According to Graham Clayton, author of 'The Mad Aussie's Chess Trivia' column, Alexander Alekhine contacted the Australian Chess Federation in 1932 proposing to tour Australia in early 1934. Alekhine was heading this way as part of his tour of South East Asia, and was looking for 500 pounds to cover 10 simuls and a blindfold exhibition. The ACF declined the offer.
He then approached the ACF a second time, this time asking for 200 pounds + expenses for 20 simuls over a six week period. He even indicated a willingness to take part in the 1934 Melbourne Centenary Tour, but as history records, the trip did not eventuate.
I'm assuming that minutes of ACF meetings from that time no longer exist (or if they did would be considered confidential), but it would be interesting to see what reasons the ACF gave for rejecting the offer. Just as it would be interesting to see if the ACF would accept a similar offer today.
btw If you wish to read 'The Mad Aussie's Chess Trivia' column, just go the the Chessville.com website and click on the links. You can even subscribe to their free weekly email newsletter while you are there.
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5 comments:
Perhaps they had heard of Alekhine's alleged anti-Semitism?
Probably not at that time, as Alekhine's anti-Semitic writings only emerged during World War II. If there were black marks against Alekhine at that time, it was more likely either temper, or drinking.
Anyone know what 500 pounds in 1934 would be worth in today's terms?
According to the RBA, 500 pounds in 1934 adjusted for inflation to 2007 would be $38,465.75. Add a rough 7% increase in inflation between December 2007 to September 2008, I get $41,186.80
Hard to imagine the ACF had 40 grand lying around in 1934...
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