AThe Evening Sun Baltimore, Maryland Friday, July 21, 1972 - Page 3
Spassky Relaxes, Tries to Forget Game 5 Blunder by Julie Flint
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP)—Within hours after making what experts consider one of the most costly mistakes of his long chess career, Soviet world champions Boris Spassky was out playing tennis with one of his seconds today.
Dressed in shorts and a gray pullover, the Russian looked quite untroubled by the blunder that gave the fifth game to his title defense to Bobby Fischer Thursday night. That tied the score at 2½ points each in the 24-game match.
“Everything is normal,” said Spassky.
He revealed he was writing a book about his lost games. Now, he said he had another chapter.
“I am amazed he is not in his hotel analyzing,” said Dimitri Bjelica, Yugoslav chess commentator and Spassky's friend. “It now looks bad for him. In the last three games he has lost twice and drawn once.”
Spassky resigned after his 27th move and 3½ hours of play.
After his win, Fischer made one of his rare sorties from his hotel room. The American dined at Reykjavik's smart restaurant, Norse. His official representative, Fred Cramer, said he was in good spirits.
“Bobby always expects to win,” he added.
Grandmasters and buffs were trying to explain Spassky's mistake.
Some suggested he was worried by the amount of time he was taking over his game. After 20 moves, the world champion tapped Fischer on his clock, having taken one hour longer in play. On resigning he had 20 minutes left.
The Rev. William Lombardy, Fischer's second, observed: “It appears Spassky was not so well prepared as before.”
Cramer, however, said Spassky had made “a sophisticated mistake.” Bobby, he added, “had the game under control right from the beginning, although it may not have looked like it to everyone.”
Indeed, many thought Spassky, moving first with the white pieces, had the edge until half way through the game when Fischer began to bring the board firmly under his control.
The Icelandic Chess Federation confirmed reports that Chester Fox of New York, buyer of exclusive filming rights to the championship match, would not be shooting the rest of the games.
This was now under control of Chet Forte of the American Broadcasting Co. under an agreement worked out in New York by lawyers for Fox and Fischer.
“Bobby has confidence in Forte,” Cramer said. “He is a professional.”
President Gudmundur Thorarinsson of the Icelandic Federation, said he believed Fox would not lose money under the new agreement. He said he did not expect the federation to have to reimburse Fox, who is reported to have invested $70,000.
Fischer's victory Thursday was no surprise to the American contingent.
“It was just what we expected,” said Frank Skoff, vice-president of the U.S. Chess Federation. “The general opinion of the American camp is that Fischer will win—even with the forfeit.”
Spassky was awarded the second game by forfeit on July 13, when Fischer refused to play because three movie cameras ([and crews of disruptive men hired to operate them]) were station in the hall to film the match ([“Colonel Edmondson said that under the rules of a world championship tournament, Fischer had a right to demand the removal of the cameras and to refuse to play if they were not removed.”—New York Times, 7/20/1972]). The cameras were removed before the third game, and Fischer has refused to play if they are brought back.
Spassky defeated Fischer in the first game, then lost to him in the third, and the fourth was a draw. So in terms of actual play Fischer now has won two games to the Russian's one.
The sixth game in the 24-game series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. With a win counting one point and a draw half a point. Fischer needs 12½ points to take the title and with it $153,125 of the $245,000 prize money, while the Russian as the defending champion needs only 12 points to keep his crown and collect the winner's share of the money.
Playing the white pieces Thursday afternoon, Spassky led with his favorite queen's pawn opening. Fischer went into a Nimzo-Indian defense, moving his knight to king's bishop three.
The first five moves repeated the first game, which Spassky won, then Fischer took a new tack, exchanged his bishop for a knight and steadily increased the pressure.
Spassky doomed himself on his 27th move, moving his queen to square B2 to protect his rooks pawn. Fischer seized on the opportunity.
The champion appeared tired and strained as he stopped the clock to signify defeat, stood up and shook hands with Fischer. The audience of about 600 roared with excitement. “Bravo! Bobby!” some shouted.
Spassky Relaxes, Tries to Forget Game 5 Blunder 21 Jul 1972, Fri The Evening Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) Newspapers.com
