ANew York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, April 27, 1972 - Page 04
Puerto Rico Offers To Be Host In Chess
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 26 (Reuters)—Puerto Rico has offered to be host for the chess match between the world champion, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, and his American challenger, Bobby Fischer. The International Chess Federation president, Dr. Max Euwe, announced the Puerto Rican offer here today.
Dr. Euwe said Puerto Rico's offer to stage a part or the whole of the contest was made in a telephone call to him while he was in Singapore recently.
The contest was to have been played in two stages, first in Belgrade beginning on June 22, and next in Reykjavik, Iceland. But after disagreements over fees and venues for the match, Yugoslavia announced two weeks ago it would not stage the first half in Belgrade.
Dr. Euwe, a former world champion, said today: “If it is impossible to hold the whole match in Europe, I will consider Puerto Rico.” He said he would make his decision when he returned to the Netherlands on Monday.
The Vancouver Sun Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Thursday, April 27, 1972 - Page 42
Puerto Rico Bids For World Chess Match
Kuala Lumper, Malaysia (Reuter) — Puerto Rico has offered to be host for the much-disputed chess match between world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and his American challenger, Bobby Fischer, Max Euwe, International Chess Federation president said here Wednesday.
Euwe said Puerto Rico's offer was made in a telephone call to him while he was in Singapore recently.
The contest was to have been played in two stages, first in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, beginning June 22, and next in Reykjavik, Iceland. But after disagreements over fees and venues for the match, Yugoslavia announced two weeks ago it would not stage the first half in Belgrade.
Euwe said Wednesday: “If it is impossible to hold the whole match in Europe, I will consider Puerto Rico.”
Meanwhile, in Sarnia, Ont., Phil Haley, president of the Chess Federation of Canada, said the Canadian group has resubmitted a bid made last year to hold the first 12 games of the match in Montreal, beginning before July 1.
He said in an interview that the Canadian federation had made the offer in writing to the International Chess Federation, but has received no answer.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, Tass reported today the Soviet Chess Federation insists the match must be held in Iceland.
Tass said the Soviet organization, speaking for the champion, had conveyed this to the federation in a telegram Wednesday.
“The Chess Federation of the USSR warns that it will not support the intentions of the president Max Euwe of Holland to arrange for another round of talks and search for a venue of the match,” Tass reported.
The Capital Annapolis, Maryland Thursday, April 27, 1972 - Page 4
Chess
Sir: Bobby Fischer is probably the strongest chess player in the world today—possibly the greatest player in the history of the game. Back in the 1950's, we played for the same team in New Jersey, Forry Laucks' Log Cabin Chess Club, so as an old “teammate” I feel compelled to counter some of the bad press he's received lately.
The newspapers have portrayed his on-again-off-again match with Boris Spassky for the world's championship as the antics of an eccentric, spoiled brat.
First, Fischer is no longer the child wonder. He is a man in his late twenties, approximately the same age as Spassky.
Second, Fischer knows exactly what he is doing. Several years ago, he withdrew from international competition, claiming the Russians were guilty of collusion. The press booed.
To understand Fischer's position, it should be understood that the Russians monopolized chess tournaments simply because there were more Russian top-ranked chess players than the rest of the world combined. This was not because Russians were innately better chess players. It was their national sport, such as baseball is our national sport. Therefore they had a bigger base from which gifted players could develop.
With a preponderance of Russians playing in a tournament, it was theoretically possible for the Russians to throw games to one of their leading players while playing their hearts out against the rest of the world. Fischer, who was a participant in several of these tournaments, spoke of it as more than a “possibility”. That the world body governing international tournaments eventually enacted procedures to prevent such possibilities is a justification and a tribute to Fischer's stand.
The basis for his current conduct is money. Last year, this marvel of the chess world, this champion of the highest cerebral arts, pulled in about $15,000. When you reflect how some biological freak cashes in on his 7-foot body for a $100,000 contract, or men become millionaires by knocking little white balls across the sward, it does seem shameful that Fischer should be so greedy.
The point is that chess masters have always been poorly rewarded. The Russians would prefer it this way. Their best players are on civil service, and if the poor remuneration discourages the rest of the world, so much the better.
Hopefully, Fischer will change this, too.
DICK HAEFNER
7 Southgate Ave. Annapolis
Orlando Evening Star Orlando, Florida Thursday, April 27, 1972 - Page 40
Chess Match Delay Irks Russians
MOSCOW (Reuter) — The Soviet Chess Federation today said American challenger Bobby Fischer should be deprived of the right to meet Boris Spassky, the Soviet world champion, because he did not obey international rules.
