On May 2, 8:15 am, SBD wrote:
On May 2, 8:03 am, " wrote:

. Alas, his selfmate returned the
title to the Soviets without a fight.

That is not a selfmate, it is a helpmate. Doesn't Evans at least know
how to use chess language properly?

I believe Evans is using "selfmate" as a word-play on "suicide", the
old name for such problems. He means Fischer killed himself as
Champion through his actions. I think it's hair-splitting to argue
over the subtleties of the term as used here. But you appear to be
correct. Technically a self-mate requires White to force Black to mate
him against Black's will - the moves are forced. I don't think the
Soviets were unwilling to take the Championship title.