The Brattleboro Reformer Brattleboro, Vermont Thursday, February 03, 1972 Notable Words — He's older now, of course,...
Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Monday, December 21, 2020
Deseret News Salt Lake City, Utah Friday, February 04, 1972 - Page 16 — Let's Play Chess: Chess Match Dates Not Set by Harold Lundstrom — Robert (Bobby) Fischer, the American chess ace, has gone to Amsterdam for talks concerning the date and site of the world chess title match he will play later this year with world champion, Boris Spassky, of the USSR. Bobby was met at the Amsterdam airport by Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Dr. Euwe was world chess champion from 1935 to 1937. Fischer is accompanied by Ed Edmondson, his manager, and executive director of the USCF, Edmondson once played in a Utah State Tournament. Dr. Euwe has reported that Spassky had submitted a list of four cities where he wanted to play. Fischer has listed only two possible sites, and neither of these were on Spassky's list. Dr. Euwe said he expected Fischer to name two more cities that were agreeable to him, and he hoped one of these would be on Spassky's list. He did not say which cities were listed on the two lists. Bobby has said that he would prefer to play in the city that offered the biggest amount of prize money. Spassky has also said he would strongly take into account the climate of the site. Since the original bids were made, one of the clubs on the Las Vegas “strip” has offered $175,000 in prize money for the match.
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The Guardian London, Greater London, England Friday, February 04, 1972 - Page 5 — Stalemate For Chess Championships by Leonard Barden — Boris Spassky, the Russian world chess champion, and his American challenger, Bobby Fischer, are still undecided on the venue for their match for the title in June after an international auction among 15 countries or cities who wanted to stage the 24-game encounter, scheduled to last two months. Spassky wants the match to be held in Reykjavik, Amsterdam, Dortmund, or Paris, while Fischer's preferences are for Belgrade, Sarajevo, Buenos Aires, or Montreal. Ed Edmondson, president of the U.S. Chess Federation, flies to Moscow this week in a final effort to arrange a venue acceptable to both. Mr. Edmondson's trip will be made against a background of hectic bidding among city governments all eager for the prestige of staging the match. When the first round of sealed bids was opened last month, the prize money offered by the 15 contenders totalled 1¼ million dollars, or four times Muhammad Ali's purse against Juggen Blin. Belgrade, which has been the venue of many major chess events, offered 152,000 dollars, the last 2,000 being a lucky intuitive idea which put the Yugoslavs ahead of Buenos Aires; 150,000 dollars. Reykjavik, Sarajevo, Chicago, Bled and Dortmund were the next highest bidders. Dutch television broadcast the opening of the bids. The Icelandic dispatch was the heaviest, weighing four kilograms, with the financial offer accompanied by plans of Reykjavik and tourist information. Montreal sent a calligraphically lettered, bound volume to accentuate the solemnity of it all. The top offer from Belgrade was cautiously enclosed with no fewer than five seals which gave the World Chess Federation's president, Max Euwe, a sticky time as he opened it before the cameras. The Belgrade backers sent their offer in near the end so as to keep their lead over the other Yugoslav contenders, Sarajevo, Bled and Zagreb. The size of these offers surprised the chess world. Fischer, asked for his comments, said that they were “not bad” and “can do.” From Fischer, such words amount to almost ecstatic pleasure. After the official bidding closed, it was reported that Buenos Aires was considering a new offer of 200,000 dollars, while one of the leading Belgrade organizers flew to Moscow in a personal attempt to persuade Spassky to agree to Belgrade.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram Fort Worth, Texas Friday, February 04, 1972 - Page 32 — Fischer Look At Contest Site — Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — American chess champion Bobby Fischer arrived Thursday afternoon to look over Reykjavik as a possible site for his world championship contest with Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. Fischer and Edmund Edmondson, chairman of the U.S. Chess Federation, will hope a news conference with officials of the Icelandic Chess Federation on Friday. Edmondson is scheduled to fly to Moscow Saturday for talks with Spassky and officials of the Soviet Chess Federation. Spassky, the world champion, has placed Iceland first on his list of preferences for a site.
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New York Times, New York, New York Friday, February 04, 1972 - Page 28 — U.S. Chess Official Seeing Icelanders About Match — The Hague, Feb. 3 — The chairman of the American Chess Federation, Ed Edmondson, flew today from Amsterdam to Reykjavik to discuss with the Icelandic Chess Federation the site of the world champion- -ship chess match between Bobby Fischer of the United States and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. An official of the International Chess Federation said Mr. Edmondson would fly to Moscow later for discussions with the Soviet federation. Mr. Fischer also left Amsterdam this morning, but it was not clear whether he accompanied Mr. Edmondson. The contestants must agree on a site for the championship match by Feb. 10. If they cannot agree by then, the choice will be made by the president of the international federation, Dr. Max Euwe, the former Dutch world champion.
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Daily News New York, New York Sunday, February 06, 1972 - Page 298 — Fischer Idols at NYU Get It Off Their Chess by Froma Joselow — Not long ago, the college chess player was considered as square as the board he played on. Then along came 26-year-old chess star Bobby Fischer, and “checkmate” became a new slogan on campus. While Brooklyn-bred Fischer was scoring victories against grandmaster Tigran Petrosian, chess games sprouted in universities and colleges throughout the metropolitan area. New York University's student center and dormitories were no exception as senior Richard Block said, “They had chess games out in the hall and in the rooms.” “Prior to this year, if a student said to his friends “Hey, let's play chess,’ they probably wouldn't,” NYU senior Bob Nazarian said. “Now you're not just a weirdo sitting around playing chess. It's sort of a cool thing to do.” Sonny Kleinfeld, editor on the NYU student newspaper, said “I brought up a chess set one day to our office and we started playing. Others saw it and started playing.” The NYU senior added that “Bobby Fischer was doing well at the time—[illegible] that's why I brought it up.
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News-Journal Mansfield, Ohio Sunday, February 06, 1972 - Page 61 — This Week's Personality — Richard L. Adams … He flatly predicts American chess ace Bobby Fischer will win the world chess championship this year. The person he admires most is Howard R. Hughes, “because Hughes is a unique person; he's his own man.”
The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, February 06, 1972 - Page 109 — Fischer, Spassky Disagree on Match — Bobby Fischer of the U.S. and world chess champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union are to play a 24-game match for the title starting some time in June. This was assured when Fischer defeated former champion Tigran Petrosian, another Soviet grandmaster, in the final of a series of elimination matches. What is still undetermined is the site of the coming encounter. Each player was asked by Dr. Max Euwe of Holland, president of the International Chess Federation, to submit a list of choices based on bids for the match that were made by 12 different countries. Fischer's preferences in priority order were Belgrade, Yugoslavia; Sarajevo, Yugoslavia; Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montreal, Canada. Spassky named Iceland, Holland, W. Germany and France. Dr. Euwe has the authority to make a final decision, but would much prefer to have the principals negotiate an agreement. Getting nowhere after several long distance calls, he asked Fischer and Spassky to meet with him in Amsterdam. Both agreed to do so. Fischer flew to Amsterdam last weekend with Lt. Col. Edmund B. Edmondson, executive directory of the U.S. Chess Federation. Spassky did not show. Discussions evidently continued, however. The latest word at this writing is that Fischer flew to Reykjavik, Iceland, for a personal inspection of the playing area proposed.
