Progress Seen in Negotiations For Fischer Chess Matches

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The Central New Jersey Home News, New Brunswick, New Jersey, Saturday, July 01, 1972 - Page 1

Progress Seen in Negotiations For Fischer Chess Matches
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — Considerable progress was reported Friday night in 11th hour negotiations over Bobby Fischer's demand for more money from the world chess championship with Boris Spassky of Russia.
Officials of the sponsoring Icelandic Chess Federation met with Andrew Davis. Fischer's lawyer and confidant, but said there was still no guarantee that the 29-year-old American would show up. The 24-game match starts Sunday.
Meanwhile, Fischer missed a flight Friday to Reykjavik. He booked a reservation and checked his baggage, but after holding the plane up for two hours demanded his luggage back and disappeared from New York's Kennedy International Airport.
This apparently leaves only one flight late tonight which would put Fischer in Reykjavik in time for the start of the match.
Fischer's faith, the Church of God, observes Saturday as the Sabbath and Fischer will not fly between sundown Friday and sundown Saturday.
The financial dispute with the Icelandic Chess Federation involves Fischer's demand for 30 per cent of the gate receipts at the 2,500 Sports Palace where the matches will be held. Tickets are $5 apiece.
A federation spokesman said Davis was seeking a compromise over the money snarl.
But Gutmunder Thorarisson, ICF president who talked with Fischer's representatives in the United States for much of Friday night, said later that “nothing had been settled.”
By previous agreement, Fischer and Spassky are to divide the $125,000 purse, with the winner getting five-eighths, and receiving 30 per cent of the sales of television and film rights.
The Soviet news agency Tass blamed the uncertain condition on Fischer and said, “Wherever Fischer is, money ranks first, pushing aside all sporting motives.” ([Spoken in the true spirit of the overly ambitious Soviet empire that subsidizes its players, to achieve total monopoly, by unfair advantage, on all world sports titles to prove its “superiority,” reinforcing an illusion on the Russian people, of an almost Hitleresque “Übermensch” quality, or as they say, “It takes one, to know one.”.])

Caption: “ANGRY FISCHER— An angry Bobby Fischer rushes past admirers and away from newsmen at Kennedy Airport last night. Fischer held a reservation for a flight to Reykjavik, Iceland, but missed the flight.”

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Organizers Seek To Restrict Coverage Of Chess Match

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Tampa Bay Times St. Petersburg, Florida Friday, June 30, 1972 - Page 46

Organizers Seek To Restrict Coverage Of Chess Match
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — Organizers of the Bobby Fischer-Boris Spassky world championship chess match will restrict move-by move coverage and photographs of the contenders inside the contest hall, it was announced Wednesday.
The announcement brought protests from news wire services and from two television outlets which are planning in-depth accounts of the 24-game match based on move-by-move reports from The Associated Press. The first game is scheduled for Sunday.
Gudmundur Thorarinsson, chairman of the Icelandic Chess Federation, said the restrictions were decreed because photographic and move-by-move coverage rights had been sold.
Thorarinsson said journalists would be allowed to transmit move-by-move reports only three times during each game between the Soviet world champion, Spassky, and the American challenger. He said newsmen would be required to sign a pledge to abide by the agreement in order to obtain accreditation.
Spokesmen for AP and United Press International said they were lodging protests against any curtailment of news coverage. Joseph G. Groth, general manager of the TelePrompTer Manhattan Cable TV, said in New York: “If this capricious move succeeds, a large and interested segment of the public served by TelePrompTer Manhattan CATV will be deprived of one of the most exciting show-downs in the history of chess.”
The firm has announced plans for a move-by-move analysis of each of the matches, utilizing the AP service and comment from a U.S. chess grand master.
The Icelandic Chess Federation contends that TelePrompTer's use of the AP reports infringes on its property rights, the company said. The federation has sold U.S. broadcast television rights to the American Broadcasting Company.
Spokesmen for Channel 13-WNDT New York, which also has announced plans for telecasts based on move-by-move reports, said it was “absolutely outrageous to attempt to stop the free dissemination of news.”
“We are performing a service for the chess devotee,” the Channel 13 spokesmen said. The station's plans call for five hours of continuous coverage on each day of the match.
ABC plans to use the film to which it has acquired rights on the network's “Wide World of Sports” program.
Roone Arledge, president of ABC Sports, indicated he has no objections to the proposed plans for outside programs on the match.
“I think that would be excellent programming and a good thing for them to do … We're going to do it in a condensed, limited way. As long as we can do what we want to do, we'd be delighted to cooperate,” Arledge said.

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([Soviet Censorship]) Coverage Of Chess Match Restricted

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The Orlando Sentinel Orlando, Florida Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 18

([Soviet Censorship]) Coverage Of Chess Match Restricted
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP)
Organizers of the Bobby Fischer-Boris Spassky world championship chess match will restrict move-by-move coverage and photographs of the contenders inside the contest hall, it was announced Wednesday.
The announcement brought protests from news wire services and from two television outlets which are planning in-depth accounts of the 24-game match based on move-by-move reports from The Associated Press. The first game is scheduled for Sunday.
GUDMUNDUR Thorarinsson, chairman of the Icelandic Chess Federation, said the restrictions were decreed because photographic and move-by-move coverage rights had been sold.
Channel 24 In Orlando had been scheduled to receive the move-by-move analysis from Channel 13 in New York. Ronald Morrisseau, Channel 24 executive vice president and general manager, said his station had looked forward to the presentation. “We see it as news coverage and purchasers of the television rights,” he said.

