ALansing State Journal Lansing, Michigan Wednesday, July 12, 1972 - Page 14
Spassky Rated Edge by Stephens Broening
Fischer's Risky Move Changed Chess Picture
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — Defending champion Boris Spassky was favored by the experts to beat American challenger Bobby Fischer in the opening game of the world chess match when play resumes this afternoon.
The opener of the richest chess competition in history adjourned Tuesday night after 4 hours and 34 minutes of play and 40 moves by each player.
THE GAME was to resume at 5 p.m.—1 p.m. EDT.
Referee Lothar Schmid of West Germany will make Spassky's 41st move. The Russian wrote it on a slip of paper and handed it to him in a sealed envelope at the adjournment.
The two competitors, their seconds and chess enthusiasts throughout the world spent part of the overnight break analyzing possibilities for the 11 pieces remaining on the green-and-white chessboard in Reykjavik's sports hall: king and five pawns for Fischer; king, bishop and three pawns and a bishop for Spassky.
THE MATCH had appeared headed for a draw until Fischer tried to seize the initiative on his 29th move.
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.
The second game of the match is scheduled for Thursday and the third Sunday. The contest may last two months.
Photo Caption: Duplicate Board Shows Status of Spassky-Fischer Chess Match (UPI Photo)
Duplicate Board Shows Status of Spassky-Fischer Chess Match 12 Jul 1972, Wed Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Newspapers.com
Spassky Rated Edge 12 Jul 1972, Wed Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Newspapers.com
