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.
