Spassky on Korchnoi, and his failure to become world champion.

Boris, at one point [in the interview], came up with the incredible statement that Korchnoi had every quality necessary to become world champion BUT lacked ONE very essential quality...and it was precisely this quality that prevented him from attaining chess' highest title.



He began to list Korchnoi's many qualities

• Killer Instinct (nobody can even compare with Victor's 'gift')


• ...Phenomenal capacity to work (both on the board and off the board)


• ...Iron nerves (even with seconds left on the clock)


• ...Ability to Calculate (maybe only Fischer was better in this department)


• ...Tenacity and perseverance in Defense (unmatched by anyone)


• ...The ability to counterattack (unrivaled in chess history


• ...Impeccable Technique (Flawless, even better than Capa's


• ...Capacity to concentrate (unreal)


• ...Impervious to distractions during the game


• ...Brilliant understanding of strategy


• ...Superb tactician (only a few in history an compare with Victor


• ...Possessing the most profound opening preparation of any GM of his generation


• ..Subtle Psychologist


• ...Super-human will to win (matched only by Fischer)


• ...Deep knowledge of all of his adversaries


• ...Enormous energy and self-discipline

Then Boris stopped, and just looked at me, begging for me to ask the question that needed to be asked....



I asked: 'But, Boris, what does Victor lack to become world champion?'



Boris' answer floored me:

Spoiler:

''He has no chess talent!''

Spassky on Korchnoi, and his failure to become world champion.