AThe Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California Sunday, June 13, 1971 - Page 112
Spassky Interview
World chess champion Boris Spassky, in an interview in Moscow last Tuesday, stated that Bobby Fischer had the best chance to take his crown, but “I am not afraid of any chess player. I am only afraid of not being in form, of not feeling right at the time of the match.
“Fischer still has to play Bent Larsen of Denmark, who is a battle seasoned veteran. Larsen's sporting, fighting qualities are superior to those of Fischer. Fischer has the advantage of being the greater chess talent.”
Two Soviet grandmasters, former world champion Tigran Petrosian and Victor Korchnoi, are to play in the other semi-final match. “They have about even chances,” said Spassky. “The winner will be the one with the stronger nerves, who is better prepared physically for the intricate struggle.”
Asked who he would prefer to meet for the title, Spassky stated, “I am not averse to meeting Fischer, but of course I wish success to a Soviet player. Anyone who wins the series of matches will of course be a strong opponent.”
Spassky said that the quarter-final match between Fischer and Mark Taimanov of the Soviet Union, which Fischer won by 6-0, was most impressive. “It seemed to me to surpass the other matches from the viewpoint of the art of chess,” he said.
