This Year in Eastern Europe forward story of escape soon became less clear: Five days after Spassky’s conversation with Friedel, Spassky’s sister gave a conflicting account of Spassky’s journey to Moscow. According to her, these so-called “friends” had kidnapped Spassky with the help of a maid. Complicating Spassky’s report that he was in Moscow, Spassky’s sister had no idea where he was. Spassky’s son told reporters that his father was indeed in Mosocw, but was unaware how he had arrived there. Two months later, Spassky surfaced and gave a short interview on Russian TV. There, he decried the words of his sister, claiming he travelled to Moscow voluntarily. The interview ended with Spassky comparing the trajectory of his life to that of Bobby Fischer’s years after winning the world title. Spassky talked about the inner struggles he believes the two of them faced. During the interview, Spassky appeared sickly and not quite himself, only raising further questions. It was not until the following year, January 26, 2013, that the story of Spassky’s mysterious flight gained some resolution. It was the 75th anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Semyonovich
Vysotsky, an enormously influential Russian singer and songwriter who had written a song for the 1972 match. In honor of the 75th anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky, an enormously influential Russian singer and songwriter who had written a song for the 1972 match the Russian Tonight Show (Сегодня Вечером) invited Spassky to appear. On screen, he seemed lively and content, reaffirming his love for Russia and his respect for Bobby Fischer. Though his return to Moscow was never addressed on air, Spassky’s good health laid to rest the earlier rumors that his move had been forced. With no new articles popping up on Chessbase, for now, this bizarre tale has a happy ending. This is good news for Spassky’s close friends and family. It is also good news for chess players, who can look forward to the publication of Spassky’s book, which will provide more insight on the match that changed chess throughout the world. More importantly, Spassky’s book will, like his last televised appearance, allow him to give his own story, which has been so long forgotten or told by others.
Anna Sharova, Washington and Lee University
— 8 —