AThe Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada Friday, January 10, 1975 - Page 36
Contentious Issues
Continuing Bobby Fischer's wired communications to FIDE regarding his views on the conduct and conditions of future world championship matches, which they were to consider and vote on at their business meeting at Nice last summer. As these were turned down he tendered his resignation of the title.
“I approve of clause for flexibility in changing rules by mutual agreement. Now I speak of a very important matter. Official world championship occurs only once in three years. Temporary form, or team preparation, or luck should not be permitted to determine results. World champion should be world's best player, and long match is necessary to reach a just result with nearly absolute certainty. For this reason I propose that match be won by first player to win ten games with no limit on total number played. Provision for drawn match with score nine wins to nine with champion retaining title and prize fund split equally is consistent with longstanding tradition of small advantage for champion. Yet those who have long enjoyed this advantage now wish to abolish it. Propaganda emanating from a certain country has falsely implied that I am seeking unprecedented advantage. These critics say that it is unfair to require a two-point margin of ten wins to eight in order for challenger to win the match. Yet only in this way can champion's advantage be fairly preserved when there is no limit on total games, and critics deliberately overlook that champion also needs two-point margin of ten wins to eight in order to win match. Mr. Cramer can demonstrate the historical record, but for example, Alekhine needed at least a margin of six wins to four to become world champion, whereas Capablanca needed only five wins to retain his title, draws not counting. Throughout my career I have always insisted on optimal conditions for my participation in chess competitions. I will not compromise on this principle for the 1975 world championship match. Best wishes, Bobby Fischer, world chess champion.”
