ANew York Times, New York, New York Friday, July 21, 1972 - Page 32
Spassky Obviously Rattled by Al Horowitz
Reykjavik, Iceland, July 20—As far as this chess columnist can remember, no world champion has ever made such a terrible blunder as Spassky made on his 27th move in the fifth game of the match with Bobby Fischer today. But even without his fatal mistake, the Soviet champion was not at his best today.
Russian chess reporters in the tournament hall conceded that Fischer had the better of the game despite playing Black.
It seems that Spassky was worried because he had fared so badly in the third game (which Fischer had won with Black) and because he could not find the winning line in the fourth game (which ended in a draw) despite his beautiful attacking position. Fischer had on this occasion shown fine defensive capabilities and most of the so-called “winning moves” suggested later for Spassky by the various analysts (including 29 … B-Q3) do not withstand details analysts.
X-Ray Attack
Today, however, by his overlooking of a minor tactical swindle, Spassky placed himself in the category of what are called “chambones” in Spanish and “patzers” in New York. Fischer grabbed a pawn, attacking Spassky's queen and bishop—what is called an X-ray attack in chess tactics. If Spassky had taken Fischer's bishop, the American grandmaster would have retorted by taking a pawn, threatening two different mates besides attacking a piece. If Spassky had declined to recapture, then he would have lost three pawns altogether and Fischer would have had no trouble in winning. Therefore the world champion resigned immediately.
There was a wild resounding roar in the playing hall when the game so surprisingly ended. After three and three-quarter hours of play, Spassky had used up almost an hour more than Fischer. The time trouble might have contributed to produce the oversight on the part of the world champion.
([“While Fischer's feud with chess authorities made headlines, Spassky warred with Soviet officials in private. … Many observers thought Fischer's furor sapped Spassky's concentration, but Spassky says the job was done by Moscow.” — Sun-Sentinel, Thursday, August 8, 1985.])
