A study of Bobby Fischer, Boris Spassky, the 1972 FIDE Chess Title Match, and their correlation and

... venue, and wanted to have the loser's share of the purse in his hand as he landed in Iceland.(17) Even after a rather spirited battle between Fischer, his delegation, and the Icelandic chess federation that resulted only in Fischer agreeing to fly to the island, the political chess battle was just beginning. "The Soviet Chess Union made a statement today that they are protesting the handling of the chess championships in Reykjavik. They are also accusing the challenger, Bobby Fischer, of trying to milk the championship for money. In a statement which the Soviet Union's TASS news agency released today, they accuse FIDE of gross rule-breaking. Thus, FIDE says that if it does not have a meeting before noon on Tuesday to go over the rules with the participants, the match will not take place."(18) As soon as Fischer arrived on the island, he began to complain about everything. Even the simple act of drawing sides was not free from politics. Fischer arrived at his residence two hours beforehand, and decided he was too tired to draw sides. Thus, he sent his second, William Lombardy, to draw for him. This horrendously upset Spassky, who threw down a statement and walked away:

"Fischer broke the rules of holding the contest by refusing to come for the ceremony of opening the match. By this, Fischer insulted me, personally, and the Chess Federation of the U.S.S.R., which I represent.

"The public opinion in the U.S.S.R. and I, personally, are indignant over Fischer's conduct. Under all human notions, he discredited himself completely. By this he jeapordized his moral right to play in the match for the world chess crown.

"Fischer must bear the just punishment before there is a hope of holding the match. Only after this can I return to the question about the possibility of holding the match."(19) In response to this, Fischer himself wrote up an apology. However, even though one would generally use such an apology to appease an opponent, Fischer does exactly the opposite, letting his anti-Communist sentiments show through:

"Dear Boris,

"Please accept my sincerest apology for my disrespectful behavior in not attending the opening ceremony. I simply became carried away by my petty dispute over money with the Icelandic chess organizers. I have offended you and your country, the Soviet Union, where chess has a prestigious position.

"Also, I would like to apologize to Dr. Max Euwe, president of FIDE, to the match organizers in Iceland, to the thousands of chess fans around the world and especially to the millions of fans and many friends I have in the United States.

"After I did not show up for the first game, Dr. Euwe announced that the first game would be postponed without prejudice to me. At that time, you made no protest. Now I am informed that the Russian Chess Federation is demanding that the first game be forfeited to you. The timing of this demand seems to place in dou ...