@scolairebocht, "By the way did he bless himself as the game ended? It looks a bit like that on the video?"
Yes he did, the Orthodox way! 
Help! I'm going to play Boris Spassky
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Kolems wrote:
Do ye remember this post by TadDude,
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-buzz/chess-legends-to-meet-at-zurich-station
Well, I entered the competition. It took me nearly 2 months to get the answers to the questions (I wasn't at it every night). The closing date was June 30. Then Georg from the Zurich chess club wrote today, to tell me I was one of the lucky 100 picked out of the hat. I'm the only one from Ireland. I'm going to be playing Boris Spassky. To be honest, I can't hardly believe it yet. I haven't a clue really. I need help...
Questions: What happens in a Simultan? What colour will I be? How long do I get to move? Better again, did anyone ever see Mr. Spassky play in a Simultan? What opening does he use?
My dream is to draw with him but failing that I would love to go at least 20 moves with him without making a cod of myself. If anyone out there can give me any advice at all I would be extremely grateful.
I'm going to travel with my wife and 8yo daughter who has also taken up chess recently. Maybe somebody knows somewhere where we can get cheap accommodation while we're there. Anyway that's my little outburst of joy. I'm looking forward to all replies.
when do you play him?
I could answer a lot of personal questions about his opening theory, however, it won't make much difference. My immediate response is to get him to play your game rather than his. The opening theory will make all the difference.
And trust me, it will. Spassky is a very intelligent player. Played the best all his life, from the best male players to the best female players. One thing, as I have said in my previous post, is that his play only becomes uncomfortable when you play on grounds by your own terms. Make sure you pick the right opening, spontaneous enough to catch his play off-guard.
Kolems wrote:
Do ye remember this post by TadDude,
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-buzz/chess-legends-to-meet-at-zurich-station
Well, I entered the competition. It took me nearly 2 months to get the answers to the questions (I wasn't at it every night). The closing date was June 30. Then Georg from the Zurich chess club wrote today, to tell me I was one of the lucky 100 picked out of the hat. I'm the only one from Ireland. I'm going to be playing Boris Spassky. To be honest, I can't hardly believe it yet. I haven't a clue really. I need help...
Questions: What happens in a Simultan? What colour will I be? How long do I get to move? Better again, did anyone ever see Mr. Spassky play in a Simultan? What opening does he use?
My dream is to draw with him but failing that I would love to go at least 20 moves with him without making a cod of myself. If anyone out there can give me any advice at all I would be extremely grateful.
I'm going to travel with my wife and 8yo daughter who has also taken up chess recently. Maybe somebody knows somewhere where we can get cheap accommodation while we're there. Anyway that's my little outburst of joy. I'm looking forward to all replies.
Maybe you should try, if he plays d4 avoid the Kings Indian. and if e4 avoid the sicilian might as well play the caro-kann study the Spassky-Karpov tiff or the Spassk -Petrosian 1966 match. Lasting 20 moves against spassky is already a privilege. Avoid tactical melees the guy is a legend he may be old but he can see em. Dont play for a draw its a lossing move just play according to what the position requires and if opportunity knocks dont think twice.good luck
Look you can't tell the OP to play a specific one line move hoping the best. You can't say e4-e5. None of that makes ultimate long-term success. Again, whatever his moves, make sure they are on your terms. Often games are won this way. Often more than less.
Thats very very impressive Colm, I cannot believe that you played so well against him. (I think you had a guaranteed two pawns but I think he could have got out of worse trouble with that rook to h2 move that was flagged in this thread.) I know its only a simul and he is getting on a bit but bear in mind he didn't lose any of those games and you were the one that had him most rattled. To think that you had only played something like 12 games of chess, on a real board, in your entire life before that! It just goes to show you that while chess is not very popular at all in Ireland now nonetheless its obvious some people in this country have raw talent and an aptitude for the game if given a chance.
By the way did he bless himself as the game ended? It looks a bit like that on the video?