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March 01, 1972
Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Wednesday, March 01, 1972 - Page 39 — Journal Sports:Baseball Entitled to Its License to Bore During Spring — “Well, Friday is the big day. Never mind the fact that Bobby Fischer is still planning his Knight's gambit to be turned loose upon generations of Russian chess masters as yet unborn. Never mind that we are still several months removed from the spectacle of two sea-going snails trying to yawn each other to death in the blood and guts competition which is the America's Cup yacht races. Never mind that we must wait patiently while Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali sweep through life fighting opponents who come to you directly from the yellow pages. Friday is action time, baby. Friday is where the pulse quickens, and let he who is without courage among us cry, “pass the suntan lotion.” On Friday, major league baseball opens its exhibition season. There is a certain charm about this. If you happen to be in either Florida or Arizona, for example, for a reduced price, you can, indeed, get a seat closer to the players than you have ever been before…”
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The Post-Crescent Appleton, Wisconsin Wednesday, March 01, 1972 - Page 47 — Reserve Films For Your Group — 1972 Promo
March 02, 1972
The Daily Plainsman Huron, South Dakota Thursday, March 02, 1972 - Page 4 — Stalling The Checkmate — Summitry its problems. Merely making the preliminary arrangements so the main event can take place can tax the expert diplomat. In arranging such a relatively simple matter as a champion chess match between Bobby Fischer of the United States and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, the initial conditions have proved troublesome. Among the first decisions to be made was a site for the contest. The contestants opted for different locales and neither budged. So the International Chess Federation settled that question by ruling the first half of the match would he held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (Fischer's choice) and the second half in Reykjavik, Iceland (Spassky's selection). Now the negotiators move on to other matters. Before much more effort has been expended on the tedious maneuverings, someone might well ask why the games cannot be played by mail. Providing an agreement could be reached on a courier, that is.
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The Daily Journal Vineland, New Jersey Thursday, March 02, 1972 - Page 19 — Caesars Palace Tops Yugoslavia's Bid for the Bobby Fischer-Russki Chess Championship — Caesars Palace topped Yugoslavia's bid for the Bobby Fischer-Russki chess championship ($175,000 to the Yugo $153,000) … The players decided Caesars Palace has too many distractions. Of course it has.
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March 04, 1972
The Tampa Times Tampa, Florida Saturday, March 04, 1972 - Page 5 — Refugee from Reds is No. 2 U.S. Chess Genius — When Russian tanks rolled into Czechoslovakia in 1968, chess grandmaster Lubomir Kavalek decided it was time to get out. The 24-year-old genius was already famous in his homeland as one of the world's leading players, but he knew that wouldn't make any difference. Much more important to the Communists was the fact that his movie director father had left the country in 1949 to work for Radio Free Europe —not exactly the credentials to make the Kavalek family a favorite of the regime. The Russian power play thus became the young man's invitation to make a quick exit or risk unpleasant consequences. He chose the former course. Now as a somewhat delayed result the United States has a new world class player who ranks second on the rating list of his adopted country. Bobby Fischer, of course, is No. 1. Just about everybody knows that by now. But how many Americans could name No. 2?
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The Montana Standard Butte, Montana Saturday, March 04, 1972 - Page 7 — Chess Master Gets Ultimatum — Belgrade, Yugoslavia (AP)—The president of the International Chess Federation said Friday that world champion Boris Spassky must forfeit his title if he refuses to accept the venue set for his match with Bobby Fischer. Euwe ruled that the 24 games would be divided equally between Belgrade and Reykjavik, Iceland. Spassky protested the decision saying the climate of Belgrade was too hot.
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March 05, 1972
New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, March 05, 1972 - Page 56 — Soviet Union Accepts Belgrade and Reykjavik as Title Chess Sites — NYTimes, Moscow, March 4—The Soviet Union, in a major concession, agreed today to having the chess world championship match between Boris Spassky, the Soviet titleholder, and Bobby Fischer, the American challenger, held in two European cities. The agreement, to play the first half of the match in Belgrade, the site preferred by Mr. Fischer, and the second half in Reykjavik, Iceland, which was Mr. Spassky's first choice, represented a compromise after the two players had failed to agree on a single city. The compromise had been proposed by Dr. Max Euwe, chairman of the World Chess Federation, under international rules that gave him the right to fix a championship site if the two sides did not reach agreement. The Soviet Union declared at first that it did not feel itself bound by Dr. Euwe's ruling on the ground that he had previously violated regulations by extending a deadline for submission of preferred match sites by Mr. Fischer. However, the Soviet Chess Federation relented after Dr. Euwe went to Moscow this week in an apparent attempt to persuade the Russians to agree to the compromise. A Soviet statement, made public by Tass, the official press agency, said the Russians were ready in principle to discuss the two-city compromise, although they continued to contend that the compromise was contrary to established procedure of playing the 24-game match in a single city.
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Dayton Daily News Dayton, Ohio Sunday, March 05, 1972 - Page 4 — Russians Agree To Chess Sites — Moscow (AP)—The Russian Chess Federation indicated on Saturday it would agree to two sites for the world championship chess match between Bobby Fischer of the United States and the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky. The indication came in a letter which the Russian federation handed to Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation. Euwe came to Moscow to try to break an impasse over the location for the championship match. The Soviet news agency Tass reported that the Soviet federation said in the letter it is “ready, in principle, to discuss conducting the first half of the match in Belgrade and the second half in Reykjavik.” Belgrade is in Yugoslavia and Reykjavik is in Iceland. The Russians had said Spassky, the defending champion, had objected to playing all the games in a European city with a hot climate in summer. In their letter the Russians said the games should begin in Belgrade no later than July 1. Spassky had picked Reykjavik as his first choice. Fischer had selected Belgrade because it had made the top money offer of $152,000 to host the match. The championship match will be 24 games.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram Fort Worth, Texas Sunday, March 05, 1972 - Page 9 — Reds OK Chess Sites — The Russian Chess Federation indicated it has agreed to two sites for the world championship chess match between Bobby Fisdcher of the U.S. and the Soviets' Boris Spassky. The Soviet News Agency Tass said that the Russians were ready to begin discussing Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and Reykjavik, Iceland, after Dr. Max Euwe, president of the World Chess Federation warned that Spassky might have to forfeit his title if a location could not be agreed upon.
