The Bangor Daily News Bangor, Maine Monday, January 10, 1972 - Page 8
These Are Big-Money Times
Chess is an ancient and honorable game — a fascinating test for those with the brains and patience to play it well. But apparently today's star players have succumbed to the same fever that afflicts star athletes — a surging desire to cash in on their talents.
America's new chess champion, youthful Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn, is to meet Soviet champion Boris Spassky this year for the world title. He recently said that the site of the tournament would depend upon which city in the world would put up the most money for the honor of playing host.
“For me, the first and most important thing is money,” Bobby said in a recent interview.
Well, it appears that he and his Russian rival are going to reap some money — a lot of money. While the site has not been decided, formally designation, Belgrade offered a top bid of $152,000. Argentina said it would put up $100,000 if the match were held in that country, including one from Iceland. (Iceland? Brrrr!) Chicago's convention bureau made the highest U.S. Bid — $100,000.
The money is to be divided by the players; 62.5 percent for the winner and 37.5 for the loser. Not a bad week's work, or however long it takes to play a world title match.
We're not being critical of Bobby. Not when a man can get $100,000 a year for hitting baseballs over the fence, for dunking little white balls into holes and for throwing footballs or carrying them. We just find it interesting that chess players are getting into the money act.
