May 1972

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Here, pictured is Robert Byrne with Chester Fox, whom Icelandic Chess Federation had secretly sold the media rights to the 1972 World Championship match. This move was to compensate, (several months after the bid) the purse. [Money which the Icelandic Chess Federation clearly never actually held in escrow. Such an action would be illegal under laws in civilized nations.] The capturing of media rights by Soviet sympathizers abroad thus enabled the Soviet to restrict all media coverage. Australia's bid alone amounted to a prize total far exceeding any other bids, but Australia, where media coverage might flourish, would not satisfy the USSR. The Soviet demanded the match be held in Iceland, for there it was possible to restrict all access to communications satellites. While Australia's bid came to a whopping $225,000, countries like Argentina also bid upwards to $180K, still putting the paltry Iceland/Soviet bid to pale. Once the Soviet had grasped all control of media, next, they destabilized Fischer, by careful placement of camera men to shove cameras in Bobby Fischer's face. Some, such as Golombek reported camera men crawling above Mr. Fischer in the rafters of the stadium. These actions, by Soviet design were calculated to shift the burden of responsibility on Mr. Fischer to call for the removal of the cameras. With photography rights and media coverage restricted, Americans couldn't view the devil in the details. The restricted press reports led the world public to believe, Mr. Fischer was merely over-reacting to small, even 'hidden' cameras. Once the suppression of press was achieved, the Soviet regime could re-write the events as they happened, sit back, wring its hands in relief, having the satisfaction it had successfully suppressed inevitable negative coverage of their most devastating, crushing defeat by one sole American individual. ...and, in turn, would give the soviet sympathizer, Chester Fox, an excuse to pursue Mr. Fischer for years with a 3 million dollar 'lawsuit' for financial damages which laid blame upon Mr. Fischer for 'forbidding photography rights'. Selling all photography rights to begin with, was absurd in itself, but the Icelandic Chess Federation (and Soviet) knowingly had done WITHOUT Mr. Fischer's knowledge or consent. The Times Munster, Indiana Sunday, July 02, 1972 World Title Match in Secret “…He also says the television coverage will be limited. If he beats Spassky, he doesn't see why it should be some kind of secret. “…THE WORLD champion has the right to pick the site of the championships,” says Fischer. “Spassky wasn't even there when the international governing body chose the site. A Russian delegation was there and they picked the site.” https://bobby-fischer-1972.blogspot.com/1972/06/world-title-match-in-secret.html The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Tuesday, May 02, 1972 “Chess Bid Made to Boost Australia” “…Mr. Prowse said that $200,000 of the $225,000 would go towards prize money, with the remaining $25,000 for expenses.” https://bobby-fischer-1972.blogspot.com/1972/05/chess-bid-made-to-boost-australia.html The Vancouver Sun Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Saturday, May 06, 1972 “A spokesman for Fischer said Friday that he would play ‘under conditions of the Icelandic bid, as YET UNSEEN by him, and in accordance with such rules as have been laid down by FIDE (International Chess Federation) as YET NOT CLARIFIED to him.’” “The station [Station WNET (Ch. 13)] said the Icelandic Chess Federation was seeking to bar the Associated Press from transmitting move-by-move reports of the event…” — Daily News New York, New York Friday, June 30, 1972 https://bobby-fischer-1972.blogspot.com/1972/05/fischer-oks-iceland-as-chess-match-site.html

May 01, 1972

• The Evening Sun Baltimore, Maryland Monday, May 01, 1972 - Page 3 — Chess Bout Gets Another Offer — Sydney, Australia (Reuter) — A Sydney syndicate has submitted a $225,000 bid to stage the world chess championship here—the second offer to come out of Australia in three days. The move came as officials of Victoria's Chess Association awaited a reply from the International Chess Federation to their $110,000 bid Friday to stage the championship in Melbourne. A spokesman for the Sydney syndicate, Linden Prowse, said today he hoped to get title holder Boris Spassky of Russia and Bobby Fischer, United States challenger, to agree to play here in November. ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

May 02, 1972

Mr. Linden Prowse, hoping to lure the contestants in the forthcoming world Chess title to play their matches in Australia.He is pictured outlining his ideas in his city office this afternoon. Mr. Prowse's “something for Australia” is his unnamed syndicate's $225,000 bid for the right to stage in Sydney the world chess championship match between America's Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. May 1, 1972. (Photo by Peter John Moxham/Fairfax Media via Getty Images). https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/mr-linden-prowse-hoping-to-lure-the-contestants-in-the-news-photo/1079237560

• The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Tuesday, May 02, 1972 - Page 3 — Chess Bid Made to Boost Australia — Mr. Linden Prowse flung his hands in the air and said: “Everybody wants to know why! Is there anything wrong with doing something for Australia?” Mr. Prowse's “some-thing for Australia” is his unnamed syndicate's $225,000 bid for the right to stage in Sydney the world chess championship match between America's Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. Yesterday Mr. Prowse, a 37-year-old businessman, said: “It's all our own money. We don't want the Government to help. It's up to Australian business people to get off their backsides and do this sort of thing for Australia.” But he also conceded that if the syndicate went the right way about it “we might make a few pennies out of it.” The profits would come largely from the sale of copyright to press representatives throughout the world. “It is a contest between individuals—the old world of Tolstoy versus the new world,” he said. “At least 800 million people are interested in playing and watching chess. This would be a great event for Australia.” He said he had had “stacks of phone calls” yesterday from people offering financial support. Mr. Prowse said that $200,000 of the $225,000 would go towards prize money, with the remaining $25,000 for expenses. He was confident the offer would be accepted by Spassky and Fischer. For Fischer it had the advantage of being a “neutral” country, and for Spassky, all 24 games being held in one country. Mr. Prowse, who described himself as a poor chess player—“but you don't have to be a chef to enjoy good food”—said that he would not make any further offer if the present one was rejected. “We are not running in an auction.” Mr. Prowse was one of the founders of LUV Pet-foods, which was acquired by US interests last year. The organizing secretary of the Australian Chess Federation, Mr. G. Koshnitsky, said last night he had sent Mr. Prowse's offer to the International Chess Federation in Amsterdam. The Australian offer had to be considered with several others. “However, we have a few advantages,” he said. Mr. Koshnitsky said he expected a decision “in the next few days.” ★ Read More

