Chess

IT WAS the oldest chat-up line in the book - 'May I play a game of chess with you?' - but it earned Cathy Forbes, 24, a place in the footnotes of history.

The question was posed by the former British Ladies' champion to Bobby Fischer at the final press conference in Sveti Stefan last week. Fischer asked for her rating, then smiled and said: 'We'll see.'

The following day, at the closing party, a spare bodyguard told Cathy that Bobby wanted to talk to her. Fischer pointed at his pocket set and told her to play. With White thinking hard over her moves, and wishing she had not had those two brandies, and Black playing instantly, the following game ensued and was promptly blazoned over all the local newspapers. As the first published Fischer game against anyone other than Spassky since 1972, it is a real curiosity.

Fischer showed a touch of gallantry at the end, suggesting that in place of the blunder 27. Qd3, White would have had good drawing chances after 27. Qf4 Nxb2 28. Rc1.

Today, Bobby resumes battle with Boris in the 4,000-seater grand hall of the Sava Centre in Belgrade. They have not found a glass dome to cover the players, as Fischer requested, but have a glass panel stretching from floor to ceiling across the stage to insulate them from the spectators. Fischer's latest condition may also pose problems: he wants a guarantee that there will be at least 2,000 spectators.

White: Cathy

Black: Bobby

----------------------------------------------------------------- 1 d4 Nf6 15 Bf4 e5 2 Nf3 g6 16 Bg3 Nc5 3 Bf4 Bg7 17 Nd2 Nh5 4 Nc3 d6 18 Bh2 Nf4 5 e4 0-0 19 Bxf4 exf4 6 h3 c5 20 Nb3 Nd7 7 dxc5 Qa5 21 Qd2 f3 8 Bd2 Qxc5 22 g3 Ne5 9 Bd3 a6 23 Bf1 h5 10 a4 b6 24 Rad1 Rad8 11 0-0 Bb7 25 Nd5 Bxd5 12 Re1 Nbd7 26 exd5 Nc4 13 Be3 Qc7 27 Qd3 Nxb2 14 Qe2 e6 White resigns -----------------------------------------------------------------