ADetroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan Monday, April 17, 1972 - Page 28
Chess Match Homeless
Amsterdam — (AP) — The problem of where and if American challenger Bobby Fischer will meet titleholder Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union to settle the world championship of chess became even knottier Sunday.
The Netherlands chess federation turned down in advance a possible bid to host the first half of the 24-game match because it would cost too much and require too much time to organize. The match is to begin June 22.
And in Reykjavik, Iceland, where the second half of the match is to be held, chairman Gudmundur Thorarinsson of the Iceland federation said his group might withdraw as a site if the first half is played in the Netherlands. He said the contract would have to be changed in that case.
The trouble began when Belgrade, Yugoslavia, pulled out as host for the first 12 games of the match over a demand by Fischer for a share of the profits in addition to prize money of $138,500, and a refusal by the U.S. Chess Federation to post a cash bond guaranteeing Fischer's participation in the match.
Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, said in Australia this weekend that he probably would pick the Netherlands to replace Belgrade. He also said Australia was a possible site.
The Daily News Lebanon, Pennsylvania Monday, April 17, 1972 - Page 2
World Chess Matches Still Without Home
Amsterdam (UPI) — The first games of the world chess championship between Bobby Fischer of the United States and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union still were without a home today after officials in Amsterdam said they did not want to host the match.
Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation. had suggested that the first games be played in Amsterdam after the original Belgrade sponsors said they no longer were willing to organize the match.
But a Dutch Chess Federation spokesman said Sunday “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. Even if the sponsors could be found, it could not be guaranteed that Fischer and Spassky would agree to play in Amsterdam.”
The Belgrade sponsors backed out of the game arrangements after the American Chess Federation failed to put up a $35,000 guarantee that Fischer would play in Belgrade.
A similar guarantee for Spassky was provided by the Russians, the International Chess Federation said April 13 when the decision of the Belgrade sponsors was announced.
Agreement on the procedure for the 24-match series had been reached March 20 during a meeting in Amsterdam with representatives of the two players and the Soviet, American, Yugoslav and Icelandic federations.
The first 12 games would be played in Belgrade and the remaining 12 in Reykjavik. Belgrade and Reykjavik 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 the $35,000 guarantee.
After Belgrade backed out, Euwe, in Australia on a chess promoting trip, suggested Holland might be willing to take over the first 12 games.
Tyler 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.