• Courier-Post Camden, New Jersey Tuesday, May 02, 1972 - Page 17 — World Chess Match Site Selection Ready — Amsterdam (UPI) — Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation, said Monday he would make a final decision on the world championship match of Bobby Fischer of the United States and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union within the next few days. “I have just returned from a chess-promoting world trip. Tuesday, I will check all information with my secretariat,” he said. I have already made up my mind about a line of action. I will make a final decision within the next few days. The affair has been going on already too long.” At a meeting in Amsterdam, March 20, representatives of the two players and of the Soviet, American, Yugoslav and Icelandic federations agreed on a procedure for the 24-match series. The first leg was scheduled to start June 22 in Belgrade and the second leg would be played in Reykjavik. The two cities offer prize money of $138,000 of which 62.5 per cent would go to the winner and 37.5 per cent to the loser. The Belgrade sponsors backed out after Fischer wanted more money. The international federation received various offers to take over, including one from Reykjavik to organize the complete match. The Soviet federation has demanded that Euwe should accept the Reykjavik offer and force Fischer to do so too under the threat he would be deprived of his challenging rights. An Australian syndicate made a $226,000 bid Monday for the world chess championship between Spassky and Fischer to be played in Sydney. The bid was announced by Linden Prowse, a businessman who declined to name the members of the syndicate. They cabled the offer to Amsterdam. ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• Journal and Courier Lafayette, Indiana Tuesday, May 02, 1972 - Page 34 — Chess Negotiations — Amsterdam, Netherlands (AP) — Negotiations on the site and date of the world chess championship match between title holder Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and his U.S. challenger Bobby Fischer will be handled from now on by World Chess Federation President Dr. Max Euwe. “Now that Fischer has made the Amsterdam agreement and the staging of the match in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, impossible, the financial aspects of the title match will be handled by the FIDE,” a spokesman said. FIDE is the federation. Under the Amsterdam agreement, it was decided to play half of the 24 title games in Belgrade and the other half in Reykjavik, Iceland. Belgrade backed out, however, after Fischer demanded a share in the profits above the $138,000 offered as prize money. The spokesman said FIDE will now try to have the entire match staged in Reykjavik, beginning June 22. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Tuesday, May 02, 1972 - Page 5 — Iceland picked as single site for chess meet — Reuter — Amsterdam — Dr. Max Euwe, chairman of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), announced here today the Federation will try to make Iceland the location for the entire world chess championship between title-holder Boris Spassky of Russia and American challenger Bobby Fischer. Euwe said in a communique that countries outside Europe would not be considered for the time being. The first half of the world championship was originally due to have been played in Belgrade in June, with the second half fixed for Reykjavik, Iceland. But Yugoslavia withdrew when financial guarantees were not forthcoming from the Americans after Fischer had sought a larger financial share, including television and film fees. ★ / ★ Read More

May 03, 1972

• Dayton Daily News Dayton, Ohio Wednesday, May 03, 1972 - Page 39 — Your Move Chess Club Tells Bobby — Amsterdam, Netherlands (AP) — The world chess championship was handed today to Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, a spokesman of the International Chess Federation — FIDE — said. The championship is scheduled to start July 2. The decision to go for Reykjavik — which had offered to host the games between title holder Boris Spassky of Russia and challenger Bobby Fischer of the United States — was taken by FIDE's president, Dr. Max Euwe, the spokesman said. FIDE gave Fischer until Saturday morning to declare his willingness to play on the conditions set by Reykjavik. ([No formal contract presented in writing? Just forced into acceptance of whatever terms the Soviet Union may hide between the lines and throw at the two opponents.) THESE are a prize fund of $125,000, with the winner taking $78,125 and the loser the rest. If Fischer, or his chess federation, fails to give a positive reply on the stated deadline, the U.S. grandmaster will lose his right to challenge Spassky, the spokesman said. The right to challenge will then go to Russian grandmaster Tigran Petrosian, whom Fischer defeated in the world championship semifinals. ([By this statement, those “old hands” at work behind the scenes, pulling strings to replace Fischer, true to Ken Smith's predictions, revealing the extent of Soviet coercion and control over FIDE.)] ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Fresno Bee The Republican Fresno, California Wednesday, May 03, 1972 - Page 18 — Iceland Agrees To Host World Chess Championship — Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) —Iceland has agreed to stage the world chess championship between America's Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union starting July 2, the Icelandic Chess Federation announced. Chairman Gudmundur Thorarinsson said the proposal of the International Chess Federation to hold the 24-game championship here was accepted, provided both players come here soon to complete arrangements. Chess officials have said Fischer will lose his right to challenge Spassky for the world crown if he does not accept the world federation's latest proposal. Earlier plans to start the matches in Belgrade in June collapsed over Fischer's demands for a share of the profits in addition to the prize money. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Miami News Miami, Florida Wednesday, May 03, 1972 - Page 2 — Iceland Gets Chess Tournament — Reykjavik, Iceland — The long-delayed World Chess Championship between the Soviet title-holder Boris Spassky and American Bobby Fischer will begin here on July 2, it was announced here last night. Gudmundur Thorarinsson, president of Iceland's Chess Federation, said he had accepted an offer from the International Chess Federation president, Dr. Max Euwe, to hold the entire contest in Reykjavik. The International Federation (FIDE) would now officially offer Spassky and Fischer the chance to meet here and if either refused he would be disqualified. The contest originally was to have been held in two stages—the first in Belgrade in June and the second in Reykjavik. But Yugoslavia withdrew when financial guarantees ([illegally demanded by organizers in Belgrade seeking to profit, 35k “guarantees” not in the contract)] were not forthcoming from the Americans after Fischer had sought a larger financial share, including television and film fees. Belgrade and Reykjavik had become compromise locations for the match after the two players had failed to agree on a venue for the championship. ★ / ★ ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Pittsburgh Press Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Wednesday, May 03, 1972 - Page 9 — Iceland Site For World Chess Crown — Reykjavik, Iceland (UPI) — The Icelandic Chess Federation announced yesterday it has agreed to stage the entire 24-game world chess championship match between Bobby Fisher of the United States and world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. Gudmunder Thorarinsson, president of the federation, told UPI he telephoned his offer yesterday to Max Euwe, president of the International Chess Federation. He said the organizers had guaranteed the two players $125,000 each for playing all 24 games in Reykjavik, starting July 2. Originally Fisher and Spassky would have played 12 games in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and the remaining 12 games in Reykjavik. Thorarinsson said the two players would be quartered at one of the capital's three main hotels and the match would be staged in Reykjavik's main sport hall. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• Times Colonist Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Wednesday, May 03, 1972 - Page 22 — Chess Match Location Ruling Made — Moscow (AP) — Tass said today the president of the International Chess Federation has decided that the world championship match between champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and challenger Robert Fischer of the United States will be played in Reykjavik, Iceland, and start July 2. Tass said the decision was announced in a telegram the Soviet Union Chess Federation received from Max Euwe, president of the federation. The decision may end an international squabble about the site of the 24 title games. The match was to have been played half in Belgrade and half in Reykjavik under an earlier agreement, but Belgrade withdrew as a sponsor after Fischer demanded a share of the profits in addition to a guarantee. Euwe has said Fischer would lose his right to play if he did not accept the federation's new ruling. ([A “new ruling” which was not provided to Fischer in written form for Fischer to make an informed, consensual agreement based upon facts, as in any “valid contract”. Rather, Fischer was given an ultimatum: 1) Agree to a contract he knows not what it entails overtly, or “between the lines”. Such a demand would never be issed by any legitimate organization or institution! or 2) forfeit the match. Agree to a contract you've neither seen nor read? Such is an impossible request, a “Catch 22” thrust upon Fischer by the Soviets. Ken Smith had predicted scheming “old hands” were at work to “replace Fischer” so no matter what way Fischer chose after this scheme, it was a lose-lose situation.)] ★ Read More

