ALansing State Journal Lansing, Michigan Tuesday, January 04, 1972 - Page 1
Belgrade Offers High Bid For World Chess Tournament
New York (AP) — The Yugoslavian capital of Belgrade has offered a high bid of $152,000 to be the site of next June's world championship chess match between Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer.
The U.S. Chess Federation disclosed Monday that 10 nations and five cities had competed in the bidding that produced the largest cash prize offers in the history of tournament chess.
Fischer, who defeated Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union last fall in Buenos Aires to reach the championship round, said the bids were “not bad—they'll have to do.” He declined further comment.
Belgrade's offer does not mean it will automatically be named the host city. Both Fischer and Spassky, also of the Soviet Union, will review the bids and submit their preferences.
If they have the same first choices, the matter will be decided. If not, negotiations will ensue and if these prove fruitless, Dr. Max Euwe, president of the World Chess Federation will select the site, subject to one veto from each player.
Other bids received were from Iceland, $125,000; Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, $120,000; Argentina, $100,000; Brazil and the Netherlands, $80,000 each; West Germany, $92,000, and Greece $52,000, among others.
Winner of the 24-game championship match will receive nearly two-thirds of the total prize with the loser getting a shade over one-third.