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Daily News-Post Monrovia, California Monday, February 07, 1972 - Page 7 — Young Players Making Move by Shirley Gallina, Copley News Service — Chess may never replace baseball as one of America's favorite sports, but probably more people in all countries will follow the world champion games this spring than the World Series. And, for the first time in a generation, an American will be in a world championship game. Prime mover behind the tremendous upsurge of interest in chess is Bobby Fischer, the 28-year-old Brooklyn prodigy, who has qualified to meet the world champion, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. Fischer has done for chess what the American-Chinese table tennis match did for Ping-Pong. Since 1948, there has never been a world champion who hasn't been a Soviet citizen. Spassky, 34, has been champion since 1969. If Fischer beats Spassky, he will become the first American to hold the title in more than 100 years, and that's heady stuff for lesser American chess players. Not only that, many expect Fischer will capture the title. “It looks like Fischer will win,” says chess expert Stan Perry. Perry explains that chess players are rated along a scale reaching from 500 to 2,800 and Fischer's rating is 2,750. Fischer also is the idol of another player, Gary Kovalsky, a chess tournament player at the age of 8. He recently took a second-place prize in the Los Angeles County Scholastic Open Chess Championship.
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The Record Hackensack, New Jersey Monday, February 07, 1972 - Page 11 — Chess Advancing in Bergen, Thanks to Fischer's Victories by Nina Wood — When a 28-year-old high school dropout can win a crack at the world chess championship, well then, this game of chess deserves another look. The fame of Bobby Fischer, the first American to qualify for a try at the coveted title, has put a whole new perspective on the game of chess. Schools in Bergen County are teaching students to play chess, and department stores report an increase in the sale of more expensive sets. A salesman in the toys and games department of Bamberger's says he's noticed an increase in the sale of expensive chess sets—hand carved, silver-plated, and novelty designs. A sales in the sporting department at Gimbels says sales of more elaborate chess sets have rise 25 per cent. He said the store also sells a large number of inexpensive sets for beginners. Both men say people are probably buying expensive sets for ornament as well as practicality. They say the sets are often prominently displayed in homes. Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest began a course in chess for beginners Feb. 1. Woodcliff Lake schools have a chess club for students in Grades 6 to 8 and, after school, students join with their teacher to learn the intricacies of the game. At Quarles School in Englewood, 81-year-old Nathan Tenney, who learned to play chess in Russia when he was 5, teaches 9 to 10 year-olds the game two mornings a week, as part of a volunteer program. The Englewood Recreation Department is trying to form a chess club for anyone 18 and over. Two weekends ago, Closter had its first school tournament at the Village School, where children 11 to 13 meet once a week to play chess. Plans call for an annual tourney. Gary Fischer, 13, was tournament champion and Scot LeBolt, also 13, was runnerup. Club advisor Alexander Katzman has great hopes for the future of chess in young people's hands. “We hope someday to have our own Bobby Fischer,” he says.
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Austin American-Statesman Austin, Texas Monday, February 07, 1972 - Page 21 — Chess Site Talks Start In Russia — Moscow (AP) — The chairman of the U.S. Chess Federation opened negotiations today with the Soviet Chess Federation on a site for the world championship chess match between Boris Spassky, the Soviet title-holder, and contender Bobby Fischer of the United States. Chairman Ed Edmondson said a final decision would not be reached during his visit. “Even if we get a preliminary agreement the final decision must be reached by the players,” he said. Edmondson added that the results of his talks with the Russians would be relayed to Spassky and he will fill in Fischer when he returns to New York on Tuesday. Fischer has named Belgrade as his first choice for the match and Spassky has chosen Reykjavik. Each named three other cities as alternate sites. A decision must be made by midnight Thursday or the International Chess Federation will decide. Edmondson said after he reports to Fischer on the Moscow talks the Soviet and American federations will probably talk by telephone on Feb. 10 to reach agreement.
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The Orlando Sentinel Orlando, Florida Wednesday, February 09, 1972 - Page 35 — 2 Cities Win Chess Match — New York Times, Moscow — The Soviet Union announced Tuesday that Russian and American chess officials had reached agreement on the site of the world championship match between Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer, subject to approval by the two contenders. The decision if accepted by Spassky, the Soviet titleholder, and Fischer, the American challenger, is to be made public Thursday after Dr. Max Euwe of the Netherlands, president of the World Chess Federation, has been officially informed. TASS, the Soviet government press agency, indicated it would involve play in more than one site. There were indications that the compromise would include Belgrade or Buenos Aires, reputedly favored by Fischer, and Reykjavik, Iceland, the first choice of Spassky. All three cities happen to have submitted the highest cash bids for the match, and Fischer has said that he tended to prefer the highest bidders. The Soviet press has criticized him for making the size of the purse a criterion in site selection. According to Tass, agreement was reached Monday in a five-hour meeting between Col. Edmund Edmondson, executive director of the United States Chess Federation, and Viktor Baturinsky, secretary of the Soviet Chess Federation. A brief Tass dispatch Monday indicated that no final accord had been reached.
EDMONDSON arrived in Moscow by air late Sunday after having visited both Belgrade, which has offered the biggest prize money — $152,000, and Reykjavik, which submitted a $125,000 bid. Fischer accompanied the chess officials to both proposed sites, but no to Moscow. The Soviet press agency said Edmondson would discuss the decision with the American challenger after returning to New York later Tuesday, while the Soviet side would confer with Spassky. In case of mutual consent, final agreement is to be affirmed by cablegrams. Although Western newsmen could not learn details of the chess negotiations, and Edmondson could not be reached, the official Soviet press agency, by virtue of its position, was able to provide a detailed account of the discussion.
HINTING AT a compromise, the Tass dispatch said: “Although Edmondson and Baturinsky refused to tell newsmen their preliminary decision, judging by everything, including their pleased looks, the talks broke the deadlock. Now everything depends on how the adopted plan will suit Spassky and Fischer.” Buenos Aires, where Fischer defeated Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union in the final challenge round in the fall, has offered $150,000 for the championship match. The winner is to get 63.5 per cent and the loser 37.5 per cent.
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Asbury Park Press Asbury Park, New Jersey Wednesday, February 09, 1972 - Page 36 — Chess Site Choice Near Time Limit — New York (AP) — The chairman of the U.S. Chess Federation, Ed Edmondson, said yesterday Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky have until tomorrow to decide where they will play their match for the world chess championship. If the American challenger and the Soviet holder of the championship do not decide by 8 a.m. EST, tomorrow, Edmondson said, Max Euwe, head of the International Chess Federation, will choose the site. Euwe lives in the Netherlands, one of four places Spassky has listed as sites he considers suitable. The others are Iceland, France and Dortmund, West Germany. Fischer said he prefers a city in Yugoslavia, Buenos Aires, Argentina, or Montreal. The American won the right to challenge Spassky by beating former world champion Tigran Petrosyan of the Soviet Union at Buenos Aires last year. Edmondson returned yesterday from what he called “cordial discussions” of the problem with Viktor Baturinsky of the Soviet Chess Club in Moscow.
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The News Journal Wilmington, Delaware Wednesday, February 09, 1972 - Page 20 — Chess Match Site Choice Due — New York (UPI) — The World Federation of Chess will decide tomorrow where the world chess championship match between Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and Bobby Fischer of the United States will be held, if the two grandmasters have not reached a decision by that time. Fischer and Spassky have been arguing over the match site for several months. Spassky, defending world title holder, wants it held in Iceland, Holland, France or Germany. Fischer, the challenger, prefers Yugoslavia, Montreal or Buenos Aires. Col. Edward Edmondson, director of the U.S. Chess Federation said yesterday a binding site for the match would be made by Max Euwe, president of the World Federation.