• The Province Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Wednesday, May 03, 1972 - Page 34 — Iceland May Host Entire Chess Match — (Reuter) Amsterdam — Dr. Max Euwe, chairman of the International Chess Federation announced Tuesday the federation will try to make Iceland the venue for the entire world chess championship between titleholder Boris Spassky of Russia and American challenger Bobby Fischer. Euwe said in a statement countries outside Europe will not be considered for the time being. Montreal earlier had bid for half of the championship. The first half was originally due to have been played in Belgrade in June, with the second half fixed for Reykjavik, Iceland. But Yugoslavia withdrew when ([as pointed out by Edmondson of the US Chess Federation, illegally demanded guarantees for which the contract contained no provision]) financial guarantees were not forthcoming ([of course not, because the demand was illegal)] from the Americans after Fischer had sought a larger financial share, including television and film fees. Belgrade and Reykjavik were a compromise after the two players had failed to agree on a single venue. Euwe said that FIDE continues to aim at a day between June 22 and 25 as starting date of the match. He said he will handle financial aspects. This means that these matters will no longer be negotiated by the players, federations and other organizers. ([And, he will be permitted to do so, as long as his “decisions” meet with Soviet satisfaction.)] ★ / ★ ★ / ★ Read More

May 04, 1972

• The San Francisco Examiner San Francisco, California Thursday, May 04, 1972 - Page 2 — Russ OK Iceland Chess — Moscow — (AP) — The Soviet Chess Federation agreed today that Reykjavik, Iceland, should be the site of the world championship chess match between title holder Boris Spassky of Russia and Bobby Fischer of the United States. The Soviet Federation approved the Reykjavik site in a telegram to the International Chess Federation, according to the official news agency, Tass. It also agreed that the match should begin July 2, as proposed by International Federation President Max Euwe of Amsterdam. Euwe gave Spassky and Fischer until 9 a.m. Saturday to agree to the time and place. Fischer has not replied. Euwe has said Fischer would lose the right to play for the title if he failed to accept. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Thursday, May 04, 1972 - Page 8 — Iceland Named For Chess Titles on July 2 — Reykjavik, (Iceland), Wednesday. — The long-delayed world chess championship between the Soviet title-holder, Boris Spassky and the American player, Bobby Fischer, will begin in Reykjavik on July 2, if the two contenders agree. Mr Gudmundur Thorarinsson, president of Iceland's Chess Federation, announced tonight that he had accepted an offer today from the International Chess Federation president, Dr Max Euwe, to hold the entire 24-game contest in Reykjavik. If either player refused, he would be disqualified, he said. The contest was originally to have been held in two stages — the first 12 games in Belgrade in June and 12 more in Reykjavik. But Yugoslavia withdrew after Fischer had sought a larger financial share, including television and film fees. Since the problems over a location arose, offers to stage the contest have been made by Australia, Holland, Puerto Rico and Mexico.
  Derryn Hinch, “Herald” correspondent, reports from New York: The United States Chess Federation has come out in favor of holding the championship in Sydney. The federation's executive director, Colonel Edmund Edmondson, said in New York yesterday that Sydney was “far and away the best offer” to stage the competition. He was referring to a Sydney syndicate's offer of $225,000 to stage the championship in Australia. Col. Edmondson said Dr. Euwe “in his wisdom will no doubt have to reconsider the announcement he has just made [offering the whole match to Iceland] in view of the offer earlier today from Sydney.”
  Auckland, Wednesday. — The Sydney syndicate seeking to stage a world chess championship in Australia considers its offer still open. The syndicate head, Mr. Linden Prowse, said this tonight after hearing details of a report that Reykjavik, Iceland, was to be the location. Read More

• The San Bernardino County Sun San Bernardino, California Thursday, May 04, 1972 - Page 31 — Fischer Warned Play In Iceland or Else — Amsterdam (UPI)—Max Euwe, president of the international Chess Federation (FIDE), announced yesterday he has picked Reykjavik, Iceland, as the site for the world championship chess match between the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky and his American challenger, Robert (Bobby) Fischer. Euwe said the 24-match series would start July 2 and offer as prize money $125,000 split 60 per cent for the winner and 46 per cent for the loser. He said he had asked the contenders for their confirmation by May 6. Euwe said he took the decision after the Reykjavik sponsors advised him they were ready to organize the complete match under their original offer which they filed with the world federation in December last year. Euwe said discussions about “possible other financial aspects” would he exclusively held by him and the organizers. He said he reminded the American federation that Fischer, of Brooklyn, N.Y., would be deprived of his challenger rights if he refused to play. All other national federations which offered to organize the first leg were informed the match would he played at Reykjavik, he said. They were Mexico, Canada, Australia and Yugoslavia. He said if it would be impossible to play at Reykjavik for some reason, he would first look for another organizer in Europe. Only thereafter would bids from outside Europe be taken into consideration. The original arrangement made under auspices of FIDE was that the first leg would he played at Belgrade, Fischer's original choice, and the second leg at Reykjavik, Spassky's choice. The Belgrade sponsors backed out when they were faced with new financial demands from Fischer and they felt they had no solid guarantees he would play under the original arrangement. ([Euwe knew as well as Edmondson, the Belgrade demand for a 35k “guarantee” was not in the contract, therefore illegal. Euwe knew Fischer did not twist the arms of Belgrade organizers to withdraw, anymore than Reykjavik withdrew. While away on his tour, Euwe was enthusiastic with the possibility of Australia acting as tournament host, perhaps… Euwe praised the offer by Mexico for offering the “highest purse” which Australia would later beat, all this and more, while away on tour. Euwe returns to Europe, to find Soviet delegates breathing down his back. Euwe does an about face, calls off his recent open bidding invitation, opting to do things the “Soviet Way”. News reports now become sullen and threatening. One might perceive Euwe's changeability as “erratic”.)] ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• New York Times, New York, New York, Thursday, May 04, 1972 - Page 16 — Reykjavik Awarded Title Chess Series — It was Bobby Fischer's move yesterday in the preliminaries for the world chess championship—and the American challenger remained incommunicado on the latest proposal to hold his matches with Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union in Reykjavik, Iceland, starting July 2. A spokesman in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for the International Chess Federation said Fischer had until Saturday morning to accept the terms proposed by the Icelandic Chess Federation for the staging of the entire 24-game series: the winner to get $78,125 and the loser the balance of a prize purse of $125,000. The spokesman said Fischer would lose his right to challenge Spassky and would be replaced as challenger by Tigran Petrosian, whom Fischer had eliminated in the semifinals, if the American contender failed to accept this ultimatum. Fischer was said to be still in the Catskills preparing for the match. His lawyer and spokesman here, Paul G. Marshall, was not immediately available. ([Soviet hiding the match and pushing the reward ratio down to the lowest bar possible.]) ★ Read More

