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Chess by George Koltanowski Wed, May 3, 1972 – 4 · The Signal (Santa Clarita, California) · Newspapers.com
Chickens And Chess
It is 6 months away, yes chess fans should be alerted to what promises to be the greatest tournament ever held in these United States. It will last nearly a month, from November 18 to December 13, and will be held in the San Antonio, Texas, Fair Grounds.
In Europe, it has been commonplace for large business concerns to sponsor chess events. There are, for example, Amsterdam's IBM International and other tournaments sponsored by Naturel, a big Swiss firm, and by Schweppes, International.
Up until now, it has been a different story in the U.S. where sponsors scramble for the chance to back football games, auto races, boxing matches — but would not put out a penny for chess. But things have changed. George William Church, Jr., president of Church's Fried Chicken and once sponsor of the San Antonio Open Golf Tournament, has entered the world of chess and has planned a spectacular match which should draw the very best players in the world. There will be $15,000 in prize money, and 18 major masters, most of whom have already accepted, will receive both travel and living allowances.
It is already almost certain that this San Antonio Tournament will receive the greatest press and TV coverage ever accorded chess in the United States. Boris Spassky, presently the World Champion, has said he wants to attend. Such other Grandmasters as Russia's Petrosian, Czechoslovakia's Hort, Yugoslavia's Gligoric, Hungary's Portisch, Brazil's Mecking, Australia's Browne, Denmark's Larsen, the U.S.'s Kavalek and Evans, all plan to be on deck.
Bobby Fischer who, by that time, may very well be the World's Champion, is expected there, too. George Church's timing cannot be faulted.
I expect to be there both as a reporter and as one of the tournament directors.
