R.I.P. Boris Spassky

[Vlad Drkulec]

It was more than just a friendship. Milan came up to North Bay to spectate and Boris Spassky was there as Chief TD, a unique position, because he didn't really have any "duties". Milan greeted me at lunch and asked if I wanted to go for a walk, but said he had a surprise guest that would come along. We waited a bit and then I noticed coming towards us was Boris Spassky. I shook hands but I was speechless, literally speechless. We walked up the trail that led to the top of the cliff, Boris and Milan conversing all the way about one of the games of the tournament and after much discussion Boris said to Milan: You could use a good coach. Do you want me to be your coach. Milan stopped and looked at Boris Incredulous and stuttered (as he sometimes did when he got emotional) but do you really want to coach me? I don't remember much more than that but I do remember that moment and I didnt say anything the whole walk until towards the end when Milan forced me to make a few comments.
I went to visit Milan in Windsor the next year and I got to read a 5 page reply from Boris Spassky. There was much discussion of a recent game that Milan had played and recommendations, suggestions and analysis by Boris Spassky and descriptions of Viennese cafes that apparently Boris and Milan had both visited at different times and also recommended Parisian cafes that Milan should visit when he made it to Paris and an invite to visit Boris at home. They basically opened their hearts to one another, a lot that was personal was shared. Over the following years several letters were written. I wonder what happened to them. Did they get passed on to friends?

Thanks for that. Milan never said anything about that. I only knew that they were corresponding. Brian Profit might know what happened to any letters as he kept in touch with Ruth after Milan passed away though its possible that they simply disappeared.

[Hans Jung]

I found the game in the round 5 bulletin from North Bay 1994. The bulletin was autographed by Boris Spassky. White: Ante Zaradic FIDE rating 2285 1.f4 d5 2.Nf3 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Be2 h5 5.d4 Nh6 6.c4 c6 7.Nc3 e6 8.0-0 0-0 9.b4 a5 10.bxa5 c5 11.Ne5 cxd4 12.exd4 dxc4 13.Bxc4 Qxa5 14.Nb5 Nc6 15.Bb2 Rd8 16.Qe2 Nf5 17.Rfd1 Qb6 18.Qf2 Ra4 19.Na3 Bf8 20.Rab1 Qa5 21.Bb3 Nxe5 22.Bxa4 Qxa4 23.dxe5 Rxd1+ 0-1

[Hans Jung]

I have a couple more memories of Boris Spassky to share. At North Bay 1994, one of the most memorable tournaments I've ever encountered and that pleasure was revisited every year through the rest of the 90's (what a fantastic run of a dream tournament!), I was playing a game against Ante Zaradic. Strangely enough I had an encounter with Mr. Zaradic a couple of afternoons before we played. Although we had never met before he approached me when I was in conversation with a couple of other players and somehow the topic got around to the BC chess scene in the 70's. At this point Mr. Zaradic stated that everybody thought that Suttles and Biyiasis were B.C.s top chess players in that period (early 70's) but in fact the number one chess player was not Suttles or Biyiasis or even Zuk but him (Ante Zaradic). Well that was at the time a conversation stopper (to say the least) and I thought a bit of insane braggadocio.
When I got home and had some spare time I looked him up and sure enough in the Bulletin beginning of 1973 Zaradic was listed number one B.C. rated player and I think number four in Canada. and I had never heard of him.

In my game with Zaradic I was startled to notice Spassky looking over my shoulder at the board for quite some time and of course I was thrilled. Its the only time a former world champion had taken a look at one of my games. But i shouldnt have let it get to my head. It wasnt about me or the position, even though I beat Zaradic as black in 23 moves. After thinking about it I remembered Zaradic in conversation with Spassky just before the round and I think that Boris was just curious about how Zaradic played. I will have to find that scoresheet and post it.

[Hans Jung]

That's it folks, that's all. More than 900 gems of Boris Spassky's games to click on for your viewing pleasure.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1566313 Spassky's last win. Fittingly it was against Korchnoi. The two Leningrader's battled their last match. 60 years between first and last.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1566195 Sprightly play by Spassky. Spassky castles by hand into a win.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1566156 Spassky vintage endgame. Draw in a winning position.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1459831 Stonewall Dutch. Spassky's intentions are obvious - priority defense. But then watch how he sacrifices a pawn to take the initiative. Portisch only saves himself through exchanges. Did Spassky miss something keeping the initiative?

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1459830 Another vintage Spassky endgame.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1414791 Another vintage Spassky endgame.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1357010 Set the bait and catch the trapper.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1583029 The final position is a work of art that shows how Spassky intends to set up a unigue checkmate position.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1583028 Spaaaky gets tripled pawns and his opponents passed A pawn in the opening but shows that White is still boss in the position. Its wonderful art to see how Spassky mines the dark squares.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1272525 The unexpected and beautiful Nd5 tactic after the rote Ra1.

[Hans Jung]

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1220570 Spassky gets carried away and sacrifices two pawns in the opening, albeit a picturesque position.