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March 07, 1972
The Province Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Tuesday, March 07, 1972 - Page 21 — Soviets Ready to Negotiate Chess Match Site — (UPI) Moscow — The Soviet Chess Federation has said it is ready to start final negotiations for terms of the World Chess Championship match between Boris Spassky and American challenger Bobby Fischer. Tass, the official news agency, said the federation sent a letter to the International Chess Federation president Max Euwe saying it wants to meet with all parties concerned to “thrash out all questions and to sign a final agreement.” The letter said the Soviets were ‘ready, in principle, to study the question of holding the first half of the match in Belgrade and the second in Reykjavik before July 1.”
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The Amarillo Globe-Times Amarillo, Texas Tuesday, March 07, 1972 - Page 2 — What Russians Know — Maybe this will change after President Richard Nixon's visit to Moscow in May, but U.S. travelers to Russia say in the Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics the best known American is Bobby Fischer, our chess champion. The Russians know Fischer's age (28), and they know that he was a Brooklyn school dropout. They know he is a bachelor, that he has popped off several times, calling Russian chess players “cheaters” and has even walked out of matches. In Russia, Boris Spassky, the Russian champ, who next month will meet Bobby Fischer on neutral grounds in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and Reykjavik, Iceland, is a national hero. Millions of Russians play chess on long winter evenings. In this country chess is more or less a pastime of intellectuals.
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March 08, 1972
Daily News New York, New York Wednesday, March 08, 1972 - Page 187 — OK Chess Super Bowl — Amsterdam, March 7 (Special) — Russia has accepted a compromise settlement of the dispute over where to hold the world chess championship tournament, Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, announced today. The American challenger, Bobby Fischer, will meet the Soviet titleholder, Boris Spassky, in Belgrade for the first 12 games, then complete the contest in Reykjavik, Iceland. Belgrade, which bid the top $152,000 in prize money, was favored by Fischer. Spassky wanted Reykjavik, which guaranteed $125,000 in prizes. The tournament must begin before July 1.
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Ukiah Daily Journal Ukiah, California Wednesday, March 08, 1972 - Page 5 — Chess Buffs Invited to Join Club — Beginners at chess and those advanced in the game are all invited to join members of the newly formed Ukiah Chess Club at 8 p.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church. The new club is affiliated with the Central California Chess Association and the U.S. Chess Federation. Chess is enjoying a new period of popularity, perhaps stimulated by the forthcoming world title match between Fischer (US) and Spassky (USSR). The local club was formed to further the rapid growth in popularity in the game, according to Jack Alan Baskerville, president.
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Progress Bulletin Pomona, California Wednesday, March 08, 1972 - Page 15 — Future Chess Experts Blooming in Valley —…Cabalo pointed out that for the first time in history of world championships an American chess player, U.S. champion Bobby Fischer, may soon have a chance to win the world championship currently held by Russia. “Russian school children are taught chess. Those who show talent are sent to special schools,” Cabalo said.
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March 09, 1972
Daily Independent Journal San Rafael, California Thursday, March 09, 1972 - Page 19 — Birthday Quiz by Gordon B. Greb — Try this quiz about a famous person born today, March 9: Bobby Fischer (1943-), a brilliant American chess player…
March 10, 1972
Kenosha News Kenosha, Wisconsin Friday, March 10, 1972 - Page 27 — Fischer Moves Against Foe — New York — Bobby Fischer could not have found a tougher opponent for the world chess championship than Boris Spassky of Russia, says Sports Illustrated this week. Spassky, who has held the title since 1969, plays a dogged defense and possesses formidable attacking power, and in five tournament games up to now against Fischer he has won three, and there have been two draws. THE 35-YEAR OLD Russian differs greatly in his approach to the game from Fischer, says Sports Illustrated. While Fischer seems to spend nearly all of his waking hours studying and analyzing, Spassky devotes no more than three or four hours a day to chess analysis. But while Fischer works alone, Spassky has a marvelous team to carry on for him. The group consists of Igor Bondarevsky, 58, a former Soviet champion who has been Spassky's coach for a decade, and who seems (Spassky is unwilling to disclose the separate functions of his advisory team) to be in charge of overall match strategy and in particular, the task of determining what type of formation is best adapted to countering the individual psychology of the opponent. Other members of the group includes Nikolai Krogius, a statistical psychologist whose function is cloudy, International Yefim Geller and Nei have between them an enormous amount of expertise on a broad spectrum of opening moves. As for Spassky himself, he is extraordinary resilient, never so dangerous as in the next game after a loss. Closely related to this is his delayed-likes to come out at the opening bell ready to flatten his opponent with the first punch, Spassky is often slow to take the initiative. He does not reach full power until early in the middle game. This pattern of play has a deceptive effect, lulling his opponent into a false sense of security just when the explosion is all set to go off. “I'm lazy,” Spassky once said. “I'm like a Russian bear; calm, slow and finding it an effort to get up.” Fischer's smashing victories on the path to the finals may have lulled U.S. observers into thinking that the way past Spassky will also be an easy one. Not so, says Sports Illustrated. As former world champion Mikhail Tal says, “Bobby won't have it so easy against Spassky.” Long ago Spassky remarked that one thing that made him less valuable than Fischer was his ability to accept defeat. When asked how he avoided being discouraged and could snap back after a bad beating in a given game, he replied it was his secret and he was going to keep it. The secret is something Fischer must bear in mind.
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March 11, 1972
“It is obvious that Spassky can't make any decisions on his own, as he never appeared at the Amsterdam meeting, or did any USSR official at the stated deadline of January 31. […] it pains me to see vital news reported inaccurately therein. World champion Spassky did not show up as scheduled in Amsterdam. No one came from the USSR. Fischer and I were there in good faith to negotiate an agreement under Dr. Euwe's supervision, in keeping with the spirit of FIDE. It is difficult to reach an amicable agreement when one of the main parties is not available. To me, the essence of our inability to reach an agreement within a reasonable time was the absence of Spassky.”
- The Gazette Montreal, The Game of Kings by D.M. Le Dain, Quebec, Canada Saturday, March 11, 1972
The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday, March 11, 1972 - Page 52 — The Game of Kings: King Only a Pawn by D.M. Le Dain —It appears now that nothing has been settled definitely regarding the site and date of the Spassky-Fischer world championship match. What has been released so far turns out to be only a progress report toward a final decision. It is obvious that Spassky can't make any decisions on his own, as he never appeared at the Amsterdam meeting, or did any USSR official at the stated deadline of January 31. FIDE President, Dr. Max Euwe, allowed a further ten days recess, during which Mr. Edmondson, flew to Moscow to confer with Russian chess authorities personally. After a five-hour talk with Victor Baturinski at the Central Moscow Chess Club an official announcement spoke of “a useful exchange of views, but nothing definite”. Dr. Euwe then rightly went ahead and decided that the 24-game match would be split between Belgrade and Reykjavik. The Russians claim they didn't even make a list of preferences, which was one of the requirements of trying to reach an agreement. Earlier reports were that Spassky preferred Iceland, and Fischer, Yugoslavia (Belgrade). Both sides have the power of one veto and it seems the Russians intend to use it.
