A< Prev Index Next >
Will Bobby Whip Boris? Sun, Apr 23, 1972 – 368 · Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois) · Newspapers.com
Will Bobby Whip Boris?
Chess in America is riding to popularity on the broad shoulders and tempestuous personality of Bobby Fischer. A legend at 29, he is the highest rated player in history.
Chess in Russia has always been the national pastime and no foreigner even has had a crack at the title since 1948. But come June, Boris Spassky must defend his crown in a 24-game match lasting 2 months.
Indeed, London bookmakers favor Bobby 6-to-5. Yet the champion has an edge: in the event of a 12-12 deadlock he retains his title. At stake is not only an awesome purse of $150,000 (? to the winner) but Soviet chess supremacy.
“I now feel a sense of mission to win the championship.” says Bobby. “Spassky's good, but I think I'm the best around. I don't say that to brag. I think it's true. I love the game — and I hate the Russians because they've almost ruined it. They only risk the title when they have to, every 3 years.”
Boris, 35, candidly admits be wouldn't he surprised if he lost, despite a phenomenal past record of 3 wins, 2 draws and no losses against his cocky challenger. Perhaps he is counting on Bobby to become reckless, as in their last encounter at the Siegen chess olympiad in 1970. After frittering away an opening advantage, the American ace made a desperate stab to win at any price—spurning easy draws.