• The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, May 04, 1972 - Page 10 — Chess Match Slated for Iceland? — Reuters News Agency, The Hague — The Soviet and United States chess federations have to confirm by Saturday that world champion Boris Spassky and American Bobby Fischer will meet in Reykjavik, Iceland, on July 2. Dr. Max Euwe, chairman of the International Chess Federation said here Wednesday. Euwe said FIDE had asked the federations to reply by May 6 at the latest that their players would be available. The much-postponed meeting of Spassky and Fischer — which has been delayed by disputes over where the contest should be held and financial arrangements — was finally fixed last night. Read More

• The Guardian London, Greater London, England Thursday, May 04, 1972 - Page 17 — Faber Paper-Covered Editions — Spring Titles”

May 05, 1972

• Deseret News Salt Lake City, Utah Friday, May 05, 1972 - Page 25 — Let's Play Chess by Harold Lundstrom — …As of our last report, Fischer had not yet replied. Dr. Euwe also said that Fischer would lose the right to play for the title if he failed to accept. Under an earlier agreement, half the 24-game match was to have been played in Belgrade and the other half in Reykjavik. But Belgrade withdrew as a sponsor after Fischer demanded a share of the profits in addition to [Belgrade organizers demanding] a guarantee. Iceland has offered to stage both matches in the title series. The Soviet newspapers have let loose a series of charges against both Fischer and Dr. Euwe. Despite Fischer's “caprices,” the USSR Sport said, “Euwe continues to engage in an endless exchange of telegrams and wants the world to accept a new round of negotiations.” The FIDE President is on a tour of the Asia. The “USSR Sport” attacked him for “hiding in the bushes while the fate of the match dangles on a thread.” The paper said Euwe's conduct leads to a possibility that the match may be “torpedoed.” ([Yes, of course, by Soviet troublemakers.]) The Russian newspaper also called Fischer “an unworthy challenger” to Spassky. It recalled Fischer's strongly anti-Russian comments said through the years and said the American's aim was “super-high fees” for matches. ([Which is better than maintaining a monopoly over world sports through an imbalanced and unfair “state-subsidized” system of payouts while foreign players are at a disadvantage and expected to fork up expenses from their own pockets.)] Read More

• The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Friday, May 05, 1972 - Page 3 — Bid For Chess Still On — The head of the Sydney syndicate seeking to stage the world chess championships is ready to meet the American contender, Bobby Fischer, to press Sydney's claims. Mr. Linden Prowse said this yesterday in an urgent telegram to the executive director of the US Chess Federation, Colonel Edmund Edmondson. In Auckland on business, Mr. Prowse said his telegram requested contact with Fischer for talks on the championship. It was announced on Wednesday that the tournament between Fischer and the Soviet title-holder, Boris Spassky, would begin in Reykjavik, Iceland, on July 2. Mr Prowse said yesterday he did not regard this decision as final. “There are quite a number of obstacles to be overcome before Reykjavik can clearly be said to be the venue,” he said. “We will maintain our offer and press Sydney's claims as hard as possible.” Read More

