AStar-Phoenix Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Saturday, August 28, 1971 - Page 5
Chess - Spassky Into Secret Training Next Month
Vancouver (CP) — Boris Spassky, reigning king of world chess, says he will begin training in secret next month for a planned defense of his crown next March.
The Soviet grandmaster said in an interview he believes Bobby Fischer of the United States will emerge as the winner of the current elimination series being held to select a challenger to meet Spassky for the world championship he has held since 1969.
The U.S. grandmaster is scheduled to meet another Soviet grandmaster, Tigran Petrosian, in the final round of the challengers' series in a best of 10 game match starting next month. Site for the series has not yet been chosen.
Relaxing at his hotel between duties as a U.S.S.R. delegate to the World Chess Federation Congress and as an entrant in the Canadian Open chess championship, both now under way at the University of British Columbia, the world champion said he felt Fischer holds an edge over Petrosian.
Fischer now has won 12 straight games in the challengers' round. He defeated Soviet grandmaster Mark Taimanov 6-0 here last May and followed up with a 6-0 Denver victory over Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen.
Spassky described the Dane's defeat as “a very big surprise.” Taimanov's defeat? “ Not so much a surprise.”
Discussing the forthcoming challengers' match, he said “Petrosian is very stable and Fischer will have a tougher match.”
“Petrosian keeps his opponents at bay until he wishes to attack. Fischer will have to solve many difficult problems.
The match will be a test of his character.”
Spassky, 34, won the world title from Petrosian in 1969 after being defeated by his countryman in his first attempt at the crown in 1966.
Spassky said the most important issue before the chess congress, which began closed-door meetings Tuesday, is the question of the world championship cycle.
At present, a three-year cycle of tournaments and candidates' matches decides the challenger named to meet the reigning champion for the world crown. Some countries consider the system cumbersome and time-consuming although there is general agreement it eventually produces a worthy challenger.
Spassky said he was maintaining a neutral position on the question.
“The grandmasters themselves should decide the form of the championships. As world champion, I feel I don't have the moral right to become involved.”
