said his station had looked forward to the presentation. “We see it as news coverage and purchasers of the television rights,” he said.

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The Des Moines Register Des Moines, Iowa Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 6

([Soviet Censorship]) Chess Tourney Coverage Fuss
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — Organizers of the Bobby Fischer-Boris Spassky world championship chess match will restrict move-by-move coverage and photographs of the contenders inside the contest hall, it was announced Wednesday.
The announcement brought protests from news wire services and from two television outlets which are planning in-depth accounts of the 24-game match based on move-by-move reports from the Associated Press. The first game is scheduled for Sunday.
Gudmundur Thorarinsson, chairman of the Icelandic Chess Federation, said the restrictions were decreed because photographic and move-by-move coverage rights had been sold.

Thorarinsson said journalists would be allowed to transmit move-by-move reports only three times during each game between the Soviet world champion, Spassky, and the American challenger. He said newsmen would be required to sign a pledge to abide by the agreement in order to obtain accreditation.

Spokesmen for AP and United Press International said they were lodging protests against any curtailment of news coverage.
Joseph G. Groth, general manager of the TelePrompTer Manhattan Cable TV, said in New York: “If this capricious move succeeds, a large and interested segment of the public served by TelePrompTer Manhattan CATV will be deprived of one of the most exciting showdowns in the history of chess.”
The firm has announced plans for a move-by-move analysis of each of the matches, utilizing the AP service and comment from a U.S. chess grand master.
The Icelandic Chess Federation contends that TelePrompter's use of the AP reports infringes on its property rights, the company said. The federation has sold U.S. broadcast television rights to ABC.

FISCHER: “I was more disappointed than anybody that this thing wasn't televised because, you know, there was a lot of publicity and a lot of money involved and I wanted the people to see me in action. Let's face it. But they had these characters there, who instead of having, some kind of video tape film that didn't make any noise, just, nobody around to operate them, just sort of stationless and they just had guys there with film cameras that were worrying, and they were all around me. Making a racket. A nuisance.”
CARSON: “Too much noise.”
FISCHER: “Too much noise, and visually you could see them moving around.”
November 08, 1972 Johnny Carson Interviews Bobby Fischer (8:43/18:30)

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The Des Moines Register Des Moines, Iowa Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 6

Where Is Bobby Fischer?
New York, N.Y. (AP) — Bobby Fischer failed to make his scheduled flight for Iceland Wednesday night and gave no indication when he would depart for his World Championship chess match with Boris Spassky, scheduled to get under way Sunday in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Fischer did not take his place on a Pan American Airways jet-liner that left for Reykjavik.
The next scheduled flights to the Icelandic capital are today and Saturday.
Chester Fox, an entrepreneur who has exclusive visual broadcast rights to the match, said he had spoken to Fischer earlier in the evening but was unable to say when Fischer planned to leave for Iceland. He would not disclose where the conversation took place.
Fischer was not available for comment, and his whereabouts were unknown.

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The Ogden Standard-Examiner Ogden, Utah Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 4

Bobby Fischer Still Not in Iceland; Adviser Says He'll Play Russian
New York (UPI)—America's chess wizard Bobby Fischer will be in Reykjavik, Iceland, in time for the start of the world chess championships Sunday, a Fischer adviser said Wednesday.
The reassurances came after Fischer failed to show up at the airport for any flights leaving for Iceland. He had been scheduled to leave for the world championships Wednesday night.
The adviser, already in Reykjavik making preparations for the start of the championship match against Russian chess master Boris Spassky, refused to specify Fischer's arrival time. But he did say Fischer would be there in time for the match.
A spokesman for Pan-Am said Fischer had been expected aboard the weekly Pan-Am flight to Iceland, but that he never showed up at the airport.
Pan-Am has just one regularly scheduled flight to Reykjavik a week, but Icelandic Airlines has two flights daily from Kennedy airport.
Fischer caused consternation among Icelandic officials last weekend when he failed to arrive on schedule. He is understood to be staying at a New York Hotel, “confident” of victory in the championships.
In Reykjavik newsmen and welcoming officials waited in vain at Reykjavik Airport when the Pan Am plane landed. Fischer was not aboard.
Chess sources in the Icelandic capital said Fischer might delay his arrival until Sunday just a few hours before the first game is scheduled at 1 p.m. EDT.
If so, he will miss the official opening ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, officials said.