May 06, 1972

• New York Times, New York, New York, Saturday, May 06, 1972 - Page 33 — Fischer Accepts Match In Iceland – Agrees to Oppose Spassky for World Chess Title by Murray Illson — Bobby Fischer, the American challenger for the world chess championship, agreed yesterday to play the champion, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, in Reykjavik, Iceland, “or anywhere else in the free world.” The move by the 29-year-old American grandmaster, made at Grossinger's, in the Catskills, where he has been training, apparently ended a four-month controversy over the site for the match and the division of the prize money. A spokesman in Amsterdam, the Netherlands for the International Chess Federation, said on Wednesday that Fischer had until this morning to accept the terms proposed by Icelandic Chess Federation for staging the 24-game series in Reykjavik starting July 2. Under the Icelandic bid, the winner would receive $78,125, and the loser the balance of a prize purse of $125,000. Paul G. Marshall, Fischer's lawyer, said his client had agreed to the match with Spassky “in spite of the continued attempts by the Russian Government to defend a title by chicanery instead of skill.” Fischer, according to the statement, held that the site of the match should have been chosen in a face-to-face meeting between himself and Spassky but that the Soviet Government would not permit a meeting or allow Spassky to travel freely. Accusing the International Chess Federation of being “biased,” the statement charged that Fischer's only knowledge of the Icelandic bid came to him from newspaper reports and that he had never been reached personally by the federation. “While Mr. Fischer expressed admiration for both the people and the country of Iceland,” the statement said, “he noted that the lack of technical facilities there made televised coverage very difficult and severely hampered films or tape recordings of the event.” Fischer's “chief aim was to see that his friends in the Americas could for the first time see their representative play for the world championship,” the statement said. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Orlando Sentinel Orlando, Florida Saturday, May 06, 1972 - Page 5 — Fischer Accepts Match In Iceland — Grossingers, N.Y. (Reuter) Chess master Bobby Fischer agreed Friday to play world chess champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union for the title in Reykjavik, Iceland, Fischer's representative said. Paul Marshall, Fischer's representative said Fischer had agreed to the International Chess Federation's proposal of Iceland as the site of the world chess championships because “Bobby feels that even under adverse and uncertain conditions designed to make it difficult for him to play, he must play and win as a matter of national and personal pride.”
  FISCHER WON the right to challenge Russia's Spassky for the title, which is contested every three years, by defeating other potential challengers, including former world champion Tigran Petrosyan of the Soviet Union. Spassky won the world title from Petrosyan in Moscow in 1969. Fischer's acceptance of Iceland appears to have ended a long wrangle over the championship site that threatened to jeopardize this year's championship. The international association was reported at one stage to be considering cancellation of the title match because of Fischer's reluctance to agree to a site.
  MARSHALL SAID Fischer found making the decision to go to Iceland was “one heck of a struggle … it was really terrible.” Fischer's spokesman added the choice of Iceland “was made solely by the Soviet government without reference to either of the players.” “The method by which the choice was made is clearly against FIDE (International Chess Federation rules and brings into question the integrity and intent of FIDE,” he said. FIDE had originally stated it had refused to hold any part of the match in the Western hemisphere, the spokesman said, “evidencing not only a callous disregard of their own rules and display of authority, but a prejudice which has marked chess championships ever since the Soviet Union obtained the monopoly.” ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• Arizona Daily Star Tucson, Arizona Saturday, May 06, 1972 - Page 2 — Fischer Accepts Chess Site — Issues Complaint Over Treatment — Grossinger, N.Y. (AP) — American chess grand master Bobby Fischer agreed Friday to play Boris Spassky of Russia “in Iceland or anywhere else in the free world” under conditions set by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for their world championship match. It was Fischer's first public comment since the FIDE announced April 28 that it had awarded the 24-game title match to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. In a statement issued by a spokesman here, Fischer complained that FIDE officials had “rebuffed” his efforts to learn details of the Icelandic bid. But the spokesman added: “In spite of continued attempts by the Russian government to defend a world title by chicanery instead of skill: in spite of conditions unfavorable to Bobby set down by a biased organization and illegally enforced, and in spite of every handicap deliberately placed in Bobby's path, he will play Mr. Spassky in Iceland or anywhere else in the free world under conditions of the Icelandic bid, as yet unseen by him, and in accordance with such rules as have been laid down by FIDE, as yet not clarified to him.” The spokesman, Joel Pomerantz, said Fischer had notified the FIDE by telegram of his decision to accept terms of the match, in which Fischer is challenger for the title. Earlier plans to stage the matches in Belgrade in June collapsed when Fischer demanded a share of the profits in addition to the prize. Under conditions set in Reykjavik, the players will share a $125,000 purse, the winner getting $78,125, and the loser, $46,875. The matches were scheduled to begin July 2. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Windsor Star Windsor, Ontario, Canada Saturday, May 06, 1972 - Page 46 — New Paperbacks — “Flamboyant chess master Bobby Fischer is passing out tips. His methods have been explained in a Bantam paperback, Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess. Originally published by Xerox Basic Systems, the book is described as using the concept of programmed instruction. Co-authors are Dr. Stuart Margulies of Xerox and Donn Mosenfelder of Educational Design, Inc.” Read More

• Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan Saturday, May 06, 1972 - Page 40 — Fischer Accepts — Bobby Fischer, the challenger for the World Chess Championship, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, in Reykjavik, Iceland. A sharply worded statement issued in Fischer's behalf by his representative made it clear that the United States grandmaster was irritated by the way in which the Icelandic bid had been issued. The statement, which was issued by Paul Marshall, a New York City lawyer, said that Fischer had agreed to the match with Spassky “in spite of the continued attempts by the Russian government to defend a title by chicanery instead of skill.” The statement charged that Fischer's only knowledge of the Icelandic bid was gathered from reports in newspapers and that he had never been personally contacted by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). “While Mr. Fischer expressed admiration for both the people and the country of Iceland,” the statement said, “he noted that the lack of technical facilities there made televised coverage very difficult and severely hampered films or tape recordings of the event.” ([But not half the difficulties Soviet agent, Chester Fox is preparing to make to guarantee Soviet achieve full-censorship.]) ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

Miguel Ángel Quinteros and Bobby Fischer in their prime. They met in Argentina, but then they toured the world...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Saturday, February 27, 2021

Miguel Ángel Quinteros and Bobby Fischer in their prime. They met in Argentina, but then they toured the world together. “Quinteros and Fischer were very different, but they had generated a solid empathy. It is not risky to say that Miguel Ángel was one of the people who knew him the best. And that is why he knows, like no one else, details about what his mythical existence turned out to be. It was Quinteros who assisted him in 1971 to beat Petrosián; in 1972 he was in preparation and then assisted him in the World Cup in Iceland. He was also the one who accompanied him to most of the Open, to Las Vegas and three months to Taxco (Mexico) in 1982; to Paris in 1995 to draw up the Fischerandom contract that was launched with singular success on June 16, 1996 at the Pasaje Dardo Rocha in La Plata at the request of the then governor Eduardo Duhalde. So many experiences force us to choose anecdotes.” https://www.infobae.com/deportes/2021/01/31/las-revelaciones-de-miguel-angel-quinteros-el-ajedrecista-argentino-que-convivio-25-anos-con-bobby-fischer/

• Kenosha News Kenosha, Wisconsin Saturday, May 06, 1972 - Page 17 — Quinteros Aides Fischer Training — Among its guests, Grossinger's has a “sparring partner” to help Bobby Fischer train for his forthcoming world-championship chess match against Russia's Boris Spassky. The sparring partner is former Argentinean champion Miguel Quinteros. At 24, he is considered one of the top players in South America. He speaks very little English, but Fischer has a good working knowledge of Spanish. ★ / ★ Read More

Fischer and Quinteros forged a strong friendship from 1971, despite the fact that they had very dissimilar...

