AChicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois Thursday, April 13, 1972 - Page 47
Yugoslavs' Move Puts Challenger Fischer in Check
The Belgrade sponsors of the world chess championship have given American challenger Bobby Fischer until Friday to post a $35,000 guarantee that he will take part, championship director Milivoje Molerovic said Wednesday.
Otherwise, Molerovic said, the June 22 match, between Fischer and title-holder Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, will definitely be off.
“What we need is a cable from Fischer or the American Chess Federation that they will stick to the original financial arrangement, and a $35,000 deposit as a guarantee Fischer will take part,” Molerovic said.
“We cannot wait any longer than Friday because of technical and other preparations we must make for the match to begin June 22,” he said.
The officials said that the sponsors demanded the guarantee because of the 29-year-old challenger's reputation for being unpredictable.
A similar request for a $35,000 bond against Spassky's nonappearance has already been met by the Soviet Chess Federation, the officials said.
Yugoslav chess officials said Tuesday they would definitely not set up the Fischer-Spassky championship match here.
The statement followed an announcement by FIDE, the International Chess Federation, that the U.S. Chess Federation had not given a final answer on a requested $35,000 guarantee that Fischer would appear in Belgrade.
The bond was set by Yugoslav authorities after American Bobby Fischer demanded a share in any profits organizers might accrue, in addition to the $138,500 prize money. He was turned down by both Belgrade and by Reykjavik, Iceland, the other match site.
The head of the United States Chess Federation, E.B. Edmondson, denied that his organization had failed to respond. He said it replied, turning down the demand for bond.
“Not only did we respond,” said Edmondson from the U.S. federation headquarters in Newburgh, N.Y., “we got a message from FIDE today acknowledging our response.”
Edmondson reiterated that the U.S. federation was neither wealthy nor government-supported and criticized what he called the breakdown in communications during the negotiations.
He asked why the Yugoslavs have not tried to talk to Fischer directly to avoid “this farce that has been going on for a couple of weeks.”
“It's foolish,” Edmondson said, “for the Yugoslav communications to go to FIDE, from FIDE to me, and from me to Mr. Fischer and then the whole thing repeated in reverse to reply.”
Edmondson said the U.S. federation's position on the bond was that Belgrade's demand for a guarantee was illegal. No such bond is provided for in FIDE regulations; it is contrary to any agreements so far governing the proposed match and contrary to Fischer's rights, he said.
Fischer and Spassky had agreed to March 20 to play the 24-game match, beginning in Belgrade June 22 and continuing in Reykjavik. Fischer announced eight days later he had changed his mind.
The second leg of the 24-game world title match was scheduled to begin Aug. 6 at Reykjavik, Iceland.
Times Colonist Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Thursday, April 13, 1972 - Page 7
Dispute Cancels Chess Match
Amsterdam (Reuter) — The world Chess Federation cancelled Thursday the world championship match in Belgrade between Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and the United States challenger Bobby Fischer after a long dispute with Fischer over financial terms.
Belgrade was to have been the site for the first half of the championship match from June 22 to July 8.
The second half was fixed for Reykjavik, Iceland.
Terms for the match were originally agreed on March 31, but Fischer was reported to have subsequently sought a larger financial share, including a share of television and film fees.
The Palm Beach Post West Palm Beach, Florida Thursday, April 13, 1972 - Page 120
Checkmate Thu, Apr 13, 1972 – Page 120 · The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Florida) · Newspapers.com
Checkmate
The agonizing moments of decision, the happiness of a superior tactical move, the sudden flush of realization that you've been out-maneuvered — it's all part of the chess tournament being held by the Boy's Clubs of Palm Beach County in conjunction with National Boys' Club Week. As young hands glide the fate of the delicate, polished bishops, pawns, knights, rooks, king and queen, young minds dream of becoming the new American grand master, the new Bobby Fischer.
Staff Photos by Pat Canova
Checkmate Thu, Apr 13, 1972 – Page 120 · The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Florida) · Newspapers.com