Good Faith, Bad Faith E.B. Edmondson, USACF official, who has been Fischer's invaluable aide-de-camp throughout the current world series battles, has written as follows to the Swiss publication “Chess Express”: “Chess Express” is read worldwide and it pains me to see vital news reported inaccurately therein. World champion Spassky did not show up as scheduled in Amsterdam. No one came from the USSR. Fischer and I were there in good faith to negotiate an agreement under Dr. Euwe's supervision, in keeping with the spirit of FIDE. It is difficult to reach an amicable agreement when one of the main parties is not available. To me, the essence of our inability to reach an agreement within a reasonable time was the absence of Spassky. Regards, E.B. Edmondson, Executive Director, USACF.
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The Argus Rock Island, Illinois Saturday, March 11, 1972 - Page 4 — Ping Pong Child's Play To Bridge by Julian W. Ramsey — Russia has been considered the unchallenged leader in chess — a game that was always beyond me. But now an American, Bobby Fischer, threatens to dethrone the Russian world champion, Boris Spassky, and will probably do it this spring. A chess champion is like a world boxing champion. He can defend his title when he chooses. Spassky has been stalling for a long time, but now that Fischer has beaten all other Russian rivals, Spassky has agreed to a match. It will be a battle of giants.
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March 12, 1972
The Cincinnati Enquirer Cincinnati, Ohio Sunday, March 12, 1972 - Page 46 — Annual Conference On International Affairs: Forces At Work In The Soviet Union. — Can U.S. and Allies Influence Future Foreign and Security Policies? by Brady Black, Editor of The Enquirer: The forthcoming world championship chess match between Bobby Fischer, the American challenger, and Boris Spassky, the Russian champion, is symbolic of the world competition today between the United Stqates and the Soviet Union…
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The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, March 12, 1972 - Page 128 — Chess: Soviets Agree To Title Match Sites by Isaac Kashdan — After considerable discussion, the Chess Federation of the Soviet Union has withdrawn its protest, and agreed that the match for the world chess championship shall take place in Belgrade, Yugoslavia and Reykjavik, Iceland. The decision had been made by Dr. Max Euwe of Amsterdam, president of the International Chess Federation, when no agreement was reached by the players, world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, and official challenger Bobby Fischer of the U.S. Euwe discussed the matter in Moscow, at a meeting previously called for other purposes. When the Russians stated that they would not permit Spassky to play in Belgrade, Euwe made it clear that in that case the match and the championship would be forfeited to Fischer. All was amicable before the meeting closed. Euwe then asked Spassky, Fischer and their representatives to meet on March 18, to work out all the other match conditions. The meeting will take place either in Amsterdam or in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with Rabell Mendez of Puerto Rico, deputy president of the federation, presiding. Euwe proceeded from Moscow to a tour of the Far East chess centers.
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New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, March 12, 1972 - Page 209 — Chess: Nobody Seems Happy About It by Al Horowitz — An AP dispatch from Reykjavik, Iceland, in regard to the Fischer-Spassky match reads: “The president of the Icelandic Chess Federation expressed surprise at the decision to hold the 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 that the Soviet titleholder, Boris Spassky, and the American challenger, Bobby Fischer, will play 12 games in Belgrade, 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. “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,” he added. To boot, the Russians have indicated a protest was forthcoming from their end, which means at least another week will go by before the venue is clear. A treasury of Spassky victories has come to hand from the 9th Canadian Open held last year at Vancouver, Canada. The event, a Swiss System, attracted an entry of 156, of which 40 were American.
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Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois Sunday, March 12, 1972 - Page 356 — Chess Mail — Chicago—Congratulation on your weekly chess column. The growth of chess in recent years has been nothing short of sensational; in metropolitan Chicago alone, there are almost 2,000 regular tournament players, 20,000 to 30,000 avid followers of chess news, and hundreds of thousands of persons interested in the impending Bobby Fischer-Boris Spassky world championship match. You might be interested to learn that New York chess masters are picking Fischer over Spassky by a score of 12½-9½, the Las Vegas oddsmaker say Fischer 12½-8½, and in Chicago the top chess masters are predicting Fischer 12½-7½. World chess opinion—even in Communist Bloc countries—favors Fischer to defeat Spassky. -Richard W. Verber, President, Chicago Chess Club.
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March 13, 1972
March 15, 1972
The Shreveport Journal Shreveport, Louisiana Wednesday, March 15, 1972 - Page 1 — Bobby Fischer — I would like to get the address of Bobby Fischer, the chess player.— R.S. A reference source lists his office address as: c/o Robert Rosen, NRB Associates, 485 Madison Avenue, New York N.Y.
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Kenosha News Kenosha, Wisconsin Wednesday, March 15, 1972 - Page 41 — Fischer In Training — Rocky Marciano, Barney Ross and Joe Louis have all trained at Grossinger's for their world championship bids. Now it's Bobby Fischer, the chess champion, who has arrived at the famed Catskills resort for an indefinite stay. It will be Fischer's headquarters as he begins intensive “training” for his world championship matches against Boris Spassky, the current world champion.
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March 16, 1972
The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana Thursday, March 16, 1972 - Page 35 — Donald Byrne, Authors “Big Burden Boris Bears” in Sports Illustrated — An Indianapolis Man, Robert Byrne, is probably as qualified as anyone in the world to evaluate the upcoming world championship chess match between Russia's Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer of the United States. The match, which is certain to be the first chess match in history to rate headline coverage because of the political overtones, was discussed by Byrne in an article he penned for Sports Illustrated magazine last week. Byrne, one of only seven International Grand Chess masters in the U.S., has beaten Fischer twice and has registered a draw with Spassky as recently as last May. Byrne said preparation for the coming world championship match is unprecedented. Fischer is supposed to be studying films of Spassky in action in order to see how the Russian reacts to various situations on the board and which ones he finds the most difficult.