Posted by Bobby Fischer's True History on Saturday, February 27, 2021

Fischer and Quinteros forged a strong friendship from 1971, despite the fact that they had very dissimilar personalities. Against all odds, the relationship lasted 25 years. https://www.infobae.com/deportes/2021/01/31/las-revelaciones-de-miguel-angel-quinteros-el-ajedrecista-argentino-que-convivio-25-anos-con-bobby-fischer/

May 07, 1972

• Albuquerque Journal Albuquerque, New Mexico Sunday, May 07, 1972 - Page 85 — Fischer Agrees To Iceland Site For Chess Title —Amsterdam (UPI) — The International Chess Federation said it received confirmation from U.S. chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer Saturday that he will challenge Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union for the world championship title in Reykjavik, Iceland. Spassky had informed the federation Friday of his willingness to play in the Icelandic capital. Both said they were ready to start the 24-game series July 2.
  ORIGINALLY, the first half of the match was to be played in Belgrade and the second half in Reykjavik — a compromise since Fischer had wanted to play the series in the Yugoslav capital and Spassky had favored Iceland. Max Euwe, president of the federation, split the match between the two cities when the two men failed to agree on a site. The Belgrade sponsors backed out when they were faced with new financial demands from Fischer. They said they had no solid financial guarantees that the American would play under the original arrangement.
  REYKJAVIK SAID it still was willing to organize the match there, and Euwe decided that it should be played in Iceland. He said Fischer would be deprived of his right to challenge Spassky if he refused. A chess federation spokesman said Fischer had until Saturday to decide. Fischer said in a statement issued through his attorney in Grossinger, N.Y., Friday night that he never had been contacted by the federation about the deadline. He said the organization had violated its rules in the way it selected the Icelandic bid. Fischer said the site should have been chosen in a face-to-face meeting between him and Spassky, but the Soviet government would not permit such a meeting or permit Spassky to travel freely. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• Pacific Daily News Agana Heights, Guam Sunday, May 07, 1972 - Page 30 — Fischer Agrees To Meet Russian Chess Champion — Grossinger, New York (UPI)— American chess challenger Bobby Fischer of New York City said today he will meet Russian champion Boris Spassky for a 24-game world championship series in Reykjavik, Iceland, or anywhere else in the Free World. Fischer, in a statement issued through his New York attorney, Paul Marshall, said he will meet Spassky anywhere in the Free World under the conditions of the Icelandic bid, even though he has never seen the proposal. Originally, 12 games were to be played in Reykjavik and 12 in Belgrade, but the Belgrade sponsors withdrew last month following new financial demands by Fischer. A spokesman for the International Chess Federation (FIDE) said the Soviet Chess Federation agreed to Reykjavik as a site for a match starting July 2. A FIDE spokesman said Fischer had until tomorrow morning to reply. Fischer's statement said he had never been personally contacted by FIDE about the deadline and said the organization violated its rules in the way it selected the Icelandic bid. Fischer has been at Grossinger in upstate New York for two months training for the match. ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

• The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Sunday, May 07, 1972 - Page 6 — World Chess to Be Played in Iceland — New York, Saturday (AAP-Reuter): Bobby Fischer of America, agreed yesterday to play world chess champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union for the title in Reykjavik, Iceland. Fischer's representative, Mr. Paul Marshall, said: “In spite of continued attempts on the part of the Russian Government to avoid defending a title by chicanery instead of defending it with skill, in spite of conditions unfavorable to Bobby set forth by a biased organization (the International Chess Federation) and improperly enforced, and in spite of every handicap deliberately placed in Bobby's path, he has agreed to play Boris Spassky in Iceland or anywhere in the free world.” He said Fischer had agreed to the federation's proposal of Iceland for the series because Bobby feels that even under adverse and uncertain conditions designed to make it difficult for him to play, he must play and win as a matter of national and personal pride.” Fischer won the right to challenge Spassky for the title, which is contested every three years, by defeating other potential challengers, including former world champion Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union. Spassky won the title from Petrosyan in Moscow in 1969. “The method by which the choice was made is clearly against FIDE (International Chess Federation) rules and brings into question the integrity and intent of FIDE,” he said. The U.S. Chess federation earlier backed Sydney as the site for the match. The federation president, Colonel Ed Edmondson, said the federation thought Sydney's $225,000 offer was “far and away the best bid.” The International Chess Federation chairman, Dr. Max Euwe, had announced that the had selected Reykjavik, Iceland, as host city for the 24-game series and gave Fischer and Spassky until today to accept the decision. Colonel Edmondson was critical of Dr. Euwe and said the whole thing was “a mess.” He said he was not down-grading Iceland — “They have a good playing hall and they've made a generous offer.” “It amounts to about half a dollar for every man, woman and child in the country.” But it still did not match the Sydney offer. Read More

• The Atlanta Constitution Atlanta, Georgia Sunday, May 07, 1972 - Page 8 — Fischer Approves Of Iceland Match from Wire Reports — Grossinger, N.Y. — American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer has agreed to Iceland as the site of his 24-game world championship match against Boris Spassky of Russia. A spokesman for Fischer said that he would play “under conditions of the Icelandic bid, as yet unseen by him, and in accordance with such rules as have been laid down by FIDE (International Chess Federation) as yet not clarified to him.” Under conditions set in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, play will begin July 2 and the contestants will share a $125,000 purse, the winner getting $78,125 and the loser, $46,875. Earlier plans to stage the match in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in June collapsed after Fischer demanded a share of the profits in addition to the prize. Reykjavik was awarded the 24-game title match April 28. Fischer's spokesman, Joel Pomerantz, said Fischer had hoped to play the match either in North or South America so that “his friends in America could for the first time, see their representative play for the world championship. “Bobby feels that even under these adverse conditions, he can play and win as a matter of international and personal pride,” Pomerantz said. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

May 08, 1972

• The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Monday, May 08, 1972 - Page 9 — Rogers — Rogers sipped lemonade, joked with the crew, told the four newsmen aboard about his college boxing days, joined his wife, Adele, at bridge, and remarked how glad he was to hear that Bobby Fischer had agreed to play Boris Spassky in Iceland for the world chess championship. ★ / ★ Read More

May 11, 1972

• Oakland Tribune Oakland, California Thursday, May 11, 1972 - Page 18 — Ideological Chess Duel? — The World Chess Championship between the young American grandmaster Bobby Fischer and the current champion Boris Spassky of Russia is taking on the aspects of an ideological duel between the two super powers. After six months' search, the pair finally agreed on Reykjavik, Iceland as the site of the 24-game match. Next thing we'll know is that they can't decide on the shape of the chess table. While all of this has been going on, the participants and some of their fellow countrymen have engaged in the sort of name calling and propaganda long familiar to U.S.-Russian forays. The Soviet Union has charged Fischer with “connivance” and “endless whims” and said he was only interested in capitalistic gain. Fischer said he would not play the match unless it were held in the free world. How much of these exchanges before the July 2 match is psychology in the form of one-up-manship is not easily determined, but the battle of wits and steeled nerves is expected to last through all of the lengthy games. Fischer has been called a lot of things including erratic, egocentric, a genius, a wizard, temperamental, sullen, unpredictable, patient, a prima donna, highly controversial and “a machine.” But one this is certain, he represents the best chance of any challenger in the last 10 years to wrest the title away from the Russians. The chess match between the two probably will be as bitter as it is brilliant as they pursue the most coveted title of best player in the world. As one observer put it, chess “is absolutely living. Chess is a game that represents all the successes and failures of life.” Perhaps that's why the Russians and the Americans place such value on winning the championship and why the match has taken on the added intrigue of exploiting ideological differences. Read More

