28 Down

NYT Daily • August 1, 2025

Chess great Spassky

Answer:

BORIS

Hint:

["Here’s a helpful hint for the clue \"Chess great Spassky\":\n\n**\"First name of a Soviet chess champion who famously faced Fischer.\"**\n\nThis hint provides context about Spassky's prominence in chess history and his notable rivalry, making it easier to recall his first name without directly giving it away."]

Explanation:

Certainly! Here's a clear and concise explanation of the clue and answer: **Clue:** "Chess great Spassky" **Answer:** "BORIS" **Explanation:** The clue refers to **Boris Spassky**, a renowned Soviet and later French chess grandmaster who was the World Chess Champion from 1969 to 1972. The answer "BORIS" is simply his first name, which is well-known in the context of chess history. There is no wordplay or pun here—it's a straightforward reference to a famous chess player. If this were a cryptic crossword, the clue might involve wordplay (e.g., an anagram or hidden word), but in this case, it appears to be a direct definition clue.

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