AThe Ottawa Journal Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, July 05, 1972 - Page 4
Computer Aid for Fischer? by Ian Westergren
Reykjavik, Iceland (UPI) — The official Soviet news agency Tass said today American chess challenger Bobby Fischer planned to use a computer to try to beat world champion Boris Spassky ([complete with 5G, Intel inside and time travel attachment… no? because computer chess programs that could actually defeat grand masters level of play hadn't been invented in 1972. However, chess programs could accomplish a sweeping defeat if playing against a grand master of either Spassky or Fischer's level of skill. Again, the Soviet is depending upon credulity of their listeners, for the success of their rumors to spread]) if the on-again-off-again match ever gets underway.
The match was postponed for the second time Tuesday after Spassky said Fischer insulted him by not showing up for the pre-match ceremonies. Fischer, who won a two-day postponement, did not attend because he was in New York bargaining for more prize money.
If a solution is worked out, the 24-game series could start Thursday.
“It has been learned in journalist circles here that Fischer's patrons have worked out rather original playing tactics for the match in which they were not guided by chess interests,” Tass said.
The news agency said Fischer's followers had worked out an arrangement with a computer center to transmit each move and the computer would calculate a counter-move.
