AThe Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana Saturday, August 05, 1972 - Page 3
Hypnotist Offers To Play Boris, Bobby Jointly
Reykjavik (UPI)—A British hypnotist has offered to play world chess champion Boris Spassky of Russia and challenger Bobby Fischer jointly for $300,000, a U.S. official said yesterday.
Fred Cramer, vice-president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Fischer aide in the current world championship match, said the challenge from Ronald Markham had been received.
“We will not disturb Bobby during the match, but that's the kind of money we like to talk about,” Cramer said. “We would like, however, to check his credit rating. It could be a publicity stunt.”
Markham said in Durban, South Africa, Thursday, that he was willing to play “blindfolded, with brass bands playing in the background and television cameras two inches from my nose.”
He said his challenge was prompted by the “prima donna atmosphere of the world championship game.”
