AThe Californian Salinas, California Wednesday, October 20, 1971 - Page 31
Fischer Increases Chess Lead
Buenos Aires (UPI)—America's Bobby Fischer appeared well on the way today to challenging the stranglehold Russian grandmasters have held in the world chess championship for nearly a quarter century.
The 28-year-old New Yorker won for the second day in a row Tuesday, forcing former world champion Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union to resign on the 34th move. It was the seventh of a scheduled 12-match series, with Fischer now well in the lead with 4-1-2 points to Petrosian's 2-1-2.
With 6-1-2 points needed to win, Fischer's lead was considered to be almost insurmountable.
The winner of the series earns the right to challenge world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union for the title.
The world crown has been in Russian hands since 1948 when it was won by Mikhail Botvinnik. Petrosian held the title from 1963 to 1969, when he lost to Spassky.
Fischer, U.S. champion at 14 and the youngest international grandmaster at 15, now has won three games.
Petrosian, 42, has one victory. Three of the matches ended in draws.
