Lancaster New Era Lancaster, Pennsylvania Wednesday, July 12, 1972 - Page 46
Spassky Reduces Fischer's Forces
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) — With Bobby Fischer struggling to escape with a draw, Boris Spassky resumed play here today in their adjourned first game, further reducing Fischer's forces with a pawn exchange.
The opening game of the world championship was adjourned Tuesday night after 40 moves.
Fischer and the defending champion from Russia left the table with the American in a difficult position.
Sealed Envelope
Spassky's 41st move was written on a slip of paper, put in a sealed envelope at the close of play Tuesday night and given to Chief Referee Lothar Schmid of West Germany.
Schmid ceremoniously opened the envelope at 5 p.m., 1 p.m. EDT—and made Spassky's move.
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 for Spassky.
The match had appeared head 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.
A Blunder
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.
Played 5 Times
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 second game of the match is scheduled for Thursday and the third Sunday. The contest may last two months.
Caption: Spassky's Next Move Sealed in Envelope. Boris Spassky, left, hands sealed envelope containing his next play to Lothar Schmid, chess referee, at end of Tuesday's session, for continuation of the chess game today as Bobby Fischer waits.