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“…Edmonton denied reports out of Moscow by the New York Times and Tass news agency which said he and Soviet negotiator Victor Baturinsky had come to agreement on the site.”
The Vancouver Sun Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Wednesday, February 09, 1972 - Page 14 — Chess Talks Deadlocked — New York — A stalemate has been reached in negotiations for the site of the world chess championship match between U.S. grandmaster Bobby Fischer and defending champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. Ed Edmondson, executive director of the U.S. Chess Federation, said today the players could not agree on the site, and the decision is now up to Dr. Max Euwe, president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE). Euwe will choose the site Thursday. Several countries have bid for rights to host the 24-game match, but Edmondson said the choice has been narrowed to Reykjavik, Iceland and Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Fischer prefers Belgrade which bid $152,000, while Spassky is reported to prefer Reykjavik, whose bid was $125,000. Another top bidder was Buenos Aires, which bid $150,000. Edmonton denied reports out of Moscow by the New York Times and Tass news agency which said he and Soviet negotiator Victor Baturinsky had come to agreement on the site. He said neither player has made meaningful concessions, thus throwing the decision into Euwe's lap, as provided by FIDE regulations. The match is expected to begin in late June.
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The Signal Santa Clarita, California Wednesday, February 09, 1972 - Page 1 — Chess Comes To Valencia Valley: If You're Not a Grand Master Play Barefoot by Signal Staff Writer — For decades the Soviet Union has thoroughly dominated the world of chess. It is quite far to say that chess in Russia is what drag racing is to Los Angeles county. But, this year, a remarkable event will take place in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. A young American genius, Bobby Fischer by name, has challenged the Soviet's current world champion, Boris Spassky, to a series of matches to be played in April. Very possibly after the final critical game has been played the United States can claim the greatest of all living chess players in the world — if not of all time. Thus the ancient, but seemingly eternal game of chess, is entering into a Renaissance in American. And without question it will become an important element in the cultural life of Valencia Valley. And as its part in the attempt to turn the valley into at least the Paris of the chess world in the United States, the Signal has arranged to bring to its readers the magnificent column and game problems especially prepared by one of history's greatest International Chess Master, George Koltanowski. He is the world's champion blindfold player, a onetime Belgian diamond-cutter who, at the venerable age of 17 became the national champion of his country.
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Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois Wednesday, February 09, 1972 - Page 44 — Must Select Chess Site by Tomorrow — (Reuters) New York — THE TWO participants in the forthcoming international chess championship will have to choose the site for the matches by tomorrow or the International Chess Federation will designate a site, Col. Edmund Edmondson, executive director of the U.S. Chess Federation, said yesterday. The match involves American Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. Representatives of the two players have been negotiating for a match site. Edmondson said, “If they don't agree on a site by 2 p.m. [6 a.m. EST] Feb. 10, Amsterdam time, the selection will be made by Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation. His decision will be binding. There will be no appeal.” Edmondson said he would keep in constant touch with the situation during the next 48 hours as to whether the two players could reach a decision. The Soviet champion's selections were Iceland, Holland, France, or Dortmund, Germany. America's entry was for one of two Yugoslav cities or Buenos Aires or Montreal. The American Chess Federation executive made his remarks after returning from a trip to Yugoslavia, Holland, Iceland and Denmark, as well as the Soviet Union.
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Journal and Courier Lafayette, Indiana Friday, February 11, 1972 - Page 12 — Soviet Chess Group Accuses Fischer — Moscow (UPI) — The Soviet Chess Federation today accused Bobby Fischer and President Max Euwe of the World Chess Federation of misconduct in negotiations to set a place and date for the world championship chess match. The Soviets said they might, in protest, reject Euwe's choice of a site and date for the match between Fischer and world champion Boris Spassky of Russia. The Soviet federation called a news conference to comment on Fischer's rejection of a site —Reykjavik, Iceland — agreed upon in secret Moscow negotiations Feb. 7 between Soviet officials and Edmund B. Edmondson, executive director of the U.S. Chess Federation. They said Euwe had broken his own world federation rules in favor of Fischer by extending the deadline for submitting preferences on site and date when Fischer failed to observe it. After the Americans had submitted Fischer's list of preferred cities late, they said, Euwe extended the deadline another 10 days in hopes Fischer and Spassky could negotiate an agreement.
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The Lowell Sun Lowell, Massachusetts Friday, February 11, 1972 - Page 34 — Soviets Blame U.S. and FIDE in Chess Site Stalemate — Moscow (AP) — The Soviet Chess Federation charged today that the U.S. and International Chess Federations were responsible for the impasse in the choice of the site for the Spassky-Fischer world championship match. Dmitry V. Postnikov, the Soviet federation's president, told a news conference that the Russians had made an official protest, charging “nonobservance of the International Chess Federation's regulations and procedures.” Postnikov added that the Soviet side may not consider itself bound by a FIDE decision on the site match if, in their view, FIDE rules are further violated. FIDE stands for the International Chess Federation. Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, the current champion, and Bobby Fischer of the United States, the challenger, were unable to agree on a site for their match by the Feb. 10 deadline established by FIDE president Dr. Max Euwe. According to the international federation's rules, Euwe will now make the final decision on the match site.
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The Tennessean Nashville, Tennessee Friday, February 11, 1972 - Page 9 — Chess Tourney Site Up In Air — Amsterdam (UPI) — World Chess Champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and challenger Bobby Fischer of the United States have failed to meet the deadline for agreement on a location for the world championships, World Chess Federation President Max Euwe said yesterday. The original deadline set by the federation was Jan. 31 but Euwe extended it until yesterday hoping the parties could agree. By Jan. 31 the opponents had filed divergent preference lists. Fischer proposed two sites in Yugoslavia, Montreal or Buenos Aires. Spassky preferred Iceland, Holland, France or Germany. After the deadline was extended by 10 days, Col. Ed Edmondson, executive director of the U.S. Federation, went to Moscow to discuss the situation with Soviet chess officials. “I have just discussed the situation by telephone with Edmondson, who is back in New York, and it appears we are in serious trouble. In any case it will not be possible to announce the venue today,” Euwe said.
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The Morning News Wilmington, Delaware Friday, February 11, 1972 - Page 3 — Chess Masters Still Deliberate — Amsterdam (UPI) — World Chess champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and Challenger Bobby Fischer of the United States have failed to meet the deadline for agreement on a location for the world championships, World Chess Federation president Max Euwe said yesterday. The original deadline set by the federation was Jan. 31 but Euwe extended it until yesterday hoping the parties could agree. By Jan. 31 the opponents had filed divergent preference lists. Euwe said he still was studying “some possibilities” and would announce his decision on where the match will be played within the next few days. He said the match would probably start “around July 25.”
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The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Friday, February 11, 1972 - Page 5 — Stalemate — (AAP-Reuter) New York, Thursday, — Selection of a site for the world championship chess match between Bobby Fischer of the United States and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union may have to be made by the International Chess Federation. If no agreement between the players is reached today, the chairman of the federation, Mr. M. Euwe will make the choice.
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The Lincoln Star Lincoln, Nebraska Saturday, February 12, 1972 - Page 5 — Youth In Action: Chess Club Members Find Excitement In Competition by Milan Wall, Star Staff Writer — Leaders of an East High School club who admit they are members of an “ignored minority” still exhibit as much enthusiasm about their extra- curricular activity as their sports-minded counterparts. “We spend more time (at practice) than any football players,” said Roger Holmstedt, vice president of the East High chess club. “It's important to us,” added Mike Mathews, club president, “although most don't realize it.” The two chess enthusiasts do boast, however, that chess players won the five-year-old school's first state title in 1970 by capturing the Nebraska high school championship chess crown. And they say, thanks to Bobby Fischer, chess is emerging from its low profile to gain some popularity nationally. Fischer is the young American who has been lauded as a chance at the world crown.