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March 17, 1972
The Signal Santa Clarita, California Friday, March 17, 1972 - Page 4 — The Coming World Championship — The match for the World Chess Championship, the classic match between the East and the West is set for June of this year. It will pit current champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union against the phenomenal prodigy Bobby Fischer of the United States. After much debate from both sides, it was decided that the match will be played in two parts, the first in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and the second in Reykjavik, Iceland. Final world of the details of this title match is scheduled to be released Tuesday by FIDE, the international chess organization. Full details will be carried in this column.
Two Champions Look at Bobby Present World Champion Boris Spassky: “His weak points are a secret.” Past World Champion Tigran Petrosian: “Fischer is very solid, very hard, and very aggressive.”
For Lack Of A Glance, Farewell to $600 Petrosian's evaluation above was made after his disastrous defeat at Fischer's hands in Buenos Aires. Fischer's wins on his way to the summit have been so overwhelming that he seems like an inexorable force that simply cannot be stopped, for Petrosian is no pushover.…
My, How Chess Has Risen! In the California Legislature recently, Assemblyman Leo J. Ryan, of South San Francisco, solemnly introduced and obtained the passage of an Assembly resolution congratulation Bobby Fischer on his victory over Petrosian and wishing him good fortune in his forth-coming battle for the world title. It's hard to imagine such an action taking place as recently as even a year ago.
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The Daily Herald Provo, Utah Friday, March 17, 1972 - Page 10 — Springville Man Discovers Unique Use For Nuts and Bolts -- Making Chess Sets by Darrell Berkheimer — Teaches Youths: Mr. Whiting … has taught several [children] to play chess. In addition, he has been involved in Scouting. Returning to chess, Mr. Whiting said, “I think people in the United States are going to take more of an interest in chess now because of Bobby Fischer. He's the U.S. champion and he'll be competing against that Russian fella for the world championship. “I believe he's the first one from the United States to ever qualify to play in the world finals,” Mr. Whiting said, adding “And he might play in part of the world tournament in Las Vegas this year.” Although Mr. Whiting refers to himself as only an occasional player, it is very noticeable that he is a student of the game who follows what's happening in the chess world. …
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March 18, 1972
The News-Herald Franklin, Pennsylvania Saturday, March 18, 1972 - Page 9 — Checkmate at RGHS: Chess Club Has Tournament — The Boris Spassky-Bobby Fischer world championship chess match is not the only chess get-together that is making waves. Admittedly on a much smaller scale, the students at Rocky Grove High School are currently involved in their own “championship” chess matches. Although playing for pride instead of money, they still bring highly competitive natures to their matches…
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March 19, 1972
The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, March 19, 1972 - Page 118 — Fischer's Accuracy — Last year Bobby Fischer rolled up the most fantastic winning streak in chess history, 20 straight victories against grandmaster opposition. Many attempts were made to explain the feat. Clearly Fischer was one of the greatest players of this or any age. But had he added a new dimension to chess? Was he truly the super player? Examination of the games shows no brilliancies, no devastating king side attacks, no combinations in the style of Tal or Alekhine. The wins were achieved mainly by errors on the part of the opponents or by the accumulation of small advantages which proved sufficient in Fischer's hands. The key word to describe Fischer's play is accuracy. He made no serious mistake at any time during the stretch. He was never in time trouble, and almost always had more time left on his clock at the end of the session. Fischer won a number of games that almost anyone else would have considered as drawn. Slight theoretical advantages were a good as a queen ahead, with the forceful and exact play of the American genius. A typical example was the fourth game of the match played last year between Fischer and Mark Taimanov of the Soviet Union. With an early advantage in the center, Fischer planted a knight on Q5 which Taimanov had to take with a bishop. Fischer was then content to exchange pieces and simplify to the position in the following diagram, which occurred after 45. K-Q3.
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News-Journal Mansfield, Ohio Sunday, March 19, 1972 - Page 63 — Chess: Quiet Prevails as Competitors Match Tournament Skills by George N. Constable — A chess tournament is like nothing else in the world. The truly remarkable thing about this game or sport is the complete absence of sound. Indeed, the onlooker might become quite conscious that he doesn't even exist in the world of the chess player — that he is an intruder. A sedentary game, its players strike poses that have been its trademark for centuries. The very mood of the game is told in gestures and positions — a hand cups a chin, a thumb and forefinger tug at an earlobe, a hand is clenched. […] “It's the excitement of it. Creativity is involved, you plan each move,” he says. And it's as simple as pie to draw out a chess player these days. Just toss out a name — Bobby Fischer — and then watch and listen. Bobby Fischer happens to be the Babe Ruth, the Jim Brown, the Arnold Palmer, the Jim Ryun of American chess. He's a fabulous 28-year-old chess genius who will be playing Russian world champion Boris Spassky this June. Liederkranz chess club members have never met him or watched him play but they love him. “He's responsible for the rebirth of chess on a world scale today,” Asher says. “He beat Petrosian in 39 moves, 40 and 46 in the seventh, eighth and ninth games. Wow! I'm rooting for him all the way. Spassky is cool and has a sense of humor,” the teacher says. Neumann thinks the Russian will retain the world title and “maybe Fischer will win it the next time, in three years.” Louis Kovacs, engineer at Ohio Brass, says Fischer will win because he has all of the qualities. Jacob Betsch picks the Russian too. “I've been playing chess since I was a kid. I enjoy it. It's better than playing cards,” he says. Plumber Ivan Sloboda says the world match is going to be close and the winner needs 12½ points. He says the experts pick Fischer 12½ points to 9½. Pipefitter Fritz Zahn adds, “Bobby does it.”. That's the way Mansfield chess players are talking today.
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The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Sunday, March 19, 1972 - Page 48 — Chess Men Ready For Big Tussle — Brisbane, Saturday. — Diplomacy will reign when chess giants Robert Fischer and Boris Spassky meet for the world chess championship on neutral ground later this year. Half of the 24 matches will be played in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and half in Reykjavik, Iceland. Professor Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, said in Brisbane today that Belgrade had been the choice of the American Fischer, while current world champ, Spassky chose Reykjavik. The glamour boy of the American chessboards, Fischer, was quoted in January as saying he was sure he would be sabotaged if the play-off was held in Russia.
