Re: The Match That Wasn't

On May 2, 8:15 am, SBD <DrD...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On May 2, 8:03 am, "parrthe...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
" <parrthe...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> >. Alas, his selfmate returned the
> > title to the Soviets without a fight.
>
> That is not a selfmate, it is a helpmate. Doesn't Evans at least know
> how to use chess language properly?

I believe Evans is using "selfmate" as a word-play on "suicide", the
old name for such problems. He means Fischer killed himself as
Champion through his actions. I think it's hair-splitting to argue
over the subtleties of the term as used here. But you appear to be
correct. Technically a self-mate requires White to force Black to mate
him against Black's will - the moves are forced.  I don't think the
Soviets were unwilling to take the Champion****p title.