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“They [the Soviets] have completely misunderstood our telegrams,”
The Guardian London, Greater London, England Saturday, February 12, 1972 - Page 2 — Champions Reach Stalemate by Leonard Barden — The simmering disagreement over the venue of this year's world chess title match between the Russian holder, Boris Spassky, and his American challenger, Bobby Fischer, erupted into a public squabble yesterday, when the Russian Chess Federation issued a statement criticising both Fischer and the International Chess Federation's president, Dr. Max Euwe, of Holland. The Russians accused Fischer of trying to impose conditions favourable only to himself. They also claimed that Dr. Euwe had violated his organization's ruling on a deadline for Soviet and American lists of acceptable sites. Earlier this week Colonel Edmondson, president of the American Chess Federation and Fischer's manager, flew to Moscow to discuss the venue with Victor Baturinsky, director of Moscow's Central Chess Club. They agreed that the match should be held in Reykjavik. The Icelandic capital was the top Russian choice with its cool climate favouring Spassky, while the Icelanders were also willing to grant a generous concession for television rights to make them comparable with the higher bids from Fischer's choice of the Yugoslav cities Belgrade and Sarajevo. When Colonel Edmondson returned to New York, Fischer, who had more than once claimed that the International Chess Federation is Communist-dominated, refused to play in Reykjavik. According to the rules, Dr. Euwe should now make the final choice on behalf of the world body, and International Chess Federation officials were at pains last night to rebut the Russian charges. “They have completely misunderstood our telegrams,” Mr. H.J.J. Slavekoorde, the Federation's secretary, told me from Amsterdam. The Russians were asked to send their list of preferred venues by January 27, the day Edmondson and Fischer were expected in Amsterdam. In fact the American arrived two days late, but the Russian choices were kept secret until Mr. Edmondson announced the American list. Dr. Euwe is expected to announced his final choice of venue this weekend “after a few inquiries.” In view of the suspicions and distrust between Fischer and the Russian officials, there could still be some arguments to come before Fischer, who is widely tipped to capture the title from Spassky, pushes his king's pawn forward into action.
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The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Saturday, February 12, 1972 - Page 12 — Chess World Hit by Flap on Match Site by Murray Seeger, Times Staff Writer — Moscow — It appears that Americans and Russians can negotiate such things as agreements on health research (signed Friday), rights for Berlin and perhaps even a limit on strategic arms development. But chess? Nyet. Or at least not yet. Five leading members of the important and large Chess Federation of the Soviet Union called a press conference Friday to charge that agreements negotiated with both the International Chess Federation and the U.S. Chess Federation over the site for the world chess championship match had been violated. The Soviet chess experts were upset because they had just learned that the American challenger for the world title, Robert (Bobby) Fischer had rejected Reykjavik, Iceland, as the site and June 25 as the date for the match.
Russian Agrees Both these details had been agreed to by Boris Spassky of Russia, the long-time reigning champion. The Icelandic city had been agreed to also as the location in talks here Wednesday between Viktor Baturinsky, director of the prestigious Central Chess Club, and Col. Edmund Edmondson, director of the U.S. Chess Federation. It was one of the four cities nominated for the match by Spassky who insists the play be held in the “moderate climate zone” like his native city of Leningrad. His other proposed sites were Dortmund, Germany; Amsterdam and Paris. Fischer suggested five cities—Belgrade or Sarajevo, Yugoslavia; Chicago, Montreal or Buenos Aires. (Gannett News Service)
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Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois Saturday, February 12, 1972 - Page 60 — Fischer Reneged on Iceland Tourney, Soviet Chess United Says by James Yuenger, Chief of Moscow Bureau —Moscow, Feb. 11 — The Soviet Chess Federation today accused American Bobby Fischer of reneging on an agreement to play Boris Spassky of the U.S.S.R. for the World Chess Championship beginning June 25 in Reykjavik, Iceland. It was the first disclosure that Reykjavik, with an offer of $125,000, had won the spirited bidding to sponsor the match. It still is uncertain whether Fischer and Spassky will, in fact, player there. Spassky, current world champion, had listed Reykjavik as one of four cities acceptable to him. Others were Amsterdam, Paris and Dortmund, Germany. He specified that he wanted to play in a moderate climate. Fischer had proposed Chicago, Buenos Aires, Montreal, and Belgrade and Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. The Russians claimed among other things that Chicago's $100,000 bid had missed the deadline set by the International Chess Federation. In an official protest, the Russians also charge that Max Euwe, head of the international federation, had permitted the American challenger to violate rules established for arranging the match.
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The Baltimore Sun Baltimore, Maryland Saturday, February 12, 1972 - Page 1 — Stubborn Fischer Vexes Russians by Dean Mills, Moscow Bureau of The Sun — Moscow —The Soviet-American battle for the chess championship of the world is months away, but the Russians began fighting yesterday, charging both the Americans and the International Chess Federation with foul play in the selection of a site for the match. Soviet chess officials demanded that the international body choose the location from among the four choices submitted by the world champion, Boris Spassky of Russia. His choices were Reykjavik, Iceland, Amsterdam; Paris or Dortmund, West Germany. They argued that the American challenger, Bobby Fischer, had lost his right to a say in the matter by failing to submit his list of choices until four days after the January 27 deadline agreed upon by both sides.
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Star-Phoenix Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Saturday, February 12, 1972 - Page 2 — Chess Moves — Moscow (Reuter) — The Soviet Chess Federation accused United States grandmaster Bobby Fischer Friday of trying to impose conditions favorable only to himself on his world title match against reigning champion Boris Spassky of Russia. In a statement issued here, the Soviet body also lodged an official protest with the World Chess Federation over its handling of the choice for the site of the match. Soviet chess officials learned Wednesday, it said, that the 28-year-old Fished has rejected a proposal to meet Spassky in Reykjavik, Iceland June 25, despite a preliminary agreement.
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The Bangor Daily News Bangor, Maine Sunday, February 13, 1972 - Page 21 — Chess — The United States Chess Federation has recently released its latest rating report, a listing of all the active tournament players in the country. To no one's surprise, Bobby Fischer heads the list, but his rating is an astounding 2825 points. A few players who try hard bring up the rear of the list with about 500 points. The rest of us, Grandmaster or Grand patzer, are somewhere between these extremes. The lowest classification on this scale is Class E, below 1200 points. Then there are divisions every 200 points: D (1200-1399), C (1400-1599), B (1600-1799), and A (1800-1999). Above Class A are Experts and 3 classes of Masters. Naturally, there are fewer and fewer players on each step toward the top. In general, if players are separated by 200 points on this list, i.e., by about a class, the higher rated player should win about 3 games out of 4 from the lower. Opponents within 100 points of each other are pretty well matched. Class C is average strength for tournament player, and tournament players are generally a class or two stronger than those who play the game only socially. […] These excellent ratings locally, however, are puny next to Fischer's incredible 2825, which indicates that he could toy with us as we could with a raw beginner. In the history of chess, only three other players, all World Champions, have ever reached even 2700 points. Emmanuel Lasker, Capablanca, and Botvinnik all peaked at about 2730, which means Fischer's current performance is about half a class better than their best!