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The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, March 19, 1972 - Page 11 — The King's Men: Will Spassky Balk on Venue? He Must Play or Forfeit Title by Merrill Dowden — There's a rumor abroad—and at this stage it's only a rumor—that the much-heralded world-championship chess match between the present title-holder, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, and the American challenger, grandmaster Bobby Fischer, might not take place after all. Here's what has happened: Dr. Max Euwe, a former world champion himself and now president of the International Chess Federation, has warned Spassky that if he refuses to accept the venue set for his match with Fischer, he must forfeit his title. Spassky and the United States challenger failed earlier to agree on a match site and Euwe ruled that the 24 games must be divided equally between Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Fischer's choice, and Reykjavik, Iceland, favored by Spassky. The Russian has protested the decision. It would be nice to have an American world chess champion, by forfeit or otherwise. But what a disappointment for chess players and fans around the world if the confrontation between these two giants of the checkered squares failed to materialize. It would be much more satisfying, of course, to see the young American defeat his Soviet antagonist across the board. Most observers feel that the chance that the match won't take place is very small indeed. Spassky has intense pride and unbounded faith in his playing skill, as all great players must have. So the guess here is that the match will indeed be held at the two designated sites, with the games getting under way no later than June 30, and Fischer emerging the winner in a close, hard battle of wits. Here's a Bobby Fischer game typical of his brilliance in positional play. Before playing, study the diagram. Black's position is already beyond salvation, but he moves 19… Q-K1. Fischer (White0, now gets Black's resignation in three. How?
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The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, March 19, 1972 - Page 318 — Chess Star to Take on All Comers — Downey — Chess enthusiasts will have an opportunity to challenge International Grandmaster Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at 8441 Firestone Blvd. Gligoric will take on all comers in simultaneous play. Registration for the event is $5 or $5.50, depending on chess club or association affiliation, and will begin at 6:30. Players are requested to bring their own sets. Gligoric will precede the competition with a discussion at 7 p.m. of the forthcoming world title match between America's Bobby Fischer and Russia's Boris Spassky.
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The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, March 19, 1972 - Page 170 — Chess: Confusion over THE Match by Harold Dondis — Confusion exists over the Fischer-Spassky match. For some time, the rumors flew thick that Boris Spassky would decline to play in Belgrade, the reason being the warm climate. It also was reported that Spassky [(Dondis must refer to Soviet delegation excuse for seeking censorship)] was not happy about the idolatry with which Yugoslav youngsters hold Fischer. However, Euwe made it clear that refusal to play in Belgrade would result in forfeiture of the crown and the Soviets apparently capitulated after Euwe flew to Moscow. Spassky, reportedly suffering from hives, wants a two-month extension. Furthermore, Iceland and Yugoslavia have not agreed on terms of the joint match, so the Soviets may issue another protest.
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March 20, 1972
The Vancouver Sun Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Monday, March 20, 1972 - Page 9 — Chess Battle Starts June 22 — Amsterdam (AP) — The world chess title match between reigning champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and U.S. challenger Robert Fischer starts in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, June 22, it was decided here today. At stake besides the title is $138,500 in prize money, 72.5 per cent going to the winner and the remainder to the loser, a spokesman for the international Chess Federation said. After 12 games the site switches to Reykjavik, Iceland, where the title contest will be continued Aug. 6. The details were worked out at a meeting of representatives of the Yugoslav, Icelandic, Russian and American chess federations. Chief referee will be the West German grandmaster Lothar Schmid. If the final ends in a 12-12 draw, Spassky will retain his title and the prize money will be split between the two grandmasters. The last Belgrade match is scheduled for Tuesday, July 18. If the match goes the full stretch of 24 games, the last game will be played in Reykjavik Aug. 31.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram Fort Worth, Texas Monday, March 20, 1972 - Page 10 — Belgrade To Be Site of Chess Tilt — Amsterdam (AP) — Chess officials decided today the world title match between champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and his U.S. Challenger Robert Fischer will begin in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, on June 22. With the title goes $138,500 in prize money, 72½ per cent to the winner and the remainder to the loser, a spokesman for the International Chess Federation said. After 12 games the match switches to Reykjavik, Iceland, where the title contest will be continued on Aug. 6. The details were worked out at a meeting of representatives of the Yugoslav, Icelandic, Soviet and American chess federations. If the match ends in a 12-12 draw, Spassky will retain his world title and the prize money will be evenly split. The matches will be played three times a week. The last Belgrade match is scheduled for July 18. If the match goes the full stretch of 24 games, the last game will be played in Reykjavik on Aug. 31.
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Oroville Mercury Register Oroville, California Monday, March 20, 1972 - Page 4 — Test Your Knowledge by Wilton E. Hall — Robert James Fischer has been the United States champion in one of these fields…
March 21, 1972
Hartford Courant Hartford, Connecticut Tuesday, March 21, 1972 - Page 28 — Chess Federation Settles Details Of Championship — Amsterdam (UPI) — The International Chess Federation announced yesterday that technical details have been settled for the world championship match between Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and challenger Bobby Fischer of the United States. The agreement was worked out in weekend negotiations among representatives of the chess federations of the Soviet Union, the United States, Yugoslavia and Iceland, and personal representatives of the two players, the announcement said. The federation said the rules agreed on were: The match will consist of a maximum of 24 games. Spassky, as defending champion, must score 12 match points to retain the title. Fischer must score 12.5 points to win. Whoever reaches the assigned total first is the victor. Total prize money will be $138,500, of which the winner receives 62.5 per cent and the loser 37.5 per cent. In case of a 12-12 final result, each player receives $69,250. The first 12 games will be played in the Yugoslavian capital of Belgrade, the opening match being scheduled for June 22. The next day is reserved for continuing ad adjourned game. The second half of the tournament will be played in Reykjavik, Iceland. Games will be played on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are reserved for continuing adjourned games. There will be no play on Saturdays.
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March 22, 1972
The Lowell Sun Lowell, Massachusetts Wednesday, March 22, 1972 - Page 66 — Chess Challengers Spar — Sydney (Reuter)—World champion chess player Boris Spassky of Russia and his American challenger Bobby Fischer are limbering up for their scheduled clash like a couple of heavyweight boxers, according to a top official. For Mr. Spassky, training includes road work and weight lifting. Prof. Max Euwe, president of the World Chess Federation, told reporters. For Mr. Fischer, it means eating mountainous quantities of steak and drinking plenty of apple juice, said Dr. Euwe. Apart from tucking into the steak and apple juice, 28-year-old Mr. Fischer is training in a tomb-like existence with his chessboard. It is still not certain, however, where or when the “chess tournament of the century” will take place. Mr. Fischer, who has been called the Muhammad Ali of the chessboard, refused to play Mr. Spassky in Russia. So Dr. Euwe, as president of the federation, decided that six of the 12 games would be played in Yugoslavia and six in Iceland. Mr. Fischer agreed, but this time Mr. Spassky said no. Dr. Euwe, a Dutchman who was world chess champion from 1935-37, says he has made his decision on the locations for the tournament and that is the rule. Mr. Spassky will lose his title by default if he does not play, he says. As for their training methods, Professor Euwe says: “I preferred cold showers and tennis to prepare for the big games.”
