The Argus Fremont, California Tuesday, May 18, 1971 - Page 2
Chess: Botvinnik On Fischer by Richard Shorman
(Former world champion Mikhail Botvinnik discusses the Fischer-Taimanov quarter-final candidates' match, now under way at the University of British Columbia. The excerpt below has been translated from “Shakhmaty v SSSR,” No. 2, 1971.)
Everyone wonders how Taimanov will fare in his match against Fischer. I do not think that Taimanov is at his best in match play and so I believe that he will have a difficult time of it. But if he prepares thoroughly enough, Taimanov is capable of putting up very stern resistance.
Fischer took first place (at the candidates' tournament in Mallorca) by a wide margin. Does it follow that he will play as well in a match, that he will surmount the match-play barriers between him and the world championship?
In order to win the world title Fischer will have to contest matches against at least three Soviet grandmasters. The first consists of 10 games, the next involves 12, and the last requires 24. And he must win all three events. Based on past experience, I would say that, properly prepared, our grandmasters have little to fear from Fischer.
Fischer played especially well in the interzonal competition after he was virtually certain of first prize. While others worked under considerable pressure, Fischer was able to finish up calmly.
But victory over strong opposition in a tournament is not the same as winning match play, where the approach to training differs entirely. A tournament pits you against a new man each day. Playing match games with a single opponent demands preparation that is more thorough, concrete and precise.
Fischer and Larsen have proven that they know how to prepare well. Indeed, both Fischer and Larsen have shown themselves to be very good chess professionals. And today, only professionals can play good chess.