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The Courier Waterloo, Iowa Sunday, February 13, 1972 - Page 15 — Chess Group Open House Set Thursday — An open house will be conducted for chess players of the Waterloo area … There will be an opportunity to play chess for fun. Likewise, those who wish may play serious chess to prepare for participation in the Cedar Valley Chess Club championship tournament Feb. 26 and 27. … An experienced chess player will be on hand to answer questions about the tournament and recommend books to be studied by those players who are seeking to improve their game. Scores of some of the games played recently by Bobby Fischer, the United States Grand Master who is the 1972 challenger for the title of the world chess champion, will be available for replay and analysis …
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The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, February 13, 1972 - Page 113 — Fischer Exhibition — Bobby Fischer went on an exhibition tour of Argentina last November after defeating Tigran Petrosian in their match in Buenos Aires. One of his stops was Tucuman, where the Pan American Team Tournament was taking place. Fischer appearance created at least as much excitement as the proceedings at the team matches and the accompanying congress. In the simultaneous exhibition Fischer took on 20 opponents in easy going style, winning 17 games, drawing one and losing two, to Jose Rubinstein and Adolfo Rodriguez. Following is the game with Rubinstein…
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The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Sunday, February 13, 1972 - Page 25 — Chess Title Wrangle — Moscow, Saturday.—The Soviet Chess Federation today criticized American Grandmaster Bobby Fischer and the World Chess Federation. It accused Fischer of trying to impose conditions favourable to himself for his world title match against Soviet champion Boris Spassky. It also protested to the federation at its handling of the choice of venue. It said Fischer had rejected a proposal that he meet Spassky in Reykjavik, despite an agreement signed two days earlier by a U.S. Chess Federation representative, Colonel Edmund Edmondson. The Dutch president of the World Federation, Dr. Max Euwe, was accused of violating his organization's ruling on a deadline for Soviet and American lists of acceptable sites. The Russians said Spassky wanted the final played in a European country with a mild climate, but Fischer had named only one European country—Yugoslavia—which Spassky is known to consider too hot. The Belgrade Chess Association is reported to have offered $128,500 in prize money to have the match there. Sarajevo bid $96,500. The first game is expected to be played about July 25.
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Daily News New York, New York Tuesday, February 15, 1972 - Page 117 — Chess Match Site Is Chosen — Amsterdam Feb. 14 (UPI) The site and date for the world chess championship title match will be announced tomorrow, Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, said today. Euwe refused to specify whether the decision on the site was the result of an agreement between American challenger Bobby Fischer and Soviet Boris Spassky, the titleholder. Euwe said last week that if the two could not compromise on a site, he would choose for them.
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New York Times, New York, New York Tuesday, February 15, 1972 - Page 30 — Two Sites Chosen For Title Chess — Fischer Will Oppose Spassky in Belgrade and Reykjavik — Dr. Max Euwe of the Netherlands, president of the International Chess Federation, announced yesterday that the world championship match in which Bobby Fischer of the United States will oppose the defending champion, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, would be played partly in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and partly in Reykjavik, Iceland. According to his ruling, announced in Amsterdam, play would start in Belgrade not later than June 25 and would shift to Iceland after the first 12 games of the 24-game match. Fischer refused to comment last night on Dr. Euwe's ruling, which was made after the sides each had designated four favored match sites without finding common ground. Belgrade, Fischer's first choice, made the highest bid for the match, $152,000, to be divided five-eighths to the winner and three-eights to the loser. Reykjavik, Spassky's first choice, bid $125,000, and the total at stake will therefore be a midway figure, $138,500. Spassky's choices seemed directed to obtaining climatic conditions comparable to his native Leningrad, and his alternative choices were in the Netherlands, France and Germany. Fischer's other selections were Montreal, Buenos Aires and another Yugoslav city, Sarajevo. The conditions originally laid down provided for one veto by each side of Dr. Euwe's ruling. However, the Soviet officials did not submit a full list of 15 match sites in order. They said instead that all but their nominated four sites were unacceptable. In the opinion of Dr. Euwe this was an exercise of the Soviet veto and no further veto power would be permitted. However, the Russians implied in a press release last week that they might not accept the World Chess Federation decision.
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The Evening Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, Tuesday, February 15, 1972 - Page 4 — Iceland, Yugoslavia Chess Match Sites — Amsterdam (AP)—Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky will decide the world chess championship in a 24-game match divided between Reykjavik, Iceland and Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Professor Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, made the announcement Monday. Euwe said they made the decision on the locations because the players could not agree on a site. The first 12 games between the American challenger and the Soviet titleholder will be played in Belgrade beginning no later than June 25. The final 12 will be played in Reykjavik. Fischer preferred Belgrade and Spassky wanted Reykjavik. Belgrade made the top offer of $152,000 to stage the match. Organizers there said they expect to put up half the amount. However they added that they plan to contact Reykjavik as soon as possible to work out the issue.
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Tampa Bay Times St. Petersburg, Florida Tuesday, February 15, 1972 - Page 29 — Chess: A Tale of Two Cities — Amsterdam (UPI) — Max Euwe, president of the World Chess Federation, announced Monday the world title match between Russia's Boris Spassky and the United States' Bobby Fischer will be held both in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and Reykjavik, Iceland. Euwe, in a sort of Solomon's decision, took the first choices of each of the players and awarded each city half the games in the 24-game title match. Belgrade will have the first 12 games. Euwe said the championships should not start later than June 25, but he added he would agree if they started a few days earlier. He said the players might need extra rest because they have to play in two countries. Belgrade has topped the list submitted by the 28-year-old challenger, Fischer. Reykjavik was the first choice of Spassky.
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Daily News New York, New York Tuesday, February 15, 1972 - Page 156 — Chess Series Set in Iceland & Yugoslavia — Amsterdam, Feb. 14 (UPI) — Max Euwe, president of the World Chess Federation, announced today that the world title match between the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer of the United States will be held both in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and Reykjavik, Iceland. Euwe, in a compromise decision, took the first choices of each of the players and awarded each city half the games in the 24-game title match. Belgrade will be the scene of the first 12 games.
Need for Extra Rest Euwe said the championship match should not start later than June 25, but he added that he would agree to their starting several days earlier. He said the players might need extra rest because they have to play in two cities. The decision ended two weeks of confusion over the site of the match. The location was to have been decided Jan. 31, but the preference lists submitted by each player did not coincide. Belgrade had topped the list submitted by Fischer, the 28-year-old challenger. Reykjavik was the first choice of Spassky.
Tie Enough for Spassky The match will not get to Reykjavik in the unlikely event that Spassky wins all of the first 12 games. In the case of a tie, Spassky retains his title. Fischer needs 12½ points to gain the title. The communique noted that Belgrade had offered a prize fund of $150,000. Chess experts said the total prize money probably would be half of each—$137,500. The prize money is expected to be split two thirds for the winner and one third for the loser.
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The Journal Herald Dayton, Ohio Tuesday, February 15, 1972 - Page 3 — Chess Bout To Be Held In 2 Cities — Amsterdam (UPI) — Max Euwe, president of the World Chess Federation, announced two sites yesterday for the world title match between the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer of the United States. Both Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and Reykjavik, Iceland, were selected. Euwe, in a compromise decision, took the first choices of each of the players and awarded each city half the games in the 24-game title match. Belgrade will be the scene of the first 12 games. Euwe said the championship match should not start later than June 25, but he added in a communique he would agree if they started several days earlier. He said the players might need extra rest because they have to play in two cities. Belgrade had topped the list submitted by Fischer, the 28-year-old challenger. Reykjavik was the first choice of Spassky. The match will not get to Reykjavik if Spassky wins all first 12 games. In the case of a tie, Spassky retains his title. Fischer needs 12½ points to gain the title. Euwe noted that Yugoslavia had offered a prize fund of $150,000 while Iceland had offered $125,000. Chess experts said the total prize money probably would be half of each — $137,500. The prize money is expected to be split two-thirds for the winner and one-third for the loser. Fischer earned his challenge to the title by trouncing his three opponents in the candidates' tournament in Buenos Aires last summer. He defeated Mark Taimanov of the Soviet Union, and Bent Larsen of Denmark by unprecedented 6-0 scores. In the final challenger round he beat former world champion Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union, 6½ points to 2½.
