AThe Atlanta Constitution Atlanta, Georgia Sunday, July 30, 1972 - Page 4
No Respite For Spassky, Expert Says
Reykjavik (UPI)—World chess champion Boris Spassky is so badly beaten that he won't even ask for postponement of Sunday's ninth game against U.S. challenger Bobby Fischer, Miguel Najdorf, the Argentine grand master said Saturday.
There was speculation that the 35-year-old Leningrad journalist might ask for a postponement of the next game to recover from his defeat in the eighth game Thursday.
“Spassky has had two full days to recover if that was necessary, but I think he's so badly beaten and realizes he has no chance against Fischer that even a week's rest will make no difference,” Najdorf said.
According to the rules, each player can request three postponements during the 24-game championship by presenting a medical certificate not later than five hours before a match.
“Spassky apparently has been so shaken up by Bobby's gamesmanship, arriving late for matches, complaining of the table, lighting and swiveling in his chair, that he is not himself.” Najdorf said, “I've never seen him make so many crazy mistakes before.
“Bobby is not winning this match, Spassky is losing it.”
Spassky made what Najdorf said was a “crazy and childish mistake” with his 19th move in the eighth game.
The 29-year-old American challenger, appearing in his first world championship, holds a 5-3 points lead.
Spassky will play white in Sunday's game starting at 1 p.m. EDT.
The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) Friday withdrew its television coverage of the world championship following a protest by Fischer that the eighth game was filmed without his personal permission.
Fischer threatened to quit unless television cameras were removed from the playing hall and he received “apologies all around.”
Roone Arledge, president of ABC sports, sent a telegram of apology to Fischer and cancelled plans to broadcast the film. He said the cameras must have been unobtrusive since there was no objection during or immediately after the game, and “we are sorry that you were unaware of their placement.”