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Democrat and Chronicle Rochester, New York Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 17

Limit Coverage Of Chess Match
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — Organizers of the Bobby Fischer-Boris Spassky world championship chess match will restrict move-by-move coverage and photographs of the contenders inside the contest hall, it was announced yesterday.
The announcement brought protests from news wire services and from two television outlets which are planning in-depth accounts of the 24-game match based on move-by-move reports from The Associated Press. The first game is scheduled for Sunday.
WXXI said it plans to carry the world chess championship matches between Fischer and Spassky beginning Sunday at 10 a.m. Commentary will be provided by American Chess Master Shelby Lyman, who will monitor the championships (transmitted from Reykjavik, Iceland) from a studio in Albany.
Lyman will analyze the potential course of the game using a demonstration chess board. On Sunday, WXXI will broadcast the matches from 10 a.m. until completion. During the week, telecasts of the matches begin at 1 p.m., with periodic bulletins after 4 p.m., when regular programming starts.

Limit Coverage Of Chess Match Thu, Jun 29, 1972 – Page 17 · Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York) · Newspapers.com

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Nanaimo Daily News Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 19

Chess Challenger Still Missing
New York (Reuter) — U.S. challenger Bobby Fischer failed to show up Wednesday night for two flights that were to have taken him to Reykjavik, Iceland for his world chess championship meeting with Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union.
Officials of Pan American World Airways said that Fischer, 29, cancelled his reservation on their flight to Reykjavik.
A spokesman for Loftleidir, the Icelandic Airline, said that Fischer had also reserved a seat on Wednesday night's flight, demanding that no one be seated in the row in front of him or the row behind.
But he failed to show up without cancelling the reservation, the airline said.
Spassky has been in Iceland for a week, preparing for the match, which has been threatened with cancellation several times ([? threatened with cancellation within this week of June 29, 1972? No explanation is forthcoming from Reuter however]) because of demands ([? they can't even pinpoint his location, have received no comment from Fischer, yet he's making demands?]) made by Fischer.
The championship is scheduled to begin Sunday.

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Dayton Daily News Dayton, Ohio Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 87

Fischer Gets Chess Title Shot Sunday
Reykjavik — (UPI) — Bobby Fischer's big dream comes true Sunday when he sits down at the checkered board to play world chess champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union.
The American chess genius considers the world championship match a mere formality.
HE HAS SAID time and again that if he just gets a shot at the 35-year-old champion, he is certain of defeating him.
If he succeeds — and there are many experts who believe he will — he will become the second American world champion in the long history of chess and the first non-Russian to rule as champion since Max Euwe of the Netherlands held the title briefly in the 1930s.
He would also pocket five-eighths of the prize money, which totals $125,000. The money was put up by the Icelandic government and city of Reykjavik to win the right to stage the match in this unlikeliest of settings — on an island in the storm-tossed North Atlantic.
The games will be played Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with adjourned games being finished on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
THE MATCH is scheduled for 24 games, but as is customary in world championship play, the remaining games will be canceled when one of the two has reached 12.5 points or more. The players get one point for a win and half a point for a draw.
To retain his title, Spassky needs only 12 points — a draw. To win the title, Fischer will have to score 12.5 points or more.

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Daily News New York, New York Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 374

The Super Bowl of Chess
When Bobby Fischer sits down across the board from Boris Spassky in Reykjavik, Iceland this Sunday, one of the most controversial battles in chess history will be under way.
Fischer is a rebel whose attack is world famous…Spassky is a maverick who can counterattack mercilessly. To the victor goes the world's championship.
On the scene in Iceland for Daily News chess fans will be Robert Byrne, a grand-master himself and the author of countless articles and special stories on the game. Byrne, a close friend of Fischer's — — when he's not facing him as an opponent — — will bring you detailed reports on the world championship matches throughout the games.
Be sure to read Robert Byrne's exclusive stories and detailed scoring beginning this week in …

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The Greenwood Commonwealth Greenwood, Mississippi Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 9

Chess Master On The Court
Russian chess champion Boris Spassky returns volley, Wednesday, as he works out in Reykjavik for upcoming world chess title against American Bobby Fischer. Earlier, Spassky stormed off the court after photographers began taking pictures. “You are ruining our program,” Spassky said. “This is a daily routine which I must get on with.” —AP Wirephoto via cable from Reykjavik

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Daily News New York, New York Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 8

Bobby Off To Play
Los Angeles, June 28 (AP)— American challenger Bobby Fischer has left Los Angeles for his world champion chess series in Reykjavik, Iceland, local sources said today. The secretive Fischer spent about a week in California preparing for the 24 matches, set to start Sunday with world champion, Boris Spassky of Russia.