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The Des Moines Register Des Moines, Iowa Tuesday, February 15, 1972 - Page 7 — Sites Established For Chess Title — Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Reuter) — Dr. Max Euwe, Dutch president of the International Chess Federation, has ruled that the world title match between America's Bobby Fischer and the Russian title-holder, Boris Spassky, will be divided between Belgrade and Reykjavik. The first 12 games would be played in Belgrade and the match would then switch to Reykjavik. Dr. Euwe's ruling follows a deadlock between the players. Fischer did not include Reykjavik in his suggested list of sites and Spassky did not list Belgrade. The first match will begin no later than June 25, Dr. Euwe ruled.
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The Atlanta Constitution Atlanta, Georgia Wednesday, February 16, 1972 - Page 4 — Cooling It? — Bobby Fischer, America's chess genius, is very cool toward the Russians who have dominated international chess tournaments for several decades. Things aren't likely to warm up any when he meets Russian master Boris Spassky. Twelve games will be played in Yugoslavia, where the Russians aren't too popular. But the final 12 games will be played in Reykjavik, Iceland, a site Spassky picked possibly in the hope of cooling off Fischer's spectacular hot streak in master chess competition.
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The Windsor Star Windsor, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, February 16, 1972 - Page 30 — Quality is Counting by Jack Dulmage, Sports Editor —THE NEXT EXALTED confrontation between mercenaries of the state and slaves of the dollar is to occur in June between a Russian Boris Spassky, and an American Bobby Fischer. This isn't quite up to the Cuban crisis, the Berlin Wall or the Vietnam war, but as a bloodless engagement between the forces of communism and capitalism, it should do pretty well. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation and a onetime world champion, has ruled that the first half of the best of 24 game world championship match will be played in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, the second half or what remains of it in Reykjavik, Iceland.
EUWE SIMPLY DIVIDED the first site preferences of the combatants. Spassky had sought Iceland, Holland, West Germany and France in that order. Fischer had sought Belgrade, Sarajevo, Buenos Aires and Canada (Montreal) in that order. There are several reasons why this match will attract more world attention than anything that has previously occurred in chess. And chess goes back a little — more than 1,400 years anyway. For one, no American has ever been world champion. In fact, no American attained the final challenging round until Fischer knocked off Tigran Petrosian last October. Paul Morphy, an American, was ranked the best of his time — he was United States champion from 1852 to 1862 — but that was prior to the start of recognition of official world champions which began in 1866 with Wilhelm Steinitz of Austria. Morphy sort of faded away after his 10-year American reign. Fischer of Brooklyn, son of European born parents, is 28 and was a child genius. He won the U.S. championship at the age of 14. He has held it three different times including the present for a total of nine years.
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The Baltimore Sun Baltimore, Maryland Wednesday, February 16, 1972 - Page 10 — Of Chess Players and Diplomats — In Sapporo, Avery Brundage cast a wary eye over the purity of amateur athletes competing in the Olympics. In Baltimore, Governor Mandel and Mayor Schaefer dangled an opulent stadium complex before the city's restless professionals. But in Amsterdam, the International Chess Federation was having troubles of its own. Bobby Fischer, United States grand master, and Boris Spassky, the Russian world champion, couldn't get together on an agreeable site for this summer's title match. Mr. Fischer, acting more like Carroll Rosenbloom than Avery Brundage, wanted Belgrade. The simple reason: The Yugoslavs had offered more prize money, $152,000. Mr. Spassky, on the other hand, was applying cold Russian logic and demanding Reykjavik, Iceland. He had no intention of spending the tortuous 24-game match over a hot Adriatic chessboard. Charges and counter-charges strained diplomatic patience. Russian negotiators cried foul even before the first white pawn had been moved. It looked like another item to be added to the Nixon agenda for pending talks with the Kremlin. Finally, Dr. Max Euwe, president of the chess federation, came up with a solution. Twelve games will be played in Belgrade, and 12 in Reykjavik. Though he probably never will win a Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Euwe nevertheless demonstrated the chess player's cool and amazing skill for seizing the option. We congratulate him. And now, chess fans, we can all happily return to the more important question of who shall it be. Fischer or Spassky?
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The Herald-News Passaic, New Jersey Wednesday, February 16, 1972 - Page 3 — Iceland Seeks Chess Details — Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — The president of the Icelandic Chess Federation expressed surprise yesterday at the decision to hold the Spassky-Fischer world championship match in both Reykjavik and Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Gudmundur Thorarinsson said Iceland was not fully consulted and planned to seek clarification of the terms under which the match will be split. The International Chess Federation in Amsterdam announced Monday that Soviet titleholder Boris Spassky and American challenger Bobby Fischer will play the first 12 games in Belgrade and the final 12 in Reykjavik. Thorarinsson said an agreement between the two cities must be reached on how to split costs and payment of the winner's purse. Iceland will take a gamble in hosting the second half of the contest because the match could be decided in Belgrade, he said. The match was divided because the players could not agree on a location for the match, set to begin no later than June 25. Spassky wanted Reykjavik and Fischer favored Belgrade.
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The Berkshire Eagle Pittsfield, Massachusetts Friday, February 18, 1972 - Page 16 — A Mighty Stalemate in the Chess World — A stalemate in chess occurs when a player cannot move any piece except his king and cannot move his king without putting it in check, the result being a draw. A stalemate in setting up a site for a world chess championship match occurs when our king, Bobby Fischer, and their king, Boris Spassky, cannot agree on which city should have the honor. Honor doesn't have too much to do with it because Fischer has made it plain that the honor should go to whichever city guarantees the most money for the players—five-eighths to the winner and three-eighths to the loser. Belgrade, Yugoslavia, came up with the highest bid, $152,000, a good move as far as Fischer was concerned, but Spassky held out for Reykjavik, Iceland, which had offered a mere $125,000. It seemed that the Russian defender is as interested in playing in a climate closest to his native steppe, Leningrad, as he is in the rubles. In order to get things moving again, the International Chess Federation has ruled that the match, scheduled to start in June, will be split between Belgrade and Reykjavik, 12 games in Yugoslavia and whatever is needed of the other 12 in Iceland. Splitting the difference in the bids brings the figure to $138,500, which is better than a fool's mate. However, neither party has indicated whether or not this move is acceptable. There are the pawns of Montreal, Buenos Aires, Sarajevo, Amsterdam, Paris and Dusseldorf still on the board. Fischer is brooding in his castle and the Russians are looking for rookery. It could be that when the match does come off, it will be anti-climactic.
