AThe Dispatch Moline, Illinois Tuesday, June 13, 1972 - Page 12
Tass Writer Says Fischer, Spassky Equal
Moscow (UPI)—American chess champion Bobby Fischer is “egocentric, capricious, obstinate and hot-tempered” but has an “approximately equal” chance to defeat Soviet world champion Boris Spassky in their title match next month, Tass said today.
A commentary by the news agency's chess commentator, Yakov Rokhlin, said the match for the world championship that begins in Reykjavik, July 2, may depend on “who will be first to seize the initiative.”
Tass called Spassky, 35, “a universal chess player.”
“His rich intuition enables Spassky to effect sharp tactical turns in a fluid involved position,” Rokhlin said.
The strategic concepts of Fischer are much different.
“Rapid appraisal and accurate calculation of variations are his (Fischer's) strong points.” Rokhlin said, adding, “his Achilles heel is the psychological and emotional aspect of the struggle.”
They have “approximately equal chances” in the match, he said.
