< Prev Index Next >
Chess by Isaac Kashdan Sun, Feb 20, 1972 – 127 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.comMatch In Belgrade And Reykjavik
The match for the world chess championship between titleholder Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union and American ace Bobby Fischer will start in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, on Sunday, June 25.
The first 12 games of the match will be played in Belgrade, according to the announcement made Monday by Dr. Max Euwe of Amsterdam, president of the International Chess Federation.
The remainder of the match, which is for the best of 24 games, will be played in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Dr. Euwe made the decision because of an impasse between the two principals, who could not agree on a site. Belgrade had been Fischer's first choice. Spassky had preferred Reykjavik, and had stated he would not play in Yugoslavia.
From a financial standpoint Belgrade had made the best bid, with a purse of $152,000, to go 62½% to the winner and 37½ to the loser. Next in order were $150,000 by Argentina and $125,000 by Iceland.
Fischer will need a minimum of 12½ points to win the championship. Spassky would retain the title in the event of a tie at 12 points each.