Star-Phoenix Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Saturday, October 09, 1971 - Page 6
Chess 'Little World Series' Divided by Harry Mather
Nearly 2,000 spectators witnessed opening ceremonies of the “little world series” of chess in Buenos Aires last weekend between U.S. grandmaster Bobby Fischer and Tigran Petrosian of the U.S.S.R. Fischer won the opening game playing the white pieces in 40 moves. However, the Russian came back to win the second encounter in 32 moves to break the American's 20-game winning streak and even the 12 game series with a 1-1 score. Winner of this match will meet world champion Boris Spassky for world title next March.
These are the moves in the first game: Fischer (white), Petrosian (black): Sicilian Defense: 14.Q-Q2 O-O-O; Petrosian seems to have the edge so far in this somewhat explosive situation. It would appear that both players have problems—the pin on white's queen's and the double attack on two of black's pieces.
The game continued: 18. QxB N-Q5 (this allows white to castle and perhaps expert analysts will comment on black's last move).
40. K-K5 and black resigned as his knight is trapped.
The considerable interest generated during the past year has undoubtedly been due, in part, to Fischer's strong bid for the world title. While large crowds, public support, and government assistance are commonplace in certain European centers, North America has usually been somewhat indifferent to chess. However this seems to be changing. At the U.S. Open in Ventura, Calif., this fall, over 400 players competed. The Canadian Open at Vancouver drew 156 competitors, and 248 players entered in Toronto's C.N.E. money prize tournament in September.
Nor is this upsurge restricted to only the larger centers. Here is Saskatchewan, provincial players are competing in the South Saskatchewan. Open held at Regina during Thanksgiving weekend; and the Saskatchewan championship will be held in Saskatoon over the Nov. 11 weekend.
Last, but by no means least—the Chess Federation of Canada has selected Saskatoon as site for the Canadian championship next August and has asked the Saskatchewan Chess Association to sponsor this important event which also constitutes the zonal championship for zone six in the world chess framework.
