AThe Daily Advertiser Lafayette, Louisiana Wednesday, October 27, 1971 - Page 7
First American Reaches Chess Championship Round
Buenos Aires (AP) — Bobby Fischer, a lanky New York bachelor, has won the right to play the world chess champion for the title—the first American ever to reach this level in chess competition.
He gained the right to play Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union by defeating Tigran Petrosian for the fourth consecutive time Tuesday night.
Gets Victory
The game gave Fischer 6½ points and the victory in a scheduled 12-game match with Petrosian, also of the Soviet Union and a former world champion. Fischer will receive $7,500 prize money and Petrosian $4,500.
The 28-year-old high school dropout from Brooklyn, kingpin of American chess for half his life, was once considered the enfant terrible of chess. But he has put aside temperament and quarrels with officials in his bid to be the first non-Russian champion in 25 years.
His 24-game match with Spassky will be held next April and May at a neutral site yet to be chosen.
Slow Start
Fischer got off to a slow start in the elimination match with 42-year-old Petrosian. He won the first game, lost the second and the next three were draws. Then he took command with his aggressive play and won the next four games, giving him the points needed for victory without the final three games of the series having to be played.
During elimination matches he won 20 straight games, before his one defeat by Petrosian, and defeated two grandmasters 6-0, a record never before recorded in modern high-level match and tournament play.
Fischer lounged in a swivel chair during his games with Petrosian, occasionally leaning forward after a move as if he might lunge at the board. At times, he would tap his foot or hold the side of his head. He always had a glass of orange juice at his side and at times would break for something to eat.
Youngest Grandmaster
Fischer, who became the youngest-ranking international grandmaster at age 15, has a long-time reputation as one of the most brilliant, daring players the game has seen.
However, Fischer has known disappointment and controversy in earlier tournament play.
In 1961, after declaring at age 19 that he would be world champion, he beat an impressive number of Russian players and then went down to a resounding defeat at the Candidates' Tournament in 1962.
He would not compete in the next round of qualifying matches for the triennial world champion and in the following round walked out after a dispute with officials.