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The Morning Record Meriden, Connecticut Wednesday, March 22, 1972 - Page 6 — Another World Series — There won't be any cheering from the stands, there won't be any hot dogs or beer sold, but the interest of the spectators and followers around the world will be no less fervid when the world series of chess opens later this year. The series of 24 games will be played in two European cities, Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and Reykjavik, Iceland, starting June 22 in Belgrade. The contestants will be Bobby Fischer of the United States and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, the defending world champion. There is $138,500 in prize money involved. The winner will take 72½ per center; the loser the remainder. If the match ends in a 12-12 tie, Spassky will keep the title; the money will be divided equally. Three games will be played weekly, the last Belgrade match is scheduled for July 18. If the match goes the full 24 games, the last game will be played Aug. 41 in Iceland's capital. Chess is the most complex and profound competitive intellectual exercise, calling for analytical ability, memory, imagination, boldness in offense, resourcefulness in defense. The origins of chess are lost in obscurity. The game has developed over the centuries in many lands, increasing in complexity. So-called modern chess began about the 15th Century, first in France and then in Spain. The English school of chess dates from the 19th Century. Among the modern chess masters have been Lasker, a German; Capablanca, a Cuban; and Alekhine, a Russian. Chess is a popular sport in the Soviet Union, playing by young and old alike, not only in homes and at chess clubs, but in parks and playgrounds. For the most part, Americans have not distinguished themselves in chess. There have been two exceptions, however: one is Bobby Fischer, the present challenger, who lives, eats, breathes, and sleeps chess. The other was another young man, Paul Morphy (1837-1884), who was taught chess by his father at the age of 10. His brilliance in international competition has scarcely been equalled, and while his career was short, it was meteoric. The fact that the United States now has another player of world championship caliber for the first time in more than a century is cause for national pride. Bobby Fischer's performance at Belgrade and Reykjavik will be watch with intense interest by chess fans throughout the entire world.
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March 24, 1972
Change of Pace Fri, Mar 24, 1972 – 4 · The Evening Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) · Newspapers.com
The Evening Sun Baltimore, Maryland Friday, March 24, 1972 - Page 4 — Bobby Fischer Training At Resort For World Championship of Chess by Ann Hencken — Grossinger, N.Y. (AP) — Bobby Fischer, America's hope for the world chess championship, rushed into the vast, brightly lit dining room at Grossinger's, a giant resort tucked away in the Catskills. He's been ensconced for weeks at the hotel, a sprawling cluster of recreational facilities, Ping Pong tables, pin ball machines, Pepsi dispensers, indoor miniature golf courses, swimming pool, ski slope and convention rooms.
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The Herald-News Passaic, New Jersey Friday, March 24, 1972 - Page 8 — Fischer Checked in Money Appeal — Belgrade (AP) — Organizers of the Fischer-Spassky championship chess match followed the lead of their colleagues in Iceland yesterday and turned down a request by Bobby Fischer for a change in financial conditions. The U.S. champ had asked in a cable last week to the Icelandic organizers that all money left over after the cost of the match was covered should be split between him and Soviet champion Boris Spassky. This followed reports from Amsterdam last week that agreement had been reached on financial matters between representatives of the players and organizers. The Amsterdam agreement followed months of negotiations on a site for the match, finally settled recently when Dr. Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, announced it would play half in Belgrade and half in Reykjavik, Iceland. The Icelandic organizers quickly refused Fischer's request to change the financial arrangements. The Yugoslavian organizers cabled the chess federations of Iceland, the Soviet Union and the United States and Dr. Euwe, saying they would not accept any change. They added that the organizers, bearing the financial risk, were entitled to any profits that ensued.
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“Bobby Fischer of the United States, his [Spassky's] challenger for the world title, is probably now the most consistent player of all.”
The Province Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Friday, March 24, 1972 - Page 48 — Chess by Al Horowitz — [Caption]: Korchnoi . . . an erratic chess star. When we say a chess player is in good form, we obviously mean something more than that he is momentarily successful. We mean that his games — those he wins, of course, but even those he loses — demonstrate that he is playing up to the full measure of his talents. […] Another player in bad form in Moscow was the world champion, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. He played Korchnoi on one of the latter's good days. Spassky's form is now a matter of special interest. Bobby Fischer of the United States, his challenger for the world title, is probably now the most consistent player of all.
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March 26, 1972
New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, March 26, 1972 - Page 33 — Fischer Reported Quitting an Accord On Site for Match — Reykjavik, Iceland, March 25 (AP) — Bobby Fischer was reported today to have withdrawn from an earlier agreement to play the second half of his world title chess match here with the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky the current champion. Gudmunder G. Thorarinsson, president of the local chess association, said that Mr. Fischer's refusal would now require attention by the International Chess Federation, which originally handled the delicate negotiations that led to the selection of Reykjavik as the site for the second half of the match. The first 12 games between Mr. Fischer and Mr. Spassky are scheduled to begin June 22 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. It was not immediately clear whether these would begin on schedule. Under International Chess Federation rules, the match must begin by July 1. The second half of the world match, which could last another 12 games, was supposed to begin here August 6. The reasons for Mr. Fischer's decisions were reportedly financial. The 28-year-old native New Yorker was said to have requested a change in financial conditions for the match but was turned down by both Reykjavik and Belgrade. The conditions agreed upon last month were that the prize money of $138,000 offered by the two cities would be split, with 62.5 per cent for the winner and 37.5 per center for the loser. This was a compromise settlement — Mr. Fischer had favored holding the entire match in Belgrade, which had offered $152,000, and Mr. Spassky had wanted Reykjavik, which had offered $125,000. Mr. Fischer's request reportedly was that all profits from the match be divided between himself and Mr. Spassky. But organizers argued that, since they bore a financial risk, they were entitled to the profits.
— NYTimes—Bobby Fischer was unavailable for comment at Grossinger's, in Monticello, N.Y., where he was appearing in an exhibition match. Edmund Edmondson, executive director or the United States Chess Federation, was also unavailable for comment.
