Aiken Standard Aiken, South Carolina Thursday, July 20, 1972 - Page 14
The First Draw In The Fischer-Spassky Match by Dr. Lee Hyder
Editor's Note: This article is a continuation of the discussion of the Fischer-Spassky match by Dr. Hyder and the Aiken Chess Club. It is based on discussions at the Club meetings. Dr. Hyder is a former South Carolina Chess Champion.
Newcomers to the game of chess frequently wonder how a game of chess can arrive at a draw, or indecisive result. The rules of chess specify several in which this can happen. A game is drawn in case of stalemate. This occurs when one player can make no legal move, but his king is not under direct attack. (Position 1).
Draws are more usually attained by agreement between the players, when neither can find a way to win.
This was the case in the fourth Fischer-Spassky game. In the final position, an attack by either player could be readily defended. The combatants therefore agreed to the draw. Each player received ½ point.
Despite the indecisive result, it was a hard fought game. Spassky took advantage of the fact that Fischer is the most predictable of the top chessmasters. He has several favorite sequences of opening moves which he plays whenever possible. Spassky had studied one of these and worked out a strong reply. (Position 2).
He allowed Fischer to capture one of his pawns, but the capture left Fischer's pieces in an awkward position.
Fischer had to defend himself carefully throughout most of the remainder of the game. He finally broke up the attack at the expense of one of his own pieces.
It will be interesting to see how Fischer plays in the sixth game, where he will again have the White pieces and the first move. He will have to play differently to try to gain some advantage.
No one knows whether Fischer has prepared openings for this match which he has never played before. Thus far he has not tried any.
The First Draw In The Fischer-Spassky Match 20 Jul 1972, Thu Aiken Standard (Aiken, South Carolina) Newspapers.com