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([Soviet Censorship]) Chess Tourney Coverage Fuss

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The Des Moines Register Des Moines, Iowa Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 6

([Soviet Censorship]) Chess Tourney Coverage Fuss
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — Organizers of the Bobby Fischer-Boris Spassky world championship chess match will restrict move-by-move coverage and photographs of the contenders inside the contest hall, it was announced Wednesday.
The announcement brought protests from news wire services and from two television outlets which are planning in-depth accounts of the 24-game match based on move-by-move reports from the Associated Press. The first game is scheduled for Sunday.
Gudmundur Thorarinsson, chairman of the Icelandic Chess Federation, said the restrictions were decreed because photographic and move-by-move coverage rights had been sold.

Thorarinsson said journalists would be allowed to transmit move-by-move reports only three times during each game between the Soviet world champion, Spassky, and the American challenger. He said newsmen would be required to sign a pledge to abide by the agreement in order to obtain accreditation.

Spokesmen for AP and United Press International said they were lodging protests against any curtailment of news coverage.
Joseph G. Groth, general manager of the TelePrompTer Manhattan Cable TV, said in New York: “If this capricious move succeeds, a large and interested segment of the public served by TelePrompTer Manhattan CATV will be deprived of one of the most exciting showdowns in the history of chess.”
The firm has announced plans for a move-by-move analysis of each of the matches, utilizing the AP service and comment from a U.S. chess grand master.
The Icelandic Chess Federation contends that TelePrompter's use of the AP reports infringes on its property rights, the company said. The federation has sold U.S. broadcast television rights to ABC.

FISCHER: “I was more disappointed than anybody that this thing wasn't televised because, you know, there was a lot of publicity and a lot of money involved and I wanted the people to see me in action. Let's face it. But they had these characters there, who instead of having, some kind of video tape film that didn't make any noise, just, nobody around to operate them, just sort of stationless and they just had guys there with film cameras that were worrying, and they were all around me. Making a racket. A nuisance.”
CARSON: “Too much noise.”
FISCHER: “Too much noise, and visually you could see them moving around.”
November 08, 1972 Johnny Carson Interviews Bobby Fischer (8:43/18:30)

Will Bobby Fischer Show Up For Chess Match in Iceland

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Greeley Daily Tribune Greeley, Colorado Thursday, June 29, 1972 - Page 38

Will Bobby Fischer Show Up For Chess Match in Iceland
By Ann Hencken
Associated Press Writer
New York (AP) — Bobby Fischer's flight reservation to Reykjavik, Iceland, has been canceled again. The American chess star is scheduled to play Russia's Boris Spassky there for the world championship in chess.
There are just a few more flights In Iceland before the chess match is scheduled to start next Sunday.
Will Fischer show up for the match?
“He said he was going,” grandmaster Larry Evans said Wednesday evening before boarding a plane for Iceland.
However, Chester Fox, who has exclusive visual rights to the match, and his lawyer, Richard Stein, were not so definite. And Fischer couldn't be reached for comment.
A reporter asked Fox and Stein after they met with Fischer here Wednesday evening whether the chess champ was definitely going to show up.
“I think so,” said Fox, before taking off for Reykjavik.
“You said too much,” Stein told Fox.
Why did Fox say too much? Stein answered that “unless you have firm commitments” there should be no comments.
Stein added that although this is a big moment for Fischer, he has walked out on matches before.
Stein said he did ask Fischer if he would show tip for the match. But he refused to give Fischer's answer.
Stein and Fox said they met with Fischer “to discuss different considerations” of the coming match. Stein said the meeting was very satisfying. Fox said he was very happy about it.
“I think he's in a good frame of mind,” Fox said of Fischer.
Stein said he had asked if he shouldn't be in Iceland early, to adjust to the climate. But Fischer replied that a climate change used to bother him, but it doesn't now.
Fox has bought worldwide visual rights to the games from the Icelandic Chess Federation and plans to film the match. Fred Cramer, a friend of Fischer's and past president of the U.S. Chess Federation, said Sunday that Fischer objected to the type of lighting proposed for filming the match.
On Sunday, Fischer canceled his flight to Iceland, without explanation. Cramer, who was to have flown with Fischer, went on to Reykjavik. Fox said Wednesday evening there are no lighting problems. “If he has any problems he didn't confide in me,” said Fox.
Meanwhile, news agencies and television services were protesting restrictions on move-by-move coverage and in-play photographs of the contenders announced in Reykjavik on Wednesday by the organizers of the match.
Gudmundur Thorarinsson, chairman of the Icelandic Chess Federation, said the restrictions were made because photographic and move-by-move coverage rights had been sold.
He said journalists would he allowed to transmit move-by-move reports only three times during each game and that newsmen would be required to sign a pledge to abide by the agreement to get accreditation.
The Associated Press and United Press International said they were lodging protests against any curtailment of news coverage. TelePrompter Manhattan Cable TV and Channel 13-WNDT New York, which have announced plans for telecasts based on move by move wire service reports, also protested.
The federation has sold U.S. broadcast television rights to the American Broadcasting Company, which plans to use the film on its Wide World of Sports program. However, Rome Arledge, president of ABC Sports, said its coverage would be “condensed, limited,” and he had no objections to the other organizations' move-by-move coverage.

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Iceland Named For Chess Titles on July 2

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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.

Iceland Gets Chess Tournament

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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.

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Iceland Agrees To Host World Chess Championship

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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.

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Iceland Site For World Chess Crown

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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.

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