AStar-Phoenix Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Saturday, May 22, 1971 - Page 25
Chess Quarter Finals - Controversy Delays Start by Harry MatherAfter a delay of three days arising out of a controversy on playing conditions and facilities, one of the world chess quarter finals between grand masters Bobby Fischer (U.S.A.) and Mark Taimanov (U.S.S.R.) got under way in Vancouver. First game of this 10-game match was won by Fischer with the black pieces, after having been adjourned following the regulation 40 moves. With a lost position, Taimanov resigned before resumption of play, leaving the American with a 1-0 lead.
The second match game on Tuesday (given below) has developed into a 'marathon'. After two adjournments, the result is still in the balance after 75 moves.
While Fischer and Taimanov are contending one of the quarter finals in Vancouver, six other quarter finalists are battling it out in other parts of the world. In the Canary Islands at Las Palmas, grandmasters Bent Larsen of Denmark and Wolfgang Uhlmann of East Germany have played three of the 10 games and are tied with 1½ points each, while across the bay over in Spain, grandmasters Tigran Petrosian (U.S.S.R.) and Robert Huebner (West Germany) are establishing drawing records (even for grandmasters!) with five successive draws for a tied score of 2-2. In Moscow, Viktor Korchnoi conceded defeat to Yefim Geller in the fourth game. They each have a win and two matches were tied.
Now for the benefit of the chess public who may not be fully aware of what this is all about, a few words are in order: For the purposes of world championships, the world is divided into several population and geographic zones (Canada is zone No. 6), and a three year cycle is required to establish a new champion. Representatives from the various zones then compete in an inter-zonal tournament and the top six, plus the previous champion and challenger, then compete among themselves in a knock-out set of matches.
These quarter finals are scheduled to be completed by June 15, and after a brief rest the four winners will then commence the semi-final knock-out matches. It should also be pointed out to those unfamiliar with tournament play that each player has to make a required number of moves in a set time, but after five hours of play all games are adjourned.
The second game between Fischer and Taimanov went as follows: with Fischer playing the white pieces: 37. PxP R-Q5; and here Taimanov is reported to be in severe time trouble with only a matter of seconds to complete his 40th move. It appears that under time pressure, his next move is in error—allowing Fischer to capture the advanced pawn.
The game continued: 45. P-B4, and here Taimanov sealed his 45th move indicating an adjournment.
After the adjournment the game continued next day as follows: 45. … K-Q2
73. K-N3 — adjourned again, with good drawing chances.
The third game between Fischer and Taimanov came to an adjournment on Thursday night, with Taimanov in a hopeless position after the 42nd move. His king was in check by Fischer's queen, which simultaneously was attacking a bishop.
