Pacific Daily News Agana Heights, Guam Saturday, April 22, 1972 - Page 28
Paris Ruled Out By FIDE As Chess Site
Amsterdam (UPI)—The International Chess Federation (FIDE) said today [it] ruled out the possibility Paris could organize the first part of the World Championship Match between Bobby Fischer of the United States and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union.
“We read the TASS report about the Soviet suggestion that Paris take the first leg from Belgrade, but we did not receive a similar message or any other communication from the Soviet Chess Federation,” a FIDE spokesman said.
“Even if the suggestion was made in earnest, it looks not possible that Paris could arrange the match,” he added.
The Soviet suggestion caused some astonishment with French chess officials, who felt it would hardly be possible to find the money at short notice, FIDE officials said.
The first 12 games of the world championship had been scheduled in Belgrade starting June 22 and the remainder of the match in Reykjavik.
Belgrade sponsors announced last week they were no longer willing to organize the first leg because the American Chess Federation had not put up a 35,000 guarantee that Fischer would play in Belgrade.
The Dutch Chess Federation Sunday turned down a suggestion it organizes the first leg, saying it could not find sponsors in good time to provide the money needed to organize the tournament.
The suggestion had been made by Max Euwe, Dutch FIDE President, who is on a chess-promoting trip in Australia.
The FIDE spokesman today said he did not expect any solid move to get out of the stalemate before Euwe returns to Holland, May 1.