Bobby Off To Play Thu, Jun 29, 1972 – 8 · Daily News (New York, New York) · Newspapers.com

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The Evening Sun Baltimore, Maryland Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 26

Here's How To Get In Shape For a Chess Championship
They say chess is a great mental game, but you'd never know it from the way U.S. king Bobby Fischer prepares. Fischer meets Russia's Boris Spassky beginning July 2 in Reykjavik, Iceland, and he's been playing tennis and punching the bag at Grossinger, N.Y., for the past month. Maybe he figures the Russian will tire just watching.

Here's How To Get In Shape For a Chess Championship Thu, Jun 29, 1972 – 26 · The Evening Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) · Newspapers.com

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News-Journal Mansfield, Ohio Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 8

Chess Matches
Q — Will the chess championships be on television, and who will he playing? — K. M., South Diamond St.

A — Your question came just in time. The title matches, featuring Bobby Fischer of the United States and Boris Spassky of Russia, will be seen Saturday, July 8 from 5-6:30 p. m. on the Wide World of Sports. The show will be presented from Reykjavik, Iceland, the first time in history that the matches have been held outside the Soviet Union. Spassky has held the world title for the past 23 years and has faced Fischer five times, winning three times and tying twice. Yet Fischer, a prodigy who won the U. S. national championship at the age of 14, is a favorite to many to win the world championship following his relatively easy succession of wins in preliminary competition. A maximum of 24 games will be held with Spassky needing only a tie to retain his title.

Chess Matches Thu, Jun 29, 1972 – 8 · News-Journal (Mansfield, Ohio) · Newspapers.com

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Clearly Larry Evans' had no qualms about harming chess, due to the sheer lacking of moral compass, peddling “adult” industry commercial products to a family-oriented, child-oriented sporting audience. Those who say Fischer could've made millions endorsing products should take a second look at what Evans was doing. Fischer was forced into “endorsements” through unethical advertising by Larry Evans. Without Bobby Fischer's consent. Such reports in 1972, would have done insurmountable harm to Fischer's rep, just as charges of gambling addictions, etc have devastated other sports celebrities. Larry Evans figured Bobby was for sale and make some money for himself.

Clearly Larry Evans' had no qualms about harming chess, due to the sheer lacking of moral compass, peddling "adult"...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Thursday, March 18, 2021

I am nearing the date when Evans also tries to sensationalize rumors, as if the intent of Bobby's holdout were “psyching out” the Russians. Soon, an article will appear, from a more reliable source, those who are actually in the loop around Bobby (without naming names) and they personally correct the annoying chess player who leaked false information about the holdout, to the press. Everything related to Larry Evans is being placed in File 13. It's not “news”. Bobby had Quinteros aide in his training at Grossingers, and chose a black friend, Fischer's mentor, Archie Waters to accompany him in Reykjavik, and reportedly, playing Ping Pong between matches with Fischer. That has gotta sting Evans who unapologetically supported Apartheid in South Africa, was staunchly pro-Israel apartheid, and denounced FIDE for boycotting South Africa back then.) Evans got the outs! from master Bob. Bobby was fed up with Evans' antics, so Evans busied himself to write and publish things about Bobby that were not true. A bit emotionally immature, but the real question here is, if Larry Evans made more $'s from the match than either Fischer, Spassky and the organizers combined. Evans uses a very dishonest advertising technique, where he attempts to pass himself off as the “leading expert” on Bobby (spoken well, by the man who walked out on Bobby, halfway through the tournament in Buenos Aires, because Bobby didn't need his help) … then promotes commercial products — adult products (not suitable for children, and offensive to most Americans families during 1972. Not to mention would have been an outrage and sewn a rift between Fischer and his church associates). Advertisers pay hefty prices for this kind of publicity. If they could only attach their brand name to Bobby's clean reputation.

“Like I couldn't write about his matches”

and I wonder why, when you took such outrageous liberties to promote commercial products at Bobby's personal expense… products he did NOT use.

NO Evans… Bobby didn't need you, and that was precisely your complaint in 1971, just as many witnesses testified to, and YOU walked out of Buenos Aires, half way through the tournament. Bobby didnt need you nor your annoying antics.

Watch 'em rewrite history:

(Nov. 23, 2010, L.A. Times)
“…Leading up to the 1972 world championship, Evans served as Fischer's ‘second,’ a chess term that means he helped train and prepare him for competition. But they had a falling-out before Fischer's title match against Boris Spassky in Reykjavik, Iceland. Evans later said that they disagreed over the parameters of the trip that would last more than two months. Fischer ‘imposed conditions that were unacceptable,’ Evans told the World Chess Network in 2004. ‘Like I couldn't write about his matches’ or ‘take my wife with me.’

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