ATyler Morning Telegraph Tyler, Texas Monday, April 17, 1972 - Page 19
U.S., Russian Chess Bout Having Trouble
Amsterdam (UPI) — The Dutch chess Federation Sunday turned down a suggestion it organize the first leg of the world championship match between Bobby Fischer of the United States and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union.
The suggestion was made by Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, after the original Belgrade sponsors said Thursday they were no longer willing to organize the first games.
“Since the first leg of 12 games is scheduled to start June 22, it looks impossible to find in good time the sponsors to provide the about $160,000 needed,” a Dutch federation spokesman said.
“Even if the sponsors could be found, it could not be guaranteed that Fischer and Spassky would agree to play in Amsterdam.” he added.
The Belgrade sponsors backed out of the game arrangements because the American Chess Federation failed to provide a $35,000 guarantee that Fischer would play in Belgrade.
The Russians had agreed to a similar guarantee for Spassky, the international federation said in announcing the Belgrade sponsors' decision Thursday.
At a meeting in Amsterdam March 20, representatives of the two players and of the Soviet, America, Yugoslav and Icelandic federations agreed on a procedure for the 24-match series.
The first leg of 12 matches would be played in Belgrade and the remaining 12 in Reykjavik.
The two cities offered a total prize money of $138,000 of which 62.50 per cent would go to the winner and 37.5 per cent to the loser.
Fischer later told organizers he wanted a percentage of television and movie rights proceeds.
When he finally accepted, the Belgrade sponsors, who had already stopped preparations, demanded a $35,000 guarantee.
When Belgrade backed out, Euwe, who is in Australia on a chess promoting trip, suggested Holland might be willing to take over the first leg.
