On 31 Dec 2006 10:25:43 -0800, "zdrakec" wrote:

Hello all:

On page 166 of my copy of "Russians versus Fischer", the authors assert
that "...Fischer would have to miss another world championship cycle,
but to his aid came Benko, who for one and a half thousand dollars
agreed to give him his place in the Interzonal Tournament."

This is the first time I've seen a claim that Benko was "bought off"
for $1,500. Is this substantiated anywhere else, for example, in
Benko's recent autobiography (which I do not own, and have not read)?

If true, the authors have left off a few details that matter, namely,
who paid Benko, and when? The when matters because presumably Fischer
would have had to agree that he would play, otherwise why bribe GM
Benko?

Regards,
zdrakec

As I remember, the USCF paid it. An interesting point is that,
technically, Fischer wasn't *next* in line if Benko pulled out -- any
of the other players in the US Championship (which was the official
zonal), in the order of their finish, could have opted to take his
place. Dunno whether they all acquiesced, or whether the Federation
didn't give them that option.