AThe Times-News Twin Falls, Idaho Friday, July 23, 1971 - Page 6
Chess Ace Primed to Meet Russians
Denver (UPI) — Robert J. “Bobby” Fischer, the U.S. chess ace who has advanced into the finals of the current world challenge competition, is eager for the next round.
He's eager to take on the Russians, because he wants to take the title away from them.
On Tuesday, Fischer won his sixth straight game from Danish grandmaster Bent Larsen to take a world semifinal match played in Denver.
The victory ran his string of wins to 19 games in international competition. It was the I.S. player's second 6-0 shutout in the current series, the first being a victory over Soviet Mark Taimanov in the quarter-finals.
Fischer will play the winner of a match underway in Moscow between former world champion Tigran Petrosian and Victor Korchnoi, who have agreed to draws in their first eight games.
Fischer said the long string of draws was “expected,” because both players were cautious and because the match might be “prearranged.”
“I'm not surprised if their match was prearranged. I'm not saying it is, but it could be,” said the outspoken player.
Larsen disagreed, however, saying “he never thought they (the Russians) have done these things.”
The Russians players are “too individual” to allow prearranged matches, he said.
But Fischer, who has said he “has this thing about the Russians,” wants to take the world title from the current champion Boris Spassky. The winner of Fischer's finals match will play a 24-game world championship match with Spassky in 1972.
Assessing the match at a reception Wednesday, Fischer called Denver “one of the best” sites he has ever played at. Larsen, on the other hand, said he experienced discomfort over the hot weather and dryness of Colorado.
“I think it was a mistake to accept a match in Denver,” Larsen said. “It was too hot here.”
Temperatures in Denver frequently rose to the high 90's and several times hit 100 degrees or more. Larsen said he preferred coastal cities for chess matches or tournaments.
Larsen also experienced a recurring problem in extreme climate changes—high blood pressure—which caused postponement of the fifth game of the semifinal match.
The Danish player said his ill health was a contributing factor in his shutout loss to Fischer. Larsen lives in Copenhagen and the switch from nearly sea level to an altitude of 5,280 feet did affect him, he said.
While Larsen relaxed between matches to rest up, Fischer played tennis frequently and listened to music to ease the tension created by the competition.
Fischer stressed his eagerness to take the world chess title away from the Russians, who have dominated the game for about the last 20 years.
He termed Russian players “well honed, razor sharp and well prepared.”
Larsen had more concrete opinions, saying Fischer will have an easier time if Korchnoi wins the current match in Moscow.
“He (Fischer) makes slight inaccuracies,” said Larsen.
“With Korchnoi it doesn't matter. With Petrosian it does.”
Either way, the final match leading to the challenge of Spassky, will be a good one.
“I think I'll win,” Fischer who claims to be the best chess player in the past 10 years, says confidently.