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The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Friday, February 18, 1972 - Page 6 — Next Move — Thanks to binding arbitration, a small international problem has been settled and the most exciting world championship chess match since the Second World War can proceed. The problem was where Boris Spassky of the USSR, the current title holder, preferred Reykjavik. Bobby Fischer, the prickly, monomanic [#AutismAwareness] U.S. challenger, wanted Belgrade (it had offered to put up the most money). Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, has decided with Solomonic logic to hold the first 12 games of the 24-game match in Yugoslavia and the last 12 in Iceland. The world chess title is now defended once every three years. What generates especial excitement this year is Fischer, the first non-Soviet challenger since the death of Alekhine — and he was an expatriate Russian — in 1946. Some Canadians find it incredible, but Fischer's record in his field probably surpasses that of, say, Bobby Orr in hockey or Willie Mays in baseball. Around the world he is much better known, and like the others, his presence in a game generates an electric tension. And so, not later than June 25, the contest will be on. The exact date has not yet been set, but thanks to the arbitrator, the sticking point has been passed. It is too bad this technique cannot be applied to larger international difficulties.
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The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake City, Utah Saturday, February 19, 1972 - Page 4 — Russian Group Protests Sites for Chess Matches — Moscow (AP) — The Soviet Chess Federation has protested the selection of two cities as host to the world championship chess match between the Russian titleholder, Boris Spassky, and the American challenger, Bobby Fischer, Tass said Friday night. The official news agency said the federation lodged the protest with Prof. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), who lives in Amsterdam. To settle an impasse on the site for the match, Euwe announced Feb. 14 that both Reykjavik, Iceland, and Belgrade, Yugoslavia, would play host to the 24-game match. Euwe said in a communique the first 12 games would be played in Belgrade and the other 12 in Reykjavik.
No Possibility Spassky had listed Reykjavik as his first choice and Fischer had listed Belgrade. Euwe said he was forced to split the match between two cities because there was no possibility the men could agree on a single compromise city. “To hold the match in two cities is against the rules of the International Chess Federation,” Tass claimed. In view of this, the agency said, “the Soviet Chess Federation on Feb. 17 lodged a protest with Mr. Euwe and reaffirmed its position expressed in the statement of the USSR Chess Federation at a Moscow press conference” Feb. 11. The president of the Soviet federation, Dmitry V. Postnikov, said at a news conference the Soviets had protested previous “nonobservance” of FIDE “regulations and procedures.”
Belgrade Too Hot He added that the Soviet side would not consider itself bound by a FIDE decision on the match site if, in their view, the federation's rules were further violated. Soviet chess officials have said Belgrade is not suitable because of the hot climate.
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The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Saturday, February 19, 1972 - Page 16 — Checkmate or Stalemate? — American chess champion Bobby Fischer and defending world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union were unable to agree on a site for their world title match so the International Chess Federation has ruled that the first half of the match will be in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, which was Mr. Fischer's choice, and the second half in Reykjavik, Iceland, Mr. Spassky's selection. No doubt the next phase of negotiations will be on the shape of the board.
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The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, February 20, 1972 - Page 212 — Chess Site for THE Match to be Split in Two by Harold Dondis — The site of the Match of the Millennium — Spassky vs. Fischer — will be a split affair when it gets underway on June 25. The first 12 games will be held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and the second 12 in Reykjavik, Iceland. The World Chess Federation made the final decision, when the contestants could not agree. Choice was among Belgrade, Sarajevo, Reykjavik, New Amsterdam in Holland, and Paris. Fischer favored the high bidders, whereas the Russians want a northern site, on the theory that the climate is best for Spassky. Some, however, suspect that the Russians were hoping for Iceland, in order to play down publicity surrounding the match. Fischer will go into seclusion, beginning about March 1, to study for the match. He will settle down in quarters, probably in suburban New York or Los Angeles, where he can have peace and quiet but yet be near a city where he can wander about; and he must be handy to tennis courts. Fischer now, it appears, never thought he was in danger during the Petrosian match, even when the score was drawn. He had a bad cold and figured he would win when the cold subsided. Nor does Fischer agree, as some analysts say, that Petrosian had the better of the openings in those tense days when Petrosian was holding his own. Our choice: Fischer over Spassky by 5 points.
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The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, February 20, 1972 - Page 58 — The King's Men: Yugoslavia, Iceland Get Chess Match by Merrill Dowden — The big news for which chess players throughout the world have been waiting is now out, and it's official. Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, has announced in Amsterdam that American grandmaster Bobby Fischer will meet the reigning world champion, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, in a 24-game match. The first 12 games will be played in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and the second 12 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Dr. Euwe said the match must begin no later than June 25. Belgrade has offered the biggest prize money for the title match—$152,000—and Reykjavik's bid of $125,000 was third highest. Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Fischer defeated former world champion Tigran Petrosian of Russia in the final challenge round last fall, had offered $150,000 for the most heralded confrontation in the history of the royal game. The winner is to get 62.5 per cent of the purse and the loser, 37.5 per cent. According to Tass, the Soviet Government press agency, agreement was reached in a five-hour meeting February 8 between Colonel Edmund Edmondson, executive director of the United States Chess Federation, and Victor Baturinsky, secretary of the Soviet Chess Federation. However, formal announcement of the agreement was held up until Fischer and Spassky could be consulted. It is possible, of course, that the match will not go to the scheduled 24 rounds. The first player to score 12½ points will be world champion. Fischer visited both the selected sites with Edmondson, but did not accompany him to Moscow. Fischer had named Belgrade as his first choice, and Spassky had favored Reykjavik.
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The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, February 20, 1972 - Page 81 — Fischer vs. Spassky: A Classic in Slow Motion by Harold Kaese — The Boston Chess Studio on Newbury Street has eight tables for playing. All were filled Friday afternoon. The action was slow, but strategious. By the end of Summer, the Studio may need more tables—many more. The Fischer-Spassky match is coming, the chess Match of the Century, the Super Match, the World Series of the checkmate. Challenger: Bobby Fischer, 28, Brooklyn-bred, aggressive, daring, frequently accused of being offensive (by offensive people). Champion: Boris Spassky, 35, an attack become conservative, genial, popular, three years on top. Russian chess players are better than Russian Olympic hockey players. Seven different Russians have held the world title consecutively since 1948. An American has never held it, since it was officially created in 1866, although Paul Morphy (1837-84) was preeminent. But London bookmakers have made Fischer a 5-4 favorite.
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The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, February 20, 1972 - Page 127 — Chess by Isaac Kashdan: Match In Belgrade And Reykjavik — The match for the world chess championship between titleholder Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and American ace Bobby Fischer will start in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, on Sunday, June 25. The first 12 games of the match will be played in Belgrade, according to the announcement made Monday by Dr. Max Euwe of Amsterdam, president of the International Chess Federation. The remainder of the match, which is for the best of 24 games, will be played in Reykjavik, Iceland. Dr. Euwe made the decision because of an impasse between the two principals, who could not agree on a site. Belgrade had been Fischer's first choice. Spassky had preferred Reykjavik, and had stated he would not play in Yugoslavia. From a financial standpoint Belgrade had made the best bid, with a purse of $152,000, to go 62½% to the winner and 37½ to the loser. Next in order were $150,000 by Argentina and $125,000 by Iceland. Fischer will need a minimum of 12½ points to win the championship. Spassky would retain the title in the event of a tie at 12 points each.
