Fischer erred, chance of Spassky win

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32967, 13 July 1972, Page 24

Fischer erred, chance of Spassky win

(By

ISAAC KASHDAN,

’> international grand master)

The title-holder, B. Spassky (Russia), had good prospects for a win over R. K. Fischer (United States) when the first game of the world championship chess series was adjourned yesterday.

However, until near the end, it was one of the dullest championship contests on record.

It was no surprise when Spassky, who had the white pieces and made the first move, started with advance of his Queen pawn.

After 40 moves and five hours of play, Spassky was a bishop ahead. The United States challenger had five pawns to Spassky’s three and his King was better placed. This may prove to be sufficient compensation.

When the game was adjourned, Spassky wrote

down his forty-first move and sealed it in an envelope, which he gave to the referee, in accordance with the regulations.

The envelope will be opened and the move revealed to Fischer when the game is resumed. Long hours will be spent by both players and their seconds in examining all the possibilities of the position. Each principal has a grand master to assist him—Y. Geller for Spassky and the Rev. W. Lombardy for Fischer. Of most interest to chess enthusiasts in the opening game was the question of who would be the aggressor. Would Spassky try for a quick initiative, or would h« develop quietly to see what Fischer would do? Fischer practically always goes for the win, whether ahead or behind.

Fischer played a defence popularised in the 1920 s by A. Nimzowitch, of Denmark. For the first nine moves, the game was identical to one played in 1951 between Petrosian and Tolush, both of Russia. Two moves later, the Queens were exchanged, and the pawn formation was left in exact balance.

More pieces soon went off the board, including all the rooks by the twenty-third move. At that point, it seemed only a question of time before one of the players would propose a draw and the other would accept.

The chance of error was not worthy of consideration

with players of this nature. But it happened. On the twenty-ninth turn, Fisher took a pawn that was unprotected. Both players knew that the bishop which captured the pawn could be trapped. What had Fischer seen? It must be put down to a rare miscalculation by the American genius. In the remaining moves of the session, Fischer put up all the resistance possible. It remained to be seen whether he could recover from the one error.