AThe Evening Sun Hanover, Pennsylvania Tuesday, July 04, 1972 - Page 6
Banker Says Fischer OKs Chess Deal
London (AP) — A British banker said Monday night Bobby Fischer had accepted a deal worth 50,000 pounds—$130,000 at official parity—and was flying to Iceland to meet Russia's Boris Spassky for the chess world title.
Investment banker James D. Slater said he had received a telephone call from Fischer's lawyer saying the American challenger was flying Monday night to Reykjavik for the tournament.
It was Slater who offered the extra money as an inducement to Fischer to meet Spassky. He said at the time: “Fischer has said that money is the problem. Well, here it is. What I am saying to Fischer now is ‘come out and play.’”
The Russians, from Spassky here in Iceland to the Soviet Chess Federation in Moscow, protested the fact that the World Chess Federation — FIDE — granted a postponement of Fischer's appearance until Tuesday. The match had been scheduled to start Sunday. The day saw these developments:
—The six-man board of the Icelandic Chess Federation, sponsors of the 24-game match, rejected Fischer's demands for 30 per cent of the gate receipts. This would amount to considerable sums for both Fischer and Spassky because the match could last as long as two months. Under present terms for the match, the winner is to received $78,125 and the loser $46,875. In addition each would receive 30 per cent of the income from sales of television and photographic rights.
—In London, investment banker James D. Slater announced that he would pour 50,000 pounds into the kitty. At the official rate of exchange, this amounts to $130,000. He proposed that the winner receive $156,000 and the loser the remainder. Another alternative, Slater said, would add the entire $130,000 to the winner's cut, making it a total of $208,125. “I like chess and have played it for years,” said Slater. “Many want to see this match … if Fischer does not go to Iceland, many will be disappointed.
—The Soviet Chess Federation, issuing a protest in Moscow, declared that on the basis of what Fischer has already done—failed to appear for the scheduled start of the match on Sunday—he merits “unconditional disqualification.”
Banker Says Fischer OKs Chess Deal 04 Jul 1972, Tue The Evening Sun (Hanover, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com
