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The Game of Kings Sat, Apr 29, 1972 – 54 · The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) · Newspapers.com
Doctor's New Prescription
With Belgrade backing out and Reykjavik insisting that they now be given preference for the first twelve games, plus Fischer's financial maneuvers for his world championship match with Boris Spassky, FIDE president, Dr. Max Euwe, has thrown open bidding to all countries interested, not just those who had previously submitted bids. In other words back to where we started four months ago.
In fairness to the International Chess Federation it needs to be said that they are grappling with a problem of this nature for the first time, at least for the all-important final match.
Organized competitive chess only dates back to 1851 when the first important tourney was held in London, and it was not until 1886 that Steinitz dared to announce that his match with Zukertort would be for the world championship. In the next sixty years Dr. Em. Lasker, Capablanca, Dr. Alekhine, Dr. Euwe and again Dr. Alekhine held the title in succession and set the conditions that the challenger would have to meet. Not very satisfactory, although some regard was given to common sense, precedent, and world opinion. Nonetheless, a number of worthy aspirants were given no chance because of their inability to secure the required financial backing. Now all this is changed with FIDE taking over control on the death of Alekhine in 1946. Since then the Russians have dominated the event by sheer superiority supplying both champion and challenger and there has been no problem in organizing it. Now the picture has changed radically with the challenger coming from outside for the first time. Which is the reason for the enormously increased public interest, and who can blame Fischer for wanting to make the most of it, the key figure in the situation.
