The Record Hackensack, New Jersey Monday, December 27, 1971 - Page 41
Kind Words for Fischer From the Chess Champ
Belgrade (UPI) — World Chess champion Boris Spassky of Russia says he is impressed with American chess wizard Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn who will meet the Russian for the world title next year.
In a Yugoslav radio interview during a Moscow-Belgrade-Buenos Aires telephone linkup yesterday, Spassky said, “Fischer's play has impressed me very much.”
Of Spassky's play in recent months, Fischer said:
“I think he had a mediocre result at the tournaments in Geteborg and Moscow … what can I say?”
Fischer, speaking from Buenos Aires, said before the site of the world tournament could be decided money matters had to be worked out.
“For me the first and most important thing is money,” Fischer said. “And only after that comes the climate. I repeat—the money is the most important thing.”
The American grand master said he is willing to play the match with Spassky in Yugoslavia, provided the biggest financial effect is reached.
Spassky said he considered Scandinavian countries ideal for the match because of a similar climate to that in his native Leningrad.
On the duration of the match, Fischer said:
“I do not think that the match will last all 24 rounds. But who knows? I intend to prepare the best I can. My responsibility is great. The public expects much from me.”
Both grand masters agreed the match should start in late June. But, Fischer said, June 31 should be the earliest date. He added:
“Spassky had three years to prepare for this match, and up to now I had only two months. It's possible, therefore, that he has a certain advantage.”
