 On October 2, 2006, more than 30 GMs, WGMs, and IMs expressed open support for Kramnik's position – including former World Champions Anatoly Karpov and Boris Spassky, and multiple-time challenger Viktor Korchnoi.Spassky and Korchnoi had been involved in controversial World Chess Championship matches (World Chess Championship 1972 and World Chess Championship 1978 respectively).Spassky felt that Fischer had only disputed against the organizers, not his opponent's conduct.