AStar-Phoenix Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Saturday, May 29, 1971 - Page 20
Chess Quarter Finals - Nerves Force Retirement by Harry Mather
After six successive draws and one win, former champion Tigran Petrosian (USSR) was conceded the match by West Germany's Robert Huebner. The young German grandmaster withdrew after the seventh game, citing frayed nerves as his reason; and although offered an adjournment of a few days by the British referee, still declined to continue, leaving Petrosian the match winner by a 4-3 score.
In Vancouver, Robert Fischer of the USA continued to dominate the match in his quarter final against Mark Taimanov (USSR) with a perfect 4-0 score; and barring a miracle, seemed destined to advance to the semi-finals. Like Huebner of Germany, Taimanov is reported to be in poor health and was granted a one day adjournment for medical attention.
In the Canary Islands, Bent Larsen of Denmark increased his lead over Uhlmann of East Germany to 4½-2½ after seven games and needs only one point to clinch the match; while in Moscow the only real close battle is being waged between the Soviet grandmasters Korchnoi and Geller. After six completed games and one adjournment still in the balance, Korchnoi has a small edge of 3½-2½ with four games to go.
The four winners of the quarter-finals will play off the semi-finals during July, and the two finalists will then compete later in the fall for the right to challenge world champion Boris Spassky sometime in 1972.