• The Emporia Gazette Emporia, Kansas Thursday, May 11, 1972 - Page 2 — Garner Ted Exiled — …AT FIRST, Herbert told W.C.G. members that Garner Ted was simply taking a long overdue leave of absence. Then, in February, the inner church membership — about 75,000 people — heard a letter from Pasadena so secret that their ministers were ordered to burn it after reading. It's message: Garner Ted was “in the bonds of Satan.” At the end of April, the senior Armstrong made a more public statement to the broader church membership — the “co-worker” category, which includes such sympathizers as Chess Grandmaster Bobby Fischer — explaining that Garner Ted had confessed to some kind of transgression …
  Read More

May 14, 1972

• The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Sunday, May 14, 1972 - Page 47 — Australian Gambit — So Australia, after its belated flurry of big bids to stage the world chess championships, has missed its early chances. Only little Iceland will do, it appears, for the two giants from East and West to use as a battleground. Interested in the discussion about fabulous sums available for televising the Spassky-Fischer contest, and what the interested viewer might see, I questioned Garry Koshnitzky, who is “The Sun-Herald” chess editor as well as organising secretary of the Australian Chess Federation. How, I asked, would a television audience react to a player gnawing his lips for half an hour while pondering a move? Koshnitsky felt the best effect would come from an edited version of highlights inside the battle ground, with a commentator and a demonstration board outside. Otherwise filling in those long minutes might strain the most imaginative cricket broadcasters—and not even a seagull in sight. Australia might put in a bid for the next title contest in 1975. Don't be surprised if the challenger is himself an Australian. No, that is going too far at the moment, but one of the little heralded chess success stories is of Sydney-born International Grandmaster Walter Shawne Browne, living in New York but still an Australian citizen, who is ranked next to Bobby Fischer in the latest US ratings. Browne, at 23, and a professional full-time player, still has years of chess ahead of him—but then so has Fischer. Read More

May 15, 1972

• New York Times, New York, New York May 15, 1972 - Page 71 — WNET Plans to Simulate Plays In Fischer's Bid for Chess Title by George Gent — Channel 13 is planning to carry a simulated play-by-play telecast of the world chess championship between Bobby Fischer of the United States and the present champion, Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. The 24-game series, set to open July 2 in Reykjavik, Iceland, will be carried by WNET/13 here and offered nationally to the Public Broadcasting Service, provided the station can raise sufficient funds for the costly transmission from Reykjavik. Frank Leicht, vice president of program administration for Channel 13, confirmed yesterday that he had been working with Michael Chase, director of operations for the New York State public TV network of the State University of New York, to set up the broadcasts.
  ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

May 17, 1972

• The Windsor Star Windsor, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, May 17, 1972 - Page 16 — Windsor Youth Ties First in Provincial Chess Meet by Al Strachan — …Bobby Fischer, the American master is his idol and, Ray thinks, the world's best chess player. Ray tries to pattern his game after Fischer's using the same Ruy Lopez opening with a number of variations. He tries to be a positional player varying his moves to counter those of his opponents rather than sticking to a set plan of attack. There is, however, one major difference between the games of Bobby Fischer and Ray Stone. “He plays a lot better than I do,” Ray concedes. Read More

May 20, 1972

• The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana Saturday, May 20, 1972 - Page 65 — The King and His Sixty-Four Squares by Sandra Shevey —Bobby Fischer Trains Fiercely for His Big Chance at the World Chess Championship— While ([Soviet Government and its network of influential sympathisers across western media]) Makes Waves That Could Upset it. Whatever Joe Namath is to football or Muhammad Ali to boxing, it all goes double for Bobby Fischer and chess. The lone idol of America's 3 million chess buffs, a player so good he's in a class by himself, Bobby Fischer is a walking example of what it means to have your life completely dominated by trying to corner a wooden king on a checkered board. At 29, he is on the verge of achieving his ambition to play directly—head to head—for the elusive world's championship of chess, ([Soviet chess officials and their widespread influence over worldwide chess, including its long arm over media narratives]) has thrown up roadblocks which threaten to derail all the delicate international arrangements for staging the match. In a hotel room at Grossinger's Catskill resort, where he's been training for the chess bout, Fischer interrupts his concentration on the chess strategy of the man he hopes to dethrone as world champ — the Russian, Boris Spassky. He doesn't trust the Soviets (for good reason); he's dissatisfied with the money arrangements (maybe good reason). Due to Fischer's request for a percentage of the gate sales, the Belgrade officials illegally demanded a 35k guarantee, a demand rejected by Edmondson of the US Chess Federation, the Soviet and their sympathetic supporter-base worldwide made such an issue, including without cause, Belgrade organizers withdrawing its agreement to host the match, that it jeopardized the playoff. It is difficult to appreciate that Bobby's burning ambition, even before he became the youngest chess grandmaster in history (at 15), has been to beat the Russians at their own best game. It's also difficult for most Americans to understand the emotional value, the national prestige, that the Russians place on holding the chess crown. Bobby Fischer knows. He also knows what lengths they'll go to to hold onto it.
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May 21, 1972

• New York Times, New York, New York, Sunday, May 21, 1972 - Page 336 — New Body Twist: Eggheads Tone the Muscles, Athletes the Mind by Alan Truscott — Whether a brilliant body can function effectively when harnessed to a dull mind is a question provoked by some recent evidence suggesting that a brilliant mind can be handicapped by a dull body. If a chess champion or a bridge expert needs to keep physically fit, perhaps a sports star benefits by being mentally agile. By a small coincidence, United States stars of the chessboard and the bridge-table are in physical training this month in preparation for world championship contests later in the summer. Brooklyn-bred Robert Fischer, an undisputed genius, is in Grossinger, N.Y., preparing for the chess battle of the century—his world championship match against the Russian titleholder, Boris Spassky. After months of international dispute with the International Chess Federation in the middle, this is now expected to start in Reykjavik, Iceland, on July 2.
  ★ Read More

