The Province Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Friday, August 20, 1971 - Page 45
World Title Preview
Vancouver likely will hear the opening shots of the 1972 world chess title match later this month during the congress of the Federation Internationale des Eches (World Chess Federation), scheduled at the University of B.C. from August 24 to September 3.
The congress is being held in conjunction with the Canadian open chess championship in which world champion Boris Spassky of the U.S.S.R. is to compete.
Federation officials expect some heated debate on the world title question. The title has been in Soviet hands since the end of the Second World War and the Soviets are facing the strongest threat yet in next year's title match.
Bobby Fischer of the United States defeated Soviet grandmaster Mark Taimanov 6-0 in quarter-final competition in Vancouver earlier this summer before eliminating Bent Larsen of Denmark by the same 6-0 count in the semi-finals. He now advances against Russia's Tigran Petrosian in the elimination final, to be played later this year. The winner of that match goes against Spassky in 1972.
The world title is on the line only once every three years. It takes that long for challengers to thread their way through all the various elimination rounds. But many countries, particularly the United States, are opposed to this cumbersome system and want a change that will see the world crown defended more often.
Fischer, a chess professional, said during his Vancouver match that he would want to defend the title several times a year if he becomes champion.
World Chess Federation president Dr. Max Euwe of Holland is reported to have two alternate schemes prepared on this question and will put them before the congress.
The Canadian Open, to be held at the Ponderosa Cafeteria on the UBC campus, is expected to draw its biggest aggregation of international masters since its inception nine years ago. The U.S. Open, being held in Ventura, Calif., concludes just prior to the opening of the Canadian competition and many masters are expected to compete in both events, Pal Benko and Lubomir Kavalek of the U.S. and Florin Gheorghiu of Romania have all confirmed they will be playing here.
A total of $4,100 is being offered in the prize money with the over-all winner taking $1,000. The championship will be an 11-round Swiss event and is open to all who want to compete. Entry fee is $25 for adults and $15 for juniors.
Spectators' passes will be $1 a round and $5 for the tournament. Rounds are to start at 6 p.m. daily.
The tournament was made possible by a $1,500 grant from the British Columbia centennial committee which will also host the banquet for the participants in the congress and Canadian Open at the UBC Faculty Club on Sept. 4.
The B.C. Chess Federation is asking for contributions from private donors to help defray cost of the tournament. Contributions should be sent to The Secretary, B.C. Chess Federation, 1337 The Crescent, Vancouver 9.