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The Times Herald Port Huron, Michigan Sunday, March 26, 1972 - Page 8 — Fischer Refuses Chess Title Game — Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — U.S. chess wizard Bobby Fischer has informed local officials he will not play the second half of his world title match against the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky in Iceland, the president of the local chess association said Saturday. Gudmundur G. Thorarinsson said the International Chess Federation should tackle the problem. Fischer has requested a change in financial conditions for the match and was turned down by both Reykjavik and Belgrade, Yugoslavia. The two cities have been named as sites for the match. In a second telegram to Iceland Friday, Fischer said that because of “unacceptable financial terms” he refused to play Iceland at all. Fischer had asked in a cable to the Icelandic organizers that all money left over after the cost of the match should be divided between Spassky and himself. The organizers in Belgrade on Thursday followed the lead of their colleagues in Reykjavik by refusing altered financial conditions. These developments followed reports from Amsterdam that an agreement on financial matters had been reached by representatives of the players and the organizers. The Yugoslav organizers on Thursday cabled the chess federations of Iceland, the Soviet Union and the United States, and Dr. Max Euwe, president of the international organization, saying they would not accept any change. They said that the organizers, bearing the financial risk, were entitled to any profits that ensued. In Amsterdam, top officials of the International Chess Federation —FIDE— conferred on Fischer's refusal to play in Iceland. Secretary Henrik Slavenkoorde of the Netherlands said he could not comment on FIDE's future plans but added that he was in contact with the federation's deputy president Rabell Mendez, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. President Euwe is traveling abroad. Mendez chaired the Amsterdam meeting last weekend in which Ed Edmondson represented Fischer in signing an agreement covering all financial details of the match, a FIDE spokesman said.
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New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, March 26, 1972 - Page 210 — Chess: Eleventh 'Chess Informant' Is Out by Al Horowitz — The eleventh number of the semi-annual Yugoslav “Chess Informant” (covering approximately the first six months of 1971) is now available in this country, but it is not, for a happy change, “even bigger than the last.” To be exact, Number Eleven contains 622 games, compared with 841 in Number Ten. The “Chess Informant,” as most tournament players already know, publishes mostly games, in algebraic notation, and with light, wordless notes—mostly suggesting alternate lines of play, enclosed in square brackets to distinguish them from the text of the game itself—but also an occasional cross-reference to games in previous issues with the same opening variation.
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The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Sunday, March 26, 1972 - Page 81 — Chess: One Against 25 by David D. McNicoll — … “…In June he will be traveling to Yugoslavia for the first session of the world championship series between Bobby Fischer of American and the titleholder Boris Spassky of Russia. Late this week he was notified that both players had accepted his ruling that 12 games should be played in Yugoslavia and 12 in Iceland. When he finished his 25 simultaneous games at Farmer's on Friday, the Professor's manner changed. The look of intense concentration that had creased his brow faded and he stood erect and smiled for the first time.
“I don't know who will win the championship,” he said.
“Fischer will be in top form but I am not sure about Spassky.
“If he is at his best then it will be a very strong and close match.” Professor Euwe said government sponsorship was the reason for the Russian domination of chess since he lost his world title in 1937…
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March 27, 1972
The Signal Santa Clarita, California Monday, March 27, 1972 - Page 2 — Those Americans — Yugoslav chess Grand Master Svetozar Gligoric (his friends call him Gligor) played 26 simultaneous games in Los Angeles last week. He galloped from board to board, pushing pawns and skipping knights. he lost one, won 23. The other two boards were played by ladies, and Gligoric, whose inclination is to chivalry and not Women's Lib, offered them both a draw. Gligoric, former resistance fighter and a journalist when he's away from the boards, had dinner with local chess fans in Val Val. He said that this (his fifth) tour of the U.S., is more strenuous than most because everyone's after him for June hotel reservations in his home town of Belgrade. June in Belgrade will see the Chess Match of the Century, with the Soviets' Boris Spassky meeting the U.S.'s Bobby Fischer. Gligoric winds up his current tour in Houston, Texas, where a tournament will have an imposing list of players and prizes (top $4000). But Gligoric doesn't like to talk about Houston. The tournament is sponsored by an outfit called Church's Fried Chicken, a private-enterprise promotion quite foreign to his Communist homeland. “I'd never be able to explain that in Yugoslavia,” he sighed. “They wouldn't understand what a church has to do with a chicken — or what either have to do with chess.
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March 28, 1972
The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Tuesday, March 28, 1972 - Page 5 — Fischer Baulks — Moscow, Monday — U.S. challenger Bobby Fischer has withdrawn his approval of Belgrade and Reykjavik as venues for his world chess championship match against the Soviet world champion Boris Spassky, Tass reported today.
The Ottawa Journal Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Tuesday, March 28, 1972 - Page 45 — Chess: What Are The Odds? by D.M. Le Dain — In the coming match for the world championship between champion Boris Spassky and challenger Bobby Fischer, a psychological factor is the fact that in their five previous tourney games, Spassky has won three and drawn the other two. Can Fischer overcome this hazard? He believes he can and points out that Capablanca had a similar advantage over Alekhine in their 1927 match, but the latter won the title. Spassky comments, “I shall win from Fischer, but three years later, in the next championship cycle I think he will be invincible.” The following game is the last time they met in the Olympiad at Siegen, Germany, 18 months ago. Comments, abbreviated from those by Spassky in “Soviet Union Today”…
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March 29, 1972
The Sacramento Bee Sacramento, California Wednesday, March 29, 1972 - Page 33 — U.S. Chess Champ Rejects Belgrade For Title Play — Belgrade (AP) — American chess wizard Bobby Fischer rejected Belgrade yesterday as one of the two sites in which he is willing to meet the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky for the world chess championship. The Yugoslav organizers said they received a telegram from the challenger saying he no longer intended to play in Belgrade. The Yugoslav capital and Reykjavik, Iceland were selected by the International Chess Federation—FIDE—as locations for the two-city match after months of negotiations. Earlier this week, the organizers in Reykjavik said they had received a telegram from Fischer asking a share of the profits from the part of the match to be played in Iceland. Fischer also wanted a share in the profits from the Belgrade match. The organizers in both capitals, who have been in constant touch, rejected his request. The Yugoslavs, who offered the highest purse of $152,000, send a telegram to FIDE demanding a guarantee from Fischer that he will abide by the federation's original decision. If Fischer is not willing to provide a guarantee, the Belgrade organizers said they will have to reconsider the plans to host the first half of the match—scheduled to take place June 22-July 19. They apparently believe Fischer's telegrams are part of a campaign to gain more publicity and a bigger purse for the match.