May 22, 1972

• The Indianapolis News Indianapolis, Indiana Monday, May 22, 1972 - Page 21 — Kup's Column : His Kingdom For A Knight's Queen — Chicago — Impresario Frank Fried will win the hearts of the nation's chess enthusiasts with this project: He's on the verge of a deal for a closed-circuit audio (not visual) broadcast of the world chess championship in Iceland between America's Bobby Fischer and Russia's Boris Spassky. As Fried envisions it, huge chess boards will be installed in hotel ballrooms in key cities and each move by Fischer and Spassky will be charted as the closed-circuit reports come in … ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

May 24, 1972

• The Miami News Miami, Florida Wednesday, May 24, 1972 - Page 34 — Playing It Close To The Chess — Carner Bank first vice president Abel Holtz, right, takes a giant chess step forward as opponent Stephen Carner, the bank president, left, and Miami Beach Chess Club president Norman Mendelson look on. The bank is sponsoring a U.S. Chess Federation tournament May 26-28 at the chess club, 2000 Washington Ave. The winner will get a free trip to Iceland this summer to see the world championship match between American Bobby Fischer and world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union. ★ Read More

May 25, 1972

• The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Thursday, May 25, 1972 - Page 62 — Tourney Broadcast — Chess addicts can rejoice. It looks as if the world championship match at Reykjavik, Iceland, between Bobby Fischer, the young American star, and Boris Spassky, the Russian champion, will be carried live — at least in re-creation — on Station WGBH-TV (Channel 2) and other stations of the Eastern Educational Network (EEN). There will be no television in the room of the actual contest, but Channel 2 hopes to have the moves relayed as they occur and will show them on a large board, with full analysis and comment by the New England champion. Some details remain to be determined, so broadcast dates and times cannot be announced yet. But it appears as if the contests will have to be carried in the afternoon hours here, due to the time differential. With five hours of competition expected daily, the station plans to devote three hours live to the match, from 1 to 4, with frequent updates on the action during the children's period from 4 to 6. The championship tourney is due to start July 2. It will last eight weeks, at the rate of three games a week. Read More

May 28, 1972

• Lincoln Journal Star Lincoln, Nebraska Sunday, May 28, 1972 - Page 13 — Restrained Sport of Chess Really Nerve-Wracking Game of 'Action' by Sue Story —In a smoke-filled room at the Ramada Inn Saturday afternoon, 45 men and one woman sat deep in concentration. The near silence was broken by clocks ticking, pens scratching, clock buttons popping and people rising to walk. This was the quiet sport of chess in action — the American Chess Organizers Invitational and Jerry Spann Memorial Tournament. The national contest continues through Monday. It was designed as a memorial to the late Jerry Spann, a man known as the heart and soul of American chess. At the registration desk were indigestion pills, cough drops, cold tablets and paper tissues. Another table held coffee, tea and water. Chess is a demanding game that frequently brings on conditions needing the above remedies. The tournament is played Swiss style. This means players have limited time to complete the game. Two and one-half hours are allowed to make 50 moves. Entrants are Nebraska players and invited national players. Among the notables present are S.A. Popel, a chess master; Fred Cramer, past president of the United States Chess Foundation; Aleksander Liepnieks, Lincoln Chess Foundation president and Arpad Elo, creator of the Elo rating system. This system is used internationally to determine the rank of a chess player compared to another. Elo said that by his ratings U.S. Champion Bobby Fischer is a better player than current world champion Boris Spassky. Should the two meet, as presently scheduled, Elo said he favors Fischer by odds of five to three. Few take the game as seriously as Fischer, but Saturday players looked intent. There were grimaced faced, white knuckles, folded hands and nervous twitches. Some games were played rapidly with rooks, pawns and knights removed from the board quickly.
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• The Post-Standard Syracuse, New York Sunday, May 28, 1972 - Page 77 — World Match — After some tense moments resulting from Yugoslavia's cancelling its agreement to hold the first half of the Fischer-Spassky Challenger's Match for the World Title everything is peaceful again. Dr. Max Euwe, FIDE president, announced that the entire 24 game match will take place in Reykjavik, Iceland, starting July 2 and both parties are in full agreement.
  U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP The 21st U.S. Championship was also a Zonal tournament, the first of four elimination events in a three-year cycle to determine the next challenger for the World Title in 1975, and qualified the top two for next year's Interzonal tournament. The top 14 in the U.S. were invited and at the end three players — Sam Reshevsky, Robert Byrne and Lubomir Kavalek — tied for first becoming co-champions with 9-4 scores. They will play a match later this year for the two Zonal spots.
  Bobby Fischer's absence due to preparations for the Spassky match made the tournament a wide open affair. Yale freshman Ken Rogoff, 18, of Rochester was invited but could not compete because of school. Read More

May 30, 1972

• The Des Moines Register Des Moines, Iowa Tuesday, May 30, 1972 - Page 6 — Thinks Chess Rates More Attention — To the Editor: I am very pleased to see that your paper has given a continual flow of information on the upcoming Fischer-Spassky world championship chess match. I was also glad to see your announcement of the Iowa State Championship … It's galling to see an American competing for the world championship with scarcely a word of news in most papers. I realize that chess has to fight for space against other sports and hobbies. However, there are a vast number of people who know the moves and would be attracted to organized chess if they only knew it existed. More people play chess than bridge, yet most papers carry a daily bridge column. This state of affairs is intolerable. … There is no way to describe the joy of a chess player who has executed a brilliant “combination,” or has accurately learned an end-game technique. —Bob Beelman, treasurer, Ford Madison Chess Club, Fort Madison, Iowa, 52627. Read More

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.) Refusal to credit Fischer with the increase of interest in chess the slant, the political bias reeks from this press release! ★ / ★ / ★ / More of the same attempts to downgrade Fischer using vapid Ad Hominems and pro-Soviet small talk and blather. In this strip of propaganda, the author would like to misguide the public into the wrong belief the entire Icelandic population want the Soviet side to win. Is that a fact? Is that the reason the Soviet Union used chicanery to force the match, illegally, to be staged in Iceland, to censor the games against Bobby's will? ★ / Another smear article, tainted with Soviet Bias and Negativity. First, Bobby did not do anything to “derail” his chances, the Soviet Union and its sympathizers did that, by releasing fake reports, which were repeated by reporters, like this one! Equally troubling here, is an attempt once again to place Larry Evans as the central figure in Fischer's life, (half the page is consumed by a photo of Evans. Evans tried to lay claim as the sole trainer of Bobby, but left Argentina halfway through the tournament in 1971, Fischer didn't need him as a second. During the 1972 match, Quinteros is reported as Fischer's sparring partner for training! This article mixes a few good points, with several that are untrue. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / 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 ★