The Sentinel Carlisle, Pennsylvania Saturday, July 22, 1972 - Page 2
Fischer Bothers Spassky
Reykjavik (UPI)—World chess champion Boris Spassky has fled to the seclusion of a downtown penthouse and canceled all appointments amid reports from Russian sources that he is irritated with the American challenger, Bobby Fischer.
The Rev. William Lombardy, Fischer's second, said Friday, “Spassky is so ravelled that if he doesn't come around by the sixth game Bobby is going to steamroll him. Spassky has not been himself here. The match Sunday will go two ways—either he will break down or find hidden reserves and come back.”
Fischer defeated Spassky Thursday night to draw even at 2½ points after five matches in the 24-game series. The sixth match begins Sunday afternoon.
Spassky's aides took the world champion to a downtown penthouse apartment for 48 hours. All Spassky's appointments and excursions were canceled, Russian sources said.
Spassky, who had put up with Fischer's late arrivals, is now irritated with the challenger's behavior at the chess table. He objects to the way Fischer rises from his chair after making a move, the way he sometimes sways back in the chair, and when he crosses his legs he continually wiggles one foot, the sources said.
“It is a fact Spassky has seldom played so poorly in all his time. Spassky is used to playing against other Russians and obtaining easy draws after 16 to 20 moves. Well, that is not Bobby. He attacks all the time and he has this burning desire to win. Spassky is a very worried man. There is no plan in his game so far,” Lombardy said.