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Sports Illustrated February 26, 1972 - Page 10 — The Fischer-Spassky Go — When Bobby Fischer bombed Tigran Petrosian off the chessboard last fall and earned the right to meet Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union for the world championship, interest in chess soared. In the past, the Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) would have routinely announced a neutral site where the championship would be played, and the story would have appeared as a one-inch item somewhere near the bottom of page 23 in your local newspaper. But with B. Fischer around things are different. This time 15 cities from 12 countries bid for the privilege of staging the 24-game match, and by chess standards the bids were astronomical. For instance, Reykjavik, Iceland, offered $125,000, and Belgrade, Yugoslavia, the highest bidder, came in with $152,000 ($95,000 for the winner, $57,000 for the loser). But the final selection was not just a matter of money, for chess players, a sensitive lot, have very definite ideas on where they will or will not play. Spassky liked Reykjavik; Fischer did not. Under FIDE regulations, each side had to submit a list of acceptable places by a date late in January. Total stalemate. The Russians claimed the Americans did not file by deadline; the Americans said the deadline was later than the Russians said it was. In any event, they failed to come up with a mutually acceptable city. The decision was then up to Dr. Max Euwe, president of FIDE. Euwe pondered and announced a compromise: the first 12 games would be in Belgrade, the last 12 in Reykjavik. A decision worthy of a Solomon, except that neither Fischer nor the Russians accepted it. The Russians protested that Dr. Euwe had violated FIDE rules. Fischer was incommunicado. There, last week, the matter uneasily rested. Some observers suggested that the Russians, unnerved by Fischer's resounding triumphs, would just as soon Spassky avoided him entirely. Others held that the entire affair was a sort of pre-chess game, with moves and countermoves designed to psych the other side. Non-chess fans could not help but feel that it was all beginning to sound like the publicity buildup for an Ali-Frazier fight.
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The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday, February 26, 1972 - Page 50 — Championship Match Set — With the two principals in the world championship match champion Boris Spassky, USSR, and challenger Bobby Fischer USA unable to reach mutual agreement as to the site, FIDE president, Dr. Max Euwe has succeeded in effecting a compromise by splitting the match between Iceland and Yugoslavia. These were the first preferences of each in their original lists.
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The Ottawa Journal Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Saturday, February 26, 1972 - Page 36 — Chess: Wisdom Of Solomon by D.M. LeDain — Unable to reach agreement as to the selection of the site for the 1972 world championship match, the two principals, champion Boris Spassky, USSR, and challenger Bobby Fischer, U.S.A., had to turn the problem over to Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, for solution. Obviously there is more than money involved. Earlier the players had been asked to select in order their four preferences among the countries bidding. Spassky selected Iceland ($125,000); Holland ($80,000); West Germany ($92,000); France ($50,000). Fischer preferred Yugoslavia ($152,000); Chicago ($100,000); Argentina ($150,000); Montreal, Canada, ($75,000). With the probable reluctance of all concerned, Dr. Euwe decided in favor of splitting the match between Iceland and Yugoslavia, the top preferences of each. The meeting was in the Hilton Hotel, Amsterdam. Fischer was backed by Colonel Ed Edmondson, official of the USACF, who earlier had presented Fischer with a cheque for $5,000, in the name of the Federation, for his victory over Petrosian in the final of the Challenger's match tourney at Buenos Aires.
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The Salina Journal Salina, Kansas Sunday, February 27, 1972 - Page 14 — Chess Match in Check Before a Pawn is Moved —Christian Science Monitor News Service, Moscow — The battle already is joined. Even before the actual confrontation between Soviet world chess champion Boris Spassky and United States challenger Bobby Fischer, a wrangle has developed over the venue and date of the match. The Russians charge that the rules of the World Chess federation have been violated and express pique that the youthful American turned down a preliminary agreement to hold the tournament in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik beginning June 25. Moreover, they say, inasmuch as the procedures of the world federation were broken, they will not necessarily be bound by a decision made by Dr. Max Euwe, president of the body, to break the deadlock. (It is the understanding of the U.S. side that if negotiations prove fruitless, the president will prick the site subject to one veto by each player.) The drama grows. The Russians say they received a telegram from Euwe suggesting a “European city” proposed by Fischer. This presumably would be Belgrade or Sarajevo, both in Yugoslavia, both of which were on the American's list — and both of which Spassky is thought to object to on grounds of hot climate.
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The Akron Beacon Journal Akron, Ohio Sunday, February 27, 1972 - Page 157 — For 15 Centuries People Have Become Chess Nuts story by Abe Zaidan, cover and inside illustrations by Chuck Ayers — …Perhaps the biggest news in chessdom today, at least in America, is that the game is grabbing headlines in the popular media because the Republic may be on the verge of claiming its first world chess crown. THIS SPRING, Bobby Fischer, 29-year-old U.S. national champ who came up from the ranks of a chess whiz kid, will engaged Soviet world title-holder Boris Spassky in what promises to be an historic summit meeting. The vanities of the players would be enough to qualify the match for Homeric prose, and a spread in Life magazine. But the vanities of two old rivals—the U.S. and the U.S.S.R.—could swell the contest into a showdown in the UN's Security Council. Fischer is expected to win. Last October he smashed—that's a typical chess verb—former Soviet world champion Tigran Petrosian in Buenos Aires. He is now said to be ready to annihilate Spassky, and thus strip the Soviets of the crown they've held for more than two decades. “Few,” says the New York Times, “will contest his (Fischer's) rank as the greatest living chess player. Some authorities soberly rank him as the greatest who ever lived.”
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The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, February 27, 1972 - Page 128 — Chess: Russians Protest Decision On Match by Isaac Kashdan — The Soviet Union Chess Federation cabled a strong protest to Dr. Max Euwe of Amsterdam against his decision that the match for the world championship between titleholder Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and challenger Bobby Fischer of the U.S. be held in Belgrade and Reykjavik, Iceland. Splitting the match between two countries was a violation of the rules and unacceptable to Spassky, according to the cable. Dr. Euwe, who is president of the International Chess Federation, replied that he had been given full authority by the federation to make any ruling in regard to the match, if the players could not come to agreement. The matter was discussed at length at the world congress in Vancouver last year. The Russians agreed that the match would be started before the end of June, and that any necessary decisions would be made by Dr. Euwe. No appeal was possible, since the next congress is scheduled to meet in September, which is too late. Besides the site, possible problems may arise in the choice of a match director, days and hours of play, etc. Dr. Euwe suggested that the protest be discussed at a meeting of federation officials, previously called for next Thursday and Friday in Moscow. Edmund B. Edmondson, executive director of the U.S. Chess Federation, was invited to the meeting. He started that he did not plan to attend, as only routine matters were on the agenda. However, Edmondson might go to Moscow, if there were any evidence that the Russians were ready to agree on the match conditions, and if they fully acknowledged Dr. Euwe's authority.
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The Record Hackensack, New Jersey Sunday, February 27, 1972 - Page 59 — New Move for Chess — Editor, The Record: I read with greatest interest Miss Nina Wood's article in the Feb. 7 The Record about the growth of interest in chess in Bergen County, undoubtedly largely due to the spectacular career of Bobby Fischer. I was particularly pleased to learn of instruction in the schools of Englewood and other Bergen municipalities, in addition to the formation of chess clubs for players over 18. I was taught the moves by an uncle who also taught my older brother, and we both played on our high school team in Brooklyn. We played a lot with each other, and subsequently joined the Brooklyn Chess Club, one of two or three leading clubs in the country at the time. We made many friends through chess. We never had to worry about how to amuse ourselves in summer. We bought chess magazines and books with our joint allowances and learned that chess is a really cheap pastime, because three or four chess books (one of the openings, one on the end game, and one or two collections of tournaments or matches) would keep an ardent chess player busy perhaps a year. There are excellent chess magazines everywhere. An excellent way to study German or another foreign language is to study a manual or collection of games in that language. There are excellent weekly chess columns in American papers. Public libraries have books on chess. Games can be played by correspondence. It is a universal game and almost every country has chess players. It is a fine army or other service game. I hope Bergen County schools and others will take up the game in a big way. Franklin F. Russell, 100 East Palisade Ave, Englewood, Feb. 9, 1972.
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