Dayton Daily News Dayton, Ohio Wednesday, July 12, 1972 - Page 2
Fischer Walks Off Stage In 2nd Chess Meeting
Reykjavik, Iceland —(UPI)—Unpredictable American chess challenger Bobby Fischer made three swift moves in the second round of his first game with world champion Boris Spassky today, then stalked off the stage.
There was no immediate indication where Fischer went or if he would return. The two players arrived moments before the scheduled 5 p.m. (1 p.m. EDT) starting time and played quickly.
SPASSKY and Fischer traded pawns and then each player made two more moves before Fischer arose from his special leather and metal swivel chair, whispered something to the arbiter and stalked off the stage.
The first of the possible 24 games in the $250,000 match started Tuesday and adjourned after 4½ hours. Spassky was given the edge at the adjournment and most experts said the best Fischer could probably get would be a draw.
The game took a sudden turn in Spassky's favor just before adjournment when Fischer took a chance and lost.
The lanky Brooklyn, N.Y., challenger galloped his bishop down a long black diagonal to snatch an unprotected pawn Spassky had offered. A few moves later the bishop was trapped and lost in exchange for two pawns.
U.S. GRANDMASTER Robert Byrne said it was a blunder and commented, “Fischer is going to have trouble making a draw. I don't see how Spassky can lose.”
Analyzing the game for the Associated Press, international grandmaster Isaac Kashdan termed Fischer's move “a rare miscalculation by the American genius.” He said it gave Spassky good prospects for a win.
Svetozar Gligoric, the Yugoslav grandmaster present at the tournament, said, “It is doubtful whether black can save a draw,” Spassky, who had the first move, is playing the white pieces, Fischer the black.
Fischer has played Spassky five times in the past, losing all three times he played the black pieces and getting draws both times he played the whites and had the advantage of the first move. But London bookies have made the 29-year-old American the favorite over the 35-year-old Russian in the 24-game championship.
A DRAW counts half a point and a win a point. To dethrone Spassky, Fischer needs 12½ points while the Russian can retain his crown with 12 points.
The winner will get $153,125 in prize money, the loser $91,875, and in addition they will divide equally an estimated $55,000 or more from film and television sales.
Caption: CHESS BOARD DUPLICATES FISCHER-SPASSKY MATCH AFTER 40 MOVES
Fischer's 29th Move Which Cost a Bishop Called Blunder by Expert. UPI Telephoto.
