New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, August 19, 1961
Sponsor to Decide Fischer Chess Fee In Light of Forfeit
Morris J. Kasper, treasurer of the American Chess Federation, said yesterday officials of that organization would meet next week to decide upon the final compensation to be paid to Bobby Fischer.
Fischer, the 18-year-old United States chess champion, failed to appear for the scheduled thirteenth game of his sixteen-match series against Samuel Reshevsky at the Empire Hotel. The game, scheduled to start at 5 P.M. last Thursday, was forfeited to Reshevsky an hour later with Fischer still absent.
Walter J. Fried, president of the sponsoring foundation, then declared the 49-year-old former United States champion the winner of the series.
The competitors had been playing for a purse of about $8,000. The winner was to receive 65 per cent, the loser 35.
Reshevsky and Fischer received $1,000 each when the series for the George P. Edgar Trophy began in New York on July 16. When after four games the series was shifted to Los Angeles for eight games, each received an additional $500 for expenses.
A controversy arose on the West Coast. Fischer forfeited the twelfth game when he refused to play at 11 A.M. last Sunday. He contended the game originally was scheduled for the preceding evening.
With Reshevsky leading, 6½ to 5½, as a result of the twelfth-game forfeit, Fischer failed to return to New York last Tuesday in time to resume the series at 5 P.M.
Although threatened with a suit for damages if he did not appear for the thirteenth match when it was rescheduled for Thursday, the champion did not show up.
Yesterday, Fischer said he had been notified of the foundation's action declaring Reshevsky the victor. “Yeah, I'm going to sue them,” he said. “If they go to court they won't have a chance.”
Fischer contends the forfeiture in Los Angeles was illegal and a violation of the agreed-upon schedule of games. He asserts the Los Angeles officials switched the times of the twelfth game three times.
