New York Times, New York, New York, Wednesday, October 20, 1971 - Page 39
Fischer Is Victor 2d Straight Time
Buenos Aires, Oct. 19—Bobby Fischer of the United States scored his second victory in succession today when he outplayed Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union in the seventh game of their match in the San Martin Theater.
Fischer leads, 4½-2½, and is heavily favored to win the match. The first player to reach 6½ points—a point is scored for a victory and half a point for a draw—wins the match and the right to play Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, the world champion, in a title match next year.
Petrosian used the Sicilian Defense, as he had in the first game. He varied on the fourth move, leading into a variation that Fischer has favored with the white pieces.
After two pawns were exchanged, Petrosian had isolated pawns that caused problems for him throughout the game. Fischer's continuing threats against these pawns were the dominant feature of the middle game and ending.
Petrosian tried to create complications by sacrifices at two early points. The first was with 12. … Q-Q2; had Fischer played 13. B-QN5, the moves 13. … PxB; 14. QxR, O-O might have followed.
Fischer would have gained a rook for a bishop, but at a serious loss of time with his queen, which would have been in danger of being trapped.
The second chance was after 15. … O-O. Here the reply 16. N-N6 could have led to 16. … QR-N1, 17. BxP N-N5. This would have netted a pawn for Fischer, but with ample counter play for Petrosian.
On both occasions Fischer turned down the offers in favor of continuing his development and increasing the pressure on the weak points. The patient and accurate play paid off. Fischer increased his advantage when he exchanged his knight for the black bishop.
On his 24th move, Fischer established a rook on the seventh rank. Realizing his growing problems, Petrosian tried to play on the king side, but his led nowhere.
When Fischer planted his second rook on the seventh, the game was about over. Petrosian recognized the hopelessness of his situation and resigned on the 34th move.
The eighth game will be played on Thursday, and following games will be on Sunday and Tuesday.
