AThe Morning Call Allentown, Pennsylvania Wednesday, April 12, 1972 - Page 25
Chess Match Called Off By Yugoslav Officials
Belgrade (AP) — 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 give a final answer on a requested $35,000 guarantee that Fischer would appear in Belgrade.
The bond was set by Yugoslav authorities after American grandmaster 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 American chess group said initially that it did not have $35,000 to put up. Soviet chess authorities, however, had agreed to furnish a similar bond to guarantee the appearance of its world champion, Boris Spassky.
A FIDE official said American chess authorities had not responded to a telegram 24 hours after he had asked for a final answer on the $35,000 bond.
Fischer and Spassky had agreed 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.
