SPASSKY WAITS; NO SIGN OF FISCHER

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32959, 4 July 1972, Page 1

SPASSKY WAITS; NO SIGN OF FISCHER

The whereabouts of the United States chess champion, R. K. Fischer, was still a mystery today as he faced a new deadline of noon tomorrow to appear in Reykjavik, Iceland, for his world championship match with B. Spassky, of the Soviet Union.

(N.Z P A.-Reuter—Copyright)

NEW YORK, July 3.

Fischer has not been seen since Thursday, when he abandoned a planned flight on Icelandic Airlines after journalists spotted him at Kennedy Airport, New York.

The temperamental 29-year-old Fischer was scheduled to start the match with Spassky yesterday. But Dr M. Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, extended the deadline by two days for Fischer to show up for his challenge match. Dr Euwe said that if Fischer did not appear by then he would forfeit the match and all his rights to challenge Spassky for the world title. It has been a week of tension in Reykjavik as Fischer’s aides bargained for more money, but it is still uncertain whether his absence is for financial or psychological reasons.

A friend of Fischer, the Icelandic chess master, F. Thorbergsson, arrived in New York yesterday but refused to discuss whether he would try to persuade him to go to Iceland.

“I’ll find him,” he said. “I’m here to see Bobby as a friend. I’m a long-time friend of his.”

Mr B. Kramer, who represents Fischer, said in Reykjavik that the United States champion was ill from fatigue. Other reports said Fischer had sought the twoday postponement on medical grounds. Spassky, aged 35, who has been in Iceland for the last two weeks waiting for the match, has shrugged off any questions during his stay. He has shown no signs of being affected by the tension. Yesterday Dr Euwe said

Spassky showed admirable magnanimity by not protesting against the postponement of the tournament.

Mr G. Thorarinsson, president of the Iceland federation, said on Saturday that Fischer was demanding 30 per cent of the spectators’ fees plus guarantees that the federation would pay the $125,000 in prizes.