AThe Times and Democrat Orangeburg, South Carolina Thursday, August 24, 1972 - Page 12 (★)
Fischer Takes A Step Closer To Chess Title
By Julie Flint, Associated Press Writer
Reykjavik, Iceland (AP) —Bobby Fischer moved nearer to the world chess title Wednesday when by blunder or design champion Boris Spassky repeated a move three times, creating a draw.
Chess experts were bewildered, because Spassky appeared to have an edge to win the 17th game, resumed after being adjourned after the 40th move Tuesday. Spassky himself seemed surprised when Fischer claimed a draw.
Under the rules of chess, repeating the same move three times results in a draw, which counts half a point.
The draw gave Fischer a total of 10 points, putting him four-fifths of the way toward the title and preserving his three point lead. Ten games is 80 percent of the 12½ points he needs.
With only seven points, Spassky had the formidable task of amassing five points in the remaining seven games of the match. He needs 12 points to retain the title.
With each win counting a point, Spassky must defeat Fischer in three games and draw in the other four. Yet so far, he has beaten Fischer only twice in this championship series.
In addition, Fischer forfeited the second game to Spassky in a dispute over the use of television and movie cameras in the playing hall.
Spassky had appeared taken aback by Fischer's 41st move pawn to king's knight four. He thought for more than five minutes before replying. Experts suggested that his Soviet analysts perhaps had not prepared against that line.
Some thought the champion might be play-acting, backing up a Tuesday statement by his second, Efim Geller, that Fischer aides could have concealed electronic devices on the stage to interfere with the champion's play.
Among other charges, Geller suggested that the lighting — a special system installed on U.S. demand — might have been tampered with.
After his 44th move, Spassky looked searchingly up at the lights. Reminiscent of Geller's contention that the champion's “unusual slackening of concentration” might be caused by outside interference, Spassky looked listlessly around him, slumping forward. He normally sits poker-stiff.
Fischer preceded the punctual Spassky on stage Wednesday afternoon for the first time in the series.
Referee Lothar Schmid had asked the challenger's aides to endeavor to get him to the hall on time. He acted on Geller's contention that Fischer's insistent tardiness was ungentlemanly and “deliberately aimed at exercising pressure on the opponent, unbalancing him and making him lose his fighting spirit.”
Schmid said he hoped to satisfy the Russians' demand for a thorough and expert examination of the hall if the organizing Icelandic Chess Federation was able to bring together the necessary experts in gadgetry.
Schmid promised that the examination would be made in the presence of both sides as soon as possible, presumably before the 18th game Thursday.
Security measures were tightened Wednesday to satisfy Geller's complaint that outsiders were allowed into the backstage area reserved for the players.
Chess officials placed a 24 hour guard on the hall, and closed the players' section to everyone, including aides and seconds.
Schmid said that a Fischer aide, Fred Cramer had been reluctant to concede this point. He said Cramer had argued over the exact meaning of Article 16 — the relevant paragraph in the match rules — and had asked that the scene of play be opened when play was not in progress. Schmid refused.
In the 18th game, Fischer will play the white pieces, giving him the advantage of the first move.
Although he has been unable to lessen his three-point deficit, Spassky lately had been playing some of his strongest chess of the championship series. Before Wednesday, he had forced three draws in the last three games.
He started out the 17th game aggressively. When play was adjourned, he held a marginally better position. He was an “exchange ahead” as the masters put it.
Grandmasters thought the champion would fight to the bitter end, possibly beyond the six hours allowed for a resumed game and into a second adjournment.
In the 16th game, Spassky had spun out a hopelessly drawn position for more than 25 moves, giving rise to speculation he was intentionally needling Fischer.
Thus the experts were surprised that Spassky repeated moves forced a draw, because any player of stature is aware of the rule.
The Soviet complaint was released Tuesday during the 17th game. A statement said the Soviet delegation had received letters saying that “some electronic devices and a chemical substance which can be in the playing hall are being used to influence Mr. Spassky.”
The letters mentioned Fischer's chair and the special lighting installed at the insistence of the American challenger. They also cited the presence of Fischer's aides in the playing hall when the games were not in progress. The Russians asked for an examination of the hall.
Many doubted that the titleholder gave his blessings to the statement. Ivo Nei, one of his seconds, said he had not known of the statement in advance.
World Chess Championship Game 17 (Draw)
17th GAME ENDS DRAW — This is how the board looked after the 45th move Wednesday when the game was declared drawn putting the score at 10-7 in Bobby Fischer's favor over Boris Spassky. (AP Wirephoto).
