ADetroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan Monday, August 25, 1986 - Page 87
Chess King Lost Crown, Stayed in Spotlight
The former world chess champion — the Soviet who lost his title to American Bobby Fischer in the most publicized chess match in history — lounged on a couch and tried to explain the physical and mental pressures inherent in his craft. […] Spassky indicated he is on friendly terms with Fischer and sometimes talks to him on the phone, but he refused to report on the activities of the reclusive American who won the championship from him.
“Bobby wants to avoid publicity and made me promise not to disclose his activities or his whereabouts,” Spassky said. “Actually, it is a shame, because after my defeat, Fischer was in a unique position to galvanize American interest in chess. Instead…”
He shrugged.
In 1969, Spassky won the world chess championship and held that title until the famous 1972 match with Fischer in Iceland. Though he never regained the championship, Spassky has remained active in international competition and continues to be one of the world's top dozen players.[…]
“After the loss, I was barred by the government from playing in international competition for nine months,” he said. “That was not proper. After a defeat, it is necessary for a grand master to continue in competition or else he can lose his competitive edge.
“But the government had a different outlook. They had been keeping a bill on me for my ideological differences with them when I was champion. When I lost, they presented me with the bill and said, ‘Pay up.’ The payment was the nine-month suspension.”
