The Guardian London, Greater London, England Monday, April 22, 1963 - Page 3
Botvinnik has to fight after errors
Botvinnik made another strenuous effort to square the match in his twelfth world title game with Petrosian, but he spoiled a fine position by errors in the last few moves before the time control and had to fight for a draw.
Petrosian now leads 6½-5½. The percentage of draws at this stage of the match is unequaled in a world title match since 1921.
According to reports from Moscow, Botvinnik is showing signs of strain. He told the referee that he could not sleep the night before the twelfth game, thus explaining his fifth-hour blunders.
Most grandmasters who were asked by Tass for the forecast of the result are now tipping Petrosian. Keres, for instance, remarked: “At present Petrosian is one point ahead: I think his chances of success are also one point up.” Smyslov and Tal, former opponents of Botvinnik, forecast that the final decision would only come in the last few games, when they expect the struggle to become more tense.
Unimpressed
Tass also asked Bobby Fischer for his views. As usual, the young American champion was unimpressed by anything Russian: “Up to now there have been hardly any interesting games in the match,” Fischer claimed. “I think that Petrosian will win because he is much younger than his opponent.”.
Meanwhile, Petrosian, who originally wanted the match postponed because he claimed the Moscow winter would be too cold, has adopted an original gamesmanship technique by ostentatiously discarding his fur hat, and replacing his dark overcoat with a light summer suit.