A telegram addressed to the International Chess Federation said that if Fischer was deprived of the challenge then a new challenger must be named according to the rules.
THE telegram, quoted by Tass news agency, attacked Fischer for his “caprices” and said an unprecedented situation in chess history had been created in which the challenger and not the champion dictated the terms.
The cable showed annoyance over the long wrangle about the site and terms of the match between Fischer and Spassky.
The Soviet is fulfilling predictions of Ken Smith, “…There is a move, especially in certain quarters, to replace Fischer…” ★ So, which rule did Fischer break? Name one. Made up rumors by Soviet that Fischer supposedly said he “would not play in Belgrade or Reykjavik”? A rumor which Robert Fischer disputed weeks before, reported in the April 05, 1972 NY Times clarification to FIDE, had every intention and “Ready to play.”
Rather strange the Soviet should whine about: “…unprecedented situation in chess history had been created in which the challenger and not the champion dictated the terms.”
Because, as Fischer himself later observes:
“…THE WORLD champion has the right to pick the site of the championships,” says Fischer.
“Spassky wasn't even there when the international governing body chose the site. A Russian [Soviet] delegation was there and they picked the site.” 🤔
The Times Munster, Indiana Sunday, July 02, 1972, “World Title Match in Secret”
Oakland Tribune Oakland, California Thursday, April 27, 1972 - Page 5
Soviet Rumor Mill: Soviets Insist on Iceland Chess Site
Moscow (AP) — The Soviet Chess Federation said today the world title match between Boris Spassky, the reigning champion, and Bobby Fischer, his American challenger, must be held in Reykjavik because Fischer (?)blocked a compromise decision(?) to hold the contest in Reykjavik and Belgrade. ([Edit: No, Belgrade did that, when it illegally demanded a 35k guarantee then withdrew from sponsorship!])
In a telegram to the International Chess Federation — (FIDE) — the Soviet group said:
“If FIDE safeguards the match organizers from Fischer's caprices, the contest may be held. If the American grand master does not accept unconditionally all FIDE demands he must be deprived of the rights to play this match. Then, according to rules, a new challenger must be named. ([True to Ken Smith's prediction that a small group of “old hands” were maneuvering to replace Fischer, outside the established rules of professional protocol of tournament chess conduct.)]
“The Chess Federation of the USSR warns that it will not support the intentions of the FIDE president to arrange another round of talks and search for a venue of the match.”
FIDE has asked each side to put up a guarantee of $35,000 ([illegal, and not in the agreement, so USCF's Edmondson refused)] to save the 24-game match. The Soviet Union agreed to put up the money, on condition the Americans did so as well. There still has been no financial guarantee from the American side.
Both Fischer and Spassky agreed March 20 that the match would begin in Belgrade June 22 and would be continued in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. The match was split up because the two grand masters could not agree on a single site.
But on March 28, Fischer rejected the arrangement because both Belgrade and Reykjavik turned down his demand for a share of any profits the organizers might make above the purse they put up ([And on April 05, 1972 in the New York Times in a report titled, “Fischer Announces He Is Ready to Play For the World Title.” Fischer sent a cablegram to FIDE apology for any misunderstanding and clarifying that his intent was indeed to play! yet Soviet correspondents continue to spread this false narrative that he 'refused to play in both Belgrade and Reykjavik over money.]) The purse was to have been $138,500 with 72½ per cent going to the winner, the rest to the loser.
The Windsor Star Windsor, Ontario, Canada Thursday, April 27, 1972 - Page 34
Canadians Now Enter Chess Bid
The world chess showdown between Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, the current champion, and challenger Bobby Fischer, could still come about.
Puerto Rico and Canada have both offered to host at least a portion of the 24-match series for the championship that was originally scheduled for Belgrade, Yugoslavia and Reykjavik, Iceland with 12 games to have been played in each city.
International Chess Federation president Max Euwe said from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Wednesday that Puerto Rico had offered to stage a part of the whole of the final in a telephone call to him while he was in Singapore recently. And Phil Haley, president of the Chess Federation of Canada, said from Sarnia that his group has resubmitted a bid made late last year to hold the initial 12 games in Montreal beginning before July 1.
Haley said that the Canadian federation has sent the offer to the International Chess Federation, but has received no answer.
He said he feels the Montreal bid has “probably a very good chance” of acceptance.
