Fischer In Driver's Seat: Question Becomes 'When' - Not 'If'

The Times Herald Port Huron, Michigan Tuesday, August 29, 1972 - Page 19

Fischer In Driver's Seat: Question Becomes 'When' - Not 'If'
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — Bobby Fischer plays Boris Spassky in the 20th game of the world chess championships today with the fans debating not whether but on what day Fischer will take over the Russian's title.
With the score at 11-8, Fischer could roll up the 12½ points he needs with a win and a draw or three draws.
With five of the 24 games in the match remaining to be played if necessary, Spassky retains a mathematical chance to amass the 12 points he needs to hold on to his title. But to do this he must win three of the five games and draw the other two, something nobody gives him a chance to do.
One of Fischer's aides estimates that more than $2 million worth of personal appearance offers have been received based on Fischer's almost certain victory. But the aide said it was uncertain whether the American chess genius would accept any. He usually shuns public appearances.
Fischer was reported thinking about playing next in the Chess Olympiad next month at Skopje, Yugoslavia.
“Fischer would like nothing better than to take the individual and team world titles from the Russians,” a member of his camp said.
The Yugoslavs originally had offered to cosponsor the world championship with Iceland but they refused to meet Fischer's money demands.