ADaily News New York, New York Tuesday, January 04, 1972 - Page 4
Belgrade Bids High for Superchess
Amsterdam, Jan. 3 (Special) — Belgrade pledged today an unprecedented $152,000 jackpot in its bid to be chosen site of the forthcoming world chess championship match between Soviet defender Boris Spassky and U.S. challenger Bobby Fischer.
The chess-happy Yugoslavian capital's guarantee of prize money was disclosed when Dr. Max Euwe, president of the World Chess Federation, opened 15 sealed bids from would-be hosts of the East-West showdown.
All offers were unusually lucrative for a chess competition, which usually pays off more in glory. This reflected the keen worldwide interest in the colorful American contender, now 28, and his bid to end Russia's 23 years of chess supremacy.
Second biggest bid was $150,000 prize money from Argentina, scene of Fischer's recent 6½-2½ triumph over Russian Tigran Petrosian. Iceland's $125,000 bid was a surprise third.
The Chicago Convention Bureau's $100,000 offer was the only U.S. entry. Three other Yugoslav cities besides Belgrade were in the competition. Colombia's $40,000 jackpot was the smallest bid.
Winner of the competition, which must begin not later than this June 3, will get 67.5% of the prize money; the loser's share will be 32.5%. Expenses are paid for both contestants.
Since conditions other than prize money are specified in the bids, there is no assurance that Belgrade will be chosen by Brooklynite Fischer and Spassky. If they fail to agree by Feb. 1, Euwe will pick up the site.
