AEl Paso Times El Paso, Texas Monday, October 25, 1971 - Page 17
Bobby Fischer Defeats Russian In Eighth Game
Buenos Aires (AP) — Bobby Fischer of the United States defeated Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union Sunday night in their eighth chess game, giving the American a virtually insurmountable lead in the 12-game series.
Fischer now has won four games, including the last three, and Petrosian only one. The victory gives Fischer 5½ points to Petrosian's 2½, with 6½ points needed to win the tournament.
The victor will meet world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union next spring for the title.
Petrosian resigned after the 40th move when Fischer mounted a strong mating attack.
The critical point came when on the 24th point when Petrosian gave up a pawn to go on the attack. Fischer rebuffed the attack and had a strong passed pawn ahead. With final tactical thrusts he pushed the pawn forward and created the mating threat.
The 28-year-old American appeared to be back in the form that gave him 20 straight victories until he was defeated by Petrosian in the second game of this series.
He now needs only one point in the remaining four games still scheduled. A victory counts one point and a draw a half point.
Match victory could come for the American in the ninth game this Tuesday, when Fischer will have the whites and first move advantage.
If it does not, succeeding games will be on Thursday and Sunday.
