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Chess Sun, Jan 23, 1972 – Page 32 · Sunday Gazette-Mail (Charleston, West Virginia) · Newspapers.com
The Jan. 15 issue of “Chess Newsletter” has some interesting news regarding forthcoming Robert Fischer-Boris Spassky world championship chess match.
Fischer had demanded $100,000 as his minimum. (Presumably, it would be divided between the two contestants—not all go to Bobby.) This seems to be the first big problem to develop. But what happened? First offers came from 11 countries—4 cities in Yugoslavia put in bids—and unofficial offers of $100,000 each came from Chicago and Brooklyn.
THE TOP OFFER was from Belgrade, $152,000. The three other bids from that country ranged from $70,000 (Zagreb) to $120,000 (Sarajevo). Little Iceland offered $125,000 and Argentina, $100,000.
From the same source, “Chess Newsletter,” we learn of Svetozar Gligoric's interview of Spassky and Fischer, on New Year's Eve, broadcast over Radio Belgrade, where Gligoric was. But that is not where Fischer was; he was in Buenos Aires. Spassky was 9,000 miles away in Moscow.
Both the champion and the contender disagreed with Dr. Euwe's proposal to start the match no later than May 10; Spassky preferred late June and Fischer even a later date. Spassky preferred a climate similar to Leningrad (such as Scandinavia) but Bobby's main concern as to the site was its financial offer.
“For me the first and most important thing is money. The climate comes second. I repeat, money is most important.”
However, there is more than money on the young American's mind, for he also said, “I intend to prepare as well as I can, for my responsibility is great; the public expects much from me.”
