Corvallis Gazette-Times Corvallis, Oregon Monday, October 25, 1971 - Page 14
Fischer Leading Russian In Important Chess Match
Buenos Aires (AP)— Bobby Fischer of the United States won another impressive victory last night with 40 moves to capture the eighth game of his 12-game match with Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union.
For the third time in a row, Fischer outplayed his opponent and now leads by a score of 5½ points to 2½. The 28-year-old American has won four games and lost one. Three ended in draws, with draws counting a half point and victories a full point.
Needing one more point to take the match, he is considered almost certain to clinch it this week. Games are scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at the San Martin Theatre.
The cash prizes in the tournament are $7,500 to the winners and $4,500 to the loser, but the major incentive is the chance to challenge world champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union.
That title match is set for next spring. Should Fischer be the challenger, it would be the first time since 1949 that a non-Russian has gotten that far.
No American has been world chess champion since the title was first recognized in the 1880's.
The eight game started with the Tarrasch defense to the Queen's Gambit.
Fischer rarely adopts this line as it generally leads to relatively even positions.
In view of the score and the fact that he had the black pieces, Fischer may have started out with the idea that a draw would be to his advantage. At any rate he was quite content to gain equality.
Fischer achieved this on his 15th move when the late minor piece was developed on a good line. The players might then have gradually exchanged off the men with a peaceful outcome.
Petrosian had other ideas. He started an advance on the king's side, planning to open lines for his rooks and bishops. Fischer promptly countered by a maneuver on the other side of the board.
It was the type of game that Fischer plays to perfection.
He gained time by exchanging one of Petrosian's bishops.
Petrosian decided to give up a pawn to maintain attacking chances rather than allow further reduction of the forces.
This proved to be poor strategy. Fischer forced the exchange of the second set of bishops, ending any serious threat. The extra pawn then became the major advantage. Fischer advanced it to the sixth rank where it tied up Petrosian's pieces.
From that point Fischer was in complete control. He forced a weakening of Petrosian's king position, then moved a rook to the eighth rank. An invasion of the seventh rank followed, further exposing the white king.
The final attack would have led to either mate or ruinous loss of material. Petrosian resigned when this became evident.
