AThe Record Hackensack, New Jersey Thursday, September 30, 1971 - Page 14
Chess Battles Begin
Buenos Aires (AP) — U.S. chess expert Bobby Fischer received the white pawn last night in the draw for the semifinal tournament against Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union and will thus make the first move in the first game today.
Fischer held the pawns in his cupped hands, and Petrosian tapped the hand that held the black.
White will then rotate between the two players in the other 11 games of the match to determine who will meet the Soviet Union's world champion Boris Spassky,for the title.
Gaining the first move is a slight advantage, with white winning 60 per cent and black 40 per center of the games won in tournament chess.
Fischer and Petrosian, who reigned as world champion from 1963 to 1969, have styles of play that are as far apart as two grandmasters can be.
CAPTION: WHICH HAND?—U.S. chess master Bobby Fischer, left, holds the chess pieces behind his back as Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union taps the hand to determine the draw for the semifinal tournament in Buenos Aires Wednesday. Petrosian drew black, thus giving Fischer the first move and a slight advantage. The winner will meet the Soviet Union's world champion Boris Spassky for the title.
