(2 of 2)
Apology. All that remained was the apology from Fischer, a humbling gesture that few thought the cocky, headstrong challenger would make. Surprisingly, Fischer stayed up half the night drafting the demanded letter with the help of his lawyer. Then, according to one of Fischer's friends, Bobby and the lawyer went to Spassky's hotel in the wee hours to deliver the message. Spassky was asleep. Undaunted, the Americans persuaded a bellboy to open the door to Spassky's room and they tiptoed in, placed the letter on the desk and tiptoed out. In the letter, released later that day, Fischer offered Spassky "my sincerest apology" for "offending you and your country, the Soviet Union, where chess has a prestigious position. I simply became carried away by my petty dispute over money with the Icelandic chess organization. I know you to be a sportsman and a gentleman, and I am looking forward to some exciting chess games with you."
Mollified if not amazed, Spassky agreed to go ahead with the match. Late last week the champion and the challenger met to decide who would begin play with the white pieces, which have the first move. Upon seeing Fischer, Spassky warmly grasped him with both hands. Then, in a time-honored ritual, the champion put a white pawn in one hand and a black pawn in the other, juggled them behind his back and then extended his closed fists toward Fischer. Hunching over, Bobby pointed to Boris' right hand. Smiling, the champion opened his hand to show that the challenger had chosen black. Spassky may need every advantage when the match begins this week. A poll of one group of grand masters showed that 14% saw the match as even, 22% favored Spassky, and 64% felt Fischer would be the next world champion.