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March 30, 1972
The Central New Jersey Home News New Brunswick, New Jersey Thursday, March 30, 1972 - Page 30 — They Just Want The Check, Mates — The one-time “enfant terrible” of chess, Bobby Fischer, has replaced temper tantrums with dollar deliriums. But for one raised in capitalist United States, that's not strange. Fischer, who admits he moves pawns these days only for money, is seeking the most profitable deal he can get to meet the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky for the world title. The plan was to split the matches between Iceland and Yugoslavia. All was going well, when Fischer decided he wanted more. What he wanted was for Spassky and himself to split all the money left after the cost of the matches. Both Iceland and Yugoslavia said no. The Communist Yugoslavia representatives argued that the organizers, bearing the financial risk, were entitled to any profits that ensued. Comrades, you sound like a pack of capitalist dogs.
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The Terre Haute Tribune Terre Haute, Indiana Thursday, March 30, 1972 - Page 30 — Younger Players Wonder How They Will Get Home by Milton Richman — New York (UPI)-Remember when ballplayers came to play? Now they come to strike or sue. The two procedures have grown to become almost standard practice. Nobody bats an eye over either one anymore. This not only applies to baseball, teetering on the bare edge of a strike at the moment, but also to football, basketball, hockey or whatever other sport or game in which there is a buck to be made. Even the chess players aren't what they used to be. They don't make a move now before they get what they want. About the only competition I know of that hasn't changed and where the competitors still are pretty much the same is the rodeo…
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March 31, 1972
Lincoln Journal Star Lincoln, Nebraska Friday, March 31, 1972 - Page 3 — Belgrade Won't Set Up Chess Match — Belgrade, Yugoslavia (AP) — The Belgrade organizers of the Spassky-Fischer world chess match announced Friday they are dropping plans to organize the match in the scheduled period in this city. The contract between world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and American challenger Bobby Fischer was set to start June 22. The second half of the 24-game match was to be played in Reykjavik, Iceland, under a compromise agreement reached in Amsterdam by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the two players. The Belgrade decision was expected after the organizers received no pledge from the world federation that it would honor the Amsterdam agreement. Belgrade chess officials set a March 31 deadline for a reply. On Thursday Fischer dismissed E.B. Edmondson, head of the U.S. Chess Federation, as his financial negotiator for the match and Edmondson said Fischer planned to conduct his own bargaining. A Belgrade newspaper reported that Fischer had rejected a settlement Edmondson reached in Amsterdam for the players' share of the match. The agreement reportedly would have given the winner 72% of the $138,000 purse, with the rest going to the loser. The Belgrade and Reykjavik organizers of the match turned down Fischer's requests for a change in financial conditions of the Amsterdam pact earlier in March. He had asked that all money left over after the cost of the match was covered should be split between him and Spassky. The organizers said they bore a financial risk and should have the right to profit. In informing the world federation of their decision not to organize the match in June, the Belgrade group said in an telegram: “No Guarantee” “Since Grandmaster Fischer had refused to play the match in Belgrade … also denying Edmondson the right to represent him, it is our appraisal that the agreement offers no guarantee to the organizers that the match will actually take place in the period agreed upon.” The Belgrade paper had also claimed Thursday that Edmondson told an editor Fischer may have change his mind about meeting Spassky for the match. Edmondson denied the report. The telegram from the Belgrade organizers said that, because of the lack of the guarantee, “we are not in the position to bear any further risk about organizing the match.”
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Asbury Park Press Asbury Park, New Jersey Friday, March 31, 1972 - Page 18 — Fischer Seen Still Set to Play Match — New York (AP) — E.B. Edmondson, head of the U.S. Chess Federation, who has been negotiating arrangements for Bobby Fischer's world championship match with Boris Spassky, said yesterday Fischer had informed him that he would conduct his own negotiations. Edmondson denied, however, that he expressed any opinion that Fischer may have changed his mind about meeting Spassky, the Russian world champion. A Belgrade newspaper reported earlier yesterday that Fischer had repudiated an agreement Edmondson reached for the players' share of the 24-game match to be played in Belgrade and Reykjavik, Iceland. The newspaper said the agreement would have given the winner of the match 72 per cent of the $138,000 purse, with the rest going to the loser. The newspaper, the Daily Politika, also said its editor had been told by Edmondson by telephone that Edmondson believed Fischer had no intention of playing Spassky for the title. Edmondson denied the latter report, saying it was completely false. As for the repudiation of the agreement Edmondson said he could not comment on the report because since receiving a cable Monday from Fischer taking the negotiations out of his hands, he has had no contact with Fischer and “since then I haven't been involved.” “As far as I'm concerned,” Edmondson said, “I hope the match still comes off between Fischer and Spassky.” Fischer declined to comment on the reports.
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The Minneapolis Star Minneapolis, Minnesota Friday, March 31, 1972 - Page 4 — Chess Match Snagged Again — Belgrade— A compromise plan to hold half of the world chess-title matches here beginning June 22 appears to have been scuttled already. Yugoslav organizers say they don't have time to arrange the contest between Soviet world champion Boris Spassky and U.S. challenger Bobby Fischer. Spassky and Fischer had disagreed both on the site for the match and on financial terms. The compromise plan to hold 12 of the games in Belgrade and the second 12 games in Iceland was put forward by the International Chess Federation. A report in a Belgrade newspaper said Fischer had rejected the world group's financial compromise and this was believed a factor in the Yugoslav action.
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Political Smear Campaign: These articles are part of politically-motivated propaganda spanning 1960's till Fischer's death in 2008. Some sources cited; Ralph Ginzburg (sued by Presidential Candidate Barry Goldwater for defamation); Ronald Gross claimed to ‘move to New York’ to substantiate his rumors but GM Isaac Kashdan in L.A. Times meticulously documents the Gross' S. California residency.)
Erroneous Pro-Soviet Propaganda about Selection of the Site and Ad Hominem Smear Campaign
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Spassky wasn't even present when the Soviet delegates chose the location and it was widely suspected in 1972, the Soviets chose Reykjavik to limit coverage.
1,000,000 bribe offered to “take down” Israel's critics (State PROPAGANDA). In 1980, you could earn as much spreading propaganda, as you could winning a chess tournament!
For examples where Chess has been sold out for a political agenda and deception, see ★ and ★
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