The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Sunday, October 31, 1971 - Page 70
The King's Men: Fischer Deflates Petrosian, Will Play Spassky for Title by Merrill Dowden
Thanks to the New York Times News Service, I am able to present today the score of the seventh game in the world challenge series finals between American grandmaster Bobby Fischer and former world champion Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union.
Fischer's victory at this point gave him an almost insurmountable lead of two full games. He went on, of course, to humiliate Petrosian 6½ to 2½, leaving only one man between him and the world championship. He will meet that man, Boris Spassky of Moscow, in a title match next spring.
Fischer, as White, opened with his invariable 1. P-K4, and Petrosian answered with the Sicilian. After Pawn exchanges in the center, Petrosian was saddled with an isolated Pawn, the defense of which caused him problems throughout the contest.
Soviet sacrificed early
The Soviet grandmaster tried to create problems by sacrifices early in the game. The first was with 12. Q-Q2, leaving Fischer the option to play 13. B-QN5, PxB; 14. QxR O-O. With this variation, Fischer would have gained a Rook for Bishop, but at a serious loss of time for his Queen, which would have been left in jeopardy.
The second chance came after Petrosian castled on his 15th turn, when Fischer could have replied with 16. N-N6; QR-N1; 17. BxP N-N5. This would have netted him a Pawn, but at the expense of counter play for Petrosian.
Fischer turned down both opportunities in favor of continuing his development and increasing pressure against the isolated Pawn.
I am frankly puzzled by Petrosian's 30. … N-N3, thereby enabling Fischer to double his Rooks decisively on the seventh rank. After that, the black King was virtually without protection, and his pieces too disorganized to come to the defense.
